History MCQ Practice — TNPSC Group 1 (Indian, Tamil Nadu & World History)

How to Use This Practice Set

Work through each set in 35 minutes (50 questions = 42 seconds each — slightly more than Group 4 pace since questions are longer). Mark uncertain answers and review after. Target 70%+ for a strong base.

Set 1 — Ancient & Medieval Indian History (15 Questions)

1. The Indus Valley Civilisation is characterised by which of the following? 1. Town planning with grid pattern streets 2. Evidence of iron smelting technology 3. Standardised weights and measures 4. Script that has been fully deciphered

• a) 1 and 3 only
• b) 1, 3 only ✓
• c) 2, 3 and 4
• d) 1, 2 and 3

Iron was unknown to Indus people; they used copper/bronze. The script remains undeciphered.

2. Match the following Vedic texts with their content:

• a) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
• b) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
• c) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4 ✓
• d) A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2

3. Ashoka's Dhamma included which of the following principles? 1. Non-violence towards all living beings 2. Respect for parents and elders 3. Conversion of all subjects to Buddhism 4. Tolerance of all religious sects

• a) 1, 2 and 4 only
• b) 1, 2 and 4 only ✓
• c) 1, 3 and 4
• d) All of the above

Ashoka's Dhamma was not about forcing Buddhism — it was an ethical code. He promoted tolerance of all sects.

4. The Gupta period is called the "Golden Age of India." Which of the following is NOT correctly associated with it?

• a) Aryabhata's work on mathematics and astronomy
• b) Kalidasa's literary works
• c) Kautilya's Arthashastra ✓
• d) Fa Hien's visit to India

Arthashastra was composed by Kautilya during the Maurya period (4th century BCE), not the Gupta period.

5. Arrange the following in chronological order: 1. Battle of Tarain 2. Battle of Panipat (First) 3. Battle of Plassey 4. Battle of Haldighati

• a) 1-2-4-3
• b) 1-2-4-3 ✓
• c) 2-1-4-3
• d) 1-4-2-3

Tarain (1191–92) → Panipat I (1526) → Haldighati (1576) → Plassey (1757)

6. Which of the following statements about the Bhakti Movement is/are correct? 1. It emphasised direct personal devotion to God without priestly intermediaries 2. Kabir reconciled Hinduism and Islam through his dohas 3. Mirabai was a disciple of Ramanuja 4. The movement opposed the caste system

• a) 1, 2 and 3
• b) 1, 2 and 4 ✓
• c) 2, 3 and 4
• d) All of the above

Mirabai was a devotee of Lord Krishna — she was not a disciple of Ramanuja (who belonged to the 11th–12th century).

7. Akbar's policy of "Sulh-i-Kul" referred to:

• a) Military conquest of all territories
• b) Universal peace and tolerance towards all religions ✓
• c) Land revenue reforms
• d) Policy of diplomatic marriages

8. The Vijayanagara Empire's administrative system is known for: 1. Nayankara system (military land grants) 2. Ayagar system (village officials with hereditary rights) 3. Powerful central bureaucracy that suppressed local governance

• a) 1 only
• b) 1 and 2 only
• c) 1 and 2 only ✓
• d) All three

The Vijayanagara system decentralised through Nayankara and Ayagar systems — it was NOT a highly centralised bureaucracy.

9. Which Mughal emperor abolished the Jizya tax on non-Muslims, and which emperor re-imposed it?

• a) Akbar abolished; Jahangir re-imposed
• b) Humayun abolished; Shah Jahan re-imposed
• c) Akbar abolished; Aurangzeb re-imposed ✓
• d) Akbar abolished; Babur re-imposed

10. The "Doctrine of Lapse" was associated with:

• a) Lord Cornwallis
• b) Lord Wellesley
• c) Lord Dalhousie ✓
• d) Lord Canning

Dalhousie used the Doctrine of Lapse (1848–56) to annex states without a natural heir — Punjab, Awadh, Satara, Jhansi, Nagpur.

11. Which of the following pairs is INCORRECTLY matched?

• a) Permanent Settlement — Lord Cornwallis
• b) Subsidiary Alliance — Lord Wellesley
• c) Ryotwari System — Lord Cornwallis ✓
• d) Doctrine of Lapse — Lord Dalhousie

Ryotwari System was introduced by Thomas Munro (later Lord Munro) in Madras Presidency — not Cornwallis.

12. The revolt of 1857 is described by different historians as: 1. V.D. Savarkar — First War of Indian Independence 2. Sir John Seeley — Sepoy Mutiny 3. R.C. Majumdar — Neither a national war nor a war of independence

Which of the above are correctly matched?

• a) 1 and 2 only
• b) 2 and 3 only
• c) 1 and 3 only ✓
• d) All three

Sir John Lawrence (not Seeley) called it a Sepoy Mutiny. Seeley wrote "Expansion of England." However, it was British officials who generally called it a mutiny.

13. The concept of "Economic Drain" from India was systematically developed by:

• a) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
• b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
• c) Dadabhai Naoroji ✓
• d) Surendranath Banerjee

Naoroji's book "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India" (1901) developed the drain theory. He calculated how British rule drained India's wealth.

14. Which of the following governors-general/viceroys banned Sati?

• a) Lord Cornwallis
• b) Lord Hastings
• c) Lord William Bentinck ✓
• d) Lord Dalhousie

William Bentinck passed the Bengal Sati Regulation (1829) banning the practice — influenced by Ram Mohan Roy's campaign.

15. The "Transfer of Power" on August 15, 1947, was under which British Act?

• a) Government of India Act, 1935
• b) Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946
• c) Indian Independence Act, 1947 ✓
• d) Mountbatten Plan

The Indian Independence Act 1947 (passed by British Parliament, July 18, 1947) provided legal framework for independence and partition.

Set 2 — Tamil Nadu History (15 Questions)

16. The Sangam Age literature is classified into which two broad categories?

• a) Agam and Puram
• b) Akam and Puram ✓
• c) Thogai and Pattu
• d) Mela and Keel

Akam = interior/love poetry; Puram = exterior/heroic/war poetry. Eight Anthologies (Ettuthogai) + Ten Idylls (Pathupattu).

17. The Five Landscape (Tinai) classification of Sangam poetry associates which landscape with love-in-separation?

• a) Kurinji (mountains) — union
• b) Palai (desert) — separation ✓
• c) Mullai (forest) — patient waiting
• d) Marudam (agricultural) — infidelity

18. The Pallava dynasty's architectural contribution to Tamil Nadu includes: 1. Rock-cut rathas at Mahabalipuram 2. Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram 3. Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur 4. Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram

• a) 1, 2 and 4 only
• b) 1 and 3 only
• c) 1, 2 and 4 only ✓
• d) All four

Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur was built by Chola king Rajaraja I — not the Pallavas.

19. Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014 CE) is known for which of the following? 1. Building the Brihadeeswara Temple (Big Temple) at Thanjavur 2. Conquering Sri Lanka (Lanka conquest) 3. Establishing the first Chola naval expedition to Southeast Asia

• a) 1 only
• b) 1 and 2 only
• c) 1 and 2 only ✓
• d) All three

The major Southeast Asian naval expedition (against Srivijaya kingdom) was by Rajendra Chola I (son of Rajaraja I) around 1025 CE.

20. Who among the following Tamil leaders is called "Perunthalaivar" (Great Leader)?

• a) V.O. Chidambaram Pillai
• b) Subramania Bharati
• c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak ✓
• d) C. Rajagopalachari

"Perunthalaivar" is a title given to Bal Gangadhar Tilak — also called "Lokmanya." V.O.C. is called "Kappalottiya Tamilan."

21. V.O. Chidambaram Pillai (V.O.C.) launched which swadeshi shipping company?

• a) Indian Navigation Company
• b) Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company ✓
• c) Tamil Nadu Shipping Corporation
• d) Madras Maritime Company

Founded in 1906 to break British monopoly on sea routes. V.O.C. partnered with Bal Gangadhar Tilak. British pressured it to close.

22. The Self-Respect Movement was founded in 1925 by:

• a) B.R. Ambedkar
• b) Mahatma Gandhi
• c) E.V. Ramasamy Periyar ✓
• d) C.N. Annadurai

23. Which of the following statements about Subramania Bharati is correct? 1. He was born at Ettayapuram in Tirunelveli district 2. His poem "Kuyil Pattu" is about the nightingale 3. He worked as a journalist for the "Swadesamitran" 4. He participated in the Surat session of INC (1907)

• a) 1 and 3 only
• b) 1, 2 and 4
• c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 ✓
• d) 2, 3 and 4 only

24. The Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–25) in Kerala, supported by Periyar, was primarily about:

• a) Demand for temple entry for untouchables
• b) Right of untouchables to use public roads near temples ✓
• c) Abolition of devadasi system
• d) Self-respect marriages

25. C. Rajagopalachari ("Rajaji") was the only Indian to serve as Governor-General of India. He held which of the following positions? 1. Last Governor-General of India (1948–50) 2. Chief Minister of Madras Province 3. Home Minister of India under Nehru 4. Founder of Swatantra Party

• a) 1, 2 and 4
• b) 2 and 4 only ✓
• c) 1, 3 and 4
• d) All four

Rajaji was Governor-General (not the last — Mountbatten preceded him briefly in 1947–48; Rajaji served 1948–50). He was CM of Madras twice and founded Swatantra Party (1959). He was NOT Home Minister — that was Sardar Patel.

26. The Kallakudi (Dalmiapuram) firing incident of 1952 in Tamil Nadu was related to:

• a) Anti-Hindi agitation
• b) Demand for Vishal Tamilnadu (Tamil-speaking state) ✓
• c) Land reform protests
• d) Anti-untouchability agitation

27. Which Tamil Nadu Chief Minister launched the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (free noon meals) for schoolchildren — the first such scheme in India?

• a) C.N. Annadurai
• b) M. Karunanidhi
• c) M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) ✓
• d) J. Jayalalithaa

MGR launched the scheme in 1982 — later replicated nationally as MDMS under UPA I.

28. The anti-Hindi agitation of 1965 in Tamil Nadu resulted in which significant constitutional change?

• a) Tamil was made an official language of India
• b) Hindi was removed from the Eighth Schedule
• c) Three-language formula was reaffirmed; Hindi imposition was dropped ✓
• d) Tamil Nadu was given special autonomy

The agitation led to the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 1967, which effectively guaranteed that English would continue as an official language alongside Hindi — no forced Hindi imposition on non-Hindi states.

29. The Battle of Srirangapatna (1799) resulted in:

• a) British defeat by Hyder Ali
• b) Death of Tipu Sultan and annexation of Mysore ✓
• c) Maratha victory over Tipu Sultan
• d) Signing of the Treaty of Seringapatnam

30. The Vaippu Thirunal (Tamil Sangam at royal courts) refers to which dynasty's patronage of Tamil literature?

• a) Pallavas
• b) Cheras
• c) Pandyas ✓
• d) Cholas

The three Tamil Sangams were supposedly held under Pandya patronage. The Third Sangam was held at Madurai under Pandya rule.

Set 3 — Modern Indian History & Freedom Struggle (10 Questions)

31. The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

• a) A.O. Hume was an Indian civil servant who founded it
• b) The first session was held in Bombay with 72 delegates
• c) W.C. Bonnerjee was elected first president
• d) Both B and C ✓

A.O. Hume was a retired British civil servant. The first session (Dec 1885, Bombay) had 72 delegates; W.C. Bonnerjee was the first president.

32. Arrange these events in correct chronological order: 1. Partition of Bengal 2. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre 3. Non-Cooperation Movement launched 4. Simon Commission visit

• a) 1-2-4-3
• b) 1-2-3-4 ✓
• c) 2-1-3-4
• d) 1-3-2-4

Bengal Partition (1905) → Jallianwala Bagh (1919) → Non-Cooperation (1920–22) → Simon Commission (1927–28)

33. Gandhi's "Eleven Demands" before the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) included: 1. Release of political prisoners 2. Reduction of military expenditure by 50% 3. Total Prohibition 4. Abolition of salt tax

Which are correct?

• a) 1 and 4 only
• b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 ✓
• c) 2, 3 and 4 only
• d) 1, 3 and 4 only

34. The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) proposed:

• a) Complete independence for India with immediate effect
• b) A loose federation with provinces having significant autonomy
• c) A three-tier federation — Union, Groups of Provinces, and Provinces ✓
• d) Separate constituent assemblies for India and Pakistan

35. Which of the following leaders was NOT associated with the Radical Democratic Party?

• a) M.N. Roy
• b) Subhas Chandra Bose ✓
• c) Philip Spratt
• d) None of the above

M.N. Roy founded the Radical Democratic Party in 1940. Subhas Chandra Bose was associated with Forward Bloc (1939).

36. The Cripps Mission (1942) failed because: 1. Congress demanded immediate independence and full control of defence 2. Muslim League rejected the proposal for undivided India 3. Churchill was unwilling to grant real power 4. Japan had already entered Rangoon

• a) 1 and 2 only
• b) 1, 2 and 3
• c) 1 and 3 ✓
• d) All four

37. The phrase "Labour is the source of all wealth" in the context of Indian economics was used by:

• a) Mahatma Gandhi in Hind Swaraj
• b) Jawaharlal Nehru in Discovery of India
• c) B.R. Ambedkar in his economic writings ✓
• d) Subhas Bose in his Forward Bloc manifesto

38. Who presided over the Constituent Assembly when it adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949?

• a) B.R. Ambedkar
• b) Jawaharlal Nehru
• c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad ✓
• d) C. Rajagopalachari

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President of the Constituent Assembly. Ambedkar was Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

39. The First Five Year Plan (1951–56) in India gave highest priority to:

• a) Heavy industries
• b) Agriculture and irrigation ✓
• c) Infrastructure — railways and roads
• d) Export promotion

The First Plan focused on agriculture (Bhakra-Nangal Dam, Damodar Valley). Heavy industry was the priority of the Second Plan (Nehru-Mahalanobis model).

40. Which of the following is correctly matched with its year of integration into Indian Union?

• a) Goa — 1960
• b) Sikkim — 1975
• c) Pondicherry — 1962
• d) Sikkim — 1975 ✓

Sikkim became India's 22nd state in 1975 (26th Amendment). Goa was liberated 1961. Pondicherry transferred 1954, officially 1962.

Set 4 — World History (10 Questions)

41. The American Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) was primarily drafted by:

• a) George Washington
• b) Benjamin Franklin
• c) Thomas Jefferson ✓
• d) John Adams

42. The French Revolution's slogan "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" translates to:

• a) Liberty, Equality, Fraternity ✓
• b) Justice, Equality, Freedom
• c) Liberty, Justice, Democracy
• d) Freedom, Equality, Rights

43. The Treaty of Versailles (1919) imposed which of the following on Germany? 1. War guilt clause (Article 231) 2. Reparations of 132 billion gold marks 3. Loss of all colonies and Alsace-Lorraine 4. Permanent ban on German military

• a) 1, 2 and 3 only
• b) 1 and 2 only
• c) 1, 2 and 3 only ✓
• d) All four

Germany was not permanently banned from having a military — it was limited to 100,000 soldiers (Reichswehr).

44. The Battle of Stalingrad (1942–43) is considered a turning point in World War II because:

• a) It was the first major Allied naval victory
• b) It was Germany's first major defeat and marked the reversal of German advance in the East ✓
• c) It led directly to Germany's surrender
• d) It ended the North African campaign

45. The United Nations was officially established on:

• a) June 26, 1945 (San Francisco Charter signing)
• b) October 24, 1945 (UN Charter entered into force) ✓
• c) January 1, 1942
• d) April 25, 1945

UN Day is October 24. The Charter was signed at San Francisco on June 26, 1945, but entered into force October 24, 1945.

46. The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was formed at the Belgrade Conference in 1961. Who were NOT founding leaders?

• a) Jawaharlal Nehru (India)
• b) Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia)
• c) Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt)
• d) Mao Zedong (China) ✓

China was not part of NAM — it aligned with USSR in the 1950s and later pursued independent foreign policy.

47. The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) was resolved when:

• a) USA invaded Cuba and destroyed the missiles
• b) USSR refused to remove missiles, leading to nuclear standoff
• c) USSR agreed to remove missiles; USA pledged not to invade Cuba ✓
• d) UN peacekeeping forces supervised missile removal

48. Which of the following about the Cold War is INCORRECT?

• a) NATO was established in 1949
• b) Warsaw Pact was formed in 1955 in response to West Germany joining NATO
• c) Berlin Wall was built in 1961
• d) USSR collapsed on December 31, 1991 ✓

USSR was officially dissolved on December 25, 1991 (Gorbachev resigned, Soviet flag lowered) — not December 31.

49. The Bandung Conference (1955) was significant because:

• a) It was the first UN General Assembly session in Asia
• b) It brought together 29 Asian and African nations and laid the groundwork for NAM ✓
• c) It established the Non-Aligned Movement formally
• d) India and China signed Panchsheel at Bandung

NAM was formally established at Belgrade (1961). Panchsheel was signed in 1954. Bandung was the precursor conference that built solidarity.

50. Nelson Mandela was released from Robben Island prison in 1990 after serving:

• a) 20 years
• b) 25 years
• c) 27 years ✓
• d) 30 years

Mandela was imprisoned from 1964 to 1990 — 27 years. Apartheid formally ended in 1994 when he became South Africa's first Black president.

Board Exam Tips — History

• Sangam Tinai = 5 landscapes (Kurinji-union, Mullai-waiting, Marudam-infidelity, Neytal-longing, Palai-separation)
• Pallava = Rock-cut + Shore Temple (Mahabalipuram); Chola = Brihadeeswara (Thanjavur), Gangaikondacholapuram
• VOC = Kappalottiya Tamilan; Periyar = Thandai Periyar; Bharati = Mahakavi
• Cabinet Mission 1946 = three-tier federation (NOT two-nation)
• UN = October 24, 1945 (not June 26 — that's signing date)
• Stalingrad = turning point WWI (East Front); D-Day June 6, 1944 = turning point (West Front)