1. The British would be responsible for protecting their ally from external threats only.

2. In the territory of the ally, a British armed contingent would be stationed.

3. The ally could enter into agreements with other rulers or engage in warfare without the permission of the British.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Lord Wellesley created the Subsidiary Alliance system in 1798.

— All parties to this kind of alliance with the British were required to agree to the following terms and conditions:

(a) The British would be responsible for protecting their ally from external and internal threats to their power. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

(b) In the territory of the ally, a British armed contingent would be stationed. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

(c) The ally would have to provide the resources for maintaining this contingent.

(d) The ally could enter into agreements with other rulers or engage in warfare only with the permission of the British. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Source: ncert.nic.in)

QUESTION 2

With reference to the sengol — frequently seen in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is a royal scepter signifying qualities linked to the correct wielding of power.

2. On important occasions, the sengol was placed before the goddess Meenakshi and then transferred to the throne room which represents the king’s role as a divine agent.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremonially installed the Sengol — the “sceptre of righteousness”, an ancient South Indian symbol of dharmic kingship — near the Speaker’s chair in India’s new Parliament building last May.

— A sengol — or chenkol — is a royal sceptre, signifying kingship, righteousness, justice, and authority, among other qualities linked to the correct wielding of power. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Its origins lie in Tamil Nadu, and it served as a royal emblem.

— Among the Madurai Nayakas, for example, the sengol was placed before the goddess Meenakshi in the great temple on important occasions, and then transferred to the throne room, representing the king’s role as a divine agent. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

The term kamioti and harwahi in the Indian history are associated with:

(a) Practice of land grabbing

(b) Bonded labour

(c) Ports on the eastern coast

(d) Administrative personnel

Explanation

— Santhal Hul of 1855 was a revolt against imperialism led by four brothers, Sidho, Kanho, Chand, and Bhairav ​​Murmu, along with sisters Phulo and Jhano.

— June 30 was the 169th anniversary of the beginning of the revolt, one of the first peasant uprisings against British colonial oppression.

— The Santhals also battled to protect the economic, cultural, and religious facets of their lives from the upper castes, zamindars, darogas, and moneylenders, collectively referred to as “diku.”

— Santhals were promised farmland and habitation in Damin-i-Koh; however, what actually transpired was the oppressive practice of harwahi and kamioti begari, or bonded labor.

— The Murmu brothers led some 60,000 Santhals in guerrilla warfare against the East India Company for about six months until being ultimately routed on January 3, 1856. The brothers believed they were acting on the Santhal God Thakur Bonga’s prophecy.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Consider the following events:

1. Champaran satyagraha

2. Kheda satyagraha

3. Labor dispute in Ahmedabad

4. Non-cooperation movement

What is the correct chronological order of these above given events?

(a) 1—3—2—4

(b) 1—2—3—4

(c) 3—1—2—4

(d) 1—2—4—3

Explanation

— Mahatma Gandhi spent much of 1917 in Champaranfighting for the peasants’ security of tenure and the ability to farm the crops of their choice.

— In 1918, Gandhiji took part in two campaigns in his home state of Gujarat:

— First, he interfered in a Labor dispute in Ahmedabad (February 1918)demanding improved working conditions for textile factory employees.

— Then he joined the peasants Kheda (March 1918) in asking the authorities for a tax refund when their harvest failed.

— Then, in 1919, the colonial rulers handed Gandhiji a subject around which he could build a far larger movement.

— The Rowlatt Satyagraha established Gandhiji as a true national leader. Gandhiji advocated a campaign of “Non-Cooperation” (August 1920) with British administration. Indians who wanted colonialism to cease were told not to attend schools, colleges, or law courts, and to stop paying taxes.

— Gandhiji felt that by pairing non-cooperation with Khilafat, India’s two largest religious populations, Hindus and Muslims, could work together to eliminate colonial control.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Source: ncert.nic.in)

QUESTION 5

Which kingdom was described as “a cherry that will drop into our mouth one day” by Governor General Lord Dalhousie in 1851?

(a) Hyderabad

(b) Bikaner

(c) Awadh

(d) Punjab

Explanation

— In 1851 Governor General Lord Dalhousie described the kingdom of Awadh as “a cherry that will drop into our mouth one day”.

— In 1856, the kingdom was formally annexed to the British Empire. The conquest happened in stages:

— The Subsidiary Alliance was imposed on Awadh in 1801. According to the terms of this partnership, the Nawab was required to dissolve his armed forces, enable the British to post their troops within the country, and follow the advice of the British Resident who would now be linked to the court.

— The Nawab became increasingly reliant on the British to preserve law and order in the country. He could no longer maintain authority over the rebel chiefs and taluqdars.

— Meanwhile, the British believed the land was suitable for producing indigo and cotton, and the region was well-positioned to become Upper India’s primary market.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Source: ncert.nic.in)

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 65)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 64)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 64)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 64)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 64)

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