British Administration – Lord Wellesley Top 100 MCQs With Answer and Explanation

1. Lord Wellesley became Governor-General of India in ___________.
A) 1793
B) 1798
C) 1800
D) 1805

2. Lord Wellesley is best remembered for___________.
A) Doctrine of Lapse
B) Subsidiary Alliance
C) Permanent Settlement
D) Forward Policy

3. Lord Wellesley was also known as___________.
A) Morning Star of Indian Renaissance
B) Bengal Tiger
C) Architect of British Empire in India
D) Father of Indian Education

4. Wellesley’s policy marked a shift from___________.
A) Defensive ring-fence policy
B) Subsidiary Alliance to Doctrine of Lapse
C) Indianization to Europeanization
D) Expansion to consolidation

5. The post of Governor-General of India (held by Wellesley) was created under___________.
A) Regulating Act, 1773
B) Pitt’s India Act, 1784
C) Charter Act, 1813
D) Charter Act, 1833

6. Wellesley’s primary goal in India was to___________.
A) Promote trade with China
B) Establish British paramountcy in India
C) Spread Christianity
D) Reduce Company expenditure

7. Wellesley’s policy of expansion was also driven by___________.
A) Rivalry with France in global politics
B) Mughal resurgence
C) Weakness of Company finances
D) Industrial revolution in Britain

8. Who was the French military adventurer serving Tipu Sultan that alarmed Wellesley?
A) Dupleix
B) Bussy
C) General Lally
D) Napoleon Bonaparte

9. Wellesley’s administration in India began in the context of___________.
A) Global Anglo-French rivalry
B) Maratha supremacy in India
C) Mughal resurgence
D) Decline of Company trade

10. Wellesley’s expansionist policies were opposed by___________.
A) Company’s directors in London
B) Marathas
C) Mysore
D) All of the above

11. Which Governor-General introduced the Subsidiary Alliance?
A) Cornwallis
B) Wellesley
C) Hastings
D) Dalhousie

12. Wellesley founded which educational institution in 1800?
A) Hindu College, Calcutta
B) Fort William College, Calcutta
C) Asiatic Society of Bengal
D) Sanskrit College, Varanasi

13. Fort William College was established in which year?
A) 1793
B) 1798
C) 1800
D) 1805

14. The Directors of the Company opposed Fort William College because___________.
A) It was too costly
B) It encouraged Indian culture
C) It was against Christian missionary work
D) It increased Mughal influence

15. Wellesley became Governor-General during the tenure of which British monarch?
A) George II
B) George III
C) William IV
D) Queen Victoria

16. Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance was first accepted by___________.
A) Hyderabad (Nizam)
B) Mysore (Tipu Sultan)
C) Awadh (Shuja-ud-Daulah)
D) Marathas (Scindia)

17. Wellesley expanded British control mainly through___________.
A) Wars and annexations
B) Subsidiary Alliance
C) Diplomatic treaties
D) All of the above

18. Wellesley became Governor-General after the recall of___________.
A) Lord Cornwallis
B) Sir John Shore
C) Warren Hastings
D) Lord Amherst

19. The primary reason for Wellesley’s aggressive policies was___________.
A) Company’s trade monopoly
B) Fear of French influence in Indian states
C) Desire to reform Indian society
D) Expansion of missionary work

20. Wellesley’s younger brother, Arthur Wellesley, later became famous as___________.
A) Lord Dalhousie
B) Duke of Wellington
C) Lord Curzon
D) Lord Ripon

21. Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance required rulers to___________.
A) Accept a British Resident at their court
B) Disband their own armies
C) Pay for a British subsidiary force
D) All of the above

22. Under Wellesley, Awadh was forced to accept Subsidiary Alliance in___________.
A) 1798
B) 1801
C) 1803
D) 1805

23. Which Indian state was annexed by Wellesley on charges of misrule?
A) Awadh
B) Mysore
C) Tanjore
D) Surat

24. Wellesley annexed the kingdom of Surat in___________.
A) 1799
B) 1800
C) 1801
D) 1803

25. Wellesley’s policy of Subsidiary Alliance led to___________.
A) Expansion of British supremacy in India
B) Decline of Indian rulers’ independence
C) British control over Indian states without direct annexation
D) All of the above

26. The main aim of the Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Wellesley was___________.
A) To protect Indian rulers from French aggression
B) To establish indirect British control over Indian states
C) To strengthen Mughal authority
D) To increase trade revenues

27. A key condition of the Subsidiary Alliance was that Indian rulers had to___________.
A) Accept a British Resident at their court
B) Pay for the maintenance of a British subsidiary force
C) Not employ Europeans without British consent
D) All of the above

28. If rulers under the Subsidiary Alliance could not pay for the subsidiary force, they had to___________.
A) Cede part of their territory
B) Dismiss their ministers
C) Raise taxes on peasants
D) Allow British monopoly in trade

29. The first Indian state to accept Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance was___________.
A) Awadh
B) Hyderabad
C) Mysore
D) Tanjore

30. The Nawab of Awadh accepted the Subsidiary Alliance in___________.
A) 1798
B) 1799
C) 1801
D) 1803

31. Which Maratha state came under Subsidiary Alliance after defeat in the Second Anglo-Maratha War?
A) Scindia of Gwalior
B) Holkar of Indore
C) Gaekwad of Baroda
D) Bhonsle of Nagpur

32. The Subsidiary Alliance was described as a “policy of isolation” for Indian rulers because___________.
A) They could not form alliances with other states
B) They could not employ foreign military advisors
C) They had to rely only on the British for defense
D) All of the above

33. The Subsidiary Alliance was criticized because___________.
A) It drained Indian states financially
B) It reduced their sovereignty
C) It allowed direct British interference in internal affairs
D) All of the above

34. The Raja of Tanjore was forced to accept Subsidiary Alliance in___________.
A) 1799
B) 1800
C) 1801
D) 1805

35. Under Subsidiary Alliance, Indian states were forced to___________.
A) Dismiss their native armies
B) Depend on the Company’s forces
C) Pay heavy subsidies
D) All of the above

36. Wellesley established Fort William College in Calcutta in___________.
A) 1798
B) 1800
C) 1801
D) 1803

37. The main purpose of Fort William College was to___________.
A) Educate Indian princes
B) Train Company’s civil servants in Indian languages and administration
C) Promote Western education among Indians
D) Train missionaries

38. The Directors of the East India Company opposed Fort William College because___________.
A) It was costly and unnecessary
B) It was promoting Indian nationalism
C) It reduced missionary influence
D) It encouraged Indian officers

39. Wellesley’s educational initiative indirectly promoted___________.
A) Orientalist studies
B) Indian nationalism
C) Vernacular literature
D) Western missionary schools

40. Wellesley appointed British Residents in Indian courts mainly to___________.
A) Observe court rituals
B) Supervise Indian rulers and interfere in their administration
C) Collect revenue directly
D) Act as trade officers

41. Wellesley’s system of political control through Residents was especially effective in___________.
A) Awadh and Hyderabad
B) Punjab and Sindh
C) Kashmir and Nepal
D) Assam and Burma

42. Which of the following was NOT a feature of Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance?
A) Rulers had to maintain British troops at their cost
B) Rulers could ally with other Indian states freely
C) Rulers had to dismiss foreign employees
D) A British Resident was stationed at their court

43. The biggest beneficiary of Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance was___________.
A) Indian rulers
B) The East India Company
C) Mughal Emperor
D) French East India Company

44. The impact of Subsidiary Alliance on Indian rulers was___________.
A) Loss of military freedom
B) Heavy financial burden
C) Loss of sovereignty
D) All of the above

45. A significant administrative step by Wellesley was___________.
A) Reorganizing Company’s military on European lines
B) Codification of Hindu law
C) Creation of the Supreme Court
D) Abolition of zamindari

46. Wellesley’s reforms in the Company’s army emphasized___________.
A) Modern training and discipline
B) Reduction in size to save costs
C) Use of Indian mercenaries only
D) Disbanding artillery units

47. Which state lost the Karnatak region under Wellesley’s policy?
A) Mysore
B) Tanjore
C) Hyderabad
D) Awadh

48. Wellesley justified Subsidiary Alliance as a system to___________.
A) Protect Indians from the French
B) Promote good governance in Indian states
C) Reduce Company expenditure
D) Strengthen Mughal power

49. Wellesley’s policies greatly increased___________.
A) Company’s expenditure and debts
B) Indian rulers’ independence
C) Mughal authority
D) Trade with China

50. Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance is considered a precursor to___________.
A) Doctrine of Lapse
B) Forward Policy
C) Indian National Congress
D) Non-cooperation Movement

51. During Lord Wellesley’s tenure, the British fought which Mysore ruler?
A) Haidar Ali
B) Tipu Sultan
C) Chikka Krishnaraja Wodeyar
D) Krishnaraja III

52. The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War took place in___________.
A) 1780–1784
B) 1790–1792
C) 1799
D) 1801–1803

53. The immediate cause of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War was___________.
A) Tipu’s alliance with the French
B) Tipu’s invasion of Travancore
C) Dispute over Malabar region
D) British attack on Mysore capital

54. The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War ended with the___________.
A) Treaty of Madras
B) Treaty of Mangalore
C) Treaty of Seringapatam
D) Fall of Seringapatam

55. Tipu Sultan died fighting in 1799 at___________.
A) Mysore
B) Bangalore
C) Seringapatam
D) Mangalore

56. After the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, Mysore was___________.
A) Annexed completely to the Company
B) Restored to the Wodeyars under British control
C) Divided between the British and Marathas
D) Given to Hyderabad Nizam

57. After Tipu’s death, who was placed on the throne of Mysore?
A) Krishnaraja Wodeyar III
B) Hyder Ali II
C) Saadat Ali
D) Baji Rao II

58. Lord Wellesley’s aggressive expansion alarmed which Indian power after Mysore’s fall?
A) Sikhs
B) Marathas
C) Nawabs of Awadh
D) Nizam of Hyderabad

59. The Second Anglo-Maratha War was fought during Wellesley’s tenure in___________.
A) 1775–1782
B) 1790–1792
C) 1799–1800
D) 1803–1805

60. The immediate cause of the Second Anglo-Maratha War was___________.
A) Treaty of Bassein (1802)
B) Death of Tipu Sultan
C) British annexation of Tanjore
D) French threat in India

61. The Treaty of Bassein (1802) was signed between the British and___________.
A) Scindia of Gwalior
B) Holkar of Indore
C) Baji Rao II (Peshwa)
D) Bhonsle of Nagpur

62. Under the Treaty of Bassein (1802), Baji Rao II agreed to___________.
A) Maintain a British subsidiary force
B) Surrender control over foreign relations
C) Accept a British Resident in his court
D) All of the above

63. Which Maratha leader opposed the Treaty of Bassein most strongly?
A) Mahadji Scindia
B) Daulat Rao Scindia
C) Yashwantrao Holkar
D) Raghuji Bhonsle

64. The Second Anglo-Maratha War led to British battles against___________.
A) Scindia, Holkar, and Bhonsle
B) Only Holkar
C) Only Scindia
D) Only Peshwa

65. The Battle of Assaye (1803) during the Second Anglo-Maratha War was led by___________.
A) Lord Wellesley himself
B) Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington)
C) Cornwallis
D) John Shore

66. The Battle of Assaye is remembered as___________.
A) A decisive British victory over Tipu Sultan
B) The first major victory of Arthur Wellesley
C) A French defeat in India
D) A naval battle

67. Which treaty ended the conflict with the Scindias in 1803?
A) Treaty of Salbai
B) Treaty of Bassein
C) Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon
D) Treaty of Deogaon

68. Which treaty ended the war with the Bhonsles of Nagpur in 1803?
A) Treaty of Bassein
B) Treaty of Deogaon
C) Treaty of Salbai
D) Treaty of Kanpur

69. The Treaty of Deogaon (1803) was signed with which Maratha ruler?
A) Daulat Rao Scindia
B) Raghuji Bhonsle
C) Yashwantrao Holkar
D) Baji Rao II

70. The Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon (1803) was signed with___________.
A) Baji Rao II
B) Yashwantrao Holkar
C) Daulat Rao Scindia
D) Raghuji Bhonsle

71. The Maratha confederacy was weakened after the Second Anglo-Maratha War because___________.
A) Its chiefs signed separate treaties with the British
B) The Peshwa lost authority
C) The British gained large territories
D) All of the above

72. A major territorial gain for the British after the Second Anglo-Maratha War was___________.
A) Delhi and Agra
B) Punjab
C) Sindh
D) Assam

73. After the Second Anglo-Maratha War, the Mughal Emperor became___________.
A) A French ally
B) A British pensioner
C) Restored to independence
D) A ruler of Punjab

74. Wellesley’s expansionist wars greatly increased___________.
A) Company’s prestige
B) Company’s debts
C) Company’s control over Indian states
D) All of the above

75. Wellesley’s expansionist policy earned him the title of___________.
A) Bengal Tiger
B) Conqueror of India
C) Architect of British Empire in India
D) Father of Modern India

76. Lord Wellesley’s overall foreign policy is best described as___________.
A) Ring Fence Policy
B) Forward and Expansionist Policy
C) Non-Intervention Policy
D) Neutral Policy

77. Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance policy led to___________.
A) Loss of sovereignty for Indian states
B) Expansion of British influence without direct annexation
C) Heavy financial burdens on rulers
D) All of the above

78. Wellesley was heavily criticized in England because___________.
A) He encouraged Indian culture
B) His expansionist wars drained Company finances
C) He refused to support missionaries
D) He neglected Bengal administration

79. Which body in England objected strongly to Wellesley’s policies?
A) British Parliament
B) House of Lords
C) Court of Directors of the East India Company
D) The Crown

80. Wellesley resigned and returned to England in___________.
A) 1803
B) 1805
C) 1808
D) 1810

81. Who succeeded Lord Wellesley as Governor-General in 1805?
A) Cornwallis (Second Term)
B) Sir George Barlow
C) Lord Hastings
D) Lord Minto

82. Wellesley’s Fort William College was later replaced by training at___________.
A) Calcutta University
B) Oxford University
C) Haileybury College (England)
D) Madras College

83. The lasting importance of Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance was that___________.
A) It created a network of dependent princely states
B) It strengthened Mughal Emperor
C) It revived Maratha power
D) It ended French influence in Europe

84. Which ruler’s acceptance of Subsidiary Alliance first expanded British control in South India?
A) Nizam of Hyderabad
B) Tipu Sultan
C) Peshwa Baji Rao II
D) Raghuji Bhonsle

85. Wellesley’s wars ensured British supremacy in___________.
A) South India
B) Central India
C) Delhi and North India
D) All of the above

86. Which Mughal Emperor came under British protection during Wellesley’s time?
A) Bahadur Shah I
B) Shah Alam II
C) Akbar II
D) Bahadur Shah II

87. Wellesley’s military campaigns were mainly aimed at removing the influence of___________.
A) French in India
B) Portuguese in Goa
C) Dutch in Malacca
D) Afghans in Punjab

88. Wellesley’s aggressive expansion policy was continued by___________.
A) Cornwallis
B) Lord Hastings
C) Lord Dalhousie
D) William Bentinck

89. Wellesley’s most famous family member was his brother___________.
A) Henry Wellesley
B) Arthur Wellesley
C) Richard Wellesley
D) Charles Wellesley

90. The Treaty of Bassein (1802) is often called___________.
A) The Magna Carta of British Empire in India
B) The death knell of Maratha independence
C) The end of French influence in India
D) The foundation of Subsidiary Alliance

91. Which Governor-General is associated with the title “Architect of British Empire in India”?
A) Warren Hastings
B) Lord Cornwallis
C) Lord Wellesley
D) Lord Dalhousie

92. Wellesley’s policies were later considered a forerunner to___________.
A) Doctrine of Lapse (Dalhousie)
B) Forward Policy (Auckland)
C) Divide and Rule (Curzon)
D) Dyarchy (Montagu–Chelmsford)

93. The most important criticism of Wellesley’s policy was that___________.
A) It ignored Indian society
B) It was too costly for the Company
C) It revived Mughal power
D) It neglected education

94. Which Indian region was annexed during Wellesley’s tenure in 1799?
A) Mysore (Tipu Sultan’s kingdom)
B) Punjab
C) Sindh
D) Assam

95. Which of the following treaties is NOT associated with Wellesley’s tenure?
A) Treaty of Seringapatam
B) Treaty of Bassein
C) Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon
D) Treaty of Deogaon

96. Wellesley’s legacy in Indian administration is significant because___________.
A) He laid the foundation for British paramountcy
B) He introduced permanent settlement
C) He abolished slavery
D) He promoted Indian representation in councils

97. Wellesley’s educational initiative (Fort William College) indirectly encouraged___________.
A) Study of Indian languages and culture
B) Missionary education
C) English medium schools for Indians
D) Sanskrit schools

98. Wellesley’s wars paved the way for___________.
A) British supremacy in South and Central India
B) Decline of Mysore and Marathas
C) Subordination of Mughal Emperor
D) All of the above

99. In British Parliamentary debates, Wellesley was accused of___________.
A) Imperial overreach and extravagance
B) Supporting French revolutionaries
C) Mismanaging Bengal famine
D) Weakness against Tipu Sultan

100. In summary, Lord Wellesley’s rule is remembered as___________.
A) A defensive phase of British rule
B) A turning point that converted the Company into an imperial power
C) A time of Mughal revival
D) A peaceful era without wars