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 20 years.

Key Points

• The Charter Act of 1793 was enacted for 20 years.
• It renewed the charter of the East India Company, allowing them to maintain a monopoly on trade in India for another two decades.
• The Act continued the East India Company's rights to govern and administer territories in India.
• It also introduced provisions for the appointment of a Governor-General to oversee the administration of British India.
• The Charter Act of 1793 laid the groundwork for further legal and administrative reforms in British India.

Additional Information

• East India Company
  • The East India Company was a British company formed to trade with India and Southeast Asia.
  • It played a significant role in the colonization and economic exploitation of India during the British rule.
  • The company controlled vast territories in India, administering them through its officers and administrators.
• Governor-General of India
  • The Governor-General was the top British official in India, responsible for overseeing the administration of British territories.
  • Under the Charter Act of 1793, the Governor-General’s powers were expanded, granting more control over colonial policies.
• Impact on Indian Governance
  • The Charter Act of 1793 was crucial in strengthening the British East India Company's control over Indian territories and its monopoly on trade.
  • It marked the beginning of a series of Charter Acts that progressively enhanced British colonial authority in India.
• Subsequent Charter Acts
  • The Charter Act of 1793 was followed by several other Acts, such as the Charter Act of 1813, the Charter Act of 1833, and others, which further extended the East India Company's powers until the company was dissolved in 1874.

The correct answer is VKRV Rao.

Key Points

• VKRV Rao, whose full name is Vijayendra Kasturi Ranga Varadaraja Rao, was a renowned Indian economist, educator, and institution builder.
• During the colonial period, he was one of the first Indian economists to provide detailed estimates of India’s national income and per capita income.
• His work on national income estimation was crucial in understanding the economic conditions of India under British rule.
• VKRV Rao's methodical approach and use of statistical data made his estimates reliable and significant for policymaking in post-independence India.
• He was also the founder of institutions like the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) and played a key role in shaping India's economic planning process.
• His contributions laid the foundation for subsequent economic research and analysis in India.
• VKRV Rao’s work provided a basis for understanding the economic exploitation during colonial rule and helped formulate policies for economic recovery and growth after independence.

 Additional Information

• Adam Smith
  • Adam Smith is often referred to as the "Father of Economics" due to his seminal work, "The Wealth of Nations", published in 1776.
  • He was a Scottish economist and philosopher who introduced the concept of the invisible hand and focused on the benefits of a free-market economy.
  • While his contributions were foundational to economic thought, he did not specifically provide estimates of India’s national income.
• John Maynard Keynes
  • John Maynard Keynes was a British economist known for his work during the Great Depression and his development of Keynesian economics.
  • He advocated for government intervention in the economy to address unemployment and stimulate growth.
  • Although influential globally, Keynes did not focus on India’s economic data or provide estimates of its income during the colonial period.
• Karl Marx
  • Karl Marx was a German philosopher, economist, and political theorist best known for his work on communism and his critique of capitalism.
  • He wrote influential works such as "The Communist Manifesto" and "Das Kapital", focusing on class struggles and economic systems.
  • Marx did not provide any estimates of India’s national income, as his focus was more on theoretical frameworks rather than empirical data.

The correct answer is The UN Charter.

Key Points

• The Panchsheel Agreement refers to five principles of peaceful coexistence.
• The five principles are mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
• The principles were first formally signed in 1954 between India and China as part of a trade agreement relating to Tibet.
• The Panchsheel principles have been substantially derived from the United Nations Charter, which also emphasizes peace, sovereignty, and mutual cooperation.

Additional Information

• The Charter of the League of Nations: The League of Nations was formed after World War I as an international organization for maintaining peace. However, it failed to prevent World War II, leading to its replacement by the United Nations. The League's charter did not specifically include principles like Panchsheel.
• The Treaty of Berlin: The Treaty of Berlin (1878) was a diplomatic agreement aimed at resolving territorial disputes in the Balkans after the Russo-Turkish War. It has no relation to the principles of peaceful coexistence.
• The Protocols of Zion: This is a controversial and debunked anti-Semitic text falsely claiming a Jewish plan for global domination. It is not related to international peace or coexistence principles.

Key Points

• Munsif's Court was the lowest level in the hierarchy of courts during colonial India.
• Sadr Amin's Court was a level above Munsif's Court and handled slightly higher-level disputes and appeals.
• Zilla Court was the district-level court, handling significant civil and criminal cases within the district.
• Sadr Diwani Adalat was the highest court in civil matters during the colonial period, often serving as the appellate court for lower courts.

Important Points

• The judicial system in India during the colonial period was divided into different levels to cater to various types of cases.
• Munsif's Court dealt with the simplest cases, usually involving small disputes or claims.
• The hierarchy ensured that appeals could be made from lower courts to higher courts based on the seriousness and complexity of the case.
• Sadr Diwani Adalat served as the apex body for civil matters before the establishment of the modern judicial system.

Additional Information

• Munsif's Court: This court primarily handled minor civil disputes at the local level. Munsifs were appointed to oversee these courts, and their jurisdiction was limited to small claims.
• Sadr Amin's Court: This court was a step above Munsif's Court and handled appeals from Munsif's Court. It also dealt with cases that were beyond the jurisdiction of Munsif's Court but not significant enough to go directly to Zilla Court.
• Zilla Court: Zilla (district) courts were headed by judges and had a wider jurisdiction than Munsif's and Sadr Amin's courts. They dealt with both civil and criminal cases at the district level.
• Sadr Diwani Adalat: The Sadr Diwani Adalat was the highest appellate court for civil cases during the colonial period. It was established by the British to ensure uniformity and consistency in civil matters across the territories they controlled.

The correct answer is Education in India.

Key Points

• The Charter Act of 1813 was a landmark decision by the British Parliament, as it formally acknowledged the duty of the British government to promote education in India.
• The Act allocated a sum of one lakh rupees for the purpose of education, which was to be utilized for the promotion of knowledge of sciences, literature, and the encouragement of learned natives of India.
• It marked the beginning of state intervention in education and the establishment of a formal education policy in British India.
• The promotion of Western education and sciences through the use of English as the medium was later emphasized, laying the foundation for the modern education system in India.

Additional Information

• Law and Order situation in India: This refers to the maintenance of internal security and public order in the country. However, the Charter Act of 1813 did not deal directly with the administration of law and order in India.
• Foreign policy and trade relations in India: The Charter Act of 1813 is significant for ending the trade monopoly of the British East India Company, except for trade in tea and trade with China. However, this was primarily an economic reform and not directly related to foreign policy.
• Initiation of Indian Renaissance: The Indian Renaissance refers to the cultural, social, and intellectual awakening in India during the 19th century, influenced by Western education and reform movements. While the Charter Act of 1813 indirectly contributed to this by promoting education, it is not directly associated with the Renaissance itself.

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 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.

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.