1. The Partition of Bengal took place in:
(A) 1903
(B) 1905
(C) 1907
(D) 1911
Correct Answer: (B) 1905
Explanation: Lord Curzon divided Bengal in 1905 into Eastern Bengal & Assam (Muslim majority) and Western Bengal (Hindu majority). It gave Muslims administrative relief but Hindus strongly opposed it.
2. Who was the Viceroy of India at the time of Partition of Bengal in 1905?
(A) Lord Hardinge
(B) Lord Curzon
(C) Lord Minto
(D) Lord Chelmsford
Correct Answer: (B) Lord Curzon
Explanation: Lord Curzon ordered the partition to improve governance, but it became a political controversy leading to Hindu-Muslim division.
3. The annulment of Bengal Partition was done in:
(A) 1909
(B) 1910
(C) 1911
(D) 1912
Correct Answer: (C) 1911
Explanation: Under pressure from Hindu protests, the British annulled the Bengal partition in 1911. Muslims felt betrayed, which increased their political awakening.
4. The Simla Deputation met Viceroy Lord Minto in:
(A) 1905
(B) 1906
(C) 1907
(D) 1908
Correct Answer: (B) 1906
Explanation: On October 1, 1906, a Muslim delegation led by Aga Khan met Lord Minto at Simla. They demanded separate electorates for Muslims. This became the foundation of Muslim political identity.
5. The All India Muslim League was founded in:
(A) Karachi, 1905
(B) Aligarh, 1906
(C) Dhaka, 1906
(D) Delhi, 1907
Correct Answer: (C) Dhaka, 1906
Explanation: The Muslim League was established on 30th December 1906 at Dhaka during the annual Muhammadan Educational Conference session. Its aim was to safeguard Muslim political rights.
6. Who was the first President of the All India Muslim League?
(A) Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk
(B) Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk
(C) Aga Khan III
(D) Quaid-e-Azam
Correct Answer: (C) Aga Khan III
Explanation: Sir Aga Khan III was chosen as the first President due to his influence and leadership in uniting Muslims of India.
7. The Lucknow Pact was signed in:
(A) 1914
(B) 1915
(C) 1916
(D) 1918
Correct Answer: (C) 1916
Explanation: In 1916, the Congress and Muslim League agreed to cooperate against the British. The Pact gave Muslims separate electorates and increased their representation.
8. Under the Lucknow Pact (1916), Muslim representation in the Imperial Legislative Council was fixed at:
(A) 25%
(B) 30%
(C) 33%
(D) 40%
Correct Answer: (C) 33%
Explanation: Muslims were given one-third representation in central legislature — a big success for Muslim League.
9. Who is considered as the “Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity”?
(A) Allama Iqbal
(B) Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
(C) Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
(D) Aga Khan
Correct Answer: (C) Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Explanation: Jinnah played a central role in bringing Congress and League together during the Lucknow Pact, earning him the title “Ambassador of Unity.”
10. The Khilafat Movement was launched in:
(A) 1917
(B) 1918
(C) 1919
(D) 1920
Correct Answer: (C) 1919
Explanation: Muslims launched the Khilafat Movement to protect the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I. Leaders included Maulana Muhammad Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali, and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
11. The All India Muslim League held its first annual session in:
(A) Karachi, 1907
(B) Dhaka, 1907
(C) Aligarh, 1907
(D) Delhi, 1907
Correct Answer: (D) Delhi, 1907
Explanation: The first annual session of the Muslim League was held in Karachi in 1907, but the first official annual session under its constitution was in Karachi (1907). However, many books consider Delhi session 1907 as the first effective political gathering.
12. The Secretary of the Muslim League at the time of its foundation was:
(A) Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk
(B) Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk
(C) Syed Ameer Ali
(D) Syed Muhammad Shafi
Correct Answer: (B) Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk
Explanation: Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk was appointed the first Secretary of the League. His dedication helped organize Muslim politics in its early stage.
13. Which British official was responsible for the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909)?
(A) Lord Minto (Viceroy)
(B) John Morley (Secretary of State for India)
(C) Both A & B
(D) None of these
Correct Answer: (C) Both A & B
Explanation: Lord Minto (Viceroy) and John Morley (Secretary of State) introduced reforms in 1909 which granted separate electorates to Muslims for the first time.
14. The Morley-Minto Reforms were enacted in:
(A) 1907
(B) 1908
(C) 1909
(D) 1910
Correct Answer: (C) 1909
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms) was a milestone as it recognized Muslims as a separate political community by granting them separate electorates.
15. Which Muslim leader is associated with the demand for separate electorates in 1906?
(A) Quaid-e-Azam
(B) Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk
(C) Aga Khan III
(D) Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
Correct Answer: (C) Aga Khan III
Explanation: Aga Khan III led the Simla Deputation in 1906 which demanded separate electorates for Muslims. This demand was later fulfilled in 1909.
16. The annulment of Bengal Partition (1911) resulted in the establishment of:
(A) Delhi as new capital of India
(B) Lucknow as capital of India
(C) Lahore as capital of India
(D) Calcutta remaining capital of India
Correct Answer: (A) Delhi as new capital of India
Explanation: In 1911, the annulment of Bengal Partition was announced and at the same time capital was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.
17. The Delhi Durbar of 1911 was organized to celebrate:
(A) Partition of Bengal
(B) Coronation of King George V
(C) Lucknow Pact
(D) Start of World War I
Correct Answer: (B) Coronation of King George V
Explanation: The Delhi Durbar of 1911 was a grand event to celebrate the coronation of King George V. It also announced annulment of Bengal Partition.
18. Quaid-e-Azam joined the All India Muslim League in:
(A) 1908
(B) 1913
(C) 1916
(D) 1919
Correct Answer: (B) 1913
Explanation: Jinnah, who was earlier a member of Congress, joined the Muslim League in 1913 to safeguard Muslim interests while continuing his efforts for Hindu-Muslim unity.
19. The First World War (1914–1918) had what major impact on Indian Muslims?
(A) Strengthened British rule
(B) Weakened Ottoman Empire
(C) Triggered Khilafat Movement
(D) Both B & C
Correct Answer: (D) Both B & C
Explanation: The war weakened the Ottoman Caliphate, which deeply concerned Indian Muslims and directly led to the Khilafat Movement (1919).
20. The Rowlatt Act was passed in:
(A) 1917
(B) 1918
(C) 1919
(D) 1920
Correct Answer: (C) 1919
Explanation: The Rowlatt Act extended wartime repressive measures into peacetime, curbing civil liberties. Muslims and Hindus both opposed it, marking a new phase in Indian politics.
21. The annulment of Bengal Partition in 1911 caused Muslims to feel:
(A) Victory of Muslims
(B) Betrayal by British
(C) Step towards independence
(D) Support for Khilafat Movement
Correct Answer: (B) Betrayal by British
Explanation: Muslims considered the annulment a betrayal, since Bengal’s partition had provided them political and educational advantages.
22. The All India Muslim League and Indian National Congress came together in which agreement?
(A) Delhi Agreement
(B) Lucknow Pact
(C) Simla Agreement
(D) Rowlatt Pact
Correct Answer: (B) Lucknow Pact
Explanation: The Lucknow Pact of 1916 brought Congress and Muslim League together to demand constitutional reforms from the British.
23. Which leader is known as the “Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity”?
(A) Maulana Azad
(B) Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
(C) Aga Khan III
(D) Liaquat Ali Khan
Correct Answer: (B) Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Explanation: Jinnah earned this title after his successful role in the Lucknow Pact (1916), promoting Hindu-Muslim unity.
24. The Lucknow Pact was signed between Congress and Muslim League in:
(A) 1914
(B) 1915
(C) 1916
(D) 1917
Correct Answer: (C) 1916
Explanation: The pact was signed in 1916 at Lucknow, marking rare cooperation between the two communities.
25. Who was the President of the Muslim League during the Lucknow Session 1916?
(A) Aga Khan III
(B) Nawab Salimullah
(C) Quaid-e-Azam
(D) Sir Ali Imam
Correct Answer: (A) Aga Khan III
Explanation: Aga Khan III was presiding over the League, while Jinnah played a major role in negotiations.
26. The Home Rule Movement in India was started by:
(A) Bal Gangadhar Tilak & Annie Besant
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru & Mahatma Gandhi
(C) Maulana Muhammad Ali & Shaukat Ali
(D) Lord Curzon & Lord Minto
Correct Answer: (A) Bal Gangadhar Tilak & Annie Besant
Explanation: The Home Rule Movement (1916) demanded self-government for India within the British Empire.
27. The Khilafat Movement was formally launched in:
(A) 1917
(B) 1918
(C) 1919
(D) 1920
Correct Answer: (C) 1919
Explanation: It was launched in 1919 after World War I to protect the Ottoman Caliphate, with leaders like Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar and Shaukat Ali.
28. The Rowlett Act 1919 curtailed:
(A) Freedom of press only
(B) Right to free trial and civil liberties
(C) Voting rights of Muslims
(D) Educational rights of Hindus
Correct Answer: (B) Right to free trial and civil liberties
Explanation: The act allowed imprisonment without trial, sparking widespread protests across India.
29. The Jallianwala Bagh tragedy occurred in:
(A) 1918
(B) 1919
(C) 1920
(D) 1921
Correct Answer: (B) 1919
Explanation: On 13 April 1919, British troops under General Dyer opened fire on peaceful protestors in Amritsar, killing hundreds.
30. The Khilafat Committee was established in:
(A) 1919
(B) 1920
(C) 1921
(D) 1922
Correct Answer: (A) 1919
Explanation: The Khilafat Committee was formed in Bombay in 1919 to organize Indian Muslims in support of the Ottoman Caliphate.
Interactive Pre-Partition Timeline