India Modern History MCQ

1. The 'Doctrine of Lapse' was a policy devised by which British Governor-General?
a) Lord Dalhousie
b) Lord Wellesley
c) Lord Cornwallis
d) Lord William Bentinck

Answer: a) Lord Dalhousie

• Explanation:  The  Doctrine of Lapse  was an annexation policy aggressively applied by  Lord Dalhousie  (1848-1856). According to this doctrine, if a ruler of a princely state under British suzerainty died without a male heir, the state would "lapse" and be annexed by the British Empire. This policy led to the annexation of states like Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur, causing widespread resentment and becoming a major cause of the Revolt of 1857.

2. Who founded the 'Indian Association' in Calcutta in 1876, a precursor to the Indian National Congress?
a) Dadabhai Naoroji
b) W.C. Bonnerjee
c) Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose
d) A.O. Hume

Answer: c) Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose

• Explanation:  The  Indian Association  was one of the earliest nationalist organizations in India. It was founded in  Calcutta in 1876 by Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose . Its aims were to unite Indians on a common political platform and create a strong public opinion in the country. While A.O. Hume is credited with the idea of the INC, the Indian Association was a significant forerunner.

3. The 'Poona Pact' of 1932 was primarily an agreement between:
a) The Indian National Congress and the Muslim League
b) Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar
c) The British Government and the Indian National Congress
d) The Liberals and the Extremists

Answer: b) Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar

• Explanation:  The  Poona Pact  was signed in 1932 between  Mahatma Gandhi  (representing upper-caste Hindus) and  Dr. B.R. Ambedkar  (representing the Depressed Classes). It was a result of Gandhi's fast unto death against the British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald's 'Communal Award', which granted separate electorates for Depressed Classes. The Pact resulted in reserved seats for Depressed Classes within the general Hindu electorate, which increased their political representation.

4. The slogan "Do or Die" is associated with which major movement of the Indian freedom struggle?
a) Non-Cooperation Movement
b) Civil Disobedience Movement
c) Quit India Movement
d) Swadeshi Movement

Answer: c) Quit India Movement

• Explanation:  On August 8, 1942, Mahatma Gandhi gave the clarion call of  "Do or Die"  (Karo ya Maro) in his speech at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay, launching the  Quit India Movement . This was a mass protest demanding an end to British rule in India, and it was characterized by widespread, though largely suppressed, popular rebellion.

5. The 'Cabinet Mission Plan' of 1946 was sent to India to:
a) Discuss India's membership in the British Commonwealth
b) Form the Interim Government and devise a constitution-making body
c) Transfer power to the Indian hands immediately
d) Divide the Indian Army

Answer: b) Form the Interim Government and devise a constitution-making body