Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - History (18 December 2023)

Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Subject : History (18 December 2023)

1. Which of the following was recommended in the Nehru Report in the context of the period of Indian Independence Movement?

1. Complete independence for India
2. Joint constituencies for seats reserved for minorities.
3. Provision of fundamental rights for Indians in the Constitution.

Select the correct answer on the basis of the following codes:

(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The Nehru Report (1928) called for Dominion States instead of complete independence for India. It proposed joint constituencies for reserved seats for minorities instead of separate electorates on communal basis. Apart from this, in the proposed constitution, fundamental rights were also made for Indians including the right to freedom of speech, publishing newspapers, holding meetings, forming organizations etc. Hence, statement 1 is not correct, while statement 2 and 3 are correct.


2. Consider the following statements regarding Lord Dalhousie's lapse or usurpation policy:

1. The adopted son was the heir only to the personal property and estate of his foster father.
2. The adopted son was entitled to any pension received by his father.
3. The adopted son was not entitled to any title of his father.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Doctrine of Lapse was formulated by Lord Dalhousie, Governor General of the East India Company in India. Under this principle, if the ruler of a dependent state died childless, his state was annexed to the British Empire. The purpose of this principle was to expand British territory in India.

Some special points of this theory:
1. Under this principle, the adopted son of an Indian ruler could not be declared the heir to the state.
2. The adopted son was the heir only to the personal property and estate of his foster father.
3. The adopted son was not entitled to any pension received by his father.
4. The adopted son was not entitled to any title of his father. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.


3. Consider the following statements:

1. The Battle of Chiliawala was fought during the First Anglo-Sikh War.
2. Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General during the First Anglo-Sikh War.
3. Lord Gough led the English army in the battle of Chiliawala.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The Battle of Chillianwala was fought on 13 January 1849. The Battle of Chillianwala was part of the Second Anglo-Sikh War. This war was fought on January 13, 1849. In this war, the English army was led by Lord Gough and the Sikh army fought under the leadership of Sher Singh. This war ended inconclusive.
Lord Hardinge was the Governor-General of India during the First Anglo-Sikh War. Whereas Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General during the Second Anglo-Sikh War.
Hence, both statement 1 and 2 are not correct, while statement 3 is correct.


4. If we analyze the process of annexation of Indian states by the East India Company from 1757 to 1857, some key aspects emerge:

1. The Company rarely launched a direct military attack on any 'unknown territory'.
2. It stopped using political, economic and diplomatic methods to extend its influence before taking over the Indian states.
3. After the Battle of Plassey, the Company appointed residents in the Indian states.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Only statement 1 is correct and the other statements are not correct. If we analyze the process of annexation of Indian states by the East India Company from 1757 to 1857, some key aspects emerge:
The Company rarely launched a direct military attack on an unknown area. Instead, it used a variety of political, economic, and diplomatic methods to expand its influence before taking over an Indian state. After the Battle of Buxar (1764), the Company appointed Residents in the Indian states. They were political or commercial agents and their job was to serve the interests of the Company.


5. With reference to the recommendations of the Simon Commission, consider the following statements:

1. It recommended replacing dyarchy in the provinces by responsible government.
2. There should be a federal constitution for India.
3. Indians should also be given responsibility at the Centre.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) Only 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (B)


Explanation: Simon Commission was constituted in November, 1927. There were 7 members of the British Parliament in this commission. Sir John Simon was made its president. There was no Indian member in this commission. This commission published its report on May 27, 1930, whose recommendations were as follows:-
It recommended replacing dyarchy in the provinces by responsible government.
There should be a federal constitution for India. Hence statement 1 and 2 are correct.
It was recommended that Indians should not be given any responsibility at the Centre. Hence statement 3 is not correct.