Indian History MCQs 16 (For UPSC PSC and other prelims exams)

by Prince Luthra Sir (UPSC CSE AIR 577) · 19 March 2025

51. Consider the following statements about the Indian National Army (INA):

The INA was formed by Mohan Singh in 1942.
Subhas Chandra Bose renamed the INA as ‘Azad Hind Fauj.’
The INA played a crucial role in India’s independence movement by launching direct military actions against the British.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

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✅ Answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3

📖 Explanation:

The Indian National Army (INA) was initially formed by Mohan Singh in 1942 in Singapore (✔).
Subhas Chandra Bose later took over and renamed it ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ (✔).
The INA fought against the British in Burma and the North-East region (✔).

52. Who among the following is credited with the introduction of the Wood’s Despatch (1854)?

(a) Lord William Bentinck
(b) Charles Wood
(c) Lord Dalhousie
(d) Lord Ripon

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✅ Answer: (b) Charles Wood

📖 Explanation:
Charles Wood introduced the Wood’s Despatch in 1854, which laid the foundation of the modern education system in India, promoting English-based education.

53. Consider the following statements regarding the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919):

It introduced the system of Dyarchy in provincial administration.
It provided for the first time, direct elections to the legislature.
It granted India Dominion status.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Tap here for Answer

✅ Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

📖 Explanation:

The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) introduced Dyarchy in provincial administration, dividing subjects into Reserved and Transferred (✔).
It introduced direct elections for the first time in India (✔).
It did not grant Dominion status; that came later with the Cripps Mission (1942) (✘).

54. Who among the following was the first Indian Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?

(a) C.D. Deshmukh
(b) B.R. Ambedkar
(c) Morarji Desai
(d) R.K. Shanmukham Chetty

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✅ Answer: (a) C.D. Deshmukh

📖 Explanation:
C.D. Deshmukh was the first Indian Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from 1943 to 1949.

55. Consider the following statements regarding the Charter Act of 1813:

It ended the monopoly of the East India Company in trade with India.
It allowed Christian missionaries to spread education in India.
It introduced the principle of revenue farming in India.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

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✅ Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

📖 Explanation:

The Charter Act of 1813 ended the East India Company’s monopoly over trade with India, except for tea and opium (✔).
It allowed Christian missionaries to propagate religion and promote education in India (✔).
The concept of revenue farming was introduced earlier during the Mughal era (✘).

56. Who among the following led the Rowlatt Satyagraha in Punjab?

(a) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Lala Lajpat Rai
(c) Sardar Udham Singh
(d) Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew

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✅ Answer: (d) Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew

📖 Explanation:
Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew led the Rowlatt Satyagraha in Punjab, opposing the Rowlatt Act (1919). He was arrested, leading to mass protests and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

57. The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought between?

(a) Akbar and Rana Sanga
(b) Akbar and Maharana Pratap
(c) Babur and Rana Sanga
(d) Jahangir and Amar Singh

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✅ Answer: (b) Akbar and Maharana Pratap

📖 Explanation:
The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought between Akbar’s forces (led by Man Singh I) and Maharana Pratap. Though Pratap escaped, the battle became a symbol of Rajput resistance.

58. Consider the following statements about the Wavell Plan (1945):

It proposed an interim government with equal representation for Hindus and Muslims.
It was rejected by the Muslim League.
It led to the formation of the Constituent Assembly.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

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✅ Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

📖 Explanation:

The Wavell Plan (1945) proposed an interim government with equal representation for Hindus and Muslims (✔).
It was rejected by the Muslim League, which demanded full partition (✔).
It did not lead to the Constituent Assembly, which was formed later under the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) (✘).

59. Who introduced the Subsidiary Alliance system in India?

(a) Lord Dalhousie
(b) Lord Wellesley
(c) Lord Cornwallis
(d) Lord Canning

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✅ Answer: (b) Lord Wellesley

📖 Explanation:
Lord Wellesley introduced the Subsidiary Alliance system, forcing Indian rulers to accept British military protection in exchange for political control.