Hot Topics 2020
Day 18
- 06 Aug 2020
- 7 min read
Welcome to the Prelims Refresher Programme 2020 - Article Page. On this page, we will provide you with 3 things:
- A list of topics for revision.
- A brief discussion of the topics if needed.
- Links to various sources for preparing these topics.
Modern History-1 (Government of India Acts)
Questions from modern history remain a very important topic for UPSC. A lot of questions have been asked over the years. Mostly, static questions on this topic are asked. One should go through any standard textbook.
Class XII History Textbook Theme-I
Class XII History Textbook Theme-II
Class XII History Textbook Theme-III
Advent of Europeans and Their Policies
Q. The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th century were: (2018)
(a) Raw cotton, oil-seeds and opium
(b) Sugar, salt, zinc and lead
(c) Copper, silver, gold, spices and tea
(d) Cotton, silk, saltpetre and opium
Q. Consider the following: (2012)
- Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops
- Use of mobile cannons in warfare
- Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies
Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) None
Q. With reference to Ryotwari Settlement, consider the following statements: (2012)
- The rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Government.
- The Government gave Pattas to the Ryots.
- The lands were surveyed and assessed before being taxed.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
Charter Acts
Q. Consider the following statements about ‘the Charter Act of 1813’:(2019)
- It ended the trade monopoly of East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.
- It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.
- The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India? (2018)
- Charter Act of 1813
- General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823
- Orientalist and Anglicist Controversy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Government of India Acts
Q. In the context of Indian history, the principle of ‘Dyarchy (diarchy)’ refers to (2017)
(a) Division of the central legislature into two houses.
(b) Introduction of double government i.e., Central and State governments.
(c) Having two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi.
(d) Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.
Q. The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined (2015)
(a) the separation of power between the judiciary and the legislature
(b) the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments
(c) the powers of the Secretary of State for India and the Viceroy
(d) None of the above
Q. The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the (2012)
(a) Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
(b) Montagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919
(c) Government of India Act, 1935
(d) Indian Independence Act, 1947
Important Legislations During the British Government
Q. The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the (2012)
(a) Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
(b) Montagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919
(c) Government of India Act, 1935
(d) Indian Independence Act, 1947
Q. With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)
- The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the ‘Sedition Committee’.
- In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League.
- Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. The Ilbert Bill controversy was related to the (2013)
(a) imposition of certain restrictions to carry arms by the Indians
(b) imposition of restrictions on newspapers and magazines published in Indian languages
(c) removal of disqualifications imposed on the Indian magistrates with regard to the trial of the Europeans
(d) removal of a duty on imported cotton cloth
Governor Generals
Q. Who among the following Governor Generals created the Covenanted Civil Service of India which later came to be known as the Indian Civil Service? (2010)
(a) Warren Hastings
(b) Wellesley
(c) Cornwallis
(d) William Bentinck
Q. Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley? (2018)
(a) To maintain a large standing army at other’s expense
(b) To keep India safe from Napoleonic danger
(c) To secure a fixed income for the Company
(d) To establish British paramountcy over the Indian States
Q. Who among the following was/were associated with the introduction of Ryotwari Settlement in India during the British rule? (2017)
- Lord Cornwallis
- Alexander Read
- Thomas Munro
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. The tendency for increased litigation was visible after the introduction of the land settlement system of Lord Cornwallis in 1793. The reason for this is normally traced to which of the following provisions? (2011)
(a) Making Zamindar’s position stronger vis-a-vis the ryot
(b) Making East India Company an overlord of Zamindars
(c) Making the judicial system more efficient
(d) None of the (a), (b) and (c) above
