BPSC Prelims previous year questions (PYQs) on Modern History are crucial for understanding the exam pattern and frequently asked topics. This section covers British expansion in India, socio-religious reforms, freedom movements, economic policies, and key personalities. Analyzing these PYQs helps aspirants identify important themes, track question trends, and focus on high-scoring areas for effective preparation.
68th BPSC Prelims
1. The Swadeshi and Boycott were adopted as the methods of struggle for the first time during the
(a) Home Rule Movement
(b) Visit of the Simon Commission to India
(c) Partition of Bengal
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (c)
Explanation: The Swadeshi and Boycott movements were launched in response to the Partition of Bengal in 1905. The objective was to promote indigenous goods while boycotting British goods to resist colonial rule.
2. At the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress (INC) held in 1906, the Flag of Swaraj for India was unfurled by
(a) G.K Gokhale
(b) A.O Hume
(c) Dadabhai Naoroji
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (c)
Explanation: At the 1906 session in Calcutta, Dadabhai Naoroji declared “Swaraj” as the goal of the Congress, which laid the foundation for India’s demand for self-rule.
3. During the freedom struggle, a parallel movement launched in the Indian States (in the States ruled by Indian rulers such as Kashmir, Nizam’s Hyderabad, Travancore, etc.) was
(a) State People’s Movement
(b) Praja Mandal Movement
(c) Swaraj Movement
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (b)
Explanation: The Praja Mandal Movement was launched in princely states to demand civil rights and democratic governance, inspired by the larger freedom struggle.
4. Which of the following statements are not correct regarding the Non-Cooperation Movement in the towns?
1. Only the upper caste and the rich took part in the movement.
2. The council elections were boycotted even by the Justice Party of Madras.
3. Thousands of students left government-controlled schools, headmasters and teachers resigned, and lawyers gave up their practice.
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (c)
Explanation: The Non-Cooperation Movement saw mass participation from various sections, not just the rich and upper castes. The Justice Party did not boycott council elections, as they wanted to gain power in the absence of Congress participation.
5. Which one of the following was a journal brought out by Abul Kalam Azad?
(a) The Comrade
(b) Al-Hilal
(c) Zamindar
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (b)
Explanation: Abul Kalam Azad launched Al-Hilal in 1912 to promote nationalist ideas among Indian Muslims and counter British propaganda.
6. Which of the following statements regarding the Indian Freedom Struggle is not correct?
(a) Gandhiji withdrew from the Non-Cooperation Movement due to the Chauri-Chaura incident.
(b) Gandhiji gave his first major public speech at Banaras Hindu University.
(c) Mahatma Gandhi was arrested in the year 1921.
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (c)
Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi was arrested multiple times, but his major arrest related to the Non-Cooperation Movement occurred in 1922, not 1921.
7. How did the study of history help in creating a feeling of nationalism in India towards the end of the 19th century?
(a) By reinterpreting history and refuting the British portrayal of Indians as backward, primitive, and incapable of governing themselves.
(b) By writing about India’s glorious past and urging people to take pride in their achievements.
(c) By urging people to struggle and change the miserable conditions of life under British rule.
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (d)
Explanation: Nationalist historians like R.C. Majumdar and others highlighted India’s rich cultural and political past, countering British narratives and inspiring the freedom struggle.
8. Who was the founder of All India Harijan Sangh in 1932?
(a) Jagjivan Ram
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (b)
Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi founded the All India Harijan Sangh to work for the upliftment of Dalits and eradicate untouchability.
9. Which of the following movements was launched against the partition of Bengal?
(a) Khilafat Movement
(b) Swadeshi Movement
(c) Non-Cooperation Movement
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (b)
Explanation: The Swadeshi Movement (1905) was launched as a direct response to the partition of Bengal and aimed to promote indigenous industries.
10. Which Congress session declared complete independence (Purna Swaraj) as its goal?
(a) Calcutta Session, 1928
(b) Lahore Session, 1929
(c) Madras Session, 1927
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (b)
Explanation: The Lahore Session of 1929, under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, officially adopted the resolution for Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence).
11. The famous Kakori Conspiracy Case took place in the year
(a) 1921
(b) 1925
(c) 1928
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (b)
Explanation: The Kakori Train Robbery (1925) was executed by Hindustan Republican Association revolutionaries to fund their activities against British rule.
12. Which one of the following was the first political organization established in India in 1838?
(a) The Bengal British India Society
(b) The British Indian Association
(c) The Zamindari Association
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (c)
Explanation: The Zamindari Association (1838), also known as the Landholders’ Society, was the first political organization advocating for Indian landowners’ rights.
13. The revolutionary organization “Abhinav Bharat Society” was founded by
(a) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
(b) Lala Lajpat Rai
(c) Bhagat Singh
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (a)
Explanation: V.D. Savarkar founded Abhinav Bharat Society in 1904 to promote revolutionary activities against British rule.
14. Who among the following was not associated with the Ghadar Party?
(a) Lala Har Dayal
(b) Bhagat Singh
(c) Sohan Singh Bhakna
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (b)
Explanation: Bhagat Singh was associated with Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), not the Ghadar Party, which was founded by Indians in the USA and Canada.
15. Who was the first Indian to be elected to the British Parliament?
(a) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Dadabhai Naoroji
(c) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Ans: (b)
Explanation: Dadabhai Naoroji was elected as a Member of Parliament in the UK in 1892, representing the Liberal Party.
Also Read: BPSC Prelims PYQs: Ancient and Medieval History
Also Read: BPSC Prelims PYQs Subject Wise
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