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GENERAL QUESTIONS

Q1. Who were the first Europeans to arrive in India?
Portuguese.
Q2. When, where and who was the first Portuguese to arrive in India?
20.8.1498 - Calicut - Vasco Da Gama.
Q3. Who were the rulers of Calicut during the arrival of Portuguese?
Zamorins.
Q4. Who was the first Portuguese viceroy to be appointed for India?
Francisco de Almeida - 1505. He arrived at Cochin.
Q5. Francisco de Almeida was replaced by Albequerque as Portuguese Viceroy of India during 1509/1510. What happened to Almedia?
While on his return, he was killed by the Khoi Khoi tribes at Cape of Good Hope in 1510.
Q6. Which Portuguese Viceroy captured Goa and when?
Afonso de Albequerque in 1510.
Q7. Who helped Albequerque to capture Goa?
Timmayya a local chieftain of the Bijapur Kingdom.
Q8. When did Goa unite with Indian Dominion?
1961 to be precise on 12th December 1961.
Q9. What was the name for the military operation to annexe Goa?
As the Portuguese were reluctant to hand over Goa to India, even after 14 years of independence, India had to resort to military action named -Operation Vijay.
Q10. What were the other regions held by the Portuguese until India's independence"?
Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu.
Q11. How did the Bombay and its surrounding islands go into the hands of Portuguese?
In fear of the growing Mughal empire, the Gujarat Sultan ruling this region then, entered into a treaty with Portuguese in 1534 and offered this region to them.
Q12. How did Bombay, once a Portugese territory, go over to the British?
Bombay and some of the islands around were given to the British as a gift for the marital alliance between Charles II of England and Princess Catherine of Braganza, Portugal in 1661. However, some portions were still retained and later leased to the British.
Q13. Who had the unique distinction of becoming the Prime Minister of Dadra & Nagar Haveli to fulfil the conditions for handing over of the region to the Government of India officially?
Mr. Badlani, an IAS Officer, who was then the commissioner looking after the region.
Q14. Who was the last Portuguese Governor General (viceroy)of Portuguese India?
Manuel Antonio Vasalo E Silva - 1958-1961.
Q15. Who was the President of Portugal during the period of invasion by India over Portuguese territories in India?
Americo Tomas.
Q16. Who was the Prime Minister of India during the military operations over Portuguese territories in India?
Jawaharlal Nehru.
Q17. Who was the Defence Minister of India when Goa was militarily annexed?
Krishna Menon.
Q18. Who was the Chief of Army Staff of India during the military operation over Goa?
Pran Thapar.
Q19. What was the code name for the military operation over Goa in 1961?
Operation Vijay.
Q20. Where and in which year the French opened their first factory in India?
1668 - Surat.
Q21. What was the first settlement established by the French?
Pondicherry (Puducherry) acquired from Bijapur Sultan.
Q22. Who was the first French Governor in India?
Francois Martin - 1674.
Q23. Between 1693 to 1699, Pondicherry was lost to the Dutch. How was it regained by the French?
By the Treaty of Ryswick in 1699.
Q24. By which battle, the growth of French rule in India was curtailed?
Battle of Wandivash (Vandavasi now) in 1760 with the British most decisively by the III Carnatic War of 1763.
Q25. Who was the most famous French Governor in India?
Joseph Francois Duplex - 1742-1754 - the Puducherry what it is today is due to him.
Q26. What are all the territories held by the French at the time independence and when did they join India?
1. Machilipatnam, Kozhikode and Surat - in October 1947.
2. Chanernagore - joined in 1950 and later with West Bengal in 1955.
3. Puducherry, Yanam, Mahe and Karaikkal - November 1954.
Q27. Who was the last Governor General of French India?
Charles Francois Marie Baron - from 20th March 1946 to 20th August 1947. Later he continued as High Commissioner from 20th August 1947 to May 1949.
Q28. When and where did the Dutch establish their first colony in India?
1608 at Cochin.
Q29. Who was the first British merchant adventurer to come to India?
John Mildenhall in 1599.
Q30. When and by whom the English East India Co., was formed?
1599 - by a group of merchants called "Merchant Adventurers".
Q31. When was the East India Co., given the approval for trading in Eastern region?
31st December 1600 by Queen Elizabeth I.
Q32. When and who came to India to seek the permission of the ruler to start a factory in India?
1609 - Captain Hawkins - visited Emperor Jahangir's court.
Q33. When and where did the British open their first factory in India?
Surat - 1613.
Q34. Who was the second Britisher to visit Jahangir's court to obtain permission for opening more factories in India?
Sir Thomas Roe in 1615. (he left for England in 1619).
Q35. When and by whom, the East India Company was authorized to acquire land raise their own army and mint currency?
1670 - by King James II.
Q36. When and from whom Madras was acquired by the British?
August 1639 from Chennappa Nayakkar, Raja of Chandragiri. The little village was then known as Chenna patna. It was later fortified with Fort St.George. Their footing in South.
Q37. When and how Bombay was acquired by the British?
1668 Half of it through marital alliance of Charles II and taken on lease from him by the East India Co., and other regions from the Portuguese. Their footing in West.
Q38. Who was the first Governor of the East India Co., at Bombay?
Gerald Aungier - 1669-1677.
Q39. When and How did the British get Calcutta?
The British opened a factory at Sutanuti (west Bengal) in 1690. The adjacent villages were Kalikata and Govindpur. These three villages make up the Calcutta region. Later in 1698, the British fortified the factory of Sutanuti known as Fort Williams. Their footing in the East.
Q40. Who was the first President of Fort Williams?
Charles Eyre in December 1699.
Q41. Which Mughal emperor was the first to grant customs duty exemption for the British?
Aurangazeb in 1691.
Q42. What was the beginning of military acquisition of regions by the British?
1745 - Carnatic War I.
Q43. In 1746, the French led by Dupleix captured Madras. How was it restored to the British?
Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748.
Q44. Plassey (Palasi) is a village in?
West Bengal, near Murshidabad.
Q45. When and with whom the Battle of Plassey was fought?
23rd June 1757 - British Vs. Siraj Ud Daula, Nawab of Bengal.
Q46. Who betrayed Siraj Ud Daula, the Nawab of Bengal, leading to his defeat against the British in the Battle of Plassey?
Mir Zafar - a general of Siraj Ud Daula.
Q47. Buxar is a place in..?
Bihar, near Patna.
Q48. Battle of Buxar was fought between?
22nd October 1764 -British led by Maj.Hector Munro and the combined forces of Mir Qasim (Nawab of Bengal), Shuja ud Daula, Nawab of Awadh and Shah Alam II of Mughals.
Q49. Who was the Governor of East India Co., when Bengal was captured from Siraj Ud Daula?
Drake.
Q50. Robert Clive joined the East India Co., as a ....
Clerk.
Q51. Who introduced the "Dual system" of government in Bengal?
Robert Clive 1765-1772.
Q52. Who abolished the "Dual system" of government in Bengal?
Warren Hastings -1772/1773 and took over direct administration of Bengal.
Q53. Treaty of Madras 1769 was made between ...?
Haider Ali of Mysore and the British East India Co., when Haider was close to capturing Madras. It was made in April 1769.
Q54. What was Haider Ali, before seizing the Kingdom from the Wodeyars?
He was the Commander in Chief of Krishnaraja Wodeyar II.
Q55. Treaty of Mangalore in 1784 was signed between?
Tipu Sultan and Lord Mc Cartney, Governor of Madras.
Q56. Third Anglo Mysore War was fought between ...?
Tipu Sultan Vs. British led by Cornwallis - 1790-1792.
Q57. By which treaty the III Anglo Mysore War was concluded?
Treaty of Seringapattinam - signed by Tipu Sultan on one side and British, Nizam of Hyderabad and Peshwa of Poona on the other side - in 1792. Lord Cornwallis was the Governor General.
Q58. Who led the IV Anglo Mysore War for the British?
Lord Welleslely in March 1799.
Q59. Who betrayed Tipu Sultan in the IV Anglo Mysore War of 1799 leading to his defeat and death?
Mir Sadiq - one of his generals. During the war, Mir Sadiq deputed his troops to receive their wages, instead of fighting, which led to the British easily overpowering Tipu Sultan and kill him.
Q60. Tipu Sultan's use of rockets during the III and IV Anglo Mysore War is history.What did it lead to in future years?
Invention of "Congreve Rockets" by William Congreve, an Englishman,  in 1804.
Q61. How many Anglo Mysore Wars were fought?
Four.
Q62. How many Anglo Maratha Wars were fought?
Three.
Q63. First Anglo Maratha War fought between 1775-1782 concluded with?
Treaty of Salbai - 1782. Warren Hastings was the Governor General.
Q64. II Anglo Maratha war was fought during?
1803-1805.
Q65. Who were Pindaris?
Tribal chiefs of Afghanistan, controlling isolated regions in the west and North west regions around Gujarat and were giving trouble to the British at regular intervals. They were led by Karim Khan, Wasil Muhammad and Chittu. They were later controlled by the Pindari War of 1817-1818 by Warren Hastings.
Q66. Among the few treaties entered by British with the Marathas, which one culminated in the end of Maratha Empire?
Treaty of Bassein in 1802.
Q67. About the Treaty of Bassein 1802, what was the remark made by Arther Wellesley?
Treaty with a cipher.
Q68. How many Anglo Sikh Wars were fought?
Two.
Q69. The First Anglo Sikh war concluded by...?
The Treaty of Lahore 1846- after the I Anglo Sikh War - 1845-1846. Lord Hardinghe was the Governor general then.
Q70. Sind was annexed by the British with the undivided India during?
1843
Q71. After assuming as the Governor of Sind, what was the telegram sent by Sir Charles Napier to the Governor General?
"I have sinned".
Q72. Under which proclamation Governor Generals were appointed to oversee the administration of East India Co.,?
Regulating Act of 1773. It was followed by the Pitts Act of 1784.
Q73. Who was the first Governor General of India?
Warren Hastings 1773-1785.
Q74. What were the wars fought during the period of Warren Hastings?
I Maratha War(1775-1782) and II Mysore War (1780-1784) & Rohilla War 1774.
Q75. Which incident during the tenure of Warren Hastings turned out to be an embarrassment and impeachment later at the British Parliament?
Chail Singh Affair of 1778. He was finally got acquitted in 1785.
Q76. Who introduced the "Permanent Settlement" also known as "Zamindari system " of revenue collection?
Lord Cornwallis - 1793 - in Bengal and Bihar.
Q77. Who was instrumental in introducing the Civil Services in India?
Lord Cornwallis.
Q78. Vellore Mutiny 1806 was a prelude to the later mutinies. It occurred during whose rule?
Lord Minto I - Governor General. 1806.
Q79. During whose rule the Madras Province was formed?
Lord Wellesley - 1785.
Q80. Who introduced the "Ryotwari settlement" in Madras province?
Lord Hastings in 1820. It was a permanent revenue making arrangement between land holders/lords and the British.
Q81. Which Governor General was the first to prohibit the practice of "sati"?
Lord William Bentick in 1829.
Q82. During whose Governor Generalship English was introduced as medium of instruction?
Lord William Bentick in 1835.
Q83. Defeat of the British in which war was often referred to as "Auckland's folly"?
I Anglo Afghan War. (1836-1842)
Q84. From which Sikh ruler, the famous "Kohinoor" Diamond was obtained by the British, which later went over to England?
Duleep Singh.
Q85. After taking over Kashmir from the Sikh rulers, the British sold it to whom?
Gulab Singh.
Q86. During whose rule, the "Doctrine of Lapse" was introduced?
Lord Dalhousie.
Q87. Which was the first region to be taken over under the "Doctrine of Lapse"?
Satara in 1848.
Q88. During whose rule Public Works Department was introduced across India?
Lord Dalhousie.
Q89. Which year in the history of India, can be considered as the year of infrastructural development (during British rule)?
1853 - Railways (16.4.1853 - Bombay - Thane), then Telegraph Lines between Calcutta - Agra and Postal systems were introduced. All these were introduced by Lord Dalhousie.
Q90. Widow Remarriage Act was enacted by?
Lord Dalhousie in 1856
Q91. Who was the Governor General of India when Universities of Calcutta, Madras and Bombay were established?
Lord Canning - 1857.
Q92. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 took place during the period of?
Lord Canning.
Q93. What was the capital of British East India Co., and also British India?
Calcutta - until 1911 when it was shifted to Delhi.
Q94. Who was the last Governor of British East India Co., before being replaced by Governor General ?
Robert Clive (1758-1773). He was replaced by Warren Hastings as the Governor General in 1773.
Q95. Which Anglo Mysore war was fought during Warren Hasting's period?
II Anglo Mysore War - 1780-1784 Vs. Haider Ali.
Q96. Which organization was founded by Warren Hastings and Sir William Jones and when?
1784 - Asiatic Society of Bengal.
Q97. Who started setting up of judicial courts in India?
Lord Cornwallis - 1793
Q98. Who founded the Fort Williams at Calcutta?
Lord Wellesley.
Q99. During the rule of which Governor General Madras Presidency was formed?
1803 - Lord Wellesley.
Q100. Who was the first Indian to appear and also come first in the Indian Civil Service examination?
1905 - Gurusaday Dutta.
Q101. Who was the Governor General during the Vellore Mutiny of 1806?
George Barlow.
Q102. Who was the Governor General during the III Anglo Maratha War?
1817-1818 - Lord Warren Hastings - Marathas completely routed - Peshwaship abolished and territories annexed.
Q103. When was Bombay Presidency formed?
1818 - Lord Warren Hastings was Governor General.
Q104. When was the I Burmese war fought?
1824-1826 - Burmese rulers Vs. British - Lord Amherst was Governor General.
Q105. Who suppressed the practice of human sacrifice by the Ghond Tribes of central India?
Lord Hardinghe.
Q106. Which Governor General was responsible for the improved freedom of the Indian Press?
Sir Metcalfe - He was Governor General for a very short period.
Q107. When was the I Afghan war fought?
1836-1842 - British suffered some heavy defeats.
Q108. When was the II Anglo Sikh war fought?
1848-1849 - Lord Dalhousie led British forces Vs.Punjab Kings. Punjab was completely annexed.
Q109. When was the II Anglo Burmese war fought?
1852 - Lower Burma annexed. Lord Dalhousie was the Governor General.
Q110. What was the name for the Royal order by which the British took over the complete education responsibility of Indian mass?
Wood's Education Despatch 1854.
Q111. Who was the last Governor General of India?
Lord Canning. Incidentally he was the I Viceroy of India also.
Q112. The 1857 Sepoy Mutiny first started at...?
Barrackpore on 29th March 1857.
Q113. Who led the Sepoy Mutiny at Barrackpore?
Mangal Pandey.
Q114. What was the slogan shouted by the mutineers?
"Maro Firangi" meaning "Beat the English".
Q115. When was the Indian Penal Code first came into force?
1862 - Lord Canning was the Viceroy.
Q116. By which act, British East India Co., was liquidated?
India Act of 1858.
Q117. When and during whose period High Courts at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras were established?
1865 - Lord John Lawrence.
Q118. Lord Mayo is still remembered in one of the cities of Rajasthan. What is it?
Lord Mayo College in Ajmer. A public school/college established in 1875 specially to educate princely children .
Q119. How did Lord Mayo, Viceroy of India (1869-1872) die?
He was assassinated by a convict in the Andaman Jail in 1872.
Q120. What was "Delhi Durbar" and when and where was it conducted?
1.1.1877 - Delhi - A mass assembly at Coronation Park to commemorate the Queen of United Kingdom.
Q121. During whose period the most controversial "Vernacular Press Act" was promulgated?
Lord Lytton -1878 to curb the journalistic activities of the Indian language press.
Q122. When did the II Anglo Afghan war take place?
1878-1880 - Lord Lytton was the Viceroy then.
Q123. Bengal was severly affected with famine during...?
1669, 1770, 1866(including Orissa) and then in 1943 killing millions of people.
Q124. Who headed the "Famine Commission" by the Government?
Sir Richard Strachey - 1878.
Q125. When did the first census take place?
1881 during the period of Lord Rippon. The population then was 254 millions.
Q126. When was the first local self government introduced?
1882 - Lord Rippon.
Q127. When was the first Educational Commission appointed?
1882 - headed by Sir William Hunter.
Q128. What was the "Ilbert Bill"?
A bill that allowed Indian Magistrates to try European criminals.
Q129. When was the Ilbert Bill introduced and what was the outcome?
1883 - While it was welcomed by the Indians, the Europeans vehemently opposed it. When the Indians united to agitate against this, it led to the formation of Indian National Congress in 1885.
Q130. When was the III Anglo Burmese War fought?
1884-1888 - Burma lost completely and came under British control.
Q131. Who founded the Indian National Congress and when?
1885 - by Allan Octavian Hume (A.O.Hume), a British civil servant and a political reformer, along with Dadhabhai Naoroji and Dinshaw Edulji Wacha.
Q132. When was the first session of Indian National Congress held?
28th to 31st December 1885 - Bombay attended by 72 delegates.
Q133. Which commission was appointed to demarcate the border between British India and Afghanistan?
Durand Commission - the demarcated line was known as "Durand Line" between British India and Afghanistan. Now the line is between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Q134. Chapekar brothers of Poona have assassinated two British Officials W.C.Rand and Lt. Ayerst in 1897. What was the name of the brothers?
Damodar Hari, Balakrishna Hari and Vasudeo Hari.
Q135. When did the Partition of Bengal take place?
1905 - actual date of partition is 16th October 1905, by Viceroy Lord Curzon.
Q136. Which enactment allowed Indians to sit on the viceroy's legislative council and also for setting up of provincial legislators?
Indian Councils Act of 1892.
Q137. When Queen Victoria died in 1901, who was the viceroy of India?
Lord Curzon.
Q138. In the Surat Session (1907) of the Indian National Congress, the party split into two factions named as ....?
"Extremists" and "Moderates".
Q139. Who led the Extremist and Moderate factions of the INC?
Extremists - Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Moderates - Gopalakrishna Gokhale.
Q140. Minto Morley Reforms, envisaging Indian participation in the Councils was passed in the year...?
1909
Q141. When, where and who founded the Muslim League?
1906 - Dacca - Aga Khan.
Q142. When was the Capital shifted from Calcutta to Delhi?
1911 - when Lord Hardinghe was the Viceroy.
Q143. When did King George V and Queen Mary visited India?
1911 - when Coronation Durbar was held at Delhi.
Q144. When were the two factions of Indian National Congress united and by whom?
1916 - Lucknow session of INC by the efforts of Mrs. Annie Beasant.
Q145. Home Rule Leagues were founded by?
One by Bal Gangadhara Tilak and the other by Mrs. Annie Beasant in 1916.
Q146. What was "Lucknow Pact" of 1916?
An agreement between the Congress and Muslim League to unitedly pressurize British to have a more liberal approach to India and give more authority to Indians to run the country. Bal Gangadhara Tilak arranged for this pact.
Q147. When did Gandhi return to India?
1915. In 1916, he built the Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmedabad.
Q148. Where did Gandhi start his satyagraha movement?
Champaran in Bihar in 1917.
Q149. What was "August Declaration" of 1917?
Gradual transfer of powers to Indians - Lord Chelmsford was the Viceroy.
Q150. What was "Rowlatt Act of 1919"?
It envisaged extraordinary powers for the government to arrest and imprison suspects without trial. It was passed during Lord Chelmsford's tenure.
Q151. What incident preceded the Jalianwala Bagh massacre?
On 10th April 1919, Dr.Kitchlu and Dr.Satyapal were arrested by the British under the Rowlatt Act, which raised unrest in Punjab. Protest turned violent when police opened firing and five Britishers were killed.
Q152. On which date the Jalianwala Bagh massacre took place and who was behind the massacre?
13.4.1919 - A public meeting was organized in protest, where women and and children also participated. Genl. Reginald Dyer, ordered indiscriminate firing which killed nearly 400 people and more than thousand people were injured. It was an unprovoked action of Genl.Dyer and received worldwide condemnation. Jalianwala Bagh is a garden in Amritsar,Punjab.
Q153. How was Genl.Reginald Dyer called after the Jalianwalabagh massacre?
Butcher of Amritsar.
Q154. How, by whom and where Genl.Dyer was killed in retaliation to the Jalianwala Bagh incident?
Sardar Uddam Singh, on 13.3.1940, shot him dead, when he was addressing a meeting at Caxton Hall, London. For this, Uddam Singh was executed on 31.7.1940 and his ashes were brought to India on 19.7.1974 for public to pay their respects.
Q155. What was Khilafat movement?
1919-1920s - It was a political campaign launched mainly by Muslims in South Asia to influence the British to protect the Ottoman Empire during the aftermath of WWI.
Q156. Who founded the Khilafat movement in India?
Mohammad and Shaukat Ali. The movement was led by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad supported by Hindus, Gandhiji and INC.
Q157. When did Gandhiji start the 'Non Cooperation movement'?
Started by Gandhiji in 1920, supported by Ali brothers and joined by other people from all walks of life. It lasted upto 1922.
Q158. Where was the first Women's University founded in India?
Poona - 1916 during the rule of Lord Chelmsford.
Q159. Who was the first Indian to be appointed as Lieutenant Governor?
S.P.Sinha appointed as Lt. Governor of Bihar. Incidentally he was the second Indian to become a member of parliament of the British Parliament. The first was Dadhabhai Naoroji. It was during Lord Curzon's period.
Q160. What was Chauri Chaura incident? When did it happen?
5-2-1922 - A mob of people at Chauri Chaura a village near Gorakhpur, UP clashed with the police, burnt the police station and killed 22 policemen.
Q161. What was the outcome of the Chauri Chaura incident?
Gandhiji, annoyed with the attitude of the people, withdrew the non-cooperation movement and the civil disobedience movement.
Q162. Gandhiji's withdrawl of noncooperation movement and civil disobedience movement resulted in...?
Consequent upon this, Motilal Nehru, Chittaranjan Das, N.C.Kelker  started Swaraj Party, named as "Congress Khilafat Swarajya Party" from 1.1.1923. The idea was to participate in elections. However, the party fizzled out after the death of CR Das in 1925.
Q163. Who founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)?
K.B.Hedgewar at Nagpur in 1925.
Q164. When was the "Rowlatt Act" repealed?
1925 during the period of Viceroy Lord Reading.
Q165. What is the important development during Lord Reading's period in relation to army?
Indianisation of officers' cadre in Indian Army began.
Q166. Which Viceroy was popularly known as "Christian Viceroy"?
Lord Irwin.
Q167. What was "Simon Commission"?
1927 - A commission to study constitutional reforms in India. The Commission consisted of Seven members, headed by Sir John Simon which also included Mr. Clement Atlee (who later became the PM and granted independence to India) and others.
Q168. Why was the Simon Commission boycotted by Indians?
Because it did not contain any Indian member in it.
Q169. What was the unfortunate incident in relation to the Simon Commission's arrival?
30.10.1928 - Led by Lala Lajpat Rai, a huge protest was held at Lahore, against the Simon Commission, when the police resorted to lathicharge and injured Lala Lajpat Rai grievously and he succumbed to the wounds on 17th November 1928 at Lahore. It happened during Lord Irwin's period.
Q170. Who was the British Official involved in the lathi charge of the protestors at Lahore, against the Simon Commission on 30.10.1928 and what happened to him later?
JAMES SCOTT  was actually the British Police Official who ordered the lathi charge and also injured Lala Lajpat Rai. Upon this, Bhagat Singh and his associates, Sivaram Rajguru, Sukhdev Thapar and Chandrasekhar Azad planned to kill James Scott.  On 17th December 1928, by a mistaken identity, when JOHN P. SAUNDERS was was coming out of a court, killed him.   After this incident, Bhagat Singh and others escaped and went in different directions and indulged in different extreme activities. They were finally caught and hanged in March 1931. 
Q171. What was Harcourt Butler Indian States Commission?
1927 - It was intended to recommend measures for the establishment of better relations between the Indian States and the Central Government.
Q172. When was the First All India Youth Congress meeting held?
Calcutta -- December 1928.
Q173. What was "Deepavali Declaration"?
Announced by Lord Irwin in 1929, that India would be granted Dominion status in due course.
Q174. Who headed the committee that was appointed to prepare the Constitution of India?
Moti Lal Nehru. He submitted the report in 1928, but was rejected by Muslim League and the Hindu Mahasabha.
Q175. When was the "Poorna Swaraj' (complete independence) resolution was passed?
Lahore Session of Indian National Congress in December 1929.
Q176. In the Lahore Session of INC in December 1929, which date was fixed as the date of independence?
26.1.1930
Q177. When was the Tri-colour flag unfurled for the first time?
31.12.1930.
Q178. When did Gandhiji launch the Civil Disobedience and Dandi March?
12.3.1930
Q179. What was Dandi March?
Also called the Salt Satyagraha. It was a protest march against the salt laws imposed by the British. On 12.3.1930 Gandhiji launched the March from Sabarmati Ashram Ahmedabad to Dandi, a small coastal village in Gujarat, to break the Salt law. It was a 24 day march covering 390 Kms and he was accompanied by 79 followers. He reached Dandi on 6th April 1930 and broke the Salt Law.
Q180. When was the First Round Table Conference held?
November 1930 to January 1931 opened by King George V and presided over by Ramsay McDonald, Prime Minister. While a number of leaders from all classes attended the same, Congress boycotted the same.
Q181. What was Gandhi-Irwin Pact 1931?
A political agreement entered on 5.3.1931 laying down certain action points for both sides. As the pact was mutually beneficial, Gandhiji withdrew the Civil Disobedience movement. The main content of the agreement was :
i) Indians to withdraw the Civil Disobedience movement;
ii)Indians to take part in the Round Table Conference;
iii) British to withdraw obstructive ordinances, withdrawal of prosecutions and release of prisoners.
iv) Removal of the tax on salt.
Q182. When was the II Round Table Conference held?
September 1931 - Gandhi attended the same, but the conference failed because of difference of opinion between Gandhiji and Ambedkarji. After return Gandhiji started his Civil Disobedience movement and he was imprisoned.
Q183. When was the III Round Table Conference held?
1932. The conference was held without any Indian participation as most of the leaders were in jail.
Q184. What was Communal Award of August 1932?
Announced by Ramsay McDonald, British PM. It was a policy of provisions for representations for different communities. It is a kind of divide and rule policy of the British.
It was considered as a controversial one in that it granted separate electorate for minority communities, Muslims, Sikhs, and Dalits. Gandhiji opposed it and Ambedkar supported it. This led Gandhiji taking up fast unto death in Yeravada prison. This difference of opinion was sorted out by the "Poona Pact" between Gandhiji and Ambedkar in September 1932. Separate electorate for Dalits was abandoned and instead decided for a joint electorate.
Q185. When was Burma separated from British India?
1935
Q186. Who founed the "Congress Socialist Party"?
Acharya Narendra Dev and Jai Prakash Narayan in 1934.
Q187. When was the Congress Ministries formed for the first time?
1937
Q188. When did Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose resign from the Congress?
1939
Q189. What was the political party founded by Nethaji Subhash Chandra Bose?
Forward Bloc.
Q190. Why did the Congress ministries in all states resigned in 1939?
Due to the outbreak of WW II.
Q191. Resignations of the Congress ministries was celebrated by the Muslims as...?
Deliverance Day.
Q192. When did the Muslim League passed a resolution for a separate state for Muslims?
Lahore Session of Muslim League on 23.3.1940.
Q193. Who proposed the "Two Nation Theory"?
Md. Ali Jinnah at the Lahore Session of Muslim League in March 1940.
Q194. Who announced the "August 1940" Offer?
Lord Linlithgow - The offer was for a War Committee with Indian participation and to have constitutional changes, more liberal authority for Indians and grant a Dominion status. It was rejected by the Congress and individual satyagraha was started.
Q195. Which mission came to India offering a "Dominion" status?
Cripps Mission 1942 headed by Stanford Cripps. Rejected by Congress.
Q196. When and where was the "Quit India" resolution passed?
8.8.1942 - Bombay session of the Indian National Congress. The result of the resolution was that all congress leaders were imprisoned. Upon this began the "August Revolution" or " Quit India Movement" 1942.
Q197. Who gave us the slogan of "Do or Die" and when?
Gandhiji in 1942.
Q198. What was CR formula?
C. Rajagopalachari, in 1944 suggested to have common military and communication systems for both nations - India and Pakistan. The proposal was rejected by both factions.
Q199. What was "Naval Mutiny" and when did it happen?
1946 - The Indian ratings in the Royal Indian Navy protested against the working conditions, illtreatment, racism, food etc., at Bombay, turned out to be a national level strike by various working force. Although it received good support, it failed because of lack of political support specially from Gandhiji, as he was not happy with resorting to strike.
Q200. What was "Cabinet Mission" - 1946?
The Mission was to establish a Constituent Assembly to frame the constitution.
Q201. The Cabinet Mision consisted of?
Three members - Lord Lawrence, Sir Stanford Cripps and A.V.Alexander.
Q202. When was the "Interim Government" formed?
September 1946. - Lord Wavell was the Viceroy.
Q203. How did the Muslim League made its demand for a separate state ?
By observing 17th August 1946 as "Direct Action Day". It was the result of the dissatisfaction over the arrangement of Interim Government under the Cabinet Mission Plan. However, later the Muslim League took part in the Interim Government but abstained from Constituent Assembly.
Q204. Who was the last British Viceroy of India?
Lord Mountbatten.
Q205. What was Mountbatten Plan?
Partition of India into Pakistan and India. It was announced on 3rd June 1947.
Q206. Who was assigned to demarcate the boundaries between India and Pakistan?
Sir Radcliffe.
Q207. When did the British Parliament decide the grant of independence to India?
18th July 1947- to grant independence from 15th August 1947.
Q208. Who was the Prime Minister of England when grant of independence to India was decided and to which political party he belonged?
Clement Atlee - Labour Party.
Q209. Who was the longest serving Governor General of India?
Warren Hastings - 1773-1785 - 12 years.
Q210. Who was the shortest serving Governor General of India?
Lord Canning - 1856-1857 - 1 Yr. He followed his tenure as First Viceroy of India for 4 years between 1858-1862. (Incidentally, there were a few Governor General other than Lord Canning, who served only for a few months at different periods.)
Q211. Who was the first and only Indian to become a Governor General of India after independence?
C. Rajagopalachari - 21.6.1948 to 26.1.1950(15.8.1947 to 20.6.1948 - Lord Mountbatten).
Q212. Who was the last emperor of India?
Bahadur Shah Zafar II of the Mughals - he was dethroned after the Sepoy Mutiny 1857, by the British and exiled to Burma where he lived until his death on 7th November 1862.
Q213. What are the important Government departments established by Lord Mayo during his tenure 1869-1872?
1.Statistical Survey of India; 2. Agriculture 3. Commerce and 4. Railway system was made into State Railway systems.
Q214. When did Queen Victoria assume as the Empress of India?
1877 - by the Royal Titles Act of 1876.
Q215. When was the Indian Universities Act passed?
1904 - Based on the reforms proposed by Sir Thomas Raleigh.
Q216. When and why the Swadesh movement was started?
1905 - because of the partition of Bengal.
Q217. What was the controversial aspect of the Minto Morley reforms?
The reforms were incorporated under Indian Councils Act 1909, which also provided for reserved seats for Muslims in excess of their relative population which was not well received by the majority and Hindus.
Q218. Who founded the "Hindu Maha sabha"?
1915 - by Madan Mohan Malaviya and a few Punjabi leaders.
Q219. When for the first time Civil Services Examintion was held in India and England simultaneously?
1923
Q220. Why did Robert Clive forge the signature of Admiral Watson on a duplicate copy of the treaty signed with Mir Zafar and his supporters?
Clive wanted to cause embarrassment and trouble to Watson.
Q221. Siraj Ud Daula seized the English factory at Chandernagore in June 1756. Why?
The British gave protection to the enemies of Siraj Ud Daula and refused to surrender them to the Nawabs.
Q222. Who was the Mughal emperor to give the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to the Britishers in 1765?
Shah Alam II.
Q223. Apart from Mir Zafar, who were the other people to conspire with the British to remove Siraj ud Daula as the Nawab of Bengal?
Manik Chand, Jagath Seth and Omi Chand.
Q224. Who led the English mission sent to the Mughal Court which succeeded in getting the farman of 1717 from Mughal Emperor Farooq Siyar?
John Surman.
Q225. What were the main contents of the Regulating Act of 1773?
i) It made changes in the constitution of the Board of Directors and subjected their actions to the British Government; ii) The Governor General in Council was given the power to superintend and control the Bombay and Madras Presidencies in certain matters; iii) It gave permission to the servants of the company to receive presents but not bribes.
Q226. What were the main contents of Pitts India Act of 1784?
i) It established a Board of Control, consisting of 6 members; ii) It gave the court of directors the right to appoint and recall officials from India; iii) It clearly subordinated the Bombay and Madras Presidencies to the Governor General in Council in certain matters.
Q227. What were the contents of Charter Act of 1793?
i) Renewed the Charter of the company for 20 years; ii)Regulated the finances of company; iii)Prohibited the Commander in Chief from being a member of the Governor General's Council.
Q228. What were the main contents of the Charter Act of 1833?
i) Completed the process of throwing open Indian trade to all Britishers. ii) Renamed the Governor General of Fort William as Governor General of India. iii) Include a law member to the Council of the Governor General.
Q229. Who was the first Governor General of Fort Williams?
Warren Hastings.
Q230. Who was the first Chief Justice (British) of Supreme Court of India?
Eljah Impey.
Q231. Who was the first to become the Governor General and also the Viceroy of British India?
Lord Canning. (he was the last Governor General and the first Viceroy)
Q232. Whenfrom the first financial allocation for spreading education was made in India?
By the Charter Act of 1813, an annual sum of one lakh was granted.
Q233. By which ordinance, direct recruitment to Indian Civil service through competitive examination commenced?
Charter Act of 1853.
Q234. By what provision "Bicameralism" at the centre was introduced?
Montford Reforms.
Q235. Bicameralism was first introduced in the provinces of ..?
1935 - Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Central Provinces.
Q236. Who created the covenanted Civil Service of India?
Lord Cornwallis from 1861.
Q237. What was "Laissez Fairre Policy" of the British in India aimed at?
Removal of all restrictions on the export of Indian raw materials to England and on the import of British manufactured goods into India.
Q238. Who was responsible for the establishment of the college of Fort William at Calcutta to train young civil servants of India?
Lord Wellesley.
Q239. Who founded a Sanskrit College at Banaras (Varnasi)?
Jonathan Duncan in 1792.
Q240. Which Viceroy gave the official sanction for the education of girls in India?
Lord Dalhousie.
Q241. Who headed the Indian Education Commission of 1882?
W W Hunter.
Q242. By which Act did education officially come under Indian control for the first time?
Government of India Act 1919.
Q243. Who was the first to attempt decentralization of financial administration?
Lord Mayo.
Q244. Which Act created the first "official legislature" in India?
Charter act of 1853.
Q245. Who is generally considered as the pioneer of local self government of modern India?
Lord Ripon.
Q246. Warren Hastings experiment of auctioning the right to collect revenue, to the highest bidder was almost similar to the..?
Ijara system of the Mughals.
Q247. Who was the founder of the "Drain Theory" which among others, exposed the constant drain of wealth from India to England?
Dadhabhai Naoroji.
Q248. The first telegraph line was introduced by Lord Dalhousie in 1853 was between?
Calcutta and Agra.
Q249. During whose period did the European soldiers stage the so called "White Mutiny"?
Lord Canning.
Q250. Which are the states which were annexed by Lord Dalhousie was cancelled by the Court of Directors?
Bhagat and Udaipur.
Q251. Name the wife of a Mughal emperor who acted against the interests of the rebellions by acting as the informer of the British?
Zinnat Mahal wife of Bahadur Shah Zafar II.
Q252. What was the original name of Nana Saheb?
Dhondu Pandit. He was the adopted son of the last Peshwa of Maharashtra. The British (Lord Dalhousie) refused to recognize him as the Peshwa and suspended his pension.
Q253. Veerapandia Kattabomman from the South was considered to be the first to revolt against the British. Which part of Tamilnadu was he ruling?
Panchalankurichi now in Thoothukudi Dist of Tamilnadu.
Q254. Who was the traitor, with whose help Veerapandia Kattabomman was captured and executed?
Ettayappan - in 1799.
Q255. Who was Velu Thampi who revolted against the British in 1808/1809?
He was Dewan of Travancore and revolted against the British for the excessive financial burden imposed on the state.
Q256. Kittur Rising find a place in the Indian history revolts against the British. Where is Kittur?
Near Dharwar, Karnataka.
Q257. Who founded the Wahabi movement?
Syed Ahamed of Bareilly in 1820.
Q258. The Kuka movement centred in?
Punjab. The movement was founded by Bhagat Jawhar Mal.
Q259. Among the various tribals, Santhals were the major trouble and worry for the British. Where are they generally found?
Rajmahal Hills in Bihar and parts of Orissa also.
Q260. Chenchus were one of the tribals who aggressively revolted against the British. Where are these tribals found?
Nallamala Hills, Andhra Pradesh.
Q261. One of the most sensitive reason for the 1857 revolt was?
Forced use of catridges greased with Cow and Pig fats, which was against the sentiments of both Hindus and Muslims.
Q262. Mangal Pandey, one of the leading mutineers, belonged to?
34th Native Infantry at Barrackpore.
Q263. Who played a prominent role in the Sepoy Mutiny and were a source of trouble for the British in central India throughout the duration?
Tantia Tope.
Q264. Who was the first to call the Sepoy Mutiny the "First War of Independence"?
V.D.Savarkar.
Q265. Who were the founders of Justice Party?
C.N. Mudaliar, T.M.Nair and P. Thyagaraja Chetti.
Q266. Who founded the "Self Respect Movement" in Tamilnadu?
E.V.Ramasamy Naicker most popularly known as 'Periyar'. (E= Erode, V=Venkata)
Q267. The Self Respect Movement founded by E.V.Ramasamy Naicker, now functions as...?
Dravida Kazhagam.
Q268. Nadars a prosperous mercantile class from Tamilnadu. How were they known earlier?
Shanans.
Q269. Narayana Guru (Nanu Asan) is a revered social guru of Keralites. What was the movement led by him?
"Ezhava Movement".
Q270. "Mahar Movement" was centred around and led by?
Maharashtra - led by B.R.Ambedkar - the movement was by the Mahar community people against the untouchability practice.
Q271. The first movement against cultivation of Indigo took place in?
Bengal - 1859-1860.
Q272. What was "Pabna movement"?
A movement against oppression of agricultural labourers by the Zamindars centred in Pabna Dt of East Bengal, between 1872-1876.
Q273. What was Champaran Satyagraha?
1914-1918 - revolt against forceful cultivation of indigo and unreasonable financial burden imposed on them by the Zamindars and the Britishers. Gandhiji participated in the Satyagraha.
Q274. Moplahs are a community of people from?
Northern region of Kerala. They were mostly peasants.
Q275. Moplah rebellion, against oppression and over exploitation, took place during ...?
1921
Q276. What was the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928?
Bardoli District, Gujarat. The main cause for the Satyagraha here was the raise of land revenues by 22% by the British government in 1927/1928.
Q277. Who founded the All India Kisan Sabha?
N.G. Ranga of Andhra Pradesh in 1935/1936.
Q278. What was the ratio of Indian sepoys to that of the Europeans in the British Indian Army during the 1857 revolt?
6:1
Q279. When was the greased catridges Enfield Rifle was introduced in the British Indian Army?
January 1857.
Q280. Who led the 1857 mutiny at Delhi?
Genl. Bakt Khan.
Q281. Who led the 1857 revolt at Kanpur?
Nana Saheb, Rao Sahib and Tantia Tope.
Q282. What was the name of the Tamil magazine started by Periyar the social reformer activist of Tamilnadu?
Kudiyarasu.
Q283. Against which Hindu script the movement started by Periyar was against and started burning them?
Manu Smriti.
Q284. Who was the first Keralite to start a movement against the dominance of Brahmins in Government service and politics?
C.V.Raman Pillai from the Nair community. It was called the Malayalee Memorial in 1891.
Q285. What was the famous novel written by Sri.C.V.Raman Pillai in which he glorified the military achievements of the Nairs?
Marthanda Varma.
Q286. Which later leader of Nairs, started the "Swadeshabhimani" an aggressive newspaper?
K. Ramakrishna Pillai.
Q287. Who founded the famous "Nair Service Society"?
Fondly known as NSS in Kerala. It was started by Padmanabha Pillai in 1914.
Q288. When was the Indigo Commission appointed to look into the grievances of Indigo plantation peasants?
1869
Q289. The Bengal Tenancy Act of 1885 was aimed at?
Redressing the grievances of peasants of Bengal, against the Zamindars' atrocities.
Q290. What was the name of the British officer who was severely wounded by Mangal Pandey?
Lt. Baugh.
Q291. Who was the British officer who was killed at the revolt at Meerut?
Col. Finnis.
Q292. Who was that British officer who blew up the magazine (arms godown) at Delhi to avoid the mutineers capturing it in 1857?
Lt. Willoughby.
Q293. After the capture of Delhi, the British deported Bahadur Shah Zafar to Rangoon and killed all his sons. Who was that British Officer who killed them?
Lt. Hodson.
Q294. Give a brief about Bakht Khan, famous for his leading the 1857 revolt at Delhi?
1. He was an ordinary Subedar in the British Army. 2. He was the de facto leader of the mutiny of the Sepoys at Delhi - with the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar as the nominal leader. 3. When British captured Delhi, he escaped to Awadh and fought the British till his death.
Q295. What was Maulavi Ahmadullah's efforts against British?
1. Before the actual 1857 revolt, he led a minor revolt against the British at Faizabad. 2. He was one of the main leaders of the rebels at Lucknow.
Q296. What are the important involvement of Tantia Tope in the revolt against British?
1. After losing Kanpur, to the British, he joined Rani Laxmi Bhai in fighting the British at Gwalior. 2. After the defeat at Gwalior, he left to Central India and waged almost a lone battle by indulging in Guerilla War for 10 months.
Q297. Which classes of people participated in the 1857 revolt?
Peasants, Artisans, Old Zamindars and Dispossessed rulers.
Q298. Who are the Indian rulers who supported the British to suppress the 1857 revolt?
1. Nizam of Hyderabad; 2. Scindias of Gwalior; 3. Holkar of Indore; 4. Gulab Singh of Kashmir and 5. Raja of Sodhpur.
Q299. Who were the Prime Ministers of Princely States who supported the British in the 1857 revolt?
Sir Dinkar Rao, Sir Salar Jung and Sir Jang Bahadur.
Q300. Which specific regions of India did not participate in the 1857 revolt?
Bengal, Madras, Bombay, Western Punjab and Rajputana.
Q301. In simple terms, what were the causes of the failure of the 1857 revolt?
1. Disorganisation 2.Indiscipline 3. Decentralised Leadership 4. Use of traditional weapons.
Q302. What were the contributing factors that helped the British to suppress the 1857 revolt?
1.Immense resources 2. Superior Weapons and techniques; 3.Assistance from Indian rulers; 4. End of Crimean War enabled them to concentrate their troops in India.
Q303. Which famous Urdu poet was a witness to the mass killings of male civilians at Delhi after its capture by British?
Mirza Ghalib.
Q304. Which British General declared that Rani Laxmibhai Jhansi was the bravest and the best leader among the rebels?
Sir Hugh Rose.
Q305. Who wrote the following passage on the 1857 revolt - " In no instance is a friendly glance directed to the white man's carriage...oh! that language of the eye! Who can doubt? Who can represent it?"
W.H. Russel.
Q306. Mention a few books written on the 1857 mutiny?
1. The Indian War of Independence --- V.D.Savarkar;
2. History of Indian Mutiny --- T.R.Holmes;
3. A History of Sepoy War in India --- Sir J.W.Kaye;
4. Indian Mutiny of 1857 --- G.B.Malleson;
5. The Sepoys Revolt - Its causes and concerns --- H.Mead;
6. Eighteen Fifty Seven --- S.N. Sen.
Q307. What was Pagal Panthis movement?
A religious movement that emerged during the 18th century in the northern Mymensingh and Sherpur area of the province of Bengal. It was founded by Karim Shah.
Q308. The Wahabi movement was active around?
Bihar, Bengal, Punjab, NW Frontier Province and Deccan.
Q309. After suppression of the Wahabi movement, the British tried the leaders at different places. What are all the places?
Ambala, Patna, Malda and Rajmahal.
Q310. Which Sikh Guru was considered as the true Guru by the Kukas?
Guru Gobind Singh.
Q311. Who led the Revolt of the Oraons?
Oraons are tribals now living around Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhatisgarh, Bihar and West Bengal. The revolt was led by Turia and Bhikku Bhagat.
Q312. Which tribe revolted due to the British efforts to suppress the practice of human sacrifice?
Khonds.
Q313. Which tribal movement was aimed at the activities of the Christian missionaries in their region?
Munda revolt (Mundas are more prevalent tribals in Chhatisgarh).
Q314. Who was the first leader of the untouchable Mahars?
Gopal Baba Walangkar - later led by B.R.Ambedkar.
Q315. Who was the first President of the Andhra Provincial Ryots Association founded in 1928?
N.G.Ranga.
Q316. When and where was the South Indian Federation of Peasants and Agricultural Labour founded?
1935 - Madras.
Q317. When and Where was the All India Kisan Sabha was founded?
1936 - Lucknow.
Q318. Who presided over the first session of the All India Kisan Sabha?
Swami Sahajanand.
Q319. Which day is observed as the All Indian Kisan Day?
1st September.
Q320. When, by whom and which play portrayed the oppression of Bengal peasants by the European Indigo planters?
1860 - Dinabandhu Mitra - "Nil Darpan".
Q321. Which incident marked the arrival of Gandhiji in the Indian Freedom movement?
Champaran Satyagraha (Bihar).
Q322. Who were the leaders who have accompanied Gandhiji in the Champaran Satyagraha?
Rajendra Prasad, J.B.Kripalani, Mazhar ul Haq and Mahadev Desai.
Q323. When was the Factory Commission appointed?
1875
Q324. When was the Factory Act first enacted?
1881
Q325. What were the salient provisions in the First Factories Act of 1881?
1. Child below 7 should not be employed.
2. Children between 7 and 12 are to be employed only for 9 hours a day. Not to be allowed to operate heavy machineries. Not to be employed in two factories on the same day.
3. Four holidays in a month. Break of one hour between two sessions of working hours.
4. Fencing of dangerous machines even if it were to be operated by adult workers to prevent accidents.
5. Provincial governments to appoint supervisors to ensure implementation of the provisions of these laws.
6. Any factory employing 100 or more workers with mechanical or steam and function for atleast four months in a year was defined as a factory,with an inbuilt exemption for indigo, tea and coffee plantations for the British advantage, also affecting Indian cotton and jute industries. This act received both boquets and bricks from various quarters, but lack of supervision or inspection made it only a paper law.
Q326. When was the Second Factory Commission and Act was passed?
In 1884, a commission was appointed and the Second Factory Act with some improvements on working hours, rest, holidays etc. were passed in 1891. But the Act did not make any consideration for Adult workers. Here began the Trade Union movement which we will see under the Indian Laws section.
Q327. Who were the first and second to be chosen to undertake the individual satyagraha during freedom struggle?
Vinobha Bhave and J.L.Nehru respectively.