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BPSC 2023 — Modern India (mid-19th century onwards) Questions with Answers
All 60 Modern India (mid-19th century onwards) 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 Modern India (mid-19th century onwards) as a timed test →- Q1.Constitutional Development
Write short notes on the following: Indian Councils Act, 1892.
- Q2.Santhal Uprising 1855-56 + Birsa Movement
Write short notes on the following: Santhal Uprising.
- Q3.Champaran Satyagraha 1917 — Tinkathia abolition
Write short notes on the following: Champaran Satyagraha.
- Q4.Champaran Satyagraha 1917 — Tinkathia abolition
Evaluate the Champaran Indigo Movement and explain its impacts on the Indian Freedom Struggle.
- Q5.Indian National Movement
Critically examine the contribution of moderate phase of the Indian National Congress Movement.
- Q6.Western education in Bihar — technical & general
Trace the development of modern education in Bihar and its impact.
- Q7.Indian National Movement
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
- Q8.Rise of Nationalism
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
- Q9.Non-Cooperation Movement
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
- Q10.Peasant Movements
"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
- Q11.Gandhian Movements
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
- Q12.Transfer of Power
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
- Q13.Indian National Movement
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
- Q14.Civil Disobedience Movement
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
- Q15.Indian National Movement
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
- Q16.Champaran Satyagraha 1917 — Tinkathia abolition
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
- Q17.Peasant Movements
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
- Q18.Partition of Bengal
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
- Q19.Indian National Congress
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
- Q20.Indian National Movement
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
- Q21.Gandhian Movements
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
- Q22.Partition of India
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
- Q23.British administration and policies
Who started the Mahalwari settlement system in Bengal?
- a)Lord Cornwallis
- b)Holt Mackenzie
- c)Lord Hastings
- d)More than one of the above
- Q24.Gandhian Movements
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
- Q25.Indian National Congress
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
- Q26.Transfer of Power
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
- Q27.Western education in Bihar — technical & general
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
- Q28.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
- Q29.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
- Q30.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
- Q31.1857 Revolt — Babu Kunwar Singh of Jagdishpur
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
- Q32.Champaran Satyagraha 1917 — Gandhi's first satyagraha
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
- Q33.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
- Q34.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
- Q35.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
- Q36.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
- Q37.European Companies — Bihar
The Dutch East India Company established its factory at Patna in which year?
- a)1635
- b)1632
- c)1643
- d)1648
- Q38.Gandhi, Tagore, Nehru — thought & contributions
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
- Q39.Quit India 1942 — Bihar's role
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
- Q40.Champaran Satyagraha 1917 — Tinkathia abolition
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
- Q41.Gandhi, Tagore, Nehru — thought & contributions
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
- Q42.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
- Q43.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
- Q44.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
- Q45.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
- Q46.Indian National Movement
The Swadeshi and Boycott were adopted as the methods of struggle for the first time during the
- a)visit of the Simon Commission to India
- b)Partition of Bengal
- c)Home Rule Movement
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q47.Indian National Movement
At the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress (INC) held in 1906, the Flag of Swaraj for India was unfurled by
- a)A. O. Hume
- b)Dadabhai Naoroji
- c)G. K. Gokhale
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q48.Indian National Movement
During the freedom struggle, a parallel movement launched in the Indian States (in the States ruled by the Indian rulers such as Kashmir, Nizam's Hyderabad, Travancore, etc.) was
- a)State People's Movement
- b)Praja Mandal Movement
- c)Swaraj Movement
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q49.Indian National Movement
Which of the following statements regarding the Indian freedom struggle is not correct?
- a)Gandhiji withdrew from the Non-Cooperation Movement due to the Chauri-Chaura Incident.
- 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
- Q50.Indian National Movement
Which one of the following was a journal brought out by Abul Kalam Azad?
- a)The Comrade
- b)Al-Hilal
- c)Zamindar
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q51.Rise of Nationalism
How did the study of history help in creating a feeling of nationalism in India towards the end of the 19th century?
- a)By reinterpreting history and refuting the British portrayal of Indians as backward, primitive and incapable of governing themselves
- b)By writing about India's glorious past and urging people to take pride in their achievements
- c)By urging people to struggle and change the miserable conditions of life under the British rule
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q52.Indian National Movement
Which of the following statements are not correct regarding the Non-Cooperation Movement in the towns? 1. Only the upper caste and the rich took part in the movement. 2. The council elections were boycotted even by the Justice Party of Madras. 3. Thousands of students left government-controlled schools, headmasters and teachers resigned and lawyers gave up their practice.
- a)1 and 3 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 2 only
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q53.Peasant Movements
"A Sanyasi who came to that district after a spell as an indentured labourer in Fiji, carrying a copy of Tulsidas Ramayana on his back from which he would recite verses to rural audience." The peasant leader referred to here is
- a)Jhinguri Singh
- b)Yadunandan Sharma
- c)Baba Ram Chandra
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q54.Gandhi, Tagore, Nehru — thought & contributions
Who was the founder of All India Harijan Sangh in 1932?
- a)Jagjivan Ram
- b)Mahatma Gandhi
- c)Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q55.Indian National Movement
On February 20, 1947, Prime Minister Attlee announced the British Government's decision to withdraw from India latest by
- a)August 1947
- b)January 1948
- c)June 1948
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q56.Partition of India
Who among the following headed the two Boundary Commissions set up to delineate the international frontiers between India and Pakistan in 1947?
- a)A. P. Moon
- b)A. V. Alexander
- c)Cyril Radcliffe
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q57.Colonial Land Revenue
Who introduced the system of Mahalwari Settlement in Bengal?
- a)Lord Cornwallis
- b)Holt Mackenzie
- c)Lord Hastings
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q58.Indian National Movement
In 1940, Vinoba Bhave started individual Satyagraha from
- a)Nadiad in Kheda district, Gujarat
- b)Pavnar, Maharashtra
- c)Punnapra-Vayalar, Kerala
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q59.Indian National Movement
The Congress took a critical stand over the Montford Reforms in 1918, which led to break up with the old moderate remnants (Sapru, Jayakar and Chintamani) who formed the
- 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
- Q60.Indian National Movement
The Cabinet Mission was sent to India for which of the following? 1. To establish a national government 2. To work out a constitutional arrangement for the transfer of power 3. To work out the details of Jinnah's demand for Pakistan
- a)1 only
- b)2 only
- c)3 only
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
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