Poona Pact MCQ
Welcome to our detailed collection of the Poona Pact MCQ. The Poona Pact, signed between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi in 1932, was a landmark agreement that significantly shaped the political and social landscape for Dalits in India. This page offers a set of thought-provoking MCQs designed to test your understanding of the Poona Pact’s history, provisions, and its impact on Dalit rights. Whether you're a student, educator, or history enthusiast, this collection will help you deepen your knowledge of one of the most important events in Indian history.
1. Who were the two primary figures involved in the Poona Pact of 1932?
a) Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
b) Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
c) Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel
d) Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel
Answer
b) Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
2. In what year was the Poona Pact signed?
a) 1942
b) 1930
c) 1932
d) 1947
Answer
c) 1932
3. The Poona Pact was a compromise between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi over which issue?
a) Independence from British rule
b) Separate electorates for Dalits
c) Land reforms
d) Religious reforms
Answer
b) Separate electorates for Dalits
4. The Poona Pact resolved the issue arising from which British proposal?
a) Indian Councils Act
b) The Communal Award
c) Rowlatt Act
d) The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
Answer
b) The Communal Award
5. What did the British Communal Award of 1932 propose for Dalits?
a) Complete social integration with Hindus
b) Separate electorates for Dalits
c) Full independence for Dalits
d) Reservations in all public offices
Answer
b) Separate electorates for Dalits
6. What was Gandhi’s primary objection to the Communal Award?
a) It divided Hindus into separate groups
b) It gave too much power to the British
c) It ignored the needs of Muslims
d) It did not address the issue of untouchability
Answer
a) It divided Hindus into separate groups
7. What method did Gandhi use to protest the Communal Award in 1932?
a) Satyagraha
b) A hunger strike (fast-unto-death)
c) Non-cooperation movement
d) Civil disobedience
Answer
b) A hunger strike (fast-unto-death)
8. The Poona Pact resulted in what type of electoral system for Dalits?
a) Separate electorates
b) Joint electorates with reserved seats
c) Full autonomy over elections
d) No political representation
Answer
b) Joint electorates with reserved seats
9. How many reserved seats were allocated for Dalits in the provincial legislatures under the Poona Pact?
a) 100
b) 148
c) 50
d) 200
Answer
b) 148
10. How many reserved seats were allocated for Dalits in the central legislature under the Poona Pact?
a) 25
b) 18
c) 12
d) 10
Answer
b) 18
11. What was the total number of reserved seats for Dalits in local self-governance bodies under the Poona Pact?
a) 50
b) 148
c) Varies by locality
d) Not specified
Answer
c) Varies by locality
12. Which of the following provisions was included in the Poona Pact to improve the educational status of Dalits?
a) Establishment of special schools for Dalits
b) Scholarships and educational support for Dalit students
c) Free education for all Dalit children
d) Creation of separate educational institutions for Dalits
Answer
b) Scholarships and educational support for Dalit students
13. What was Gandhi’s role in the Poona Pact?
a) He initiated the Communal Award
b) He opposed separate electorates for Dalits and negotiated the Poona Pact
c) He accepted the idea of separate electorates for Dalits
d) He helped Ambedkar draft the agreement
Answer
b) He opposed separate electorates for Dalits and negotiated the Poona Pact
14. Which community was primarily represented by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Poona Pact negotiations?
a) Brahmins
b) Muslims
c) Dalits
d) Farmers
Answer
c) Dalits
15. What was Gandhi’s vision for the Dalits, which he expressed during the Poona Pact negotiations?
a) Complete separation from the Hindu fold
b) Integration with the broader Hindu community
c) Establishment of their own political identity
d) Full autonomy in governance
Answer
b) Integration with the broader Hindu community
16. What did Dr. Ambedkar fear about the Poona Pact’s provisions?
a) It would reduce Dalit political power
b) It would lead to full social equality
c) It would segregate Dalits entirely
d) It would encourage religious conversion
Answer
a) It would reduce Dalit political power
17. What term did Gandhi use to refer to the Dalits in his campaign?
a) Shudras
b) Harijans
c) Backward Classes
d) Scheduled Castes
Answer
b) Harijans
18. How did the Poona Pact affect Dalit representation in local self-government bodies?
a) Dalits were excluded from municipal elections
b) Dalits were given reserved seats in municipal elections
c) Dalits were given full control over municipal bodies
d) Municipal elections were abolished
Answer
b) Dalits were given reserved seats in municipal elections
19. What long-term provision did the Poona Pact make to safeguard Dalit rights in education?
a) Complete scholarships for Dalit students
b) Special reservations in all educational institutions
c) Increased funding for Dalit education
d) No specific provision for education
Answer
b) Special reservations in all educational institutions
20. What was the outcome of the Poona Pact regarding the representation of Dalits in the legislatures?
a) Full independence and self-representation
b) Joint electorates with reserved seats
c) Complete autonomy for Dalits
d) No further reservations in any legislature
Answer
b) Joint electorates with reserved seats
21. What was the primary demand of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar that led to the Poona Pact?
a) Full autonomy for Dalits
b) Separate electorates for Dalits
c) Special economic provisions for Dalits
d) The end of untouchability
Answer
b) Separate electorates for Dalits
22. What did Gandhi seek for the Dalits during the Poona Pact negotiations?
a) Complete social integration into Hindu society
b) Separate representation in the legislature
c) Full independence from British rule
d) Abolition of the caste system
Answer
a) Complete social integration into Hindu society
23. How did Gandhi's fast-unto-death affect the Poona Pact negotiations?
a) It increased Dalit political autonomy
b) It forced the British to grant more rights to Dalits
c) It pressured the British to accept the terms of the Communal Award
d) It led to a compromise between Gandhi and Ambedkar
Answer
d) It led to a compromise between Gandhi and Ambedkar
24. What was the main reason for Gandhi’s opposition to separate electorates for Dalits?
a) It would create divisions within Hindu society
b) It would give too much power to Ambedkar
c) It would lead to the complete separation of Dalits from the rest of society
d) It would encourage Dalits to leave the Hindu fold
Answer
a) It would create divisions within Hindu society
25. Which of the following was NOT part of the Poona Pact’s agreement regarding Dalit rights?
a) Reserved seats in provincial legislatures
b) Reserved seats in the central legislature
c) Reserved seats in local self-governance bodies
d) Complete autonomy in religious practices
Answer
d) Complete autonomy in religious practices
26. What was the relationship between the Poona Pact and the Communal Award?
a) The Poona Pact overturned the Communal Award completely
b) The Poona Pact was a direct result of the Communal Award
c) The Poona Pact addressed the issue of separate electorates for Dalits but left other provisions unchanged
d) The Poona Pact was not related to the Communal Award
Answer
b) The Poona Pact was a direct result of the Communal Award
27. How many reserved seats for Dalits were allocated in education under the Poona Pact?
a) 25% of all educational seats
b) 10% of all educational seats
c) Special scholarships and reservations but no fixed percentage
d) Full access to all educational institutions without reservations
Answer
c) Special scholarships and reservations but no fixed percentage
28. What impact did the Poona Pact have on the untouchability issue in India?
a) It completely abolished untouchability
b) It led to an increased focus on the social and economic upliftment of Dalits
c) It worsened the condition of untouchables
d) It was unrelated to the issue of untouchability
Answer
b) It led to an increased focus on the social and economic upliftment of Dalits
29. What was Gandhi's stance on the term ‘Harijan' for Dalits?
a) He strongly opposed it
b) He suggested it as a means of improving the social status of Dalits
c) He saw it as a political tool
d) He had no opinion on it
Answer
b) He suggested it as a means of improving the social status of Dalits
30. What did Dr. Ambedkar’s role in the Poona Pact symbolize for the Dalit community?
a) A victory for Dalit autonomy
b) A compromise with the upper castes
c) A step toward full social equality
d) The formal end of untouchability
Answer
b) A compromise with the upper castes
31. How did the Poona Pact affect the representation of Dalits in local self-governance bodies?
a) It granted full voting rights to Dalits
b) It provided them with reserved seats in local self-government
c) It excluded Dalits from all local governance
d) It did not include any provisions for local governance
Answer
b) It provided them with reserved seats in local self-government
32. What was Dr. Ambedkar’s reaction to the Poona Pact?
a) He completely accepted it without any opposition
b) He was disappointed but saw it as a necessary compromise
c) He rejected it entirely
d) He demanded more concessions from the British
Answer
b) He was disappointed but saw it as a necessary compromise
33. How did the Poona Pact influence the Indian National Congress?
a) It created a rift within the Congress over the issue of Dalit representation
b) It united the Congress on the issue of social justice for Dalits
c) It led to the formation of a separate Dalit political party
d) It did not affect the Congress directly
Answer
b) It united the Congress on the issue of social justice for Dalits
34. Which political strategy did Gandhi use during the Poona Pact to influence the outcome?
a) Political lobbying
b) Hunger strike (fast-unto-death)
c) Mass protests
d) Political negotiations
Answer
b) Hunger strike (fast-unto-death)
35. What did Gandhi’s fast during the Poona Pact signify about his views on caste?
a) His belief in the need for a caste-free society
b) His opposition to the caste system
c) His desire to retain Hindu unity without dividing it on caste lines
d) His acceptance of caste discrimination
Answer
c) His desire to retain Hindu unity without dividing it on caste lines
36. Which provision in the Poona Pact directly benefited Dalit voters in elections?
a) Joint electorates with reserved seats
b) Separate electorates
c) Complete electoral independence
d) Full participation in all elections
Answer
a) Joint electorates with reserved seats
37. What was the primary focus of the Poona Pact in terms of Dalit political rights?
a) Giving Dalits complete control over political bodies
b) Increasing the number of Dalit representatives in legislative bodies
c) Creating separate political parties for Dalits
d) Giving Dalits equal representation alongside other communities
Answer
b) Increasing the number of Dalit representatives in legislative bodies
38. What did Dr. Ambedkar’s demand for separate electorates signify?
a) It was a demand for full autonomy for Dalits
b) It was a call for Dalits to have their own separate nation
c) It was a demand for Dalits to have separate political representation
d) It was a demand for Dalits to be integrated fully into the Hindu fold
Answer
c) It was a demand for Dalits to have separate political representation
39. How did Gandhi perceive the idea of separate electorates for Dalits?
a) He fully supported it
b) He strongly opposed it, believing it would divide Hindus
c) He was indifferent to it
d) He believed it was a necessary compromise
Answer
b) He strongly opposed it, believing it would divide Hindus
40. In the Poona Pact, who was responsible for ensuring the implementation of the terms for Dalit welfare?
a) The British Government
b) The Indian National Congress
c) The local governments and legislative bodies
d) The Dalit community itself
Answer
c) The local governments and legislative bodies
41. How many total reserved seats were allocated for Dalits in all provincial legislatures according to the Poona Pact?
a) 100
b) 148
c) 50
d) 25
Answer
b) 148
42. What was the main concern of the British government during the Poona Pact negotiations?
a) Protecting the political rights of Muslims
b) Ensuring that no major social unrest occurred
c) Securing more representation for the upper castes
d) Eliminating untouchability
Answer
b) Ensuring that no major social unrest occurred
43. Which of these was a significant outcome of the Poona Pact for the Dalit community?
a) Complete independence from the British
b) Full social integration into mainstream Hindu society
c) Reserved seats in legislatures and local governance bodies
d) The abolition of the caste system
Answer
c) Reserved seats in legislatures and local governance bodies
44. What impact did the Poona Pact have on the caste-based discrimination in India?
a) It ended caste discrimination immediately
b) It marked the beginning of systematic legal measures against untouchability
c) It worsened the discrimination faced by Dalits
d) It had no impact on caste discrimination
Answer
b) It marked the beginning of systematic legal measures against untouchability
45. How did the Poona Pact influence the Dalit community’s political strategies?
a) It led to greater political independence for Dalits
b) It promoted the idea of Dalits seeking their own political party
c) It increased Dalit representation through joint electorates with reserved seats
d) It discouraged Dalits from participating in politics
Answer
c) It increased Dalit representation through joint electorates with reserved seats
46. What was Gandhi’s view on caste and untouchability?
a) He rejected caste but accepted untouchability as a social system
b) He believed that untouchability was a sin but not part of the caste system
c) He wanted to reform the caste system while abolishing untouchability
d) He saw both caste and untouchability as divine mandates
Answer
c) He wanted to reform the caste system while abolishing untouchability
47. What role did Dr. B.R. Ambedkar play after the Poona Pact was signed?
a) He became the President of India
b) He continued advocating for the rights of Dalits
c) He abandoned the cause of Dalits
d) He accepted the caste system and worked for social harmony
Answer
b) He continued advocating for the rights of Dalits
48. Which of the following was one of the conditions of the Poona Pact regarding Dalit voting rights?
a) Dalits could only vote in separate elections
b) Dalits could vote in joint electorates but had reserved seats
c) Dalits were excluded from the electoral process
d) Dalits had no voting rights
Answer
b) Dalits could vote in joint electorates but had reserved seats
49. How did the Poona Pact address the issue of Dalit education?
a) By providing scholarships and educational reservations
b) By establishing exclusive educational institutions for Dalits
c) By eliminating all caste-based discrimination in education
d) By providing free education to all Dalit children
Answer
a) By providing scholarships and educational reservations
50. What long-term impact did the Poona Pact have on Indian politics?
a) It ended caste-based politics completely
b) It set a precedent for affirmative action and political representation for Dalits
c) It encouraged the formation of caste-based political parties
d) It had no lasting impact on Indian politics
Answer
b) It set a precedent for affirmative action and political representation for Dalits
Thank you for exploring our Poona Pact MCQ collection. Learn More about Poona Pact. We hope these questions have helped you gain a deeper understanding of the Poona Pact, its historical significance, and its impact on Indian society, particularly on the rights and representation of Dalits. If you found these MCQs useful, feel free to share them with others or revisit the page to further test your knowledge. Stay tuned for more educational content that brings key historical moments to life!
