1. Which British official is known as the "Father of Modern Education in India"? a)…
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “The Role of Indian Princes and the Princely States – Indian History”
1. What was the primary role of Indian princely states during the British Raj?
- A) To act as independent countries
- B) To administer local governance under British suzerainty
- C) To lead military campaigns against the British
- D) To establish trade agreements with foreign powers
- Answer: B) To administer local governance under British suzerainty
2. Which act formalized the relationship between the British Crown and the princely states in India?
- A) Government of India Act, 1858
- B) Indian Councils Act, 1909
- C) Government of India Act, 1935
- D) Indian Independence Act, 1947
- Answer: A) Government of India Act, 1858
3. Who was the British officer responsible for negotiating treaties with the princely states?
- A) Lord Curzon
- B) Lord Mountbatten
- C) Lord Dalhousie
- D) Robert Clive
- Answer: C) Lord Dalhousie
4. Which princely state was ruled by the Nizam and had its capital in Hyderabad?
- A) Mysore
- B) Kashmir
- C) Hyderabad
- D) Gwalior
- Answer: C) Hyderabad
5. The Doctrine of Lapse, introduced by Lord Dalhousie, allowed the British to annex states in the event of:
- A) A change in the ruling dynasty
- B) A dispute over succession
- C) The ruler’s death without a natural heir
- D) Economic insolvency
- Answer: C) The ruler’s death without a natural heir
6. Which princely state was directly affected by the Doctrine of Lapse, leading to its annexation in 1856?
- A) Punjab
- B) Oudh (Awadh)
- C) Rajputana
- D) Mysore
- Answer: B) Oudh (Awadh)
7. Who was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Travancore?
- A) Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
- B) Maharaja Sri Chamaraja Wadiyar
- C) Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad
- D) Maharaja Jai Singh II
- Answer: A) Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
8. Which princely state was famous for its role in the creation of the Indian National Congress?
- A) Kashmir
- B) Mysore
- C) Baroda
- D) Hyderabad
- Answer: C) Baroda
9. Who was the ruler of the princely state of Mysore during the 18th century known for his conflict with the British East India Company?
- A) Tipu Sultan
- B) Hyder Ali
- C) Ranjit Singh
- D) Shuja-ud-Daula
- Answer: A) Tipu Sultan
10. Which princely state’s ruler was instrumental in supporting the Indian freedom struggle and was an associate of Mahatma Gandhi?
- A) Bhopal
- B) Baroda
- C) Hyderabad
- D) Jaipur
- Answer: B) Baroda
11. The States Reorganization Act of 1956 was crucial in:
- A) Integrating princely states into the Indian Union
- B) Establishing separate states for princely regions
- C) Reorganizing states based on linguistic lines
- D) Granting independence to princely states
- Answer: C) Reorganizing states based on linguistic lines
12. The Instrument of Accession was signed by the rulers of princely states to:
- A) Declare their independence from British rule
- B) Join the Indian Union after independence
- C) Form a federation with Pakistan
- D) Establish their own independent kingdoms
- Answer: B) Join the Indian Union after independence
13. Which princely state was known for its contribution to the Indian freedom struggle through its support of the Quit India Movement?
- A) Kashmir
- B) Travancore
- C) Hyderabad
- D) Bikaner
- Answer: B) Travancore
14. The princely state of Kashmir was ruled by the:
- A) Rajputs
- B) Mughals
- C) Dogras
- D) Marathas
- Answer: C) Dogras
15. Who was the first Prime Minister of independent India to negotiate with the princely states for their integration?
- A) Jawaharlal Nehru
- B) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- C) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
- D) Rajendra Prasad
- Answer: B) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
16. Which princely state was known for its lavish palace, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, and was ruled by the Jodhpur royal family?
- A) Jaipur
- B) Udaipur
- C) Jodhpur
- D) Bikaner
- Answer: C) Jodhpur
17. In which year did the princely states of India officially accede to the Indian Union?
- A) 1947
- B) 1948
- C) 1949
- D) 1950
- Answer: B) 1948
18. The ruler of which princely state signed the Instrument of Accession to India in October 1947, leading to its incorporation into the Indian Union?
- A) Hyderabad
- B) Junagadh
- C) Kashmir
- D) Mysore
- Answer: C) Kashmir
19. The integration of princely states into the Indian Union was primarily managed by:
- A) Lord Mountbatten
- B) Jawaharlal Nehru
- C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- D) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
- Answer: C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
20. Which princely state’s ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, was involved in the conflict over the accession to India or Pakistan?
- A) Jammu and Kashmir
- B) Hyderabad
- C) Travancore
- D) Baroda
- Answer: A) Jammu and Kashmir
21. Who was the ruler of the princely state of Baroda who is known for his progressive reforms and support for education?
- A) Sayajirao Gaekwad III
- B) Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
- C) Jai Singh II
- D) Ranjit Singh
- Answer: A) Sayajirao Gaekwad III
22. The princely state of Travancore, located in present-day Kerala, was ruled by:
- A) The Wadiyars
- B) The Thirunal family
- C) The Gaekwad family
- D) The Nizam family
- Answer: B) The Thirunal family
23. Which princely state’s ruler was known for his attempt to remain neutral during the partition of India and ultimately acceded to India?
- A) Hyderabad
- B) Junagadh
- C) Kashmir
- D) Patiala
- Answer: B) Junagadh
24. The princely state of Mysore was known for its ruler who:
- A) Supported the British in the 19th century
- B) Fought against the British in the 18th century
- C) Remained neutral during the Indian independence movement
- D) Was the first to sign the Instrument of Accession
- Answer: B) Fought against the British in the 18th century
25. Which princely state, known for its large cotton industry, was ruled by the Gaekwad family?
- A) Gwalior
- B) Baroda
- C) Mysore
- D) Jodhpur
- Answer: B) Baroda
26. Who was the last Nizam of Hyderabad, known for his reluctance to join the Indian Union?
- A) Mir Osman Ali Pasha
- B) Mir Usman Ali
- C) Mir Jafar Ali
- D) Mir Muhammad Ali
- Answer: A) Mir Osman Ali Pasha
27. Which princely state had a unique position due to its geographic location between India and Pakistan, leading to significant political negotiations?
- A) Hyderabad
- B) Kashmir
- C) Bhopal
- D) Travancore
- Answer: B) Kashmir
28. The princely state of Bhopal was ruled by which dynasty known for its political diplomacy and modernization efforts?
- A) The Nawab family
- B) The Wadiyar family
- C) The Gaekwad family
- D) The Thirunal family
- Answer: A) The Nawab family
29. Which princely state’s ruler was known for his extensive land reforms and modern administration?
- A) Mysore
- B) Hyderabad
- C) Baroda
- D) Patiala
- Answer: A) Mysore
30. Which act allowed for the creation of a federation including princely states in post-independence India?
- A) Indian Independence Act, 1947
- B) Government of India Act, 1935
- C) Constitution of India, 1950
- D) States Reorganization Act, 1956
- Answer: C) Constitution of India, 1950
These questions cover a wide range of aspects related to the role of Indian princes and princely states in Indian history, their interactions with the British, and their integration into modern India.