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Q.1
WBCS Prelims 2021
Which animal was part of the symbol of Netaji’s INA Flag ?
A.Lion
B.Elephant
C.Tiger
D.Rhino
Explanation
Why Correct: The Indian National Army flag featured a springing tiger, symbolizing strength and aggression, superimposed on the tricolor with 'Azad Hind' written in Hindi. Distractor Analysis: The lion appears on the Ashoka Pillar and is India's national emblem. The elephant is associated with the Indian National Congress symbol. The rhino is the state animal of Assam and appears on some regional symbols. Takeaway: The INA was formally established in 1942 under Captain Mohan Singh and later revived by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1943.
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Q.2
WBCS Prelims 2020
The Cabinet Mission came to India in the year
A.1946
B.1945
C.1942
D.1940
Explanation
Why Correct: The Cabinet Mission arrived in India on 24 March 1946 to discuss the transfer of power from British rule. Distractor Analysis: 1945 was the year World War II ended and the Simla Conference occurred. 1942 saw the Cripps Mission and the Quit India Movement launch. 1940 featured the August Offer and the Lahore Resolution demanding Pakistan. Takeaway: The Cabinet Mission proposed a three-tier federal structure and grouping of provinces, which the Congress ultimately rejected.
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Q.3
WBCS Prelims 2019
“At the stroke of midnight, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom” was said by
(Tryst with Destiny)
A.Lord Mountbatten
B.Dr. Rajendra Prasad
C.Jawaharlal Nehru
D.None of them
Explanation
Why Correct: Jawaharlal Nehru delivered the 'Tryst with Destiny' speech to the Constituent Assembly on August 14, 1947, at midnight, marking India's independence. Distractor Analysis: Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of India who oversaw the transfer of power. Dr. Rajendra Prasad served as the first President of India after independence. Takeaway: The 'Tryst with Destiny' speech is one of the most famous speeches in modern Indian history, symbolizing the culmination of the independence struggle.
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Q.4
WBCS Prelims 2019
The famous INA trials took place at the Red Fort, Delhi in
A.1945
B.1946
C.1947
D.1948
Explanation
Why Correct: The INA trials began in November 1945, making 1945 the correct answer. Distractor Analysis: 1946 is when the trials concluded. 1947 marks Indian independence. 1948 is when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. Takeaway: The INA trials involved three key figures—Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Sahgal, and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon—and generated massive public sympathy that weakened British authority.
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Q.5
WBCS Prelims 2018
Muslim League had accepted Mountbatten Plan because
A.Muslims were given separate electorate
B.It was not accepted by Congress
C.It had the provision for creation of Pakistan
D.It gave recognition of Muslim League
Explanation
Why Correct: The Mountbatten Plan (June 3 Plan) provided for the partition of British India and creation of Pakistan as a separate dominion, which was the Muslim League's primary objective. Distractor Analysis: Muslims were given separate electorate refers to the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909, not the 1947 plan. It was not accepted by Congress is factually incorrect—the Indian National Congress accepted the plan and partition. It gave recognition of Muslim League describes earlier British recognition of the League as representative of Muslims, not the specific reason for accepting this partition plan. Takeaway: The Mountbatten Plan set August 15, 1947 as Independence Day and established the Radcliffe Line as the boundary between India and Pakistan.
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Q.6
WBCS Prelims 2018
The “Break down plan” in 1946 for transfer of power to India had been proposed by
A.Winston Churchill
B.Viceroy Lord Wavell
C.Lord Mountbatten
D.Clement Attlee
Explanation
Why Correct: Viceroy Lord Wavell proposed the Breakdown Plan in 1946, outlining British withdrawal from India if political deadlock continued. Distractor Analysis: Winston Churchill was British Prime Minister during World War II and opposed Indian independence. Lord Mountbatten implemented the final Partition Plan in 1947 as the last Viceroy. Clement Attlee was Prime Minister who announced the transfer of power in February 1947. Takeaway: The Wavell Plan of 1945 proposed an Executive Council with equal Hindu and Muslim representation but failed due to Congress-Muslim League disagreements.
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Q.7
WBCS Prelims 2017
The Indian Independence Act was passed in
A.July, 1947
B.June, 1946
C.August, 1947
D.August, 1946
Explanation
Why Correct: The Indian Independence Act received royal assent on July 18, 1947, creating the legal framework for partitioning British India into two independent dominions. Distractor Analysis: June 1946 corresponds to the Cabinet Mission Plan proposing a federal structure for a united India. August 1947 marks India's independence day on August 15, 1947. August 1946 witnessed Direct Action Day violence in Calcutta following the Muslim League's call for separate nationhood. Takeaway: The Act set August 15, 1947 as the appointed date for independence and established the legal basis for creating Pakistan.
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Q.8
WBCS Prelims 2017
Which Mission/Commission visited India in 1946?
A.Cripps Mission
B.Cabinet Mission
C.Simon Commission
D.Hunter Commission
Explanation
Why Correct: The Cabinet Mission arrived in India on 24 March 1946 to discuss the transfer of power from British rule and propose a constitutional framework for an independent India. Distractor Analysis: The Cripps Mission visited in 1942 to offer India Dominion status after World War II. The Simon Commission visited in 1928 to review constitutional reforms but faced boycotts as it had no Indian members. The Hunter Commission investigated the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. Takeaway: The Cabinet Mission Plan proposed a three-tier federation with groupings of provinces and princely states, which the Congress ultimately rejected.
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Q.9
WBCS Prelims 2017WBCS Prelims 2008
Who was the First Governor General of independent India?
A.Chakravarti Rajagopalachari
B.Clement Attlee
C.Lord Wavell
D.Lord Mountbatten
Asked 2 times in WBCS. High priority question.
Explanation
Why Correct: Lord Mountbatten served as the first Governor-General of independent India from August 15, 1947 to June 21, 1948, overseeing the transition from British rule. Distractor Analysis: Chakravarti Rajagopalachari was the last Governor-General of India and the first Indian to hold the office. Clement Attlee was the British Prime Minister whose government passed the Indian Independence Act. Lord Wavell served as Viceroy of India from 1943 to 1947, preceding Mountbatten in that role. Takeaway: The office of Governor-General was abolished when India became a republic in 1950, with Rajendra Prasad becoming the first President.
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Q.10
WBCS Prelims 2017
Who was the First Governor General of Pakistan?
A.Lord Mountbatten
B.Mohammad Ali Jinnah
C.Syen Amir Ali
D.Mohammed Seikh Abdullah
Explanation
Why Correct: Mohammad Ali Jinnah became Pakistan's first Governor-General upon independence on 15 August 1947, serving until his death on 11 September 1948. Distractor Analysis: Lord Mountbatten served as India's last Viceroy and first Governor-General. Syed Ameer Ali was a prominent Muslim jurist who died in 1928, before Pakistan's creation. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah served as the first Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Takeaway: Lord Mountbatten served as India's first Governor-General from 15 August 1947 to 21 June 1948, while Jinnah held the same position in Pakistan during the same period.
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Q.11
WBCS Prelims 2016
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the first two Indian territories liberated in 1944 under Provisional Govt. of Azad Hind renamed as ____
A.Martyrs’ Lands
B.“Sahid” and “Swaraj” Islands
C.Azad Hindustan
D.Jai Hind Islands
Explanation
Why Correct: Subhas Chandra Bose's Provisional Government of Azad Hind renamed the Andaman Islands as "Sahid" (Martyr) and Nicobar Islands as "Swaraj" (Self-rule) in December 1943 after their symbolic liberation. Distractor Analysis: "Martyrs’ Lands" is a generic translation but not the official renaming. "Azad Hindustan" refers to the provisional government itself, not the islands. "Jai Hind Islands" was a popular slogan but not the formal name given. Takeaway: The Azad Hind government also established its headquarters in Port Blair and appointed Lt. Col. A.D. Loganathan as the islands' governor.
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Q.12
WBCS Prelims 2016
One of the following was not a member of Cabinet Mission.
A.Sir Stafford Cripps
B.Lord Wavell
C.Sir Pethic Lawrence
D.A. V. Alexandar
Explanation
Why Correct: Lord Wavell served as Viceroy of India from 1943 to 1947 and hosted the Cabinet Mission but was not one of its three official members sent from Britain. Distractor Analysis: Sir Stafford Cripps, Sir Pethick-Lawrence, and A. V. Alexander formed the three-member Cabinet Mission delegation dispatched by the British government in March 1946 to negotiate India's constitutional framework. Takeaway: The Cabinet Mission Plan proposed a three-tier federal structure and established the Constituent Assembly, but collapsed by August 1946 due to irreconcilable differences between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League over grouping provisions.
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Q.13
WBCS Prelims 2015
In which year did the Cabinet Mission come to India ?
A.1942
B.1945
C.1946
D.1947
Explanation
Why Correct: The Cabinet Mission arrived in India on 24 March 1946 to discuss the transfer of power from British rule and propose a plan for a united India with a federal structure. Distractor Analysis: 1942 saw the launch of the Quit India Movement. 1945 marked the end of World War II and the Simla Conference. 1947 is the year of India's independence and partition. Takeaway: The Cabinet Mission Plan proposed grouping provinces into three sections (A, B, C) and forming a Constituent Assembly, but it ultimately failed due to disagreements between the Congress and Muslim League.
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Q.14
WBCS Prelims 2015
Who was the defence lawyer at the INA trials of 1946 ?
A.Jawaharlal Nehru
B.Bhulabhai Desai
C.Tejbahadur Sapru
D.All of the above
Explanation
Why Correct: Bhulabhai Desai served as the lead defence counsel for the Indian National Army trials at the Red Fort from November 1945 to May 1946, presenting the case that the INA fought for India's freedom. Distractor Analysis: Jawaharlal Nehru participated in the defence committee supporting the INA but did not act as the courtroom lawyer. Tejbahadur Sapru contributed legal advice to the defence committee but was not the primary trial attorney. 'All of the above' misrepresents the historical record because only Bhulabhai Desai held the formal role of defence lawyer in court. Takeaway: The INA trials triggered widespread public demonstrations across India, accelerating the demand for independence and exposing British military weakness post-World War II.
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Q.15
WBCS Prelims 2014
A complete outcome of the War ______
A.holding of a reference as frontier province
B.absorption of the State of Hyderabad the Indian Union
C.summoning of Simla Conference
D.The Constitution of the Constituent Assembly
Explanation
Why Correct: The Simla Conference was summoned by Viceroy Wavell on 25 June 1945 to discuss post-war political arrangements, including the formation of an Executive Council with Indian representation. Distractor Analysis: Holding a referendum in the North-West Frontier Province occurred in July 1947 after the Mountbatten Plan. Hyderabad's accession to India happened through military action in September 1948, not as a war outcome. The Constituent Assembly first convened in December 1946, not in 1945. Takeaway: The Simla Conference failed because the Muslim League insisted on exclusive Muslim representation while Congress demanded representation for all Indians.
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Q.16
WBCS Prelims 2014
What proposals were made in the 'August Offer' ?
A.Complete independence of India gradually
B.Dominion Status
C.Provincial autonomy
D.Representative government at the centre
Explanation
Why Correct: The August Offer of 8 August 1940 specifically proposed Dominion Status for India after World War II, along with an expanded Viceroy's Executive Council including more Indians and establishment of a War Advisory Council. Distractor Analysis: Complete independence was demanded by the Indian National Congress but not offered. Provincial autonomy had already been implemented through the Government of India Act 1935. Representative government at the centre was mentioned as a future goal but the concrete proposal was Dominion Status. Takeaway: Both Congress and Muslim League rejected the offer, with Congress launching the Quit India Movement in 1942.
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Q.17
WBCS Prelims 2013
India achieved political independence from British Rule on :
A.26th January, 1950
B.2nd October, 1942
C.15th August, 1947
D.3rd December, 1972
Explanation
Why Correct: The Indian Independence Act 1947 transferred sovereignty from British rule to India on 15 August 1947, establishing political independence. Distractor Analysis: 26 January 1950 marks Republic Day when India's Constitution came into force. 2 October 1942 is Mahatma Gandhi's birthday during the Quit India Movement. 3 December 1972 relates to Bangladesh's recognition, not Indian independence. Takeaway: The Mountbatten Plan announced on 3 June 1947 set 15 August 1947 as the transfer date, while 26 January 1950 marks India becoming a sovereign democratic republic.
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Q.18
WBCS Prelims 2012
When did the Royal Indian Naval Mutiny take place ?
A.December, 1944
B.February, 1945
C.February, 1946
D.August, 1946
Explanation
Why Correct: The Royal Indian Naval Mutiny began on February 18, 1946, aboard HMIS Talwar in Bombay (now Mumbai), spreading to naval establishments at Colaba and other ports. Distractor Analysis: December 1944 saw the Indian National Army's advance into India at Imphal. February 1945 marked the conclusion of the Yalta Conference among Allied leaders. August 1946 witnessed the Direct Action Day riots in Calcutta following the Muslim League's call. Takeaway: The naval mutiny was a significant post-World War II event that demonstrated widespread discontent among Indian armed forces personnel against British rule, occurring just months before India's independence.
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Q.19
WBCS Prelims 2011
When did Royal Indian Navy Revolt in Bombay take place ?
A.1942
B.1944
C.1945
D.1946
Explanation
Why Correct: The Royal Indian Navy Revolt began on February 18, 1946, in Bombay (now Mumbai). Distractor Analysis: 1942 marks the launch of the Quit India Movement. 1944 saw the Battle of Kohima and Imphal during World War II. 1945 was the year World War II ended and the Simla Conference was held. Takeaway: The mutiny involved over 20,000 sailors across 78 ships and shore establishments, demonstrating widespread discontent against British rule.
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Q.20
WBCS Prelims 2008
The name of the ship where Royal Indian Navy revolt originated was
A.Vikrant
B.Talwar
C.INS Mysore
D.INS Vljay
Explanation
Why Correct: The Royal Indian Navy mutiny began on February 18, 1946, aboard HMIS Talwar, a shore establishment and training ship in Bombay. Distractor Analysis: INS Vikrant was India's first aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1961. INS Mysore was a cruiser commissioned in 1957. INS Vijay was a destroyer commissioned in 1961. Takeaway: The mutiny spread to 78 ships and shore establishments across Bombay, Karachi, Madras, and Calcutta, involving over 20,000 sailors.
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Q.21
WBCS Prelims 2007
Who gave the slogan “Jai Hind”?
A.M. K Gandhi
B.J. L. Nehru
C.S. C Bose
D.B. G. Ulak
Explanation
Why Correct: Subhas Chandra Bose popularized "Jai Hind" as a patriotic slogan during the Indian independence movement, first using it through the Indian National Army. Distractor Analysis: M.K. Gandhi championed "Satyagraha" and "Do or Die" but not "Jai Hind." J.L. Nehru used "Tryst with Destiny" in his 1947 speech. B.G. Ulak is not a historically significant figure associated with this slogan. Takeaway: Bose also coined "Dilli Chalo" and "Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom" as motivational calls for the INA.
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Q.22
WBCS Prelims 2004
The Naval Revolt of 1946 started in
A.Calcutta
B.Madras
C.Bombay
D.Calicut
Explanation
Why Correct: The Royal Indian Navy mutiny began on February 18, 1946, aboard HMIS Talwar in Bombay harbor, quickly spreading to 78 ships and shore establishments across India. Distractor Analysis: Calcutta witnessed significant post-war labor unrest but not the naval mutiny's origin. Madras had naval shore establishments that joined the revolt later. Calicut (Kozhikode) had no major naval presence during this period. Takeaway: The Naval Revolt lasted four days until February 23, 1946, and involved over 20,000 sailors, marking the final major armed rebellion against British rule before independence.
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Q.23
WBCS Prelims 2004
When was the India Independence Act passed?
A.2 September. 1946
B.3 June, 1947
C.18 July, 1947
D.15 August 1947
Explanation
Why Correct: The Indian Independence Act received royal assent on 18 July 1947, formally partitioning British India into the two independent dominions of India and Pakistan. Distractor Analysis: 2 September 1946 marks the formation of the Interim Government of India. 3 June 1947 is the date of the Mountbatten Plan announcement, which outlined the partition. 15 August 1947 is Independence Day, when the Act came into effect. Takeaway: The Act provided for the lapse of British paramountcy over the princely states, allowing them to accede to either dominion or remain independent.
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Q.24
WBCS Prelims 2003
Indian Independence Act was passed in
A.January 1947
B.March 1947
C.April 1947
D.July 1947
Explanation
Why Correct: The British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act on July 18, 1947, receiving royal assent on July 18, 1947, and coming into force on August 15, 1947. Distractor Analysis: January 1947 saw the Constituent Assembly's first meeting. March 1947 marked Lord Mountbatten's appointment as Viceroy. April 1947 was when Mountbatten arrived in India and began partition negotiations. Takeaway: The Act created two independent dominions of India and Pakistan, abolished the office of Viceroy, and ended British suzerainty over princely states.
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Q.25
WBCS Prelims 2003
Subhas Chandra Bose proclaimed the establishment of the Government of India at
A.Bangkok
B.Singapore
C.Colombo
D.Rangoon
Explanation
Why Correct: Subhas Chandra Bose announced the formation of the Provisional Government of Free India in Singapore on 21 October 1943. Distractor Analysis: Bangkok hosted the Indian Independence League conference in 1942. Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka and had no direct role in Bose's government proclamation. Rangoon served as a key base for the Indian National Army's operations in Burma. Takeaway: Bose's government received recognition from Japan, Germany, Italy, and several other Axis-aligned states during World War II.
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Q.26
WBCS Prelims 2000
Who was the leader of Indian National Army?
A.Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
B.Subhash Chandra Bose
C.Gandhiji
D.Tilak
Explanation
Why Correct: Subhash Chandra Bose organized and commanded the Indian National Army during World War II to fight for India's independence from British rule. Distractor Analysis: Jawaharlal Nehru served as India's first Prime Minister but never led military forces. Mahatma Gandhi advocated non-violent resistance and opposed armed struggle. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was an early nationalist leader who died in 1920, two decades before the INA's formation. Takeaway: Bose established the Provisional Government of Free India in Singapore in 1943 and coined the slogan 'Give me blood and I will give you freedom'.
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