The period of Modern Indian History from 1857 to 1947 was the most crucial phase of India's struggle against British colonial rule. It began with the Revolt of 1857, the first major armed uprising against the British East India Company, and ended with India's independence and partition in 1947. This era witnessed transformative changes in Indian society, politics, economy, and national consciousness.
After 1857, the British Crown assumed direct control over India and introduced new administrative systems, laws, revenue policies, and educational reforms that profoundly impacted Indian life. While these policies aimed to strengthen colonial control, they unintentionally created a class of educated Indians who later formed the backbone of the national movement.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of socio-religious reform movements led by visionary leaders such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, and Swami Vivekananda. These movements challenged social evils, promoted education, and inspired national consciousness.
With the establishment of the Indian National Congress in 1885, the freedom struggle entered an organized political phase. Early leaders adopted constitutional methods, while later nationalists demanded self-rule more forcefully. The arrival of Mahatma Gandhi transformed the movement into a mass movement through non-violence, Satyagraha, and civil disobedience, involving peasants, workers, women, and students.
The final phase, from the Quit India Movement to independence, was marked by intense mass protests, revolutionary activities, the role of Subhas Chandra Bose and the INA, and complex negotiations with the British. Finally, in 1947, British rule ended, leading to the creation of independent India, albeit accompanied by a painful partition.
This Modern India GK collection (1857–1947) presents 600 carefully selected, exam-oriented questions and answers, organized chronologically, to help candidates effectively prepare for UPSC, APSC, State PSCs, SSC, Railways, Defence, and other competitive examinations.
A. Basics & Background
Q1. The Revolt of 1857 is also known as?
Ans: India’s First War of Independence.
Q2. When did the Revolt of 1857 begin?
Ans: 10 May 1857.
Q3. From which place did the revolt start?
Ans: Meerut.
Q4. Who was the Governor-General of India during the revolt?
Ans: Lord Canning.
Q5. Which power ruled India before 1858?
Ans: British East India Company.
B. Immediate & Military Causes
Q6. What was the immediate cause of the Revolt of 1857?
Ans: The Greased Cartridge issue.
Q7. The greased cartridges were used in which rifle?
Ans: Enfield rifle.
Q8. The cartridges were believed to be greased with?
Ans: Cow and pig fat.
Q9. Which group was directly affected by the greased cartridges?
Ans: Indian sepoys.
Q10. Who was the first sepoy to openly revolt?
Ans: Mangal Pandey.
C. Mangal Pandey & Barrackpore
Q11. Mangal Pandey belonged to which regiment?
Ans: 34th Bengal Native Infantry.
Q12. Where did Mangal Pandey revolt?
Ans: Barrackpore.
Q13. When was Mangal Pandey executed?
Ans: 8 April 1857.
Q14. Mangal Pandey belonged to which religion?
Ans: Hinduism.
Q15. Why is Mangal Pandey remembered?
Ans: For initiating resistance against British rule.
D. Political Causes
Q16. Who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse?
Ans: Lord Dalhousie.
Q17. What was the objective of the Doctrine of Lapse?
Ans: Annexation of princely states.
Q18. Which state was annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse?
Ans: Jhansi.
Q19. Which kingdom was annexed in 1856?
Ans: Awadh.
Q20. What was the reason given for annexing Awadh?
Ans: Misgovernance.
E. Economic Causes
Q21. Which land revenue system affected peasants most?
Ans: Permanent Settlement.
Q22. Who introduced the Permanent Settlement?
Ans: Lord Cornwallis.
Q23. British economic policies mainly benefited whom?
Ans: British industries.
Q24. What happened to Indian handicraft industries?
Ans: They declined.
Q25. Who suffered the most due to British revenue policies?
Ans: Peasants and artisans.
F. Religious & Social Causes
Q26. Why were Indians suspicious of British policies?
Ans: Fear of religious interference.
Q27. Which Act allowed widow remarriage?
Ans: Widow Remarriage Act, 1856.
Q28. Who promoted English education in India?
Ans: Lord Macaulay.
Q29. Indians feared forced conversion to which religion?
Ans: Christianity.
Q30. Missionaries mainly aimed to?
Ans: Spread Christianity.
G. Major Centres of Revolt
Q31. Which city became the symbolic centre of the revolt?
Ans: Delhi.
Q32. Who was declared the emperor at Delhi?
Ans: Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Q33. Who led the revolt at Kanpur?
Ans: Nana Saheb.
Q34. Who led the revolt at Lucknow?
Ans: Begum Hazrat Mahal.
Q35. Who led the revolt in Jhansi?
Ans: Rani Lakshmibai.
H. Important Leaders (Place-wise)
Q36. Who led the revolt at Bareilly?
Ans: Khan Bahadur Khan.
Q37. Who led the revolt in Bihar?
Ans: Kunwar Singh.
Q38. Who led the revolt at Faizabad?
Ans: Maulvi Ahmadullah.
Q39. Who led the revolt at Allahabad?
Ans: Maulvi Liaquat Ali.
Q40. Which leaders fought at Gwalior?
Ans: Rani Lakshmibai and Tantia Tope.
I. British Military Response
Q41. When was Delhi recaptured by the British?
Ans: September 1857.
Q42. Who led the British forces at Delhi?
Ans: John Nicholson.
Q43. Who suppressed the revolt at Kanpur?
Ans: General Havelock.
Q44. Who relieved Lucknow?
Ans:Sir Colin Campbell.
Q45. In which battle did Rani Lakshmibai die?
Ans: Battle of Gwalior (1858).
J. Role of Bahadur Shah Zafar
Q46. Bahadur Shah Zafar belonged to which dynasty?
Ans: Mughal dynasty.
Q47. What was his role in the revolt?
Ans: Symbolic leader.
Q48. Where was Bahadur Shah Zafar exiled?
Ans: Rangoon (Myanmar).
Q49. Where did he die?
Ans: Rangoon.
Q50. Where is his tomb located?
Ans: Yangon, Myanmar.
K. Failure of the Revolt
Q51. What was the main cause of failure of the revolt?
Ans: Lack of unity and coordination.
Q52. Which class did not actively support the revolt?
Ans: Middle class.
Q53. Why did the revolt fail to spread nationwide?
Ans: It was regionally confined.
Q54. Who had better weapons and organisation?
Ans: The British.
Q55. Which groups supported the British?
Ans: Sikhs and Gurkhas.
L. Consequences of the Revolt
Q56. What happened to Company rule after the revolt?
Ans: It ended.
Q57. In which year did Company rule end?
Ans: 1858.
Q58. Who took over the administration of India?
Ans: British Crown.
Q59. Who issued the Proclamation of 1858?
Ans: Queen Victoria.
Q60. What replaced the post of Governor-General?
Ans: Viceroy.
M. Administrative Changes
Q61. Who was the first Viceroy of India?
Ans: Lord Canning.
Q62. What change was made in the army?
Ans: European dominance increased.
Q63. Who controlled the artillery after 1857?
Ans: British.
Q64. Indian soldiers’ strength was?
Ans: Reduced.
Q65. Policy towards princely states became?
Ans: Conciliatory.
N. Historical Significance
Q66. What did the revolt lay the foundation for?
Ans: Indian nationalism.
Q67. Who called it the First War of Independence?
Ans: V. D. Savarkar.
Q68. British historians called it?
Ans: Sepoy Mutiny.
Q69. Indian historians consider it as?
Ans: A national uprising.
Q70. The revolt awakened which feeling?
Ans: National consciousness.
O. Additional Exam-Focused
Q71. What was Tantia Tope’s real name?
Ans: Ramachandra Pandurang.
Q72. Begum Hazrat Mahal was associated with which region?
Ans: Awadh.
Q73. How old was Kunwar Singh during the revolt?
Ans: About 80 years.
Q74. Where was Rani Lakshmibai born?
Ans: Varanasi.
Q75. What was her childhood name?
Ans: Manikarnika (Manu).
P. Acts & Documents
Q76. Which Act transferred power to the Crown?
Ans: Government of India Act, 1858.
Q77. What was the objective of this Act?
Ans: End Company rule.
Q78. Who became the Secretary of State for India?
Ans: British Cabinet Minister.
Q79. Which body assisted the Secretary of State?
Ans: Council of India.
Q80. Who represented the British Crown in India?
Ans: Viceroy.
Q. High-Probability Revision Questions
Q81. Who became the symbol of the revolt?
Ans: Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Q82. Famous woman leader of the revolt?
Ans: Rani Lakshmibai.
Q83. Most organised centre of revolt?
Ans: Delhi.
Q84. Why was Awadh a major centre?
Ans: Annexation resentment.
Q85. The revolt influenced which movement?
Ans: Indian National Movement.
R. Final 15 (Most Expected)
Q86. British adopted which policy to prevent future revolts?
Ans: Divide and Rule.
Q87. British attitude towards Indian rulers after 1857?
Ans: More cautious.
Q88. Army recruitment policy changed?
Ans: Yes.
Q89. Revolt taught the British to?
Ans: Respect Indian sentiments.
Q90. Revolt took place in which century?
Ans: 19th century.
Q91. Railways expanded mainly for?
Ans: Military control.
Q92. Press after revolt was?
Ans: Restricted.
Q93. Indian participation in army posts?
Ans: Limited.
Q94. Revolt failed mainly in which region?
Ans: South India.
Q95. Most important result of revolt?
Ans: End of Company rule.
Q96. Post-1857 rule is known as?
Ans: Crown Rule.
Q97. Nature of the revolt was?
Ans: Anti-colonial.
Q98. Immediate nature of revolt?
Ans: Military-led uprising.
Q99. Long-term impact of revolt?
Ans: Growth of nationalism.
Q100. Why is the Revolt of 1857 significant?
Ans: It laid the foundation of India’s freedom struggle.
Period 2 : British Administration & Policies –GK
A. Governor-Generals & Viceroys
Q1. Who was the first Governor-General of Bengal?
Ans: Warren Hastings.
Q2. Who was the first Viceroy of India?
Ans: Lord Canning.
Q3. Who introduced the Permanent Settlement?
Ans: Lord Cornwallis.
Q4. Who started the Subsidiary Alliance system?
Ans: Lord Wellesley.
Q5. The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by?
Ans: Lord Dalhousie.
Q6. Who was the main advocate of English education in India?
Ans: Lord Macaulay.
Q7. In which year were the universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras established?
Ans: 1857.
Q8. Who is known as the father of Indian railways?
Ans: Lord Dalhousie.
Q9. Who reorganised the Indian Civil Service (ICS)?
Ans: Lord Cornwallis.
Q10. Who partitioned Bengal in 1905?
Ans: Lord Curzon.
B. Important Acts & Constitutional Reforms
Q11. The Regulating Act was passed in which year?
Ans: 1773.
Q12. What was the main aim of the Regulating Act, 1773?
Ans: To control the East India Company.
Q13. Pitt’s India Act was passed in?
Ans: 1784.
Q14. The Charter Act of 1813 ended which privilege of the Company?
Ans: Trade monopoly.
Q15. Which Act made the Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India?
Ans: Charter Act of 1833.
Q16. Which Charter Act introduced open competition for the ICS?
Ans: Charter Act of 1853.
Q17. The Government of India Act, 1858 transferred power to whom?
Ans: The British Crown.
Q18. Which Act restored legislative powers to provincial governments?
Ans: Indian Councils Act, 1861.
Q19. Which Act introduced indirect elections in India?
Ans: Indian Councils Act, 1892.
Q20. Morley–Minto Reforms are associated with which Act?
Ans: Indian Councils Act, 1909.
C. Administrative System
Q21. British administration in India was mainly?
Ans: Highly centralised.
Q22. Who was the head of district administration?
Ans: District Collector.
Q23. The Collector was responsible for which functions?
Ans: Revenue, law and order, and justice.
Q24. Which service was called the “Steel Frame” of British rule?
Ans: Indian Civil Service (ICS).
Q25. Where were ICS examinations originally held?
Ans: London.
Q26. High Courts in India were established in which year?
Ans: 1861.
Q27. Which Act created the modern police system in India?
Ans: Indian Police Act, 1861.
Q28. British judicial system was based on?
Ans: Rule of Law.
Q29. The highest judicial authority in British India was?
Ans: Privy Council.
Q30. British bureaucracy mainly served whose interests?
Ans: British government.
D. Land Revenue Systems
Q31. Permanent Settlement was mainly introduced in which region?
Ans: Bengal.
Q32. Under Permanent Settlement, land ownership was given to?
Ans: Zamindars.
Q33. Who introduced the Ryotwari system?
Ans: Thomas Munro.
Q34. Ryotwari system was prevalent in which areas?
Ans: Madras and Bombay Presidencies.
Q35. The Mahalwari system was introduced by?
Ans: Holt Mackenzie.
Q36. Mahalwari system was mainly implemented in?
Ans: North-Western Provinces.
Q37. Which system directly collected revenue from peasants?
Ans: Ryotwari system.
Q38. British land revenue policies mainly aimed at?
Ans: Maximising revenue.
Q39. Indigo cultivation was forced under which system?
Ans: Indigo plantation system.
Q40. The Indigo Revolt took place in?
Ans: 1859–60.
E. Economic Policies
Q41. British economic policy in India was?
Ans: Exploitative.
Q42. What does deindustrialisation mean?
Ans: Decline of Indian industries.
Q43. Which industry suffered the most due to British policies?
Ans: Handloom industry.
Q44. India was converted into a supplier of?
Ans: Raw materials.
Q45. Who gave the Drain of Wealth theory?
Ans: Dadabhai Naoroji.
Q46. Drain of Wealth refers to?
Ans: Transfer of Indian wealth to Britain.
Q47. British railway expansion mainly helped?
Ans: British trade and military control.
Q48. Cash crop cultivation affected whom the most?
Ans: Indian peasants.
Q49. British economic policies resulted in?
Ans: Widespread poverty.
Q50. India’s economy under British rule became?
Ans: Dependent and colonial.
F. Education Policy
Q51. The Macaulay Minute was introduced in which year?
Ans: 1835.
Q52. What was the medium of instruction promoted by Macaulay?
Ans: English.
Q53. Which document is called the Magna Carta of Indian education?
Ans: Wood’s Despatch, 1854.
Q54. British education mainly aimed to create?
Ans: Clerks and administrators.
Q55. Western education led to the rise of?
Ans: Indian middle class.
Q56. Which language dominated higher education?
Ans: English.
Q57. British education helped spread which idea?
Ans: Nationalism.
Q58. Female education was supported mainly by?
Ans: Missionaries and reformers.
Q59. One negative impact of British education was?
Ans: Cultural alienation.
Q60. Universities were set up mainly in?
Ans: Presidency towns.
G. Military Policies
Q61. After 1857, Indian soldiers in the army were?
Ans: Reduced.
Q62. Artillery was controlled by?
Ans: Europeans.
Q63. British recruitment was based on which theory?
Ans: Martial Races Theory.
Q64. Which army was weakened after 1857?
Ans: Bengal Army.
Q65. Military expenses were paid from?
Ans: Indian revenues.
Q66. British army’s main role in India was?
Ans: Maintaining colonial rule.
Q67. Indians were allowed higher military ranks?
Ans: No.
Q68. Army reforms after 1857 aimed to?
Ans: Prevent revolts.
Q69. British military policy increased dependence on?
Ans: European soldiers.
Q70. The Indian army primarily served?
Ans: British imperial interests.
H. Social & Cultural Policies
Q71. Sati was abolished in which year?
Ans: 1829.
Q72. Who abolished the Sati system?
Ans: Lord William Bentinck.
Q73. Widow Remarriage Act was passed in?
Ans: 1856.
Q74. British social reforms mainly aimed at?
Ans: Social control.
Q75. British rulers claimed which policy in religious matters?
Religious neutrality.
Q76. Missionaries worked mainly for?
Ans: Spreading Christianity.
Q77. British laws created which system?
Ans: Uniform legal system.
Q78. Which Act restricted Indian press?
Ans: Vernacular Press Act, 1878.
Q79. Social reforms helped spread?
Ans: Social awareness.
Q80. British policies affected Indian traditions by?
Ans: Undermining them.
I. Overall Impact of British Administration
Q81. One positive impact of British rule was?
Ans: Modern administration.
Q82. The biggest negative impact was?
Ans: Economic exploitation.
Q83. Political unity in India was created by?
Ans: Centralised administration.
Q84. The educated middle class emerged due to?
Ans: Western education.
Q85. British policies gave rise to?
Ans: Indian nationalism.
Q86. Railways played which dual role?
Ans: Control and integration.
Q87. British legal system introduced?
Ans: Rule of law.
Q88. British rule in India was mainly?
Ans: Colonial in nature.
Q89. British administration ultimately led to?
Ans: Freedom struggle.
Q90. Indian response to British policies resulted in?
Ans: Demand for self-rule.
J. High-Probability Revision GK
Q91. When was Delhi made the capital of British India?
Ans: 1911.
Q92. Who announced the transfer of capital to Delhi?
Ans: Lord Hardinge.
Q93. British administrative policies mainly served?
Ans: British interests.
Q94. The backbone of British administration was?
Ans: Indian Civil Service.
Q95. British reforms benefited mostly?
Ans: British officials.
Q96. Indians gained political training through?
Ans: Legislative councils.
Q97. The greatest challenge to British rule was?
Ans: Nationalism.
Q98. British policies finally resulted in?
Ans: Mass movements.
Q99. The ultimate outcome of British administration was?
Ans: End of colonial rule.
Q100. British rule in India ended in which year?
Ans: 1947.
Period 3: Socio-Religious Reform Movements – GK
A. General Background
Q1. What was the main aim of socio-religious reform movements in India?
Ans: To remove social evils and reform religious practices.
Q2. These movements mainly emerged in which century?
Ans: 19th century.
Q3. Which factors influenced these reform movements?
Ans: Western education and rational ideas.
Q4. Which social evils were targeted?
Ans: Sati, caste discrimination, child marriage, and illiteracy.
Q5. These movements were strongest in which regions?
Ans: Bengal, Maharashtra, and Madras.
Q6. Reformers used which tools to spread ideas?
Ans: Press, books, and public debates.
Q7. The movements aimed at combining which values?
Ans: Indian traditions with modern ideas.
Q8. British rule indirectly helped these movements by promoting?
Ans: English education.
Q9. These movements contributed to the rise of?
Ans: Indian nationalism.
Q10. The reform movements mainly addressed issues related to?
Ans:Religion and society.
B. Raja Ram Mohan Roy & Brahmo Samaj
Q11. Who is known as the Father of Indian Renaissance?
Ans: Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
Q12. Brahmo Samaj was founded in which year?
Ans: 1828.
Q13. Where was Brahmo Samaj founded?
Ans: Calcutta.
Q14. Raja Ram Mohan Roy opposed which social evil?
Ans: Sati.
Q15. Sati was abolished in which year?
Ans: 1829.
Q16. Which Governor-General abolished Sati?
Ans: Lord William Bentinck.
Q17. Brahmo Samaj believed in?
Ans: Monotheism.
Q18. Which practices were opposed by Brahmo Samaj?
Ans: Idol worship and caste system.
Q19. Raja Ram Mohan Roy supported which form of education?
Ans: Western education.
Q20. Brahmo Samaj promoted which social reform?
Ans: Women’s rights.
C. Debendranath Tagore & Keshab Chandra Sen
Q21. Who reorganised the Brahmo Samaj?
Ans: Debendranath Tagore.
Q22. Which text influenced Debendranath Tagore?
Ans: Upanishads.
Q23. Who introduced progressive ideas in Brahmo Samaj?
Ans: Keshab Chandra Sen.
Q24. Keshab Chandra Sen supported which reform?
Ans: Inter-caste marriage.
Q25. Brahmo Samaj split in which year?
Ans: 1866.
Q26. Adi Brahmo Samaj was led by?
Ans: Debendranath Tagore.
Q27. Brahmo Samaj of India was led by?
Ans: Keshab Chandra Sen.
Q28. Brahmo Samaj rejected which religious practice?
Ans: Priesthood.
Q29. Brahmo Samaj influenced reforms mainly in?
Ans: Bengal.
Q30. Brahmo Samaj contributed to?
Ans: Social awakening.
D. Arya Samaj & Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Q31. Arya Samaj was founded in which year?
Ans: 1875.
Q32. Who founded Arya Samaj?
Ans: Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
Q33. Arya Samaj believed in which texts?
Ans: Vedas.
Q34. What was Swami Dayanand’s famous slogan?
Ans: “Back to the Vedas”.
Q35. Arya Samaj opposed which practices?
Ans: Idol worship and superstition.
Q36. Which reform was promoted by Arya Samaj?
Ans: Widow remarriage.
Q37. Arya Samaj supported which education system?
Ans: Gurukul system.
Q38. Shuddhi Movement was related to?
Ans: Reconversion to Hinduism.
Q39. Arya Samaj was strong mainly in?
Ans: Punjab and North India.
Q40. Arya Samaj promoted which language?
Ans: Hindi.
E. Ramakrishna Mission & Vivekananda
Q41. Ramakrishna Mission was founded in which year?
Ans: 1897.
Q42. Who founded Ramakrishna Mission?
Ans: Swami Vivekananda.
Q43. Ramakrishna Mission was inspired by?
Ans: Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
Q44. Vivekananda represented India at which event?
Ans: Parliament of Religions, Chicago (1893).
Q45. Vivekananda’s main message was?
Ans: Universal brotherhood.
Q46. Ramakrishna Mission focused on?
Ans: Social service.
Q47. Vivekananda emphasised which philosophy?
Ans: Vedanta.
Q48. Which slogan is associated with Vivekananda?
Ans:“Arise, awake and stop not”.
Q49. Ramakrishna Mission rejected which practice?
Ans: Caste discrimination.
Q50. Vivekananda inspired the youth by promoting?
Ans: Self-confidence and nationalism.
F. Prarthana Samaj & Maharashtra Reformers
Q51. Prarthana Samaj was founded in which year?
Ans: 1867.
Q52. Prarthana Samaj was founded in?
Ans: Bombay.
Q53. Which reformer was associated with Prarthana Samaj?
Ans: Atmaram Pandurang.
Q54. Prarthana Samaj opposed which social evil?
Ans: Caste system.
Q55. Justice M.G. Ranade supported which reform?
Ans: Widow remarriage.
Q56. Prarthana Samaj was influenced by?
Ans: Brahmo Samaj.
Q57. Maharashtra reforms focused on?
Ans: Social equality.
Q58. These reformers supported which education?
Ans: Modern education.
Q59. Prarthana Samaj believed in?
Ans: Monotheism.
Q60. Maharashtra reform movements strengthened?
Ans: Social justice.
G. Aligarh Movement & Muslim Reforms
Q61. Who started the Aligarh Movement?
Ans: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
Q62. Aligarh Movement mainly focused on?
Ans: Modern education for Muslims.
Q63. Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College later became?
Ans: Aligarh Muslim University.
Q64. Sir Syed supported which language?
Ans: English.
Q65. Aligarh Movement aimed at improving relations between?
Ans: Muslims and British.
Q66. Sir Syed opposed which idea?
Ans: Participation in early Congress politics.
Q67. Aligarh Movement encouraged?
Ans: Scientific outlook.
Q68. Muslim social reforms focused on?
Ans: Education and rationalism.
Q69. Aligarh Movement influenced?
Ans: Muslim middle class.
Q70. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was also a?
Ans: Social reformer.
H. Other Important Reform Movements
Q71. Who founded the Theosophical Society in India?
Ans: Annie Besant.
Q72. Theosophical Society promoted?
Ans: Ancient Indian wisdom.
Q73. Young Bengal Movement leader was?
Ans: Henry Louis Vivian Derozio.
Q74. Young Bengal Movement promoted?
Ans: Radical reforms.
Q75. Derozio emphasised which ideas?
Ans: Rationalism and freedom.
Q76. Satyashodhak Samaj was founded by?
Ans: Jyotiba Phule.
Q77. Satyashodhak Samaj opposed?
Ans: Brahmin domination.
Q78. Jyotiba Phule worked for?
Ans: Lower castes and women.
Q79. Widow remarriage among lower castes was supported by?
Ans: Jyotiba Phule.
Q80. These movements strengthened?
Ans:Social equality.
I. Women & Social Reform
Q81. Who worked for women’s education?
Ans: Savitribai Phule.
Q82. Widow Remarriage Act was passed in?
Ans: 1856.
Q83. Child Marriage Restraint Act was passed in?
Ans: 1929.
Q84. Which reformer opposed purdah system?
Ans: Begum Rokeya.
Q85. Women reforms aimed at?
Ans: Empowerment.
Q86. Education played what role in women’s reforms?
Ans: Transformational.
Q87. Female literacy increased due to?
Ans: Social reform movements.
Q88. Reformers believed women were key to?
Ans: Social progress.
Q89. British laws helped women reforms by?
Ans: Providing legal support.
Q90. Women reforms contributed to?
Ans: Modern Indian society.
J. Impact of Reform Movements
Q91. Reform movements weakened which practices?
Ans: Orthodox traditions.
Q92. These movements encouraged?
Ans: Rational thinking.
Q93. Social unity was promoted by?
Ans: Anti-caste ideas.
Q94. Reform movements contributed to?
Ans: National awakening.
Q95. Western education played which role?
Ans: Catalyst.
Q96. Reform movements prepared ground for?
Ans: Freedom struggle.
Q97. These movements created?
Ans: Social consciousness.
Q98. The biggest contribution was?
Ans: Modernisation of society.
Q99. Reform movements laid foundation for?
Ans:Democratic values.
Q100. Socio-religious reform movements were mainly?
Ans: Progressive in nature.
A. Background & Early Nationalism
1. The Indian National Movement began mainly against which rule?
Ans: British colonial rule.
2. The Indian National Congress was founded in which year?
Ans: 1885.
3. Where was the first session of INC held?
Ans: Bombay.
4. Who was the first President of INC?
Ans: W.C. Bonnerjee.
5. Who founded the Indian National Congress?
Ans: A.O. Hume.
6. Early nationalism was influenced by which ideas?
Ans: Liberal and democratic ideas.
7. Which class played a major role in early nationalism?
Ans: Educated middle class.
8. The press helped nationalism by spreading what?
Ans: Political awareness.
9. Early nationalists believed in which method?
Ans: Constitutional methods.
10. The early movement aimed mainly at?
Ans: Administrative reforms.
B. Indian National Congress (1885–1905)
11. INC was formed to provide a platform for?
Ans: Political dialogue.
12. Early leaders of INC are called?
Ans: Moderates.
13. Who was a prominent Moderate leader?
Ans: Dadabhai Naoroji.
14. Which book by Dadabhai Naoroji explained economic exploitation?
Ans: Poverty and Un-British Rule in India.
15. Which theory did Dadabhai Naoroji propose?
Ans: Drain of Wealth Theory.
16. Gopal Krishna Gokhale belonged to which group?
Ans: Moderates.
17. Moderates believed in which approach?
Ans: Prayer and petitions.
18. Which reform did Moderates demand?
Ans: Indianisation of services.
19. INC sessions were held annually to?
Ans: Discuss national issues.
20. Moderates supported which kind of reforms?
Ans: Gradual reforms.
21. Surendranath Banerjee founded which organisation?
Ans: Indian Association.
22. Indian Association was founded in which year?
Ans: 1876.
23. Which newspaper was started by Surendranath Banerjee?
Ans: The Bengalee.
24. INC initially remained loyal to?
Ans: British Crown.
25. The early INC worked within which framework?
Ans: British Constitution.
C. Partition of Bengal & Swadeshi Movement
26. Bengal was partitioned in which year?
Ans: 1905.
27. Who ordered the Partition of Bengal?
Ans: Lord Curzon.
28. Official reason for partition was?
Ans: Administrative convenience.
29. Real motive behind partition was?
Ans: Divide and rule.
30. Partition of Bengal led to which movement?
Ans: Swadeshi Movement.
31. Swadeshi Movement promoted use of?
Ans: Indigenous goods.
32. Which goods were boycotted?
Ans: British goods.
33. Swadeshi Movement encouraged which industries?
Ans: Indian industries.
34. The movement was strongest in?
Ans: Bengal.
35. Which slogan was popular during Swadeshi Movement?
Ans: “Vande Mataram”.
36. Which song became a national inspiration?
Ans: Vande Mataram.
37. Swadeshi Movement spread to which regions?
Ans: Maharashtra and Punjab.
38. Which movement accompanied Swadeshi?
Ans: Boycott Movement.
39. National education was promoted through?
Ans: National schools.
40. Swadeshi Movement marked which change?
Ans: Rise of mass participation.
41. Who was a leader of Swadeshi Movement?
Ans: Bipin Chandra Pal.
42. Which journal was associated with Swadeshi leaders?
Ans: New India.
43. The movement encouraged which cultural revival?
Ans: Indian nationalism.
44. Partition of Bengal was annulled in which year?
Ans: 1911.
45. Capital of British India was shifted from Calcutta to?
Ans: Delhi.
D. Extremists & Assertive Nationalism
46. Leaders who believed in aggressive methods were called?
Ans: Extremists.
47. Who was known as the political guru of extremists?
Ans: Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
48. Tilak’s famous slogan was?
Ans: “Swaraj is my birthright”.
49. Extremists believed in which methods?
Ans: Direct action.
50. Which festivals were used to mobilise masses?
Ans: Ganapati and Shivaji festivals.
51. Which leader wrote Kesari and Mahratta?
Ans: Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
52. Lala Lajpat Rai was associated with which region?
Ans: Punjab.
53. Bipin Chandra Pal belonged to which region?
Ans: Bengal.
54. Lal-Bal-Pal refers to whom?
Ans: Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal.
55. Extremists wanted immediate?
Ans: Swaraj.
56. Extremists criticised which policy?
Ans: Moderate politics.
57. Which session of INC saw a split?
Ans: Surat Session.
58. The INC split occurred in which year?
Ans: 1907.
59. Moderates dominated which group after split?
Ans: Indian National Congress.
60. Extremists were expelled from?
Ans: INC.
61. Extremists supported which movement?
Ans: Swadeshi.
62. They believed in which form of nationalism?
Ans: Assertive nationalism.
63. Tilak was imprisoned for supporting?
Ans: Nationalist activities.
64. Extremists used which symbol?
Ans: National culture.
65. Extremist movement broadened?
Ans: National struggle.
E. Home Rule Movement & Gokhale
66. Home Rule Movement started in which year?
Ans: 1916.
67. Who started the Home Rule League in India?
Ans: Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant.
68. Home Rule aimed at?
Ans: Self-government.
69. Annie Besant was associated with which movement?
Ans: Theosophical Movement.
70. Home Rule Movement demanded dominion status within?
Ans: British Empire.
71. Which regions were covered by Tilak’s league?
Ans: Maharashtra and Karnataka.
72. Annie Besant’s league was active in?
Ans: Madras.
73. Gopal Krishna Gokhale founded which organisation?
Ans: Servants of India Society.
74. Servants of India Society was founded in which year?
Ans: 1905.
75. Gokhale believed in which methods?
Ans: Constitutional reforms.
76. Gokhale was mentor of whom?
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi.
77. Home Rule Movement prepared ground for?
Ans: Mass movements.
78. Annie Besant became INC President in which year?
Ans: 1917.
79. Home Rule Movement was suppressed by?
Ans: British government.
80. The movement marked the transition to?
Ans: Gandhian era.
F. Impact & Significance
81. Early national movement created which awareness?
Ans: Political awareness.
82. It united people against?
Ans: Colonial rule.
83. The movement promoted which idea?
Ans: National unity.
84. It trained leaders for?
Ans: Freedom struggle.
85. INC became the main platform for?
Ans: National movement.
86. Moderates contributed by?
Ans: Educating masses.
87. Extremists contributed by?
Ans: Radicalising struggle.
88. Swadeshi Movement encouraged which economy?
Ans: Indigenous economy.
89. Home Rule Movement bridged which phase?
Ans: Moderate and Gandhian era.
90. The movement laid foundation for?
Ans: Mass nationalism.
91. Early nationalism remained limited to?
Ans: Educated class.
92. Yet it spread gradually to?
Ans: Wider population.
93. British repression strengthened?
Ans: Nationalism.
94. Newspapers played what role?
Ans: Mobilisation.
95. National education promoted which value?
Ans: Self-reliance.
96. The period saw rise of?
Ans: Political consciousness.
97. The early movement lacked which element?
Ans: Mass leadership.
98. Despite limitations, it was?
Ans: Historically significant.
99. This phase prepared India for?
Ans: Gandhian leadership.
100. The Indian National Movement (1885–1915) was mainly?
Ans: Foundation phase of freedom struggle.
Period 5: Gandhian Era (1915–1939) – GK
A. Gandhi’s Arrival & Early Experiments
1. Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in which year?
Ans: 1915
2. Gandhi first worked as a national leader in which area?
Ans: Champaran
3. Champaran Satyagraha was related to which issue?
Ans: Indigo cultivation
4. Champaran Satyagraha took place in which year?
Ans: 1917
5. Which farmers were involved in Champaran Satyagraha?
Ans: Indigo farmers
6. Ahmedabad Mill Strike was related to?
Ans: Workers’ wages
7. Ahmedabad Mill Strike occurred in which year?
Ans: 1918
8. Kheda Satyagraha was related to?
Ans: Revenue remission
9. Kheda Satyagraha took place in which state?
Ans: Gujarat
10. Gandhi used which method in early movements?
Ans: Satyagraha
11. Who was Gandhi’s political mentor in India?
Ans: Gopal Krishna Gokhale
12. Gandhi’s philosophy was based on?
Ans: Truth and non-violence
13. Gandhi believed political freedom was linked with?
Ans: Social reform
14. Gandhi emphasised which quality in politics?
Ans: Moral force
15. Gandhi became a mass leader due to?
Ans: Peasant-based movements
B. Rowlatt Act & Jallianwala Bagh
16. Rowlatt Act was passed in which year?
Ans: 1919
17. Rowlatt Act allowed detention without?
Ans: Trial
18. Gandhi opposed Rowlatt Act through?
Ans: Satyagraha
19. Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred in which year?
Ans: 1919
20. Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in?
Ans: Amritsar
21. Who ordered the firing at Jallianwala Bagh?
Ans: General Dyer
22. The massacre occurred on which date?
Ans: 13 April 1919
23. Jallianwala Bagh incident shocked the?
Ans: Nation
24. Rabindranath Tagore returned which title after massacre?
Ans: Knighthood
25. The incident ended faith in?
Ans: British justice
26. Hunter Commission was appointed to inquire into?
Ans: Jallianwala Bagh massacre
27. Gandhi called off the Rowlatt Satyagraha due to?
Ans: Violence
28. The massacre marked the beginning of?
Ans: Mass nationalism
29. Public anger increased against?
Ans: British rule
30. Gandhi became the central leader after?
Ans: 1919 events
C. Non-Cooperation Movement
31. Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in which year?
Ans: 1920
32. The movement was launched against?
Ans: British rule
33. Which incident led to the launch of Non-Cooperation?
Ans: Jallianwala Bagh
34. Which movement was linked with Non-Cooperation?
Ans: Khilafat Movement
35. Khilafat Movement was related to which community?
Ans: Muslims
36. Gandhi supported Khilafat to promote?
Ans: Hindu-Muslim unity
37. Non-Cooperation encouraged boycott of?
Ans: British institutions
38. Students left which institutions?
Ans: Government schools and colleges
39. Lawyers gave up practice in?
Ans: British courts
40. Which title did Gandhi return?
Ans: Kaiser-i-Hind
41. Which cloth was promoted?
Ans: Khadi
42. Charkha symbolised?
Ans: Self-reliance
43. Movement spread to which sections?
Ans: Peasants, workers, students
44. Non-Cooperation was withdrawn in which year?
Ans: 1922
45. Which incident led to withdrawal?
Ans: Chauri Chaura incident
46. Chauri Chaura incident involved?
Ans: Violence
47. Gandhi believed violence would?
Ans: Harm the movement
48. Non-Cooperation was the first?
Ans: Mass movement
49. The movement weakened British authority by?
Ans: Mass boycott
50. It transformed the Congress into a?
Ans: Mass organisation
D. Civil Disobedience Movement & Salt Satyagraha
51. Civil Disobedience Movement began in which year?
Ans: 1930
52. The movement was launched after?
Ans: Lahore Session of INC
53. Lahore Session (1929) demanded?
Ans: Complete Independence
54. Who was INC President at Lahore Session?
Ans: Jawaharlal Nehru
55. Gandhi launched Civil Disobedience by breaking?
Ans: Salt Law
56. Salt March started from?
Ans: Sabarmati Ashram
57. Salt March ended at?
Ans: Dandi
58. Salt March covered how many kilometres?
Ans: About 240 km
59. Salt Satyagraha occurred in which year?
Ans: 1930
60. Salt law affected which class most?
Ans: Poor people
61. Women participated actively in?
Ans: Civil Disobedience
62. British government arrested?
Ans: National leaders
63. Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed in which year?
Ans: 1931
64. The pact allowed Gandhi to attend?
Ans: Round Table Conference
65. How many Round Table Conferences were held?
Ans: Three
66. Civil Disobedience was resumed in?
Ans: 1932
67. The movement was suspended due to?
Ans: Repression
68. The movement widened the freedom struggle by?
Ans: Mass participation
69. Salt became a symbol of?
Ans: Resistance
70. Civil Disobedience challenged which authority?
Ans: British laws
71. Gandhi stressed discipline during?
Ans: Satyagraha
72. The movement united people across?
Ans: Regions
73. British economy was affected by?
Ans: Boycott
74. Movement showed power of?
Ans: Non-violence
75. Civil Disobedience marked peak of?
Ans: Gandhian movements
E. Government of India Act & Provincial Autonomy
76. Government of India Act was passed in which year?
Ans: 1935
77. The Act provided for?
Ans: Provincial autonomy
78. Elections under the Act were held in?
Ans: 1937
79. Congress formed ministries in how many provinces?
Ans: Seven
80. Provincial ministries worked till?
Ans: 1939
81. Congress resigned ministries due to?
Ans: World War II
82. Gandhi opposed India’s involvement in war because?
Ans: India was not consulted
83. The Act introduced which system?
Ans: Federal system (planned)
84. It increased Indian participation in?
Ans: Governance
85. British retained control over?
Ans: Defence and finance
86. Provincial autonomy helped Indians gain?
Ans: Administrative experience
87. Congress ministries promoted?
Ans: Welfare policies
88. The Act failed to satisfy which demand?
Ans: Complete independence
89. The period saw political maturity of?
Ans: Congress
90. Gandhi remained outside formal power to guide?
Ans: Mass movements
F. Impact of Gandhian Era
91. Gandhian era transformed the freedom struggle into?
Ans: Mass movement
92. Gandhi used which weapon effectively?
Ans: Non-violence
93. The era mobilised which sections?
Ans: Peasants, women, workers
94. Khadi symbolised?
Ans: Economic self-reliance
95. Gandhi linked freedom with?
Ans: Social justice
96. Gandhian movements weakened?
Ans: British authority
97. National unity was strengthened by?
Ans: Mass participation
98. Congress became a true?
Ans: National organisation
99. Gandhian era prepared India for?
Ans: Final struggle
100. The Gandhian Era (1915–1939) is known as the phase of?
Ans: Mass nationalism
Period 6: Quit India Movement to Independence (1940–1947) –GK
A. Background & World War II
1. World War II began in which year?
Ans: 1939
2. India was involved in World War II by decision of?
Ans: British government
3. Congress ministries resigned in which year?
Ans: 1939
4. Congress opposed India’s participation in the war because?
Ans: Indians were not consulted
5. Muslim League celebrated which day in 1939?
Ans: Deliverance Day
6. Who was the Viceroy during World War II?
Ans: Lord Linlithgow
7. The August Offer was made in which year?
Ans: 1940
8. The August Offer aimed to?
Ans: Gain Indian support for war
9. Congress rejected the August Offer because?
Ans: It did not promise independence
10. Muslim League accepted the August Offer because?
Ans: It recognised League’s role
11. World War II weakened which power?
Ans: Britain
12. Indian nationalism intensified due to?
Ans: War conditions
13. The war increased economic hardship due to?
Ans: Inflation and shortages
14. The war period increased political awareness among?
Ans: Indians
15. The war created favourable conditions for?
Ans: Independence
B. Cripps Mission & Failure
16. Cripps Mission came to India in which year?
Ans: 1942
17. Who headed the Cripps Mission?
Ans: Sir Stafford Cripps
18. The mission was sent by which government?
Ans: British government
19. The mission proposed dominion status after?
Ans: World War II
20. It allowed provinces to?
Ans: Opt out of Indian Union
21. Congress rejected the Cripps proposals because?
Ans: No immediate independence
22. Gandhi called the proposal a?
Ans: “Post-dated cheque”
23. Muslim League rejected Cripps Mission because?
Ans: No clear provision for Pakistan
24. The failure of Cripps Mission led to?
Ans: Quit India Movement
25. The mission failed due to?
Ans: British rigidity
26. It did not transfer power to?
Ans: Indian hands
27. The failure intensified which demand?
Ans: Complete independence
28. British aim was mainly to?
Ans: Secure war support
29. The mission failed to unite which groups?
Ans: Congress and Muslim League
30. Cripps Mission proved British?
Ans: Insincerity
C. Quit India Movement
31. Quit India Movement was launched in which year?
Ans: 1942
32. The movement was launched in which month?
Ans: August
33. The Quit India resolution was passed at which place?
Ans: Bombay
34. Who gave the slogan “Do or Die”?
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi
35. The movement demanded?
Ans: Immediate British withdrawal
36. Which body launched the Quit India Movement?
Ans: Indian National Congress
37. The movement was largely?
Ans: Mass-based
38. British response to the movement was?
Ans: Severe repression
39. Congress leaders were arrested on?
Ans: 9 August 1942
40. Which leaders were imprisoned?
Ans: Gandhi, Nehru, Patel
41. The movement was leaderless due to?
Ans: Mass arrests
42. Underground activities were led by?
Ans: Jayaprakash Narayan
43. Parallel governments were formed in?
Ans: Ballia, Tamluk, Satara
44. Women leaders in movement included?
Ans: Aruna Asaf Ali
45. Students and youth played which role?
Ans: Active role
46. Communication systems were disrupted by?
Ans: Protesters
47. Quit India was most radical because it?
Ans: Challenged British authority directly
48. The movement failed to achieve immediate?
Ans: Independence
49. Yet it showed determination of?
Ans: Indian people
50. Quit India weakened British control by?
Ans: Mass resistance
51. British power was challenged at?
Ans: Grassroots level
52. The movement lacked which element?
Ans: Central leadership
53. Despite repression, movement spread to?
Ans: Rural areas
54. The movement marked final phase of?
Ans: Mass struggle
55. Quit India created moral pressure on?
Ans: British government
D. INA & Subhas Chandra Bose
56. Indian National Army (INA) was formed in which year?
Ans: 1942
57. Who reorganised the INA?
Ans: Subhas Chandra Bose
58. Bose gave which famous slogan?
Ans: “Give me blood, I will give you freedom”
59. INA was formed to fight against?
Ans: British rule
60. INA fought with support of?
Ans: Japan
61. Azad Hind Government was formed in which year?
Ans: 1943
62. Capital of Azad Hind Government was?
Ans: Singapore
63. Which islands were renamed Shaheed and Swaraj?
Ans: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
64. INA’s women regiment was called?
Ans: Rani of Jhansi Regiment
65. INA trials were held at?
Ans: Red Fort
66. INA trials evoked sympathy among?
Ans: Indians
67. INA influence was seen in which forces?
Ans: Indian Army and Navy
68. INA actions weakened British loyalty among?
Ans: Indian soldiers
69. Bose believed in which method?
Ans: Armed struggle
70. INA struggle inspired?
Ans: National pride
E. Post-War Developments & Cabinet Mission
71. After World War II, Britain faced?
Ans: Economic crisis
72. Labour Party came to power in Britain in?
Ans: 1945
73. Labour government was sympathetic to?
Ans: Indian independence
74. Cabinet Mission came to India in which year?
Ans: 1946
75. Cabinet Mission aimed to?
Ans: Transfer power
76. The Mission proposed which system?
Ans: Federal Union
77. Congress accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan because?
Ans: It preserved unity
78. Muslim League accepted it initially because?
Ans: It allowed grouping
79. Direct Action Day was called in which year?
Ans: 1946
80. Direct Action Day was called by?
Ans: Muslim League
81. Communal violence followed in?
Ans: Bengal
82. Interim Government was formed in which year?
Ans: 1946
83. Jawaharlal Nehru headed which government?
Ans: Interim Government
84. Muslim League joined the Interim Government in?
Ans: 1946
85. Political deadlock continued due to?
Ans: Communal differences
F. Partition & Independence
86. Mountbatten Plan was announced in which year?
Ans: 1947
87. Who was the last Viceroy of India?
Ans: Lord Mountbatten
88. The plan provided for?
Ans: Partition
89. Indian Independence Act was passed in?
Ans: 1947
90. India became independent on?
Ans: 15 August 1947
91. Pakistan was created on?
Ans: 14 August 1947
92. Partition led to?
Ans: Massive migration
93. Communal violence occurred mainly in?
Ans: Punjab and Bengal
94. Mahatma Gandhi opposed?
Ans: Partition
95. Gandhi worked for?
Ans: Communal harmony
96. Independence ended which rule?
Ans: British colonial rule
97. India adopted which form of government later?
Ans: Democratic republic
98. Independence was achieved after how many years of rule?
Ans: Nearly 200 years
99. Freedom was achieved through?
Ans: Long struggle and sacrifice
100. The period 1940–1947 is known as the phase of?
Ans: Final struggle for independence
Why is Modern Indian History important for exams?
Modern Indian History plays a crucial role in competitive examinations. Direct and indirect questions are frequently asked from topics such as freedom movements, important acts, sessions of the Indian National Congress, and revolutionary activities. A clear understanding of this subject helps candidates score better in exams like UPSC, SSC, Railways, State PSC, and Assam Government exams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What period does Modern India GK (1857–1947) cover?
This section covers Indian history from the Revolt of 1857 to Independence and Partition in 1947.
Q2. How many GK questions are included in this Modern India post?
This post contains 600 period-wise GK questions and answers arranged across six major phases.
Q3. Is this Modern India GK useful for competitive exams?
Yes, it is highly useful for UPSC, APSC, State PSCs, SSC, Railway, Defence, and other exams.
Q4. Are the questions arranged period-wise?
Yes, the GK is divided into six clear periods including 1857 Revolt, Gandhian Era, and Quit India to Independence.
Q5. Is this content suitable for beginners?
Yes, the questions are written in simple English and are suitable for both beginners and advanced aspirants.
Q6. Does this GK include Gandhian movements?
Yes, it covers Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India Movement, and Gandhian philosophy.
Q7. Can I revise Modern Indian History from this single page?
Yes, this long GK page is designed for quick revision and concept clarity.
Q8. Are answers exam-oriented?
Yes, all answers are short, factual, and aligned with competitive exam patterns.
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