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General Knowledge Cluster30 Verified Questions
British Annexation GK Questions & Answers
The territorial consolidation of the British Empire in India during the late 18th and mid-19th centuries was accelerated through two systematic imperial expansion policies: the Subsidiary Alliance system and the Doctrine of Lapse. Conceptualized originally by French Governor Dupleix and refined by Governor-General Lord Wellesley (1798–1805), the Subsidiary Alliance forced Indian princely states to disband their independent armed forces, maintain a British subsidiary contingent, accept a British Resident at court, and surrender foreign diplomacy. The Nizam of Hyderabad became the first to sign in 1798, followed by Mysore (1799), the Nawab of Awadh (1801), and the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao II through the Treaty of Bassein (1802). Decades later, Governor-General Lord Dalhousie (1848–1856) implemented the aggressive Doctrine of Lapse, which prohibited Indian rulers without natural male heirs from passing sovereignty to adopted sons. Under this doctrine, the Company annexed Satara (1848), Jaitpur and Sambalpur (1849), Baghat (1850), Udaipur (1852), Jhansi (1853), and Nagpur (1854). Furthermore, Dalhousie annexed Awadh in February 1856 on charges of alleged maladministration following James Outram’s report, fueling widespread discontent that precipitated the Revolt of 1857.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
Lord Wellesley systematized the Subsidiary Alliance in 1798, securing British military dominance and foreign policy control over native states.
The Nizam of Hyderabad was the first Indian ruler to enter into the Subsidiary Alliance with the East India Company in 1798.
Lord Dalhousie enforced the Doctrine of Lapse in 1848, barring adopted heirs from inheriting princely governance and sovereign titles.
Satara was the first state annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse in 1848, followed by Sambalpur, Jhansi (1853), and Nagpur (1854).
Awadh was annexed in 1856 based on James Outram's report citing misgovernance, directly triggering sepoys' participation in the 1857 Revolt.
Showing 25 Curated Questions30 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-EPIG-00489
hardCopper-Plate Charters & Ancient Indian Coinage
Following his military overthrow and annexation of the Western Kshatrapa territories in Gujarat and Saurashtra around 395 CE, Gupta Emperor Chandragupta II Vikramaditya initiated Gupta silver coinage by adopting what standard and reverse motif?
Verified Explanation
To ensure commercial currency continuity in Gujarat, Chandragupta II Vikramaditya minted silver drachms exactly mimicking the size and weight of Western Kshatrapa coins, replacing the Chaitya symbol with the Vaishnava Garuda motif and the title 'Paramabhagavata Maharajadhiraja Sri Chandragupta Vikramaditya'.
2ID: GK-HIST-00033
mediumBritish Rule & Colonial Era
Which Governor-General implemented the annexation policy called 'Doctrine of Lapse'?
Verified Explanation
Lord Dalhousie used the Doctrine of Lapse to annex Satara, Sambalpur, Jhansi, and Nagpur.
3ID: GK-HIST-00484
easyBritish Colonial Rule
The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy rigorously applied in India by which Governor-General?
Verified Explanation
Lord Dalhousie (Governor-General 1848–1856) used the Doctrine of Lapse to annex Indian princely states like Satara, Sambalpur, Jhansi, and Nagpur when a ruler died without a natural heir.
4ID: GK-HIST-00643
hardMauryan & Gupta Empires
In Gupta numismatics, what specific technical term was used for the standard silver coins issued after the annexation of Western Kshatrapa territories?
Verified Explanation
In the Gupta period, gold coins were known as 'Dinar' (derived from the Roman denarius), while silver coins issued by Chandragupta II and Kumaragupta were called 'Rupaka'.
5ID: GK-EPIG-00291
easyCopper-Plate Charters & Ancient Indian Coinage
What was the standard name for the silver coins (weighing approximately 32 grains / 2.1 grams) issued by Gupta emperors like Chandragupta II and Kumaragupta I following the annexation of Western Kshatrapa territories?
Verified Explanation
While Gupta gold coins were termed 'Dinaras' or 'Suvarnas', their silver coins were designated as 'Rupakas', introduced by Chandragupta II Vikramaditya to replace Western Kshatrapa silver drachms in Gujarat and Malwa.
Who is revered as the first Mizo freedom fighter and folk hero to lay down his life while resisting British military annexation of the Lushai Hills at Changsil in 1890?
Verified Explanation
Pasaltha Khuangchera was a legendary Mizo warrior renowned for his courage and martial prowess. In 1890, when British forces established military outposts at Aizawl and Changsil to subjugate the Lushai Hills, Khuangchera led a daring assault on Changsil post, where he was martyred on 10 September 1890.
The Singpho Rebellion of 1830 in Upper Assam, an armed tribal uprising against British East India Company territorial annexation and encroachment on indigenous tea lands, was spearheaded by which tribal chief?
Verified Explanation
The Singpho Rebellion erupted in early 1830 when over 3,000 Singpho warriors under Chief Nirang Phidu attacked the British garrison at Sadiya in Upper Assam. The Singphos resisted British political control and the takeover of their traditional wild tea forests.
Which revered Dimasa tribal freedom fighter led an armed uprising against British annexation and tax impositions in the North Cachar Hills of Assam, attacking the colonial headquarters at Gunjung in January 1882?
Verified Explanation
Veer Sambhudhan Phonglo was a spiritual leader and warrior of the Dimasa tribe who organized anti-British armed resistance in the North Cachar Hills (Dima Hasao) in 1881–1882. In January 1882, his forces attacked the British post at Gunjung, defeating Major Boyd's forces before Sambhudhan was fatally wounded.
In 1830, which Singpho chieftain in Upper Assam organized an armed tribal confederacy that attacked the British military post at Sadiya to resist colonial annexation?
Verified Explanation
In early 1830, Singpho chief Nirang Phidu led an army of 3,000 Singpho, Khampti, and Moamaria warriors to attack the British cantonment at Sadiya in Upper Assam to expel British forces from their ancestral lands.
Following the British annexation of the Peshwa territories in 1818, the intense Bhil insurrection across the Satpura and Ajanta ranges in Khandesh was led by which guerrilla leader?
Verified Explanation
In 1818–1819, Chil Naik led the fierce Bhil rebellion in Khandesh following the East India Company's conquest of the Maratha territory. British Captain Briggs and Major Evans deployed scorched-earth tactics to capture him.
Led by chiefs Nirang Phidu and Ronua in Upper Assam, which indigenous warrior tribe mounted armed uprisings in 1830 and 1843 against British annexation of their tea and timber lands?
Verified Explanation
The Singphos of Upper Assam (near Sadiya) rose in revolt in 1830, 1839, and 1843 under leaders like Nirang Phidu. Having introduced indigenous tea plant varieties to Robert Bruce, they resisted British efforts to seize their fertile ancestral lands for European commercial tea plantations.
12ID: GK-TRIBE-00400
mediumHistorical Tribal Uprisings & Leaders
The Ramosi uprisings of the 1820s against British annexation of Maratha territories and burdensome land revenue were spearheaded in the Western Ghats by which leader?
Verified Explanation
Umaji Naik led the Ramosi resistance in the Pune, Satara, and Purandar hills of Maharashtra between 1826 and 1831, issuing an anti-British proclamation urging locals to overthrow company rule before being captured and executed in 1832.
13ID: GK-TRIBE-00528
hardHistorical Tribal Uprisings & Leaders
Following the British annexation of the Peshwa's territory after the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818, the Bhils of Khandesh rose in a widespread revolt from 1819 to 1825 under the leadership of which warrior?
Verified Explanation
Following the British takeover of Khandesh in 1818, the Bhils under Chil Naik, Sewaram, and other sardars rose against Company rule and the disruption of traditional hill transit tolls. The British deployed Mountstuart Elphinstone and Major Briggs to suppress the revolt through military patrols and founding the Bhil Corps.
14ID: GK-WHIST-00970
mediumClassical Greece & The Roman Empire
The Roman Empire reached its territorial maximum extent in 117 CE following the military campaigns and annexation of Dacia, Arabia Petraea, and Mesopotamia under which emperor?
Verified Explanation
Emperor Trajan (reigned 98–117 CE), declared Optimus Princeps by the Senate, expanded Roman frontiers across the Danube through the Dacian Wars and pushed east into Armenia, Assyria, and the Persian Gulf. Upon his death in 117 CE, his successor Hadrian adopted a policy of consolidation and established permanent fortified frontiers such as Hadrian's Wall.
15ID: GK-HIST-00234
mediumBritish Colonial Rule
Which British Governor-General introduced the 'Subsidiary Alliance System' in 1798, first accepted by the Nizam of Hyderabad?
Verified Explanation
Lord Wellesley implemented the Subsidiary Alliance System to bring Indian princely states under British suzerainty without direct administrative annexation.
16ID: GK-HIST-00784
hardMauryan & Gupta Empires
In the Prayaga Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription), which distinctive diplomatic policy did Samudragupta adopt toward the twelve rulers of Dakshinapatha (South India)?
Verified Explanation
In line 19-20 of the Allahabad Prashasti, Harisena describes Samudragupta's policy toward southern kings (such as Mahendra of Koshala and Hastivarman of Vengi) as 'Grahana-Mokshanugraha'—capturing them in battle, setting them free, and restoring their ancestral thrones upon acceptance of imperial suzerainty and payment of tribute. For the kings of Aryavarta, he followed 'Prasabhoddharana' (complete annexation).
17ID: GK-HIST-00810
hardMughal Empire & Regional Kingdoms
In early modern agrarian historiography of the late Mughal Empire, what institutional phenomenon does Satish Chandra identify as the primary cause of the 'Jagirdari Crisis' under Aurangzeb?
Verified Explanation
Satish Chandra demonstrated that the annexation of the Deccan sultanates (Bijapur and Golconda) led to a massive influx of Deccani and Maratha aristocrats into the imperial mansabdari hierarchy. The supply of productive unassigned lands (paibaqi) fell critically short of claims (talab), causing intense factional struggle among nobles to secure lucrative jagirs and resulting in agrarian over-exploitation.
18ID: GK-HIST-00976
easyMauryan & Gupta Empires
In Gupta imperial numismatics, what was the specific Sanskrit term used in contemporary inscriptions to designate high-purity gold coins issued by rulers like Samudragupta and Chandragupta II?
Verified Explanation
The gold coins issued by Gupta emperors are referred to in contemporary epigraphs (such as the Sanchi and Damodarpur copper plates) as 'Dinaras' (derived from the Roman denarius aureus). Silver coins of the Guptas, introduced after the annexation of the Western Kshatrapa territories by Chandragupta II, were called 'Rupakas'.
19ID: GK-EPIG-00281
mediumRoyal Prashastis, Pillars & Temple Charters
In the Prayag Prashasti (Lines 21-23), which North Indian strategic policy was enforced by Emperor Samudragupta against the nine kings of Aryavarta (including Nagasena, Achyuta, and Ganapatinaga)?
Verified Explanation
Unlike his lenient 'Grahana-Moksha-Anugraha' policy in Dakshinapatha, Samudragupta adopted the aggressive policy of 'Prasabhoddharana' (violent uprooting and direct annexation) towards the nine monarchs of the Gangetic plain (Aryavarta).
20ID: GK-DEF-00509
mediumHistoric Military Operations
Which operation in September 1948 led to the accession and integration of the princely state of Hyderabad into the Indian Union?
Verified Explanation
Operation Polo (police action) was launched on 13 September 1948, leading to the surrender of the Nizam's forces and annexation of Hyderabad.
21ID: GK-ART-00389
mediumMonuments & Architecture
The Buland Darwaza ('Gate of Magnificence') at Fatehpur Sikri was constructed by Akbar in 1601 to commemorate his conquest of which region?
Verified Explanation
Akbar built the colossal 54-meter-high Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri in 1601 to celebrate his military victory and annexation of Gujarat.
Which valiant warrior led the prolonged Sambalpur anti-British resistance (1857–1862) with formidable support from the local Gond and Binjhal tribal zamindars of western Odisha?
Verified Explanation
Veer Surendra Sai led the resistance against the British East India Company in Sambalpur following the annexation of the state under the Doctrine of Lapse. Supported by Gond and Binjhal tribal chiefs like Madho Singh of Ghaiskoote and Kamal Singh, he waged guerrilla warfare until his capture in 1864.
The protracted Khond Uprising (1837–1856) against British East India Company rule in Ghumsar and Kalahandi (Odisha), triggered by British suppression of tribal customs and new land taxes, was spearheaded by which tribal leader?
Verified Explanation
Chakra Bisoi led the legendary Khond uprising from 1837 to 1856 in Ghumsar, Angul, and the hill tracts of Odisha against British administrative annexation, new forest levies, and heavy-handed interference in customary religious practices (such as the Meriah system).
The Khasi Uprising (1829-1833) in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya was led by U Tirot Sing, the Syiem (Chief) of Nongkhlaw, against which colonial undertaking?
Verified Explanation
U Tirot Sing, Syiem of Nongkhlaw, led the Khasi resistance (1829-1833) against the British East India Company when he discovered that the road connecting the Brahmaputra Valley (Assam) with the Surma Valley (Sylhet) across the Khasi Hills was intended for military annexation rather than peaceful trade.
25ID: GK-TRIBE-00406
hardHistorical Tribal Uprisings & Leaders
In Upper Assam, the Singpho tribal confederacy led an armed assault against the British military outpost at Sadiya in 1830 under the leadership of which warrior chief?
Verified Explanation
Nirang Phidu led the Singpho tribal warriors in March 1830 in a coordinated attack on the British garrison at Sadiya, resisting British annexation of Upper Assam and expansion into their ancestral forest territories.