Modern History of India questions with answers

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Questions asked in State PSC and UPSC prelims, by topic. Each topic also has notes to read.

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1. Which of the following statements about Sir Syed Ahmad Khan is/are correct? He argued that India was a federation of ethnic communities based on common descent. His philosophy was very similar to that of the Indian National Congress. He imagined India as a Nation State based on individual citizen's rights. The curriculum at the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College blended Muslim theology and European empiricism. Select the correct answer using the code given below.Asked in UPSC CDS 1 2018
2. Consider the following statements : 1. Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College was founded at Aligarh by Sayyid Ahmad Khan. 2. Sayyid Ahmad Khan was a great believer in religious toleration, and Hindus, Parsis and Christians had contributed to the funds of his college. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?Asked in UPSC NDA 1 2021
3. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was opposed to Muslims joining the Congress because: (i) He feared that this would attract retaliation from the British. (ii) He suspected that the Congress would be dominated by HindusAsked in OPSC CS Prelims 2021
4. What was the primary aim of ‘Aligarh Movement’ ?Asked in UKPSC CS Prelims 2024
5. Which Reformer does the following passage relate to ? “He insisted on the cooperation of the Muslims with the British Government and looked at all political movements with distrust. Thus, when the Indian National Congress was formed, he opposed it. He regarded education and education alone as the means of national progress.” Select the correct answer using the code given below :Asked in UPSC CAPF 2009
6. __________ was the centre of the Aligarh movement.Asked in WBPSC CS Prelims 2017
7. Who is known as the “Father of Muslim Renaissance in Bengal” ?Asked in UPPCS Prelims 2009
8. Which of the following movements was started with an aim to spread modern western education amongst the Muslims of India ?Asked in APPSC Panchayat secretary Prelims 2016
9. Who was the founder of Mohammadn Anglo Oriental College ?Asked in Executive Officer and Tax & Revenue Inspector Exam 2023
10. In the early decades of the twentieth century, caste movements began to proliferate in the Indian society. Which of the following movements are related to caste-consciousness, leading to caste-movements in particular regions ? (a) Satyashodhak Samaj in Maharashtra (b) Self- respect agitation in Tamilnadu (c) Ghadar movement in Punjab (d) Bijolia movement in Rajasthan Select the correct answer from the code given below:Asked in APSC CCE Prelims Exam 2018
11. It aimed to liberate the lower castes, untouchables, and women from the oppression of Brahmanical domination and the caste system. It was explicitly a movement addressing caste hierarchy and discrimination. (b) The Self-Respect Movement, founded by E.V. Ramasamy 'Periyar' in Tamil Nadu in 1925, was a radical social movement that challenged the caste system, particularly Brahmin hegemony, and advocated for the rights, dignity, and self-respect of non-Brahmins. It was fundamentally a caste-based reform movement. (c) The Ghadar Movement (early 20th century) was primarily an anti-colonial movement aimed at overthrowing British rule in India, organized by Indian immigrants, mostly Punjabis, living abroad. While caste identities might have existed among its members, its core ideology and actions were nationalist and revolutionary, not centered around challenging the caste system within India. (d) The Bijolia Movement (1913-1941) in Rajasthan was a long- standing peasant movement against excessive land revenue demands, begar (forced labour), and other feudal exactions imposed by the Jagirdar of Bijolia.Asked in BPSC Prelims Exam 65th
12. The Self-Respect Movement was initiated byAsked in UPSC CDS 2 2021
13. Who formed the 'Satya Shodhak Samaj' ?Asked in CGPSC Prelims Exam 2018
14. A non-Brahmin movement emerged in south India under the leadership of E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker 'Periyar' is known as .........................Asked in GPSC Prelims CSP 1 2018
15. - The movement aimed at achieving a society where backward castes have equal opportunities, promoting self-respect among them, and challenging the caste-based inequalities and Brahminical dominance. - It advocated for social reform, rationalism, anti-casteism, and women's rights. 16. Who was the founder of Satyashodhak Samaj ?Asked in HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2010
16. Given below are two statements : Statement I : B. R. Ambedkar started Vaikam Satyagrah in 1924 for temple entry of untouchables. Statement II : Jyotiba Phule was not associated with Republican Party. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :Asked in HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2024
17. In 1889, who called a meeting of barbers in Bombay and discouraged them from tonsuring women ?Asked in MPSC CS Prelims 2020
18. Match the social reformers with their literature : (a) Vitthal Ramji (i) Ishara Shinde (b) Dadoba Pan‐ (ii) Dharmavivechan durang (c) Gopal Hari (iii) Bhartiya Asprushatecha Deshmukh Prashna (d) Jyotirao Phule (iv) JatibhedAsked in MPSC CS Prelims 2021
19. Who defended Chiplunkar's attack on Mahatma Jyotirao Phule through his newspaper, considered as the beginning of non Brahmin journalism ?Asked in MPSC CS Prelims 2023
20. Which one of the following is a feature of thought and philosophy of the Kandukuri Viresalingam ?Asked in UPSC NDA 1 2017
21. The Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth-Seeking Society) was set up byAsked in UPSC NDA 1 2022
22. Which of the following was popularly known as the "Firebrand of South India" ?Asked in PPSC CS Prelims 2018
23. With whom can we associate the following quotes? "Be Educated, Be Organized and Be Agitated" "I like the religion that teaches liberty, equality and fraternity" "Life should be greater rather than long"Asked in TNPSC CS Prelims 2021
24. Which of the following incidents led Thanthai Periyar to agitate for Communal reservation :Asked in TNPSC CS Prelims 2021
25. Identify the Personality: (a) He was honoured with such titles as Rao Sahib, Rao Bahadur and Divan Bahadur for his selfless social services he did for the marginalized in the caste order. (b) His autobiography is Jeeviya Saritha Surukkam which is one of the earliest autobiographies. (c) He founded the Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha. Who he is?Asked in TNPSC CS Prelims 2021