Important Dates in Indian History

Rani Lakshmibai died in 1858. For exams remember dates related to leaders of the Revolt of 1857.

The Congress was reorganized at the Nagpur session in 1920. For exams remember important dates of Congress sessions.

The Simon Commission was appointed in 1927 and came to India in 1928. For exams keep appointment and arrival dates separate.

The Karachi session was held in 1931 and its resolution on fundamental rights was important. For exams remember Congress sessions and resolutions.

Subhas Chandra Bose established the Azad Hind Government in 1943. For exams keep dates of the Azad Hind Fauj and government separate.

The Khilji dynasty was founded in 1290 CE by Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khilji. Remember 1290 as the start of Khilji rule.

Sir Thomas Roe came to Jahangir's court in 1615 CE. Connect it with the growth of English trading rights in India.

The Permanent Settlement was introduced in 1793 CE by Lord Cornwallis. It is one of the most important dates in revenue administration.

Sati was legally abolished in 1829 CE during Lord William Bentinck's period. Remember it as a key date in social reforms.

The first railway in India ran in 1853 CE between Bombay and Thane. This date is important in the history of modern transport.

The Government of India Act of 1858 ended East India Company rule. After this India came directly under the British Crown.

The capital of British India was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911 CE. Remember the Delhi Durbar and capital shift together.

The INA and the Delhi Chalo call became prominent in 1943 CE under Subhas Chandra Bose. Dates related to the INA are important in the national movement.

Direct Action Day is associated with 16 August 1946. For exams remember dates of major events before partition.

The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949. For exams remember adoption and enforcement dates separately.

The direct answer is C: 26 January 1950. Two dates must be kept separate: the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949, but it came into force on 26 January 1950. Step by step: adoption means the Constituent Assembly accepted the Constitution; coming into force means its provisions began to operate for the Republic; that operational date was 26 January 1950, now celebrated as Republic Day. Option A, 15 August 1947, marks Independence Day, not commencement of the Constitution. Option B, 26 November 1949, marks adoption, not enforcement. Option C is correct because it is the date on which the Constitution became operative. Option D, 2 October 1950, is Gandhi Jayanti and is not the commencement date. Memory cue: November adopted, January applied.

India's first general elections were held from 1951 to 1952. For exams remember the date of democratic beginning in independent India.

The direct answer is C: 1953 CE. Andhra State was created in 1953 as a separate state, largely in response to the demand for a Telugu-speaking state. The reasoning is: language-based regional demands increased after Independence; the movement for a separate Andhra state became strong; Andhra State was formed in 1953; the wider States Reorganisation process followed in 1956. Option A, 1947, is the year India became independent, not the formation year. Option B, 1950, is the year the Constitution came into force, not the year Andhra State was created. Option C is correct. Option D, 1956, is important because many states were reorganised on linguistic lines then, but it is not the formation year of the separate Andhra State asked here. Memory cue: Andhra State 1953; broad linguistic reorganisation 1956.

The Indo Pakistan War of 1965 took place in 1965. For exams read the year given in the war name carefully.

Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632. Shah Jahan commissioned it at Agra in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The year 1628 marks Shah Jahan's accession to the throne, not the start of construction. Exam tip: Remember 1632 for the beginning of the Taj Mahal's construction and 1628 for Shah Jahan's accession.

The Treaty of Purandar was concluded in 1665 between Shivaji Maharaj and Raja Jai Singh I on behalf of the Mughal side. The year 1674 marks Shivaji Maharaj's coronation, so it is not correct here. Exam tip: remember the sequence Shivaji Maharaj–Jai Singh I–1665 for the Treaty of Purandar.

The Battle of Wandiwash was fought in 1760. It is linked with the Anglo-French struggle in India.

The Treaty of Salbai was concluded in 1782 between the British East India Company and the Maratha side. It brought the First Anglo-Maratha War to an end and established temporary peace between them. 1773 is the year of the Regulating Act, so it is a plausible but incorrect distractor. Exam tip: Link the First Anglo-Maratha War and the Treaty of Salbai with 1782.

The Treaty of Seringapatam was signed in 1792 at the end of the Third Anglo-Mysore War. The war involved the forces of Tipu Sultan against a coalition led by the East India Company, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and the Marathas. The treaty imposed major terms on Tipu Sultan, including the surrender of territory and the giving of hostages. It is therefore an important date in the history of Mysore and British expansion in India.

Option B, 1792, is correct. The year 1782 belongs to the period around the end of the Second Anglo-Mysore War, while 1799 is associated with the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War and the death of Tipu Sultan. The year 1802 is unrelated to this treaty. Linking 1792 with Tipu Sultan and the Third Mysore War makes the date easier to remember and avoids confusing it with 1799.

The Treaty of Bassein was signed on 31 December 1802 between the British East India Company and Peshwa Baji Rao II. It compelled the Peshwa to accept the British subsidiary alliance system and increased British influence over the Marathas. The year 1818 is associated with the final collapse of Maratha power, not with this treaty. Exam tip: remember Bassein with Peshwa Baji Rao II and 1802.