1. Which British official is known as the "Father of Modern Education in India"? a)…
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “The Economic Impact of British Rule on India – Indian History”
1. What was one of the primary economic policies of the British East India Company in India?
- A) Industrialization
- B) Agricultural development
- C) Commercial exploitation
- D) Land reforms
- Answer: C) Commercial exploitation
2. Which economic sector suffered the most under British rule in India?
- A) Textile industry
- B) Agricultural sector
- C) Mining industry
- D) Information technology
- Answer: B) Agricultural sector
3. The British introduced which type of land revenue system in India that led to the exploitation of Indian farmers?
- A) Zamindari system
- B) Ryotwari system
- C) Mahalwari system
- D) All of the above
- Answer: D) All of the above
4. Which act was introduced by the British in 1858 to consolidate their control over Indian administration and economy?
- A) Government of India Act
- B) Indian Councils Act
- C) Regulating Act
- D) Charter Act
- Answer: A) Government of India Act
5. What was the main effect of the British railways on India’s economy?
- A) Boosted local industries
- B) Facilitated the export of raw materials and goods to Britain
- C) Promoted agricultural development
- D) Reduced economic disparity
- Answer: B) Facilitated the export of raw materials and goods to Britain
6. The decline of which industry in India was largely attributed to British economic policies?
- A) Steel industry
- B) Textile industry
- C) Shipbuilding industry
- D) Pharmaceutical industry
- Answer: B) Textile industry
7. Which economic policy was used by the British to drain wealth from India?
- A) Import substitution
- B) Free trade
- C) Exchange controls
- D) Colonial trade policies
- Answer: D) Colonial trade policies
8. What was the main focus of British economic policies in India during the 19th century?
- A) Industrial development
- B) Infrastructure development
- C) Exploitation of resources and profit maximization
- D) Social welfare
- Answer: C) Exploitation of resources and profit maximization
9. Which major famine occurred in India during British rule that resulted in widespread suffering and death?
- A) Bengal Famine of 1770
- B) Deccan Famine of 1876-77
- C) Orissa Famine of 1866
- D) All of the above
- Answer: D) All of the above
10. What was the impact of the British revenue policies on Indian agriculture?
- A) Improved productivity and income
- B) Increased land ownership among farmers
- C) Land alienation and impoverishment of farmers
- D) Introduction of modern farming techniques
- Answer: C) Land alienation and impoverishment of farmers
11. Which act passed by the British government aimed to consolidate administrative control over India and regulate trade?
- A) The Charter Act of 1813
- B) The Regulating Act of 1773
- C) The Indian Councils Act of 1909
- D) The Government of India Act of 1919
- Answer: B) The Regulating Act of 1773
12. What was the primary reason for the rise of zamindari land revenue system under British rule?
- A) To promote agricultural production
- B) To consolidate revenue collection and control over land
- C) To reduce tax burdens on farmers
- D) To facilitate land reforms
- Answer: B) To consolidate revenue collection and control over land
13. How did the British economic policies impact Indian handicraft industries?
- A) Encouraged growth of handicrafts
- B) Provided technological advancements
- C) Led to the decline and collapse of traditional industries
- D) Facilitated international trade for handicrafts
- Answer: C) Led to the decline and collapse of traditional industries
14. What was the primary objective of the British land revenue system in India?
- A) To support agricultural development
- B) To maximize revenue for the British government
- C) To reduce land disputes
- D) To promote land ownership among Indians
- Answer: B) To maximize revenue for the British government
15. The British East India Company established monopolies in which major industry during their rule?
- A) Cotton textiles
- B) Salt
- C) Tea
- D) All of the above
- Answer: D) All of the above
16. Which British policy led to the introduction of a new taxation system in India, affecting the agricultural sector?
- A) The Permanent Settlement
- B) The Ryotwari System
- C) The Mahalwari System
- D) The Deccan Agriculture System
- Answer: A) The Permanent Settlement
17. The establishment of which institution was aimed at regulating Indian trade and maintaining British economic interests?
- A) The Reserve Bank of India
- B) The East India Company
- C) The Indian National Congress
- D) The Royal Agricultural Society
- Answer: B) The East India Company
18. What was the primary cause of the economic drain from India during British rule?
- A) Investment in local infrastructure
- B) Transfer of wealth to Britain through trade surpluses and revenues
- C) Provision of aid and development projects
- D) Support for Indian industries
- Answer: B) Transfer of wealth to Britain through trade surpluses and revenues
19. Which policy led to the increase of British control over Indian agriculture and rural economy?
- A) Land Acquisition Act
- B) Agricultural Reforms Act
- C) Revenue Assessment Act
- D) The Permanent Settlement Act
- Answer: D) The Permanent Settlement Act
20. Which economic change was brought about by the British rule that had a negative impact on Indian small-scale industries?
- A) Introduction of modern technology
- B) Decrease in import duties on foreign goods
- C) Increase in local production incentives
- D) Establishment of industrial infrastructure
- Answer: B) Decrease in import duties on foreign goods
21. The British practice of exporting raw materials from India primarily benefited which industry in Britain?
- A) Textile industry
- B) Mining industry
- C) Automotive industry
- D) Pharmaceutical industry
- Answer: A) Textile industry
22. Which British policy adversely affected the traditional crafts and industries of India?
- A) Protectionist tariffs
- B) Free trade policy
- C) Industrialization incentives
- D) Agricultural subsidies
- Answer: B) Free trade policy
23. What was the impact of British economic policies on Indian urbanization?
- A) Rapid growth of Indian cities
- B) Development of new industrial centers
- C) Slow urbanization due to focus on rural exploitation
- D) Introduction of modern urban infrastructure
- Answer: C) Slow urbanization due to focus on rural exploitation
24. How did the British colonial economic policies affect Indian artisans and weavers?
- A) Encouraged their growth and expansion
- B) Provided them with advanced tools and techniques
- C) Led to their economic decline and unemployment
- D) Integrated them into the global market
- Answer: C) Led to their economic decline and unemployment
25. What was the British policy regarding Indian trade during the colonial period?
- A) Promotion of Indian exports
- B) Restriction and regulation of Indian trade for British benefit
- C) Equal trade policies with all countries
- D) Encouragement of local trade industries
- Answer: B) Restriction and regulation of Indian trade for British benefit
26. Which British legislation aimed to control and regulate the Indian economy through taxation?
- A) The Indian Income Tax Act
- B) The Salt Tax Act
- C) The Land Revenue Act
- D) The Import and Export Act
- Answer: B) The Salt Tax Act
27. What was the effect of the British introduction of railways on Indian economic conditions?
- A) Enhanced local trade and commerce
- B) Facilitated the extraction and export of resources
- C) Improved agricultural productivity
- D) Promoted regional development
- Answer: B) Facilitated the extraction and export of resources
28. Which sector experienced limited development due to British economic policies focusing on exploitation?
- A) Education
- B) Health
- C) Infrastructure
- D) Local industry
- Answer: D) Local industry
29. The British policy of land revenue extraction led to the widespread displacement of which group in rural areas?
- A) Landlords
- B) Zamindars
- C) Peasants and farmers
- D) Industrial workers
- Answer: C) Peasants and farmers
30. What was the primary impact of British economic policies on Indian agriculture in terms of production and income?
- A) Increased agricultural productivity and income
- B) Decreased productivity and income, leading to economic hardships
- C) Balanced growth and development
- D) No significant impact
- Answer: B) Decreased productivity and income, leading to economic hardships
These questions cover a range of topics related to the economic impact of British rule on India, providing a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of economic exploitation and its consequences.