British Rule in India Practice Questions
20 free British Rule in India practice questions for the Static GK. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which battle laid the foundation of British rule in India?
- A Battle of Buxar
- B Battle of Plassey
- C Third Battle of Panipat
- D Battle of Wandiwash
Correct answer: Battle of Plassey
The Battle of Plassey (1757) fought between the East India Company and Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, was a decisive victory for the British. It was won primarily through the treachery of Mir Jafar and established the Company's political influence in Bengal.
The 'Permanent Settlement' of Bengal was introduced by which Governor-General?
- A Lord Warren Hastings
- B Lord Cornwallis
- C Lord Wellesley
- D Lord William Bentinck
Correct answer: Lord Cornwallis
Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793. Under this system, Zamindars were recognized as owners of the land and had to pay a fixed amount of revenue to the British government permanently.
Which British official is known as the 'Father of Local Self-Government' in India?
- A Lord Ripon
- B Lord Lytton
- C Lord Curzon
- D Lord Mayo
Correct answer: Lord Ripon
Lord Ripon introduced the Resolution of 1882, which sought to establish local boards with elected non-official members. His efforts aimed to provide Indians with a sense of political participation at the grassroots level.
The 'Subsidiary Alliance' system was extensively used by whom to expand British territories?
- A Lord Dalhousie
- B Lord Wellesley
- C Lord Amherst
- D Lord Hastings
Correct answer: Lord Wellesley
Lord Wellesley (1798–1805) used the Subsidiary Alliance to bring Indian states under British protection. The Nizam of Hyderabad was the first Indian ruler to accept this alliance in 1798.
Under which Act was the Supreme Court of Judicature established at Fort William, Calcutta?
- A Regulating Act of 1773
- B Pitt's India Act of 1784
- C Charter Act of 1813
- D Charter Act of 1833
Correct answer: Regulating Act of 1773
The Regulating Act of 1773 provided for the establishment of a Supreme Court at Calcutta, consisting of a Chief Justice and three other judges. Sir Elijah Impey was appointed as the first Chief Justice.
Who was the first Governor-General of Bengal?
- A Robert Clive
- B Warren Hastings
- C Lord Cornwallis
- D John Shore
Correct answer: Warren Hastings
Warren Hastings was appointed the Governor of Bengal in 1772 and became the first Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act of 1773. He centralized the administration and shifted the treasury from Murshidabad to Calcutta.
The 'Doctrine of Lapse' was a policy primarily associated with:
- A Lord Canning
- B Lord Dalhousie
- C Lord Ellenborough
- D Lord Hardinge
Correct answer: Lord Dalhousie
Lord Dalhousie used the Doctrine of Lapse to annex states where the ruler died without a natural male heir. Key states annexed under this policy included Satara, Jaitpur, Sambalpur, and Jhansi.
Which Charter Act ended the East India Company's monopoly over trade with China and trade in tea?
- A Charter Act of 1793
- B Charter Act of 1813
- C Charter Act of 1833
- D Charter Act of 1853
Correct answer: Charter Act of 1833
The Charter Act of 1833 brought an end to the commercial activities of the Company, making it a purely administrative body. It also redesignated the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India.
The 'Dual Government' system in Bengal was abolished by:
- A Robert Clive
- B Warren Hastings
- C Lord Cornwallis
- D Lord Wellesley
Correct answer: Warren Hastings
Robert Clive had introduced the Dual System in 1765, where the Company had the Diwani rights and the Nawab held the Nizamat. Warren Hastings abolished it in 1772 to bring Bengal under direct Company administration.
Who was the Governor-General when the 1857 revolt broke out?
- A Lord Dalhousie
- B Lord Elgin
- C Lord Lawrence
- D Lord Canning
Correct answer: Lord Canning
Lord Canning served as the last Governor-General under the East India Company. Following the Government of India Act 1858, he became the first Viceroy of India.
Wood's Despatch of 1854 is often referred to as the:
- A Magna Carta of Indian Education
- B Charter of Indian Liberty
- C Blueprint of Indian Industry
- D Settlement of Indian Land Revenue
Correct answer: Magna Carta of Indian Education
Sir Charles Wood's Despatch outlined a comprehensive plan for the spread of education in India. It recommended a graded system of education from primary schools to universities.
The 'Ryotwari System' was primarily introduced in which part of India?
- A Bengal Presidency
- B United Provinces
- C Punjab Province
- D Madras and Bombay
Correct answer: Madras and Bombay
The Ryotwari system was devised by Thomas Munro and Alexander Read. Under this system, the revenue settlement was made directly with the cultivators (ryots) rather than through intermediaries like Zamindars.
Who was the first Indian to join the Viceroy's Executive Council?
- A Satyendra Prasad Sinha
- B Dadabhai Naoroji
- C Gopal Krishna Gokhale
- D Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee
Correct answer: Satyendra Prasad Sinha
S.P. Sinha was appointed as the Law Member of the Viceroy's Executive Council under the Indian Councils Act 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms). This was a significant step toward Indian representation in higher administration.
The 'Vernacular Press Act' of 1878 was enacted during the tenure of:
- A Lord Lytton
- B Lord Ripon
- C Lord Dufferin
- D Lord Lansdowne
Correct answer: Lord Lytton
Lord Lytton passed this 'Gagging Act' to suppress the criticism of British policies in the local language newspapers. It was later repealed by Lord Ripon in 1882.
Which commission was appointed to investigate the drain of wealth from India?
- A Hunter Commission
- B Famine Commission
- C Simon Commission
- D Welby Commission
Correct answer: Welby Commission
The Welby Commission (1895) was established to look into Indian expenditure. Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Indian member of the British Parliament, was a member of this commission.
The partition of Bengal (1905) was carried out by which Viceroy?
- A Lord Minto
- B Lord Hardinge
- C Lord Curzon
- D Lord Chelmsford
Correct answer: Lord Curzon
Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal ostensibly for administrative convenience, but the real motive was to weaken the nerve center of Indian nationalism. This led to the Swadeshi Movement.
Who was the British officer responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre?
- A Michael O'Dwyer
- B Lord Chelmsford
- C General Dyer
- D John Simon
Correct answer: General Dyer
General Reginald Dyer ordered troops to fire on a peaceful crowd at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919. Michael O'Dwyer was the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab at the time who supported the action.
The system of 'Dyarchy' was introduced in the provinces by which Act?
- A Indian Councils Act 1892
- B Indian Councils Act 1909
- C Government of India Act 1919
- D Government of India Act 1935
Correct answer: Government of India Act 1919
The Government of India Act 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) introduced Dyarchy, which divided provincial subjects into 'Reserved' and 'Transferred' categories. This gave limited power to Indian ministers.
Who was the only British King to visit India during the British Raj?
- A King Edward the Seventh
- B King George the Sixth
- C King Edward the Eighth
- D King George the Fifth
Correct answer: King George the Fifth
King George V and Queen Mary visited India in 1911 for the Delhi Durbar. It was during this visit that the shifting of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi was announced.
The Ilbert Bill controversy took place during the viceroyalty of:
- A Lord Elgin
- B Lord Dufferin
- C Lord Curzon
- D Lord Ripon
Correct answer: Lord Ripon
The Ilbert Bill sought to allow Indian judges to try Europeans in criminal cases. It faced fierce opposition from the European community in India, forcing the government to amend the bill.