Political Structure of Modern India MCQs with Explanations
The Political Structure of Modern India covers the administrative and political developments introduced during British rule that laid the foundation of modern governance in India. Understanding these developments is essential for UPSC Prelims and various State PSC examinations.
Robert Clive was the first Governor-General of Bengal.
William Bentinck was the first Governor-General of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer:
(B) 2 only
Under Regulating Act, 1773 the British parliament provided the system of colonialist government in Bengal. The government consisted of a chairman and four members. The Chairman was known as Governor-General. Warren Hastings was appointed as the first Governor-General of Bengal. Thus statement 1 is incorrect. Charter Act of 1833 was an attempt by the British government to centralize the Indian administration. The Governor-General of Bengal was made Governor-General of India by this Act. Lord William Bentinck was appointed as the first Governor-General of India. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
Ques: 2
At the time of the establishment of Asiatic Society in Calcutta, who was the Governor-General of Bengal?
Correct Answer:
(B) Lord Warren Hastings
Lord Warren Hastings was the Governor-General of Bengal at the time of the establishment of Asiatic Society on 15 January, 1784 in Calcutta.
Ques: 3
The policy of ‘Security cell’ is related with-
Correct Answer:
(A) Warren Hastings
The policy of ‘Security Cell” is related to Warren Hastings and Wellesley. Warren Hastings fought with Mysore and Marathas to achieve status equivalent to other Indian states. During this time the company tried to form buff er state (also known as Ring Fence) with an aim to protect its state from Afghans and Marathas. Thus, they agreed to protect Awadh on the condition that the Nawab of Oudh will bear the expenses. The main aim of Wellesley was to enforce Indian states to rely on his army power. The British policies towards Indian states were:
Company’s struggle for equality with Indian provinces. (1740-1765 AD)
‘Security cell’ or the policy of siege. (1765-1813 AD)
Subordinate separation policy. (1813-1857 AD)
Subordinate union policy. (1858-1935 AD)
The policy of equal union. (1935-1947 AD)
Ques: 4
Who among the following abolished ‘Dual Government’ system in Bengal ?
Correct Answer:
(C) Warren Hastings
The court of directors took the decision in 1772 to abolish the dual government system in the tenure of Warren Hastings and ordered council of Calcutta and its chiefs to serve as Diwan and officiate the administration of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. Warren Hastings dismissed both the deputy Divans Muhammad Raza Khan and Raja Shitab Roy.
Ques: 5
Which Governor- General was prosecuted for impeachment?
Correct Answer:
(A) Warren Hastings
Warren Hastings was prosecuted from 1788 to 1795 for impeachment for unjust and arbitrary functions, but British parliament dropped all the charges against him after considering his service. It was said that Warren Hastings had done all this for the benefit of the empire.
Ques: 6
The revolt of Vellore occurs during the regime of which Governor?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Sir George Barlow
Vellore Mutiny (1806) was protested against interference in the social and religious practices of Sepoys. The sepoys unfurled the flag of the ruler of Mysore. This revolt occurs during the regime of Governor-General Sir George Barlow. He was Governor-General of India from 1805 to 1807 AD.
Ques: 7
On the basis of alleged maladministration which Governor-General had taken the administration of Mysore state?
Correct Answer:
(C) Lord William Bentinck
Lord William Bentinck took charge of Governor-General in July, 1828. He made effective eff orts to abolish Sati system, infanticide and established peace in the country by ending the social evils. According to the wishes of the ‘Court of Directors,’ he adopted the policy of neutrality towards the Indian States. The chaos took such an ugly turn in Jaipur that there was an attack on British residents. But Lord Bentinck did not accept to interfere in that. Like this, he did not accept to interfere in Jodhpur, Bundi, Kota and Bhopal because of certain reasons. Excluding this policy, he annexed Mysore in 1831, state of Kurg and Kachar in 1834 in his state because there was too much chaos in those states.
Ques: 8
Which Governor General had abolished slavery ?
Correct Answer:
(B) Lord Ellenborough
Slavery was abolished by Act-V of 1843 by the then Governor-General of India Lord Ellenborough. His tenure was from 1842 to 1844 AD.
Ques: 9
Who had merged Sikkim in India?
Correct Answer:
(C) Lord Dalhousie
Sikkim was a small capital between Nepal & Bhutan. Lord Dalhousie annexed part of Sikkim, like Darjeeling & other far away areas on the pretext that Sikkim king has misbehaved with two English doctors.
Ques: 10
Which one of the following is correctly matched?
Correct Answer:
(A) Lord Cornwallis - Permanent Settlement
Lord Cornwallis implemented Permanent Settlement System in 1793 while masterly inactivity is related to John Lawrence, Subsidiary Alliance to Lord Wellesley, and Doctrine of Lapse is related to Lord Dalhousie. A.O Hume founded Indian Nation Congress on December 28, 1885 during the tenure of Lord Dufferin (1884-88).
Ques: 11
Which of the following is not correctly matched?
Correct Answer:
(C) Lord Hastings - Second Anglo-Maratha War
Second Anglo-Maratha War from 1803 to 1805 was fought during the period of Lord Wellesley. The third War Anglo-Maratha War (1817-18) took place in the reign of Lord Hastings. After defeating Marathas in third Anglo-Maratha War, Lord Hastings abolished the title of Peshwa and merged all the regions of Peshwa in Bombay presidency. Apart from this, the Company took over the political authority of Bundelkhand, Malwa and rest of India ( Peshwa dominating regions). Other three options are correctly matched.
Ques: 12
Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
Correct Answer:
(A) Local self Government - Lord Lytton
Government resolution on local self-government was introduced during the tenure of Lord Ripon in 1882. Lord Ripon is also known as the ‘Father of local self-government’. Rest of the options are correctly matched.