British Expansion policy MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for British Expansion policy - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is option 2.

Key Points

• The Wood's Dispatch of 1854, also known as the "Magna Carta of English Education in India," was a comprehensive educational policy laid down by Sir Charles Wood, the President of the Board of Control. Hence, option 2 is correct.
• It laid the foundation of the modern education system in India.
• Key Features of the Wood's Dispatch:
  • Establishment of a Department of Education in each province
  • Creation of universities in Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras (established in 1857)
  • Promotion of secular and vocational education
  • Emphasis on teacher training and female education
  • Grant-in-aid system introduced for private schools
  • Recommended a hierarchical structure: primary, secondary, and higher education.

Additional Information

• Macauley’s Minute (1835): Promoted English as the medium of instruction but lacked a structured educational policy
• Hunter Commission (1882–83): Focused on secondary education and provincial responsibilities
• Hartog Committee (1929): Dealt with quality and efficiency in education, especially primary level

The Correct Answer is Option 2 i.e Charter Act 1833.

The correct answer is - The Act of 1935

Key Points

• The Act of 1935
  • The Government of India Act, 1935, was the most comprehensive legislation passed by the British Parliament for Indian governance.
  • Under this Act, Sindh was separated from the Bombay Presidency to become a distinct province.
  • The separation aimed to give Sindh administrative autonomy due to its unique geographical, cultural, and economic characteristics.
  • The decision was influenced by demands from local leaders who advocated for better governance and representation of Sindh's interests.
• Other Acts mentioned:
  • The Act of 1909 introduced separate electorates but did not address provincial restructuring.
  • The Act of 1919 introduced dyarchy but did not carve out Sindh as a separate province.
  • The Act of 1833 focused on centralizing power but had no relevance to Sindh's provincial status.

Additional Information

• Government of India Act, 1935
  • It was the longest and most detailed legislation passed for British India, consisting of 321 sections and 10 schedules.
  • Introduced federal structure in India, with provinces granted autonomy in certain areas.
  • Created new provinces such as Sindh, Orissa, and Burma (which was separated from India).
  • Laid the foundation for the later constitutional developments leading to India’s independence.
• Separation of Sindh
  • Sindh was separated primarily due to its geographical location, which made governance under Bombay Presidency challenging.
  • The move was supported by leaders like Haji Abdullah Haroon and was aimed at addressing local issues such as irrigation and agriculture.
  • Sindh's separation marked a significant administrative change in colonial India.

The correct answer is - Satara

Key Points

• Doctrine of Lapse
  • The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie, the British Governor-General of India (1848–1856).
  • Under this doctrine, if an Indian ruler died without a legitimate male heir, his kingdom would be annexed by the British Empire.
• Satara
  • Satara was the first Indian state annexed by the British under the Doctrine of Lapse in 1848.
  • The ruler of Satara, Chhatrapati Pratapsingh, had no biological male heir, making the state eligible for annexation.
  • This marked the beginning of British expansion through the Doctrine of Lapse.

Additional Information

• Other States Annexed Under the Doctrine of Lapse
  • Jhansi - Annexed in 1854 after the death of Rani Lakshmibai's husband, Raja Gangadhar Rao.
  • Udaipur - Annexed in 1852 due to lack of a direct male heir.
  • Nagpur - Annexed in 1853 after the death of Raghuji III without a male successor.
  • Jaitpur - Annexed in 1849 due to similar succession issues.
• Awadh
  • Unlike the Doctrine of Lapse, Awadh was annexed in 1856 on grounds of misgovernance.
  • The British justified the annexation by claiming that the Nawab was unable to maintain proper administration.
• Impact of the Doctrine of Lapse
  • Led to widespread resentment among Indian rulers, contributing to the 1857 Revolt.
  • Many Indian princely states viewed the doctrine as a threat to their sovereignty.

The correct answer is - Lawyer

Key Points

• Thomas Babington Macaulay's career as a Lawyer
  • Macaulay started his career in the legal profession, practicing as a lawyer.
  • He was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn, a prestigious institution for legal training in England.
  • His work as a lawyer helped him develop the analytical and argumentative skills that later supported his contributions to politics and literature.
• Transition to other roles
  • Although Macaulay began as a lawyer, he later became renowned for his work as a historian, educationalist, and politician.
  • His legal background informed many of his intellectual pursuits, including his famous reforms in India.

Additional Information

• Major Contributions of Macaulay
  • Educational Reforms
    • Macaulay played a key role in introducing English education in India, through his famous Macaulay's Minute in 1835.
    • He advocated for the use of English as the medium of instruction, which shaped the Indian education system.
  • Historical Works
    • Macaulay is celebrated for his literary contributions, especially his History of England, which is considered a masterpiece of historical writing.
    • His writings reflect his eloquence and deep understanding of historical events.
  • Political Influence
    • Macaulay served as a member of the British Parliament, where he advocated for liberal reforms and played a key role in shaping British policies.
    • In India, he served on the Supreme Council and contributed to the drafting of the Indian Penal Code.
• Legacy
  • Macaulay's contributions to law, education, and history have left a profound impact on both Britain and India.
  • He remains a controversial figure due to his advocacy for English education and his views on Indian culture.

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 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 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 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

• The exile of the ruler of Awadh kingdom was termed as "The life has gone out of the body".
• Awadh, known in British historical texts as Avadh or Oudh.
• Awadh is a region of Uttar Pradesh
• The traditional capital of Awadh was Lucknow, also the station of the British Resident, which now is the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

Important Points Why it was termed as "The life has gone out of the body"?

• Awadh was annexed by the British on the plea that the region was being misgoverned
• The British thought that the Nawab was not popular but on the contrary, he was very popular.
• People considered it as “the life has gone out of the body”.
• The removal led to an emotional upheaval among the people of Awadh.

• The first subsidiary treaty was signed by the Nizam of Hydrabad in 1798.
• The Subsidiary Alliance System was “Non-Intervention Policy” used by Lord Wellesley who was the Governor-General (1798-1805) to establish British Empire in India.
• The Nizam of Hyderabad’ was the first to sign this policy in 1798 AD.
• The Second state to sign this policy was Mysore in1799 AD.

The correct answer is the Treaty of Gandamak.

Key Points

• The Treaty of Gandamak was signed on 26 May 1879 to officially end the second Anglo-Afghan war.
• The treaty was concluded between Yakub Khan and Lytton.
• It was signed by Mohammad Yaqub Khan of Afghanistan and Sir Louis Cavagnri of the British government's India office.
• The treaty was ratified by Lord Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton, Viceroy of India, on 30 May 1879.
• The treaty is considered the prelude to the first phase of the second Anglo-Afghan war.

 Thus, we can say that the treaty of Gandamak was concluded between Yaqub Khan and Lytton.

Additional Information

• The Treaty of Bassein (now known as Vasai) was signed by the British East India Company and Baji Rao II, the Maratha Peshwa of Pune (Poona) in India on December 31, 1802.
• The Treaty of Mangalore was signed between Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, and the British East India Company on March 11, 1784, after the end of the Second Anglo-Mysore War. The signing location was on board the British ship, the HMS Boddam, anchored in the roadstead of Mangalore in India.
• The Treaty of Srirangapatnam was signed between the British East India Company and Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, on March 18, 1792. It was signed after the end of the Third Anglo-Mysore War.