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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.

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