Online Test — Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence
15 Questions • 15 min • Chapter MCQ
15:00
Question 1 of 15
India became independent in:
1945
1947
1950
1935
Explanation: India became independent in 1947.
Question 2 of 15
The aim of British economic policy was to serve:
India
Britain
Both equally
Farmers
Explanation: British policy served Britain's interests.
Question 3 of 15
Under the British, India was a supplier of ____ and a market for British finished goods.
Machinery
Cheap raw materials
Technology
Software
Explanation: India supplied cheap raw materials.
Question 4 of 15
About what share of people depended on agriculture at independence?
85%
30%
10%
50%
Explanation: Around 85% depended on agriculture.
Question 5 of 15
The exploitative land-revenue system that left cultivators poor was the:
Green Revolution
Zamindari system
Public sector
Five-Year Plan
Explanation: The zamindari system exploited cultivators.
Question 6 of 15
Forcing farmers to grow cash crops for export is the ____ of agriculture.
Commercialisation
Industrialisation
Nationalisation
Globalisation
Explanation: Growing cash crops for export is commercialisation.
Question 7 of 15
The decline of handicrafts without modern industry replacing them is:
Industrialisation
De-industrialisation
Commercialisation
Privatisation
Explanation: That twin process is de-industrialisation.
Question 8 of 15
India's first iron and steel company (TISCO) was set up in:
1853
1907
1947
1991
Explanation: TISCO was established in 1907.
Question 9 of 15
Under British rule, India mainly exported:
Finished goods
Primary/raw products
Machinery
Software
Explanation: India exported raw materials and imported finished goods.
Question 10 of 15
The export surplus that went to pay Britain's expenses is called the:
Drain of wealth
Green Revolution
Trade surplus benefit
Land reform
Explanation: This is the drain of wealth from India to Britain.
Question 11 of 15
About what share of the workforce was in agriculture under British rule?
70–75%
20%
40%
10%
Explanation: Around 70–75% of workers were in agriculture.
Question 12 of 15
Life expectancy on the eve of independence was about:
32 years
55 years
68 years
45 years
Explanation: Life expectancy was only about 32 years.
Question 13 of 15
The literacy rate at independence was under:
16%
50%
75%
90%
Explanation: Literacy was under 16%.
Question 14 of 15
Railways were introduced in India in:
1853
1907
1947
1991
Explanation: Railways were introduced in 1853.
Question 15 of 15
British infrastructure was mainly built to serve:
India's development
British trade and administration
Indian farmers
Indian schools
Explanation: It served British trade and administration, not India's development.