Important Dates in Indian History

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 Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950. For exams connect it with Republic Day.

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

Andhra State was formed in 1953. For exams remember dates related to formation of states on linguistic basis.

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.

The major campaign against Thuggee is linked with the 1830s. Remember it with William Bentinck's reforms.

The First Anglo-Sikh War began in 1845 and ended in 1846, so 1845 is the correct answer. The year 1849 is associated with the Second Anglo-Sikh War, making it a close but incorrect distractor. Exam tip: remember the first war as 1845 and the second as 1848–49.

Punjab was annexed by the British East India Company in 1849 after the Second Anglo-Sikh War and the Sikh defeat. The year 1845 marks the beginning of the First Anglo-Sikh War, not the annexation of Punjab. Exam tip: Remember Punjab’s annexation together with the Second Anglo-Sikh War and 1849.

Awadh was annexed by the British in 1856 by Governor-General Lord Dalhousie on the pretext of misgovernment. The annexation became an important background factor for the Revolt of 1857 because it alienated the Nawab, taluqdars, and soldiers of Awadh. The year 1858 refers instead to the transfer of Indian administration from the East India Company to the British Crown. Exam tip: remember the sequence—Awadh annexed in 1856, Revolt in 1857, and Crown rule in 1858.

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) was enacted in 1860, but it came into force on 1 January 1862. Therefore, 1862 is the correct answer. Option 1860 is the closest distractor because it is the year the IPC was passed, not the year it became operational. Exam tip: Distinguish between the year a law is enacted and the year it comes into force.