Static Quiz 20 March 2026 (Modern History)

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the First Carnatic War (1746–48):

1. It was an extension of the War of Austrian Succession.
2. The French captured Madras from the British.
3. The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle restored Madras to the British.

How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None

Q1. (C)
Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct:
  • The First Carnatic War was not an independent Indian conflict but a colonial extension of the War of Austrian Succession (1740–48).
• Statement 2 – Correct:
  • In 1746, French forces under La Bourdonnais captured Madras from the British.
  • Internal conflict: Dupleix vs La Bourdonnais over control → shows French administrative disunity (important analytical point).
• Statement 3 – Correct:
  • Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) restored Madras to the British in exchange for territories in Europe.
  • Key takeaway → Indian territories used as bargaining counters in European diplomacy.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Second Carnatic War (1749–54):

1. It was primarily fought over succession disputes in Hyderabad and Carnatic.
2. Chanda Sahib was supported by the British.
3. Robert Clive captured Arcot during the war.

How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None

Q2. (B)
Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct:
  • War centred on dual succession disputes:
    • Hyderabad → Nasir Jang vs Muzaffar Jang
    • Carnatic → Anwar-ud-din vs Chanda Sahib
  • Marks shift from trade rivalry → political intervention.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect:
  • Chanda Sahib was backed by the French (Dupleix).
  • British supported Muhammad Ali (son of Anwar-ud-din).
• Statement 3 – Correct:
  • Robert Clive’s Siege of Arcot (1751):
    • Strategic diversion → weakened French-backed forces.
    • Demonstrates British military innovation + psychological warfare.

Q3. Consider the following pairs:

Personality	Role
Dupleix	Expanded French influence via Indian alliances
Robert Clive	Key role in Carnatic Wars and later Plassey
Anwar-ud-din	Nawab of Carnatic supported by British

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None

Q3. (C)
Explanation:

• Pair 1 – Correct:
  • Dupleix pioneered subsidiary-style indirect control before British formalised it.
  • Used Indian rulers as instruments of empire-building.
• Pair 2 – Correct:
  • Clive emerged during Carnatic Wars → later decisive in Battle of Plassey (1757).
  • Carnatic Wars = training ground for British imperial leadership.
• Pair 3 – Correct:
  • Anwar-ud-din aligned with British; defeated and killed at Battle of Ambur (1749).

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Third Carnatic War (1756–63):

1. It was linked to the Seven Years’ War.
2. The Battle of Wandiwash ensured British supremacy.
3. The French were expelled from India after the war.

How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None

Q4. (B)
Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct:
  • Part of the Seven Years’ War (1756–63) → first “global war”.
  • India became a secondary theatre of global imperial rivalry.
• Statement 2 – Correct:
  • Battle of Wandiwash (1760):
    • British (Sir Eyre Coote) defeated French (Lally).
    • Turning point → final collapse of French military challenge.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect:
  • French were not expelled; retained trading posts like Pondicherry.
  • BUT → lost political & military power permanently.

Q5. Consider the following provisions of the Treaty of Paris (1763):

1. French settlements were restored in India.
2. French were allowed to fortify their settlements.
3. French political ambitions in India were curtailed.

How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None

Q5. (B)
Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct:
  • French regained Pondicherry, Chandernagore, Mahe, Karaikal, Yanam.
  • Indicates British preference for controlled competition over elimination.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect:
  • French forbidden from fortification or maintaining large armies.
  • This ensured permanent British strategic superiority.
• Statement 3 – Correct:
  • Treaty effectively ended French imperial ambitions in India.

From here → British monopoly over territorial expansion.

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