Q11. Who among the following Governors abolished the system of Dual Government in Bengal?
Modern Indian History: RAS Prelims MCQs
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.
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Q12. Which of the following statements correctly identifies a critical early step taken by Hyder Ali in his rise to power in Mysore?
Explanation
Hyder Ali recognized early on that military modernization was essential to withstand both Maratha and British pressure. With French assistance, he established a sophisticated arsenal at Dindigul in 1755 to manufacture modern weapons. This technological advancement, combined with his tactical brilliance, allowed him to modernize the Mysore army and consolidate his power as the state’s de facto ruler.
Q13. Match List I: (Personalities) with List II: (Role/ Description in the Mysore context) and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Personalities | Role/Description in the Mysore context |
|---|---|
| A. Nanjaraj | i. Titular ruler of Mysore |
| B. Hyder Ali | ii. Dalwai who controlled Mysore before Hyder Ali |
| C. Chikka Krishnaraja Wodeyar | iii. Maratha Peshwa who repeatedly defeated Hyder Ali |
| D. Madhavrao | iv. Commander who rose to become the de facto ruler of Mysore |
Explanation
Nanjaraj served as the powerful minister or Dalwai who initially controlled the administration of Mysore. Hyder Ali rose through the ranks of the army to become the actual ruler, while Chikka Krishnaraja Wodeyar remained the titular monarch. Madhavrao, the energetic Maratha Peshwa, proved to be a formidable adversary who defeated Hyder Ali in several military campaigns during the 1760s.
Q14. Which of the following regions was NOT an early target of Hyder Ali’s territorial expansion?
Explanation
Hyder Ali focused his territorial expansion on the southern and western regions of the Indian peninsula. He successfully annexed territories such as Bidnur, Sira, and the Malabar coast to increase Mysore’s wealth and maritime access. Awadh, being a major province in Northern India, was far beyond his geographic sphere of influence and was never a target of his military campaigns.
Q15. What was a primary cause for the Marathas launching expeditions against Hyder Ali between 1764 and 1771?
Explanation
The Marathas claimed the right to collect Chauth, a form of tribute, from various southern territories. Hyder Ali’s rapid rise and his refusal to acknowledge Maratha suzerainty or pay the demanded tributes led to several invasions by Peshwa Madhavrao. These conflicts were primarily driven by the Maratha desire to maintain their regional dominance and secure their traditional revenue sources.
Q16. Consider the following statements about the alliances during the First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-1769):
I. The British initially formed a tripartite alliance with the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Marathas against Hyder Ali.
II. Hyder Ali successfully used diplomacy to break the British alliance, winning over the Marathas and the Nizam.
III. The war ended with the total defeat of the British forces at Seringapatam.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The British initially formed a tripartite alliance with the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Marathas against Hyder Ali.
II. Hyder Ali successfully used diplomacy to break the British alliance, winning over the Marathas and the Nizam.
III. The war ended with the total defeat of the British forces at Seringapatam.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The British initially organized a coalition with the Nizam and Marathas to contain the rising power of Mysore. However, Hyder Ali’s diplomatic skill enabled him to persuade the Marathas to withdraw and the Nizam to join him. While he advanced to the gates of Madras, the war concluded with a peace treaty rather than a total British defeat.
Q17. Which treaty successfully concluded the First Anglo-Mysore War?
Explanation
The First Anglo-Mysore War ended in 1769 with the signing of the Treaty of Madras. This agreement was unique because it was dictated by Hyder Ali after his forces reached the outskirts of the British capital in the south. It restored captured territories to both parties and established a framework for future cooperation between the Company and the Mysore state.
Q18. The immediate cause of the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-1792) was Tipu Sultan’s attack on:
Explanation
Tipu Sultan’s attack on Travancore in 1789 served as the immediate trigger for the Third Anglo- Mysore War. Since the Raja of Travancore was a close ally of the British, the East India Company viewed the attack as an act of war against them. This allowed Lord Cornwallis to form a coalition with the Marathas and the Nizam to crush Tipu.
Q19. Consider the following statements regarding the Third Anglo-Mysore War and the Treaty of Seringapatam:
I. Lord Cornwallis personally commanded the British forces.
II. The Marathas and the Nizam allied with Tipu Sultan against the British.
III. Tipu Sultan had to surrender half of his dominions to the victors.
IV. A heavy war indemnity of over 3 crore rupees was imposed on Tipu.
V. Two of Tipu Sultan’s sons were taken as hostages by the British.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Lord Cornwallis personally commanded the British forces.
II. The Marathas and the Nizam allied with Tipu Sultan against the British.
III. Tipu Sultan had to surrender half of his dominions to the victors.
IV. A heavy war indemnity of over 3 crore rupees was imposed on Tipu.
V. Two of Tipu Sultan’s sons were taken as hostages by the British.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Lord Cornwallis personally led the campaign that resulted in the siege of Seringapatam. Unlike previous wars, the Marathas and the Nizam fought alongside the British against Tipu. The resulting treaty was devastating for Mysore, as Tipu lost half his territory, paid a massive indemnity, and surrendered his sons as hostages to ensure the fulfillment of the treaty terms.
Q20. Which of the following territories was NOT ceded by Tipu Sultan to the British under the Treaty of Seringapatam?
Explanation
In the Treaty of Seringapatam (1792) Tipu Sultan gave up about half his territory, including Malabar, Dindigul and Baramahal. He kept Seringapatam, so it is not among the cessions.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (d) Warren Hastings |
| 12 | (c) He established a modern arsenal at Dindigul with the help of French experts. |
| 13 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 14 | (d) Awadh |
| 15 | (a) Hyder Ali refused to pay the traditional Chauth to the Marathas. |
| 16 | (a) I and II only |
| 17 | (a) Treaty of Madras |
| 18 | (c) The Raja of Travancore |
| 19 | (a) I, III, IV and V only |
| 20 | (c) Seringapatam city |
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.