Q311. Among the various reasons debated by historians, what was the primary reason stated by Mahatma Gandhi for his sudden withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922?
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.
Showing 311–320 of 488 questions
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Q312. The historic Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha), which marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930, covered a distance of approximately 240 miles. From where did the march commence?
Explanation
The Dandi March began from Sabarmati Ashram on 12 March 1930 and covered about 240 miles.
Q313. During the Civil Disobedience Movement, the brutal police lathi-charge on peaceful satyagrahis at the Dharasana Salt Works was witnessed and globally reported by which famous American journalist?
Explanation
Webb Miller, an American journalist for United Press, provided a vivid and harrowing account of the events at Dharasana Salt Works. He described the disciplined non-violence of the satyagrahis as they were repeatedly struck down by police lathis. His reporting was published worldwide, bringing significant international pressure on the British government and highlighting the moral strength of the Indian struggle.
Q314. Consider the following demands included in the ‘Eleven Demands’ presented by Mahatma Gandhi to Lord Irwin in 1930:
I. Abolish the salt tax and the government salt monopoly.
II. Reduce military expenditure by 50 percent.
III. Reduce land revenue by 50 percent.
IV. Grant Dominion Status to India immediately.
V. Release all political prisoners, except those convicted of violence.
Which of the above statements are correct?
I. Abolish the salt tax and the government salt monopoly.
II. Reduce military expenditure by 50 percent.
III. Reduce land revenue by 50 percent.
IV. Grant Dominion Status to India immediately.
V. Release all political prisoners, except those convicted of violence.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Gandhi’s eleven demands included reducing military and administrative spending, abolishing the salt tax, and cutting land revenue by half. He also sought the release of political prisoners not convicted of violence. These demands did not explicitly ask for immediate Dominion Status or independence, as they were intended to address various sectoral grievances and test the British government’s willingness to negotiate.
Q315. At the Karachi Session of the Indian National Congress in 1931, two highly significant resolutions were passed alongside the endorsement of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. What were these resolutions primarily concerning?
Explanation
The 1931 Karachi Session of the Congress is notable for adopting resolutions on Fundamental Rights and the National Economic Programme. These documents outlined the vision for a free India, including civil liberties, workers’ rights, and the protection of minorities. By passing these resolutions, the Congress demonstrated that its struggle was not just for political independence but also for social justice.
Q316. Which of the following statements regarding the First Round Table Conference (1930-31) is incorrect?
Explanation
The First Round Table Conference was a significant attempt by the British to discuss constitutional reforms with Indian leaders. While representatives from the Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, and Depressed Classes attended, the Indian National Congress boycotted the event. The absence of the largest political party made the discussions incomplete and led to the realization that no settlement was possible.
Q317. What was the direct cause that prompted Mahatma Gandhi to undertake a ‘fast unto death’ in the Yerwada Central Jail in September 1932?
Explanation
Gandhi began a fast unto death in 1932 specifically to protest the Communal Award’s provision for separate electorates for the Depressed Classes. He argued that this would permanently divide the Hindu community and hinder the eradication of untouchability. His fast created immense pressure on both the British government and Indian leaders to find an alternative solution preserving joint electorates nationwide.
Q318. The historic Poona Pact (1932), which modified the Communal Award, was fundamentally an agreement between which of the following?
Explanation
The Poona Pact was a landmark agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, representing the Depressed Classes. It replaced separate electorates with reserved seats in common constituencies, ensuring that the Depressed Classes remained an integral part of the Hindu electoral roll. This compromise resolved the crisis created by Gandhi’s fast and laid the foundation for future affirmative action policies.
Q319. Which of the following pairs of Mass Movement and the serving British Viceroy at its commencement is correctly matched?
Explanation
The Quit India Movement was launched in 1942 during the viceroyalty of Lord Linlithgow. The Non-Cooperation Movement began in 1920 under Lord Chelmsford, while the Civil Disobedience Movement started in 1930 under Lord Irwin. Lord Reading was the Viceroy when the Non-Cooperation Movement ended and the Swaraj Party was formed. Matching movements with their respective Viceroys is essential for history.
Q320. Which of the following was NOT an achievement or characteristic of the Congress Ministries during their tenure from 1937 to 1939?
Explanation
The Congress Ministries focused on agrarian reform, civil liberties, and educational improvements. They released political prisoners and promoted the Wardha Scheme of basic education. While they supported the growth of Indian industries through various committees, they did not pursue the complete nationalization of large-scale sectors like the cotton textile industry, as their primary focus remained on immediate relief for local peasants.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 311 | (d) The violent incident at Chauri Chaura, which compromised the core principle of non-violence |
| 312 | (c) Sabarmati Ashram |
| 313 | (d) Webb Miller |
| 314 | (a) I, II, III and V |
| 315 | (c) Fundamental Rights and the National Economic Programme |
| 316 | (a) The Indian National Congress participated actively in this conference, represented by Jawaharlal Nehru. |
| 317 | (d) The announcement of the Communal Award providing separate electorates for the Depressed Classes |
| 318 | (b) Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar (representing the Depressed Classes) |
| 319 | (d) Quit India Movement - Lord Linlithgow |
| 320 | (a) Complete nationalization of the cotton textile industry in Bombay and Madras |
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.