488 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on modern Indian history are on this page, in 12 chapters. They cover British expansion and early resistance, the Anglo-Sikh wars, the Revolt of 1857, colonial policies, reform movements, the rise of nationalism, the Gandhian era, revolutionary movements and Partition, and nation-building up to 2000. Each question has an answer and an explanation, in the formats the exam uses.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 171–180 of 488 questions
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RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · British Economic Policies and Their Impact
Q171. Consider the following impacts of the commercialisation of agriculture on the rural economy: I. It integrated the Indian peasant into the vagaries of the national and international markets. II. It led to increasing differentiation among the peasantry, benefitting a small upper stratum. III. It significantly enhanced the food security of landless labourers. IV. It resulted in the expansion of cash crops at the expense of staple food crops. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Commercialisation integrated Indian agriculture into the global market, making peasants dependent on international price trends. It benefitted a small group of wealthy farmers while causing significant social differentiation. The expansion of cash crops often happened at the expense of food crops, which reduced overall food security. Landless labourers did not see improvements in their conditions; instead, they faced increased economic vulnerability.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · British Economic Policies and Their Impact
Q172. What was the effect of the high import duties imposed by the British government on Indian textiles in the early 19th century?
Explanation
High British import duties on Indian textiles in the early nineteenth century closed British markets to Indian goods, which hastened de-industrialisation.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · British Economic Policies and Their Impact
Q173. The MacDonnell Commission of 1900 recommended which of the following measures for famine administration?
Explanation
The MacDonnell Commission of 1900 advocated for a more proactive approach to famine management. It recommended a "moral strategy" where the administration would anticipate crop failures and provide immediate relief. This included the suspension and remission of land revenue, the provision of agricultural loans, and the prompt organization of relief works to prevent the mass starvation seen in previous decades.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · British Economic Policies and Their Impact
Q174. Find the odd one out among the primary causes of peasant indebtedness under British rule.
Explanation
Peasant indebtedness was driven by high revenue demands, coercive legal systems, and the costs of shifting to commercial agriculture. The colonial state did not provide low-interest credit; instead, peasants were forced to rely on private moneylenders. These creditors charged exorbitant interest rates and used the courts to seize land, creating a cycle of debt that became a defining feature of rural India.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · British Economic Policies and Their Impact
Q175. Consider the following statements about the features and aftermath of the Indigo Revolt: I. The planters used armed retainers called lathiyals to coerce the peasants. II. The government appointed the Indigo Commission in 1860 to inquire into the system. III. The Indigo Commission completely exonerated the planters of all wrongdoings. IV. Following the revolt, indigo cultivation was virtually wiped out from Bengal. V. The planters largely shifted their operations to Bihar after the Bengal revolt. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Indigo Revolt saw peasants resisting the brutality of planters and their armed lathiyals. In response, the government formed the Indigo Commission, which found the system deeply exploitative. Consequently, indigo cultivation almost disappeared from Bengal. However, the planters did not stop their activities; instead, many moved their operations to Bihar, where they continued to use similar coercive methods until the twentieth century.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · British Economic Policies and Their Impact
Q176. The ‘Tinkathia’ system, which forced peasants to cultivate a specific crop on a portion of their land, was predominantly associated with which plantation crop?
Explanation
The Tinkathia system was a coercive practice in Bihar where peasants were legally required to grow indigo on three-twentieths of their landholding. This system was highly exploitative and became the focus of major peasant grievances. It was eventually challenged by Mahatma Gandhi during the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917, which led to the system’s abolition and relief for the suffering indigo cultivators.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · British Economic Policies and Their Impact
Q177. Read the given statements regarding the British industrial policy of "discriminating protection" and select the correct option: Statement I: It provided tariff protection to certain Indian industries but under very stringent conditions. Statement II: The policy was primarily designed to fully protect indigenous industries against British imports.
Explanation
After World War I, the British introduced "discriminating protection," which allowed some Indian industries to receive tariff support. However, the conditions for this protection were extremely strict and designed to ensure that British industrial interests were not significantly harmed. The policy was never intended to promote full-scale industrialisation; rather, it was a limited concession to Indian nationalist pressure and changing economic circumstances.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · British Economic Policies and Their Impact
Q178. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer:
Early Modern Industry
Location of First Major Mill/Factory
A. First Cotton Mill (1853/54)
i. Rishra (Bengal)
B. First Jute Mill (1855)
ii. Bombay
C. First Iron and Steel Works (modern attempt)
iii. Serampore
D. First Paper Mill
iv. Kulti / Barakar
Explanation
Modern industry in India began in specific coastal and mineral-rich areas. The first successful cotton mill was established in Bombay in the 1850s. The jute industry was centered in Rishra, Bengal. Early modern attempts at iron and steel production occurred at Kulti and Barakar. Meanwhile, the first major paper mill was founded at Serampore, marking the slow but steady arrival of factory production.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · British Economic Policies and Their Impact
Q179. Which of the following components did NOT constitute a part of the "Home Charges" remitted from India to Britain?
Explanation
Home Charges consisted of payments made by India to Britain for services and obligations, not investments. They included interest on public debt, procurement of military and civil stores, and pensions for British personnel. The concept of the government of India investing in British industries did not exist; rather, the entire system was designed to transfer wealth from the colony to the imperial center.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · British Economic Policies and Their Impact
Q180. Read the given statements regarding the British response to famines and select the correct option: Statement I: The early response of the colonial state to famines was heavily influenced by the economic doctrine of laissez-faire. Statement II: The Famine Code of 1883 completely eradicated famines in India for the remainder of British rule.
Explanation
Early colonial famine policy was heavily constrained by laissez-faire doctrines, which discouraged government intervention in the grain market. While the Famine Code of 1883 established formal relief procedures, it did not end famines. Severe and widespread famines continued to occur, such as the catastrophic 1899-1900 famine and the 1943 Bengal Famine, proving that the colonial response remained inadequate and structurally flawed.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
171
(b) I, II and IV only
172
(b) The closure of British markets to Indian goods, which accelerated de- industrialisation.
173
(d) A ‘moral strategy’ of early anticipation and prompt relief, including revenue suspension.
174
(a) The widespread availability of low-interest credit from state cooperative banks.
175
(a) I, II, IV and V only
176
(a) Indigo
177
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
178
(a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii
179
(c) Government of India investments in British domestic industries.
180
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
Key facts from Modern Indian History
The RPSC syllabus covers the period from the early 19th century to 2000: British imperialism, the Revolt of 1857, colonial policies, reform movements, nationalism, the freedom struggle, Partition and nation-building.
Questions on colonial rule often turn on a single Act or reform and its year, such as the Government of India Act 1858 or the Indian Councils Act 1861.
Freedom-struggle questions pair a movement with its leader, place and date, for example Champaran in 1917 and the Dandi March in 1930.
Statement and chronology questions are common in the freedom struggle chapters, so learn events in order.
The post-independence chapters cover state reorganisation, planning, bank nationalisation and the growth of science and technology.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Modern Indian History?
This page has 488 practice MCQs on Modern Indian History. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the modern Indian history set cover?
Twelve chapters: British imperialism and early resistance, Anglo-Sikh wars and the Doctrine of Lapse, the Revolt of 1857, political and administrative policies, economic policies, socio-religious reform movements, early nationalism, the Gandhian era, revolutionary and regional movements and Partition, state reorganisation, planning and reforms, and science and technology.
Which period does RAS Prelims modern history cover?
RPSC lists the modern period from the early 19th century to 2000, including British imperialism and resistance, the Revolt of 1857, British policies, nationalism, the freedom struggle, Partition and post-independence nation-building.
How should I prepare modern history for RAS Prelims?
Build a timeline of Acts, movements and leaders first. Then attempt each chapter, read the explanation for every miss and note the leader, place and year. Chronology questions are common, so revise the order of events a few times.
