Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers related to the economic impact of British colonial rule in India, suitable for the Civil Services Examination

1. Which of the following was a primary economic policy implemented by the British in India?
   A) Mercantilism
   B) Free Trade
   C) Protectionism
   D) Colonial Monopolism
   Answer: D) Colonial Monopolism
2. What was the main agricultural product that the British prioritized for export from India?
   A) Rice
   B) Wheat
   C) Indigo
   D) Cotton
   Answer: C) Indigo
3. Which economic policy led to the deindustrialization of India during British rule?
   A) Laissez-faire
   B) Capitalism
   C) Economic Liberalization
   D) Import of British manufactured goods
   Answer: D) Import of British manufactured goods
4. The establishment of which institution marked the beginning of modern banking in India under British rule?
   A) Reserve Bank of India
   B) State Bank of India
   C) Imperial Bank of India
   D) Punjab National Bank
   Answer: C) Imperial Bank of India
5. Which of the following sectors was severely impacted by British industrial policies?
   A) Textile
   B) Steel
   C) Agriculture
   D) Mining
   Answer: A) Textile
6. What was the impact of the British land revenue system on Indian farmers?
   A) Increased income for farmers
   B) Improved agricultural practices
   C) Indebtedness and poverty
   D) Enhanced land ownership
   Answer: C) Indebtedness and poverty
7. The Permanent Settlement Act of 1793 was introduced in which region of India?
   A) Punjab
   B) Bengal
   C) Madras
   D) Bombay
   Answer: B) Bengal
8. Which of the following was a significant consequence of the British famine policies in India?
   A) Improved agricultural output
   B) Reduction in the population
   C) Emergence of cooperative farming
   D) Establishment of irrigation projects
   Answer: B) Reduction in the population
9. Which event is considered a significant example of the economic exploitation of India leading to widespread unrest?
   A) The First War of Independence
   B) The Great Famine of 1876-78
   C) The Salt March
   D) The Non-Cooperation Movement
   Answer: B) The Great Famine of 1876-78
10. The British colonial rule introduced which of the following to facilitate the movement of goods?
    A) High tariffs
    B) Extensive railway networks
    C) Port restrictions
    D) A ban on foreign trade
    Answer: B) Extensive railway networks
11. What was the primary reason for the British introduction of railways in India?
    A) To promote tourism
    B) To facilitate military movement
    C) To enhance local economies
    D) To connect remote villages
    Answer: B) To facilitate military movement
12. Which industry was significantly harmed by British policies leading to a decline in traditional crafts?
    A) Handloom
    B) Jute
    C) Sugar
    D) Tea
    Answer: A) Handloom
13. The economic policies of the British Raj primarily aimed at
    A) Developing Indian infrastructure
    B) Extracting wealth from India
    C) Empowering local artisans
    D) Promoting indigenous industries
    Answer: B) Extracting wealth from India
14. The British colonial economy in India was characterized by
    A) Self-sufficiency
    B) Agriculture-based economy
    C) Industrial diversification
    D) Drain of wealth
    Answer: D) Drain of wealth
15. The term “Drain of Wealth” was popularized by which Indian nationalist leader?
    A) Dadabhai Naoroji
    B) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
    C) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
    D) Mahatma Gandhi
    Answer: A) Dadabhai Naoroji
16. Which commodity’s production was expanded significantly for British use during colonial rule?
    A) Wheat
    B) Spices
    C) Opium
    D) Coffee
    Answer: C) Opium
17. The impact of British rule on Indian agriculture included
    A) Increased food security
    B) Introduction of cash crops
    C) Abolition of zamindari system
    D) Decreased land revenue
    Answer: B) Introduction of cash crops
18. The economic policies of the British Raj are often criticized for leading to
    A) Agricultural advancements
    B) Economic stability
    C) Widespread poverty
    D) Infrastructure development
    Answer: C) Widespread poverty
19. Which of the following sectors saw a rise in British-owned enterprises during colonial rule?
    A) Agriculture
    B) Textiles
    C) Mining
    D) All of the above
    Answer: D) All of the above
20. Which policy led to the increase of British control over Indian agriculture?
    A) Subsidiary Alliance
    B) Land Revenue System
    C) Industrial Policy
    D) Education Policy
    Answer: B) Land Revenue System
21. The introduction of which of the following led to the commercialization of agriculture in India?
    A) Peasant Reforms
    B) Agricultural Research
    C) British land revenue policies
    D) Green Revolution
    Answer: C) British land revenue policies
22. The British Raj encouraged the cultivation of which cash crop, leading to the decline of food grains?
    A) Tea
    B) Sugarcane
    C) Cotton
    D) All of the above
    Answer: D) All of the above
23. What was the effect of British policies on Indian artisans and handicrafts?
    A) They thrived economically
    B) They became more skilled
    C) They faced decline and unemployment
    D) They expanded their markets abroad
    Answer: C) They faced decline and unemployment
24. The British economic exploitation is best exemplified by the
    A) Growth of Indian industries
    B) Drain of resources to Britain
    C) Development of Indian agriculture
    D) Increase in Indian literacy
    Answer: B) Drain of resources to Britain
25. The British colonial policy of promoting imports from Britain over local goods led to the concept of
    A) Swadeshi
    B) Non-Cooperation
    C) Boycott
    D) Satyagraha
    Answer: A) Swadeshi
26. Which of the following was a direct economic consequence of the First World War on India?
    A) Economic prosperity
    B) Increased taxation and inflation
    C) Industrial growth
    D) Agricultural development
    Answer: B) Increased taxation and inflation
27. What was one of the primary economic motivations behind British expansion in India?
    A) Religious conversion
    B) Establishing educational institutions
    C) Gaining access to raw materials
    D) Promoting cultural exchanges
    Answer: C) Gaining access to raw materials
28. Which major economic reform introduced by the British was aimed at regulating the money lending practices in India?
    A) Ryotwari System
    B) Zamindari System
    C) Land Reforms
    D) Co-operative Societies Act
    Answer: D) Co-operative Societies Act
29. The British Raj’s economic impact on India led to the formation of which national movement?
    A) The Freedom Movement
    B) The Non-Cooperation Movement
    C) The Civil Disobedience Movement
    D) All of the above
    Answer: D) All of the above
30. The term “British Raj” refers to
    A) The British military rule in India
    B) The British administrative rule in India
    C) The British trade monopoly in India
    D) The British colonization of India
    Answer: B) The British administrative rule in India

These questions and answers can help students prepare effectively for the Civil Services Examination while gaining a deeper understanding of the economic impact of British colonial rule in India.