Modern Indian History is an important part of many exams like UPSC, SSC, Railways, and State Civil Services. This period mainly talks about how the Europeans came to India, their trade and wars, how the British became powerful, different treaties, the Revolt of 1857, and the reform movements that brought changes in society. Solving Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on these topics helps in quick revision and makes it easier to remember important points for exams. The MCQs given below are made from the main events, leaders, and reforms of Modern Indian History to help you prepare better.
The Portuguese traveler Vasco da Gama was guided to the Indian coast by which Arab navigator, highlighting the role of intermediaries in early European voyages?
a) Malik Kafur
b) Ibn Battuta
c) Abdul Majid
d) Ibn Majid
Answer: d) Ibn Majid
The Portuguese strengthened their naval and trade supremacy in India by building their headquarters at which location, which later became the center of their colonial activities?
a) Calicut
b) Goa
c) Cochin
d) Diu
Answer: b) Goa
The Dutch East India Company began its trade in India by setting up its first factory in which region, before moving towards Bengal and Coromandel?
a) Surat
b) Pulicat
c) Masulipatnam
d) Pondicherry
Answer: c) Masulipatnam
The Danes established their settlement in India at Tranquebar in 1620, but eventually sold all their Indian possessions to which European power in 1845?
a) British
b) French
c) Portuguese
d) Dutch
Answer: a) British
The French established their stronghold in India by setting up their headquarters at Pondicherry. Who was the French Governor-General most famous for fighting with the British during the Carnatic Wars?
a) Dupleix
b) Francois Martin
c) Colbert
d) Lally
Answer: a) Dupleix
The English East India Company was formally established in which year, paving the way for centuries of British influence in India?
a) 1498
b) 1576
c) 1600
d) 1612
Answer: c) 1600
The British secured permission to establish their first factory in Surat in 1613 from which Mughal Emperor?
a) Babur
b) Akbar
c) Jahangir
d) Shah Jahan
Answer: c) Jahangir
Dadabhai Naoroji is known for his “Drain of Wealth” theory, which he presented in his famous book. What was the title of this book?
a) Indian Unrest
b) Poverty and Un-British Rule in India
c) The Indian Struggle
d) Hind Swaraj
Answer: b) Poverty and Un-British Rule in India
The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885. Who presided over its first session held at Bombay?
a) Dadabhai Naoroji
b) W.C. Bonnerjee
c) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
d) Surendranath Banerjee
Answer: b) W.C. Bonnerjee
The Regulating Act of 1773 was introduced by the British Parliament to control the East India Company. It marked the beginning of parliamentary control. Who was appointed the first Governor-General of Bengal under this Act?
a) Warren Hastings
b) Cornwallis
c) Wellesley
d) Dalhousie
Answer: a) Warren Hastings
Bengal was divided in 1905. Which movement arose immediately as a reaction to this division?
a) Civil Disobedience Movement
b) Quit India Movement
c) Swadeshi Movement
d) Home Rule Movement
Answer: c) Swadeshi Movement
The Ilbert Bill controversy of 1883, which created uproar among Europeans in India, was related to which issue?
a) Indian judges trying European offenders
b) Ban on Indian-owned newspapers
c) Abolition of Zamindari system
d) Right of Indians to enter British Parliament
Answer: a) Indian judges trying European offenders
The Vernacular Press Act, aimed at restricting the liberty of newspapers published in Indian languages, was passed under the rule of which Viceroy?
a) Lord Lytton
b) Lord Ripon
c) Lord Curzon
d) Lord Wellesley
Answer: a) Lord Lytton
The Hunter Commission was created to study which area of British governance in India?
a) Military system
b) Judicial reforms
c) Education system
d) Revenue system
Answer: c) Education system
The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799) led to the death of Tipu Sultan. At which fort did Tipu Sultan die while defending his kingdom?
a) Srirangapatna
b) Bangalore
c) Mysore
d) Arcot
Answer: a) Srirangapatna
The Treaty of Amritsar (1809) was signed between the British and which Sikh ruler, restricting his expansion towards the south of Sutlej?
a) Banda Singh Bahadur
b) Ranjit Singh
c) Dalip Singh
d) Sher Singh
Answer: b) Ranjit Singh
Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875. “Back to the Vedas” Stressed Comeback of which aspect of Indian society?
a) Modern technology
b) Western education
c) Ancient Vedic culture
d) Mughal traditions
Answer: c) Ancient Vedic culture
Lord William Bentinck is known for which important social reform that he implemented in India while serving as Governor-General?
a) Introduction of railways
b) Abolition of Sati
c) Introduction of Doctrine of Lapse
d) Foundation of Indian National Congress
Answer: b) Abolition of Sati
Which sepoy of the 34th Bengal Infantry was the first to refuse to use the greased cartridges, sparking rebellion in Barrackpore?
a) Bahadur Shah II
b) Mangal Pandey
c) Rani Lakshmibai
d) Kunwar Singh
Answer: b) Mangal Pandey
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar is remembered for his efforts in promoting widow remarriage. The Widow Remarriage Act was passed in which year due to his efforts?
a) 1829
b) 1856
c) 1875
d) 1893
Answer: b) 1856
Rani Lakshmibai, one of the most prominent leaders of 1857, died fighting the British at which place?
a) Jhansi
b) Gwalior
c) Kanpur
d) Lucknow
Answer: b) Gwalior
The Revolt of 1857 saw strong participation from Kunwar Singh, a zamindar who fought bravely in his old age. He belonged to which region?
a) Awadh
b) Bihar
c) Punjab
d) Maharashtra
Answer: b) Bihar
The Young Bengal Movement, started by Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, worked to spread rational thinking and modern ideas among students of which institution?
a) Calcutta University
b) Hindu College, Calcutta
c) Presidency College, Madras
d) Banaras Hindu College
Answer: b) Hindu College, Calcutta
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan started the Aligarh Movement. Its main objective was to promote which of the following among Muslims?
a) Religious orthodoxy
b) English education and scientific outlook
c) Military resistance
d) Peasant revolts
Answer: b) English education and scientific outlook
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish their presence in India. In which year did Vasco da Gama arrive at Calicut, marking the beginning of Portuguese influence in India?
a) 1398
b) 1498
c) 1505
d) 1526
Answer: b) 1498