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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
3709

Last 3 plays: Guest 84 (6/10), Guest 94 (3/10), Guest 211 (0/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. When was the East India Company founded? Hint

1594

1618

1607

1600

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Question 2 of 10

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

Calcutta and Delhi

Delhi and Bombay

Madras and Bangalore

Madras and Calcutta

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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

the local rulers had gained individual power

all of these reasons

the emperors were running short of money

the empire had been attacked from Persia and Afghanistan

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Question 4 of 10

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

because the British government lacked the money to protect the Company

to protect its trade from attack

because the company owners wanted to take control of India

because the emperors asked the company to help them defeat the local rulers

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Question 5 of 10

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

Madras

Calcutta

Delhi

Bombay

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Question 6 of 10

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

Answer: (surname only)

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Question 7 of 10

7. How did the British win the Battle of Plassey in 1757? Hint

they had a much larger army than the enemy

they persuaded the enemy's general to change sides

only their army had cannons

they had a tactical advantage by choosing to attack from the sea

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Question 8 of 10

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

British soldiers marrying Indian brides

worshipping in Hindu temples

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

having more than one wife

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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

1866

1876

1897

1846

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Question 10 of 10

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

Meerut

Bombay

Calcutta

Bangalore

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 10 2024 : Guest 84: 6/10
Dec 07 2024 : Guest 94: 3/10
Nov 06 2024 : Guest 211: 0/10
Oct 24 2024 : Guest 81: 1/10

Score Distribution

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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