Viceroys & Acts — Set 1
Indian History · वायसराय और अधिनियम · Questions 1–10 of 100
Who was the Governor-General of India when the practice of Sati was abolished?
Correct Answer: A. Lord William Bentinck
• **Lord William Bentinck** abolished Sati via Bengal Sati Regulation Act **1829**. • **Raja Ram Mohan Roy** supported Bentinck — founder of Brahmo Samaj, campaigned actively. • Bentinck also abolished female infanticide and suppressed Thuggee (1830). • 💡 Canning = 1857 Viceroy; Dalhousie = Doctrine of Lapse; Curzon = Partition Bengal 1905.
Which Act established the Supreme Court of Judicature at Calcutta?
Correct Answer: C. Regulating Act of 1773
• **Regulating Act 1773** established Supreme Court at Fort William, Calcutta. • **Sir Elijah Impey** — appointed first Chief Justice of this court. • Act also made Governor-General of Bengal supreme over Bombay and Madras presidencies. • 💡 Charter 1813 = missionaries; GoI 1858 = Crown rule; Pitt's 1784 = Board of Control.
Which Viceroy proposed the controversial Vernacular Press Act of 1878?
Correct Answer: A. Lord Lytton
• **Lord Lytton** enacted Vernacular Press Act **1878** to suppress Indian-language newspapers. • Nicknamed **'Gagging Act'** — censored seditious content without court recourse. • Lord Ripon repealed this act in **1882** as part of liberal reforms. • 💡 Northbrook = predecessor; Dufferin = INC founded 1885; Ripon = local self-govt, not enactment.
Provincial Autonomy was introduced in India by which Act?
Correct Answer: A. Government of India Act 1935
• **GoI Act 1935** introduced Provincial Autonomy, replacing Dyarchy in provinces. • **11 provinces** got autonomous governments; Congress won in 7 in 1937 elections. • Act also proposed All-India Federation and separated Burma from India (1937). • 💡 GoI 1919 = introduced Dyarchy; GoI 1909 = separate electorates; Independence Act 1947 = partition.
Who was the Governor-General during the Revolt of 1857?
Correct Answer: A. Lord Canning
• **Lord Canning** was Governor-General during the Indian Rebellion of **1857**. • After revolt, power transferred to British Crown via **GoI Act 1858**. • Canning then became **first Viceroy** of India — also called 'Clemency Canning'. • 💡 Dalhousie = predecessor, Doctrine of Lapse; Hardinge I = pre-1857; Ellenborough = Sindh annexation.
Who introduced the system of Permanent Settlement in Bengal in 1793?
Correct Answer: D. Lord Cornwallis
• **Lord Cornwallis** introduced Permanent Settlement (Zamindari System) in Bengal and Bihar, **1793**. • Land revenue **fixed permanently** with Zamindars — they became hereditary landowners. • Also called Cornwallis Code 1793; Cornwallis is 'Father of Civil Services' in India. • 💡 Wellesley = Subsidiary Alliance; John Shore = Non-Intervention; Warren Hastings = Dual System.
The 'Communal Electorate' was introduced for the first time by which Act?
Correct Answer: D. Morley-Minto Reforms
• **Morley-Minto Reforms (1909)** introduced separate electorates for Muslims — first communal representation. • **Lord Minto** called 'Father of Communal Electorate'; Morley was Secretary of State. • Act also increased size of legislative councils and allowed Indians to discuss budgets. • 💡 Montagu-Chelmsford = Dyarchy 1919; Indian Councils 1892 = indirect election; GoI 1935 = Provincial Autonomy.
Which Governor-General is credited with the introduction of railways in India?
Correct Answer: B. Lord Dalhousie
• **Lord Dalhousie** introduced railways; first line ran Bombay–Thane **1853**. • Also introduced **telegraph** (Calcutta–Diamond Harbour, 1851) and postal reforms. • Dalhousie also applied Doctrine of Lapse — annexed Satara, Jhansi, Nagpur. • 💡 Auckland = Afghan War; Bentinck = Sati abolition; Canning = first Viceroy, not railway introducer.
Who was the first Governor-General of Bengal?
Correct Answer: B. Warren Hastings
• **Warren Hastings** — first Governor-General of Bengal under Regulating Act **1773**. • Ended **Dual System** of administration; reorganized revenue and judicial systems. • Founded Calcutta Madrasa (1780) and supported Asiatic Society of Bengal. • 💡 Wellesley = Subsidiary Alliance; Robert Clive = not GG Bengal; Cornwallis = Permanent Settlement.
Which Act ended the rule of the East India Company and transferred power to the British Crown?
Correct Answer: D. Government of India Act 1858
• **GoI Act 1858** transferred power from East India Company to British Crown. • Created office of **Secretary of State for India** — helped by 15-member Council. • Governor-General received new title: **Viceroy** (direct rep of British monarch). • 💡 Regulating Act 1773 = Company control; Charter 1853 = open civil services; ICA 1861 = Portfolio System.