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Topic Colonial expansion
Asked 9 times across 3 UPSC exams over 9 years (2014–2023), peaking in 2014.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 6 of 9 PYQs
- Most asked in 2014
- Recurs across 3 years (2014–2023)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2014 → CBI 2023
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (7 of 9) predate 2016, and it still returns.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CBI2023
Who among the following was the first Indian ruler to accept the Subsidiary Alliance System of Wellesley?
- A Salabat Jung
- B Asaf Jah II ✓
- C Tipu Sultan
- D Baji Rao II
✓ Correct answer: (B)
History › Modern India (1757–1857)
CDS2019
Simla was founded as a hill station to use as strategic place for billeting troops, guarding frontier and launching campaign during the course of
- A Anglo-Maratha War
- B Anglo-Burmese War
- C Anglo-Gurkha War ✓
- D Anglo-Afghan War
✓ Correct answer: (C)
History › Modern India (1757–1857)
CDS2014
Consider the following statements
- Battle of Buxar provided the key to the English to establish their rule in India
- The Treaty of Allahabad, concluded in 1765, enabled the British to establish their rule in Bengal
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2 ✓
- D Neither 1 nor 2
✓ Correct answer: (C)
History › Modern India (1757–1857)
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