Batch 1: Early Muslim Struggle (1857–1900)
1. The War of Independence took place in:
(a) 1847
(b) 1857
(c) 1867
(d) 1877
✅ Correct Answer: (b) 1857
👉 Explanation: The War of Independence, also called the Indian Revolt, began in 1857 against British rule. Although unsuccessful, it marked the first major attempt by both Hindus and Muslims to challenge British dominance.
2. The main reason for the failure of the War of Independence was:
(a) Lack of unity among rebels
(b) Strong leadership of Indians
(c) British military weakness
(d) Support from France
✅ Correct Answer: (a) Lack of unity among rebels
👉 Explanation: The revolt failed mainly because Hindus and Muslims were not united, and the rebels lacked proper planning and resources. The British army was well-trained and organized, which helped suppress the uprising.
3. After 1857, Muslims were considered by the British as:
(a) Loyal partners
(b) Main enemies
(c) Farmers only
(d) Future rulers
✅ Correct Answer: (b) Main enemies
👉 Explanation: The British held Muslims responsible for the 1857 revolt due to their historical rule over India. As a result, Muslims were targeted with strict policies, leading to their decline in education, politics, and the economy.
4. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan established the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in:
(a) 1859
(b) 1875
(c) 1882
(d) 1889
✅ Correct Answer: (b) 1875
👉 Explanation: Sir Syed founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875. It later became Aligarh Muslim University and played a vital role in spreading modern education among Muslims.
5. The Aligarh Movement mainly focused on:
(a) Trade and Commerce
(b) Western-style Education
(c) Armed Struggle
(d) Hindu-Muslim Unity
✅ Correct Answer: (b) Western-style Education
👉 Explanation: The Aligarh Movement was a social and educational reform initiative by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. It aimed at uplifting Muslims through modern education, especially English and sciences, to compete with Hindus and the British.
6. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s book “Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind” (Causes of the Indian Revolt) was written in:
(a) 1859
(b) 1867
(c) 1873
(d) 1880
✅ Correct Answer: (a) 1859
👉 Explanation: Sir Syed wrote this book after the 1857 revolt to explain that British policies, not Muslims alone, caused the uprising. It was an attempt to improve relations between Muslims and the British.
7. The Urdu-Hindi controversy began in:
(a) 1867
(b) 1871
(c) 1876
(d) 1885
✅ Correct Answer: (a) 1867
👉 Explanation: The controversy started in 1867 when Hindus demanded Hindi be adopted instead of Urdu. This incident convinced Sir Syed that Hindus and Muslims had different cultural identities and could not live as one nation.
8. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan gave the theory of:
(a) One Nation
(b) Hindu-Muslim Unity
(c) Two Nation Theory (early stage)
(d) Congress Rule
✅ Correct Answer: (c) Two Nation Theory (early stage)
👉 Explanation: Sir Syed was the first leader to declare that Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations with different languages, religions, and cultures. His vision laid the foundation for the Two Nation Theory.
9. The Scientific Society was founded by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in:
(a) 1857
(b) 1864
(c) 1872
(d) 1876
✅ Correct Answer: (b) 1864
👉 Explanation: The Scientific Society was established at Ghazipur in 1864 to translate English books into Urdu. It aimed to spread modern knowledge among Muslims and reduce the educational gap between them and Hindus.
10. Who said “Education is the only way for Muslims to progress”?
(a) Quaid-e-Azam
(b) Allama Iqbal
(c) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
(d) Liaquat Ali Khan
✅ Correct Answer: (c) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
👉 Explanation: Sir Syed firmly believed that Muslims could only regain their dignity through modern education. He discouraged involvement in politics until Muslims were educated enough to compete with Hindus.
11. The Indian National Congress was founded in:
(a) 1877
(b) 1885
(c) 1890
(d) 1895
✅ Correct Answer: (b) 1885
👉 Explanation: The Congress was formed in 1885 by A.O. Hume with the support of British officials. Its aim was to give Indians a platform to express their demands, but over time it became dominated by Hindus, raising Muslim concerns.
12. Who was the founder of Indian National Congress?
(a) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(c) A.O. Hume
(d) Motilal Nehru
✅ Correct Answer: (c) A.O. Hume
👉 Explanation: Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, played a key role in establishing the Congress. Initially, it acted as a “safety valve” for Indians to vent their frustrations under British rule.
13. Which Muslim leader initially supported Congress?
(a) Quaid-e-Azam
(b) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
(c) Allama Iqbal
(d) Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk
✅ Correct Answer: (b) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
👉 Explanation: At first, Sir Syed hoped Congress would be beneficial. However, when he realized it was dominated by Hindus and ignored Muslim interests, he opposed it strongly and warned Muslims to stay away.
14. Sir Syed’s famous “Two-Nation Theory” idea was strengthened by:
(a) Partition of Bengal
(b) Urdu-Hindi Controversy
(c) Lucknow Pact
(d) Khilafat Movement
✅ Correct Answer: (b) Urdu-Hindi Controversy
👉 Explanation: When Hindus demanded Hindi in place of Urdu in 1867, Sir Syed realized that Muslims and Hindus could not be one nation. This incident became an early base of the Two Nation Theory.
15. Sir Syed advised Muslims to stay away from politics until:
(a) They were economically stable
(b) They got independence
(c) They became educated
(d) They joined Congress
✅ Correct Answer: (c) They became educated
👉 Explanation: Sir Syed argued that uneducated Muslims could not compete with Hindus or negotiate with the British. Therefore, he advised focusing on education before entering politics.
16. The Muhammadan Educational Conference was founded in:
(a) 1864
(b) 1875
(c) 1886
(d) 1899
✅ Correct Answer: (c) 1886
👉 Explanation: Sir Syed founded the Muhammadan Educational Conference in 1886 to promote modern education and create awareness among Muslims. It later became an important platform for Muslim unity.
17. Who is called the “Architect of Muslim Renaissance in India”?
(a) Allama Iqbal
(b) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
(c) Quaid-e-Azam
(d) Nawab Salimullah
✅ Correct Answer: (b) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
👉 Explanation: Sir Syed is regarded as the Architect of Muslim Renaissance because he revived Muslim society through education, social reforms, and awareness about political identity.
18. The book “Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq” was started by:
(a) Quaid-e-Azam
(b) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
(c) Allama Iqbal
(d) Liaquat Ali Khan
✅ Correct Answer: (b) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
👉 Explanation: Sir Syed launched the journal Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq in 1870 to reform Muslim society, remove superstitions, and promote modern scientific thinking.
19. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan worked for Muslims after the 1857 War because:
(a) He wanted political power
(b) He believed in peaceful reform
(c) He opposed Hindus
(d) He supported the British blindly
✅ Correct Answer: (b) He believed in peaceful reform
👉 Explanation: Sir Syed thought the best way for Muslims to recover from their downfall was through peaceful reform, education, and cooperation with the British rather than confrontation.
20. The Aligarh Movement mainly produced:
(a) Politicians only
(b) Bureaucrats and educated class
(c) Farmers and workers
(d) Only religious scholars
✅ Correct Answer: (b) Bureaucrats and educated class
👉 Explanation: The Aligarh Movement created a new class of educated Muslims who later became leaders of the Pakistan Movement. Many prominent leaders of the Muslim League were Aligarh graduates.