First, this article gives you 20 original MCQ on British expansion and policies in Indian history. Moreover, the questions cover battles, treaties, land revenue systems, and administrative reforms. As a result, you will learn how the Company grew from a trading body into a ruling power. Besides, RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC aspirants can use these moderate-level questions for steady practice. Also, any student who likes modern Indian history can benefit. For example, you can solve five questions a day and check each answer. Then, read the Extra Information to build strong background knowledge. Finally, take a free mock test to measure your progress.
Early British Expansion: Battles and Treaties
Q1
In which year did Robert Clive defeat Siraj-ud-Daulah at the Battle of Plassey?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) 1757
First, Robert Clive led the Company army against Siraj-ud-Daulah at Plassey. Moreover, Mir Jafar betrayed the Nawab and helped the Company win. As a result, the Company gained strong influence over Bengal. However, the Company fully secured its power only after Buxar in 1764. Thus, exam setters often treat Plassey as a turning point.
Q2
Which treaty of 1765 gave the Company the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) Treaty of Allahabad
Also, Robert Clive signed this treaty with Emperor Shah Alam II in 1765. In addition, the emperor gave the Company the right to collect revenue in three regions. Because of this, the Company controlled income without ruling directly. For example, the Company paid the emperor a yearly tribute of 26 lakh rupees. Finally, this arrangement created the dual government system in Bengal.
Q3
Which Mysore ruler died while he defended Srirangapatna in 1799?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Tipu Sultan
In fact, Tipu Sultan fought the Company in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. Besides, Lord Wellesley ordered the final attack on Srirangapatna in 1799. Therefore, the Company took control of Mysore after Tipu’s death. Instead, the Company restored the Wodeyar family under a subsidiary alliance. Overall, this war ended a major southern challenge to British power.
Q4
Which war ended the Peshwa’s rule in 1818?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: D) Third Anglo-Maratha War
Meanwhile, Lord Hastings led the Company campaign against the Maratha chiefs. Then, Peshwa Baji Rao II surrendered in 1818. As a result, the Company abolished the Peshwa’s office. Moreover, the Company sent Baji Rao II to Bithur with a pension. Thus, the Marathas lost their place as a leading Indian power.
Annexation and Expansion Policies
Q5
Which Governor-General annexed Punjab in 1849?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Lord Dalhousie
First, the Company defeated the Sikh army in the Second Anglo-Sikh War. Then, Lord Dalhousie annexed Punjab in 1849. Afterward, the Company sent Maharaja Duleep Singh to England. In addition, Dalhousie started railways, telegraph lines, and a modern postal system. Therefore, exams often link Dalhousie with both annexation and modernisation.
Q6
Which state first accepted the Subsidiary Alliance in 1798?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Hyderabad
In fact, Lord Wellesley designed the Subsidiary Alliance to control Indian rulers. Moreover, the ruler accepted a British army inside his state. In addition, the ruler paid for that army and needed approval to hire other Europeans. As a result, Indian rulers lost control over their foreign affairs. For example, Awadh accepted the alliance in 1801.
Q7
Which state did Dalhousie annex first under the Doctrine of Lapse in 1848?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) Satara
Next, Dalhousie applied the Doctrine of Lapse to Satara in 1848. The Company refused to accept adopted heirs without its approval. Later, the Company annexed Jhansi, Nagpur, and Sambalpur by the same rule. Hence, many rulers felt insecure and angry. Therefore, historians link this policy with the Revolt of 1857.
Q8
Which ruler lost his kingdom when the Company annexed Awadh in 1856?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: D) Wajid Ali Shah
Besides, Dalhousie annexed Awadh in 1856 and removed Wajid Ali Shah. However, the Company claimed misgovernance instead of using the Doctrine of Lapse. Because of this, many soldiers from Awadh felt deep anger. Moreover, the Company sent the Nawab to Calcutta with a pension. In short, this step added fuel to the Revolt of 1857.
Q9
Which Governor-General followed the Policy of Ring Fence?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Warren Hastings
First, Warren Hastings wanted to protect Company land by using buffer states. For example, Awadh served as a shield against Maratha threats. Also, Hastings served as the first Governor-General of Bengal. In contrast, Wellesley later chose a more aggressive policy. Finally, exam questions often compare these two approaches.
Land Revenue and Economic Policies
Q10
Which Governor-General introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) Lord Cornwallis
First, Cornwallis fixed the land revenue permanently in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. Moreover, zamindars became landowners and paid a fixed sum to the Company. As a result, the Company gained a steady income. However, peasants suffered because zamindars often raised rents. Thus, the Company could not increase its revenue later.
Q11
Which officer helped shape the Ryotwari system in Madras?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Thomas Munro
In fact, the Ryotwari system dealt directly with individual cultivators. Besides, Thomas Munro and Alexander Read shaped it in Madras. Later, the Company applied a similar system in Bombay. However, officials revised the tax rates every 20 to 30 years. Overall, this system gave peasants ownership rights but high taxes.
Q12
Which revenue system made settlements with whole village communities in the North-Western Provinces?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: D) Mahalwari System
Next, Holt Mackenzie proposed the Mahalwari system in 1822. Also, the Company used it in the North-Western Provinces and Punjab. Therefore, the whole village shared responsibility for payment. For instance, village headmen collected revenue on behalf of the community. In contrast, the Permanent Settlement dealt only with zamindars.
Q13
Which leader explained the drain of wealth in “Poverty and Un-British Rule in India”?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Dadabhai Naoroji
Furthermore, Dadabhai Naoroji studied how Britain took wealth out of India. For instance, he argued that Britain took Indian money without fair return. Because of this, Indian poverty grew while British profits rose. Later, R.C. Dutt supported this view in his economic history of India. Finally, Indian leaders used this idea to criticise colonial rule.
Administrative, Legal, and Educational Policies
Q14
Which Act of 1773 created the post of Governor-General of Bengal?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) Regulating Act
First, the Regulating Act made Bengal’s governor the Governor-General. Also, it set up the Supreme Court at Calcutta in 1774. Because of this, the British government gained more oversight of the Company. However, the Act kept the Governor-General’s power limited by his council. Thus, Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General.
Q15
Which Act first set aside one lakh rupees yearly for Indian education?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Charter Act of 1813
Moreover, this Act ended the Company’s trade monopoly, except for tea and the China trade. In addition, it set aside one lakh rupees yearly for education. Also, it allowed Christian missionaries to work in India. As a result, British traders entered the Indian market more freely. However, the Company still ruled Indian territory until 1858.
Q16
Which official wrote the famous Minute on education in 1835?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: D) Thomas Babington Macaulay
Then, Macaulay argued for English as the medium of higher education. Besides, he wanted to train Indians as interpreters between rulers and people. Consequently, Governor-General William Bentinck accepted his view in 1835. However, Orientalist scholars favoured Sanskrit, Arabic, and Persian learning. Thus, the English Education Act shaped Indian schooling for decades.
Q17
Which 1854 document do historians call the “Magna Carta of English Education in India”?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Wood’s Despatch
Also, Charles Wood sent this despatch to the Company in 1854. Moreover, it called for universities at Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. Afterward, the Company opened these universities in 1857. In addition, the despatch supported teacher training and education for girls. Overall, it created a base for modern education in India.
Crown Rule and Later Viceroys
Q18
Which Act of 1858 transferred Indian rule from the Company to the Crown?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) Government of India Act
In fact, the Revolt of 1857 pushed Britain to end Company rule. As a result, the Crown took direct control through the Secretary of State for India. Moreover, a council of fifteen members advised the Secretary of State. Also, the Governor-General received the new title of Viceroy. Finally, Queen Victoria’s proclamation of 1858 promised fair treatment to Indians.
Q19
Which Viceroy do people call the “Father of Local Self-Government in India”?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Lord Ripon
First, Lord Ripon passed the Local Self-Government Resolution in 1882. Besides, he gave elected members a larger role in local boards. Additionally, he repealed the Vernacular Press Act in 1882. However, the Ilbert Bill of 1883 faced strong opposition from Europeans. Therefore, many Indians respected him for his reforms.
Q20
Which Viceroy partitioned Bengal in 1905?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: D) Lord Curzon
In fact, Curzon argued that Bengal was too large to manage. However, many Indians believed the move aimed to divide Hindus and Muslims. As a result, the Swadeshi and boycott movements grew strongly. Later, the British government reversed the partition in 1911. Finally, the government announced a capital shift from Calcutta to Delhi in the same year.
Final Thoughts on British Expansion and Policies MCQ
Overall, these British expansion MCQ covered the key battles, treaties, and annexations. Moreover, you saw how the Subsidiary Alliance and the Doctrine of Lapse widened Company control. In addition, the questions explained land revenue systems such as the Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari. Furthermore, you reviewed laws and education policies, from the Regulating Act to Wood’s Despatch. Therefore, you should practise these MCQ again and review every Extra Information note. Next, take a timed free mock test to improve your speed and accuracy. Also, revise viceroys and their policies in a simple table. Finally, keep practising daily, because steady effort builds confidence for RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC exams.