Preparing for the TNPSC History section becomes easier with regular practice of important questions from Indian Freedom and the major events of India’s struggle for independence. This TNPSC History Free Online Test covers important questions designed to help aspirants revise key historical events, movements, leaders, and milestones in a simple and exam-oriented way. Attempt this quiz to test your knowledge and strengthen your preparation for the TNPSC exam.
Note: Detailed explanations are given below the test so you can learn from each question and build stronger knowledge for TNPSC exams.
Indian Freedom Movement Quiz – What You Need to Know
Understanding the reasons behind each answer can help strengthen your Indian Freedom and TNPSC History preparation. The detailed explanations below provide important historical facts and context for each question, making this TNPSC Free Online Test useful for quick revision and exam practice.
1. Who is popularly known as the Father of the Nation?
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi
Explanation:
Mahatma Gandhi is popularly known as the “Father of the Nation” in India. He played a major role in the Indian freedom movement and advocated principles of truth and non-violence. The Government of India’s Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti notes that there is no official record or notification conferring this title on Gandhi, while government publications and official messages commonly use the title when referring to him.
The title was notably used for Gandhi by Subhas Chandra Bose in a 1944 broadcast from Azad Hind Radio.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- Subhas Chandra Bose: He was a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement and founder of the Indian National Army, but he is not popularly known by this title.
- Jawaharlal Nehru: He was a leading figure in the freedom movement and became independent India’s first Prime Minister, but he is not popularly known as the “Father of the Nation.”
- Rajendra Prasad: He was a prominent freedom fighter and became the first President of independent India, but he is not popularly known by this title.
2. Quit India Movement was launched in?
Answer: 1942
Explanation:
The Quit India Movement was launched in 1942 during the Second World War. The All-India Congress Committee adopted the Quit India resolution in Bombay on 8 August 1942. Mahatma Gandhi gave the famous “Do or Die” call, demanding an immediate end to British rule in India.
The movement is also known as the August Movement or August Kranti. Soon after the movement was launched, major Congress leaders were arrested by the British authorities. Despite the arrests, protests and demonstrations spread across different parts of India.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- 1930: This was the year of the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi.
- 1920: The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in 1920.
- 1947: India became independent from British rule in 1947. It was not the year in which the Quit India Movement was launched.
3. Who gave the slogan “Do or Die”?
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi
Explanation:
Mahatma Gandhi gave the famous “Do or Die” call during the Quit India Movement in 1942. He used this slogan in his speech at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay on 8 August 1942, urging Indians to make a determined effort to achieve freedom from British rule.
The slogan became closely associated with the Quit India Movement and reflected Gandhi’s call for a decisive struggle for India’s independence.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- Tilak: Bal Gangadhar Tilak was an important nationalist leader known for the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.”
- Nehru: Jawaharlal Nehru was a major leader of the Indian National Congress and played an important role in the freedom movement, but the “Do or Die” slogan was given by Gandhi.
- Bose: Subhas Chandra Bose led the Indian National Army and used slogans such as “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom,” but he did not give the “Do or Die” slogan.
4. First War of Indian Independence occurred in?
Answer: 1857
Explanation:
The First War of Indian Independence took place in 1857 and began as a major uprising against British rule in India. The revolt started among Indian soldiers in the East India Company’s army and soon spread to several parts of northern and central India.
The uprising is also commonly referred to as the Revolt of 1857 or the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Important centres of the revolt included Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, and Meerut. Leaders such as Bahadur Shah II, Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Sahib, and Tantia Tope played important roles in different regions.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- 1850: This was not the year of the major uprising known as the Revolt of 1857.
- 1861: The Indian Councils Act was passed in 1861, but the First War of Indian Independence had already occurred.
- 1905: The Partition of Bengal took place in 1905, which led to the Swadeshi Movement.
5. Who was the first Governor-General of independent India?
Answer: Rajagopalachari
Explanation:
C. Rajagopalachari became the first Indian Governor-General of independent India in 1948. He succeeded Lord Mountbatten and served in the position until 1950, when India became a republic and the office of Governor-General was replaced by the office of President.
Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, was a prominent freedom fighter, statesman, and political leader. He remains the only Indian to have served as Governor-General of India.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- Mountbatten: Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of British India and continued as the first Governor-General of independent India from 1947 to 1948. He was not the first Indian Governor-General.
- Rajendra Prasad: He became the first President of the Republic of India in 1950, not Governor-General.
- Nehru: Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of independent India in 1947, not Governor-General.
6. Indian National Congress was founded in?
Answer: 1885
Explanation:
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 and held its first session in Bombay in December 1885. Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee presided over the first session, which was attended by 72 delegates. Allan Octavian Hume played an important role in bringing the organisation into existence.
The formation of the Indian National Congress marked an important stage in the development of organised political activity in British India. It later became a major organisation in India’s freedom struggle.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- 1880: The Indian National Congress had not yet been founded in 1880.
- 1901: The INC was already an established political organisation by 1901.
- 1920: The INC was already active by 1920; this was the year when the organisation adopted major changes in its programme and organisational structure under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership.
7. Who presided over the first INC session?
Answer: W.C. Bonnerjee
Explanation:
The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay in December 1885. It was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee, who became the first President of the Indian National Congress.
The session was attended by 72 delegates and marked the formal beginning of the INC as an organised political body. Bonnerjee was a prominent lawyer and public figure in British India.
Why the other options are not suitable:
Tilak: Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a prominent nationalist leader who became associated with the assertive nationalist movement, but he did not preside over the first INC session.
Gokhale: Gopal Krishna Gokhale was an important moderate leader of the INC, but he was not the president of its first session.
Dadabhai Naoroji: Dadabhai Naoroji was a founding leader of the INC and later served as its president, but he did not preside over the first session.
8. Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in?
Answer: 1919
Explanation:
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on 13 April 1919 in Amritsar, Punjab. Thousands of people had gathered at Jallianwala Bagh on the occasion of Baisakhi, amid widespread opposition to the Rowlatt Act. British troops under General Reginald Dyer opened fire on the gathering.
The incident became a significant event in India’s freedom struggle and intensified opposition to British rule. It also had a major impact on Indian public opinion and nationalist politics.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- 1915: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre had not yet taken place in 1915.
- 1925: The massacre had already occurred six years earlier, in 1919.
- 1930: The massacre had already occurred in 1919; 1930 was associated with the Civil Disobedience Movement and Salt March.
9. Who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse?
Answer: Lord Dalhousie
Explanation:
The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced and systematically applied by Lord Dalhousie, who served as Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. Under this policy, the British East India Company annexed the territory of an Indian ruler if he died without a recognised male heir. Several states, including Satara, Sambalpur, Nagpur and Jhansi, were annexed under this policy.
The policy became an important source of resentment among Indian rulers and was one of the political factors that contributed to opposition to British rule before the Revolt of 1857.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- Dalhousie: This refers to Lord Dalhousie himself, so it is essentially the same person as Option A, but the complete name is Lord Dalhousie.
- Curzon: Lord Curzon served as Viceroy of India much later, from 1899 to 1905, and did not introduce the Doctrine of Lapse.
- Ripon: Lord Ripon served as Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884, after the Doctrine of Lapse had already been used.
10. India got independence in?
Answer: 1947
Explanation:
India became independent from British rule on 15 August 1947. This marked the end of British colonial rule in India after a long freedom struggle involving several movements, leaders and organisations. The Indian Independence Act, 1947 provided the legal framework for the transfer of power and the creation of the Dominions of India and Pakistan.
India celebrates 15 August as Independence Day every year to commemorate its independence.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- 1945: This was the year World War II ended, but India had not yet gained independence.
- 1946: This was an important year in the final phase of the freedom struggle, but India became independent the following year.
- 1950: The Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950, and India became a republic.
Final Revision Tips (VERY IMPORTANT FOR EXAM)
✔ 1857 → First War of Independence
✔ 1885 → INC formed
✔ 1919 → Jallianwala Bagh
✔ 1942 → Quit India
✔ 1947 → Independence
Further Reading:
For a deeper understanding of Indian Freedom and important events in the national movement, learners can refer to standard NCERT History materials. Studying the major movements, national leaders, and key developments from 1870s to 1947 can strengthen your TNPSC History preparation. Regular reading along with a TNPSC Free Online Test can also help improve revision and exam readiness.
NCERT Reference: The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947 – NCERT
