Q11. Following the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, how did the role of the Khalsa army transform politically?
Anglo-Sikh Wars and Doctrine of Lapse: RAS Prelims MCQs
31 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Anglo-Sikh wars and the Doctrine of Lapse deal with Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rise, his army and administration, the succession after him and the two wars with the British. The questions ask about misls, the Fauj-i-Khas, the causes of the Second Anglo-Sikh War and the annexations under the Doctrine of Lapse.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 31 questions
Q12. Consider the following statements regarding the events between 1839 and 1845 in Punjab:
I. Kharak Singh was deposed and later murdered.
II. Nau Nihal Singh died under suspicious circumstances immediately after his father’s funeral.
III. Rani Jindan assumed the role of regent for her minor son, Dalip Singh.
IV. The Dogra brothers, including Dhian Singh, played minimal roles in the court politics of Lahore.
V. The British maintained a policy of aggressive troop buildup along the Sutlej frontier.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Kharak Singh was deposed and later murdered.
II. Nau Nihal Singh died under suspicious circumstances immediately after his father’s funeral.
III. Rani Jindan assumed the role of regent for her minor son, Dalip Singh.
IV. The Dogra brothers, including Dhian Singh, played minimal roles in the court politics of Lahore.
V. The British maintained a policy of aggressive troop buildup along the Sutlej frontier.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The period between 1839 and 1845 was characterized by intense internal strife and the deaths of multiple rulers. Contrary to the idea of having minimal roles, the Dogra brothers, particularly Dhian Singh and Gulab Singh, were central figures in the court politics of Lahore. Their rivalries and influence significantly contributed to the instability that eventually led to British intervention.
Q13. Identify the odd one out among the provisions imposed on the Sikh state following the First Anglo-Sikh War.
Explanation
Following the First Anglo-Sikh War, the British did not immediately annex Punjab. Instead, they imposed a heavy war indemnity, reduced the size of the Sikh standing army, and annexed the fertile Jalandhar Doab. Total annexation only occurred later in 1849, after the Second Anglo-Sikh War, when Lord Dalhousie decided to bring the entire province under direct British imperial rule.
Q14. Consider the following statements regarding the Treaty of Lahore (March 1846):
I. It formally recognized Dalip Singh as the Maharaja of Punjab.
II. The British acquired the territories between the Beas and the Sutlej.
III. The Sikh state had to sell Kashmir to Gulab Singh to pay the war indemnity.
IV. Rani Jindan was removed from her position as Regent.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It formally recognized Dalip Singh as the Maharaja of Punjab.
II. The British acquired the territories between the Beas and the Sutlej.
III. The Sikh state had to sell Kashmir to Gulab Singh to pay the war indemnity.
IV. Rani Jindan was removed from her position as Regent.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Treaty of Lahore in March 1846 recognized Dalip Singh as Maharaja and ceded the territory between the Beas and Sutlej rivers to the British. Additionally, the Sikh state was forced to cede Kashmir, which the British subsequently sold to Gulab Singh to settle part of the war indemnity. Rani Jindan remained regent initially, but her power was curtailed later.
Q15. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The defeat of the Sikh army in the First Anglo-Sikh War was largely due to the treachery of their own commanders.
Statement II: Lal Singh and Tej Singh secretly communicated with the British and abandoned their troops during critical battles.
Choose the correct option:
Statement I: The defeat of the Sikh army in the First Anglo-Sikh War was largely due to the treachery of their own commanders.
Statement II: Lal Singh and Tej Singh secretly communicated with the British and abandoned their troops during critical battles.
Choose the correct option:
Explanation
Historical analysis confirms that the defeat of the Sikh army during the First Anglo-Sikh War was significantly influenced by the treachery of commanders Lal Singh and Tej Singh. They maintained secret communications with British officials and deliberately abandoned their troops during crucial battles like Ferozeshah. Their primary goal was to preserve their own status and influence by ensuring a British victory.
Q16. What was the most appropriate immediate cause for the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Sikh War?
Explanation
The immediate cause of the Second Anglo-Sikh War was the 1848 rebellion of Diwan Mulraj, the governor of Multan. This uprising began when he refused to pay increased revenues to the Lahore Durbar and resulted in the murder of two British officers, Vans Agnew and Lieutenant Anderson. This localized revolt quickly escalated into a widespread national uprising against British interference.
Q17. Match List I with List II regarding the figures and events of the Second Anglo-Sikh War:
| Figure | Event/Description |
|---|---|
| A. Diwan Mulraj | i. Murdered in Multan |
| B. Chattar Singh Attariwala | ii. Rebelled in Hazara |
| C. Vans Agnew | iii. Governor-General who declared war |
| D. Lord Dalhousie | iv. Governor of Multan who revolted |
Explanation
Key figures of the Second Anglo-Sikh War include Diwan Mulraj, who revolted in Multan, and Chattar Singh Attariwala, who led a rebellion in Hazara. The conflict was triggered by the murder of British official Vans Agnew. Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General, utilized these events as a justification to declare war and eventually annex the entire Punjab region to the British.
Q18. Which of the following is an incorrect statement regarding the origins of the Second Anglo-Sikh War?
Explanation
Contrary to being reluctant, Lord Dalhousie was an expansionist who actively sought reasons to annex Punjab. He famously declared that unwarned by precedents, uninfluenced by example, the Sikh nation has called for war, and on my word, sirs, they shall have it. He viewed the regional rebellions in Multan and Hazara as opportunities to finalize the conquest of the subcontinent.
Q19. Consider the following reasons for the discontent among the Sikhs that led to the Second Anglo- Sikh War:
I. Heavy interference of the British Resident in the internal administration of Punjab.
II. Severe economic distress caused by the demobilization of thousands of Khalsa soldiers.
III. The restoration of sovereign powers to the Sikh Panchayats by the British Resident.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Heavy interference of the British Resident in the internal administration of Punjab.
II. Severe economic distress caused by the demobilization of thousands of Khalsa soldiers.
III. The restoration of sovereign powers to the Sikh Panchayats by the British Resident.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Discontent among Sikhs grew due to the heavy-handed interference of the British Resident in Lahore’s internal affairs. Additionally, the large-scale demobilization of the Khalsa army following the First War left thousands of soldiers unemployed, causing severe economic distress. Far from restoring power to traditional Panchayats, the British worked to undermine existing Sikh political structures to consolidate their own administrative control.
Q20. During the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the Sikhs formed an unlikely alliance with which former adversary to fight against the British?
Explanation
During the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the Sikhs formed an unexpected alliance with their traditional enemies, the Afghans, under Dost Mohammad Khan. The Sikhs agreed to return the city of Peshawar to the Afghans in exchange for military support against the British. This partnership highlighted the desperation of the Sikh leaders to expel British influence from the Punjab region at any cost.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (a) Its evolution into a kingmaker, using military Panchayats to dictate terms to the central government. |
| 12 | (c) IV only |
| 13 | (b) The total and immediate annexation of the Punjab into the British Indian Empire. |
| 14 | (b) I, II, and III only |
| 15 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and II explains I. |
| 16 | (a) The rebellion of Diwan Mulraj in Multan and the murder of two British officers. |
| 17 | (a) A-iv, B-ii, C-i, D-iii |
| 18 | (b) Lord Dalhousie was reluctant to engage in war and tried all diplomatic means to appease the Sikh rebels. |
| 19 | (a) I and II only |
| 20 | (c) The Afghans under Dost Mohammad Khan |
Key facts from Anglo-Sikh Wars and Doctrine of Lapse
- Ranjit Singh belonged to the Sukerchakia Misl and captured Lahore from the Bhangi Misl in 1799.
- He was recognised as governor of Lahore after returning Zaman Shah’s lost cannons.
- Fauj-i-Khas was the elite, European-trained regular brigade of the Khalsa army.
- The order of succession after Ranjit Singh was Kharak Singh, Nau Nihal Singh, Sher Singh and Dalip Singh.
- The revolt of Diwan Mulraj at Multan and the murder of two British officers set off the Second Anglo-Sikh War; the Battle of Gujrat is called the Battle of Guns.
- In the Second Anglo-Sikh War the Sikhs allied with the Afghans under Dost Mohammad Khan.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Anglo-Sikh Wars and Doctrine of Lapse?
This page has 31 practice MCQs on Anglo-Sikh Wars and Doctrine of Lapse (Modern Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
To which misl did Ranjit Singh belong?
The Sukerchakia Misl. From this base he united the Sikh misls and captured Lahore from the Bhangi Misl in 1799, going on to build the Sikh empire of the Punjab.
What was the Fauj-i-Khas?
The elite regular brigade of Ranjit Singh’s Khalsa army, trained on European lines by officers such as Ventura and Allard. It was meant to be a disciplined, modern force, apart from the traditional Sikh cavalry.
What triggered the Second Anglo-Sikh War?
The rebellion of Diwan Mulraj at Multan and the murder of two British officers there. The unrest spread, and the Sikhs were finally defeated at the Battle of Gujrat, after which the Punjab was annexed in 1849.