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Advent of Europeans and British Expansion PYQs – Modern History, SSC & Railway

76 Advent of Europeans and British Expansion (Modern History) questions asked in recent SSC and Railway exams, newest first, with exam, date & shift, answers and solutions.

📚 76 questionsSSC 27 · Railway 49
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 11 September 2026 Shift 2 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q1. Why was the Doctrine of Lapse so deeply resented among Indian rulers?

  1. (a) It required rulers to convert to Christianity
  2. (b) It forced Indian states to abolish zamindari
  3. (c) It denied adopted heirs the right to succeed, undermining traditional succession
  4. (d) It imposed direct military rule on all states
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) It denied adopted heirs the right to succeed, undermining traditional succession

Answer: Option 3 — It denied adopted heirs the right to succeed, undermining traditional succession
Under the Doctrine of Lapse, a dependent state whose ruler died without a natural male heir passed to the Company.
Adoption had always been a lawful way of securing an heir in Hindu custom, so rulers saw the doctrine as an attack on their very right to a successor.
Revision note — The Doctrine of Lapse
• Applied vigorously by Lord Dalhousie, Governor-General 1848–56; adoption needed the Company's sanction, which was refused to dependent states.
• States annexed under it: Satara (1848), Jaitpur and Sambalpur (1849), Udaipur (1852), Jhansi (1853) and Nagpur (1854).
• Jhansi was taken when Raja Gangadhar Rao's adopted son Damodar Rao was not recognised — the grievance that brought Rani Lakshmibai into the Revolt of 1857.
• Awadh (1856) was annexed on the plea of misgovernment, not lapse; Nana Saheb lost his pension because adoption was not recognised for the Peshwa's line.
• Dalhousie's other annexation, Punjab (1849), came by conquest after the Second Anglo-Sikh War; Lower Burma (Pegu) was annexed in 1852.
• The doctrine was formally abandoned in the Queen's Proclamation of 1858, which promised to respect the rights of Indian princes, including adoption.
Do not mix these up
• Subsidiary Alliance vs Doctrine of Lapse — the Alliance (Wellesley, 1798) took away a state's army and foreign policy;
the Doctrine (Dalhousie) took away the state itself when the ruler had no natural heir.
• Jhansi vs Awadh — Jhansi went by lapse (no natural heir); Awadh went by the charge of misgovernment.
Also asked from this topic: the Governor-General who devised the Doctrine of Lapse (Lord Dalhousie); the first state annexed under it (Satara, 1848).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 11 September 2026 Shift 2 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q2. Which of the following statements correctly describes a defining characteristic of Lord Wellesley's Subsidiary Alliance policy?

  1. (a) It aimed at annexing Indian states if their rulers died without a natural male heir.
  2. (b) It allowed Indian rulers to independently negotiate with other foreign powers.
  3. (c) It compelled Indian rulers to disband their own armed forces and accept a permanent British contingent.
  4. (d) It exclusively focused on increasing British revenue collection through direct taxation.
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) It compelled Indian rulers to disband their own armed forces and accept a permanent British contingent.

Answer: Option 3 — It compelled Indian rulers to disband their own armed forces and accept a permanent British contingent.
Under the Subsidiary Alliance an Indian ruler had to keep a British force permanently in his territory, pay for it (or cede land instead) and give up his own independent army.
Annexation on the death of a ruler without a natural heir is the Doctrine of Lapse of Dalhousie, not Wellesley.
Revision note — The Subsidiary Alliance system
• Introduced by Lord Wellesley, Governor-General 1798 to 1805; the idea was first used in India by the French governor Dupleix.
• Terms: a British force stationed in the state at the state's cost; a British Resident at the court; no other Europeans employed without British consent.
• The ruler could not negotiate with any other power without British approval; in return the Company promised protection from external attack.
• First to sign: the Nizam of Hyderabad, 1798; then Mysore (1799), Tanjore (1799), Awadh (1801).
• The Peshwa signed by the Treaty of Bassein (1802); the Bhonsle and Scindia followed in 1803.
• The Nawab of Awadh had to cede half his territory (Rohilkhand and the lower Doab) in 1801 to pay for the force.
• The states lost their foreign policy and military strength, while the Company got an army paid for by Indian treasuries.
• Later British policies: Paramountcy (Lord Hastings), Doctrine of Lapse (Dalhousie — Satara 1848, Jhansi 1853, Nagpur 1854).
Do not mix these up
• Subsidiary Alliance vs Doctrine of Lapse — the Alliance controlled a state through a paid British force; Lapse annexed a state when the ruler died without a natural heir.
• Ring-fence policy vs Subsidiary Alliance — Warren Hastings' ring fence used neighbouring states as buffer states; Wellesley's alliance placed British troops inside the state.
Also asked from this topic: the first ruler to sign a Subsidiary Alliance (Nizam of Hyderabad, 1798); who ceded half his territory in 1801 (Nawab of Awadh); who devised the Doctrine of Lapse (Dalhousie).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 9 September 2026 Shift 1 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q3. Which of the following pairs correctly matches a British annexation policy with its primary characteristic?

  1. (a) Subsidiary Alliance: Annexation of states due to misgovernance.
  2. (b) Doctrine of Lapse: Annexation of states if a ruler died without a natural male heir.
  3. (c) Paramountcy Policy: Integration of princely states through popular referendum.
  4. (d) Ring-Fence Policy: Direct military confrontation for territorial expansion.
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Doctrine of Lapse: Annexation of states if a ruler died without a natural male heir.

Answer: Option 2 — Doctrine of Lapse: Annexation of states if a ruler died without a natural male heir
Under the Doctrine of Lapse a dependent princely state lapsed to the British when its ruler died without a natural male heir; an adopted son was not recognised.
Revision note — The British annexation policies
• Doctrine of Lapse — devised by Lord Dalhousie (Governor-General, 1848–56). Satara (1848) was the first state annexed under it; Jaitpur, Sambalpur, Baghat, Udaipur, Jhansi and Nagpur followed.
• It became a major cause of the Revolt of 1857 — Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Nana Saheb were both hit by it.
• Subsidiary Alliance — Lord Wellesley, 1798. The Indian state kept a British force, paid for it and surrendered its foreign relations.
• The Nawab of Awadh had to cede over half his territory in 1801 for failing to pay for that force.
• Awadh was finally annexed in 1856 on the plea of misgovernance by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah — that is the policy the first option describes, and it has nothing to do with the Subsidiary Alliance.
• Paramountcy — begun under Lord Hastings (1813–23): the Company claimed to be the supreme power standing above all princely states. No popular referendum was ever part of it.
• Ring Fence Policy — Warren Hastings: defend the frontiers of neighbouring states such as Awadh so they act as a buffer, rather than conquer directly.
Do not mix these up
• Warren Hastings vs Lord Hastings — Warren Hastings (1772–85) gave the Ring Fence policy; Lord Hastings (1813–23) began paramountcy.
• Doctrine of Lapse vs annexation for misgovernance — Lapse needed a failure of natural male heirs (Satara, Jhansi, Nagpur); Awadh in 1856 was taken on a charge of misrule.
Also asked from this topic: the first state annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse (Satara, 1848);
the Governor-General who devised it (Lord Dalhousie); the ruler forced to give up half his territory in 1801 (Nawab of Awadh);
the objective of the Ring Fence policy (to create buffer states); the Governor-General under whom paramountcy began (Lord Hastings).
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 20 June 2026 Shift 1 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q4. The Dutch lost influence in India mainly due to their defeat by which European power?

  1. (a) Danish
  2. (b) French
  3. (c) British
  4. (d) Portuguese
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) British

Topic: European Powers in India
Dutch East India Companyestablished trading posts in India in early 17th century.
Major Dutch settlements: Pulicat, Nagapattinam, Chinsurah, Surat.
Battle of Colachel (1741): Dutch defeated by Travancore, weakening their position.
Anglo-Dutch Wars: British naval superiority defeated Dutch in multiple conflicts.
Battle of Bedara (1759): British decisively defeated Dutch forces in Bengal.
Dutch focused on Indonesian spice trade, gradually withdrew from India by late 18th century.
Answer: Option 3 → British
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 20 June 2026 Shift 3 · Portuguese

Q5. Which of the following was a major reason for the arrival of Europeans in India?

  1. (a) To find a direct sea route for the spice trade
  2. (b) To establish democratic governance
  3. (c) To promote European art and culture
  4. (d) To spread industrialization
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) To find a direct sea route for the spice trade

Topic: European Arrival in India
Key Facts:
1. Europeans sought direct sea route to India for lucrativespice trade(pepper, cinnamon, cloves).
2. Land routes were controlled by Arab traders and Ottoman Empire, making spices expensive.
3. Vasco da Gama discovered sea route to India in1498, landing at Calicut.
4. Primary motive waseconomic gainthrough trade, not governance or culture.
Answer: Option 1 → To find a direct sea route for the spice trade
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 19 June 2026 Shift 2 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q6. The French East India Company’s main settlement in India was located at which place?

  1. (a) Karaikal
  2. (b) Pondicherry
  3. (c) Mahe
  4. (d) Chandernagore
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Pondicherry

Topic: French East India Company in India
French Settlements in India:
Main settlement:Pondicherry(established 1674)
Other settlements: Chandernagore, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam
Pondicherry served as theheadquartersand capital
of French India until 1954.
Answer: Option 2 → Pondicherry
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 18 June 2026 Shift 2 · Portuguese

Q7. Who led the Portuguese expedition that first landed in Calicut, India, in 1498?

  1. (a) Vasco da Gama
  2. (b) Alfonso de Albuquerque
  3. (c) Pedro Álvares Cabral
  4. (d) Bartholomew Diaz
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Vasco da Gama

Topic:Portuguese Exploration of India
Vasco da Gamawas the Portuguese explorer who successfully
discovered the sea route to India via the Cape of Good Hope.
He landed atCalicut (Kozhikode)onMay 20, 1498,
establishing direct maritime trade between Europe and Asia.
This voyage opened the spice trade route and marked the
beginning of Portuguese colonial presence in India.
Answer: Option 1 → Vasco da Gama
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 17 June 2026 Shift 1 · Battles of Plassey and Buxar

Q8. Which event directly triggered the British–Bengal confrontation that culminated in the Battle of Plassey (1757)?

  1. (a) Capture of Calcutta and attack on British factories by Siraj-ud-Daulah
  2. (b) Abuse of duty-free trade privileges granted by imperial farmans
  3. (c) Refusal of the English Company to conduct inland trade in Bengal
  4. (d) Expansion of Mughal administrative reforms affecting coastal trade
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Capture of Calcutta and attack on British factories by Siraj-ud-Daulah

Battle of Plassey (1757) - Direct Trigger
Background Context:
Siraj-ud-Daulah became Nawab of Bengal in 1756.
British were fortifying Calcutta without permission.
Direct Trigger Event:
June 1756: Siraj-ud-Daulah captured Calcutta (Fort William).
Attacked British factories and trading posts.
Imprisoned British in the 'Black Hole of Calcutta' incident.
Consequence:
British under Robert Clive retaliated in 1757.
Led directly to the Battle of Plassey (June 23, 1757).
Answer: Option 1 → Capture of Calcutta and attack on British factories by Siraj-ud-Daulah
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 17 June 2026 Shift 2 · Battles of Plassey and Buxar

Q9. Which provision of the Treaty of Allahabad most strengthened British political authority in eastern India?

  1. (a) Restoration of Bengal’s sovereign authority under the Mughal emperor.
  2. (b) Granting of the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the Company.
  3. (c) Withdrawal of the Company's revenue claims from all northern subas immediately.
  4. (d) Permanent transfer of Awadh territories under direct Company occupation.
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Granting of the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the Company.

Treaty of Allahabad (1765)
Signed between: Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and East India Company
Key Provision - Diwani Rights:
Company granted Diwani (revenue collection rights) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa
Significance:
This gave Company control over revenue administration without direct political responsibility
Transformed Company from trading entity to territorial power
Established dual government system in Bengal
Answer: Option 2 → Granting of the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the Company.
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 16 June 2026 Shift 3 · Battles of Plassey and Buxar

Q10. The British gained control over Bengal after which major battle?

  1. (a) Battle of Buxar
  2. (b) Battle of Panipat
  3. (c) Battle of Plassey
  4. (d) Battle of Wandiwash
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Battle of Plassey

Topic: British Control over Bengal
Battle of Plassey (1757)
Fought between British East India Company and Siraj-ud-Daulah (Nawab of Bengal).
Robert Clive led British forces; Mir Jafar betrayed the Nawab.
British victory established their political dominance in Bengal.
Battle of Buxar (1764) further consolidated British power.
Answer: Option 3 → Battle of Plassey
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 14 June 2026 Shift 2 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q11. Which Indian ruler was the first to enter into a Subsidiary Alliance with the British in 1798?

  1. (a) Nizam of Hyderabad
  2. (b) Maharaja of Mysore
  3. (c) Nawab of Oudh
  4. (d) Maharaja of Jaipur
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Nizam of Hyderabad

Subsidiary Alliance System
Introduced byLord Wellesleyin 1798.
Nizam of Hyderabadwas the first Indian ruler to accept this alliance in 1798.
Under this system, Indian rulers had to maintain British troops and accept a British Resident.
Answer: Option 1 → Nizam of Hyderabad
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 13 June 2026 Shift 2 · Anglo-French rivalry and Carnatic wars

Q12. Which outcome correctly reflects the impact of the Battle of Wandiwash on European rivalry in India?

  1. (a) The French authority expanded through the successful seizure of British territories.
  2. (b) British dominance increased as French military influence collapsed permanently.
  3. (c) British control weakened as their forces retreated from key southern ports.
  4. (d) French supremacy grew due to new alliances with Deccan-based rulers.
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) British dominance increased as French military influence collapsed permanently.

Battle of Wandiwash (1760)
Fought between British (led by Eyre Coote) and French (led by Comte de Lally) during the Third Carnatic War.
Key Facts:
• Decisive British victory that ended French ambitions in India.
• French lost their main army and key commander Count de Lally.
• Led to British capture of Pondicherry (1761), the French headquarters.
Impact:French military power in India collapsed permanently. British became the dominant European power.
Answer: Option 2 → British dominance increased as French military influence collapsed permanently.
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 13 June 2026 Shift 2 · Portuguese

Q13. Vasco Da Gama reached Kappad near Calicut on which date to establish trade relations with Indian rulers?

  1. (a) 14 April 1492
  2. (b) 10 June 1495
  3. (c) 20 November 1500
  4. (d) 20 May 1498
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) 20 May 1498

Topic: Vasco Da Gama's Arrival in India
Historical Fact:
Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama landed at Kappad beach near Calicut (Kozhikode), Kerala on20 May 1498.
This marked the discovery of the sea route from Europe to India via the Cape of Good Hope.
He came to establish trade relations with Indian rulers, particularly the Zamorin of Calicut.
Answer: Option 4 → 20 May 1498
SSC GD 2026 – 18 May 2026 Shift 1 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q14. In which year was Satara annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse?

  1. (a) 1842
  2. (b) 1844
  3. (c) 1846
  4. (d) 1848
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) 1848

Correct Answer: 1848 — Option (d)
Satara was the first princely state to be annexed under Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse in 1848. The Doctrine of Lapse was a controversial annexation policy whereby if a ruler of a princely state died without a natural male heir, the state would 'lapse' to the British East India Company — adopted heirs were not recognized for succession purposes. Satara, located in present-day Maharashtra, had been a Maratha kingdom. When Raja Appa Sahib of Satara died without a natural heir in 1848, Dalhousie refused to recognise his adopted son and annexed Satara. This set the precedent for future annexations of Jhansi (1854), Nagpur (1854), and others, contributing to the discontent that fuelled the 1857 Revolt.
Option (a) 1842 — Incorrect: 1842 is before Lord Dalhousie became Governor-General of India (1848); the Doctrine of Lapse was Dalhousie's policy.
Option (b) 1844 — Incorrect: Lord Dalhousie arrived as Governor-General in 1848; the annexation of Satara (the first under the Doctrine of Lapse) was in 1848.
Option (c) 1846 — Incorrect: Satara was annexed in 1848, not 1846. The year 1848 marked the beginning of Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse with the annexation of Satara.
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 8 May 2026 Shift 1 · Battles of Plassey and Buxar

Q15. Which characteristic correctly describes the Dual System of Administration established in Bengal after 1765?

  1. (a) Revenue collection was handled solely by Mughal officials without Company control.
  2. (b) Revenue powers lay with the Company, while administrative responsibility lay with the Nawab.
  3. (c) Judicial authority was fully consolidated under the Company’s direct rule.
  4. (d) Criminal justice remained independent of Company supervision throughout.
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Revenue powers lay with the Company, while administrative responsibility lay with the Nawab.

Dual System of Administration (1765-1772)
Established by Robert Clive after Treaty of Allahabad (1765).
Key Features:
Company receivedDiwani rights(revenue collection) from Mughal Emperor.
Nawab retainedNizamat(administrative & law-order functions).
Result: Power without responsibility for Company, responsibility without power for Nawab.
System led to administrative chaos and exploitation.
Answer: Option 2 → Revenue powers lay with the Company, while administrative responsibility lay with the Nawab.
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 7 May 2026 Shift 1 · Battles of Plassey and Buxar

Q16. What was the Dual Government system introduced after the Battle of Buxar?

  1. (a) A system where the French and British shared governance
  2. (b) A system where the British ruled directly
  3. (c) A system where the Company collected revenue, and Nawab handled administration
  4. (d) A system where the Nawab collected revenue and the Company maintained the army
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) A system where the Company collected revenue, and Nawab handled administration

Dual Government System (1765-1772)
Introduced by:Robert Cliveafter Battle of Buxar (1764)
Key Features:
• East India Company gotDiwani rights(revenue collection)
• Nawab retainedNizamat(administration, law & order)
Result: Power without responsibility for Company,
Responsibility without power for Nawab
Answer: Option 3 → A system where the Company collected revenue, and Nawab handled administration
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 7 May 2026 Shift 3 · Portuguese

Q17. Where was the capital of the Estado da India located?

  1. (a) Cochin
  2. (b) Goa
  3. (c) Lisbon
  4. (d) Malacca
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Goa

Estado da India(State of India)
Portuguese colonial administration in Asia (1505-1961).
Capital:Goa(Old Goa/Velha Goa).
Established as capital in 1530 by Nuno da Cunha.
Served as headquarters for Portuguese territories in Asia.
Answer: Option 2 → Goa
SSC GD 2026 – 30 April 2026 Shift 3 · Anglo-Sikh wars

Q18. In which of the following years did the East India Company ultimately annex Punjab?

  1. (a) 1836
  2. (b) 1841
  3. (c) 1849
  4. (d) 1856
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 1849

Correct Answer: 1849 — Option (c)
Punjab was annexed by the British East India Company in 1849, following the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-1849). After the defeat of the Sikh forces at the Battle of Gujrat (February 1849), the Sikh Empire collapsed and Punjab was formally annexed on 29 March 1849 by Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor-General of India.
Option (a) 1836 — Incorrect: In 1836, the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh was still at its peak.
Option (b) 1841 — Incorrect: The First Anglo-Sikh War did not begin until 1845; there was no annexation in 1841.
Option (d) 1856 — Incorrect: By 1856, Punjab had already been under British rule for seven years.
SSC GD 2026 – 29 April 2026 Shift 1 · Anglo-Mysore wars

Q19. In which year did the First Anglo-Mysore War take place?

  1. (a) 1767-69
  2. (b) 1780-84
  3. (c) 1790-92
  4. (d) 1799
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 1767-69

Correct Answer: 1767-69 — Option (a)
The First Anglo-Mysore War was fought from 1767 to 1769 between Hyder Ali (the de facto ruler of Mysore) and the British East India Company along with the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Marathas. Key facts about the First Anglo-Mysore War: Cause: The British broke their alliance with Hyder Ali and joined hands with his enemies (Nizam and Marathas) against Mysore; Outcome: Hyder Ali proved to be a formidable military commander; he outmaneuvered the British forces and even reached the gates of Madras; Peace: The war ended with the Treaty of Madras (1769) — a rare instance where a British company was forced to sign a defensive alliance with an Indian ruler (Hyder Ali); Significance: The British agreed to assist Hyder Ali against his enemies, establishing a brief but humbling diplomatic settlement. The four Anglo-Mysore Wars in summary: 1st War (1767-69) — British vs. Hyder Ali, ended Treaty of Madras; 2nd War (1780-84) — Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan vs. British; 3rd War (1790-92) — Tipu Sultan vs. British; 4th War (1799) — Death of Tipu Sultan.
Option (b) 1780-84 — Incorrect: 1780-84 corresponds to the Second Anglo-Mysore War, fought between Hyder Ali (who died in 1782) and his son Tipu Sultan against the British; it ended with the Treaty of Mangalore (1784). The candidate selected this incorrect option.
Option (c) 1790-92 — Incorrect: 1790-92 corresponds to the Third Anglo-Mysore War, fought between Tipu Sultan and the British (allied with the Nizam and Marathas); it ended with the Treaty of Seringapatam (1792).
Option (d) 1799 — Incorrect: 1799 corresponds to the Fourth (and final) Anglo-Mysore War, in which Tipu Sultan was killed and Seringapatam ( Srirangapatna ) was captured, ending Mysore's power; the First Anglo-Mysore War was in 1767-69.
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 25 March 2026 Shift 1 · Portuguese

Q20. Which of the following cities did Vasco da Gama first reach in India after discovering the all-sea route from Europe?

  1. (a) Goa
  2. (b) Surat
  3. (c) Diu
  4. (d) Calicut
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Calicut

Topic: Vasco da Gama's Arrival in India
Historical Fact:
Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route from Europe to India in1498.
He sailed around the Cape of Good Hope (Africa) and crossed the Indian Ocean.
First landing:Calicut (Kozhikode)on the Malabar Coast of Kerala.
He was received by the Zamorin (ruler) of Calicut.
This opened direct trade between Europe and India, bypassing Arab middlemen.
Answer: Option 4 → Calicut
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 25 March 2026 Shift 1 · Portuguese

Q21. Who was the first Portuguese Governor to implement the "Blue Water Policy" in India?

  1. (a) Vasco da Gama
  2. (b) Alfonso de Albuquerque
  3. (c) Francisco de Almeida
  4. (d) Pedro Álvares Cabral
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Francisco de Almeida

Blue Water Policy
Policy: Naval supremacy without territorial expansion.
Francisco de Almeida(1505-1509) was the first Portuguese Governor in India.
He implemented the Blue Water Policy - focusing on controlling sea routes and trade through naval power.
Defeated combined fleet atBattle of Diu (1509), establishing Portuguese naval dominance.
Answer: Option 3 → Francisco de Almeida
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 24 March 2026 Shift 1 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q22. Which battle in 1741 marked the defeat of the Dutch by an Indian ruler?

  1. (a) Carnatic Wars
  2. (b) Battle of Buxar
  3. (c) Battle of Plassey
  4. (d) Battle of Colachel
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Battle of Colachel

Battle of Colachel (1741)
Fought between:Travancore(under Maharaja Marthanda Varma) vsDutch East India Company
Location: Colachel , present-day Tamil Nadu
Outcome: Decisive victory for Travancore; Dutch commanderEustachius De Lannoycaptured
Significance: First major defeat of a European power by an Indian ruler in naval warfare
Other options: Carnatic Wars (1746-1763), Plassey (1757), Buxar (1764) - all involved British, not Dutch
Answer: Option 4 → Battle of Colachel
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 22 March 2026 Shift 1 · Portuguese

Q23. Which event best signalled the decline of Portuguese power in India and the emergence of British and Dutch influence?

  1. (a) Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)
  2. (b) Establishment of Madras by the English (1639)
  3. (c) Anglo-Persian capture of Hormuz (1622)
  4. (d) Battle of Plassey (1757)
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Anglo-Persian capture of Hormuz (1622)

Topic: Decline of Portuguese Power in India
Anglo-Persian Capture of Hormuz (1622):
Hormuz was a strategic Portuguese fort controlling trade routes in the Persian Gulf.
English East India Company allied with Persia to capture it in 1622.
This marked thebeginning of Portuguese declinein Asian waters.
Opened doors for British and Dutch to expand their influence.
Why other options are incorrect:
Madras (1639) - British expansion, but Portuguese already declining.
Plassey (1757) - British dominance over French, not Portuguese.
Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) - Anglo-French treaty, unrelated to Portuguese.
Answer: Option 3 → Anglo-Persian capture of Hormuz (1622)
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 19 March 2026 Shift 1 · Portuguese

Q24. Who among the following introduced the Blue Water Policy to strengthen Portuguese naval power in the Indian Ocean?

  1. (a) Nuno da Cunha
  2. (b) Francisco De Almeida
  3. (c) Bartholomew Diaz
  4. (d) Afonso de Albuquerque
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Francisco De Almeida

Blue Water Policywas introduced byFrancisco De Almeida
Key Points:
• First Portuguese Viceroy in India (1505-1509)
• Policy focused on naval supremacy without land conquests
• Aimed to control Indian Ocean trade routes through strong navy
• Defeated combined fleet at Battle of Diu (1509)
Note: Albuquerque later changed to territorial expansion policy
Answer: Option 2 → Francisco De Almeida
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 19 March 2026 Shift 2 · Portuguese

Q25. Which port did the Portuguese capture in 1510, making it their colony’s capital in India?

  1. (a) Goa
  2. (b) Calicut
  3. (c) Bombay
  4. (d) Surat
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Goa

Portuguese in India - 1510
In 1510, Portuguese commanderAfonso de Albuquerquecaptured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur.
Goa became the capital ofPortuguese India (Estado da Índia )and remained under Portuguese control until 1961.
Other ports: Calicut was trading post, Bombay given to British (1661), Surat was Mughal port.
Answer: Option 1 → Goa
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 19 March 2026 Shift 2 · Portuguese

Q26. Which European power was the first to establish trading settlements in India during the early modern period?

  1. (a) French
  2. (b) Portuguese
  3. (c) Dutch
  4. (d) English
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Portuguese

Topic: European Trading Powers in India
Portuguese arrival:Vasco da Gama landed in Calicut (1498)
First European power to establish trade settlements
Established factories at Goa (1510), Daman, Diu
Other powers arrived later: Dutch (1602), English (1608), French (1668)
Answer: Option 2 → Portuguese
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 19 March 2026 Shift 3 · Portuguese

Q27. Who implemented the “Blue Water Policy” in India?

  1. (a) Albuquerque
  2. (b) Henry the Navigator
  3. (c) Joao de Castro
  4. (d) Francisco de Almeida
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Francisco de Almeida

Blue Water Policy in India
Implemented by:Francisco de Almeida(1505-1509)
Key Facts:
• First Portuguese Viceroy in India
• Policy focused on naval supremacy in Indian Ocean
• Avoided land conquests, emphasized sea control
• Defeated combined fleet at Battle of Diu (1509)
Answer: Option 4 → Francisco de Almeida
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 18 March 2026 Shift 1 · Battles of Plassey and Buxar

Q28. Which battle is regarded as the turning point that led to British political control in Bengal and opened the path for British expansion in India?

  1. (a) Battle of Buxar
  2. (b) Battle of Wandiwash
  3. (c) Battle of Plassey
  4. (d) Third Carnatic War
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Battle of Plassey

Battle of Plassey (1757)
Fought between: British East India Company (Robert Clive) vs Siraj- ud -Daulah (Nawab of Bengal)
Key Point: Mir Jafar's betrayal led to British victory
Result: British gained political control over Bengal
Significance: First major British territorial control in India, opened path for expansion
Answer: Option 3 → Battle of Plassey
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 17 March 2026 Shift 3 · Anglo-French rivalry and Carnatic wars

Q29. The Battle of Wandiwash was fought between:

  1. (a) Dutch and Portuguese
  2. (b) Portuguese and French
  3. (c) British and Portuguese
  4. (d) British and French
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) British and French

Battle of Wandiwash (1760)
Fought between:British East India Company vs French
Location: Wandiwash (Tamil Nadu)
Key Facts:
British commander:Sir Eyre Coote
French commander:Comte de Lally
Result: Decisive British victory
Significance: Ended French colonial ambitions in India
Answer: Option 4 → British and French
RRB Technician Grade III 2025-26 – 10 March 2026 Shift 3 · Battles of Plassey and Buxar

Q30. Which among the following battles in 1757 marked the beginning of British political control in India?

  1. (a) Battle of Colachel
  2. (b) Battle of Plassey
  3. (c) Battle of Buxar
  4. (d) Battle of Seringapatam
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Battle of Plassey

The Battle of Plassey took place in 1757.
It marked the beginning of British political control in India.
The British East India Company defeated the Nawab of Bengal.
This victory allowed the British to establish their dominance in Indian politics.
Hence, the Battle of Plassey is considered the start of British rule in India.
SSC MTS 2025 – 18 February 2026 Shift 2 · Battles of Plassey and Buxar

Q31. Who among the following accepted the Diwani of Bihar and Orissa from the Mughal ruler on behalf of the East India Company in 1765?

  1. (a) Warren Hastings
  2. (b) Cornwallis
  3. (c) Robert Clive
  4. (d) Wellesley
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Robert Clive

The correct answer is option 3.
In 1765, Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granted the Diwani (revenue collection rights) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the East India Company. Robert Clive, the Governor of Bengal at that time, accepted it on behalf of the Company. This event gave the Company financial control over a large part of India and marked a decisive shift in British power in India.
Option 1 is incorrect: Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General of Bengal in 1773; he was not the one who received the Diwani in 1765.
Option 2 is incorrect: Cornwallis served as Governor-General from 1786–1793, more than two decades after the Diwani grant.
Option 4 is incorrect: Wellesley served as Governor-General from 1798–1805, long after the Diwani was granted.
SSC MTS 2025 – 18 February 2026 Shift 2 · Portuguese

Q32. Europeans established port town of Panaji in Goa in which of the following year?

  1. (a) 1490
  2. (b) 1650
  3. (c) 1510
  4. (d) 1707
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 1510

The correct answer is option 3.
The Portuguese, under Afonso de Albuquerque, captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate in 1510, marking the establishment of European (Portuguese) presence in Goa, including the port town of Panaji (Panjim). Portuguese rule in Goa lasted until India's liberation of the territory in 1961.
Option 1 is incorrect: 1490 predates even Vasco da Gama's first arrival in India (1498); the Portuguese had not yet established themselves anywhere in India by 1490.
Option 2 is incorrect: 1650 is far too late — Portuguese rule in Goa had already been established for over 140 years by then.
Option 4 is incorrect: 1707 is the year of Aurangzeb's death; the Portuguese had been in Goa for nearly two centuries by then.
SSC MTS 2025 – 13 February 2026 Shift 1 · Anglo-Maratha wars

Q33. After which of the following wars was the Peshwa removed and sent to Bithur ?

  1. (a) First Anglo-Maratha War
  2. (b) Second Anglo-Maratha War
  3. (c) Third Anglo-Maratha War
  4. (d) Fourth Anglo-Maratha War
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Third Anglo-Maratha War

Correct Answer: Option 3 – Third Anglo-Maratha War
The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818) resulted in the complete defeat of the Maratha Confederacy. Peshwa Baji Rao II, the last Peshwa, surrendered to the British. After the war, he was exiled to Bithur (near Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh), where he lived on a British pension. This effectively ended the Peshwa's power and the Maratha Confederacy.
Why other options are wrong:
Option 1 (First Anglo-Maratha War, 1775–1782): Ended with the Treaty of Salbai ; the Peshwa was not exiled.
Option 2 (Second Anglo-Maratha War, 1803–1805): Resulted in territorial losses but Peshwa retained his position.
Option 4 (Fourth Anglo-Maratha War): There was no Fourth Anglo-Maratha War; the Maratha power ended with the Third.
SSC MTS 2025 – 12 February 2026 Shift 1 · Anglo-Maratha wars

Q34. In which year was the Treaty of Salbai signed between the British and the Marathas?

  1. (a) 1782
  2. (b) 1792
  3. (c) 1803
  4. (d) 1817
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 1782

Correct Answer: Option 1 – 1782
The Treaty of Salbai was signed in 1782 between the British East India Company and the Maratha Confederacy, ending the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782). Under this treaty, the British restored most of the territories captured during the war and a 20-year peace was established. The treaty was negotiated through Mahadaji Scindia.
Why other options are wrong:
Option 2 (1792): 1792 is associated with the Treaty of Seringapatam (Third Anglo-Mysore War), not Marathas.
Option 3 (1803): 1803 is associated with events of the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
Option 4 (1817): 1817 marks the beginning of the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
SSC MTS 2025 – 11 February 2026 Shift 1 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q35. Which of the following rulers forced to give over half of his territory to the East India Company in 1801?

  1. (a) Nawab of Awadh
  2. (b) Nawab of Bengal
  3. (c) Nawab of Bihar
  4. (d) Nawab of Orissa
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Nawab of Awadh

The correct answer is Nawab of Awadh (Option 1). In 1801, Nawab Saadat Ali Khan of Awadh was forced under the Subsidiary Alliance to cede more than half of his territory — including Rohilkhand and the Doab region — to the East India Company. This significantly expanded British territorial control in north India. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect as no similar forced territorial cession occurred with these nawabs in 1801.
SSC MTS 2025 – 9 February 2026 Shift 1 · Battles of Plassey and Buxar

Q36. Who was one of Sirajuddaulah's commander that played a significant role in Sirajuddaulah's defeat at the Battle of Plassey?

  1. (a) Alivardi Khan
  2. (b) Mir Jafar
  3. (c) Mulla Qutb Shah
  4. (d) Jagat Seth
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Mir Jafar

Correct Answer: 2 (Mir Jafar)
Mir Jafar was the Commander-in-Chief of Sirajuddaulah's army who conspired with the British (Robert Clive) against his own master. At the crucial Battle of Plassey (1757), Mir Jafar treacherously withdrew his troops from the battlefield, leading directly to Sirajuddaulah's defeat. After the battle, Mir Jafar was made the Nawab of Bengal by the British as a reward for his betrayal.
Option 1 ( Alivardi Khan) is incorrect - Alivardi Khan was Sirajuddaulah's grandfather and predecessor as Nawab.
Option 3 (Mulla Qutb Shah) is incorrect - he was a religious scholar, not a commander at Plassey.
Option 4 (Jagat Seth) is incorrect - Jagat Seth was a wealthy banker who conspired against Sirajuddaulah but was not a commander.
SSC MTS 2025 – 6 February 2026 Shift 3 · English East India Company

Q37. In 1600, which English Queen granted a charter to the East India Company, giving it exclusive trading rights with the East?

  1. (a) Queen Victoria
  2. (b) Queen Mary
  3. (c) Queen Anne
  4. (d) Queen Elizabeth I
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Queen Elizabeth I

Correct Answer: 4 (Queen Elizabeth I)
Queen Elizabeth I of England granted a Royal Charter to the East India Company (EIC) on December 31, 1600, giving it a 15-year monopoly on English trade with the East Indies (Asia). The company was formally called 'The Company of Merchants of London Trading into the East Indies.'
Option 1 (Queen Victoria) is incorrect - Queen Victoria ruled from 1837-1901; the EIC was dissolved in 1858 during her reign after the 1857 Revolt, but it was not she who granted the original charter.
Option 2 (Queen Mary) is incorrect - Queen Mary I ruled before Elizabeth I and had no role in founding the EIC.
Option 3 (Queen Anne) is incorrect - Queen Anne ruled from 1702-1714, long after the EIC's founding.
SSC CPO Paper-1 2025 – 12 December 2025 Shift 1 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q38. The "Subsidiary Alliance" system, pioneered by Lord Wellesley, had a significant impact on the political map of India.
What was a primary consequence for the Indian states that entered into this alliance?

  1. (a) They gained greater military strength and autonomy in their external relations.
  2. (b) They were effectively brought under British political influence and control, losing their independent foreign policy and often their military capacity.
  3. (c) They experienced rapid economic growth due to British investment and administrative reforms.
  4. (d) They formed a strong unified front against the expansion of British power in India.
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) They were effectively brought under British political influence and control, losing their independent foreign policy and often their military capacity.

Correct Answer: They were effectively brought under British political influence and control, losing their independent foreign policy and often their military capacity (Option 2)
Under the Subsidiary Alliance system (introduced by Lord Wellesley, 1798), Indian states that entered the alliance had to: (1) accept a British Resident at their court, (2) maintain a British subsidiary force paid by them, (3) not negotiate with other powers without British consent, and (4) cede territory if unable to pay for the British troops.
This effectively stripped Indian states of their external sovereignty and brought them under British control. Their foreign policy, defense, and finances were subordinated to British interests.
They did NOT gain military strength — their own armies were reduced.
They did NOT experience economic growth — tributary payments drained their resources.
They did NOT form a united front — the system was designed to prevent any such coalitions.
SSC Stenographer 2025 – 8 December 2025 Shift 1 · Other wars (Anglo-Burmese, Anglo-Afghan)

Q39. Given below are assertion and reason, read the statements and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): Sir Charles Napier justified the annexation of Sindh on moral and legal grounds.
Reason (R): He described it as a “useful humane piece of rascality.”

  1. (a) A is true, but R is false.
  2. (b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
  3. (c) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and R is not the correct explanation of A.
  4. (d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true.

The annexation of Sindh (1843) by Sir Charles Napier was not justified on moral and legal grounds; rather, it was a result of British imperial expansion driven by strategic and economic interests, especially to secure trade routes and check Russian influence. Therefore, Assertion (A) is false. However, Napier himself cynically referred to the conquest as a “useful humane piece of rascality,” acknowledging the exploitative nature of the annexation while presenting it as beneficial from a colonial perspective. Hence, Reason (R) is true.
SSC Stenographer 2025 – 7 December 2025 Shift 1 · Anglo-French rivalry and Carnatic wars

Q40. Which of the following best captures the broader geopolitical shift triggered by the decisive defeat of the Nawab of Carnatic’s forces in their confrontation with European powers?

  1. (a) It revealed systemic vulnerabilities in native military structures, prompting European companies to transition from trade to political hegemony.
  2. (b) It disillusioned European companies, resulting in a strategic withdrawal from inland military affairs.
  3. (c) It consolidated indigenous authority, forcing European traders into commercial treaties under local oversight.
  4. (d) It established a stable dual-administrative system between Indian principalities and foreign chartered companies.
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) It revealed systemic vulnerabilities in native military structures, prompting European companies to transition from trade to political hegemony.

The decisive defeat of the Nawab of Carnatic’s forces in their confrontation with European powers revealed the deep weaknesses in the indigenous Indian military system compared to the modernized and disciplined European armies. This turning point demonstrated that traditional Indian rulers could no longer rely solely on their older military structures to challenge European companies. As a result, the European trading companies, especially the British East India Company, began shifting from being mere commercial entities to establishing political and military dominance in India. This marked the beginning of a significant geopolitical transformation where trade slowly gave way to colonial control. Hence, the correct answer is Option 1.
SSC CHSL Tier-1 2025 – 29 November 2025 Shift 2 · Battles of Plassey and Buxar

Q41. Which of the following was the British East India Company's first major victory in India?

  1. (a) Battle of Ambur
  2. (b) Battle of Wandiwash
  3. (c) First Anglo-Maratha war
  4. (d) Battle of Plassey
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Battle of Plassey

The Battle of Plassey (1757) was the British East India Company's first major victory in India. In this battle, Robert Clive defeated Siraj ud -Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, with the help of Mir Jafar's treachery. This victory laid the foundation of British political dominance in India.
Battle of Ambur (1749) was fought between the French-supported Muzaffar Jung and the British-supported Muhammad Ali.
Battle of Wandiwash (1760) was a decisive victory of the British over the French.
First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782) ended in a stalemate.
SSC CHSL Tier-1 2025 – 29 November 2025 Shift 1 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q42. Which of the following policies were devised by Lord Dalhousie?

  1. (a) Doctrine of Lapse
  2. (b) Policy of Paramountcy
  3. (c) Subsidiary Alliance
  4. (d) Policy of Non-intervention
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Doctrine of Lapse

The Doctrine of Lapse was devised by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India (1848-1856). Under this policy, any princely state whose ruler died without a natural heir would be annexed by the British East India Company.
Policy of Paramountcy: Lord Hastings; Subsidiary Alliance: Lord Wellesley; Policy of Non-intervention is not a major British policy. Hence, Doctrine of Lapse is correct.
SSC CHSL Tier-1 2025 – 28 November 2025 Shift 3 · Other wars (Anglo-Burmese, Anglo-Afghan)

Q43. In which of the following years 'Sindh' was taken over by the East India Company?

  1. (a) 1834
  2. (b) 1843
  3. (c) 1856
  4. (d) 1861
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 1843

Sindh was annexed by the East India Company in 1843 after the Battle of Miani and the Battle of Dubba. Sir Charles Napier led the British forces that defeated the Talpur Mirs and annexed Sindh. The annexation was controversial even within British circles.
1834, 1856, and 1861 are incorrect years for this annexation.
SSC CHSL Tier-1 2025 – 28 November 2025 Shift 1 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q44. Under which of the following governor-General a new policy of "paramountcy" was initiated?

  1. (a) Lord Hastings
  2. (b) Lord Cornwallis
  3. (c) Lord Wellesley
  4. (d) Lord Dalhousie
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Lord Hastings

The policy of Paramountcy was initiated under Lord Hastings (Governor-General, 1813–1823). This policy asserted British supremacy over all Indian states and gave the British the right to interfere in the internal affairs of Indian princely states if it was deemed necessary for maintaining peace and order.
Lord Cornwallis is known for Permanent Settlement; Lord Wellesley for Subsidiary Alliance; Lord Dalhousie for Doctrine of Lapse. Hence, Lord Hastings is correct.
SSC CHSL Tier-1 2025 – 27 November 2025 Shift 2 · Anglo-Mysore wars

Q45. Who was in the combined forces that attacked Tipu Sultan in 1792?
I. The Marathas
II. The Nizam of Hyderabad
III. The East India Company

  1. (a) Only I and II
  2. (b) Only II and III
  3. (c) Only I and III
  4. (d) I, II and III
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) I, II and III

Correct Answer: I, II and III (Option 4)
The Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-1792) saw a combined alliance attack on Tipu Sultan that included all three forces:
I. The Marathas: The Peshwa-led Maratha forces participated in the coalition against Tipu Sultan.
II. The Nizam of Hyderabad: The Nizam of Hyderabad allied with the British against Tipu Sultan.
III. The East India Company: British forces under Lord Cornwallis led the campaign.
This triple alliance forced Tipu Sultan to sign the Treaty of Seringapatam (1792), under which he had to cede half of his territory and hand over two of his sons as hostages.
Hence, all three (I, II, and III) are correct.
SSC CHSL Tier-1 2025 – 25 November 2025 Shift 2 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q46. In which of the year was Satara annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse?

  1. (a) 1853
  2. (b) 1850
  3. (c) 1854
  4. (d) 1848
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) 1848

Satara was the first princely state annexed by the British under Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse in 1848. Under this policy, if a ruler died without a natural (biological) male heir, the state would be annexed by the British. Satara's ruler had adopted an heir on his deathbed, which the British refused to recognise .
The candidate incorrectly selected 1853 (Nagpur was annexed in 1853). 1850 and 1854 are also incorrect.
SSC CHSL Tier-1 2025 – 24 November 2025 Shift 1 · Anglo-Mysore wars

Q47. In which year was the third Anglo Mysore war fought?

  1. (a) 1790-92
  2. (b) 1767-69
  3. (c) 1763-65
  4. (d) 1755-57
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 1790-92

Correct Answer: 1790-92 (Option 1)
The Third Anglo-Mysore War was fought from 1790 to 1792 between the British East India Company (supported by the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Marathas) and the Kingdom of Mysore under Tipu Sultan. It ended with the Treaty of Seringapatam (1792), by which Tipu Sultan ceded half his territories and gave his two sons as hostages.
1767-69 corresponds to the First Anglo-Mysore War (fought between Hyder Ali and the British).
1763-65 and 1755-57 do not correspond to any of the four Anglo-Mysore Wars. The Second Anglo-Mysore War was fought from 1780-84.
SSC CHSL Tier-1 2025 – 22 November 2025 Shift 3 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q48. In which year was the Nawab of Awadh forced to give over half of his territory to the East India Company?

  1. (a) 1795
  2. (b) 1801
  3. (c) 1810
  4. (d) 1818
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 1801

Correct Answer: 1801 (Option 2)
In 1801, the Nawab of Awadh (Saadat Ali Khan) was forced to cede over half of his territory to the East India Company under the 'Subsidiary Alliance' policy implemented by Lord Wellesley (Governor-General). Under this treaty, the Nawab had to give up the districts of Rohilkhand, Gorakhpur, and the Doab region in exchange for protection from the British. This significantly weakened the Nawab's position.
Why other options are wrong:
Option 1 - 1795: No such major territorial cession took place in 1795.
Option 3 - 1810: The Awadh territory cession under Subsidiary Alliance occurred in 1801, not 1810.
Option 4 - 1818: By 1818, the Maratha power had been crushed at the Third Anglo-Maratha War; Awadh's territorial cession was in 1801.
SSC CHSL Tier-1 2025 – 20 November 2025 Shift 1 · Battles of Plassey and Buxar

Q49. The Battle of Buxar took place in which of the following years?

  1. (a) 1757
  2. (b) 1764
  3. (c) 1773
  4. (d) 1785
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 1764

The Battle of Buxar was fought on October 22-23, 1764, at Buxar (in present-day Bihar) between the British East India Company and the combined forces of the Nawab of Awadh (Shuja-ud-Daula), Nawab of Bengal (Mir Qasim), and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. The British victory led to the Treaty of Allahabad (1765) and consolidated British power in India. Why other options are wrong: Option 1 (1757): The Battle of Plassey was fought in 1757 (not Buxar). Option 3 (1773): The Regulating Act was passed in 1773; the Battle of Buxar was 9 years earlier. Option 4 (1785): Incorrect; the Battle of Buxar was in 1764.
SSC CGL Tier-1 2025 – 17 September 2025 Shift 3 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q50. What was the primary objective of the Ring-Fencing Policy adopted by the British in India during the 18th century?

  1. (a) To expand British territory by annexing Indian states
  2. (b) To economically exploit coastal trading companies
  3. (c) To create buffer states to defend British territories
  4. (d) To impose direct rule over all princely territories
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) To create buffer states to defend British territories

The Ring Fence Policy, associated with Warren Hastings, aimed to create buffer states around British territories to defend them from outside threats.
It was a defensive strategy, not an annexation policy.
Hence the correct answer is creating buffer states to defend British territories.
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 4 September 2025 Shift 3 · Portuguese

Q51. Who piloted Vasco da Gama’s ship to Calicut during his first successful voyage to India in 1498?

  1. (a) Zamorin
  2. (b) Abdul Majid
  3. (c) De Almeida
  4. (d) Francisco Xavier
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Abdul Majid

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 4 September 2025 Shift 3 · English East India Company

Q52. In which of the following years was the town of Madrasapatnam, which later expanded and developed into modern-day Chennai, purchased by the East India Company (EIC) from local kings?

  1. (a) 1690
  2. (b) 1639
  3. (c) 1658
  4. (d) 1620
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 1639

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 2 September 2025 Shift 1 · Portuguese

Q53. Who was the first Portuguese governor in India, sent in 1505 to establish naval supremacy?

  1. (a) Nino-da-Cunha
  2. (b) De Souza
  3. (c) De Almeida
  4. (d) Albuquerque
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) De Almeida

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 28 August 2025 Shift 2 · Portuguese

Q54. In which of the following years did Vasco da Gama land in Calicut on the Malabar Coast for the second time?

  1. (a) 1509
  2. (b) 1502
  3. (c) 1511
  4. (d) 1505
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 1502

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 22 August 2025 Shift 1 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q55. Pondicherry was captured by the Dutch in 1693 but was returned to the French company by the Treaty of Ryswick in _______.

  1. (a) 1704
  2. (b) 1741
  3. (c) 1699
  4. (d) 1696
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 1699

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 19 August 2025 Shift 1 · Battles of Plassey and Buxar

Q56. The Battle of Plassey 1757 was fought between the British forces led by Robert Clive and the Nawab of Bengal _____.

  1. (a) Sarfaraz Khan
  2. (b) Alivardi Khan
  3. (c) Siraj-ud-Daula
  4. (d) Shah Alam II
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Siraj-ud-Daula

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 19 August 2025 Shift 1 · English East India Company

Q57. In which of the following years was the first British East India Company founded in India?

  1. (a) 1588
  2. (b) 1620
  3. (c) 1600
  4. (d) 1605
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 1600

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 19 August 2025 Shift 3 · Portuguese

Q58. Who was the first Portuguese explorer to reach India in 1498, arriving at Calicut on the Malabar Coast?

  1. (a) Vasco da Gama
  2. (b) Columbus
  3. (c) Albuquerque
  4. (d) Nino-da-Cunha
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Vasco da Gama

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 14 August 2025 Shift 1 · Anglo-French rivalry and Carnatic wars

Q59. Joseph Francois Dupleix was the governor who led the forces of which of the following European powers?

  1. (a) French
  2. (b) Dutch
  3. (c) Portuguese
  4. (d) British
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) French

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 14 August 2025 Shift 2 · Portuguese

Q60. Which of the following European powers was the first to arrive in India by sea route?

  1. (a) Portuguese
  2. (b) Dutch
  3. (c) French
  4. (d) English
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Portuguese

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 13 August 2025 Shift 3 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q61. The Dutch East India Company established its first factory in India in _________.

  1. (a) Goa
  2. (b) Pondicherry
  3. (c) Calicut
  4. (d) Petapuli
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Petapuli

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 8 August 2025 Shift 2 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q62. The Nizam of Hyderabad accepted British subsidiary alliance under ________________.

  1. (a) Lord Cornwallis
  2. (b) Lord Hastings
  3. (c) Sir John Shore
  4. (d) Lord Wellesley
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Lord Wellesley

SSC Selection Post 2025 (Phase XIII) – 1 August 2025 Shift 3 · Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse

Q63. Match the following with the associated policies.
1. Warren Hastings a. Doctrine of lapse
2. Dalhousie b. Ring fence policy
3. Wellesley c. Subsidiary alliance

  1. (a) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
  2. (b) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
  3. (c) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
  4. (d) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c

The correct matching is:
Warren Hastings → Ring Fence Policy (isolating territories to prevent expansionism)
Dalhousie → Doctrine of Lapse (annexing princely states without a natural heir)
Wellesley → Subsidiary Alliance (forcing Indian rulers to accept British troops and a British Resident)
This gives: 1-b, 2-a, 3-c (Option A). However, SSC officially marked this as a wrong question, so no marks are awarded or deducted.
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 24 June 2025 Shift 1 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q64. Who among the following established its factory in Petapuli on the North Coromandel Coast in 1606?

  1. (a) Spanish East India Company
  2. (b) Dutch East India Company
  3. (c) Danish East India Company
  4. (d) German East India Company
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Dutch East India Company

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 23 June 2025 Shift 1 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q65. In which year did the Dutch East India Company establish its factory at Petapuli on the North Coromandel Coast?

  1. (a) 1532
  2. (b) 1606
  3. (c) 1699
  4. (d) 1457
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 1606

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 23 June 2025 Shift 2 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q66. In 1610, the Dutch established a factory in which of the following places, which later became the headquarters of the Dutch directorate for the Coromandel region?

  1. (a) Cochin
  2. (b) Surat
  3. (c) Pulicat
  4. (d) Bombay
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Pulicat

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 23 June 2025 Shift 3 · Portuguese

Q67. In which year did Goa become the capital of the Portuguese Commercial empire in India?

  1. (a) 1410
  2. (b) 1659
  3. (c) 1530
  4. (d) 1390
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 1530

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 20 June 2025 Shift 2 · English East India Company

Q68. Which of the following was formed in 1600 through a charter that granted it the exclusive privilege of trading with the area east of the Cape of Good Hope for 15 years?

  1. (a) Danish East India Company
  2. (b) Austrian East India Company
  3. (c) English East India Company
  4. (d) Spanish East India Company
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) English East India Company

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 19 June 2025 Shift 1 · Portuguese

Q69. In 1510, Alfonzo de Albuquerque captured which place from the Sultan of Bijapur and made it the capital of the Portuguese eastern empire?

  1. (a) Calicut
  2. (b) Cochin
  3. (c) Surat
  4. (d) Goa
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Goa

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 18 June 2025 Shift 2 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q70. Which power suffered a decisive defeat in the Malabar region during the Battle of Colachel in 1741?

  1. (a) Austrian East India Company
  2. (b) Spanish East India Company
  3. (c) English East India Company
  4. (d) Dutch East India Company
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Dutch East India Company

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 17 June 2025 Shift 3 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q71. Which colonial power held Yanaon (Yanam) and Chandernagore as part of its possessions in India?

  1. (a) Portuguese
  2. (b) French
  3. (c) Austrian
  4. (d) German
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) French

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 12 June 2025 Shift 3 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q72. Which of the following companies founded in 1602 is also known as the 'Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC)'?

  1. (a) German East India Company
  2. (b) Portuguese East India Company
  3. (c) Dutch East India Company
  4. (d) Austrian East India Company
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Dutch East India Company

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 11 June 2025 Shift 3 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q73. The Dutch East India Company's trade on the Coromandel Coast registered a significant increase over the 17ᵗʰ century due to:

  1. (a) the decline and collapse of the British influence in the region
  2. (b) an increase in the demand for textile from the south-east Asian markets
  3. (c) the establishment of trading posts in Goa and Surat
  4. (d) the result of White Mutiny
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) an increase in the demand for textile from the south-east Asian markets

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 11 June 2025 Shift 1 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q74. Which of the following companies assisted the Raja of Cochin in expelling the Portuguese from his kingdom in 1663?

  1. (a) Spanish East India Company
  2. (b) French East India Company
  3. (c) British East India Company
  4. (d) Dutch East India Company
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Dutch East India Company

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 10 June 2025 Shift 2 · English East India Company

Q75. Which of the following companies built Fort St George in Chennai in the 1640s and later established the Madras Presidency in 1684?

  1. (a) Portuguese East India Company
  2. (b) Genoese East India Company
  3. (c) British East India Company
  4. (d) Spanish East India Company
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) British East India Company

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 10 June 2025 Shift 3 · Dutch, Danish and French

Q76. In which year did Francois Martin establish Pondicherry, which later emerged as the Headquarters of the French in India?

  1. (a) 1762
  2. (b) 1674
  3. (c) 1612
  4. (d) 1794
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 1674

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