India under East India Company’s Rule MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for India under East India Company’s Rule - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Madras.Key Points

• India was introduced to the rail transport industry in the early 18th century by the British Government.

1832-1852: The Period of Industrial Railways

• India's first railway was proposed in 1832 at Madras by the British Government.
• The country's first train, Red Hill Railways, began in Madras in 1837.
• Lord Dalhousie, the Governor General of India from 1848 to 1856, is known as the "father of railways" for initiating the introduction of railways in India.

• The Great India Peningar Railway was incorporated in 1849, and the Solani Aqueduct Railway was built in Roorkee in 1851.

Therefore the correct answer will be Madras.Additional Information 

• The history of the Railways in India can be classified into different periods, including:
  • 1832-1852: The Period of Industrial Railways
  • 1853-1924: The Expansion and Introduction of Passenger Railways
  • 1925-1924 Electrification and further Expansion of Railways
  • 1947-1950: The Aftermath of Partition
  • 1951-1983: Zonal re-organization and Development of Railways
  • 1984-Present: Rapid transit and Later Development of Railways

1853-1924: The Expansion and Introduction of Passenger Railways

• The first railway line in India, spanning 34 km between Boribandar (Bombay) to Thane, was opened to passenger trains in 1853.
• The first train in Eastern India started in 1854 between Howrah to Hooghly.
• The first railway in South India started in 1856 between Royapuram-Vyasarpadi (Madras) to Wallajah Road (Arcot).
• The first railway workshop was built in Jamalpur, Bihar, in 1862.
• Delhi Junction became the first station in the north in 1864.
• Bhor Track was constructed in 1854 to connect Bombay to Poona (now Pune).

The correct answer is a source of its raw material Key Points

• During the British era, India's economy was known as a market for agricultural products and a source of raw materials for British industries.
• British rule in India:
• Commercialization of agriculture
  • The British introduced cash crops like tea, coffee, indigo, opium, cotton, jute, sugarcane, and oilseeds.
  • This reduced India's self-sufficiency in food. 
• Negative impact on Indian industries
  • The British imported large quantities of products made by mechanical looms in England, which threatened Indian handicraft industries. 
• Slow industrial development
  • The British did not establish a capital goods industry to support India's industrial development.
  • They wanted Indians to depend on Britain for capital and heavy goods. 
• Stagnant per-capita income
  • India's per-capita income remained mostly stagnant during the British Raj.
  • Most of its GDP growth came from an expanding population. 

Additional Information

• The British Raj had a devastating impact on India's economy, leading to a decline in the country's share of the world economy: 
• Trade
  • India's exports changed from processed goods to raw materials, and imports changed from bullion to manufactured goods.
  • The British used tariffs to limit India's exports of finished goods, while allowing raw materials to be exported freely. 
• Agriculture
  • British economic policies led to a decline in agricultural yields and worsened the conditions of farmers. 
• Poverty
  • The British used land revenue for war, leaving little for development.
  • This led to widespread poverty and recurring famines. 
• Infrastructure
  • The British built railways to connect inland regions with exporting ports, which made trading easier and more profitable for the British.
  • However, the railways were built to facilitate exploitation of the local Indians. 
• Handicrafts
  • The British used discriminatory tariffs to undermine the Indian handicraft sector.
  • The finished goods produced in the United Kingdom were machine-made and of higher quality and lower cost than the Indian handicraft ones. 
• GDP
  • India's GDP (PPP) per capita began to decline prior to the onset of British rule.
  • From 1600 to 1871 the ratio of GDP per capita in India to that in Britain fell from more than 60% to less than 15%. 

The correct answer is: 'A) The import of British industrial goods that replaced Indian handmade products'.

Key Points

• The import of British industrial goods that replaced Indian handmade products
  • This statement is correct.
  • De-industrialization in India during the colonial period was primarily due to the large-scale import of British industrial goods. The products manufactured in Britain, such as textiles, were mass-produced using advanced machinery, making them much cheaper compared to Indian handmade goods.
  • These cheap imports flooded the Indian markets, leading to the decline of traditional Indian industries, particularly the textile industry, which had previously been a significant source of employment and export revenue. Indian artisans and weavers could not compete with the prices of machine-made goods, resulting in widespread unemployment and the collapse of many traditional sectors.

Incorrect Statements

• The expansion of cottage industries encouraged by British policies
  • This statement is incorrect.
  • The British policies did not encourage the expansion of cottage industries. In fact, the colonial policies were geared towards supporting the British industrial revolution by securing raw materials from India and creating a market for British manufactured goods in India. This effectively suppressed Indian cottage and small-scale industries rather than encouraging their expansion.
• The rise of Indian industrial capitalists who outcompeted foreign goods
  • This statement is incorrect.
  • During the colonial period, there was no significant rise of Indian industrial capitalists who could outcompete foreign goods. Indian industries faced numerous challenges, including lack of capital, lack of technological advancement, and British-imposed trade restrictions that favored British manufacturers. The Indian industrial base was relatively underdeveloped and could not compete with British industrial goods.
• The spread of new technologies and manufacturing techniques by British companies
  • This statement is incorrect.
  • While the British introduced new technologies and manufacturing techniques, they primarily did so to benefit their own industries. The spread of such technologies in India was limited, and they were not aimed at fostering Indian industrial growth but rather at improving the extraction of resources for export and ensuring the dominance of British-manufactured goods in the Indian market.

Hence, the correct option is: B) The import of British industrial goods that replaced Indian handmade products.

Additional Information

• Impact of De-industrialization on India:
  • The decline of traditional industries like textiles, handicrafts, and metalwork resulted in widespread unemployment and economic hardship for artisans and craftsmen who had relied on these industries for their livelihood.
  • De-industrialization also led to the increased dependence of the Indian economy on agriculture, which became the primary source of employment. This, in turn, contributed to the rise of rural poverty as agricultural productivity did not keep pace with population growth, and there were fewer opportunities for diversification.
• Colonial Policies and Economic Impact:
  • British policies were primarily designed to serve their own economic interests. India was seen as a supplier of raw materials for British industries and a market for British finished goods. This led to a distortion of the Indian economy, where the traditional balance between agriculture and industry was disrupted.
  • Import duties on Indian goods were kept high in Britain, while Indian markets were opened up to duty-free British imports, effectively stifling any competitive advantage that Indian manufacturers might have had.

The Discovery of Synthetic Dyes was the main reason for the collapse of indigo production in Bengal after the revolt. Key Points

• The discovery of synthetic dyes was a major factor in the collapse of the indigo industry in Bengal after the Blue Rebellion of 1859.
• Before the discovery of synthetic dyes, indigo was the only natural dye that could produce a deep blue colour.
• This made it a very valuable commodity, and the indigo industry in Bengal was highly profitable.
• However, the discovery of synthetic dyes in the late 19th century changed the market for indigo.
• Synthetic dyes were cheaper to produce than natural indigo, and they were also more consistent in quality.
• This made them a more attractive option for manufacturers, and the demand for natural indigo began to decline.
• The Blue Rebellion further damaged the indigo industry in Bengal.
• The rebellion was a protest against the forced cultivation of indigo by ryots (tenant farmers).
• The rebellion was successful in forcing the British government to abolish the forced cultivation of indigo, but it also damaged the reputation of the indigo industry.
• Many manufacturers were reluctant to invest in the indigo industry after the rebellion, and this further contributed to the decline of the industry.
• By the early 20th century, the indigo industry in Bengal had collapsed.
• The discovery of synthetic dyes and the Blue Rebellion were the two main factors that led to this collapse.
• In addition to the discovery of synthetic dyes and the Blue Rebellion, there were other factors that contributed to the collapse of the indigo industry in Bengal.
• These factors included:
  • ​The increasing competition from other natural dyes, such as cochineal and madder.
  • The rising cost of labour in Bengal.
  • The decline of the British textile industry, which was the main market for indigo.
• The collapse of the indigo industry in Bengal had a significant impact on the economy of the region.
• The industry employed millions of people, and its collapse led to widespread unemployment and poverty.
• The collapse of the indigo industry also contributed to the decline of the British Raj in India.

The correct answer is Charter Act of 1793.

Key Points

• The Charter Act of 1793 was instrumental in reinforcing the power of the Governor-General of India in certain critical matters.
• It authorised the Governor-General to override the decisions of his council in cases where the interests of the British Empire in India were at stake.
• This act was an extension of the Regulating Act of 1773 and Pitt’s India Act of 1784, further centralising power in the hands of the Governor-General.
• The provision was seen as a measure to ensure the efficient administration of British interests in India without unnecessary delays caused by council disagreements.
• The act also renewed the East India Company’s charter for another 20 years, maintaining its monopoly over trade with India.

Additional Information

• Charter Act of 1813:
  • This act ended the East India Company’s trade monopoly in India, except for trade in tea and trade with China.
  • It allowed Christian missionaries to propagate their religion in India.
  • It allocated funds for the promotion of education in India.
• Regulating Act of 1773:
  • This was the first attempt by the British Parliament to regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India.
  • It created the position of the Governor-General of Bengal and established a council to assist him.
• Pitt's India Act of 1784:
  • This act established a system of dual control by creating a Board of Control in Britain to supervise the East India Company’s administration in India.
  • It distinguished between the company’s commercial and political functions.
• Centralisation of Power:
  • The Charter Act of 1793 was part of the broader British strategy to centralise administrative power in India for better governance and control.
  • This trend continued in subsequent acts, culminating in the complete transfer of power to the British Crown under the Government of India Act 1858.

The correct answer is Thomas Munro.

Important Points 

• The Ryotwari system was a land revenue system introduced during the British raj.
• The Ryotwari System was introduced by Thomas Munro.
  • Thomas Munro served as the governor of Madras from 1820 to 1827.
• Thomas Munro introduced the Ryotwari System in Bombay and Madras in 1820.
• A direct settlement was made between the government and the cultivators under the Ryotwari System.
• The Ryotwari System was first recommended by Charles Reed.
• The revenue was fixed for a period of time on the basis of the quality of soil and the nature of the crop.

Additional Information

• Warren Hastings served as the governor-general of Bengal from 1772 to 1785.
  • He is the only British governor-general who was impeached by the British government.
• Lord Cornwallis is known as the 'father of civil service in India'.
  • The Permanent Settlement in Bengal and Bihar was introduced by Lord Cornwallis.
• Lord Ripon is known as the 'father of local self-government' in India.
  • He repealed the vernacular press act in 1882.

The correct answer is A-II, B - I, C - III.

Key Points

Anglo - Maratha wars

• First Anglo - Maratha war (1775-82): treaty of Surat, the treaty of Purandhar, the treaty of Salbai (1782).
• Second Anglo - Maratha war (1802-05): Peshwa Bajirao-2 signed a treaty with the English on Dec 11-1802 (treaty of Bassein) and accepted the subsidiary alliance.
• Third Anglo - Maratha war (1817-19):
  • Peshwa Bajirao-2 was defeated at Kharki and forced to sign the treaty of Poona.
  • Maratha chiefs Yashvant Rao Holkar, Appa sahib Bhosale and Scindhia were defeated in different battles. 

The correct answer is 1765.

Important Points

• Treaty of Allahabad was signed in 1765 by Shuja-ud-Daulah and Shah Alam II with Robert Clive marking the beginning of British Rule in India.
• Through this treaty, East India Company was granted to collect taxes from the eastern province of Bengal-Bihar-Orrisa in return for which Shah Alam II was given Kora and Allahabad.
• The company promised to support Shuja-ud-Daulah, Nawab of Awadh against attacks which made him dependent on the company for which he had paid Rs. 53 lakhs.
• This treaty followed the Battle of Buxar in which Mughal emperors were lost to the Company.
• This treaty made the company richer and now they didn’t require any money from England.
• Treaty of Allahabad was written by I’tisam-ud-Din who was a diplomat to the Mughal Empire.

Additional Information

• Treaties signed in 1766: Treaty of Batticaloa (Dutch Imperial possession in Sri Lanka)

• Nawab of Bengal was having only judicial powers but the power to collect revenue and taxed was vested in the company. 

The correct answer is 1845-46.

• The First Anglo-Sikh war takes place in 1845 and 1846.
• The First Anglo-Sikh War was fought between the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire.
• It consists of a series of Five battles namely:
  1. Battle of Mudki.
  2. Battle of Aliwal.
  3. Battle of Ferozshah.
  4. Battle of Sobraon.
  5. Battle of Baddowal.
• Sikhs were defeated in all four battles against the British East India Company.
• The war ended with the treaty of Lahore in 1846.
• The treaty of Lahore was signed on 9^th March 1846.
• The Second Anglo-Sikh war takes place in 1848 and 1849.

The correct answer is Wood's Dispatch on Education,1854.

Key Points

• The Wood's Despatch is considered as 'Magna-Carta' of English Education in India.
• Charles Wood was the President of the Board of Control of East India Company.
• Objectives of the Wood's Despatch:
  • To impart Western knowledge, information about the western culture to the Indians.
  • To educate the natives of India so that a class of public servants could be created.
  • It promoted women's education at all levels.
  • To promote intellectual development and also raise the moral character of the young generation.
  • Grants-in-aid to encourage private enterprise.
• The wood's dispatch recommended the five provinces of Bengal, Bombay, Madras, Punjab, and the North-Western provinces.
• It recommended the establishment of universities at Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras.
  • Bethune School was started for women's education.

Additional Information

• Hunter Education Commission was a landmark commission appointed by Viceroy Lord Ripon.
  • This commission, headed by Sir William Wilson Hunter, had submitted its report in 1882.
  • The objectives are to look into the complaints of the non-implementation of the Wood’s Despatch of 1854, the contemporary status of elementary education in the British territories, and suggest means by which this can be extended and improved.
• On February 2, 1835, British politician Thomas Babington Macaulay circulated Minute on Education.
  • A treatise that offered definitive reasons for why the East India Company and the British government should spend money on the provision of English language education, as well as the promotion of European learning, especially the sciences, in India.

The correct answer is 1856.

Key Points

• Annexed states and year of annexation are as follows -​

• From the above table, hence the correct answer is option 4.

Important Points

• Doctrine Of Lapse -Princely States Annexed
  • The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy adopted by the Britishers in India to expand their control.
  • The doctrine of Lapse was based on Hindu law and Indian customs, but Hindu law seemed to be somewhat inconclusive on this point
  • Lord Dalhousie annexed eight princely states under the Doctrine of Lapse Policy during his service.
  • He is said to have annexed about a quarter-million square miles of the Indian territory.
  • The first princely state to be annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse was Satara.
  • Awadh was under the rule of Wajid Ali Shah when Lord Dalhousie announced annexing Awadh based on the allegation of ‘Internal Misrule”.

The correct answer is Charter act  - 1833.

Key Points

The correct answer is Awadh.

Key Points

• Awadh was annexed by the British under the pretext of 'misgovernment of the Nawab.
  • Awadh was annexed on the pretext of misgovernance by the existing Nawab, Wajid Ali Shah.
  • Awadh was the epicentre of the revolt of 1857.
  • The revolt led to widespread death and destruction in Awadh.

Additional Information

• The British used the doctrine of a lapse to justify the annexation of the princely state of Nagpur.
  •  In 1818, at the conclusion of the Third Anglo-Maratha War, the Bhonsle Maharaja submitted to a subsidiary alliance, and Nagpur became a princely state under the suzerainty of the British crown.
• Satara state was a short-lived Princely state in India created by the British in 1818 after the Third Anglo-Maratha War and annexed by them in 1849 using the Doctrine of lapse.
• Udaipur was annexed by Lord Dalhousie under the pretext of misgovernance.

The correct answer is ​Option 4.

Key PointsCharter Act of 1833:

•  Centralization:
  • The Charter Act of 1833 marked the final step towards centralizing the British administration in India.
• Designation of the Governor-General:
  • The Act designated the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India, granting him authority over all British territories in India.
  • This centralization vested all civil and military powers in the Governor-General of India.
• First Governor-General of India:
  • ​Lord William Bentick was appointed as the first Governor-General of India under this Act.
• Legislative Powers:
  • ​The Act took away the legislative powers of the governors of Bombay and Madras, giving the Governor-General of India exclusive legislative authority for the entire British India.
• Additional Provisions:
  • Ended the East India Company's role as a commercial entity, transforming it into a purely administrative body.
  • Introduced the idea of open competition for civil service appointments and stated that Indians should not be excluded from holding any office in the Company's administration.

Other Acts:

• The Regulating Act (1773):
  • Established the post of Governor-General of Bengal but did not designate him as the Governor-General of India.
• Pitt's India Act (1784):
  • Established dual control between the British Crown and the East India Company but did not change the Governor-General's designation.
• The Charter Act of 1793:
  • ​Renewed the Company's charter but maintained the existing administrative structure.
• Hence, Option 4: The Charter Act of 1833 is the correct answer. 

The correct answer is Establishment of minimum marriage age.

Key Points

• The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 was also known as Sarda Act.
• The act was passed on 28 September 1929.
• As per the act, the age of marriage for girls was fixed at 14 years and for boys, it was 18 years.
• Later through an amendment, it was changed to 18 for girls and 21 for boys.
• The name Sarda was derived from its sponsor Harbilas Sarda.