130. Which legislation provided for the Supreme Court of Judicature at Calcutta, established in 1774?
[RRB NTPC Graduate, 22 March 2026, Shift 2]
(A) Regulating Act, 1773
(B) Indian Councils Act, 1861
(C) Charter Act, 1833
(D) Government of India Act, 1935
Answer: (A) Regulating Act, 1773
Explanation: The Supreme Court at Fort William in Calcutta began functioning in 1774 under provisions of the Regulating Act. The new judicial institution frequently clashed with the Company’s executive and existing legal practices. The legislation illustrates expanding parliamentary involvement in the structures and powers of colonial government.
129. Which Act authorised a Supreme Court at Calcutta consisting of a chief justice and three judges?
[RRB Technician, 6 March 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Charter Act, 1813
(B) Regulating Act, 1773
(C) Indian Councils Act, 1892
(D) Pitt’s India Act, 1784
Answer: (B) Regulating Act, 1773
Explanation: Under the Regulating Act of 1773, the Supreme Court was established in 1774 with a chief justice and three puisne judges. This was an early attempt to define judicial authority in British-administered Bengal. The legislation illustrates expanding parliamentary involvement in the structures and powers of colonial government.
128. Which feature correctly describes the Regulating Act of 1773?
[UPHESC Assistant Professor (History), 19 April 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Governor-General of Bengal with a council, with Bombay and Madras subordinated in specified matters
(B) Direct election of an Indian legislature
(C) Complete abolition of the East India Company
(D) Appointment of the first Viceroy
Answer: (A) Governor-General of Bengal with a council, with Bombay and Madras subordinated in specified matters
Explanation: The 1773 statute elevated Bengal’s governor to Governor-General, working with a council. It also introduced greater coordination among Company presidencies and parliamentary scrutiny, although administrative ambiguities persisted. The legislation illustrates expanding parliamentary involvement in the structures and powers of colonial government.
127. Which Governor-General’s administrative reforms are associated with a civil service framework, courts and a codified set of regulations?
[UPHESC Assistant Professor (History), 19 April 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Lord Cornwallis
(B) Robert Clive
(C) Lord Dalhousie
(D) Lord Curzon
Answer: (A) Lord Cornwallis
Explanation: Cornwallis reorganised Company civil administration, judicial institutions and policing during his governorship. The Cornwallis Code of 1793 became a significant milestone in colonial bureaucracy, while its racial exclusions shaped later government service. The office and its responsibilities changed repeatedly as British power expanded beyond the Bengal Presidency.
126. Which Act transferred British India from Company administration to the British Crown?
[DSSSB Primary Teacher, 16 February 2026, Shift 3]
(A) Charter Act, 1833
(B) Government of India Act, 1858
(C) Regulating Act, 1773
(D) Indian Councils Act, 1909
Answer: (B) Government of India Act, 1858
Explanation: The Government of India Act of 1858 followed the uprising of 1857. It ended the East India Company’s governmental role, introduced the Secretary of State for India and placed administration under the Crown. The legislation illustrates expanding parliamentary involvement in the structures and powers of colonial government.
125. Which legislation formally ended the East India Company’s rule in India?
[SSC GD Constable, 22 May 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Government of India Act, 1858
(B) Charter Act, 1813
(C) Pitt’s India Act, 1784
(D) Regulating Act, 1773
Answer: (A) Government of India Act, 1858
Explanation: The 1858 Act transferred political control from the Company to the British Crown. The governor-general additionally functioned as viceroy, and a secretary of state in Britain oversaw Indian government matters. The legislation illustrates expanding parliamentary involvement in the structures and powers of colonial government.
124. Which annexation policy was used by Dalhousie in cases involving the absence of a recognised natural heir?
[UP Police Sub-Inspector, 14 March 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Doctrine of Lapse
(B) Subsidiary Alliance
(C) Dual Government
(D) Permanent Settlement
Answer: (A) Doctrine of Lapse
Explanation: Dalhousie applied the Doctrine of Lapse to annex certain princely states when an adopted successor was not recognised as entitled to rule. Satara and Jhansi became prominent examples of this controversial policy. The Company moved over time from a trading corporation into a territorial and revenue-collecting power.
123. Which Governor-General is particularly associated with the Doctrine of Lapse?
[DSSSB MTS, 25 March 2026, Shift 3]
(A) Lord William Bentinck
(B) Lord Dalhousie
(C) Lord Canning
(D) Warren Hastings
Answer: (B) Lord Dalhousie
Explanation: Dalhousie served as governor-general from 1848 to 1856. His use of the Doctrine of Lapse enabled annexation of selected dependent states, contributing to discontent among dispossessed ruling families. The office and its responsibilities changed repeatedly as British power expanded beyond the Bengal Presidency.
122. Under the Doctrine of Lapse, what circumstance could lead to annexation of a dependent princely state?
[UPHESC Assistant Professor (History), 19 April 2026, Shift 1]
(A) A ruler died without a recognised natural heir
(B) A state built a new fortress
(C) Peasants demanded lower rents
(D) A ruler signed a trade treaty
Answer: (A) A ruler died without a recognised natural heir
Explanation: The doctrine rejected succession through adoption in selected cases unless permitted by the paramount power. It differed from subsidiary alliances, which involved stationing British troops and accepting diplomatic restrictions. The Company moved over time from a trading corporation into a territorial and revenue-collecting power.
121. In which year did the East India Company annex Satara?
[SSC GD Constable, 18 May 2026, Shift 1]
(A) 1848
(B) 1853
(C) 1856
(D) 1858
Answer: (A) 1848
Explanation: Satara was annexed in 1848 under Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse after the succession was rejected. Its annexation is one of the earliest and best-known instances of the policy. The Company moved over time from a trading corporation into a territorial and revenue-collecting power.
