Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with answers on “The British Annexation of Assam: Causes and Impact”

1. The British annexation of Assam was primarily a result of which conflict?

• a) First Anglo-Burmese War
• b) Second Anglo-Mysore War
• c) First Anglo-Maratha War
• d) Anglo-Sikh War
  Answer: a) First Anglo-Burmese War

2. Which treaty led to the formal British annexation of Assam?

• a) Treaty of Salbai
• b) Treaty of Yandabo
• c) Treaty of Bassein
• d) Treaty of Lahore
  Answer: b) Treaty of Yandabo

3. The Treaty of Yandabo was signed in which year?

• a) 1817
• b) 1826
• c) 1833
• d) 1842
  Answer: b) 1826

4. Which kingdom’s internal strife weakened its ability to resist British annexation in Assam?

• a) Ahom Kingdom
• b) Koch Kingdom
• c) Kachari Kingdom
• d) Manipur Kingdom
  Answer: a) Ahom Kingdom

5. Which Burmese ruler’s invasion of Assam contributed to the British annexation?

• a) Alaungpaya
• b) Bagyidaw
• c) Hsinbyushin
• d) Thibaw Min
  Answer: b) Bagyidaw

6. The British initially entered Assam to expel which foreign power?

• a) French
• b) Dutch
• c) Burmese
• d) Portuguese
  Answer: c) Burmese

7. What role did David Scott play in the annexation of Assam?

• a) Military general
• b) British administrator
• c) Burmese envoy
• d) Ahom king
  Answer: b) British administrator

8. Which Ahom ruler requested British help against the Burmese invasion?

• a) Gaurinath Singha
• b) Chandrakanta Singha
• c) Rudra Singha
• d) Siva Singha
  Answer: b) Chandrakanta Singha

9. Which major battle between the British and the Burmese in Assam is often considered a turning point?

• a) Battle of Saraighat
• b) Battle of Gauhati
• c) Battle of Koliabor
• d) Battle of Khadki
  Answer: c) Battle of Koliabor

10. Which region of Assam was the first to be annexed by the British?

• a) Lower Assam
• b) Upper Assam
• c) Central Assam
• d) Western Assam
  Answer: a) Lower Assam

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11. The annexation of Assam was part of which larger British colonial strategy?

• a) Divide and Rule
• b) Expansion of the Eastern Frontier
• c) Conquering the Marathas
• d) Diplomacy with France
  Answer: b) Expansion of the Eastern Frontier

12. Which natural resource in Assam became crucial for the British after annexation?

• a) Cotton
• b) Opium
• c) Tea
• d) Silk
  Answer: c) Tea

13. Which British officer is credited with establishing the first tea garden in Assam?

• a) Robert Clive
• b) Charles Bruce
• c) Lord Curzon
• d) John Lawrence
  Answer: b) Charles Bruce

14. How did the British administration initially rule Assam after annexation?

• a) Direct rule
• b) Through local kings
• c) As part of Bengal Presidency
• d) As an independent state
  Answer: c) As part of Bengal Presidency

15. Which Ahom resistance leader is known for opposing British rule in Assam?

• a) Lachit Borphukan
• b) Maniram Dewan
• c) Gopinath Bordoloi
• d) Gadadhar Singha
  Answer: b) Maniram Dewan

16. Which rebellion in Assam was a direct response to British annexation?

• a) Sepoy Mutiny
• b) Patharughat Uprising
• c) Phulaguri Uprising
• d) Singpho Rebellion
  Answer: d) Singpho Rebellion

17. The annexation of Assam affected its traditional economy by introducing which system?

• a) Zamindari system
• b) Ryotwari system
• c) Permanent Settlement
• d) Indigo plantations
  Answer: a) Zamindari system

18. Which British governor-general was in office during the annexation of Assam?

• a) Lord Dalhousie
• b) Lord Hastings
• c) Lord Wellesley
• d) Lord Amherst
  Answer: d) Lord Amherst

19. Which indigenous community of Assam was significantly impacted by British tea plantations?

• a) Nagas
• b) Bodos
• c) Santhals
• d) Khasis
  Answer: b) Bodos

20. The British introduced the cultivation of tea in Assam primarily to compete with which country?

• a) Japan
• b) China
• c) Indonesia
• d) Sri Lanka
  Answer: b) China

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21. What was the immediate impact of British annexation on the Ahom monarchy?

• a) It was dissolved
• b) It continued as a puppet state
• c) It was restored to power
• d) It was integrated into the Mughal Empire
  Answer: a) It was dissolved

22. The British divided Assam into which administrative unit initially?

• a) Assam Province
• b) Assam Division
• c) Assam Presidency
• d) Assam District
  Answer: b) Assam Division

23. Which tribe in Assam led a revolt against the British in 1830?

• a) Mishing
• b) Kachari
• c) Jaintia
• d) Singpho
  Answer: d) Singpho

24. What was the long-term effect of British annexation on Assam’s political structure?

• a) Consolidation of tribal power
• b) Introduction of British colonial administration
• c) Establishment of democracy
• d) Formation of independent Assam
  Answer: b) Introduction of British colonial administration

25. Which sector of Assam’s economy saw rapid growth due to British annexation?

• a) Cotton industry
• b) Tea industry
• c) Steel industry
• d) Shipbuilding
  Answer: b) Tea industry

26. Which Assamese leader was executed by the British for his role in the 1857 revolt?

• a) Maniram Dewan
• b) Chandrakanta Singha
• c) Gadadhar Singha
• d) Dhananjoy Borgohain
  Answer: a) Maniram Dewan

27. How did the British annexation of Assam impact its cultural identity?

• a) Complete destruction of culture
• b) Revival of Assamese traditions
• c) Suppression of Assamese language
• d) Introduction of European customs
  Answer: c) Suppression of Assamese language

28. Which administrative policy by the British made Assam a separate province?

• a) Partition of Bengal (1905)
• b) Indian Councils Act (1861)
• c) Government of India Act (1935)
• d) Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
  Answer: a) Partition of Bengal (1905)

29. The annexation of Assam opened up trade routes between Assam and which region?

• a) Tibet
• b) Myanmar (Burma)
• c) Afghanistan
• d) Nepal
  Answer: b) Myanmar (Burma)

30. What was the key British interest in annexing Assam?

• a) Its gold mines
• b) Its strategic location and tea cultivation
• c) Its population for labor
• d) Its religious significance
  Answer: b) Its strategic location and tea cultivation

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These MCQs cover the key causes and impacts of the British annexation of Assam, from the First Anglo-Burmese War to economic changes and resistance movements in Assam.