UPSC prelims MCQs CAPF NDA PSC

(b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy The Jury Act of 1826: Introduced discriminatory judicial provisions in India by barring Hindus and Muslims from sitting on grand juries or trial juries when Christians (both European and native) were being tried. Furthermore, it allowed Christians to sit on juries trying non-Christians. Oppositional Role: Raja Ram Mohan Roy vehemently opposed the Act on the grounds of religious discrimination, inequality, and civil rights violations. Action Taken: He drafted and sent a petition signed by both Hindus and Muslims to the British Parliament in 1828 to protest these unequal judicial rights. Key Arguments: He argued that the Act insulted the self-respect of Indians and attempted to subtly incentivize conversion to Christianity by offering superior legal protections to converts.

UPPSC 2017

(D) All of the Above Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda (1863–1939) was a pioneer of progressive legislation in British India: Infant Marriage Prevention Act (1904): Enacted to restrict early child marriages in his state. Local Self Government Act (1904): Established village panchayats and local boards to decentralize governance. Hindu Widows Remarriage Legislation: Promoted laws granting legal legitimacy and social security to widows. Free and Compulsory Primary Education: Introduced in Amreli in 1893 as an experimental project and expanded across the state by 1906, making Baroda the first princely state to do so.

(a) 1878 : Second Anglo-Afghan War: Correct • The Second Anglo-Afghan War was fought between the British Raj and the Emirate of Afghanistan from 1878 to 1880. It was triggered by the "Great Game" rivalry between Britain and Russia. This period also saw the controversial Vernacular Press Act (1878) under Lord Lytton. (b) 1885 : Ilbert Bill Controversy: Incorrect • The Ilbert Bill was introduced in 1883 during the viceroyalty of Lord Ripon. The controversy arose because the bill proposed allowing Indian magistrates to try Europeans in criminal cases, which led to a massive racist backlash from the British community in India. In 1885, the most significant event was actually the formation of the Indian National Congress. (c) 1785 : Fox’s India Bill: Incorrect • Fox's India Bill was introduced in the British Parliament in 1783. Its failure led to the downfall of the coalition government of Charles James Fox and Lord North. It was succeeded by the more famous Pitt’s India Act of 1784, which established the Board of Control. (d) 1898 : Lord Curzon becomes the Viceroy: Incorrect • While Lord Curzon was appointed in late 1898, he officially assumed the office of Viceroy on January 6, 1899. He served until 1905 and is best known (and criticized) for the Partition of Bengal.