European conquest of India is important part of Indian History and its syllabus. Previous Year Question (PYQ) papers are invaluable resources for aspirants preparing for competitive exams like the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations. In this article we present important PYQ European conquest of India.
UPSC PYQ on European conquest of India
Q- With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements: (2022)
- The Dutch established their factories/warehouses on the east coast on lands granted to them by Gajapati rulers.
- Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate.
- The English East India. Company established a factory at Madras on a plot of land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagara empire.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer- Option B
EXPLANATION
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Gajapati rule in Odisha was established when Kapilendra, the minister of Bhanudeva IV (1414-1435), seized power in 1435. However, after the death of Pratapa Rudra in 1540, his successors struggled to maintain control, leading to the downfall of the Suryavamsi (Gajapati) dynasty by 1542. This event occurred prior to the formation of the Dutch East India Company, which was chartered in 1602.
Statement 2 is correct: Albuquerque successfully captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1510, marking the acquisition of Indian territory by Europeans for the first time since the era of Alexander the Great.
Q- In the first quarter of the seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located? (2021)
(1) Broach
(2) Chicacole
(3) Trichinopoly
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
By 17th century , English East India Company had established factories at Surat, Broach, Ahmedabad, Agra, and Masulipatam.
1613- A permanent factory of the east India company is established at Surat
1616- 1st factory in south at Masulipatnam
1619- Sir Thomas Roe set up factories at Agra, Ahmedabad, and Broach.
Q- Consider the following statements: (2021)
(1) St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order.
(2) St. Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there.
(3) The feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
Statement 1 correct, it states that St. Francis Xavier was indeed one of the founders of the Jesuit order and is recognized as a Spanish saint.
Statement 2 is incorrect as it mentions that he died while trying to gain entrance to China. In reality, St. Francis Xavier passed away on the island of Sancian (now Shang-ch’uan Tao), located off the Chinese coast, but his death was not linked to his attempts to enter China, which was closed to foreigners at the time.
Statement 3 is correct notes that the feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated annually in Goa on the 3rd of December.
Q- Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because (2020)
(a) he was asked by the Board of Directors at London to do so
(b) he wanted to revive interest in oriental learning in India
(c) he wanted to provide William Carey and his associates with employment
(d) he wanted to train British civilians for administrative purpose in India
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
Lord Richard Wellesley, a British politician and colonial administrator, served as the Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805 and later held a position in the British Cabinet as the Foreign Secretary. He implemented the Subsidiary Alliance doctrine during his tenure, requiring Indian rulers to disband their own armies and accept British military presence in their territories.
Q- With reference to educational institutes during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs: (2018)
| Institution | Founder |
| 1. Sanskrit College at Benaras | William Jones |
| 2. Calcutta Madrasa | Warren Hastings |
| 3. Fort William College | Arthur Wellesley |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer- Option B
EXPLANATION
Sanskrit College at Benaras- Jonathan Duncan
Calcutta Madrasa- Warren Hatings
Fort William College- Lord Wellesley
Q- Who among the following was/were associated with the introduction of the Ryotwari Settlement in India during the British rule? (2017)
(1) Lord Cornwallis
(2) Alexander Read
(3) Thomas Munro
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer- Option C
EXPLANATION
Alexander Read and Thomas Munro were involved in implementing the Ryotwari Settlement during British colonial rule in India. Thomas Munro introduced the Ryotwari System in 1820, which was administered by Captain Alexander Read. Initially implemented in Tamil Nadu, it was later extended to regions like Maharashtra, Berar, East Punjab, Coorg, and Assam. Under the Ryotwari System, peasants were granted ownership rights, and there were no intermediaries between the government and the individual cultivator. Taxes were collected directly from the peasants by the British government.
Also read about UPSC PYQ on Laws and Acts of British India and Freedom Movement.