Expansion of British Rule MCQ: Home Rule to Quit India – Freedom Movement Milestones (1916–1946)

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.During whose period was the capital of India transferred from Calcutta to Delhi?

   • A.Lord Minto
   • B.Lord Hardinge
   • C.Lord Chelmsford✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Lord Reading

   Explanation: The transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi was declared during the tenure of Lord Hardinge at the Delhi Durbar in 1911.

2. Q2.In which year did the Surat Split of Indian National Congress take place?

   • A.1905
   • B.1906
   • C.1907
   • D.1908✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Surat Split of the Indian National Congress took place in 1907, dividing the party into Moderates and Extremists.

3. Q3.Who started the Home Rule League in April 1916?

   • A.Annie Besant
   • B.Bal Gangadhar Tilak
   • C.Lala Lajpat Rai✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Gopal Krishna Gokhale

   Explanation: Bal Gangadhar Tilak started the Home Rule League in April 1916 at Belgaum. Annie Besant started her league in September 1916.

4. Q4.The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was signed between?

   • A.Congress and British
   • B.Congress and Muslim League
   • C.Moderates and Extremists✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League

   Explanation: The Lucknow Pact (1916) was an agreement between the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League.

5. Q5.Who was the Viceroy of India when the Rowlatt Act was passed in 1919?

   • A.Lord Chelmsford
   • B.Lord Reading✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Lord Irwin
   • D.Lord Wavell

   Explanation: Lord Chelmsford (1916-1921) was the Viceroy of India when the Rowlatt Act was passed in 1919.

6. Q6.Which committee was appointed to inquire into the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?

   • A.Hunter Committee
   • B.Simon Commission✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Butler Committee
   • D.Muddiman Committee

   Explanation: The Hunter Committee was appointed by the British Government to inquire into the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919.

7. Q7.When was the Swaraj Party formed?

   • A.1921
   • B.1922
   • C.1923
   • D.1924✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Swaraj Party was formed in 1923 by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru.

8. Q8.In which year did the Simon Commission arrive in India?

   • A.1927
   • B.1928
   • C.1929✓ Correct Answer
   • D.1930

   Explanation: The Simon Commission was appointed in 1927 but arrived in Bombay on 3 February 1928.

9. Q9.Who presided over the Lahore Session of Congress in 1929 where 'Purna Swaraj' was adopted?

   • A.Mahatma Gandhi
   • B.Jawaharlal Nehru
   • C.Subhash Chandra Bose✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Sardar Patel

   Explanation: Jawaharlal Nehru presided over the Lahore Session of Congress in 1929 where the resolution for 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) was passed.

10. Q10.The Dandi March was undertaken in which year?

    • A.1929
    • B.1930
    • C.1931✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1932

    Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi started the Dandi March on 12 March 1930 to break the salt law, marking the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

11. Q11.The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed in which year?

    • A.1930
    • B.1931
    • C.1932✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1933

    Explanation: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on 5 March 1931 between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin.

12. Q12.Poona Pact (1932) was signed between Mahatma Gandhi and whom?

    • A.B.R. Ambedkar
    • B.Jawaharlal Nehru✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Subhash Chandra Bose
    • D.M.A. Jinnah

    Explanation: The Poona Pact was signed on 24 September 1932 between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

13. Q13.Which Act provided for 'Provincial Autonomy'?

    • A.Govt of India Act 1919
    • B.Govt of India Act 1935
    • C.Indian Council Act 1909✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Indian Independence Act 1947

    Explanation: The Government of India Act 1935 abolished dyarchy in the provinces and introduced Provincial Autonomy.

14. Q14.Who announced the 'August Offer' in 1940?

    • A.Lord Wavell
    • B.Lord Linlithgow
    • C.Lord Mountbatten✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Lord Willingdon

    Explanation: The August Offer was announced by Viceroy Lord Linlithgow on 8 August 1940.

15. Q15.In which year did the Cripps Mission come to India?

    • A.1940
    • B.1942
    • C.1945✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1946

    Explanation: The Cripps Mission headed by Sir Stafford Cripps came to India in March 1942.

16. Q16.When did the Cabinet Mission arrive in India?

    • A.February 1946
    • B.March 1946
    • C.April 1946✓ Correct Answer
    • D.May 1946

    Explanation: The Cabinet Mission, headed by Lord Pethick Lawrence, arrived in India in March 1946 to discuss the transfer of power.

17. Q17.Who among the following was NOT a member of the Cabinet Mission?

    • A.Pethick Lawrence
    • B.Stafford Cripps
    • C.A.V. Alexander
    • D.Lord Wavell

    Explanation: The Cabinet Mission consisted of three British Cabinet members – Pethick Lawrence, Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander. Lord Wavell was not a member.

18. Q18.When was the 'Direct Action Day' observed by the Muslim League?

    • A.14 August 1946
    • B.16 August 1946
    • C.16 August 1947✓ Correct Answer
    • D.14 August 1947

    Explanation: The Muslim League observed 'Direct Action Day' on 16 August 1946, which led to widespread communal riots.

19. Q19.Who headed the Interim Government formed in 1946?

    • A.Mahatma Gandhi
    • B.Jawaharlal Nehru
    • C.Sardar Patel✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Dr. Rajendra Prasad

    Explanation: The Interim Government of India was formed on 2 September 1946 under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru.

20. Q20.Who made the historic announcement in the House of Commons regarding the end of British rule in India by June 1948?

    • A.Winston Churchill
    • B.Clement Attlee
    • C.Lord Mountbatten✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Ramsay MacDonald

    Explanation: British Prime Minister Clement Attlee declared on February 20, 1947, that the British would quit India by June 1948.