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Quiz about The British in India
Quiz about The British in India

The British in India Trivia Quiz


A quiz on the early years of British colonisation of India, in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

A multiple-choice quiz by Taylor7AT. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
Taylor7AT
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
67,319
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
3706
Last 3 plays: Guest 81 (1/10), Guest 164 (4/10), Guest 42 (4/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. When was the East India Company founded? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Which Indian cities were the first trading posts established by the East India Company? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Why was the Mughal empire weakened, and less able to prevent the British from expanding their power base in India? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Why did the East India Company decide to recruit its own army? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Which city was captured from the British by local ruler Siraj-ud-Daula in 1756? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which English lieutenant-colonel recaptured Calcutta from Siraj-ud-Daula?

Answer: (surname only)
Question 7 of 10
7. How did the British win the Battle of Plassey in 1757? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What practice was banned by Governor-General Bentinck in 1829? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. In what year did Queen Victoria become Empress of India (in addition to being Queen of the United Kingdom)? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. In 1857 there was a major rebellion against the British. Where did it begin? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Oct 24 2024 : Guest 81: 1/10
Oct 16 2024 : Guest 164: 4/10
Sep 20 2024 : Guest 42: 4/10
Sep 07 2024 : Guest 152: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. When was the East India Company founded?

Answer: 1600

The merchants found it too dangerous and expensive to trade individually, so they got together and agreed to help each other. The East India Company was a joint stock company and began with 219 members. From the outset it was a major entreprise.
2. Which Indian cities were the first trading posts established by the East India Company?

Answer: Madras and Calcutta

Bengal was the first area targetted, due to its ideal coastal location, and proximity to the Ganges, which opened up a vast area of potential trade.
3. Why was the Mughal empire weakened, and less able to prevent the British from expanding their power base in India?

Answer: all of these reasons

The local rulers, who had previously supported the emperors, were now more powerful, and less likely to support the emperors. They were refusing to pass the taxes they collected on to the emperors. The Persians and Afghans attacked several times, under Shah Durrani and Nadir Shah.
4. Why did the East India Company decide to recruit its own army?

Answer: to protect its trade from attack

There were originally no plans to take political control of India, but the company wanted to protect its trade routes.
5. Which city was captured from the British by local ruler Siraj-ud-Daula in 1756?

Answer: Calcutta

It is now called Kolkata. Siraj disliked the British, and attacked and took control of Calcutta when he became ruler in Bengal.
6. Which English lieutenant-colonel recaptured Calcutta from Siraj-ud-Daula?

Answer: Clive

Robert Clive brought his army from Madras further south, and recaptured Calcutta at the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
7. How did the British win the Battle of Plassey in 1757?

Answer: they persuaded the enemy's general to change sides

Mir Jafar was an important follower of Siraj-ud-Daula. He made a deal with Clive, and agreed not to lead his men into battle against the British. In return, he was made ruler of Bengal after Siraj's capture and execution. This was on condition that he support the British, though.
8. What practice was banned by Governor-General Bentinck in 1829?

Answer: the Hindu custom of widows burning themselves on the death of their husbands

Sati, or suttee, was the custom of a widow committing suicide on her husband's funeral pyre.
9. In what year did Queen Victoria become Empress of India (in addition to being Queen of the United Kingdom)?

Answer: 1876

This was purely a matter of assuming an imperial title and had no practical significance. Hitherto, Britain had had an empire but on paper, no emperor or empress.
10. In 1857 there was a major rebellion against the British. Where did it begin?

Answer: Meerut

It is not entirely clear what happened, as many sources disagree about the facts. However, many Indians and British were killed, including many British children and women. This rebellion led to the British government assuming sole control in place of the East India Company. (Previously there had been a complicated system of dual control).
Source: Author Taylor7AT

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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