BPSC 2023 — History Questions with Answers
All 69 History previous-year questions from BPSC 2023, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.
Practice History as a timed test →- Q1.Constitutional Development
Write short notes on the following: Indian Councils Act, 1892.
- Q2.Tribal and Peasant Movements
Write short notes on the following: Santhal Uprising.
- Q3.Gandhian Movements
Write short notes on the following: Champaran Satyagraha.
- Q4.Ancient History
"Bihar has been the centre of learning and spirituality for ancient time." Explain in detail.
- Q5.Gandhian Movements
Evaluate the Champaran Indigo Movement and explain its impacts on the Indian Freedom Struggle.
- Q6.Indian National Movement
Critically examine the contribution of moderate phase of the Indian National Congress Movement.
- Q7.Education
Trace the development of modern education in Bihar and its impact.
- Q8.Modern History of India
Which magazine was edited by Abul Kalam Azad?
- a)The Comrade
- b)Al-Hilal
- c)Zamindar
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q9.Modern History
How did the study of history at the end of the 19th century help in creating a sense of nationalism in India?
- a)By reinterpreting history and refuting the portrayal of Indians as backward, primitive, and incapable of self-governance
- b)By writing about India's glorious past and urging people to be proud of their achievements
- c)By urging people to change the miserable conditions under British rule and to struggle
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q10.Modern History
Which of the following statements is/are not correct regarding the Non-Cooperation Movement in the cities? 1. Only upper castes and rich people participated in the movement. 2. The Justice Party of Madras also boycotted the council elections. 3. Thousands of students left government-controlled schools, headmasters and teachers resigned, and lawyers gave up their practice.
- a)Only 1 and 3
- b)Only 2 and 3
- c)Only 1 and 2
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q11.Modern History
"An ascetic who worked as an indentured labourer in Fiji, and after returning to that district, brought a copy of Tulsidas's Ramayana on his back, from which he recited verses to the rural audience." The peasant leader mentioned here is
- a)Jhinguri Singh
- b)Yadunandan Sharma
- c)Baba Ram Chandra
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q12.Modern History
All India Harijan Sangh was founded in 1932 by whom?
- a)Jagjivan Ram
- b)Mahatma Gandhi
- c)Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q13.Modern History
On 20 February 1947, Prime Minister Attlee announced that the British rule would be withdrawn from India by when?
- a)August 1947
- b)January 1948
- c)June 1948
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q14.Modern History / Bihar
Who founded the Swaraj Dal in Bihar?
- a)Shri Krishna Singh
- b)Ramlal Shah
- c)Bankim Chandra Mitra
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q15.Modern History / Bihar
During the Salt Satyagraha, what tax, in addition to making salt, did the people of Bihar choose to protest against the government?
- a)Elephant
- b)Development
- c)Debris/Rubble
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q16.Modern History / Bihar
For what reason did the elected government of Bihar, formed by Shri Krishna Singh, resign in February 1938?
- a)Due to participation in India's freedom movement
- b)Due to the release of political prisoners
- c)Due to Gandhiji's Satyagraha movement against the British
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q17.Modern History / Bihar
Who saved Gandhiji's life in Bihar during the Champaran Satyagraha?
- a)Batakh Miyan
- b)Hamid Ansari
- c)Ravindra Pathak
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q18.Modern History / Bihar
Who led the farmers in Bihar during the Non-Cooperation Movement?
- a)Swami Vidyanand
- b)Raj Kumar Shukla
- c)Shri Krishna Singh
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q19.Modern History
During which event were Swadeshi and Boycott first adopted as methods of struggle?
- a)Simon Commission
- b)Partition of Bengal
- c)Home Rule Movement
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q20.Modern History
In the 1906 Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress (INC), by whom was the flag of Swaraj hoisted for India?
- a)A. O. Hume
- b)Dadabhai Naoroji
- c)G. K. Gokhale
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q21.Modern History
During the freedom struggle, a parallel movement was started in Indian states (princely states ruled by Indian rulers like Kashmir, Nizam's Hyderabad, Travancore, etc.). Its name was
- a)State People's Movement
- b)People's Council Movement
- c)Self-Rule Movement
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q22.Modern History
Regarding the Indian freedom struggle, which of the following statements is not correct?
- a)Due to the Chauri-Chaura incident, Gandhiji withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- b)Gandhiji gave his first major public speech at Banaras Hindu University.
- c)Mahatma Gandhi was arrested in the year 1921.
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q23.Medieval History
In which of the following battles are the main adversaries not correctly mentioned?
- a)First Battle of Panipat—Babur and Ibrahim Lodi
- b)Second Battle of Panipat—Tipu Sultan and Marathas
- c)Battle of Haldighati—Maharana Pratap and Akbar
- d)More than one of the above
- Q24.Medieval History
During the Delhi Sultanate, for whom was the post of 'Muqaddam or Chaudhary' used?
- a)Revenue Officer
- b)Village Accountant
- c)Village Headman
- d)More than one of the above
- Q25.Medieval History
Tabaqat-i-Akbari, which is sometimes considered more reliable than Abul Fazl's Akbarnama, was written by whom?
- a)Nizamuddin Ahmad
- b)Abdul Hamid Lahori
- c)Gulbadan Begum
- d)More than one of the above
- Q26.Medieval History
Which of these famous rulers founded a suburban settlement named Nagalapuram near Vijayanagara in the name of his mother?
- a)Harihara
- b)Bukka
- c)Krishnadevaraya
- d)More than one of the above
- Q27.Modern History
Who among these led the two boundary commissions established to draw international boundaries between India and Pakistan in 1947?
- a)A. P. Moon
- b)A. V. Alexander
- c)Cyril Radcliffe
- d)More than one of the above
- Q28.Modern History
Who started the Mahalwari settlement system in Bengal?
- a)Lord Cornwallis
- b)Holt Mackenzie
- c)Lord Hastings
- d)More than one of the above
- Q29.Modern History
In 1940, Vinoba Bhave started Individual Satyagraha from where?
- a)Nadiad, Gujarat in Kheda district
- b)Pownar, Maharashtra
- c)Punnapra-Vayalar, Kerala
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q30.Modern History
In 1918, the Congress adopted an important liberal stance on the Montford reforms, due to which old liberals (Sapru, Jayakar and Chintamani) broke away and formed what?
- a)Servants of India Society
- b)Swaraj Party
- c)Indian National Liberal Federation
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q31.Modern History
For what purpose was the Cabinet Mission sent to India from the following? 1. To establish a national government 2. To prepare a constitutional arrangement for the transfer of power 3. To work on Jinnah's demand for Pakistan
- a)Only 1
- b)Only 2
- c)Only 3
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q32.Medieval History
Who among these proposed to Humayun that if he was allowed to rule Bengal, he would offer Bihar and an annual tribute of 10 lakh dinars?
- a)Sher Khan
- b)Bairam Khan
- c)Bahadur Shah
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q33.Ancient History
Vikramshila University was established by whom?
- a)Dharmapala
- b)Devapala
- c)Gopala
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q34.Ancient History
What was the region south of the Ganga called in ancient times?
- a)Taxila
- b)Chola
- c)Anarta
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q35.Ancient History
When did the use of iron begin in the Indian subcontinent?
- a)Approximately 12000 years ago
- b)Approximately 6000 years ago
- c)Approximately 9000 years ago
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q36.Ancient History
According to a Sanskrit inscription composed around the second century, who repaired the Sudarshan Lake, an artificial reservoir?
- a)Kanishka
- b)Rudradaman
- c)Harsha
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q37.Indus Valley Civilization
Which of the following animals was not known to the people of the Indus Valley Civilization?
- a)Bull
- b)Horse
- c)Elephant
- d)None of the above
- Q38.Art & Architecture
In Indian art, the construction of 'Stupa', 'Chaitya' and 'Vihara' is related to which of the following?
- a)Ajivika sect
- b)Vaishnava sect
- c)Buddhism
- d)Shaiva sect
- Q39.Education — Vikramshila
Consider the following statements regarding the Vikramshila University in Bihar: 1. It was located in the present-day Banka district of Bihar. 2. It was established by King Gopala I of the Pala dynasty. 3. The 'Vajrayana' sect of Buddhism flourished here. 4. Other subjects like Astronomy, Logic, Law, Grammar and Philosophy were also taught here. Which of the above statements are incorrect?
- a)2 and 3
- b)1 and 4
- c)1 and 2
- d)None of the above
- Q40.Mughal Empire
Consider the following statements: The arrival of Babur into India led to the 1. introduction of gunpowder in the subcontinent 2. introduction of arch and dome in the region's architecture 3. establishment of Timurid dynasty in the region 4. introduction of cannons in warfare. Which of the above statements are correct?
- a)Only 1 and 2
- b)1, 2 and 3
- c)3 and 4
- d)None of the above
- Q41.Trade & Ports
Which among the following ports was called Babul Makka (Gate of Makka) during the Mughal period?
- a)Calicut
- b)Surat
- c)Cambay
- d)Broach
- Q42.Maratha Administration
'Ashta Pradhan' was a Council of Ministers
- a)in the Gupta administration
- b)in the Chola administration
- c)in the Maratha administration
- d)in the Vijayanagara administration
- Q43.Foreign Travellers
Consider the following statements: 1. Fa-Hien was a Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the reign of Harsha. 2. Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese Buddhist monk who visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- a)Only 1
- b)Only 2
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)None of the above
- Q44.Scholars & Scientists
Match List-I with List-II: a. Charaka b. Brahmagupta c. Varahamihira d. Vishakhadatta ; 1. Mathematics 2. Medicine 3. Playwright 4. Astrology. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- a)a-2, b-1, c-4, d-3
- b)a-2, b-1, c-3, d-4
- c)a-2, b-3, c-4, d-1
- d)a-1, b-4, c-3, d-2
- Q45.Delhi Sultanate
Who among the following introduced the Persian festival Nowruz in India?
- a)Firuz Shah Tughlaq
- b)Alauddin Khilji
- c)Balban
- d)Iltutmish
- Q46.Bhakti Movement
Nathpanthis, Siddhas and Yogis made devotional religion popular in
- a)Northern India
- b)Southern India
- c)Eastern India
- d)Western India
- Q47.Education under British
Consider the following statements regarding Wood's Dispatch of 1854: 1. It recommended English as the medium of instruction for higher studies. 2. It laid stress on female education and vocational training. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- a)Only 1
- b)Only 2
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)Neither 1 nor 2
- Q48.Mahajanapadas
Which city served as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Magadha during the early Vedic period?
- a)Rajagriha
- b)Campa
- c)Vaishali
- d)Pataliputra
- Q49.Press under British
Which of the following statements about the Vernacular Press Act is/are correct? 1. It was enacted by Lord Lytton. 2. It came to be known as a 'Gagging Act'. 3. The Act was repealed by Lord Ripon. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- a)Only 1 and 2
- b)Only 2 and 3
- c)Only 1
- d)1, 2 and 3
- Q50.British Administration
Which of the following statements about Lord Mayo's Resolution of 1870 are correct? 1. It was the first step that bifurcated Central and Provincial finances. 2. Provincial Governments were empowered to administer certain services. 3. It attempted to rectify existing imparity. 4. It focussed on the actual needs of the Provinces. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- a)Only 1 and 2
- b)Only 2 and 3
- c)Only 1
- d)1, 2 and 3
- Q51.Literature
Nitisara, an early book of politics, was written by
- a)Kautilya
- b)Kamandaka
- c)Charaka
- d)None of them
- Q52.Literature
Futuhat-i-Alamgiri was written by
- a)Ishwardas Nagar
- b)Bhimsen
- c)Haridas
- d)None of them
- Q53.Gupta Empire
According to Chinese source, Meghavarman, the ruler of Sri Lanka, sent a missionary to which of the following Gupta Kings for permission to build a Buddhist temple at Gaya?
- a)Chandragupta I
- b)Samudragupta
- c)Chandragupta II
- d)None of them
- Q54.Bihar — Formation
When was Bihar first separated from the Bengal Presidency under the British-ruled India?
- a)1912
- b)1936
- c)1947
- d)None of the above
- Q55.Revolt of 1857
Which of the following were the reasons for the failure of the Revolt of 1857? 1. The military superiority of the British 2. The rebels did not have a unified programme and ideology 3. There was a lack of support from all the sections of society. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- a)Only 1 and 2
- b)Only 2 and 3
- c)All of the above
- d)None of the above
- Q56.Champaran — Bihar
The cook from Bihar who saved Mahatma Gandhi's life from a murder attempt by food poisoning in 1917 was
- a)Muzaffar Ahmad
- b)Batak Mian
- c)Mir Bakawal
- d)None of them
- Q57.Peasant Movements — Bihar
The Bakasht Movement in Bihar during 1937-1938 was organized by whom?
- a)Swami Dayanand Saraswati
- b)Jayaprakash Narayan
- c)Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
- d)Peer Ali Khan
- Q58.Chronology
Consider the following events during India's Freedom Struggle: 1. Home Rule Movement 2. Surat Split 3. Kheda Satyagraha 4. Minto-Morley Reforms. Which of the following is the correct chronological order of the events given above?
- a)1-3-2-4
- b)2-4-1-3
- c)1-4-2-3
- d)2-3-1-4
- Q59.Modern History of India
Lord Lytton is associated with which of the following?
- a)The Strachey Commission
- b)The Arms Act
- c)The Vernacular Press Act
- d)The Ilbert Bill
- Q60.British Conquest
Which treaty was signed after the Battle of Buxar?
- a)The Treaty of Allahabad
- b)The Treaty of Sugauli
- c)The Treaty of Bassein
- d)The Treaty of Salbai
- Q61.European Companies — Bihar
The Dutch East India Company established its factory at Patna in which year?
- a)1635
- b)1632
- c)1643
- d)1648
- Q62.Gandhian Movements
In which of the following movements did Mahatma Gandhi make the first use of the hunger strike as a weapon?
- a)Non-Cooperation Movement
- b)Bardoli Satyagraha
- c)Ahmedabad Strike
- d)Rowlatt Satyagraha
- Q63.Quit India Movement — Bihar
The Quit India Movement in 1942 witnessed significant contributions from leaders of Bihar. Which prominent Bihar leader was known as the 'Bihar Kesari' and actively participated in the Quit India Movement?
- a)Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- b)Shri Krishna Singh
- c)Anugrah Narayan Sinha
- d)Ram Manohar Lohia
- Q64.Champaran Satyagraha
In response to the mass agitation of the Champaran Movement, the British Government took which step to address the issue?
- a)Appointed Mahatma Gandhi as the Governor of Champaran
- b)Enforced strict curfew and imposed Martial Law in the region
- c)Instituted the Champaran Agrarian Committee
- d)Declared Champaran as an independent State
- Q65.Socio-Religious Reform
Match List-I with List-II: a. Servants of India Society b. Tattwabodhini Sabha c. Atmiya Sabha ; 1. Debendranath Tagore 2. Gopal Krishna Gokhale 3. Ram Mohan Roy 4. Keshab Chandra Sen. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- a)a-2, b-1, c-3
- b)a-2, b-4, c-3
- c)a-1, b-2, c-3
- d)a-1, b-4, c-3
- Q66.National Movement
Ambabai, a woman freedom fighter, belonged to which of the following States of India?
- a)Kerala
- b)Andhra Pradesh
- c)Karnataka
- d)Madhya Pradesh
- Q67.Towards Independence
Who among the following was not the member of the Cabinet Mission?
- a)P. Lawrence
- b)A. V. Alexander
- c)J. Andrew
- d)None of them
- Q68.Indian National Congress
"The Indian National Congress was founded on the basis of safety valve theory, to project the British Government from threats." Which leader said that?
- a)C. Rajagopalachari
- b)Lala Lajpat Rai
- c)Bipin Chandra Pal
- d)None of them
- Q69.INC Sessions
In which of the following Indian National Congress Sessions, the resolutions related to the Fundamental Rights were passed for the first time?
- a)Surat Session — 1907
- b)Gaya Session — 1922
- c)Karachi Session — 1931
- d)None of the above
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