Agricultural Developments in Colonial India – UGC NET History – Practice Questions

First Experiment in Land Revenue Management

1. Agriculture in India has historically been considered the most important economic activity primarily because:
A. It generated industrial employment
B. It formed the principal source of state revenue
C. It promoted foreign trade exclusively
D. It reduced social inequalities

2. The British government imposed heavy taxes on agriculture mainly to:
A. Promote peasant welfare
B. Encourage industrialization
C. Reduce land ownership disputes
D. Maximize state revenue collection

3. Which of the following was an essential component of a land revenue settlement?
A. Religious reforms
B. Industrial licensing
C. Assessment and collection of tax
D. Military recruitment

4. Why was looting considered an unsustainable policy after territorial annexation?
A. It increased peasant prosperity
B. It strengthened indigenous rulers
C. It caused impoverishment and reduced tax-paying ability
D. It eliminated administrative corruption

5. In the context of land revenue settlements, assessment referred to:
A. Fixing the amount of tax to be paid
B. Identifying irrigation methods
C. Measuring military expenditure
D. Appointing zamindars

6. The person responsible for paying land revenue had to possess:
A. Religious authority
B. Control over land and its income
C. Military command
D. Judicial powers

7. The British gained effective control of Bengal in:
A. 1765
B. 1772
C. 1757
D. 1786

8. One major cause of the famine of 1769–70 in Bengal was:
A. Excessive industrialization
B. Administrative disorganisation caused by Company interference
C. Abolition of zamindari
D. Decline in maritime trade

9. Approximately what proportion of Bengal’s population is estimated to have died in the famine of 1769–70?
A. One-fourth
B. One-half
C. One-fifth
D. One-third

10. The farming system introduced from 1772 involved:
A. Collective peasant ownership
B. State-managed agriculture
C. Permanent remission of taxes
D. Contract-based collection of land revenue

11. Contractors under the farming system were commonly known as:
A. Farmers
B. Jagirdars
C. Muqtis
D. Talukdars

12. Under the farming system, contracts were usually awarded to those who:
A. Had hereditary rights
B. Offered the highest payment to the government
C. Enjoyed local peasant support
D. Possessed military experience

13. A major drawback of the farming system was that contractors:
A. Reduced taxes drastically
B. Encouraged rural credit
C. Extorted excessive revenue without concern for future production
D. Encouraged peasant cooperatives

14. Corruption in the farming system often occurred because contracts were granted to:
A. Independent peasants
B. Foreign merchants
C. Local artisans
D. Friends, favourites, and benamidars of influential officials

15. Lord Cornwallis was sent to India in 1786 mainly to:
A. Expand military territories
B. Promote missionary activities
C. Introduce industrial reforms
D. Reorganise and clean up administration

16. Assertion (A): The farming system led to oppression of peasants.
Reason (R): Contractors attempted to maximize collections during the contract period regardless of future consequences.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
C. (A) is true but (R) is false
D. (A) is false but (R) is true

17. Assertion (A): Looting remained the primary mode of British revenue extraction throughout colonial rule.
Reason (R): Looted goods always reached the government treasury efficiently.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
B. Both (A) and (R) are false
C. (A) is true but (R) is false
D. (A) is false but (R) is true

18. Assertion (A): A land revenue payer required control over land.
Reason (R): Control over land ensured an income source to pay taxes.

A. Both (A) and (R) are false
B. (A) is false but (R) is true
C. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
D. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

19. Assertion (A): The British initially intended to retain the Nawab’s administration in Bengal.
Reason (R): They hoped to use existing structures to collect greater revenue.

A. Both (A) and (R) are false
B. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
C. (A) is true but (R) is false
D. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

20. Assertion (A): Corruption weakened the farming system.
Reason (R): Contracts were allocated solely through transparent bidding.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true
B. (A) is false but (R) is true
C. Both (A) and (R) are false
D. (A) is true but (R) is false

21. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
B- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
C- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)

22. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(iii), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
C- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(iii), (d)-(i)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)

23. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
C- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)
D- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)

24. Which Governor-General is associated with administrative reorganisation in 1786?
A. Lord Cornwallis
B. Lord Hastings
C. Warren Hastings
D. Lord Wellesley

25. Which of the following best explains the British shift from plunder to taxation?
A. Humanitarian motives
B. Need for sustainable and regular revenue
C. Pressure from peasants
D. Industrial expansion in Bengal

26. The corruption of Company officials in Bengal mainly led to:
A. Growth of handicrafts
B. Increase in irrigation facilities
C. Administrative disorganisation
D. Reduction in taxes

27. Under the farming system, contractors enjoyed powers for:
A. Unlimited duration
B. One month only
C. Lifetime tenure
D. A fixed number of years

28. The essential condition for tax collection in agrarian systems was:
A. Urban industrialization
B. Existence of an authority controlling land income
C. Expansion of railways
D. Military policing of villages

29. Which among the following was NOT a feature of the farming system?
A. Contract basis
B. Revenue maximization
C. Long-term agricultural welfare orientation
D. Scope for corruption

30. The British East India Company’s early revenue policy in Bengal was characterized by:
A. Permanent land settlements immediately
B. Complete peasant ownership
C. Agricultural modernization
D. Extraction through plunder and experimental systems

31. Assertion (A): The famine of 1769–70 exposed the weaknesses of Company administration in Bengal.
Reason (R): Corruption and interference by Company officials contributed to administrative disorganisation.

A. Both (A) and (R) are false
B. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
C. (A) is true but (R) is false
D. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

32. Assertion (A): Contractors under the farming system always succeeded in recovering promised revenue.
Reason (R): The state demand was often unrealistic and difficult to collect.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true
B. (A) is true but (R) is false
C. (A) is false but (R) is true
D. Both (A) and (R) are false

33. Assertion (A): British land revenue settlements involved fixing tax and identifying the payer.
Reason (R): Assessment and collection formed the basis of land revenue administration.

A. Both (A) and (R) are false
B. (A) is true but (R) is false
C. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
D. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

34. Assertion (A): Friends and favourites of powerful officials often benefited from revenue contracts.
Reason (R): Patronage was one of the causes of corruption in the farming system.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
C. (A) is true but (R) is false
D. (A) is false but (R) is true

35. Assertion (A): The British abandoned taxation after the failure of looting.
Reason (R): Land revenue settlements became the basis of colonial finance.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
B. (A) is false but (R) is true
C. Both (A) and (R) are false
D. (A) is true but (R) is false

36. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
B- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
C- (a)-(iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)
D- (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)

37. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
C- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)

38. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(ii), (b)-(i), (c)-(iv), (d)-(iii)
C- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
D- (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii)

39. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(i), (c)-(iv), (d)-(iii)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
C- (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii)
D- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)

40. Which of the following was a major objective of British land revenue settlements?
A. Ensuring regular revenue collection
B. Promoting indigenous industries
C. Ending agrarian dependence
D. Establishing democratic institutions

41. The British East India Company initially intended to govern Bengal through:
A. Direct parliamentary administration
B. Existing Nawabi administrative machinery
C. Village republics
D. Zamindari cooperatives

42. The term ‘benamidar’ in colonial administration generally referred to:
A. Military commander
B. Revenue surveyor
C. Proxy holder acting on behalf of another person
D. Judicial officer

43. Which among the following most directly contributed to peasant oppression under the farming system?
A. Industrial employment
B. Declining urbanization
C. Reduction in state taxes
D. Short-term profit motive of contractors

44. The famine of Bengal (1769–70) demonstrated:
A. The dangers of maladministration and exploitation
B. Success of Company governance
C. Failure of agricultural technology alone
D. Growth of peasant prosperity

45. Which statement best describes the farming system introduced in 1772?
A. Peasants directly paid taxes without intermediaries
B. Revenue rights were auctioned to contractors
C. Zamindars permanently owned land
D. Taxation was completely abolished

46. In the context of British land settlements, collection referred to:
A. Military occupation of villages
B. Recording judicial disputes
C. Identifying the person liable to pay taxes
D. Redistribution of land

47. Why did some contractors fail under the farming system?
A. Agricultural productivity increased sharply
B. They refused to collect taxes
C. They had permanent land ownership
D. They overestimated their ability to recover promised revenue

48. Which factor most weakened the efficiency of the farming system?
A. Corruption and favoritism
B. Peasant political participation
C. Strong village institutions
D. Limited tax assessment

49. Who among the following is associated with the introduction of the Policy of Paramountcy?
A. Lord Wellesley
B. Lord Hastings
C. Lord Curzon
D. Lord Ripon

50. Which among the following was NOT a reason for abandoning large-scale plunder?
A. People became impoverished
B. Revenue did not regularly reach the treasury
C. British concern for peasant democracy
D. Population flight reduced revenue capacity

51. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
C- (a)-(ii), (b)-(i), (c)-(iv), (d)-(iii)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii)

52. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
C- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)

53. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(iii), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
C- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)

54. Which of the following statements about British revenue policy is correct?
A. It avoided interference in agrarian life
B. It depended permanently on looting
C. It reduced land taxation significantly
D. It aimed at creating a systematic revenue structure

55. The major criterion for awarding revenue contracts under the farming system was:
A. Highest financial bid
B. Popularity among peasants
C. Religious affiliation
D. Military strength

56. Company employees’ corruption in Bengal primarily caused:
A. Political democracy
B. Administrative instability
C. Industrial expansion
D. Judicial independence

57. The farming system encouraged contractors to prioritize:
A. Long-term agrarian development
B. Peasant welfare
C. Immediate revenue extraction
D. Local self-government

58. Which colonial administrator is closely associated with the Permanent Settlement of 1793?
A. Warren Hastings
B. Lord Hastings
C. Lord Wellesley
D. Lord Cornwallis

59. Which of the following best defines land revenue settlement?
A. Religious reform policy
B. Judicial codification process
C. Arrangement for assessment and collection of agricultural tax
D. Industrial licensing mechanism

60. The British emphasis on agricultural taxation reflected the fact that:
A. India lacked cultivable land
B. Agriculture formed the economic backbone of India
C. Trade was completely absent
D. Industry dominated the economy

61. Assertion (A): British land revenue settlements were designed to ensure a regular flow of income to the colonial state.
Reason (R): Agriculture was the principal source of economic activity in India.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
C. (A) is true but (R) is false
D. (A) is false but (R) is true

62. Assertion (A): The farming system ensured long-term agricultural prosperity.
Reason (R): Contractors prioritized sustainable cultivation over immediate gain.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true
B. Both (A) and (R) are false
C. (A) is true but (R) is false
D. (A) is false but (R) is true

63. Assertion (A): Land revenue assessment involved deciding the amount to be paid.
Reason (R): Assessment preceded collection in revenue administration.

A. Both (A) and (R) are false
B. (A) is false but (R) is true
C. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
D. (A) is true but (R) is false

64. Assertion (A): Corruption in the farming system affected government finances negatively.
Reason (R): Contracts were often awarded to favourites and benamidars.

A. Both (A) and (R) are false
B. (A) is false but (R) is true
C. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
D. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

65. Assertion (A): The British initially retained parts of the Nawabi administration in Bengal.
Reason (R): Existing institutions could be used for revenue extraction.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
C. (A) is true but (R) is false
D. (A) is false but (R) is true

66. Assertion (A): Lord Cornwallis arrived in India to reorganise colonial administration.
Reason (R): Administrative disorder had emerged due to Company corruption.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
B. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
C. (A) is false but (R) is true
D. Both (A) and (R) are false

67. Assertion (A): Revenue contractors always had hereditary rights over districts.
Reason (R): The farming system relied on competitive contracts.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true
B. (A) is true but (R) is false
C. (A) is false but (R) is true
D. Both (A) and (R) are false

68. Assertion (A): The famine of 1769–70 reduced Bengal’s productive and taxable capacity.
Reason (R): A significant proportion of the population perished during the famine.

A. Both (A) and (R) are false
B. (A) is false but (R) is true
C. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
D. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

69. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
C- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)

70. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
C- (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(iii), (d)-(ii)

71. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(i), (c)-(iv), (d)-(iii)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
C- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)

72. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii)
C- (a)-(ii), (b)-(i), (c)-(iv), (d)-(iii)
D- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)

73. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
B- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
C- (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)

74. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
C- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)

75. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iv)
C- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)

76. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)
C- (a)-(iii), (b)-(i), (c)-(iv), (d)-(ii)
D- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)

77. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
C- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(iii), (d)-(i)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)

78. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
B- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
C- (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(iii), (d)-(ii)

79. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
B- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)
C- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
D- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)

80. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
C- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
D- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)

81. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
B- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
C- (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(iii), (d)-(ii)

82. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
B- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
C- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)

83. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii)
C- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
D- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)

84. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.

A- (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
B- (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii)
C- (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)
D- (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)

85. Which among the following best explains the importance of land revenue in colonial India?
A. Agriculture remained the principal economic activity
B. Trade completely disappeared
C. Industries were heavily taxed
D. Military expenses declined

86. Under the farming system, revenue contractors primarily aimed at:
A. Agrarian justice
B. Maximum extraction during contract tenure
C. Cooperative farming
D. Permanent ownership of land

87. Which of the following events preceded the introduction of the farming system?
A. Cornwallis reforms
B. Permanent Settlement
C. Bengal famine of 1769–70
D. Policy of Paramountcy

88. Which colonial problem made administrative reforms necessary in Bengal?
A. Peasant democracy
B. Industrial overproduction
C. Religious conflict
D. Corruption and disorder in governance

89. The British preference for systematic taxation over plunder reflected the need for:
A. Stable fiscal administration
B. Religious legitimacy
C. Village autonomy
D. Reduced state control

90. Which statement best captures the logic behind colonial land settlements?
A. Land taxes were symbolic only
B. Revenue required both assessment and an identifiable payer
C. Taxation was voluntary
D. Agricultural land had no fiscal value