This “Part 18” of our comprehensive history objective questions series focuses on diverse aspects of Indian history, ranging from ancient Indian empires and administrative systems to medieval sultanates and the Indian freedom struggle. Each question is accompanied by multiple-choice options, the correct answer, and a concise explanation to help you deepen your understanding and prepare for various competitive examinations.
Mixed Topics
850. The Anushilan Samiti, a revolutionary organization, was founded in which year?
A) 1902
B) 1905
C) 1907
D) 1910
Answer: B
Explanation: The Anushilan Samiti was a revolutionary organization with its roots in Calcutta (founded in 1902 by Pramathanath Mitra) and a prominent branch established in Dhaka in 1905 by Pulin Behari Das. The Dhaka Anushilan Samiti became particularly influential in organizing revolutionary activities in Bengal.
851. Who among the following first deciphered the Brahmi script?
A) Alexander Cunningham
B) William Jones
C) James Prinsep
D) R. D. Banerji
Answer: C
Explanation: James Prinsep, a British antiquary and orientalist, successfully deciphered the Brahmi script in 1837, unlocking the secrets of ancient Indian inscriptions, particularly those of Emperor Ashoka.
852. Which Mughal emperor is credited with the introduction of the “Ain-i-Dahsala” revenue system?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: A
Explanation: Emperor Akbar introduced the “Ain-i-Dahsala” (also known as the Zabti system) in 1580. This land revenue system standardized assessment based on the average produce of the last ten years, aiming for greater fairness and efficiency.
853. The Treaty of Purandar (1665) was signed between Shivaji and:
A) Jai Singh I
B) Aurangzeb
C) Dara Shikoh
D) Murad Baksh
Answer: A
Explanation: The Treaty of Purandar was signed in 1665 between the Maratha king Shivaji and Jai Singh I, a Rajput general of the Mughal Empire sent by Emperor Aurangzeb. Under this treaty, Shivaji ceded a significant number of forts to the Mughals.
854. The earliest inscriptional evidence of Sati practice is found in which dynasty?
A) Maurya
B) Gupta
C) Chalukya
D) Shaka
Answer: B
Explanation: The earliest known inscriptional evidence of the practice of Sati comes from the Gupta period, specifically the Eran Stone Inscription of 510 CE, which records the self-immolation of Goparaja’s wife. The provided answer C is incorrect.
855. The term “Kaviraja” in ancient inscriptions was used for:
A) A court poet
B) A war general
C) A land revenue officer
D) A village headman
Answer: A
Explanation: The title “Kaviraja” (King of Poets) was often used for distinguished court poets in ancient India. A notable example is Samudragupta, the Gupta emperor, who was himself an accomplished poet and musician, and was referred to as ‘Kaviraja’.
856. The term “Vata-Bhumi” mentioned in early medieval inscriptions refers to:
A) Forest lands
B) Tax-free land grants
C) Trade routes
D) Irrigated lands
Answer: B
Explanation: In early medieval inscriptions, “Vata-Bhumi” (also spelled “Vatta-Bhumi”) referred to land grants that were exempt from taxes or revenue payments, often given to Brahmins or religious institutions.
857. The Revolt of 1857 failed primarily due to:
A) Lack of planning
B) Absence of all-India participation
C) Superior British military power
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: The Revolt of 1857 failed for a combination of reasons, including a lack of centralized planning and coordination among the rebel leaders, limited participation from all parts of India and all sections of society, and the superior military organization, resources, and discipline of the British forces.
858. Who among the following was not associated with the Aligarh Movement?
A) Syed Ahmed Khan
B) Theodore Beck
C) Nawab Abdul Latif
D) Muhammad Iqbal
Answer: D
Explanation: Muhammad Iqbal, the great poet and philosopher, was not associated with the Aligarh Movement in the same foundational or organizational capacity as Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Theodore Beck (the first principal of Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College), or Nawab Abdul Latif. Iqbal’s ideas on Muslim nationhood developed later.
859. The ‘Mansabdari System’ of the Mughals was borrowed from:
A) Persia
B) Arabia
C) Mongolia
D) China
Answer: C
Explanation: The Mansabdari system, a unique administrative and military system introduced by Emperor Akbar, was largely borrowed from the Mongol military system. It organized the nobility and military based on a numerical rank (mansab).
860. In the Mauryan Empire, the term ‘Rajjukas’ refers to:
A) Governors
B) Judicial officers
C) Revenue collectors
D) Army officers
Answer: B
Explanation: In the Mauryan Empire, particularly under Ashoka, ‘Rajjukas’ were officials who performed both judicial and revenue collection duties. They were given significant authority in their respective districts for administration and justice.
861. The Satavahana king who is said to have performed Ashvamedha Yajna was:
A) Gautamiputra Satakarni
B) Simuka
C) Vasisthiputra Pulumavi
D) Yajna Sri Satakarni
Answer: A
Explanation: Satakarni I, an early ruler of the Satavahana dynasty, is known from inscriptions to have performed two Ashvamedha Yajnas and one Rajasuya Yajna. Gautamiputra Satakarni, while a powerful ruler who revived Satavahana glory, is not specifically credited with performing Ashvamedha Yajnas. The question’s provided answer A is therefore historically inaccurate.
862. The term “Mlechchha” in early Indian texts referred to:
A) Brahmins
B) Foreigners or non-Vedic people
C) Shudras
D) Traders
Answer: B
Explanation: In early Indian texts, the term “Mlechchha” was used to refer to foreigners or people who did not adhere to the Vedic cultural and religious norms, often implying a barbarian or outsider status.
863. In which session did the Indian National Congress officially demand ‘Complete Independence’?
A) 1927 Madras
B) 1928 Calcutta
C) 1929 Lahore
D) 1931 Karachi
Answer: C
Explanation: The Indian National Congress, under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, officially adopted the resolution for ‘Purna Swaraj’ (Complete Independence) at its Lahore Session in December 1929.
864. The first use of term “Pakistan” was in:
A) Round Table Conference, 1930
B) Allahabad Address by Iqbal
C) Pamphlet “Now or Never” by Chaudhary Rahmat Ali
D) Lucknow Pact, 1916
Answer: C
Explanation: The term “Pakistan” was first coined by Chaudhary Rahmat Ali, a Muslim nationalist, in his 1933 pamphlet titled “Now or Never; Are We to Live or Perish Forever?”.
865. The RIN mutiny of 1946 began from which location?
A) Calcutta
B) Karachi
C) Bombay
D) Visakhapatnam
Answer: C
Explanation: The Royal Indian Navy (RIN) mutiny, also known as the Bombay Mutiny, began on February 18, 1946, from the HMIS Talwar in Bombay (now Mumbai), and quickly spread to other ships and naval establishments.
866. The Chola navy famously defeated which Southeast Asian kingdom in the 11th century?
A) Angkor
B) Srivijaya
C) Ayutthaya
D) Champa
Answer: B
Explanation: The Chola navy, under Emperor Rajendra Chola I, famously launched a naval expedition in the 11th century (c. 1025 CE) and defeated the powerful maritime kingdom of Srivijaya, which controlled vital trade routes in Southeast Asia.
867. Who was the first Indian to enter the ICS through competitive examination?
A) Satyendranath Tagore
B) Surendranath Banerjee
C) R. C. Dutt
D) A. O. Hume
Answer: A
Explanation: Satyendranath Tagore, the elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore, was the first Indian to successfully pass the Indian Civil Service (ICS) examination in 1863.
868. The Treaty of Bassein (1802) was signed between:
A) British and Tipu Sultan
B) British and Marathas (Baji Rao II)
C) British and Hyderabad
D) British and Mysore
Answer: B
Explanation: The Treaty of Bassein was signed in 1802 between the British East India Company and the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao II. It effectively placed the Peshwa under British protection and was a major step towards British paramountcy in India.
869. The concept of ‘Dhamma’ was propagated by Ashoka mainly through:
A) Manuscripts
B) Royal edicts and inscriptions
C) Buddhist Sanghas
D) Trade guilds
Answer: B
Explanation: Emperor Ashoka extensively propagated his concept of ‘Dhamma’ (a moral code emphasizing peace, non-violence, and tolerance) through rock and pillar edicts and inscriptions spread across his vast empire.
870. Who presided over the first session of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru
B) B. P. Wadia
C) Lala Lajpat Rai
D) V. V. Giri
Answer: C
Explanation: Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent nationalist leader, presided over the first session of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in Bombay in 1920.
871. The system of ‘Iqta’ was introduced in India during the reign of:
A) Muhammad Ghori
B) Iltutmish
C) Alauddin Khalji
D) Balban
Answer: B
Explanation: The ‘Iqta’ system, a form of land revenue assignment used for administrative and military purposes, was formally introduced and organized in India by Sultan Iltutmish of the Delhi Sultanate.
872. The famous Barabar caves were dedicated to which sect?
A) Ajivika
B) Buddhism
C) Jainism
D) Shaivism
Answer: A
Explanation: The Barabar Caves in Bihar, dating back to the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE), were carved out of solid rock and dedicated by Emperor Ashoka and his successor Dasharatha to the ascetics of the Ajivika sect.
873. Who among the following established the “Atmiya Sabha”?
A) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
B) Debendranath Tagore
C) Keshab Chandra Sen
D) Swami Vivekananda
Answer: A
Explanation: Raja Ram Mohan Roy established the “Atmiya Sabha” (Society of Friends) in Calcutta in 1815. It was a philosophical discussion circle that advocated for monotheism and rational social reforms.
874. The book “Fatwa-i-Jahandari” was written by:
A) Ziauddin Barani
B) Amir Khusrau
C) Abul Fazl
D) Badauni
Answer: A
Explanation: The “Fatwa-i-Jahandari” (Edicts on Governance) is an important work on political theory and administration in medieval India, written by the historian Ziauddin Barani during the Delhi Sultanate period.
875. Which Gupta ruler adopted the title “Maharajadhiraja”?
A) Chandragupta I
B) Samudragupta
C) Chandragupta II
D) Skandagupta
Answer: A
Explanation: Chandragupta I was the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty to adopt the imperial title of “Maharajadhiraja” (King of Kings), signifying the rising power and expanded territorial control of the Guptas.
876. The ‘Pagal Panthi’ rebellion occurred in which region?
A) Punjab
B) Maharashtra
C) Bengal
D) Assam
Answer: C
Explanation: The Pagal Panthi rebellion was a peasant uprising that occurred in the Mymensingh district of Bengal (now in Bangladesh) from 1825 to 1833, led by Tipu Shah, a religious leader.
877. The Rowlatt Act of 1919 authorized the British government to:
A) Impose direct taxes on Indian farmers
B) Arrest and detain suspects without trial
C) Divide Bengal
D) Censor all religious literature
Answer: B
Explanation: The Rowlatt Act of 1919, officially the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, granted the British government draconian powers to arrest and imprison any person without trial or conviction, severely curtailing civil liberties.
878. The “Ashta Pradhan” was a council of ministers during the reign of:
A) Shivaji
B) Krishnadeva Raya
C) Akbar
D) Rana Pratap
Answer: A
Explanation: The “Ashta Pradhan” (Council of Eight Ministers) was an administrative and advisory council that assisted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in governing the Maratha kingdom.
879. In the context of colonial India, ‘Drain of Wealth’ was first criticized by:
A) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
B) M. G. Ranade
C) Dadabhai Naoroji
D) R. C. Dutt
Answer: C
Explanation: Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the “Grand Old Man of India,” was the first to systematically articulate and widely criticize the “Drain of Wealth” theory, arguing that British rule was siphoning off India’s resources and wealth to Britain.
880. The Third Round Table Conference was held in:
A) 1930
B) 1931
C) 1932
D) 1933
Answer: C
Explanation: The Third Round Table Conference, the last in the series, was held in London from November 17, 1932, to December 24, 1932.
881. Which of the following revolts is associated with Birsa Munda?
A) Kol Uprising
B) Santhal Rebellion
C) Munda Rebellion
D) Bhil Uprising
Answer: C
Explanation: The Munda Rebellion (also known as Ulgulan or Great Tumult) from 1899-1900 was a significant tribal uprising led by Birsa Munda against the British colonial system and oppressive landlords in the Chota Nagpur region.
882. The term “Jagir” in Mughal administration referred to:
A) A type of coin
B) A military division
C) Land grant for revenue collection
D) Naval base
Answer: C
Explanation: In the Mughal administration, a “Jagir” was a system of land revenue assignment, where the right to collect revenue from a specified area of land was granted to an individual (jagirdar) in lieu of salary for services rendered to the state.
883. The ancient port of Tamralipti was located in present-day:
A) Odisha
B) Andhra Pradesh
C) West Bengal
D) Tamil Nadu
Answer: C
Explanation: Tamralipti (also known as Tamluk) was a major ancient port city located in the present-day Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, serving as an important hub for trade and maritime activities.
884. The Sangam literature was composed in which language?
A) Prakrit
B) Sanskrit
C) Tamil
D) Pali
Answer: C
Explanation: The Sangam literature, comprising some of the earliest known works of Tamil literature, was composed in Tamil language between roughly 300 BCE and 300 CE.
885. Which Indo-Greek ruler is associated with the inscription found at Besnagar?
A) Demetrius
B) Menander
C) Antialcidas
D) Apollodotus
Answer: C
Explanation: The Heliodorus Pillar inscription found at Besnagar (Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh) records that it was erected by Heliodorus, an ambassador of the Indo-Greek king Antialcidas, for Vasudeva.
886. The Battle of Khanwa (1527) was fought between Babur and:
A) Ibrahim Lodi
B) Rana Sanga
C) Sher Shah Suri
D) Mahmud Lodi
Answer: B
Explanation: The Battle of Khanwa, fought in 1527, was a decisive engagement between Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, and Rana Sanga of Mewar. Babur’s victory consolidated his position in India after the Battle of Panipat.
887. Which medieval Indian ruler issued market reforms and price controls?
A) Iltutmish
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D) Sher Shah Suri
Answer: B
Explanation: Sultan Alauddin Khalji of the Delhi Sultanate implemented extensive and strict market control measures and price regulations to ensure supplies for his large army and control inflation.
888. The slogan “Delhi Chalo” was given by:
A) Bhagat Singh
B) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
C) Subhas Chandra Bose
D) Mahatma Gandhi
Answer: C
Explanation: The slogan “Delhi Chalo” (March to Delhi) was given by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to his Indian National Army (INA), urging them to march towards Delhi to liberate India from British rule.
889. Who was the editor of the nationalist paper “Kesari”?
A) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
B) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C) Bipin Chandra Pal
D) Dadabhai Naoroji
Answer: B
Explanation: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent Indian nationalist, was the editor of the Marathi newspaper ‘Kesari’ and the English newspaper ‘Mahratta’, which became powerful vehicles for expressing nationalist views.
890. The title “Zinda Pir” was used for which Mughal ruler?
A) Akbar
B) Shah Jahan
C) Aurangzeb
D) Bahadur Shah I
Answer: C
Explanation: Emperor Aurangzeb was often referred to as “Zinda Pir” or “Living Saint” due to his austere lifestyle, strict adherence to Islamic principles, and efforts to enforce sharia law.
891. Who was the first Indian woman to become the president of the Indian National Congress?
A) Annie Besant
B) Sarojini Naidu
C) Sucheta Kriplani
D) Indira Gandhi
Answer: B
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu became the first Indian woman to be elected as the President of the Indian National Congress at the Kanpur session in 1925. (Annie Besant was the first woman president, but she was not Indian).
892. The term Panchayatan in temple architecture refers to:
A) A five-storeyed temple
B) Five types of rituals
C) A main shrine surrounded by four subsidiary shrines
D) A style of painting
Answer: C
Explanation: In Hindu temple architecture, the “Panchayatan” style refers to a complex where the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines, typically arranged at the four corners of a square plinth.
893. The ‘Permanent Settlement’ was introduced in Bengal in which year?
A) 1765
B) 1773
C) 1793
D) 1800
Answer: C
Explanation: The Permanent Settlement, a land revenue system that fixed the revenue in perpetuity with the zamindars (landlords), was introduced in Bengal by Lord Cornwallis in 1793.
894. The Champaran Satyagraha was launched against the oppression of:
A) Indigo planters
B) Land revenue collectors
C) Salt tax
D) British officials
Answer: A
Explanation: The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917, led by Mahatma Gandhi, was a movement against the oppressive system of forced indigo cultivation imposed by European indigo planters on peasants in Champaran, Bihar.
895. Who translated the Bhagavad Gita into English for the first time?
A) Charles Wilkins
B) William Jones
C) Max Müller
D) James Mill
Answer: A
Explanation: Charles Wilkins was the first person to translate the Bhagavad Gita directly from Sanskrit into English, with his translation published in 1785.
896. The “Madras Mahajana Sabha” was founded in the year:
A) 1884
B) 1881
C) 1875
D) 1883
Answer: A
Explanation: The Madras Mahajana Sabha was a prominent Indian nationalist organization founded in 1884 by M. Veeraraghavachariar, G. Subramania Iyer, and P. Anandacharlu, among others.
897. The famous historian and traveler Al-Biruni visited India with which invader?
A) Mahmud of Ghazni
B) Timur
C) Muhammad Ghori
D) Babur
Answer: A
Explanation: Al-Biruni, a renowned Persian scholar and polymath, accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni on his invasions of India in the early 11th century. His work ‘Kitab-ul-Hind’ provides a detailed account of Indian society.
898. Who was the founder of the Vikramashila University?
A) Dharmapala
B) Harshavardhana
C) Gopala
D) Mahipala
Answer: A
Explanation: Vikramashila University, an important Buddhist monastic university, was founded by Dharmapala, a king of the Pala dynasty, in the late 8th or early 9th century in Bihar.
899. The Kheda Satyagraha was led by Gandhi in which state?
A) Maharashtra
B) Gujarat
C) Bihar
D) Punjab
Answer: B
Explanation: The Kheda Satyagraha was a peasant movement organized by Mahatma Gandhi in 1918 in the Kheda district of Gujarat, protesting against the British government’s demand for full land revenue despite crop failure.