Which event is generally regarded as the beginning of the First Anglo-Sikh War?
✓ Explanation: Explanation: The Sikh army crossed the Sutlej River in December 1845, leading to open war with the British.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 2 / 15 MediumNational
Which place is associated with Danish East India Company?
✓ Explanation: Explanation: Danish - Tranquebar 1620 (Tamil Nadu) and Serampore (West Bengal). Sold to British in 1845. Known for missionary activity - first Protestant missionaries Ziegenbalg.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 3 / 15 MediumNational
Which of the following was NOT introduced by Portuguese in India?
✓ Explanation: Explanation: Portuguese introduced printing press (1556 Goa), tobacco, potato, cashew, pineapple. Indigo cultivation was promoted by British for export. Gotis system was Portuguese form of bonded labour in Goa.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 4 / 15 MediumNational
Battle of St. Thome (1746) during First Carnatic War is significant because:
✓ Explanation: Explanation: St Thome - French under Dupleix's captain Paradis with small disciplined force defeated Mahfuz Khan, son of Nawab Anwaruddin. Proved Indian armies with traditional warfare were no match for modern European disciplined army with artillery. Turning point in Indian military history.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 5 / 15 MediumNational
The 'Cartaz' system used by Portuguese refers to:
✓ Explanation: Explanation: Cartaz was a naval pass - compulsory license to sail in Indian Ocean. Without it, ships were seized. It was first maritime extortion system, later copied by Dutch and English.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 6 / 15 MediumNational
Who was the last ruler of the Sikh Empire?
✓ Explanation: Explanation: Maharaja Dalip Singh, the youngest son of Ranjit Singh, became the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 7 / 15 MediumNational
Consider: 1. François Martin founded Pondicherry in 1674 2. First French factory in India was at Surat 1668. 3. French HQ was Pondicherry. Correct?
✓ Explanation: Explanation: All correct. Surat 1668 first, but Pondicherry 1674 became main. Martin was founder of Pondicherry.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 8 / 15 MediumNational
Which territory was transferred to the British under the Treaty of Lahore?
✓ Explanation: Explanation: Under the settlement of 1846, the Sikh state ceded territories including Kashmir, which was subsequently transferred by the British to Gulab Singh under a separate arrangement.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 9 / 15 MediumNational
Sir Thomas Roe visited the court of Jahangir as ambassador of:
✓ Explanation: Explanation: Roe came 1615 as ambassador of James I to Jahangir. Hawkins came 1608 as representative of EIC with letter from James I too. Elizabeth I gave charter in 1600 but died 1603.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 10 / 15 MediumNational
Consider statements: 1. Dutch defeated Portuguese and captured Nagapattinam 2. English defeated Dutch at Battle of Bedara 1759 3. French failed due to Battle of Wandiwash. Correct?
✓ Explanation: Explanation: All correct. Dutch captured Nagapattinam from Portuguese in 1658. Battle of Bedara (Chinsura) 1759 - English under Forde defeated Dutch - ended Dutch power in Bengal. Wandiwash 1760 ended French.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 11 / 15 MediumNational
Farrukhsiyar's Farman of 1717 (Magna Carta of British) granted:
✓ Explanation: Explanation: 1717 Farman gave EIC duty-free trade in Bengal (Rs 3000/yr), Gujarat and Hyderabad. Misused by Company servants for private trade - cause of conflict with Bengal Nawabs leading to Plassey.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 12 / 15 MediumNational
The term 'Black Hole Tragedy' is associated with:
✓ Explanation: Explanation: June 1756 - Siraj captured Calcutta (Fort William), allegedly 146 English locked in small 18x14 ft room, 123 died. Holwell reported. British used as propaganda to justify Plassey. Historians doubt numbers.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 13 / 15 MediumNational
Battle of Colachel (1741) is significant because:
✓ Explanation: Explanation: Colachel - Travancore army defeated Dutch East India Company. Commander De Lannoy captured, later helped build Travancore army. First major Asian victory over European power. UPSC favorite.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 14 / 15 MediumNational
Dutch East India Company (VOC) was formed in 1602. Where was its first permanent factory/fort in India?
✓ Explanation: Explanation: Masulipatnam 1605 was temporary. First permanent fortified factory was Pulicat 1610 (Fort Geldria). Later HQ moved to Nagapattinam (after capturing from Portuguese). Chinsura was in Bengal.
Relevant for: UPSC
Question 15 / 15 MediumNational
Maharaja Ranjit Singh died in which year?
✓ Explanation: Explanation: Ranjit Singh died on 27 June 1839. His death was followed by political instability and struggles for power within the Sikh Empire.