Modern India UPSC Prelims Questions. We covered all the Modern India UPSC Prelims Questions in this post for free so that you can practice well for the exam.
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Modern India UPSC Prelims Questions for Students
With reference to the Simon Commission, consider the following statements:
- It was an all-white, seven-member Indian Statutory Commission.
- While the Congress boycotted it, the majority faction of the Muslim League under M.A Jinnah decided to support the Commission.
- It proposed the abolition of dyarchy and the establishment of representative government in the provinces.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Option b – 1 and 3 only
The Montagu Declaration in the British Parliament was made in which of the following year?
(a) 1917
(b) 1918
(c) 1919
(d) 1920
Option a – 1917
With reference to the major approaches to the History of Modern India, consider the following statements:
- The Colonial historiography was mainly based on the notions of Social Darwinism and Pax Britannica.
- The Subaltern Approach does not see nationalism as exploitative in terms of caste, gender, religious, and creed divisions.
- As per the Cambridge School Approach, the fundamental contradiction under colonial rule was not between imperialism and the Indian people, but among the Indians themselves.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Option c – 1 and 3 only
(a) Social reforms
(b) Educational reforms
(c) Constitutional reforms
(d) Reforms in Police Administration
Option d – Reforms in Police Administration
Which of the following were the differences between 19th and 20th century peasant movements?
- 19th century peasant movements were directed against the immediate enemies of the peasant.
- 20th century peasant movements were directed towards specific and limited objectives.
- 20th century peasant movements were based on the ideology of nationalism.
- 19th century peasant movements were centred almost wholly on economic issues.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Option c – 1, 3 and 4 only
With reference to Tribal movements, consider the following statements:
- Ulgulan movement led by Birsa Munda began as a religious movement.
- Santhal movement led by Sidhu and Kanhu declared the area between Bhagalpur and Rajmahal as autonomous.
- The Damin-i-koh territory was related to the Bhil Revolts.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Option a – 1 and 2 only
With reference to the development of modern industries in India, consider the following statements:
- The first sugar mill was established at Rishra in Bengal in 1903.
- The first cotton mill was established in Bombay by Cowaszee Nanabhoy Davar in 1854.
- TISCO founded by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata operated the largest steel plant in the British Empire by the beginning of the Second World War.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Option b – 2 and 3 only
Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of:
(a) Peasant resistance to the oppressive conduct of planters
(b) Its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions
(c) National leaders’ opposition to the cultivation of Indigo
(d) Government control over the planters
Option b – Its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions
With reference to the Muslim League, consider the following statements:
- Shimla Deputation was the precursor to the establishment of Muslim League.
- It was founded by Nawab Salimullah of Dacca in 1906.
- It intended to preach loyalty to the British Empire.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Option c – All three
Consider the following statements with reference to the Deccan Riots:
- It was a social boycott movement directed against the British Government officials.
- The areas where the ryots started the movement were the villages of Poona, Ahmednagar, Sholapur and Satara.
- The Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act was passed in 1879 by the British government to content the ryots.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Option b – Only two
Which of the following are the reasons for the impoverishment of peasants during the British Rule?
- Absentee Landlordism
- Commercialisation of agriculture
- Overcrowding due to ruin of Handicrafts
- Destruction of Industry
- Regular occurrence of famines
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 4 and 5 only
(c) 1, 3 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Option d – 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Arrange the following in a correct chronological order:
- The first strike by the Great Indian Peninsular Railways.
- A newspaper Bharat Shramjeevi started by Sasipada Banerjea.
- Narain Meghajee Lokhanday started the newspaper Deenbandhu.
- Sorabjee Shapoorjee Bengalee’s attempt to get new labour legislations passed in Bombay Legislative Council.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 4-2-3-1
(b) 2-3-4-1
(c) 2-4-3-1
(d) 3-1-2-4
Option c – 2-4-3-1
Consider the following personalities:
- Shaukat Usmani
- Barindra Kumar
- S.A. Dange
- Philip Spratt
How many of the personalities given above were tried in Meerut Conspiracy case of 1929?
(a) Only one personality
(b) Only two personalities
(c) Only three personalities
(d) All four personalities
Option c – Only three personalities
With reference to the peasant movements in India, consider the following statements:
- Gauri Shankar Mishra and Indra Narayan Dwivedi founded the United Provinces Kisan Sabha in February 1918.
- In the Lucknow session (1936) of the Congress, land reforms were advocated for peasants.
- All India Kisan Sabha was founded by Swami Sahajananda in the 1938 Haripura Session of the Congress.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Option a – 1 and 2 only
Consider the following statements:
- Local leaders led the peasant movements in the 19th century, while in the 20th century, leaders from political fronts were in charge.
- The Peasant movements in India of 19th and 20th century were all-India struggles.
- The Peasant movements in the 19th century was temporary and issue-based.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Option c – 1 and 3 only
With reference to the Pakistan Resolution, consider the following statements:
- Pakistan Resolution was passed at the Lahore session of Muslim League in 1940.
- The Resolution demanded a separate Pakistan from the Indian confederation.
- The name Pakistan was coined by Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Option a – 1 only
Which of the following statements is/are correct with reference to the Direct Action Day?
- The Muslim League gave a call for “direct action” on August 16, 1946 to achieve Pakistan.
- Many provocative speeches were made, and this resulted in one of the worst massacres in history – the Calcutta Killings.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Option c – Both 1 and 2
Which one of the following revolts was made famous by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his novel Anand Math?
(a) Bhil uprising
(b) Rangpur and Dinapur uprising
(c) Bishnupur and Birbhum rebellion
(d) Sanyasi rebellion
Option d – Sanyasi rebellion
Who among the following founded the All India Trade Union Federation?
(a) J.M. Sengupta
(b) Lala Lajpat Rai
(c) P.C. Joshi
(d) N.M. Joshi
Option d – N.M. Joshi
With reference to the All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), consider the following statements:
- The AITUC was founded under the presidentship of Dewan Chaman Lal.
- The formation of the AITUC was never openly supported by the Congress.
- The AIUTC openly supported the congress candidates during the provincial election of 1937.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Option a – Only one
After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government?
- The territories called ‘Santhal Paraganas’ were created.
- It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal.
Select the correct answer using the codes below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Option c – Both 1 and 2
With reference to the civil uprisings of 18th and 19th Century, consider the following statements:
- The basic objective of civil uprisings was to restore earlier forms of rule and social relations.
- One of the major causes of civil uprisings was that the traditional zamindars was hurt due to being sidelined in rank by government officials.
- One of the main objectives of Kuka movement was to remove the British and restore Sikh rule over Punjab.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Option c – All three
With reference to Muslim League, consider the following statements:
- Shimla Deputation was the precursor to establishment of Muslim League.
- Muslim League was founded by Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Option a – 1 only
Who among the following were the founders of the “Hind Mazdoor Sabha” established in 1948?
(a) Krislum Pillai, E.M.S. Namboodiripad and K.C. George
(b) Jayaprakash Narayan, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and M.N. Roy
(c) P. Ramaswamy Iyer, K. Kamaraj and Veeresalingam Pantulu
(d) Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam and G.G. Mehta
Option d – Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam and G.G. Mehta
With reference to the British rule in India, consider the following statements:
- The Indian National Congress (INC) decided to give conditional support to the British Government in the Second World War.
- The Congress Ministry resigned in 1939 on the ground that the Government of India declared India’s support for the war without consulting the Congress.
- Unlike the Muslim League, the INC initially supported the August Offer of 1940.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Option b – Only two
The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War:
(a) India should be granted complete independence
(b) India should be partitioned into two before granting independence
(c) India should be made a republic with the condition that she will join the Commonwealth
(d) India should be given Dominion status
Option d – India should be given Dominion status
With reference to the Cabinet Mission, consider the following statements:
- The chairman of the Cabinet Mission was Sir Pethick Lawrence.
- It proposed that the Constituent Assembly be elected by the provincial assemblies.
- It proposed for the full autonomy of the provinces but residual powers to be remained with the Centre.
- It proposed that Princely states be no longer under the paramountcy of the British government.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Option c – 1, 2 and 4
With reference to the Cripps Mission, consider the following statements:
- The Cripps Mission explicitly accepted the idea of creating Pakistan.
- Jawahar Lal Nehru and Maulana Azad were the official negotiators for the Congress.
- Gandhi described the proposals of Cripps Mission as “a post-dated cheque”.
- Muslim League rejected the proposal due to the absence of any plan for immediate transfer of power.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Option b – 2 and 3 only
Consider the following statements about the Tebhaga movement:
- The Tebhaga Movement was led by the sharecroppers known as the bargardars against the oppressive jotedars.
- The Muslims’ participation in the movement was negligible.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Option a – 1 only
“Leave India to God. If that is too much, then leave her to anarchy. This ordered disciplined anarchy should go and if there is complete lawlessness, I would risk it”, who said this during the Quit India movement?
(a) Jawahar Lal Nehru
(b) Subash Chandra Bose
(c) Mahatma Gandhi
(d) Sardar Patel
Option c – Mahatma Gandhi
Which of the following were the provisions of the Indian Independence Act?
- It was based on the Mountbatten Plan.
- It provided for the creation of two independent dominions of India and Pakistan.
- Each dominion was to have a governor-general to be responsible for the effective operation of the Act.
- For the transitional period, the governments of the dominions were to be carried on in accordance with the Government of India Act, 1935.
- Pakistan became independent on August 14.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Option d – 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Consider the following statements about Mahatma Gandhi on the eve of Indian Independence:
- He was in riot-torn Noakhali, trying to bring peace and calm to a place that was burning with violence and hatred.
- Gandhiji marked the day by hoisting the national flag and singing Bhajans and other religious songs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Option d – Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the following statements is/are correct with reference to the Boundary commission?
- The British government appointed the Boundary Commission under the chairmanship of Sir Cyril Radcliffe.
- It was required to draw the boundaries and decide on disputed points within a period of two years.
- The factors such as rivers as natural boundaries, administrative units, economic viability, and railway and roadway connectivity were taken into consideration.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Option b – 1 and 3 only
With reference to the Quit India Movement (QIM), consider the following statements:
- The Quit India resolution was adopted by Congress Working Committee on 7 August at Gowalia Tank, Bombay.
- Muslim participation was low due to the incidence of communal riots.
- Members of Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim league did not participate in the Movement.
How many of the statements given above are not correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Option b – Only two
With reference to Red Fort trial of 1945, consider the following statements:
- A joint trial of Asaf Ali, Prem Sahgal and Gurubaksh Singh Dhillon was held at Red Fort.
- Bhulabhai Desai and Kailash Nath Katju appeared in the Court in defence of INA soldiers.
- Royal Indian Navy ratings of HMIS Talwar revolted against INA trials.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Option c – 2 and 3 only
Which one of the following was not a member of the Cabinet Mission?
(a) Pethick Lawrence
(b) Stafford Cripps
(c) A.V. Alexander
(d) Cyril Radcliffe
Option d – Cyril Radcliffe
Consider the following statements about the General Elections of 1945-46 and the provincial elections of 1946:
- Congress captured the majority in the Central Assembly.
- In the provincial elections, the Muslim League got a majority in Bengal, Sindh, Assam and NFWP.
- In Punjab, a Unionist-Congress-Akali coalition under Khizr Hayat Khan assumed power.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Option b – Only two
Which of the following were the main proposals of the Cabinet Mission Plan?
- Rejection of the demand for a full-fledged Pakistan.
- Three-tier executive and legislature at provincial, section, and union levels.
- A common centre would control the defence, communication, and external affairs.
- Provinces were to have full autonomy and residual powers.
- After the first general elections, a province was to be free to come out of a group.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3 and 5 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Option d – 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
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