The British Empire Flashcards

1
Q

What was the primary economic motivation behind the British Empire’s establishment in India?

A

To exploit India’s resources and establish trade routes.

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2
Q

True or False: The British East India Company was initially a military force in India.

A

False

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3
Q

In what year did the British formally establish control over India, marking the start of the British Raj?

A

1858

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4
Q

Fill in the blank: The _______ Rebellion of 1857 was a major, but ultimately unsuccessful, uprising against British rule.

A

Sepoy

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5
Q

Who was the first Governor-General of India after the British Raj was established?

A

Lord Canning

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6
Q

Name one major impact of British colonial rule on Indian agriculture.

A

Introduction of cash crops such as cotton and indigo.

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7
Q

What was the role of the Indian National Congress when it was formed in 1885?

A

To provide a platform for political dialogue and promote Indian self-rule.

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8
Q

Multiple choice: Which of the following was a direct consequence of the British policies in India?

A

Famine and economic distress.

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9
Q

True or False: The British implemented a system of direct governance in all regions of India.

A

False

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10
Q

What was the significance of the partition of Bengal in 1905?

A

It was an attempt to divide and rule by creating religious divisions.

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11
Q

Name one key figure in the Indian independence movement.

A

Mahatma Gandhi

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12
Q

Fill in the blank: The _______ of 1919 allowed the British government to suppress dissent in India.

A

Rowlatt Act

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13
Q

What was the main goal of the Quit India Movement in 1942?

A

To demand an end to British rule in India.

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14
Q

Multiple choice: Which event is considered a turning point leading to the independence of India?

A

The World War II.

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15
Q

What was the main reason for the economic exploitation of India by the British?

A

To extract wealth and resources for Britain.

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16
Q

True or False: The British introduced railways in India primarily for the benefit of Indian citizens.

A

False

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17
Q

In which year did India gain independence from British rule?

A

1947

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18
Q

What was the impact of the British education system on Indian society?

A

It created a new class of educated Indians who sought political rights.

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19
Q

Fill in the blank: The British used the _______ policy to maintain control over diverse Indian populations.

A

Divide and rule

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20
Q

Who was the last Viceroy of India?

A

Lord Mountbatten

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21
Q

What was the primary reason for the Great Famine of 1943 in India?

A

British wartime policies and grain requisitioning.

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22
Q

Multiple choice: Which movement did Gandhi lead to protest British salt laws?

A

The Salt March.

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23
Q

True or False: The British Empire left India with a strong industrial economy.

A

False

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24
Q

What were the two main religious communities that were central to the political divisions during British rule?

A

Hindus and Muslims.

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25
Fill in the blank: The _______ was a significant event in 1919 where British troops opened fire on Indian civilians in Amritsar.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
26
What event marked the beginning of widespread violence between Hindus and Muslims in India after World War II?
The general strike called by Jinnah in August 1946
27
What did the Hindu-majority Congress and the Muslim League blame each other for during the violence in 1946?
Congress blamed the Muslim League; the League blamed Congress
28
What was a significant factor contributing to the violence between religious groups in India according to historians?
Centuries of British policy that divided Indians based on religion and caste
29
Who was ordered to organize Indian independence and the end of British rule in March 1947?
Lord Mountbatten
30
On what date did Lord Mountbatten announce the proposal to divide India into two new nations?
3 June 1947
31
What were the two new nations created from the partition of India?
India and Pakistan
32
What was the majority religion in India after the partition?
Hinduism
33
What was the majority religion in Pakistan after the partition?
Islam
34
What did Yasmin Khan conclude about Mountbatten's plan for partition?
'Tragically unconcerned with human safety'
35
Who drew the borders of the new countries during the partition of India?
Cyril Radcliffe
36
How long did it take to draw the borders for the partition of India?
Five weeks
37
Which region, home to a significant religious minority, was divided during the partition?
Punjab
38
What was the third largest religious minority in Punjab at the time of partition?
Sikhs
39
What significant geographical feature separated East and West Pakistan after partition?
1,700 kilometres of Hindu Indian territory
40
What happened to East Pakistan in 1971?
It became independent as Bangladesh
41
What distinction does India hold regarding the Muslim population after the partition?
It continued to house the largest Muslim minority in the world
42
What drove the violence during Partition?
A combination of panic, hatred, and revenge ## Footnote Communities that had lived peacefully for centuries turned on each other.
43
Which cities became warzones during Partition?
Lahore and Kolkata ## Footnote These cities were close to the new borders.
44
What was Mountbatten's order regarding the British army during the violence?
To stay in their barracks and only intervene to save British lives ## Footnote This decision was made amid the chaos.
45
How many people were estimated to be dead by the end of 1948 due to the Partition violence?
2 million ## Footnote This figure highlights the severe human cost of the conflict.
46
How many women were estimated to have been raped during the violence of Partition?
75,000 ## Footnote This statistic indicates the level of gender-based violence during this period.
47
Who was assassinated by fellow Hindus due to his sympathy for Muslim refugees?
Gandhi ## Footnote His assassination reflects the deep divisions and tensions during Partition.
48
How many people were uprooted from their homes during the chaos of Partition?
Around 16 million ## Footnote This mass displacement included Hindus fleeing to India and Muslims to Pakistan.
49
What conditions did many refugees face by the end of 1947?
Living in unsanitary refugee camps ## Footnote Approximately 3 million people were in these camps.
50
What was the motivation behind the migration of Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis to Britain after 1947?
Fleeing violence or responding to British employers' needs for workers ## Footnote This migration was also influenced by the need to rebuild after WWII.
51
What event caused Bangladeshis to migrate to Britain in the 1970s?
Civil war in Bangladesh ## Footnote Many fled to escape further violence during this conflict.
52
Did Partition solve the problems of the subcontinent?
No ## Footnote Conflicts have continued in the region, notably in Kashmir.
53
What significant conflict occurred in 1971 related to Partition?
East Pakistanis fought a civil war for independence as Bangladesh ## Footnote This conflict was a direct consequence of the issues stemming from Partition.
54
Which region continues to be a point of conflict between India and Pakistan?
Kashmir ## Footnote Both countries claim this northern region as their own.
55
Fill in the blank: The Grief is a painting by _______ that depicts man's cruelty to man.
Satish Gujral ## Footnote Gujral fled to India after Partition and used art to express the violence he witnessed.
56
What significant event occurred in 1947 in the Indian subcontinent?
India and Pakistan gained independence from British rule ## Footnote This independence was the result of decades of campaigning against imperial rule.
57
What were the two countries formed after the partition of British India in 1947?
India and Pakistan ## Footnote A third country, Bangladesh, would later be formed in 1971.
58
What was the Indian National Congress?
A political party established by educated Indians to pressure the British government ## Footnote It was established in 1885.
59
What was the purpose of the Muslim League?
To represent Muslim interests in India ## Footnote It was established in 1906 due to concerns that Congress was dominated by Hindus.
60
How many Indians fought in the British Indian Army during the First World War?
More than a million ## Footnote This event occurred between 1914 and 1918.
61
What was the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?
A tragic event where hundreds were killed and thousands were injured by British troops in Amritsar ## Footnote This massacre occurred in 1919 and led to increased calls for independence.
62
What was the first Non-Cooperation Movement?
A movement led by Gandhi encouraging Indians to boycott British goods and not cooperate with British authorities ## Footnote It took place from 1920 to 1922 following the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
63
Fill in the blank: The Indian Rebellion of _______ involved sepoys and civilians rebelling against British rule.
1857 ## Footnote This rebellion marked a significant early resistance to British authority.
64
True or False: The impact of British rule in India ceased immediately after independence in 1947.
False ## Footnote The effects of British rule continued to influence both India and Britain after independence.
65
What role did Gandhi play in the movement for Indian independence?
He emerged as the leader of the Non-Cooperation Movement ## Footnote His leadership began following the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
66
What demand did the Indian National Congress make in 1924?
Purna Swaraj - complete independence ## Footnote This demand was a response to the British government's lack of consultation with Indian political parties regarding new political reforms.
67
What significant event began in 1939 affecting India?
The Second World War began ## Footnote India declared war on Nazi Germany at the demand of the British government.
68
How many Indians fought for the British during the Second World War?
2.5 million ## Footnote The war led to significant upheaval, including a famine in Bengal.
69
What was the outcome of the famine in Bengal?
3 million people died ## Footnote The British government made limited efforts to address the famine.
70
What was the Quit India Movement?
A movement for immediate independence led by Gandhi in 1942 ## Footnote It arose in response to the threat of Japanese invasion during World War II.
71
What were the consequences of the Quit India Movement?
A wave of strikes and protests; Gandhi and Congress leaders were arrested ## Footnote This movement marked a significant escalation in the struggle for independence.
72
What was the significance of the Salt March led by Gandhi?
Protested the heavy tax on salt and collected salt illegally ## Footnote This act highlighted the cruelty of British rule and garnered global support for the independence movement.
73
What did the Lahore Declaration of 1940 demand?
A separate independent state for India's Muslim population - Pakistan ## Footnote This declaration was led by the Muslim League and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
74
What events occurred in India from 1945 to 1946?
Continued protests for independence; a navy mutiny in 1946 ## Footnote Strikes, boycotts, and rebellions spread across the country during this period.
75
Who was Sarojini Naidu?
An Indian independence leader and poet ## Footnote She was born in 1879, joined the Indian National Congress in 1904, and became party president in 1925.
76
What role did Sarojini Naidu play in the independence movement?
Advocated for women's rights and inclusion in the struggle for independence ## Footnote She was imprisoned multiple times, including for nearly two years during World War II.
77
What nickname was given to Sarojini Naidu and why?
'The Nightingale of India' due to her music-like poetry ## Footnote Her poetry was celebrated, and she was a prominent figure in the independence movement.
78
Fill in the blank: Sarojini Naidu was elected party president of the Indian National Congress in _______.
1925 ## Footnote She was a leading figure advocating for women's rights in the movement.
79
True or False: Sarojini Naidu studied in London and Cambridge.
True ## Footnote She moved to Britain at the age of sixteen for her studies.
80
What was the content of Sarojini Naidu's poem recited in 1905?
A call for India to awaken and lead its children ## Footnote The poem reflects her deep emotional connection to India's struggle for independence.