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British Rule and Its Impact upon Indian Society – Short Notes & 50 Q&A

Author: Subrata Majumder, Teacher MA Sociology

📘 Short Notes on British Rule and Indian Society

• Economic Impact: De-industrialization, decline of handicrafts, commercialization of agriculture, poverty.
• Social Reform: Abolition of Sati, widow remarriage, ban on child infanticide, social reform movements.
• Education: Introduction of English education, Western science, modern universities.
• Political Impact: Rise of nationalism, Indian National Congress formation, freedom movement.
• Caste System: Census classification strengthened caste divisions, emergence of caste associations.
• Women’s Status: Social reform improved conditions (education, widow remarriage), but patriarchy persisted.
• Legal System: Codified laws, modern judiciary, equality before law (but with colonial bias).
• Religious Impact: Christian missionary activities, reform movements like Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj.
• Urbanization: Growth of cities, new professions, middle class emergence.
• Overall Character: Colonial exploitation + seeds of modernity, nationalism, and social change.

❓ 50 Short Questions with Answers

1. Q: What was the major economic impact of British rule?
   A: De-industrialization.
2. Q: Which Indian industry declined under British rule?
   A: Handicraft and textile industry.
3. Q: What was the major cash crop introduced?
   A: Indigo.
4. Q: Who introduced English education in India?
   A: Lord Macaulay.
5. Q: Which evil practice was abolished by Lord William Bentinck?
   A: Sati system.
6. Q: Who supported widow remarriage?
   A: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
7. Q: Which law banned child marriage?
   A: The Child Marriage Restraint Act (1929).
8. Q: Which new class emerged under British education?
   A: Indian middle class.
9. Q: Which organization led Indian nationalism?
   A: Indian National Congress.
10. Q: Who founded Brahmo Samaj?
    A: Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
11. Q: Which social reformer opposed polygamy?
    A: Keshab Chandra Sen.
12. Q: Who founded Arya Samaj?
    A: Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
13. Q: Which law introduced equality before law?
    A: Indian Penal Code (IPC).
14. Q: What was the impact of railways?
    A: National integration and trade growth.
15. Q: Which system exploited farmers?
    A: Zamindari system.
16. Q: What did British census reinforce?
    A: Caste divisions.
17. Q: What was the effect of Christian missionaries?
    A: Spread of Western education and conversion.
18. Q: Which leader promoted education for girls?
    A: Jyotirao Phule.
19. Q: What was the major political awakening?
    A: Rise of nationalism.
20. Q: Who started the Aligarh Movement?
    A: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.
21. Q: Which Act introduced local self-government?
    A: Indian Councils Act, 1882.
22. Q: What was the effect on agriculture?
    A: Commercialization and cash crops.
23. Q: Which reformer worked against untouchability?
    A: Mahatma Gandhi.
24. Q: Which leader emphasized ‘Education through mother tongue’?
    A: Rabindranath Tagore.
25. Q: Who founded Ramakrishna Mission?
    A: Swami Vivekananda.
26. Q: What was the major cultural impact?
    A: Modern Indian renaissance.
27. Q: Who introduced modern universities in India?
    A: British Government (1857).
28. Q: Which law codified Hindu Widow Remarriage?
    A: Widow Remarriage Act, 1856.
29. Q: Who worked for Dalit upliftment?
    A: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
30. Q: What was the Indian response to Western ideas?
    A: Reform movements and nationalism.
31. Q: Which modern profession grew in British India?
    A: Law, journalism, teaching.
32. Q: What was the negative economic impact?
    A: Drain of wealth to Britain.
33. Q: What did railways and telegraphs encourage?
    A: Political awareness.
34. Q: Who campaigned against child marriage?
    A: Behramji Malabari.
35. Q: What led to rise of modern press?
    A: English education and printing press.
36. Q: Which Act raised age of consent for girls?
    A: Age of Consent Act, 1891.
37. Q: Which Indian leader merged spirituality with nationalism?
    A: Swami Vivekananda.
38. Q: Who criticized British exploitation in ‘Drain Theory’?
    A: Dadabhai Naoroji.
39. Q: Which commission introduced modern education policy?
    A: Hunter Commission, 1882.
40. Q: Which reformer opposed caste inequality?
    A: Narayana Guru.
41. Q: What emerged as a result of British reforms?
    A: Social consciousness and reform movements.
42. Q: Which law improved factory conditions?
    A: Factory Act, 1881.
43. Q: Who established the Theosophical Society in India?
    A: Annie Besant.
44. Q: What was the cultural impact of English literature?
    A: Growth of Indian English writers.
45. Q: Which social reformer worked for widow remarriage?
    A: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
46. Q: What did British rule introduce in judiciary?
    A: Equality before law (on paper).
47. Q: Who fought against untouchability in Maharashtra?
    A: Jyotirao Phule.
48. Q: Which reformer emphasized women’s education?
    A: Pandita Ramabai.
49. Q: What was the dual nature of British impact?
    A: Exploitation + modernization.
50. Q: Which legacy did British rule leave?
    A: Seeds of nationalism and modern India.

Study Material Prepared by Subrata Majumder, Teacher MA Sociology | Indian Society and Culture Notes for Students

Tags: British Rule in India, Impact on Society, Indian Culture, Sociology Notes, Subrata Majumder, Short Questions, MCQs