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

Explanation

The statement in Option (c) is incorrect. Navanna is a play written by Nabin Chandra Das, but it is not based on the famine of Bengal. It is a social drama that depicts the conflict between tradition and modernity in Bengali society. Statements in Options (a), (b) and (d) are correct:

Neel Darpan was a play based on the exploitation of Indigo farmers in Bengal by the British planters, written by Dinbandhu Mitra. Ghashiram Kotwal was a famous Marathi play, written by Vijay Tendulkar, which deals with the issues of corruption and power in the context of the Maratha empire. The Parsi theatre influenced the development of Urdu theatre, which gained prominence in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Explanation

A is matched with 4: The First Indian War of Independence was written by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. It is a seminal work that describes the 1857 revolt as the first war of Indian independence. B is matched with 3: Anand Math was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterji. It is a famous Bengali novel that inspired the Swadeshi movement and features the iconic patriotic song Vande Mataram. C is matched with 2: Life Divine was written by Sri Aurobindo. The Life Divine explores the evolution of consciousness and the integration of spiritual and material life. D is matched with 1: Sadhana was written by Rabindranath Tagore. It is a collection of essays that reflects his thoughts on humanism and spirituality.

Explanation

In 1904, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and his brother Ganesh founded the Abhinav Bharat Society (Young India Society) as a secret organization during India’s struggle for independence. The organization was inspired by Giuseppe Mazzini’s Young Italy and aimed to overthrow British rule in India through armed revolution. Initially started as "Mitra Mela" in Nashik while Savarkar was a student, it was involved in assassinations of British officials. The group aimed to overthrow British rule. In 1904, Vinayak Savarkar named it Abhinav Bharat, inspired by Giuseppe Mazzini’s Young Italy. Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose were associated with Jugantar Party (Bengal Revolutionaries) Bhagat Singh was a member of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

Explanation

A is matched with 2: Shyamji Krishna Varma is associated with the journal Indian Sociologist, which advocated for India’s independence. B is matched with 3: Madame Bhikaji Cama is linked with The Talwar, a journal promoting nationalist ideas. C is matched with 4: Annie Besant published the Commonweal to support the Indian independence movement. D is matched with 1: Aurobindo Ghosh is known for the journal Bande Mataram, which was a platform for nationalist activism.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Theodore Beck served as the Principal of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (now Aligarh Muslim University) in Aligarh.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: The Ilbert Bill was introduced in 1883 during the Viceroyalty of Lord Ripon. It aimed to allow Indian judges to try European defendants.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Pherozeshah Mehta was one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress (INC) and played a prominent role in its early years.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Badruddin Tyabji was a prominent lawyer and an important figure in the Indian National Congress. He was the first Muslim to preside over a session of the Congress in 1887. He was not associated with the Muslim League.

Explanation

The Ghadar Party was established in 1913 by Indian expatriates, primarily in San Francisco, United States. Its primary aim was to overthrow British rule in India through armed rebellion.

Option (b) is correct: Lala Har Dayal (1884-1939) was a prominent Indian revolutionary and intellectual who played a key role in the Indian independence movement, particularly as a founder of the Ghadar Party in 1913. Some of the prominent Ghadar leaders were: Baba Gurmukh Singh, Kartar Singh Saraba, Sohan Singh Bhakna, Rahmat Ali Shah, Bhai Parmanand, and Mohammad Barkatullah.

Explanation

The Servants of India Society was founded in 1905 by Gopal Krishna Gokhale to promote India’s welfare and self-reliant development. The society focused on legal reforms and education, which aligned with the professional interests of these three individuals.

Option (d) is correct: M.C. Setalvad, B.N. Rao, and Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer were members of the Society. Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer was also a member of the Constituent Assembly of India. He was a lawyer and legal expert who contributed his expertise to the drafting and formulation of the constitution. M.C. Setalvad and B.N. Rao were also pioneers in Indian Legal and constitutional Studies.

Explanation

During the colonial period, Indian literature saw significant growth influenced by nationalism, social reforms, and Western education. Writers began using novels and newspapers to address socio-political issues, preserve cultural identity, and inspire freedom movements.

Option (b) is correct: Durgesh Nandini was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1865 and is considered one of the first major novels in Bengali literature. It marked the beginning of the historical novel genre in India and played a crucial role in promoting nationalist sentiment during the colonial period.

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

Rast Goftar, an Anglo-Gujarati newspaper (1851) was founded by Dadabhai Naoroji and it promoted social reform and rational thinking. Maratha (1881), an English newspaper, was launched by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who spread nationalist ideas. Nibandhamala, a marathi monthly, by Vishnushastri Chipulankar, analyzed socio-economic issues and advocated reforms.

Explanation

Surendranath Banerjee, M.K. Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Lala Lajpat Rai were prominent freedom fighters who played pivotal roles in India’s struggle for independence, advocating nationalism, non-violence, armed resistance, and social reforms. A is matched with 4: Sir Surendranath Banerjee was a key figure in early Indian nationalism, advocating for reforms within the framework of British rule. His book, A Nation in Making, reflects his vision for India’s future. B is matched with 1: Hind Swaraj was authored by M.K. Gandhi (1909) critiques Western civilization and advocates for self-rule through self-reliance, traditional values, and non-violence, marking a significant shift in nationalist thought. C is matched with 2: Subhas Chandra Bose wrote the The Indian Struggle (1942) which outlines his analysis of India’s independence movement and his call for more radical action against British colonialism. D is matched with 3: The Story of My Deportation (1908) by Lala Lajpat Rai is an Autobiographical writing.

Explanation

A is matched with 4: Abhinav Bharat Society was founded by V.D. Savarkar, a revolutionary nationalist group aimed at overthrowing British rule. The society was inspired by Giuseppe Mazzini’s Young Italy and played a significant role in organizing revolutionary activities in India and abroad. B is matched with 1: Anushilan Samiti was a revolutionary group based in Bengal, influenced by Aurobindo Ghosh. It aimed to achieve independence through armed revolution and was involved in several high-profile actions against British rule. C is matched with 2: Gadar Party was founded by Lala Hardayal and other Indian expatriates in the United States and Canada, and it aimed for armed rebellion against British rule. D is matched with 3: The Swaraj Party was founded in 1923 by Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru after the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement. The party aimed to contest elections and obstruct British governance from within the legislative councils.