60. Who devised the Mahalwari settlement system?
[68th BPSC Prelims (12 Feb 2023, Set B)]
A. Lord Hastings
B. Lord Cornwallis
C. Holt Mackenzie
D. More than one of these
Answer: C. Holt Mackenzie
Explanation: Holt Mackenzie devised the Mahalwari settlement in 1822. Instead of individual peasants or hereditary landlords alone, village-level communities and their headmen were entrusted with fulfilling assessed revenue obligations.
59. What was the land revenue system associated with Thomas Munro called?
[Maharashtra Talathi (18 Aug 2023, Shift 1)]
A. Mahalwari
B. Land tenure system
C. Ryotwari
D. Permanent method
Answer: C. Ryotwari
Explanation: Munro expanded Ryotwari arrangements in the Madras Presidency, assessing cultivators individually. The system made each ryot liable to pay the state directly and contrasted with Bengal’s zamindari-based Permanent Settlement.
58. In which year were the Arms Act and Vernacular Press Act both enacted?
[SSC MTS (8 Sep 2023, Shift 2)]
A. 1878
B. 1879
C. 1877
D. 1876
Answer: A. 1878
Explanation: Lord Lytton’s administration passed both the Arms Act and the Vernacular Press Act in 1878. The measures imposed unequal restrictions on arms possession and political journalism, generating considerable Indian opposition.
57. Which settlement by Cornwallis gave Bengal zamindars ownership rights in return for fixed revenue by a fixed date?
[SSC CPO Paper-I (5 Oct 2023, Shift 1)]
A. Ryotwari
B. Mahalwari
C. Taluqdari
D. Permanent Settlement
Answer: D. Permanent Settlement
Explanation: Under Permanent Settlement, introduced in 1793, zamindars were recognized as proprietors responsible for fixed payments. Those who defaulted could lose estates through auction, while peasants faced pressure to satisfy landlords’ collections.
56. Who is known as the Father of Local Self-Government in India?
[MPPSC State Services Prelims (17 Dec 2023)]
A. Lord Dalhousie
B. Lord Mountbatten
C. Lord Macaulay
D. Lord Ripon
Answer: D. Lord Ripon
Explanation: Ripon’s Resolution of 1882 encouraged local boards and municipalities with wider Indian participation. As the measure trained residents in limited public administration, Ripon acquired the title Father of Local Self-Government.
55. The Hunter Commission set up in 1882 examined which field?
[Delhi Police Constable Executive (22 Nov 2023, Shift 3)]
A. Famine
B. Agriculture
C. Industry
D. Education
Answer: D. Education
Explanation: Lord Ripon appointed the Indian Education Commission under William Wilson Hunter in 1882. Its purpose was to review educational progress and recommend improvement, particularly in primary schooling and local administrative participation.
54. The Vernacular Press Act was passed in India in which year?
[DDA Junior Secretariat Assistant (24 Sep 2023, Shift 2)]
A. 1882
B. 1878
C. 1888
D. 1872
Answer: B. 1878
Explanation: The Vernacular Press Act was enacted under Lord Lytton in 1878 to control Indian-language publications. It gave the administration coercive powers and became a prominent issue in the history of freedom of the press.
53. Which Act redesignated the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims (28 May 2023) ]
A. Regulating Act
B. Pitt’s India Act
C. Charter Act 1793
D. Charter Act 1833
Answer: D. Charter Act 1833
Explanation: The Charter Act of 1833 centralized legislative authority and renamed the Governor-General of Bengal as Governor-General of India. Lord William Bentinck was the first officeholder under the newly designated all-India post.
52. In which year did Warren Hastings become the first Governor-General of Bengal?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (7 Dec 2022, Shift 3)]
A. 1767
B. 1757
C. 1773
D. 1783
Answer: C. 1773
Explanation: The Regulating Act of 1773 created the governor-generalship of Bengal, naming Warren Hastings to the office. He formally occupied the new position in 1774, after having served as Governor of Bengal.
51. When was the Subsidiary Alliance imposed upon Awadh?
[DSSSB Junior Engineer (21 Mar 2022, Shift 1)]
A. 1810
B. 1801
C. 1805
D. 1808
Answer: B. 1801
Explanation: Awadh’s 1801 treaty with the Company imposed Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance arrangement. The Nawab surrendered much military and diplomatic freedom while British troops gained a permanent foothold within the kingdom.
