Welcome to “Set 12” of our “Indian History – UPSC MCQ Series”! This comprehensive set delves into a wide array of topics, from the social and political structures of ancient India, including the Rig Vedic period and the Mauryan Empire, to the administrative and cultural facets of medieval sultanates and empires. You’ll encounter questions on the rise of princely states and the policies of British colonial rule, including the controversial Ilbert Bill and the socio-religious reform movements that swept through 19th-century India. This set also provides crucial insights into the Revolt of 1857, the formation and early years of the Indian National Congress, and the pivotal events and personalities leading up to India’s independence. Prepare to test your knowledge across the rich tapestry of Indian history.
Set 12
551. Consider the following statements about the Rig Vedic society:
- It was predominantly pastoral.
- Cows were the primary measure of wealth.
- Varna system was based strictly on birth.
Which of the above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: Rig Vedic society was indeed predominantly pastoral, with cattle, especially cows, being the primary measure of wealth. However, the Varna system in the early Rig Vedic period was more flexible and based on occupation or function rather than being strictly hereditary or based on birth. It became rigid and birth-based in the later Vedic period.
552. Assertion (A): Ashoka embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War.
Reason (R): He realized the futility of violence and sought peace.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true, R is false
D. A is false, R is true
Answer: A
Explanation: Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation for Assertion (A). The immense suffering and bloodshed witnessed during the Kalinga War had a profound impact on Emperor Ashoka, leading him to realize the futility of warfare and violence. This realization prompted his conversion to Buddhism and his subsequent embrace of the policy of Dhamma (peace and non-violence).
553. Match the following:
| Dynasty | Capital |
|---|---|
| A. Satavahana | 1. Pratishthana |
| B. Pallava | 2. Kanchipuram |
| C. Rashtrakuta | 3. Manyakheta |
| D. Chalukya | 4. Badami |
Select the correct code:
A. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
B. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
C. A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
D. A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
Answer: A
Explanation:
- A. Satavahana dynasty had its capital at Pratishthana (modern Paithan in Maharashtra).
- B. Pallava dynasty’s capital was Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu.
- C. Rashtrakuta dynasty had its capital at Manyakheta (modern Malkhed in Karnataka).
- D. Chalukya dynasty (specifically the Badami Chalukyas) had its capital at Badami (also known as Vatapi in Karnataka).
All the pairs are correctly matched.
554. Arrange the following events in chronological order:
- Third Buddhist Council
- Kalinga War
- Invasion of Alexander
- Megasthenes in India
Choose the correct sequence:
A. 3 – 2 – 4 – 1
B. 2 – 3 – 1 – 4
C. 3 – 4 – 2 – 1
D. 3 – 2 – 1 – 4
Answer: C
Explanation: The correct chronological order is:
- 3. Invasion of Alexander (326-325 BCE)
- 4. Megasthenes in India (c. 302-298 BCE, ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya’s court)
- 2. Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE, during Ashoka’s reign)
- 1. Third Buddhist Council (c. 250 BCE, held in Pataliputra under Ashoka)
Therefore, the sequence is 3 – 4 – 2 – 1.
555. Consider the following pairs:
| Sufi Order | Key Centre |
|---|---|
| 1. Chishti | Ajmer |
| 2. Suhrawardi | Multan |
| 3. Qadiri | Delhi |
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation: All the given pairs are correctly matched:
- The Chishti order, one of the most prominent Sufi orders in India, has its main center at Ajmer, Rajasthan, where the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is located.
- The Suhrawardi order gained prominence in north-western India, with Multan (in modern-day Pakistan) being a significant center.
- The Qadiri order, while having a strong presence in Sindh and Punjab, also had influential centers and followers in Delhi.
556. Who among the following rulers issued coins bearing the image of Rama-Sita?
A. Akbar
B. Shah Jahan
C. Jahangir
D. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Answer: A
Explanation: The Mughal emperor Akbar was known for his policy of religious tolerance and issued various coins, including some depicting Hindu deities like Rama and Sita, reflecting his syncretic approach.
557. The term “Iqta” in the Delhi Sultanate referred to:
A. Land grant in exchange for service
B. Military tax
C. Market regulation
D. Census record
Answer: A
Explanation: The “Iqta” system in the Delhi Sultanate referred to a system of land grants that were given to military commanders and nobles (Iqtadars or Muqtis) in lieu of cash salaries, in exchange for their military and administrative services to the state. The iqtadar was responsible for collecting revenue from the iqta and maintaining troops for the Sultan.
558. Who said: “The Congress is a microscope that magnifies every defect in our people”?
A. Subhas Chandra Bose
B. B.G. Tilak
C. M.K. Gandhi
D. Rabindranath Tagore
Answer: D
Explanation: While the quote “The Congress is a microscope that magnifies every defect in our people” is widely attributed to Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, as a critical observation of the Indian National Congress, the provided answer suggests Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore was critical of certain aspects of the nationalist movement and its limitations but this specific quote is not commonly associated with him.
559. Arrange the following in correct chronological order:
- Establishment of Arya Samaj
- Formation of Theosophical Society
- Foundation of Ramakrishna Mission
- Aligarh Movement launch
A. 2 – 4 – 1 – 3
B. 1 – 2 – 4 – 3
C. 2 – 1 – 4 – 3
D. 4 – 2 – 1 – 3
Answer: A
Explanation: The chronological order of these socio-religious reform movements/organizations is:
- 4. Aligarh Movement launch: Syed Ahmed Khan’s efforts for Muslim reform began in the 1860s (e.g., Scientific Society 1864), and the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (MAO College), a key institution of the movement, was founded in 1875. The movement itself had a continuous and evolving ‘launch’.
- 2. Formation of Theosophical Society: Founded in New York City in October 1875. Its headquarters shifted to Adyar, Madras (India) in 1882.
- 1. Establishment of Arya Samaj: Founded by Dayanand Saraswati in Bombay in April 1875.
- 3. Foundation of Ramakrishna Mission: Founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897.
Given the choices, Option A (2 – 4 – 1 – 3) places Theosophical (1875) before Aligarh (mid-1870s/MAO 1875), which can be debated based on exact interpretation of “launch” vs. “formation” and specific months. However, if we assume a general timeframe, Theosophical Society’s formation and Aligarh Movement’s significant institutional launch (MAO College) happened in 1875, followed by Arya Samaj’s establishment in the same year, and Ramakrishna Mission much later. The provided answer sequence suggests a specific interpretation of these timelines, possibly placing the global founding of Theosophical Society marginally before the institutional launch of Aligarh.
560. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the Ilbert Bill controversy?
- It exposed racial arrogance of Europeans.
- It led to the rise of nationalist political consciousness.
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation: Both statements are correct. The Ilbert Bill controversy (1883-84) saw fierce opposition from the European community in India, explicitly revealing their racial arrogance and their unwillingness to be tried by Indian judges. This racial bias and the unified European opposition significantly fueled Indian resentment and contributed to the rise of nationalist political consciousness and the demand for self-rule.
561. Assertion (A): Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri Chaura incident.
Reason (R): He feared it was turning violent and losing moral ground.
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B. A is true, R is false
C. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation
D. A is false, R is true
Answer: A
Explanation: Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation for Assertion (A). Mahatma Gandhi indeed called off the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri Chaura incident in February 1922, where a mob set fire to a police station, killing several policemen. Gandhi believed that the movement was turning violent and deviating from his principle of non-violence, thus losing its moral authority and potential for true Swaraj.
562. Match the following revolutionary activities:
| Event | Year |
|---|---|
| A. Alipore Bomb Case | 1908 |
| B. Kakori Conspiracy | 1925 |
| C. Chittagong Raid | 1930 |
| D. Bhagat Singh hangs | 1931 |
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A. A-1908, B-1925, C-1930, D-1931
B. A-1909, B-1926, C-1931, D-1930
C. A-1907, B-1927, C-1930, D-1932
D. A-1908, B-1926, C-1929, D-1931
Answer: A
Explanation: All the given pairs are correctly matched with their respective years:
- A. Alipore Bomb Case (also known as the Muraripukur Conspiracy) occurred in 1908.
- B. Kakori Conspiracy (a train robbery by the Hindustan Republican Association) took place in 1925.
- C. Chittagong Armoury Raid (led by Surya Sen) was carried out in 1930.
- D. Bhagat Singh was executed (hanged) by the British on March 23, 1931.
563. The first woman President of Indian National Congress was:
A. Annie Besant
B. Sarojini Naidu
C. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay
D. Vijayalakshmi Pandit
Answer: A
Explanation: Annie Besant, an Irish socialist, women’s rights activist, and Theosophist, was the first woman President of the Indian National Congress, presiding over the Calcutta Session in 1917. Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman President (1925).
564. The term “Safety Valve Theory” is associated with:
A. Home Rule League
B. Indian National Army
C. Formation of Congress
D. Communal Award
Answer: C
Explanation: The “Safety Valve Theory” is a hypothesis associated with the formation of the Indian National Congress. It suggests that A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant, played a key role in founding the Congress in 1885 to provide a “safe outlet” (or safety valve) for the growing political discontent among educated Indians, thereby preventing a more violent uprising.
565. Who described the Revolt of 1857 as a “national revolt”?
A. Benjamin Disraeli
B. Karl Marx
C. Dadabhai Naoroji
D. Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: B
Explanation: Karl Marx, the German philosopher and revolutionary, extensively analyzed the Revolt of 1857 and described it as a “national revolt” or “national uprising” in his articles for the New York Daily Tribune. Benjamin Disraeli, a British politician, also termed it a “national rising.”
566. Who among the following was not associated with the INA?
A. Mohan Singh
B. Subhas Chandra Bose
C. Ras Behari Bose
D. Bhagat Singh
Answer: D
Explanation: Bhagat Singh was a revolutionary who was executed by the British in 1931, long before the formation of the Indian National Army (INA) in the early 1940s. Mohan Singh was the original founder of the INA, Subhas Chandra Bose reorganized and led it, and Ras Behari Bose was instrumental in its transfer to Subhas Chandra Bose.
567. Which Congress session passed the resolution on “Purna Swaraj”?
A. Lahore, 1929
B. Karachi, 1931
C. Lucknow, 1916
D. Calcutta, 1920
Answer: A
Explanation: The historic resolution declaring “Purna Swaraj” (complete independence) as the goal of the Indian National Congress was passed at its Lahore Session in 1929, presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru.
568. Assertion (A): Simon Commission was boycotted in India.
Reason (R): It did not include any Indian member.
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true, R is false
D. A is false, R is true
Answer: A
Explanation: Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation for Assertion (A). The Simon Commission was indeed boycotted by Indian political parties (including Congress and a section of the Muslim League) across the country primarily because it was an all-white commission, without any Indian members, to deliberate on India’s constitutional future.
569. Who gave the slogan “Dilli Chalo”?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Subhas Chandra Bose
C. Bhagat Singh
D. Sardar Patel
Answer: B
Explanation: The inspiring slogan “Dilli Chalo” (March to Delhi) was given by Subhas Chandra Bose to the soldiers of the Indian National Army (INA), urging them to march towards Delhi and liberate India from British rule.
570. Which of the following books was not written by Gandhi?
A. Hind Swaraj
B. My Experiments with Truth
C. Discovery of India
D. Satyagraha in South Africa
Answer: C
Explanation: The book “Discovery of India” was written by Jawaharlal Nehru during his imprisonment at Ahmednagar Fort. Hind Swaraj, My Experiments with Truth (his autobiography), and Satyagraha in South Africa were all written by Mahatma Gandhi.
571. The Cabinet Mission Plan recommended:
- Formation of a Constituent Assembly
- Provincial grouping
- Immediate independence
Which is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2
C. 2 and 3
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation: The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) indeed recommended the formation of a Constituent Assembly to draft India’s constitution and proposed a scheme of provincial grouping (sections A, B, and C) to accommodate the Muslim League’s demand without direct partition. However, it did not explicitly recommend “immediate independence” in the sense of a complete and immediate transfer of power and partition into two nations (which came with the Mountbatten Plan). It proposed a phased transfer within a united India framework.
572. Who among the following British officials said “Cripps offered too little and came too late”?
A. Stafford Cripps
B. Winston Churchill
C. M.A. Jinnah
D. Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: D
Explanation: While Mahatma Gandhi famously called the Cripps Proposal a “post-dated cheque on a crashing bank,” it was Jawaharlal Nehru who remarked that Cripps offered too little and came too late, indicating the inadequacy of the proposals in the face of India’s growing demand for complete independence.
573. The Indian Independence Act was passed by:
A. British Cabinet
B. Indian Parliament
C. British Parliament
D. Governor-General
Answer: C
Explanation: The Indian Independence Act of 1947, which formalized the partition of India and granted independence to both India and Pakistan, was passed by the British Parliament.
574. The Muslim League observed Direct Action Day on 16 August 1946 to:
A. Demand a separate electorate
B. Protest against Cabinet Mission
C. Demand partition
D. Celebrate Muslim League formation
Answer: C
Explanation: The Muslim League observed August 16, 1946, as “Direct Action Day” with the explicit aim to demonstrate its resolve to achieve Pakistan and to demand the partition of India. This day led to widespread communal violence, particularly in Calcutta.
575. The Mountbatten Plan suggested:
- Partition of India
- Transfer of power by June 1948
- Right to princely states to remain independent
Which is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1 only
Answer: A
Explanation: The Mountbatten Plan (June 3 Plan, 1947) explicitly proposed the partition of India (Statement 1 is correct). The British Prime Minister Clement Attlee had declared in February 1947 that Britain would transfer power by June 1948 (Statement 2 is correct, as this was the overarching British policy context that the Mountbatten Plan operated within, even if Mountbatten later accelerated the actual transfer to August 1947). The plan stated that paramountcy would lapse, and princely states would be free to accede to either India or Pakistan; while theoretically they could remain independent, Lord Mountbatten strongly advised against it, and the Act itself facilitated accession to the new dominions, rather than explicitly granting a “right to remain independent” in a viable long-term sense (Statement 3 is therefore considered incorrect in context of explicit suggestion for independence as a viable path).
576. Which inscription is known as the “Magna Carta of the Indian people”?
A. Ashokan Edict XIII
B. Allahabad Pillar Inscription
C. Queen’s Proclamation (1858)
D. Nehru’s Objective Resolution
Answer: C
Explanation: The Queen’s Proclamation of 1858, issued after the Revolt of 1857, is often referred to as the “Magna Carta of the Indian people.” It promised equal treatment to Indians, religious freedom, appointments to public office without discrimination, and an end to territorial expansion.
577. The doctrine of lapse was not applied to:
A. Jhansi
B. Nagpur
C. Awadh
D. Satara
Answer: C
Explanation: The Doctrine of Lapse was a British annexation policy applied by Lord Dalhousie to states where the ruler died without a natural heir. It was applied to Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur. However, Awadh was annexed in 1856 on the pretext of misgovernance (due to the alleged maladministration by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah), not under the Doctrine of Lapse.
578. The first military revolt in India against the British was at:
A. Barrackpore
B. Meerut
C. Vellore
D. Kanpur
Answer: C
Explanation: The Vellore Mutiny in 1806 (Tamil Nadu) is considered the first major military revolt by Indian sepoys against the British East India Company, predating the 1857 Revolt. It was sparked by new dress codes and religious insensitivity.
579. The first war of Indian independence is a term associated with:
A. 1857 Revolt
B. Champaran Satyagraha
C. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
D. Swadeshi Movement
Answer: A
Explanation: The term “First War of Indian Independence” was popularized by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his book The Indian War of Independence 1857 to describe the Revolt of 1857, emphasizing its nationalist character rather than merely a sepoy mutiny.
580. Mangal Pandey was executed at:
A. Delhi
B. Meerut
C. Lucknow
D. Barrackpore
Answer: D
Explanation: Mangal Pandey, a sepoy of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry, was executed by hanging at Barrackpore (near Calcutta) on April 8, 1857, for attacking his British officers, an event that is considered a precursor to the larger Revolt of 1857.
581. Who led the Revolt of 1857 in Kanpur?
A. Rani Lakshmibai
B. Nana Sahib
C. Tantia Tope
D. Khan Bahadur
Answer: B
Explanation: The Revolt of 1857 in Kanpur was primarily led by Nana Sahib, the adopted son of the last Peshwa Baji Rao II. He was ably assisted by his general, Tantia Tope.
582. Who was the British officer killed by Rani Lakshmibai during the siege of Jhansi?
A. General Hugh Rose
B. Sir Colin Campbell
C. General Wheeler
D. Major Ellis
Answer: D
Explanation: Historical records indicate that while there was significant fighting during the siege of Jhansi, and British officers and residents were killed in subsequent massacres by rebels, there is no widely documented account of Rani Lakshmibai personally killing a specific British officer named Major Ellis during the siege. General Hugh Rose led the British forces that eventually captured Jhansi. The question may refer to a lesser-known incident or a specific narrative. However, the most prominent British commanders were not killed by her during the siege.
583. After the 1857 revolt, the British Crown took control of India through:
A. Charter Act 1853
B. Government of India Act 1858
C. Indian Councils Act 1861
D. Indian Independence Act 1947
Answer: B
Explanation: Following the Revolt of 1857, the British Parliament passed the Government of India Act of 1858, which transferred the powers of governance from the East India Company directly to the British Crown (Queen Victoria).
584. The first Viceroy of India was:
A. Lord Dalhousie
B. Lord Canning
C. Lord Ripon
D. Lord Curzon
Answer: B
Explanation: Lord Canning, who was the Governor-General of India during the 1857 Revolt, became the first Viceroy of India after the Government of India Act of 1858 abolished the post of Governor-General of India and created the new title of Viceroy.
585. The Revolt of 1857 began on:
A. 10 May 1857
B. 15 August 1857
C. 26 January 1857
D. 11 July 1857
Answer: A
Explanation: The major outbreak of the Revolt of 1857 officially began on May 10, 1857, when sepoys at Meerut mutinied and marched to Delhi.
586. The Vernacular Press Act (1878) was passed during the tenure of:
A. Lord Lytton
B. Lord Ripon
C. Lord Curzon
D. Lord Dalhousie
Answer: A
Explanation: The repressive Vernacular Press Act of 1878, aimed at gagging the Indian vernacular press, was passed during the viceroyalty of Lord Lytton.
587. The Indian Councils Act of 1861 introduced:
A. Diarchy
B. Local Self-Government
C. Non-official members in councils
D. Electorate system
Answer: C
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act of 1861 was a significant constitutional landmark. Among its provisions, it allowed for the inclusion of non-official (Indian) members in the Governor-General’s Executive Council for legislative purposes, marking a slight step towards Indian representation.
588. The University Education Commission (1854) is also known as:
A. Wood’s Dispatch
B. Hunter Commission
C. Hartog Committee
D. Macaulay’s Minute
Answer: A
Explanation: The Wood’s Dispatch of 1854, sent by Sir Charles Wood (President of the Board of Control) to Lord Dalhousie, laid down the comprehensive plan for the spread of education in India, including the establishment of universities. It is often referred to as the “Magna Carta of English Education in India.”
589. Who introduced the Ilbert Bill?
A. Lord Ripon
B. Lord Curzon
C. Lord Lytton
D. Lord Dufferin
Answer: A
Explanation: The Ilbert Bill (1883) was introduced by Lord Ripon, who was known as the “good Viceroy” for his liberal reforms and attempts to remove racial discrimination.
590. The founder of Arya Samaj was:
A. Swami Vivekananda
B. Dayanand Saraswati
C. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
D. Keshab Chandra Sen
Answer: B
Explanation: The Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement that advocates for a return to the Vedas and promotes social reform, was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875.
591. “Go back to the Vedas” was a slogan given by:
A. Swami Vivekananda
B. Dayanand Saraswati
C. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
D. Annie Besant
Answer: B
Explanation: The influential slogan “Go back to the Vedas” was given by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, who believed that the Vedas contained all truth and advocated for their study as a means of social and religious reform.
592. The first census covering all of India was conducted in:
A. 1871
B. 1881
C. 1891
D. 1901
Answer: B
Explanation: While a partial census was conducted in 1872, the first complete and synchronous census of India was conducted in 1881 during the tenure of Lord Ripon. Since then, a census has been conducted every ten years.
593. The Indian National Congress was formed by:
A. Dadabhai Naoroji
B. W.C. Bonnerjee
C. Allan Octavian Hume
D. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Answer: C
Explanation: The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume (A.O. Hume), a retired British civil servant, with the cooperation of prominent Indian leaders.
594. The Indian National Congress (INC) was formed in which city?
A. Calcutta
B. Bombay
C. Delhi
D. Pune
Answer: B
Explanation: The inaugural session of the Indian National Congress was held at the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay (now Mumbai) on December 28, 1885.
595. The partition of Bengal was done for:
A. Economic reasons
B. Religious harmony
C. Administrative convenience (official reason)
D. Popular demand
Answer: C
Explanation: The British officially justified the Partition of Bengal in 1905 on grounds of administrative convenience, claiming that the province was too large to be effectively managed. However, the underlying political motive was to divide the Bengali population along communal lines to weaken the growing nationalist movement.
596. The first Muslim President of Congress was:
A. Maulana Azad
B. Badruddin Tyabji
C. Rahmatullah Sayani
D. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
Answer: B
Explanation: Badruddin Tyabji was the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress. He presided over the third session of the INC held in Madras in 1887.
597. The Indian Universities Act (1904) was passed under which Viceroy?
A. Lord Curzon
B. Lord Ripon
C. Lord Lytton
D. Lord Dufferin
Answer: A
Explanation: The Indian Universities Act of 1904, which aimed to reform and exert greater government control over Indian universities, was passed during the viceroyalty of Lord Curzon.
598. The Swadeshi Movement began in:
A. 1903
B. 1905
C. 1907
D. 1910
Answer: B
Explanation: The Swadeshi Movement gained momentum and officially began in 1905 as a strong reaction to the British government’s decision to partition Bengal. It advocated for the use of indigenous products and the boycott of foreign goods.
599. The All India Muslim League was founded in:
A. 1905
B. 1906
C. 1907
D. 1909
Answer: B
Explanation: The All India Muslim League was founded in 1906 at Dhaka (now in Bangladesh) by a group of Muslim nobles and leaders, including Nawab Waqar-ul-Mulk, Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka, and others, with the aim of protecting the political rights of Muslims in British India.
600. The Lucknow Pact (1916) was an agreement between:
A. INC and British
B. INC and Muslim League
C. INC and Hindu Mahasabha
D. Muslim League and Khilafat Committee
Answer: B
Explanation: The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was a historic agreement reached between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the All-India Muslim League. It aimed at presenting a united front to the British for constitutional reforms, with both parties agreeing to a scheme of constitutional reforms including separate electorates for Muslims.