20 Must-Know MCQs on Pakistan's Pre-Partition History (1857-1947)

Are you preparing for a competitive exam like CSS, PMS, or PPSC? You know that Pakistan's history, especially the part before it was created, is a super important topic. Many questions in the Pakistan Affairs paper come directly from the period between 1857 and 1947.

To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of 20 essential MCQs. These are based on questions that have appeared in past papers. Test your knowledge and find out where you stand!

1. The War of Independence started in which year?

• 1855
• 1857
• 1859
• 1861

Answer: 1857

2. Who was the Viceroy of India at the time of the Partition of Bengal in 1905?

• Lord Ripon
• Lord Minto
• Lord Curzon
• Lord Hardinge

Answer: Lord Curzon

3. The All-India Muslim League was founded in which city in 1906?

• Lahore
• Delhi
• Aligarh
• Dhaka

Answer: Dhaka

4. The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was an agreement between the All-India Muslim League and...?

• The British Government
• The Indian National Congress
• The Unionist Party
• The Simon Commission

Answer: The Indian National Congress

5. Who was the main author of the "Nehru Report" in 1928?

• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Motilal Nehru
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Sardar Patel

Answer: Motilal Nehru

6. Allama Iqbal presented his famous Allahabad Address in which year?

• 1929
• 1930
• 1931
• 1932

Answer: 1930

7. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah presented his "Fourteen Points" in response to...?

• The Nehru Report
• The Simon Commission
• The Round Table Conferences
• The Government of India Act 1919

Answer: The Nehru Report

8. The name "Pakistan" was first proposed by Choudhry Rahmat Ali in a pamphlet titled...?

• "Now or Never"
• "The Pakistan Declaration"
• "The Millat of Islam"
• "The Muslim Demand"

Answer: "Now or Never"

9. The Government of India Act of 1935 introduced which concept in the provinces?

• Presidential System
• Provincial Autonomy
• Dyarchy
• Unitary Government

Answer: Provincial Autonomy

10. The famous "Lahore Resolution" (later known as the Pakistan Resolution) was passed on which date?

• 23rd March 1940
• 14th August 1940
• 23rd March 1942
• 14th August 1947

Answer: 23rd March 1940

11. The Cripps Mission came to India in which year?

• 1940
• 1941
• 1942
• 1945

Answer: 1942

12. The "Quit India Movement" was launched by the Indian National Congress in...?

• 1940
• 1942
• 1944
• 1946

Answer: 1942

13. Lord Wavell proposed the "Wavell Plan" at the Simla Conference in which year?

• 1942
• 1944
• 1945
• 1946

Answer: 1945

14. Who led the Cabinet Mission in 1946?

• Sir Stafford Cripps
• Lord Pethick-Lawrence
• A. V. Alexander
• Lord Wavell

Answer: Lord Pethick-Lawrence

15. The "Direct Action Day" was called by the Muslim League on which date?

• 16th August 1946
• 3rd June 1947
• 23rd March 1946
• 14th August 1947

Answer: 16th August 1946

16. Who was the last Viceroy of British India?

• Lord Wavell
• Lord Linlithgow
• Lord Mountbatten
• Clement Attlee

Answer: Lord Mountbatten

17. The 3rd June Plan, which announced the partition of India, was also known as...?

• The Wavell Plan
• The Mountbatten Plan
• The Cabinet Mission Plan
• The Cripps Proposal

Answer: The Mountbatten Plan

18. The Boundary Commission to divide Punjab and Bengal was headed by?

• Lord Ismay
• Lord Mountbatten
• Sir Cyril Radcliffe
• Justice Din Muhammad

Answer: Sir Cyril Radcliffe

19. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan founded the Scientific Society in which year?

• 1864
• 1875
• 1885
• 1857

Answer: 1864

20. The first session of the All-India Muslim League was presided over by?

• Aga Khan III
• Nawab Salimullah Khan
• Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk
• Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy

Answer: Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk