Daily Static Quiz (Modern India) October 22, 2025

Question 1:
Who among the following was the immediate cause for the outbreak of the Revolt of 1857?

1. The introduction of the Enfield rifle with greased cartridges

2. The Doctrine of Lapse policy

3. The incident involving Mangal Pandey at Barrackpore

4. The annexation of Awadh

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) All of the above

Question 2:
Consider the following statements about the leadership during the Revolt of 1857:

1. Bahadur Shah Zafar was proclaimed Emperor of India by the rebels

2. Rani Lakshmibai died fighting at Gwalior

3. Tatya Tope was captured and executed by the British

4. Nana Saheb escaped to Nepal and was never captured

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) All of the above

Question 3:
The Indian Councils Act of 1892 introduced which of the following reforms?

1. Direct election of non-official members

2. Right to ask questions in the legislative councils

3. Power to discuss the annual budget

4. Separate electorates for Muslims

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 4 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) All of the above

Question 4:
The Ilbert Bill controversy of 1883 was primarily related to:
(a) Allowing Indian judges to try European defendants in criminal cases
(b) Granting civil service positions to Indians
(c) Introducing local self-government in Indian provinces
(d) Establishing separate electorates for different communities

Question 5:
Which of the following Acts first introduced the system of dyarchy in provincial government?
(a) Indian Councils Act, 1909
(b) Government of India Act, 1919
(c) Government of India Act, 1935
(d) Indian Councils Act, 1892

Question 6:
Who among the following social reformers was primarily associated with the abolition of Sati practice?
(a) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
(b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
(c) Swami Dayanand Saraswati
(d) Jyotiba Phule

Question 7:
Consider the following pairs:

1. Brahmo Samaj – Raja Ram Mohan Roy

2. Arya Samaj – Swami Dayanand Saraswati

3. Satyashodhak Samaj – Jyotiba Phule

4. Widow Remarriage Act – Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) All of the above

Question 8:
The book ‘Satyartha Prakash’ was written by:
(a) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
(b) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
(c) Swami Dayanand Saraswati
(d) Jyotiba Phule

Question 9:
Consider the following statements about the Partition of Bengal (1905):

1. It was announced by Lord Curzon on 20th July 1905

2. Eastern Bengal and Assam had a Muslim majority

3. The partition came into effect on 16th October 1905

4. It was primarily done for administrative convenience

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) All of the above

Question 10:
The ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Boycott’ movements were first adopted as methods of political struggle during:
(a) The agitation against the Partition of Bengal
(b) The Home Rule Movement
(c) The Non-Cooperation Movement
(d) The Quit India Movement

ANSWER KEY AND EXPLANATIONS

Question 1: Answer (a) 1 and 3 only

Explanation: The immediate cause of the 1857 Revolt was the introduction of the new Enfield rifle with cartridges greased with cow and pig fat, which offended both Hindu and Muslim sepoys. The incident involving Mangal Pandey at Barrackpore in March 1857, where he attacked British officers, served as a catalyst. The Doctrine of Lapse policy and annexation of Awadh were underlying causes but not immediate triggers.​

Question 2: Answer (d) All of the above

Explanation: All statements are correct. Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, was proclaimed Emperor of India by the rebels in Delhi. Rani Lakshmibai died fighting bravely at Gwalior in June 1858. Tatya Tope was captured and executed by the British in 1859. Nana Saheb escaped to Nepal and was never captured by the British.​

Question 3: Answer (b) 2 and 3 only

Explanation: The Indian Councils Act of 1892 empowered legislative councils to discuss the budget and pose questions to the executive, enhancing legislative oversight. However, it did not introduce direct elections; instead, it allowed local bodies to recommend members who were ultimately nominated by the government. Separate electorates for Muslims were introduced later in the Indian Councils Act of 1909.​

Question 4: Answer (a) Allowing Indian judges to try European defendants in criminal cases

Explanation: The Ilbert Bill of 1883, introduced by Sir Courtenay Ilbert under Lord Ripon’s administration, aimed to remove racial discrimination by allowing Indian judges and magistrates to preside over cases involving European defendants. This challenged the existing system of European judicial privilege and sparked fierce opposition from the Anglo-Indian community.​

Question 5: Answer (b) Government of India Act, 1919

Explanation: The Government of India Act 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, first introduced the system of dyarchy in provincial government. Under this system, provincial subjects were divided into “Reserved” subjects (under British control) and “Transferred” subjects (under Indian ministers).​

Question 6: Answer (b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Explanation: Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the primary social reformer associated with the abolition of Sati practice. His relentless campaign, supported by the Brahmo Samaj, culminated in the Bengal Sati Regulation of 1829 during Lord William Bentinck’s tenure, which declared Sati illegal. He is often called the “Father of Modern India” for his pioneering reform efforts.​

Question 7: Answer (d) All of the above

Explanation: All pairs are correctly matched. Brahmo Samaj was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828. Arya Samaj was established by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875. Satyashodhak Samaj was founded by Jyotiba Phule in 1873. The Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 was championed by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.​

Question 8: Answer (c) Swami Dayanand Saraswati

Explanation: ‘Satyartha Prakash’ (The Light of Truth) was written by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj. In this book, he propounded his teachings and emphasized that the Vedas were the source of truth and knowledge, advocating a return to Vedic principles.​

Question 9: Answer (d) All of the above

Explanation: All statements are correct. Lord Curzon announced the Partition of Bengal on 20th July 1905. Eastern Bengal and Assam was created with a Muslim majority, while Bengal retained a Hindu majority. The partition came into effect on 16th October 1905. Although portrayed as administrative convenience due to Bengal’s large size and population, it was widely seen as a divide-and-rule policy.​

Question 10: Answer (a) The agitation against the Partition of Bengal

Explanation: The ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Boycott’ movements were first adopted as methods of political struggle during the agitation against the Partition of Bengal in 1905. The Indian National Congress initiated the Swadeshi movement in Bengal as a protest against Lord Curzon’s partition decision, leading to the Boycott movement across the country.

Modern India