UPSC Prelims 2023
Modern History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 3 solved UPSC Prelims 2023 Modern History questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — The Charter Act of 1833
The Charter Act of 1833 was a landmark legislation that centralized administrative control in British India. It redesignated the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India, granting him authority over the entire British territorial possessions in India with unified civil and military powers. Lord William Bentinck became the first Governor-General of India under this Act, which also stripped the Governors of Bombay and Madras of their legislative powers, vesting exclusive legislative authority for all of British India in the Governor-General.
📝 Short Notes: Charter Acts and Constitutional Developments
| Act | Year | Key Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| Regulating Act | 1773 | Created Governor-General of Bengal (Warren Hastings); established Supreme Court at Calcutta |
| Pitt's India Act | 1784 | Established dual government system; created Board of Control |
| Charter Act | 1793 | Extended Company's trade monopoly for 20 years; increased salaries of Board of Control members |
| Charter Act | 1813 | Ended Company's trade monopoly except tea and China trade; promoted education |
| Charter Act | 1833 | Governor-General of Bengal became Governor-General of India; ended commercial functions of Company; opened civil services to Indians |
| Charter Act | 1853 | Separated legislative and executive functions; introduced competitive examination for civil services |
With reference to the Indian History, Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Archaeological excavations
All five individuals mentioned—Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess, and Walter Elliot—were prominent archaeologists and researchers who contributed significantly to archaeological excavations and documentation in colonial India, particularly in South India. They were instrumental in discovering and preserving Buddhist and ancient Indian heritage sites such as Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda, and Pallavaram.
📝 Short Notes: British Archaeologists in Colonial India
| Archaeologist | Period | Major Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Rea | 1858-1924 | Worked mainly in South India; unearthed a sarcophagus from Pallavaram hillocks in Tamil Nadu |
| A. H. Longhurst | 1876-1955 | Archaeologist and art historian; directed systematic excavations at Nagarjunakonda (1927-1931) |
| Robert Sewell | 1845-1925 | Civil servant in Madras Presidency; conducted archaeological work at Amaravati Buddhist stupa |
| James Burgess | 1832-1916 | Founded Indian Antiquary (1872); served as Director General, Archaeological Survey of India (1886-89) |
| Walter Elliot | 1803-1887 | Visited Amaravati site (1854); collected sculpture panels crucial for understanding South Indian Buddhist art |
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I: 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day.
Statement-II: It was in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was launched on the same day.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
National Handloom Day is observed annually on 7th August to honour handloom weavers and highlight India's handloom industry. The date was specifically chosen to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement on 7th August 1905 at Calcutta Town Hall, which aimed at reviving domestic products and production processes in protest against the partition of Bengal.
✅ Statement-I – Correct: 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day, first observed in 2015.
✅ Statement-II – Correct: The Swadeshi Movement was launched on 7th August 1905 at Calcutta Town Hall.
Since the date of National Handloom Day was deliberately chosen to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement's launch, Statement-II correctly explains Statement-I.
📝 Short Notes: Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908)
- Launch Date: 7th August 1905 at Calcutta Town Hall in response to the Partition of Bengal announced by Lord Curzon
- Objective: Boycott of British goods and promotion of Indian-made products (Swadeshi goods) as a form of economic nationalism
- Key Features: Boycott of foreign goods, promotion of indigenous industries (especially handloom textiles), establishment of Swadeshi stores, and mass participation
- Leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, Aurobindo Ghosh
- Methods: Public meetings, processions, formation of Swadeshi Samitis, use of Swadeshi or indigenous goods, and establishment of national educational institutions
- Impact: First mass movement involving various sections of society; laid foundation for future mass movements and promoted indigenous industries, particularly handlooms
- National Handloom Day: Instituted by Government of India in 2015, celebrated on 7th August to honor the contribution of handloom weavers and the Swadeshi spirit
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UPSC Prelims 2023 - Modern History Chapter-wise Distribution
Indian National Congress and Early Nationalists
1 Qs (33.3%)Education, Press and Cultural Awakening
1 Qs (33.3%)Constitutional and Administrative Developments
1 Qs (33.3%)UPSC Prelims 2023 - Modern History Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Modern History questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2023?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Modern History in UPSC Prelims 2023?
- Indian National Congress and Early Nationalists: 1 questions (33.3%)
- Education, Press and Cultural Awakening: 1 questions (33.3%)
- Constitutional and Administrative Developments: 1 questions (33.3%)