Pakistan Affairs MCQs – Pre-Partition History
Batch 5 (1940–1947)
1. The Cripps Mission was sent to India in:
(A) 1939
(B) 1940
(C) 1942
(D) 1946
Correct Answer: (C) 1942
Explanation: Sir Stafford Cripps came in 1942 with proposals for Indian self-government after World War II, but both Congress and Muslim League rejected it.
2. The Quit India Movement was launched in:
(A) 1940
(B) 1941
(C) 1942
(D) 1945
Correct Answer: (C) 1942
Explanation: In August 1942, Congress launched the Quit India Movement demanding immediate British withdrawal, but Muslims largely stayed aloof.
3. The Simla Conference was held in:
(A) 1940
(B) 1945
(C) 1946
(D) 1947
Correct Answer: (B) 1945
Explanation: Convened by Lord Wavell, the Simla Conference (1945) failed because of differences between Congress and Muslim League over Muslim representation.
4. Who represented the Muslim League at the Simla Conference?
(A) Liaquat Ali Khan
(B) Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
(C) A.K. Fazlul Haq
(D) Khawaja Nazimuddin
Correct Answer: (B) Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Explanation: Jinnah represented the Muslim League and refused any compromise that diluted Muslim rights.
5. The Cabinet Mission arrived in India in:
(A) 1944
(B) 1945
(C) 1946
(D) 1947
Correct Answer: (C) 1946
Explanation: The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) aimed at transferring power, but failed due to Congress–League disputes.
6. The Cabinet Mission Plan proposed:
(A) Partition of India
(B) Grouping of provinces into sections
(C) Immediate independence for India
(D) Direct elections for Pakistan
Correct Answer: (B) Grouping of provinces into sections
Explanation: It proposed grouping provinces into three sections with a weak central government, but Congress rejected it.
7. Direct Action Day was observed on:
(A) 14 August 1946
(B) 16 August 1946
(C) 23 March 1940
(D) 3 June 1947
Correct Answer: (B) 16 August 1946
Explanation: The Muslim League called Direct Action Day to demand Pakistan, leading to riots in Calcutta and elsewhere.
8. The slogan “Pakistan in Danger” was raised during:
(A) Khilafat Movement
(B) Cabinet Mission Plan
(C) Direct Action Day
(D) Lucknow Pact
Correct Answer: (C) Direct Action Day
Explanation: The slogan became popular during the 1946 agitation, emphasizing the urgency of a separate homeland.
9. The Interim Government of India was formed in:
(A) 1945
(B) 1946
(C) 1947
(D) 1948
Correct Answer: (B) 1946
Explanation: In September 1946, an interim government was formed with Congress dominance, while the League initially stayed out.
10. The Prime Minister of the Interim Government was:
(A) Liaquat Ali Khan
(B) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Lord Mountbatten
(D) Vallabhbhai Patel
Correct Answer: (B) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
Explanation: Nehru became Prime Minister of the Interim Government, while Liaquat Ali Khan later joined as Finance Minister.
11. The 3rd June Plan is also known as:
(A) Mountbatten Plan
(B) August Offer
(C) Wavell Plan
(D) Cripps Plan
Correct Answer: (A) Mountbatten Plan
Explanation: The 3rd June 1947 Plan (Mountbatten Plan) finalized the partition of India and creation of Pakistan.
12. The 3rd June Plan was announced by:
(A) Lord Wavell
(B) Lord Mountbatten
(C) Winston Churchill
(D) Clement Attlee
Correct Answer: (B) Lord Mountbatten
Explanation: The last Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, announced the plan to partition India.
13. Under the 3rd June Plan, partition was carried out through:
(A) Indian Independence Act 1947
(B) Government of India Act 1935
(C) Cripps Proposals
(D) Lucknow Pact
Correct Answer: (A) Indian Independence Act 1947
Explanation: The Indian Independence Act 1947 gave legal shape to partition and independence of Pakistan and India.
14. The Indian Independence Act was passed on:
(A) 3 June 1947
(B) 14 August 1947
(C) 18 July 1947
(D) 15 August 1947
Correct Answer: (C) 18 July 1947
Explanation: The British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act on 18 July 1947.
15. Pakistan came into being on:
(A) 14 August 1947
(B) 15 August 1947
(C) 16 August 1947
(D) 17 August 1947
Correct Answer: (A) 14 August 1947
Explanation: Pakistan was created on 14 August 1947, a day earlier than India’s independence.
16. Quaid-e-Azam was sworn in as the first Governor-General of Pakistan on:
(A) 14 August 1947
(B) 15 August 1947
(C) 16 August 1947
(D) 17 August 1947
Correct Answer: (A) 14 August 1947
Explanation: Jinnah took oath as Governor-General of Pakistan on 14 August 1947 in Karachi.
17. The first Prime Minister of Pakistan was:
(A) Liaquat Ali Khan
(B) Khawaja Nazimuddin
(C) Chaudhry Muhammad Ali
(D) Ghulam Muhammad
Correct Answer: (A) Liaquat Ali Khan
Explanation: Liaquat Ali Khan became the first Prime Minister of Pakistan.
18. The boundary commission to demarcate India and Pakistan was headed by:
(A) Lord Mountbatten
(B) Cyril Radcliffe
(C) Stafford Cripps
(D) Clement Attlee
Correct Answer: (B) Cyril Radcliffe
Explanation: The Radcliffe Commission headed by Sir Cyril Radcliffe decided the boundary lines between India and Pakistan.
19. Which princely state was annexed by India despite Pakistan’s claim in 1947?
(A) Hyderabad
(B) Junagadh
(C) Kashmir
(D) All of these
Correct Answer: (D) All of these
Explanation: Despite Pakistan’s stance, India annexed Junagadh, Hyderabad, and later Kashmir, leading to disputes.
20. Who was the last Viceroy of British India?
(A) Lord Wavell
(B) Lord Mountbatten
(C) Lord Irwin
(D) Lord Linlithgow
Correct Answer: (B) Lord Mountbatten
Explanation: Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of India and the first Governor-General of independent India.