1. Which one of the following was the last Governor of Bengal appointed by the Mughal Emperor?
(a) Sarfraz Khan
(b) Murshid Quli Khan
(c) Alivardi Khan
(d) Shujauddin Muhammad Khan
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]
Ans. (b) Murshid Quli Khan
- Farrukh Siyar, the Mughal Emperor, chose Murshid Quli Khan to be Governor of Bengal in 1717.
- After Murshid Quli Khan died, his son-in-law Shujauddin was appointed to the same position by Muhammad Shah ‘’Rangeela”, the Mughal Emperor.
- Therefore, Murshid Quli Khan was the last Governor of Bengal appointed by the Mughal Emperor.
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2. The last Subedar of Bengal, who was appointed by the Mughal Emperor –
(a) Murshid Quli Khan
(b) Sarfaraz Khan
(c) Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan
(d) Alivardi Khan
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre.) 2021]
Ans (a) Murshid Quli Khan
- In 1717, Farrukh Siyar, the Mughal Emperor, made Murshid Quli Khan the Governor of Bengal.
- When Murshid Quli Khan passed away, his son-in-law Shujauddin was appointed to the position of Governor of Bengal by Emperor Muhammad Shah ‘’Rangeela”.
- This makes Murshid Quli Khan the last Governor of Bengal to be appointed by the Mughal Emperor.
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3. Which of the following wars began the consolidation of British supremacy over India?
(a) Battle of Buxar
(b) Battle of Plassey
(c) Third Battle of Mysore
(d) Independence Struggle of 1857
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (b) Battle of Plassey.
- The British won the Battle of Plassey on June 23, 1757, with Robert Clive as their leader.
- The Nawab’s army, which was led by three disloyal people, Jafar, Yar Latif Khan, and Rai Durlabh, was defeated and the Nawab escaped to Murshidabad.
- This victory gave the British military and business advantages.
- It also gave them control over three major agricultural and craft-producing regions in India:
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4. Sirajuddaula was defeated by Lord Clive in the battle of-
(a) Plassey
(b) Buxar
(c) Munger
(d) Wandiwash
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]
Ans. (a) Plassey
- The British won a battle against Nawab Siraj Ud Daulah on June 23, 1757, which was led by Robert Clive.
- The Nawab’s army had three traitors, Jafar, Yar Latif Khan, and Rai Durlabh, which caused Siraj to flee the battle.
- This victory gave the British military and commercial advantages, and it set up the basis for British rule over three important agricultural and Handcrafting states:
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5. Who was the founder of the British Empire in India?
(a) Warren Hastings
(b) Lord Amherst
(c) Lord Robert Clive
(d) Lord William Bentinck
[Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007]
Ans. (c) Lord Robert Clive
- Lord Robert Clive was the person who started the British Empire in India and made sure it stayed strong by winning the fight against Nawab of Bengal Siraj Ud Daula at Plassey (23 June 1757).
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6. Who among the following has been called a “Heaven Born General”?
(a) Albuquerque
(b) Robert Clive
(c) Francois Dupleix
(d) Lord Cornwallis
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]
Ans. (b) Robert Clive
- Robert Clive served as Governor of India twice, from 1757-1760 and 1765-1767.
- He forced the Nawab of Oudh Shujau Daulah to sign the Treaty of Allahabad, and successfully built a ‘Predatory State’ in Bengal.
- William Pitt described him as a “heaven-born general” due to his skills in both politics and warfare.
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7. Who founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal in Calcutta in 1784?
(a) Jonathan Duncan
(b) William Jones
(c) Warren Hastings
(d) Charles Grant
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]
Ans. (b) William Jones
- William Jones set up the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784.
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8. The battlefield of Plassey is situated in –
(a) Bihar
(b) Andhra Pradesh
(c) Orissa
(d) West Bengal
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (d) West Bengal
- The Palasi (now called Plassey) battlefield is near the Bhagirathi River in the Nadia district of West Bengal.
- On June 23rd, 1757, the British East India Company’s army, led by Robert Clive, won a famous battle against the Nawab of Bengal Siraj Ud Daulah at Plassey.
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9. The Battle of Plassey was fought in the year.
(a) 1761
(b) 1757
(c) 1760
(d) 1764
[Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007, M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (b) 1757
- The Plassey battlefield is located near the Bhagirathi River in the Nadia district of West Bengal.
- On June 23, 1757, the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, won a major battle against the forces of the Nawab of Bengal, Sirajuddaulah, at Plassey.
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10. Which of the following shifted his capital from Murshidabad to Munger?
(a) Alivardi Khan
(b) Siraj-ud-Daula
(c) Mir Jafar
(d) Mir Qasim
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2005, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2003]
Ans. (d) Mir Qasim
- Mir Qasim was the best leader out of all of Nawab Alivardi Khan’s successors.
- He showed his skill as the leader of Purnia and Munger.
- He moved his capital from Murshidabad to Munger to stay safe from Calcutta’s constant interference and the troubles in Murshidabad.
- He also set up his army like the Europeans.
- He set up a factory in Munger to make tanks and matchlock guns.
- He worked to fix the state’s financial state.
- People who had stolen money were heavily fined and he put in new taxes and raised the old tax collection by 3/32.
- He also collected one more tax called ‘Khiri Jama’, which was kept hidden by officials before.
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11. The most decisive battle that led to the establishment of the supremacy of the British in India was :
(a) The Battle of Buxar
(b) The Battle of Plassey
(c) The Battle of Wandiwash
(d) The Third Battle of Panipat
[U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2003, U.P. U.D.A./ L.D.A. (Pre) 2002, U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 1990]
Ans. (a) The Battle of Buxar
- On October 22nd, 1764, the British Army led by Major Hector Munro defeated the forces of the Mughal emperor, Nawab of Oudh, and Shuja-ud-Daula in the Battle of Buxar.
- This battle was an important result of the Plassey battle, and it established British power over Banaras and Allahabad.
- The Battle of Buxar was the proof that there was no strong competition for the British.
- It made it official that the British had control over India.
- According to Sir James Stephen, the Battle of Buxar was even more important than the Battle of Plassey in establishing British power in India, as the Battle of Plassey was won through treachery.
- The Battle of Buxar showed the strength of the English armies and military skills, and it raised the political prestige of the Company throughout India.
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12. Who was the ruler of Delhi at the time of the battle of Buxar?
(a) Aurangzeb
(b) Shah Alam I
(c) Bahadur Shah Zafar
(d) Shah Alam II
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]
Ans. (d) Shah Alam II
- On October 22, 1764, the British Army led by Major Hector Munro defeated the combined forces of Mir Qasim, Nawab of Oudh Shuja-ud-Daula, and Mughal emperor Shah Alam II in the Battle of Buxar.
- This battle was important because it established British control over Banaras and Allahabad.
- It showed that there was no strong competitor to the British and it completed what the Battle of Plassey started.
- Sir James Stephen said that the Battle of Buxar was more important than the Battle of Plassey in terms of British power in India because Plassey was won by deceit while the Battle of Buxar showed English military superiority.
- Plassey made the British the rulers of Bengal while the Battle of Buxar increased the political power of the British Company in India.
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13. Who was the Nawab of Bengal when the Battle of Buxar was fought?
(a) Sirajuddaula
(b) Mir Jafar
(c) Mir Qasim
(d) Najm Ud Daula
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]
Ans. (b) Mir Jafar
- On October 22, 1764, a battle took place between the British East India Company, led by Hector Munro, and the combined army of Mir Qasim, the Mughal King Shah Alam-II, and the Nawab of Awadh.
- Mir Jafar was the ruler of Bengal at the time.
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14. Out of the following, the most decisive battle fought by the English East India Company was
(a) Battle of Buxar
(b) Battle of Plassey
(c) First Anglo-Sikh War
(d) First Anglo-Mysore War
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]
Ans. (a) Battle of Buxar
- On October 22nd, 1764, British East India Company troops led by Hector Munro fought against an army consisting of Mir Qasim, Mughal King Shah Alam-II, and the Nawab of Awadh.
- At the time, Mir Jafar was the ruler of Bengal.
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15. The first decisive military success of the English East India Company in India is marked by –
(a) Battle of Buxar
(b) Battle of Plassey
(c) Battle of Panipat
(d) Battle of Haldighati
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (a) Battle of Buxar
- Hector Munro, a major, won a huge victory against the combined army of Mir Qasim, Shuja Ud Daula, and Shah Alam- II at Buxar on October 22nd, 1764.
- After this, no one was able to challenge the British Empire.
- This is why the battle of Buxar is seen as the first big win for the English East India Company in India.
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16. Which one of the following is considered to be the most significant battle in the establishment of British supremacy in India?
(a) Buxar
(b) Plassey
(c) Shrirangapattana
(d) Wandiwash
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]
Ans. (a) Buxar
- The Battle of Plassey marked the beginning of British rule in Bengal, while the Battle of Buxar made the British the rulers of all of India.
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17. With reference to the Hindu Nayab Wazirs of Oudh Sultanate, which of the following statements(s) is/are correct?
1. Raja Tikait Rai was ‘Artha Mantri’ of Nawab Aasafudaullah.
2. Usually there were certain Hindu castes who were placed at the high positions in the State of Nawabs of Oudh.
Select the correct answer from the code given below.
Code:
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
[U.P.R.O. / A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]
Ans (c) Both 1 and 2
- Raja Tikai Rai was the Financial Minister of Nawab Aasafudullah of Oudh.
- Certain Hindu castes were usually given important roles in the Nawab’s state of Oudh.
- So option (c) is the right answer.
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18. Which one of the following rulers had granted Diwani to the East India Company?
(a) Farukhsiyar
(b) Shah Alam- I
(c) Shah Alam- II
(d) Shujauddaula
[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2006, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2003]
Ans. (c) Shah Alam- II
- The Second Treaty of Allahabad was agreed upon in August 1765, with the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II being put under the protection of the East India Company.
- He was given Allahabad and Kada as his living space, and in exchange the Emperor gave the Company legal authority over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
- The Company had to pay the Emperor an annual payment of Rs 26 Lakhs and Rs 53 Lakhs for the Nizamat.
- Robert Clive was the Governor of the East India Company in Bengal at this time.
- This agreement gave the East India Company rule over India, including Delhi.
- Shah Alam II’s successors, Akbar II and Bahadurshah II, became pensioners of the East India Company.
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19. Who granted the Diwani of Bengal to the East India Company in 1765?
(a) Nawab of Bengal
(b) Mughal Emperor
(c) British Monarch
(d) The Afghan King
[U.P. P.S.C. (GIC) 2010]
Ans. (b) Mughal Emperor
- The Second Treaty of Allahabad in 1765 meant that the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II was protected by the East India Company and would live in Allahabad.
- Robert Clive, the Governor of the East India Company in Bengal, was given control over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
- In exchange, the Company had to pay Shah Alam II Rs 26 Lakhs each year and Rs 53 Lakhs for the expenses of the Nizamat.
- This gave the East India Company control over all of India, including Delhi.
- After Shah Alam II, his successors Akbar II and Bahadurshah II also became pensioners of the East India Company.
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20. During which Governor’s tenure, Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha were granted to East India Company by Emperor Shah Alam?
(a) Lord Clive
(b) Lord Cornwallis
(c) Lord Wellesley
(d) Lord William Bentinck
[U.P. P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004]
Ans. (a) Lord Clive
- The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II was taken under the protection of the East India Company and was given Allahabad and Kada.
- In return, the Company had to pay him an annual amount of Rs 26 Lakhs and give Rs 53 Lakhs for the Nizamat.
- The emperor also gave the Company the right to rule Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
- This was when Robert Clive was the Governor of the East India Company in Bengal.
- This started British rule in India, including Delhi, and the future rulers of the Mughal dynasty became pensioners of the East India Company.
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21. Emperor Shah Alam- II gave the Diwani of Bengal – Bihar and Orissa to East India Company on –
(a) 12 August, 1765
(b) 18 August, 1765
(c) 29 August 1765
(d) 21 August 1765
[48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (a) 12 August, 1765
- The Second Treaty of Allahabad was signed in August 1765 between the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and the East India Company.
- Shah Alam II was taken under the Company’s protection and was given Allahabad and Kada as a reward.
- The Emperor allowed the Company to have control over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in exchange for an annual payment of Rs 26 Lakhs and Rs 53 Lakhs for the Nizamat.
- Robert Clive was the Governor of the East India Company in Bengal during that time.
- This allowed the East India Company to have control over India, including Delhi.
- Akbar II and Bahadurshah II, successors of Shah Alam II, became pensioners of the East India Company.
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22. In which of the following year, was the authority of the British established over the fort of Prayagraj (U.P.)?
(a) 1790 A.D.
(b) 1792 A.D.
(c) 1796 A.D.
(d) 1797 A.D.
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre.) 2021]
Ans (d) 1797 A.D.
- Akbar constructed the Allahabad Fort between 1583-84.
- After the Battle of Buxar in 1765, the Treaty of Allahabad was signed and British East India Company troops were stationed in the fort.
- Saadat Ali Khan then gave the fort to the company in 1797.
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23. Where was the Western presidency situated in the early period of the East India Company?
(a) Surat
(b) Satara
(c) Bombay
(d) Panaji
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (a) Surat
- In the beginning of the East Indian Company’s rule, Surat was the administrative center in the western part of India.
- The East Indian Company began by setting up a factory in the port city of Surat, and the presidency remained there until it was moved to Bombay.
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24. Who was appointed Deputy Diwan of Murshidabad by Robert Clive after the Allahabad Treaty?
(a) Mohd. Raza Khan
(b) Shitab Rai
(c) Rai Durlabh
(d) Syed Ghulam Hussain
[45th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001]
Ans. (a) Mohd. Raza Khan
- The Second Treaty of Allahabad in 1765 stated that the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II would be protected by the British Company and had to live in Allahabad.
- The Company was given the right to collect taxes in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa by the Emperor, who would get an annual payment of Rs 26 Lakhs and Rs 53 Lakhs for ‘Nizamat’ expenses.
- Since the Company did not want to take charge of the tax collection and couldn’t do it, two Indians, Mohammad Raza Khan and Raja Shitab Rai, were hired to collect taxes.
- All tax-related activities were conducted by the Indians but were approved by the British Company.
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25. With which one of the following mountain tribes did the British first come into contact with after the grant of Diwani in the year 1765?
(a) Garo
(b) Khasi
(c) Kuki
(d) Tipperah
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2002]
Ans. (b) Khasi
- In 1765, the British took control of Sylhet and after the Burma war, Scott attempted to build roadways to connect Sylhet with the hilly regions of Jaintia and Garo.
- The Khasi people rebelled under the guidance of U Tirot Singh.
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26. Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the battles fought in India in the 18th Century?
(a) Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Buxar-Battle of AmburBattle of Plassey
(b) Battle of Ambur-Battle of Plassey-Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Buxar
(c) Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Plassey-Battle of Ambur-Battle of Buxar.
(d) Battle of Ambur-Battle of Buxar-Battle of WandiwashBattle of Plassey.
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2005]
Ans. (b) Battle of Ambur-Battle of Plassey-Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Buxar
- The Battle of Ambur in August 1749 saw Muzaffar Jung, Chanda Sahib, and the French defeat and kill Anwar-ud-din.
- Muzaffar Jung became the Subedar of Deccan and Duplex was appointed Governor of the Mughal territories south of the river Krishna.
- The Nizam gave up some of the northern circars to the French, and a French army led by Bussy was stationed in Hyderabad.
- The Battle of Plassey in June 1757 was between the Nawab of Bengal Sirajuddaula and the British Army.
- The British won, and Mir Jafar was placed on the throne by Robert Clive.
- In return, Mir Jafar gave the British an area known as 24 Pargana and gave Clive a reward of 2,34,000 pounds.
- The Battle of Wandiwash in January 1760 was between the French and British, and the British won with Sir Eyre Coote as its leader and French troops led by Count de Lally.
- The Battle of Buxar in October 1764 was between allied forces of Mir Qasim, Shujauddaula, Shah Alam II, and the British.
- The British, led by Hector Munro, defeated the allied forces.
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27. Name the French Commander who was defeated in the battle of Wandiwash in 1760.
(a) Count Lally
(b) Francis Martin
(c) Dupleix
(d) None of the above
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (a) Count Lally
- At the Battle of Ambur near Bellore in August 1749, the armies of Muzaffar Jung, Chanda Sahib, and the French defeated and killed Anwar-ud-din.
- Muzaffar Jung became the ruler of Deccan, Duplex was appointed Governor of Mughal territories south of the Krishna River, and the Nizam gave some northern districts to the French.
- At the Battle of Plassey in June 1757, the British Army won over the Nawab of Bengal, Sirajuddaula, and placed Mir Jafar on the throne.
- In exchange, Mir Jafar gave the area 24 Pargana south of Calcutta to the British and 2,34,000 pounds to Robert Clive.
- The Battle of Wandiwash in January 1760 was a fight between the British and the French; the British were victorious and led by Sir Eyre Coote while the French had Count de Lally as their leader.
- Finally, at the Battle of Buxar in October 1764, the British led by Hector Munro won over the allied forces of Mir Qasim, Shujauddaula, and Shah Alam II.
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28. In the Battle of Wandhiwash (1760) –
(a) French defeated the British
(b) British defeated the British
(c) British defeated the French
(d) Dutch defeated the British
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]
Ans. (c) British defeated the French
- At the Battle of Ambur in August 1749, the armies of Muzaffar Jung, Chanda Sahib, and the French defeated and killed Anwar-ud-din, and Muzaffar Jung became the Subedar of Deccan.
- The Nizam gave the French some territories in the northern circars and the French placed Bussy in charge of Hyderabad.
- The Battle of Plassey in June 1757 saw the British Army defeat the Nawab of Bengal, Sirajuddaula, and Mir Jafar was put on the throne by Robert Clive who also got 24 Pargana as a reward.
- At the Battle of Wandiwash in January 1760, the French were defeated by the British led by Sir Eyre Coote, and the British also won the Battle of Buxar in October 1764 against allied forces of Mir Qasim, Shujauddaula, and Shah Alam II, led by Hector Munro.
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29. The famous Battle of Wandiwash in 1760 was fought by the British against whom?
(a) The French
(b) Spain
(c) Mysore
(d) Carnatic
(e) None of the above/ More than one of the above
[66th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2020]
Ans (a) The French
- The Battle of Ambur in August 1749 saw the combined forces of Muzaffar Jung, Chanda Sahib, and the French defeat and kill Anwar-ud-din.
- Muzaffar Jung became the Subedar of Deccan.
- The French were given control of the Mughal territories south of the river Krishna and a French army was stationed in Hyderabad.
- At the Battle of Plassey in June 1757, the British Army fought and defeated the Nawab of Bengal, Sirajuddaula, giving them control of Bengal.
- Mir Jafar was given the throne in exchange for ceding an area of the south of Calcutta and rewarding Robert Clive with a personal gift of 2,34,000 pounds.
- The Battle of Wandiwash in January 1760 saw the French defeated by the British, led by Sir Eyre Coote.
- The Battle of Buxar in October 1764 saw the British, led by Hector Munro, defeat the allied forces of Mir Qasim, Shujauddaula, and Shah Alam II.
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30. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
(a) Battle of Buxar – Mir Jafar Vs. Clive
(b) Battle of Wandiwash – French Vs. East India Company
(c) Battle of Chilianwala – Dalhousie Vs. Marathas
(d) Battle of Khurda – Nizam Vs. East India Company
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1995]
Ans. (b) Battle of Wandiwash – French Vs. East India Company
- The Battle of Buxar in October 1764 was a fight between British forces led by Hector Munro and an alliance of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-doula, and Shah Alam II.
- It was the first major victory of the English East India Company in India.
- The Battle of Wandiwash was fought in 1760 between the French and East India Company, which resulted in the French losing their power in India.
- The Battle of Chilianwala in 1849 was fought between the British Army led by Lord Gough and the Sikh Army led by Sher Singh, and the outcome was inconclusive.
- At that time, Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General of India.
- The Battle of Khurda/Kharda in 1795 saw the Marathas defeating the Nizam.
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31. Which of the following opposed the British in India vigorously?
(a) Maratha
(b) Mughal
(c) Rajputana
(d) Sikh
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993]
Ans. (a) Maratha
- The Marathas strongly opposed the British in India.
- After three wars between the British and the Marathas, the Marathas were defeated.
- The Marathas had built their empire upon the ruins of the Mughal Empire, and the British had taken advantage of this.
- The British lost the first Anglo Maratha War and the war ended with the Treaty of Salbai.
- In 1802, Lord Wellesley tricked the Peshwa into an alliance with the British.
- Finally, in 1818, Lord Hastings made sure that the British had control over the Maratha.
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