Modern History Set 128 | MROY Class

Modern History Set 128 Questions & Answers

The First Carnatic War (1746–1748) was an extension of the Anglo-French rivalry in Europe. It was brought to an end by the signing of which treaty? – Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle
The decisive Battle of Wandiwash (1760), which effectively shattered French imperial ambitions in India, was fought during which war? – Third Carnatic War
Haidar Ali, the ruler of Mysore, died of cancer in 1782 in the midst of which major conflict with the British? – Second Anglo-Mysore War
The Third Anglo-Mysore War ended in 1792 with Tipu Sultan being forced to cede half of his territories and pay a massive war indemnity under which treaty? – Treaty of Seringapatam
The Treaty of Purandar (1776) and the Treaty of Salbai (1782) were significant agreements signed during the course of which major conflict? – First Anglo-Maratha War
Which British Governor-General systematically used the ‘Subsidiary Alliance’ system to force Indian states like Hyderabad, Awadh, and Mysore (after 1799) into British paramountcy? – Lord Wellesley
The Treaty of Bassein (1802), a subsidiary alliance signed with the British, effectively signaled the end of the independent Maratha empire. Which Peshwa signed it? – Baji Rao II
The Gurkhas of Nepal were defeated by the British in the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816) and were forced to cede territories like Kumaon and Garhwal under which treaty? – Treaty of Sugauli
Which prominent Telugu social reformer, widely considered the “Father of the Renaissance movement in Andhra,” founded the Rajahmundry Social Reform Association in 1878 to promote widow remarriage? – Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu
The ‘Aravippuram Movement’ (1888) was a major socio-religious reform movement in Kerala that challenged the Brahmin monopoly over idol worship. Who led this movement? – Sri Narayana Guru
Which fierce anti-caste crusader and rationalist leader from Tamil Nadu famously launched the ‘Self-Respect Movement’ in 1925? – E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker (Periyar)
The ‘Justice Party’, officially known as the South Indian Liberal Federation, was founded in 1916 to represent the interests of non-Brahmins. Which of the following was NOT one of its founders? – C. Rajagopalachari
In Maharashtra, who founded the ‘Widow Remarriage Association’ in the 1850s and later started the famous Women’s University in Pune in 1916? – Dhondo Keshav Karve
Which pioneering female educator and social reformer founded the ‘Arya Mahila Samaj’ in Pune to promote women’s education and prevent child marriage? – Pandita Ramabai
Authored by Tarabai Shinde in 1882, which groundbreaking Marathi text is often considered one of India’s first modern feminist tracts? – Stri Purush Tulana
Who was the first Indian woman to become a physician, obtaining her medical degree in the United States in 1886? – Anandibai Joshi
In 1890, which pioneering woman made history by becoming the first female graduate to address an open session of the Indian National Congress? – Kadambini Ganguly
Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy, the first female legislator in British India, was a staunch campaigner against which oppressive social system prevalent in South India? – The Devadasi system
Who was the first Indian woman to preside over the Indian National Congress (Kanpur session, 1925)? – Sarojini Naidu
Who was the prominent female leader affectionately known as the “Nightingale of India” (Bharat Kokila)? – Sarojini Naidu
During the Quit India Movement of 1942, who heroically went underground and organized the secret ‘Congress Radio’ to broadcast nationalistic messages? – Usha Mehta
Which brave female revolutionary participated in the Chittagong Armoury Raid alongside Surya Sen and was later sentenced to transportation for life? – Kalpana Datta
In 1932, which young revolutionary fired point-blank at the British Governor of Bengal, Stanley Jackson, during the Calcutta University convocation? – Bina Das
The Indian National Army (INA) featured an exclusive all-women combat regiment called the Rani of Jhansi Regiment. Who commanded it? – Captain Lakshmi Sahgal
After independence, who made history by becoming the first female Chief Minister of an Indian state (Uttar Pradesh)? – Sucheta Kripalani
Who was the first female Governor of an Indian state (United Provinces) in independent India? – Sarojini Naidu
The Women’s Indian Association (WIA), established in 1917 to fight for women’s suffrage and social reform, was co-founded in Madras by whom? – Annie Besant and Margaret Cousins
The All India Women’s Conference (AIWC), the oldest and most prominent national women’s organization, was founded in 1927 in Pune by whom? – Margaret Cousins
In 1907, who became the first person to hoist an early version of the Indian national flag on foreign soil at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart? – Madam Bhikaji Cama
Which revered female leader, known as the “Heroine of the 1942 Movement,” hoisted the Indian tricolor at the Gowalia Tank Maidan during the Quit India Movement? – Aruna Asaf Ali

MROY Class

Modern History Set 128

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📌 Wars & Treaties • Carnatic Wars

Q.1) The First Carnatic War (1746–1748) was an extension of the Anglo-French rivalry in Europe. It was brought to an end by the signing of which treaty?

Ans > Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle

European Geopolitics Spilling Over: The First Carnatic War was fundamentally a direct consequence of the geopolitical War of the Austrian Succession in Europe, where the empires of Britain and France found themselves on opposing sides. This European hostility immediately spilled over into their colonial settlements in the Indian subcontinent.
Major Engagements and the Battle of St. Thome: The conflict featured major naval and land skirmishes, most notably the audacious capture of the British settlement of Madras by the ambitious French Governor-General, Joseph François Dupleix. It also witnessed the historic Battle of St. Thome (Adyar River), where a very small French force decisively routed a massive army of the Nawab of Carnatic, proving the sheer tactical superiority of disciplined European infantry over traditional Indian armies.
The Diplomatic Resolution: The war finally concluded in 1748 with the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in Europe. Under the strict terms of this comprehensive peace agreement, captured territories were exchanged globally. Madras was famously restored back to the British East India Company, while in return, the French received their captured territories in North America, specifically the fortress of Louisbourg.

📌 Wars & Treaties • Carnatic Wars

Q.2) The decisive Battle of Wandiwash (1760), which effectively shattered French imperial ambitions in India, was fought during which war?

Ans > Third Carnatic War

The Seven Years’ War Connection: The Third Carnatic War (1758–1763) was an extension of the massive global conflict known as the Seven Years’ War. Unlike the previous Carnatic wars, which were somewhat localized, this conflict was a decisive showdown for total supremacy over the Indian subcontinent between the British and the French East India Companies.
The Crushing Defeat at Wandiwash: The turning point occurred at the Battle of Wandiwash in Tamil Nadu in 1760. The brilliant British commander, Sir Eyre Coote, utterly decimated the French forces led by the aggressive but tactically flawed Comte de Lally. Lally’s strategic blunders, including alienating his best general, Marquis de Bussy, heavily contributed to the disastrous French defeat.
The Fall of French India: Following the disaster at Wandiwash, the British relentlessly captured the heavily fortified French capital of Pondicherry in 1761 after a brutal siege. The war officially ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. This treaty was catastrophic for French ambitions; it reduced the French presence in India to mere commercial trading outposts without any military fortifications, effectively cementing British imperial hegemony in India.

📌 Wars & Treaties • Mysore Wars

Q.3) Haidar Ali, the ruler of Mysore, died of cancer in 1782 in the midst of which major conflict with the British?

Ans > Second Anglo-Mysore War

The Origins of the Conflict: The Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780–1784) erupted when the British aggressively captured the French port of Mahe, which was geographically situated within Haidar Ali’s protected territories. Furious at this violation of his sovereignty and the British failure to honor previous defensive treaties, Haidar Ali forged a massive grand alliance with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad against the English.
Early Victories and Coote’s Arrival: The war began disastrously for the British. At the Battle of Pollilur (1780), Haidar Ali and his son Tipu Sultan inflicted a humiliating defeat on a large British force commanded by Colonel Baillie. Panic spread through the British ranks until Governor-General Warren Hastings urgently dispatched veteran commander Sir Eyre Coote, who managed to stabilize the situation and defeat Haidar at the Battle of Porto Novo in 1781.
Sudden Demise and the Treaty of Mangalore: In the very midst of this exhausting and brutal conflict, Haidar Ali tragically died of severe cancer in his camp at Chittoor in December 1782. His son, Tipu Sultan, seamlessly took command of the immense Mysore army and continued the fierce resistance. The grinding war ultimately ended in a military stalemate, formally concluding with the Treaty of Mangalore in 1784, which mandated a mutual restitution of all conquered territories and prisoners.

📌 Wars & Treaties • Mysore Wars

Q.4) The Third Anglo-Mysore War ended in 1792 with Tipu Sultan being forced to cede half of his territories and pay a massive war indemnity under which treaty?

Ans > Treaty of Seringapatam

The Spark of the Third War: The Third Anglo-Mysore War (1789–1792) was dramatically ignited when Tipu Sultan aggressively attacked the state of Travancore. Because Travancore was a formally declared ally of the British East India Company, the British used this as the perfect justification to declare war. Governor-General Lord Cornwallis meticulously organized a grand triple alliance involving the British, the Marathas, and the Nizam of Hyderabad to crush Tipu.
The Siege and Surrender: Lord Cornwallis personally took command of the massive allied forces and successfully marched deep into Mysore territory, eventually laying a devastating siege to Tipu Sultan’s fortified capital, Seringapatam. Realizing the sheer impossibility of holding out against the combined might of the allied armies, Tipu Sultan was forced to sue for peace to save his capital from total destruction.
The Humiliating Terms of Seringapatam: The resulting Treaty of Seringapatam (1792) was deliberately designed to cripple Mysore militarily and economically. Tipu was forced to surrender nearly half of his entire kingdom (including highly lucrative regions like Malabar, Dindigul, and Baramahal). Furthermore, he was ordered to pay an exorbitant war indemnity of three crore rupees. Most humiliatingly, he had to hand over two of his young sons, Abdul Khaliq and Maiz-ud-din, as hostages to the British until the massive debt was fully cleared.

📌 Wars & Treaties • Maratha Wars

Q.5) The Treaty of Purandar (1776) and the Treaty of Salbai (1782) were significant agreements signed during the course of which major conflict?

Ans > First Anglo-Maratha War

The Succession Crisis and British Interference: The First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782) was directly sparked by deep internal factionalism within the Maratha Empire. Raghunathrao, desperately seeking the powerful position of Peshwa, formed an alliance with the British Bombay Council by signing the Treaty of Surat (1775). However, the supreme British Council in Calcutta, led by Warren Hastings, rejected this and instead signed the Treaty of Purandar (1776) with the rival Maratha faction (the Barbhai Council) supporting the infant Peshwa, Madhavrao II.
The Humiliation at Wadgaon: The war was characterized by shifting alliances and intense battles. In 1779, a large British force attempted to march on Poona but was brilliantly outmaneuvered and heavily defeated by the brilliant Maratha general Mahadji Scindia at the Battle of Wadgaon. The British were forced to sign the deeply humiliating Convention of Wadgaon, surrendering all territories acquired since 1773, though Warren Hastings later vehemently repudiated this agreement and sent reinforcements.
The Stabilization of the Treaty of Salbai: After years of exhausting and inconclusive conflict, Mahadji Scindia utilized his immense diplomatic leverage to broker the Treaty of Salbai in 1782. This incredibly significant treaty ended the First Anglo-Maratha War by officially recognizing the infant Madhavrao II as the legitimate Peshwa and returning Salsette to the British. Most importantly, it guaranteed an unprecedented twenty years of unbroken peace between the two powers, allowing the British to entirely focus their military might on defeating their other major rival, Mysore.

📌 British Expansion • Governor-Generals

Q.6) Which British Governor-General systematically used the ‘Subsidiary Alliance’ system to force Indian states like Hyderabad, Awadh, and Mysore (after 1799) into British paramountcy?

Ans > Lord Wellesley

An Imperial Grand Strategy: Lord Richard Wellesley, who served as the Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805, arrived with a strict mandate to drastically expand British territorial control. Deeply fearful of Napoleon Bonaparte’s potential ambitions in the East, Wellesley heavily utilized the diplomatic weapon known as the “Subsidiary Alliance” to rapidly and systematically strip Indian princely states of their military independence without the massive costs of direct warfare.
The Draconian Mechanics of the Alliance: The terms of a Subsidiary Alliance were intentionally crippling. An Indian ruler who signed the treaty was absolutely forced to disband his own native army and permanently station a heavily armed British military contingent within his capital. The ruler had to bear the massive financial cost of these troops. Furthermore, the ruler completely surrendered control of his foreign policy to the British and was strictly forbidden from employing any non-British Europeans (especially the French) in his service.
The Rapid Fall of Indian States: The Nizam of Hyderabad was the very first major Indian ruler to succumb, signing the alliance in 1798. The Nawab of Awadh followed in 1801, being forced to cede the highly fertile regions of Rohilkhand and the lower Doab to cover the massive subsidy costs. Following the death of Tipu Sultan in 1799, the restored Wodeyar dynasty of Mysore was immediately forced to sign a Subsidiary Alliance, cementing British paramountcy across the deep south.

📌 Maratha Empire • Treaties

Q.7) The Treaty of Bassein (1802), a subsidiary alliance signed with the British, effectively signaled the end of the independent Maratha empire. Which Peshwa signed it?

Ans > Baji Rao II

The Internal Maratha Implosion: The once-mighty Maratha Confederacy was utterly consumed by a devastating internal civil war at the dawn of the 19th century. The brutal rivalry between the Holkar faction (led by Yashwantrao Holkar) and the Scindia faction (allied with the weak and treacherous Peshwa Baji Rao II) reached a boiling point. In 1802, Holkar’s highly disciplined forces decisively crushed the combined armies of Scindia and the Peshwa at the pivotal Battle of Poona.
The Surrender of Sovereignty: Terrified and fleeing for his life after the devastating defeat at Poona, Peshwa Baji Rao II cowardly sought refuge with the British. On December 31, 1802, he signed the infamous Treaty of Bassein. By accepting this Subsidiary Alliance, the Peshwa formally surrendered the independence of the Maratha Empire. He agreed to permanently station a massive force of 6,000 British infantrymen in Poona and ceded vast territories to pay for their upkeep.
Igniting the Second Maratha War: The Treaty of Bassein was viewed as an absolute national humiliation by the other proud Maratha chieftains. Deeply offended that their nominal head had signed away their sovereignty, the powerful Scindia and Bhonsle factions vehemently rejected the treaty and immediately mobilized their armies. This massive outrage directly triggered the bloody Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805), which ultimately resulted in the crushing military defeat of the Maratha chiefs by British forces led by Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington).

📌 Border Conflicts • Treaties

Q.8) The Gurkhas of Nepal were defeated by the British in the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816) and were forced to cede territories like Kumaon and Garhwal under which treaty?

Ans > Treaty of Sugauli

The Roots of the Conflict: As the British East India Company rapidly expanded its borders to the north, it inevitably collided with the expanding and fiercely militant Gurkha Empire of Nepal. Constant border skirmishes and territorial disputes in the highly fertile Terai region and the borders of Awadh pushed tensions to the breaking point. Consequently, Governor-General Lord Hastings officially declared the Anglo-Nepalese War in 1814.
A Grueling Mountain Campaign: The British forces initially suffered severe and deeply humiliating setbacks. They were completely unprepared for the brutal realities of high-altitude mountain warfare and were stunned by the incredible bravery, tactical brilliance, and fierce resistance of the Gurkha forces, commanded by legends like Amar Singh Thapa. Eventually, through sheer numerical superiority and the brilliant tactical leadership of General David Ochterlony, the British managed to turn the tide and force the Gurkhas into submission.
The Legacy of Sugauli: The war was concluded with the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816. The terms were severe: Nepal was forced to permanently cede massive, highly strategic hill territories, including Kumaon, Garhwal, and parts of Sikkim, and strictly accept a British Resident in Kathmandu. Crucially, recognizing the exceptional martial prowess of their former enemies, the treaty officially permitted the British to recruit Gurkha soldiers into the British Indian Army, establishing a legendary military tradition that endures heavily to this day.

📌 Socio-Religious Reform • Andhra

Q.9) Which prominent Telugu social reformer, widely considered the “Father of the Renaissance movement in Andhra,” founded the Rajahmundry Social Reform Association in 1878 to promote widow remarriage?

Ans > Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu

The Pioneer of South Indian Reform: Born into a highly orthodox Brahmin family, Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu grew up to completely reject the oppressive religious dogmas of his time. Deeply inspired by the progressive ideals of the Brahmo Samaj and reformers like Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, he became the absolute leading light of social awakening in the Telugu-speaking regions, earning him the title “Father of the Renaissance movement in Andhra.”
Crusade for Widow Remarriage: He was deeply horrified by the miserable, ostracized conditions of child widows. To combat this, he formally established the Rajahmundry Social Reform Association in 1878 explicitly to heavily promote and facilitate widow remarriage. Despite facing intense death threats, physical attacks, and severe social boycott from orthodox society, he successfully officiated the very first widow remarriage in Andhra Pradesh in 1881.
Literary and Educational Contributions: Beyond his direct social activism, Veeresalingam was a towering literary giant. He authored “Rajasekhara Charitamu,” widely recognized as the very first novel written in the Telugu language. He weaponized literature for reform, starting powerful journals like ‘Vivekavardhini’ to furiously campaign against systemic corruption, deeply ingrained superstitions, and the Devadasi system. He also dedicated his personal wealth to establishing numerous schools specifically for girls and the deeply marginalized untouchable castes.

📌 Socio-Religious Reform • Kerala

Q.10) The ‘Aravippuram Movement’ (1888) was a major socio-religious reform movement in Kerala that challenged the Brahmin monopoly over idol worship. Who led this movement?

Ans > Sri Narayana Guru

The Context of Extreme Casteism: Sri Narayana Guru was born into the Ezhava community in Kerala, a region that Swami Vivekananda once famously described as a “lunatic asylum” due to its incredibly rigid and brutal caste system. Untouchability was so severely enforced that lower castes were forced to maintain a strict, measured physical distance from upper castes to prevent “atmospheric pollution,” and were entirely banned from entering temples or accessing public roads.
The Revolutionary Aravippuram Consecration: In a massively defiant and deeply symbolic act of rebellion in 1888, Sri Narayana Guru directly challenged the ancient Brahminical monopoly on religious consecration. He retrieved a stone from the Neyyar River and independently installed it as a Shiva lingam at Aravippuram. When furious orthodox Brahmins questioned his scriptural authority to consecrate an idol, he delivered his legendary, calm reply: “I have not installed a Brahmin Shiva, but an Ezhava Shiva,” totally dismantling their theological superiority.
Institutionalizing the Reform: To systematically organize the marginalized communities and build upon the momentum of Aravippuram, he founded the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) in 1903. Under his visionary leadership, the movement aggressively advocated for universal temple entry, the establishment of modern educational institutions for the depressed classes, and fundamentally preached a highly egalitarian, unifying philosophy perfectly captured in his famous motto: “One Caste, One Religion, One God for Mankind.”

📌 Socio-Religious Reform • Tamil Nadu

Q.11) Which fierce anti-caste crusader and rationalist leader from Tamil Nadu famously launched the ‘Self-Respect Movement’ in 1925?

Ans > E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker (Periyar)

The Break from the Congress Party: E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker, respectfully known worldwide as Periyar, was initially a highly dedicated and prominent leader within the Indian National Congress. However, he grew deeply disillusioned after witnessing blatant, entrenched caste discrimination within the nationalist ranks—most notably the practice of serving food separately to Brahmin and non-Brahmin students at the Congress-funded Cheranmahadevi Gurukulam. Disgusted by the lack of internal reform, he formally left the party in 1925.
The Core Philosophy of the Movement: Immediately after leaving, Periyar launched the highly radical Self-Respect Movement (Suyamariyadhai Iyakkam). The movement’s primary, uncompromising goal was to completely dismantle Brahminical supremacy and build a rational society where historically backward castes could live with absolute dignity and equal human rights. He heavily promoted scientific rationalism, atheism, and fiercely attacked Hindu orthodoxy, the caste system, and scriptural dogmas that he argued were designed to subjugate the Dravidian people.
Revolutionizing Social Practices: One of the most massive and lasting impacts of the Self-Respect Movement was its radical overhaul of marriage customs. Periyar aggressively advocated for “Self-Respect Marriages” (Suya Mariyathai Kalyanam). These marriages were explicitly conducted without the presence of Brahmin priests, completely eliminated traditional Sanskrit mantras, and heavily focused on mutual respect and gender equality. He also campaigned relentlessly for women’s absolute rights, boldly advocating for divorce, birth control, and equal property rights decades before they were legally recognized.

📌 Political Movements • South India

Q.12) The ‘Justice Party’, officially known as the South Indian Liberal Federation, was founded in 1916 to represent the interests of non-Brahmins. Which of the following was NOT one of its founders?

Ans > C. Rajagopalachari

The Genesis of the Justice Party: The South Indian Liberal Federation, which quickly became widely known as the Justice Party (named after its influential English-language organ, *Justice*), was formally established in November 1916. The visionary founders were Dr. C. Natesa Mudaliar, Sir P. Theagaraya Chetty, and Dr. T.M. Nair. The party was created as a direct political response to the overwhelming, disproportionate dominance of the Brahmin minority in government services, the education system, and political bodies throughout the Madras Presidency.
The Non-Brahmin Manifesto: Shortly after its formation, the party released the highly impactful “Non-Brahmin Manifesto.” This document aggressively articulated the severe grievances of the non-Brahmin communities and strongly demanded communal representation (reservations) in government jobs and legislative councils to ensure equitable power-sharing. This deeply shaped the trajectory of Dravidian politics in the 20th century.
Political Success and C. Rajagopalachari’s Stance: The Justice Party achieved massive political success, heavily winning the 1920 provincial elections under the newly introduced diarchy system, effectively forming the government in Madras. In stark contrast, C. Rajagopalachari was a towering stalwart of the Indian National Congress and a close associate of Gandhi. He represented the very nationalist, often upper-caste-dominated political establishment that the Justice Party consistently opposed and fought against on multiple ideological fronts.

📌 Women’s Education • Maharashtra

Q.13) In Maharashtra, who founded the ‘Widow Remarriage Association’ in the 1850s and later started the famous Women’s University in Pune in 1916?

Ans > Dhondo Keshav Karve

A Lifetime of Revolutionary Dedication: Dhondo Keshav Karve, affectionately and universally revered as Maharshi Karve, was a monumental titan of social reform in Maharashtra. He dedicated over 70 continuous years of his life entirely to the immense cause of women’s upliftment and education. Leading entirely by personal example, he boldly defied furious orthodox societal norms in 1893 by personally marrying a widow, Godubai, an act that subjected him to severe social ostracization.
Institutionalizing Support for Widows: Understanding that individual acts were not enough, he heavily focused on institutional reform. He revitalized the Widow Marriage Association and, in 1896, established a safe haven for destitute widows in Pune called the Hingne Stree Shikshan Samstha (originally the Hindu Widows’ Home Association). This institution provided crucial shelter, basic education, and vocational training, allowing outcaste widows to rebuild their lives with dignity and economic independence.
Pioneering Higher Education for Women: Karve’s most massive and lasting legacy is his contribution to women’s higher education. Deeply inspired by a booklet detailing the structure of a women’s university in Japan, he successfully established the very first Indian Women’s University in Pune in 1916. Following a massive financial donation from Sir Vithaldas Thackersey, it was renamed SNDT Women’s University. In recognition of his unparalleled, lifelong service to the nation, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, on his centenary in 1958.

📌 Women Reformers • Maharashtra

Q.14) Which pioneering female educator and social reformer founded the ‘Arya Mahila Samaj’ in Pune to promote women’s education and prevent child marriage?

Ans > Pandita Ramabai

Intellectual Brilliance and Early Recognition: Pandita Ramabai was an absolutely extraordinary Sanskrit scholar. Her immense, unprecedented command over ancient Hindu scriptures at a very young age deeply astonished the male-dominated orthodox establishment. In recognition of her profound intellect, the faculty of Calcutta University officially bestowed upon her the highest honorific titles of ‘Pandita’ and ‘Saraswati’, making her one of the most respected female intellectuals of her era.
Founding the Arya Mahila Samaj: Driven by a fierce desire to combat gender inequality, she relocated to Pune and formally founded the Arya Mahila Samaj (Aryan Women’s Society) in 1882. The organization’s primary, unyielding objective was to aggressively promote the cause of women’s education and heavily campaign for the immediate abolition of the deeply oppressive system of child marriage. She famously testified before the Hunter Education Commission, strongly demanding the training of female teachers and the inclusion of women in medical colleges.
Global Journeys and the Sharada Sadan: After converting to Christianity, Ramabai traveled extensively to England and the United States to study modern educational systems and raise funds for her cause. Upon returning to India, she established the ‘Sharada Sadan’ (Home of Learning) in Bombay in 1889, which was later shifted to Pune. This was a highly progressive, secular institution specifically designed to provide safe asylum, comprehensive education, and essential vocational training to deeply marginalized and destitute young widows.

📌 Feminist Literature • Maharashtra

Q.15) Authored by Tarabai Shinde in 1882, which groundbreaking Marathi text is often considered one of India’s first modern feminist tracts?

Ans > Stri Purush Tulana (A Comparison Between Women and Men)

The Catalyst for the Text: Published in 1882, “Stri Purush Tulana” (A Comparison Between Women and Men) emerged as a furious and deeply impassioned response to a highly publicized and tragic event. Tarabai Shinde was outraged by the immense societal hypocrisy surrounding the case of Vijayabai, a Brahmin widow in Surat who was brutally sentenced to death by the courts for aborting her illegitimate child to escape social disgrace, while the man involved faced absolutely zero consequences.
A Fierce Critique of Patriarchy: The tract is widely recognized as India’s very first modern feminist text. Shinde completely abandoned the polite, reformist tone of her male contemporaries. Instead, she launched an incredibly bold, fierce, and searing critique of upper-caste patriarchy. She aggressively questioned the blatant double standards regarding gender roles, asking why society demanded absolute purity and extreme sacrifice from women while openly tolerating the exact same moral failings and sins committed by men.
Ideological Roots and Legacy: Tarabai Shinde was heavily influenced by the radical social environment of Pune and was a close associate of the legendary reformers Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule, serving as an active member of their Satyashodhak Samaj. In her text, she critically and logically analyzed ancient Hindu religious texts, pointing out how they were systematically designed to subjugate women. Her groundbreaking work laid the essential ideological foundation for aggressive feminist discourse in modern Indian history.

📌 Firsts in India • Medicine

Q.16) Who was the first Indian woman to become a physician, obtaining her medical degree in the United States in 1886?

Ans > Anandibai Joshi

Personal Tragedy as Motivation: Anandibai Joshi was married at the incredibly young age of nine to Gopalrao Joshi, a progressive postal clerk who firmly believed in women’s education. At the age of fourteen, Anandibai gave birth to a son, but the infant tragically died after just ten days primarily due to the severe lack of available female medical care, as orthodox Indian women heavily resisted treatment by male doctors. This immense personal trauma deeply motivated her to study modern medicine.
Overcoming Orthodox Opposition: Her bold decision to travel across the oceans to study medicine was met with intense hostility, death threats, and severe social boycott from orthodox Brahmin society. Despite suffering from constantly failing health, she traveled to the United States and successfully enrolled at the prestigious Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. She was heavily supported by American philanthropists and her husband’s relentless encouragement.
Historic Graduation and Tragic End: On March 11, 1886, she proudly graduated with an MD degree, making history as the very first Indian woman to achieve this feat. Her highly praised medical thesis was titled “Obstetrics among the Aryan Hindoos.” She received a congratulatory message directly from Queen Victoria. Tragically, her health completely collapsed due to the harsh American winters and grueling study schedules. She contracted tuberculosis and passed away at the young age of 22 in 1887, shortly after returning to India, before she could begin her medical practice.

📌 Firsts in India • Education & Politics

Q.17) In 1890, which pioneering woman made history by becoming the first female graduate to address an open session of the Indian National Congress?

Ans > Kadambini Ganguly

Shattering Educational Glass Ceilings: Kadambini Ganguly was an absolute trailblazer in the field of women’s education in India. In 1883, she, alongside Chandramukhi Basu, made history by becoming one of the very first two female graduates of the entire British Empire after successfully passing their examinations at Calcutta University. This monumental achievement heavily inspired the next generation of Indian women to pursue higher education.
A Pioneering Medical Career: Not stopping at her arts degree, she fiercely fought the conservative administration of the Calcutta Medical College to gain admission. She successfully studied Western medicine and later traveled to Scotland to obtain advanced medical diplomas (LRCP, LRCS, and LRFPS). She returned to establish a highly successful private medical practice in Calcutta, becoming one of the very first female, Western-trained physicians practicing in South Asia.
A Monumental Political Breakthrough: Kadambini Ganguly was deeply involved in the early nationalist movement. In a massive symbolic breakthrough for gender equality in politics, she was chosen to be one of the six female delegates at the 1890 session of the Indian National Congress. She made history by becoming the very first woman to publicly address an open session of the Congress, proving to the conservative male establishment that Indian women were fully ready to directly participate in the national political struggle.

📌 Social Reform • South India

Q.18) Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy, the first female legislator in British India, was a staunch campaigner against which oppressive social system prevalent in South India?

Ans > The Devadasi system

A Life of Historic Firsts: Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy was a formidable trailblazer who constantly shattered boundaries. She achieved the immense distinction of becoming the very first female medical graduate from the prestigious Madras Medical College. Her brilliance propelled her into public life, and in 1926, she made history again by becoming the first woman member of the Madras Legislative Council, and soon after, the first female Deputy President of a legislative body in the world.
The Crusade Against the Devadasi System: She fiercely weaponized her political position to launch a relentless crusade against the deeply exploitative Devadasi system, where young girls were supposedly “dedicated” to Hindu temples but were effectively forced into a lifetime of institutionalized prostitution. Despite facing massive, highly vocal opposition from orthodox sections of society and even prominent nationalist leaders like S. Satyamurti, she successfully piloted the legislation that paved the way for the Madras Devadasi (Prevention of Dedication) Act.
Building Institutions of Care: Beyond her massive legislative victories, she was deeply committed to direct social welfare. Recognizing the desperate need to protect girls rescued from the Devadasi system and other vulnerable women, she founded the Avvai Home in Chennai to provide shelter and education. Furthermore, dealing with the personal tragedy of losing her sister to cancer, she aggressively lobbied and raised funds to establish the Adyar Cancer Institute, which remains a premier oncology center today.

📌 Indian National Congress • Firsts

Q.19) Who was the first Indian woman to preside over the Indian National Congress (Kanpur session, 1925)?

Ans > Sarojini Naidu

A Historic Presidency: Sarojini Naidu’s election as the President of the Indian National Congress at the highly significant Kanpur session in 1925 marked an absolute watershed moment in Indian political history. While Annie Besant (an Irishwoman) was the very first woman to preside over the INC in 1917, Naidu achieved the monumental distinction of being the first *Indian* woman to ever hold this supreme national position, heavily symbolizing the deep integration of women into the nationalist leadership.
A Central Pillar of the Freedom Struggle: Naidu was a highly trusted, central figure in Mahatma Gandhi’s inner circle. She traveled extensively across the globe, including the United States and Europe, serving as an incredibly eloquent ambassador for India’s independence movement. She was consistently at the forefront of major agitations, suffering multiple arrests and severe imprisonments for her uncompromising stance against British rule.
Leading the Dharasana Satyagraha: Her absolute courage was most visibly demonstrated during the intense 1930 Civil Disobedience Movement. Following the immediate arrest of Mahatma Gandhi and his successor Abbas Tyabji after the Salt March, the leadership of the movement fell squarely on Naidu’s shoulders. She brilliantly and fearlessly led the non-violent raid on the heavily guarded Dharasana Salt Works. The brutal police violence inflicted on her peaceful marchers drew massive, sympathetic international attention to the brutality of British imperialism in India.

📌 Freedom Fighters • Nicknames

Q.20) Who was the prominent female leader affectionately known as the “Nightingale of India” (Bharat Kokila)?

Ans > Sarojini Naidu

A Literary Prodigy: Long before she fully plunged into the tumultuous world of nationalist politics, Sarojini Naidu firmly established herself as a literary prodigy. Exceptionally brilliant from a young age, she was educated at King’s College London and Girton College, Cambridge. During her time in England, she was heavily encouraged by prominent English writers to capture the authentic spirit, vibrant landscapes, and complex social milieu of India in her English poetry.
The Title of Bharat Kokila: She wrote exquisite, highly emotive poetry that seamlessly blended Western romanticism with deep Indian sensibilities. Her lyrical brilliance, rhythmic mastery, and beautiful melodic verses earned her the highly affectionate and enduring title “Nightingale of India” (Bharat Kokila), a name specifically bestowed upon her by Mahatma Gandhi in recognition of her ability to inspire the masses through her words.
Internationally Acclaimed Works: Her major collections of poetry brought her immense international acclaim and established her as a global literary figure. Her highly celebrated works, including “The Golden Threshold” (1905), “The Bird of Time” (1912), and “The Broken Wing” (1917), were read widely across the British Empire. Her poetry served as a crucial, elegant cultural bridge between India and the West, beautifully conveying the soul of the Indian independence struggle to an international audience.

📌 Quit India Movement • Underground Radios

Q.21) During the Quit India Movement of 1942, who heroically went underground and organized the secret ‘Congress Radio’ to broadcast nationalistic messages?

Ans > Usha Mehta

The Vacuum of Leadership: On the absolute dawn of August 9, 1942, the British government initiated “Operation Zero Hour,” brutally arresting Mahatma Gandhi and the entire top tier of the Congress Working Committee in a desperate attempt to completely crush the Quit India Movement before it could even begin. This sudden action left the highly agitated Indian masses entirely without direction or national leadership.
Establishing the Secret Broadcast: In direct response to this massive crackdown, a 22-year-old university student named Usha Mehta, alongside dedicated associates like Vithalbhai Jhaveri, displayed extraordinary heroism. She successfully established the highly secretive, illegal underground radio station known as “Secret Congress Radio.” Broadcasting exactly at 42.34 meters, the radio boldly transmitted uncensored news, fiery nationalist messages, and previously recorded speeches of Gandhi to fuel the nationwide resistance.
A Deadly Game of Cat and Mouse: Operating the radio was an incredibly dangerous endeavor. To evade the British police’s advanced, roaming radio detection vans, Mehta and her team constantly shifted the heavy transmitter equipment across various safe houses in Bombay almost every single night. Despite their brilliant evasion tactics, the location was eventually compromised. Mehta was caught by the police in November 1942, severely interrogated without breaking, and sentenced to harsh imprisonment at Yerwada Jail.

📌 Revolutionary Nationalism • Bengal

Q.22) Which brave female revolutionary participated in the Chittagong Armoury Raid alongside Surya Sen and was later sentenced to transportation for life?

Ans > Kalpana Datta

Joining the Radical Resistance: Deeply inspired by the intense revolutionary fervor sweeping across Bengal, Kalpana Datta joined the Chhatri Sangha (Women Students Association) during her college years. Her fierce commitment to armed struggle led her to become an active, highly trusted member of Surya Sen’s radical underground organization, the Indian Republican Army, which operated secretly in the Chittagong region.
The Chittagong Armoury Raid and Guerrilla War: She played a highly dangerous and pivotal role surrounding the legendary Chittagong Armoury Raid of 1930. Datta acted as a crucial courier, specialized in preparing and transporting highly volatile explosives, and was heavily involved in planning a massive bomb attack on the European Club and the local court building. Following the initial raid and the subsequent massive British crackdown, she lived entirely underground, fighting desperate guerrilla skirmishes alongside Surya Sen in the dense hills.
Capture and Imprisonment: Despite evading the massive British police and military dragnets for years, she was finally captured in 1933 after a fierce gun battle. During the second supplementary trial of the Chittagong Armoury Raid case, she was sentenced to the incredibly harsh punishment of transportation for life. However, due to massive public pressure and the intervention of prominent leaders like Rabindranath Tagore, she was eventually released from prison in 1939.

📌 Revolutionary Nationalism • Bengal

Q.23) In 1932, which young revolutionary fired point-blank at the British Governor of Bengal, Stanley Jackson, during the Calcutta University convocation?

Ans > Bina Das

The Making of a Revolutionary: Bina Das was a highly educated and deeply committed member of Chhatri Sangha, a prominent revolutionary women’s organization operating in Bengal. Raised in a fiercely patriotic family, she was intensely driven by anti-imperialist anger and heavily influenced by the radical armed resistance movements that sought to violently overthrow British colonial rule in India.
The Daring Assassination Attempt: The 21-year-old student planned an incredibly daring and highly public assassination. On February 6, 1932, during the prestigious Calcutta University convocation ceremony, she abruptly stood up from her seat and fired five point-blank shots from a concealed revolver directly at the highly oppressive British Governor of Bengal, Stanley Jackson. Jackson narrowly ducked the bullets, and the Vice-Chancellor courageously intervened to shield him.
The Aftermath and Trial: Bina Das was immediately tackled, disarmed, and arrested on the spot. She was subjected to brutal police interrogation but refused to name her accomplices. During her highly publicized court trial, she boldly and eloquently stated that her violent actions were a desperate, justified protest against the severe brutality and systemic oppression of the British Empire. Consequently, she was sentenced to nine years of rigorous, harsh imprisonment.

📌 Indian National Army • Women’s Regiment

Q.24) The Indian National Army (INA) featured an exclusive all-women combat regiment called the Rani of Jhansi Regiment. Who commanded it?

Ans > Captain Lakshmi Sahgal

A Revolutionary Military Formation: Formally established in July 1943 in Singapore by the charismatic nationalist leader Subhas Chandra Bose, the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army (INA) was an absolutely revolutionary step. It stands in history as one of the very first all-female combat regiments ever formed in modern military warfare, deeply symbolizing Bose’s absolute commitment to women’s equality in the freedom struggle.
The Making of Captain Lakshmi: Dr. Lakshmi Swaminathan (who later married Colonel Prem Kumar Sahgal) was running a highly successful, lucrative medical clinic in Singapore when she heard Bose’s electrifying call to arms. She completely abandoned her civilian life and medical practice to eagerly take command of the regiment, earning the famous rank of ‘Captain Lakshmi.’ She heavily trained her recruits—mostly young Indian women from Malayan rubber estates—in rigorous infantry combat tactics.
Combat Action and Political Leadership: The Rani of Jhansi Regiment was not merely a symbolic force; it saw actual, active combat against the British forces in the dense, malarial jungles of Burma during the grueling Imphal campaign. Beyond her military command, Captain Lakshmi also held immense political weight, serving as the sole woman Minister of Women’s Affairs in Bose’s Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind) until she was finally captured by the advancing British army.

📌 Post-Independence • Firsts

Q.25) After independence, who made history by becoming the first female Chief Minister of an Indian state (Uttar Pradesh)?

Ans > Sucheta Kripalani

A Towering Figure in the Freedom Struggle: Sucheta Kripalani was a highly respected and deeply influential leader during the Indian independence movement. She formally founded the All India Mahila Congress in 1940 and worked tirelessly alongside Mahatma Gandhi, specifically risking her life during the massive, horrific partition riots in Noakhali. On August 14, 1947, she was granted the historic, deeply emotional honor of singing the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ in the Constituent Assembly just moments before India’s independence.
Shattering the Political Glass Ceiling: Following independence, she transitioned into a highly successful parliamentary career. In 1963, she shattered the ultimate political glass ceiling by being elected as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous and politically significant state. This monumental achievement made her the very first female Chief Minister in the history of the Indian Republic.
A Legacy of Firm Administration: Her tenure as Chief Minister was heavily noted for her incredibly firm, efficient, and uncompromising administrative style. She was a deeply pragmatic leader who did not shy away from tough decisions. She is particularly remembered for her strong handling of a massive, crippling 62-day state employees’ strike, refusing to yield to unreasonable demands and establishing a powerful precedent for strict governance and state discipline.

📌 Post-Independence • Firsts

Q.26) Who was the first female Governor of an Indian state (United Provinces) in independent India?

Ans > Sarojini Naidu

A Culmination of Lifelong Service: Sarojini Naidu’s relentless, decades-long contribution to India’s freedom struggle—marked by multiple imprisonments, global diplomatic missions, and massive leadership roles during the Civil Disobedience Movement—culminated in a historic post-independence milestone. Her immense stature in the nationalist movement made her a natural choice for high constitutional office.
The First Female Governor: Exactly on August 15, 1947, as India awoke to independence, Sarojini Naidu was officially appointed as the Governor of the United Provinces (which was later formally renamed Uttar Pradesh). This highly significant appointment made her the absolute first woman to ever hold a gubernatorial position in the history of the newly formed Indian Republic.
A Tenure of Dignity and Grace: As Governor, Naidu brought immense dignity, profound cultural depth, and significant political gravitas to the constitutional office. She heavily utilized her literary charm and diplomatic skills to manage the complex transition of the massive state during the turbulent post-partition period. She served in this prestigious capacity until her sudden and tragic death from a cardiac arrest while still in office in March 1949, marking the end of a truly legendary era in Indian politics.

📌 Women’s Organizations • Civil Rights

Q.27) The Women’s Indian Association (WIA), established in 1917 to fight for women’s suffrage and social reform, was co-founded in Madras by whom?

Ans > Annie Besant and Margaret Cousins

The Birth of a Political Feminist Movement: The Women’s Indian Association (WIA) was officially founded on May 8, 1917, in Adyar, Madras. The key driving forces behind its creation were Annie Besant, Margaret Cousins, and Dorothy Jinarajadasa. It holds immense historical significance as it stands as India’s very first major feminist organization with a distinct, explicit political mandate to fight for women’s rights on a national scale.
The Fierce Battle for Women’s Suffrage: The WIA was absolutely instrumental in formally demanding women’s political franchise (the legal right to vote). In 1917, they heavily organized and backed a historic all-India women’s deputation, prominently led by Sarojini Naidu. This delegation boldly met with the Montagu-Chelmsford committee to officially demand universal voting rights for Indian women on par with men, a highly radical demand for the era.
Broadening the Scope of Reform: Beyond the fight for political representation, the WIA aggressively tackled a wide range of social evils. They established the powerful journal ‘Stri Dharma’ to spread their message. The organization fought relentlessly against the deeply entrenched practices of child marriage and the Devadasi system, while simultaneously advocating for compulsory primary education for girls and promoting women’s entry into local municipal boards and legislative councils.

📌 Women’s Organizations • National Scale

Q.28) The All India Women’s Conference (AIWC), the oldest and most prominent national women’s organization, was founded in 1927 in Pune by whom?

Ans > Margaret Cousins

Addressing the Educational Crisis: The All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) was officially founded in 1927 in Pune by the tireless Irish-Indian suffragette and feminist, Margaret Cousins. It was initially conceived specifically to address the desperate lack of women’s educational facilities in India. The very first conference was an overwhelming success, bringing together women leaders from heavily diverse backgrounds across the entire subcontinent to forge a unified national strategy for female education.
Expanding into Legislative Advocacy: The AIWC rapidly realized that educational progress was impossible without massive social reform. Consequently, they expanded their scope to fiercely tackle deeply entrenched social evils and advocate for comprehensive legislative changes. The organization played an absolutely critical and heavily influential role in lobbying the British government to pass the historic Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 (widely known as the Sarda Act), which legally fixed the minimum marriageable age for girls and boys for the first time.
A Lasting National Legacy: The AIWC rapidly grew into the most powerful and representative body for women’s rights in pre-independence India. It campaigned aggressively for the reform of Hindu personal laws, heavily advocating for women’s rights to divorce and equal property inheritance. Operating to this day, the AIWC remains one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent national women’s organizations heavily dedicated to the holistic empowerment of Indian women.

📌 Freedom Struggle • Global Stage

Q.29) In 1907, who became the first person to hoist an early version of the Indian national flag on foreign soil at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart?

Ans > Madam Bhikaji Cama

The Mother of the Indian Revolution: Madam Bhikaji Cama, often deeply revered as the “Mother of the Indian Revolution,” operated as a fierce and uncompromising radical nationalist in exile across major European cities like London and Paris. She utilized her immense wealth and international connections to heavily finance revolutionary activities, smuggle nationalist literature, and safely harbor fleeing Indian revolutionaries from the British secret police.
The Historic Unfurling in Stuttgart: On August 22, 1907, during the massive International Socialist Conference held in Stuttgart, Germany, she made history by becoming the absolute first person to publicly unfurl an early version of the Indian national flag on foreign soil. She boldly interrupted the proceedings to deliver a fiery speech, aggressively appealing to the international delegates for support against the severe tyranny and brutal economic exploitation of the British Empire in India.
The Design of the Flag of Independence: The historic flag she designed and proudly hoisted featured horizontal stripes of green, saffron, and red. It was deeply symbolic: the top green stripe was heavily adorned with eight lotuses representing the eight major provinces of British India. The center saffron stripe carried the powerful nationalist rallying cry “Vande Mataram” inscribed boldly in Devanagari script, while the bottom red stripe featured a sun and a crescent moon, representing Hindu-Muslim unity.

📌 Quit India Movement • Heroines

Q.30) Which revered female leader, known as the “Heroine of the 1942 Movement,” hoisted the Indian tricolor at the Gowalia Tank Maidan during the Quit India Movement?

Ans > Aruna Asaf Ali

Stepping into the Leadership Void: On the morning of August 9, 1942, the British government launched a massive, coordinated crackdown, brutally arresting Mahatma Gandhi and the entire senior Congress Working Committee to stifle the newly declared Quit India Movement. With the senior leadership entirely gone, a 33-year-old radical leader named Aruna Asaf Ali displayed extraordinary courage by stepping up to preside over the scheduled massive public session at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay.
The Defiant Hoisting of the Flag: Surrounded by heavily armed British police who had formally banned the gathering, she defiantly and proudly hoisted the Indian national tricolor before a massive, cheering crowd. This incredibly bold and symbolic act of absolute defiance officially ignited the masses and forever earned her the highly revered title of the “Heroine of the 1942 Movement.”
Leading the Underground Resistance: Following this highly public act, she immediately evaded the massive police dragnets and went completely underground. The British government announced a massive reward for her capture, but she continually evaded them. Operating from the shadows, she brilliantly coordinated the radical, clandestine wings of the resistance movement across North India, edited the underground revolutionary magazine ‘Inquilab’, and provided crucial guidance to the youth who were violently sabotaging British communication and transport networks.

📌 Quick Summary — Modern History Set 128

First Carnatic War: Ended by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748), reversing French gains.
Battle of Wandiwash: (1760) Destroyed French power in India during the 3rd Carnatic War.
Haidar Ali: Died of cancer in 1782 during the Second Anglo-Mysore War.
Treaty of Seringapatam: (1792) Ended 3rd Mysore war; Tipu ceded half his kingdom.
First Anglo-Maratha War: Concluded with the Treaty of Salbai in 1782, ensuring 20 years of peace.
Subsidiary Alliance: Masterminded by Lord Wellesley to strip Indian states of sovereignty.
Treaty of Bassein: (1802) Signed by Baji Rao II, effectively ending Maratha independence.
Anglo-Nepalese War: Gurkhas defeated and signed the Treaty of Sugauli (1816).
Andhra Renaissance: Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu pioneered widow remarriage in 1878.
Aravippuram Movement: Sri Narayana Guru defied Brahmin monopoly on idol worship (1888).
Self-Respect Movement: Launched by E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker (Periyar) in 1925 against caste.
Justice Party: Founded in 1916 by non-Brahmins (C. Rajagopalachari was an opponent).
Women’s University: Founded by D.K. Karve in Pune (1916).
Arya Mahila Samaj: Founded by Pandita Ramabai in Pune (1882) to educate women.
Stri Purush Tulana: Foundational feminist Marathi text authored by Tarabai Shinde (1882).
First Female Physician: Anandibai Joshi received her US medical degree in 1886.
INC First Female Speaker: Kadambini Ganguly became the first woman graduate to address INC (1890).
Devadasi System: Strongly campaigned against by Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy.
First Indian Woman INC President: Sarojini Naidu at the Kanpur Session (1925).
Nightingale of India: Sarojini Naidu earned this title for her poetic genius.
Secret Congress Radio: Operated underground by Usha Mehta during Quit India (1942).
Chittagong Armoury Raid: Kalpana Datta actively participated alongside Surya Sen.
Bina Das: Fired at Bengal Governor Stanley Jackson during a 1932 convocation.
Rani of Jhansi Regiment: INA’s all-women combat force commanded by Captain Lakshmi Sahgal.
First Female Chief Minister: Sucheta Kripalani (Uttar Pradesh, 1963).
First Female Governor: Sarojini Naidu (United Provinces, 1947).
Women’s Indian Association: Co-founded by Annie Besant and Margaret Cousins in 1917.
All India Women’s Conference: Founded by Margaret Cousins in Pune (1927).
First Flag on Foreign Soil: Hoisted by Madam Bhikaji Cama in Stuttgart (1907).
Heroine of 1942: Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the tricolor at Gowalia Tank Maidan.

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Modern History Set 128

Q.1) The First Carnatic War (1746–1748) was an extension of the Anglo-French rivalry in Europe. It was brought to an end by the signing of which treaty?

Q.2) The decisive Battle of Wandiwash (1760), which effectively shattered French imperial ambitions in India, was fought during which war?

Q.3) Haidar Ali, the ruler of Mysore, died of cancer in 1782 in the midst of which major conflict with the British?

Q.4) The Third Anglo-Mysore War ended in 1792 with Tipu Sultan being forced to cede half of his territories and pay a massive war indemnity under which treaty?

Q.5) The Treaty of Purandar (1776) and the Treaty of Salbai (1782) were significant agreements signed during the course of which major conflict?

Q.6) Which British Governor-General systematically used the ‘Subsidiary Alliance’ system to force Indian states like Hyderabad, Awadh, and Mysore (after 1799) into British paramountcy?

Q.7) The Treaty of Bassein (1802), a subsidiary alliance signed with the British, effectively signaled the end of the independent Maratha empire. Which Peshwa signed it?

Q.8) The Gurkhas of Nepal were defeated by the British in the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816) and were forced to cede territories like Kumaon and Garhwal under which treaty?

Q.9) Which prominent Telugu social reformer, widely considered the “Father of the Renaissance movement in Andhra,” founded the Rajahmundry Social Reform Association in 1878 to promote widow remarriage?

Q.10) The ‘Aravippuram Movement’ (1888) was a major socio-religious reform movement in Kerala that challenged the Brahmin monopoly over idol worship. Who led this movement?

Q.11) Which fierce anti-caste crusader and rationalist leader from Tamil Nadu famously launched the ‘Self-Respect Movement’ in 1925?

Q.12) The ‘Justice Party’, officially known as the South Indian Liberal Federation, was founded in 1916 to represent the interests of non-Brahmins. Which of the following was NOT one of its founders?

Q.13) In Maharashtra, who founded the ‘Widow Remarriage Association’ in the 1850s and later started the famous Women’s University in Pune in 1916?

Q.14) Which pioneering female educator and social reformer founded the ‘Arya Mahila Samaj’ in Pune to promote women’s education and prevent child marriage?

Q.15) Authored by Tarabai Shinde in 1882, which groundbreaking Marathi text is often considered one of India’s first modern feminist tracts?

Q.16) Who was the first Indian woman to become a physician, obtaining her medical degree in the United States in 1886?

Q.17) In 1890, which pioneering woman made history by becoming the first female graduate to address an open session of the Indian National Congress?

Q.18) Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy, the first female legislator in British India, was a staunch campaigner against which oppressive social system prevalent in South India?

Q.19) Who was the first Indian woman to preside over the Indian National Congress (Kanpur session, 1925)?

Q.20) Who was the prominent female leader affectionately known as the “Nightingale of India” (Bharat Kokila)?

Q.21) During the Quit India Movement of 1942, who heroically went underground and organized the secret ‘Congress Radio’ to broadcast nationalistic messages?

Q.22) Which brave female revolutionary participated in the Chittagong Armoury Raid alongside Surya Sen and was later sentenced to transportation for life?

Q.23) In 1932, which young revolutionary fired point-blank at the British Governor of Bengal, Stanley Jackson, during the Calcutta University convocation?

Q.24) The Indian National Army (INA) featured an exclusive all-women combat regiment called the Rani of Jhansi Regiment. Who commanded it?

Q.25) After independence, who made history by becoming the first female Chief Minister of an Indian state (Uttar Pradesh)?

Q.26) Who was the first female Governor of an Indian state (United Provinces) in independent India?

Q.27) The Women’s Indian Association (WIA), established in 1917 to fight for women’s suffrage and social reform, was co-founded in Madras by whom?

Q.28) The All India Women’s Conference (AIWC), the oldest and most prominent national women’s organization, was founded in 1927 in Pune by whom?

Q.29) In 1907, who became the first person to hoist an early version of the Indian national flag on foreign soil at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart?

Q.30) Which revered female leader, known as the “Heroine of the 1942 Movement,” hoisted the Indian tricolor at the Gowalia Tank Maidan during the Quit India Movement?

📌 Quick Summary — Modern History Set 128

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Q.1) The First Carnatic War (1746–1748) was an extension of the Anglo-French rivalry in Europe. It was brought to an end by the signing of which treaty?

Q.2) The decisive Battle of Wandiwash (1760), which effectively shattered French imperial ambitions in India, was fought during which war?

Q.3) Haidar Ali, the ruler of Mysore, died of cancer in 1782 in the midst of which major conflict with the British?

Q.4) The Third Anglo-Mysore War ended in 1792 with Tipu Sultan being forced to cede half of his territories and pay a massive war indemnity under which treaty?

Q.5) The Treaty of Purandar (1776) and the Treaty of Salbai (1782) were significant agreements signed during the course of which major conflict?

Q.6) Which British Governor-General systematically used the ‘Subsidiary Alliance’ system to force Indian states like Hyderabad, Awadh, and Mysore (after 1799) into British paramountcy?

Q.7) The Treaty of Bassein (1802), a subsidiary alliance signed with the British, effectively signaled the end of the independent Maratha empire. Which Peshwa signed it?

Q.8) The Gurkhas of Nepal were defeated by the British in the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816) and were forced to cede territories like Kumaon and Garhwal under which treaty?

Q.9) Which prominent Telugu social reformer, widely considered the “Father of the Renaissance movement in Andhra,” founded the Rajahmundry Social Reform Association in 1878 to promote widow remarriage?

Q.10) The ‘Aravippuram Movement’ (1888) was a major socio-religious reform movement in Kerala that challenged the Brahmin monopoly over idol worship. Who led this movement?

Q.11) Which fierce anti-caste crusader and rationalist leader from Tamil Nadu famously launched the ‘Self-Respect Movement’ in 1925?

Q.12) The ‘Justice Party’, officially known as the South Indian Liberal Federation, was founded in 1916 to represent the interests of non-Brahmins. Which of the following was NOT one of its founders?

Q.13) In Maharashtra, who founded the ‘Widow Remarriage Association’ in the 1850s and later started the famous Women’s University in Pune in 1916?

Q.14) Which pioneering female educator and social reformer founded the ‘Arya Mahila Samaj’ in Pune to promote women’s education and prevent child marriage?

Q.15) Authored by Tarabai Shinde in 1882, which groundbreaking Marathi text is often considered one of India’s first modern feminist tracts?

Q.16) Who was the first Indian woman to become a physician, obtaining her medical degree in the United States in 1886?

Q.17) In 1890, which pioneering woman made history by becoming the first female graduate to address an open session of the Indian National Congress?

Q.18) Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy, the first female legislator in British India, was a staunch campaigner against which oppressive social system prevalent in South India?

Q.19) Who was the first Indian woman to preside over the Indian National Congress (Kanpur session, 1925)?

Q.20) Who was the prominent female leader affectionately known as the “Nightingale of India” (Bharat Kokila)?

Q.21) During the Quit India Movement of 1942, who heroically went underground and organized the secret ‘Congress Radio’ to broadcast nationalistic messages?

Q.22) Which brave female revolutionary participated in the Chittagong Armoury Raid alongside Surya Sen and was later sentenced to transportation for life?

Q.23) In 1932, which young revolutionary fired point-blank at the British Governor of Bengal, Stanley Jackson, during the Calcutta University convocation?

Q.24) The Indian National Army (INA) featured an exclusive all-women combat regiment called the Rani of Jhansi Regiment. Who commanded it?

Q.25) After independence, who made history by becoming the first female Chief Minister of an Indian state (Uttar Pradesh)?

Q.26) Who was the first female Governor of an Indian state (United Provinces) in independent India?

Q.27) The Women’s Indian Association (WIA), established in 1917 to fight for women’s suffrage and social reform, was co-founded in Madras by whom?

Q.28) The All India Women’s Conference (AIWC), the oldest and most prominent national women’s organization, was founded in 1927 in Pune by whom?

Q.29) In 1907, who became the first person to hoist an early version of the Indian national flag on foreign soil at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart?

Q.30) Which revered female leader, known as the “Heroine of the 1942 Movement,” hoisted the Indian tricolor at the Gowalia Tank Maidan during the Quit India Movement?

📌 Quick Summary — Modern History Set 128

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

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