Associations, Journals, Books and Plays: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Modern History)

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 2: Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay is known for writing the novel Debi Chaudhurani, which depicts the story of a woman’s empowerment and resistance. B is correctly matched with 3: Nil-Darpan is a famous play written by Dinabandhu Mitra, which highlights the plight of indigo farmers in Bengal under British rule. C is correctly matched with 1: Shatranj ke Khilari (The Chess Players) is a story written by Premchand that critiques the indifference of Indian rulers during the British colonial period.

Explanation

Abul Kalam Azad, a prominent freedom fighter and scholar, brought out the journal Al-Hilal in 1912. It was a weekly published in Urdu, aimed at promoting political consciousness among Muslims and opposing British colonial rule. Other works of Abul Kalam Azad were Al-Balagh, Gubhar-e-Khatir, and India wins Freedom.

Option (b),(c) and (d) are incorrect:

Muhammad Ali Jauhar published and edited the weekly English-language newspaper "The Comrade." The newspaper was banned in 1914 under the Press Act. Shyamji Krishna Verma served as the editor of "The Indian Sociologist" journal. The Zamindar newspaper was edited by Zafar Ali Khan but started by his father, Maulvi Sirajuddin Ahmad, in Sialkot as a farmer’s paper.

Explanation

Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1911-1984) was one of the most celebrated Urdu poets of the 20th century. He was a prominent figure in progressive literature and a vocal advocate for social justice, human rights, and anti-imperialism. The poem "Subh-e-Azadi" (Dawn of Freedom) was written by Faiz in 1947 which reflects on the partition of India and the bittersweet nature of independence. The poem captures the disillusionment and pain of partition, juxtaposing the joy of freedom with the tragedy of communal violence and displacement. The opening lines of the poem, "Ye daagh daagh ujala, ye shab-gazida sahar" (This stained light, this night-bitten dawn), are iconic and encapsulate the mixed emotions of the time.

Explanation

The song "Amar Sonar Bangla" (My Golden Bengal) was written by Tagore in 1905 during the Swadeshi Movement, which was a protest against the partition of Bengal by the British colonial government. The song was a rallying cry for unity and resistance against colonial rule. The song’s emotional appeal and patriotic fervor made it immensely popular among Bengalis. It later became the national anthem of Bangladesh after the country’s liberation in 1971.

Explanation

Somprakash was started by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and played a pivotal role in fostering nationalism during the era of colonial India. Its weekly publication every Monday earned it the name "Somprakash." Its impact was particularly pronounced in raising the awareness of the ryots, challenging landlord injustices and the exploitation of indigo farmers and vociferously criticizing the British taxation policies that burdened the impoverished masses. Moreover, it played a significant role in advocating for industrialization.

Explanation

Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-1891) was a renowned Bengali social reformer, educator, and writer during the 19th century. He played a pivotal role in advocating for women’s rights, including widow remarriage and the abolition of polygamy. The book "Bahubivah" (Polygamy) was written by Vidyasagar as a critique of the practice of polygamy in Hindu society. He argued against the custom, highlighting its detrimental effects on women and families. His work was part of a broader effort to reform Hindu social practices and promote gender equality. His writings and activism contributed significantly to the passage of the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 and other social reforms in colonial India.

Explanation

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s novel Anand Math (1882) is based on the historical events of the Sanyasi Rebellion. The Sannyasi Rebellion (1763-1800) was led by Hindu ‘sannyasis’ and Muslim ‘fakirs’ in Bengal against British economic oppression and restrictions on religious activities. It was triggered by the Bengal famine of 1770 and excessive taxation and it became an early symbol of resistance to colonial rule.

Explanation

Charles Wilkins was the first Englishman to translate the Bhagavad Gita into English in 1785. His translation, titled The Bhagavat-Geeta, or Dialogues of Kreeshna and Arjoon, was published in 1785. He was a British orientalist and scholar who worked as a translator for the East India Company, making key Indian texts accessible to the Western world.

Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

William Jones is known for founding the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784 and made significant contributions to the study of Indian languages. Alexander Cunningham was an archaeologist and the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India. John Marshall too was an archaeologist who was pivotal in the discovery and preservation of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Explanation

Meena Kumari was a legendary actress, but she never won the Bharat Ratna. The Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian award, and the first female to receive it was Indira Gandhi (1971). Pairs (a), (b) and (c) are correctly matched:

In 1953, India’s first technicolour film ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’ was released. My Dear Kuttichatam was the first 3D film of India directed by Jijo Punnoose. It was released in 1984. It was Subhash Ghai, the director of the film, who got his 1999 film Taal insured for a sum of Rs 11 crore with the United India Insurance. Thus, Taal became the first Indian film to be insured ever.

Explanation

A is matched with 1: The Chittagong Armoury Raid was led by Surya Sen and Kalpana Dutt, aimed at seizing arms from the British. The raid was conducted in April 1930 and involved 65 activists under the banner of Indian Republican Army--Chittagong Branch. B is matched with 3: Abhinav Bharat was set up by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and his brother Ganesh Damodar Savarkar in the year 1904, as a secret organization during the Indian War of Independence with the aim of overthrowing British rule. C is matched with 4: Anushilan Samiti traces its history back to 1902 when it was established by Barrister Promotha Mitter and his friends in present-day Kolkata. Aurobindo Ghosh was closely associated with the Samiti. D is matched with 2: Kuka Movement was a socio-religious reform movement led by Guru Ram Singh in Punjab.