Indian National Movement II (1918-1929): UPSC Previous Year Questions (Modern History)
4 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Indian National Movement II (1918-1929) (Modern History). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–4 of 4 questions
UPSC 1998Modern History · Indian National Movement II (1918-1929)
Q1. Simon Commission of 1927 was boycotted because:
Explanation
The Simon Commission was set up in 1927 by the British government to review the working of the Government of India Act, 1919, and suggest constitutional reforms. However, it was boycotted by Indians across the political spectrum because all its members were British, and there was no Indian representation. This exclusion was seen as an insult to Indian self-respect and aspirations for greater autonomy. The boycott led to widespread protests, including the famous slogan "Simon Go Back."
UPSC 1998Modern History · Indian National Movement II (1918-1929)
Q2. Which one of the following events was characterised by Montague as ‘Preventive Murder’?
Explanation
Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, described the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of April 13, 1919 as "Preventive Murder". The massacre occurred when General Dyer ordered troops to open fire on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar, killing hundreds of unarmed Indians. This brutal act was carried out under the pretext of maintaining law and order but was widely condemned as a deliberate and excessive use of force. Montagu’s term reflected the British government’s internal criticism of this event, which intensified Indian demands for independence.
UPSC 1998Modern History · Indian National Movement II (1918-1929)
Q3. Assertion (A): The Khilafat movement did bring the urban Muslims into the fold of the National Movement. Reason (R): There was a predominant element of anti-imperialism in both the National and Khilafat Movement.
Explanation
The Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) was a pan-Islamic political campaign led by Indian Muslims, aimed at preserving the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I. Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, British and Allied forces sought to dismantle the caliph’s power, prompting Indian Muslims, particularly under leaders like Ali Brothers (Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali), to demand its restoration. A is true: Khilafat Movement united urban Muslims with the broader National Movement, as leaders like Maulana Mohammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali joined Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement. Cities like Delhi and Bombay saw significant participation in protests and boycotts. R is true: Both the Khilafat and the National Movement were united in their opposition to British imperialism, fostering Hindu-Muslim unity during the Non-Cooperation Movement. R is the correct explanation of A: The shared anti-imperialist goal served as a binding factor that drew urban Muslims into the larger nationalist fold.
UPSC 1998Modern History · Indian National Movement II (1918-1929)
Q4. Assertion (A): Gandhi stopped the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922. Reason (R): Violence at Chauri-Chaura led him to stop the movement.
Explanation
The Non-Cooperation Movement, launched in 1920, aimed to achieve Swaraj through non-violent means. However, the Chauri-Chaura incident in February 1922, where protesters clashed with police and set a police station on fire, killing 22 policemen. A is true: Gandhi did stop the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 believing that the movement had strayed from its non-violent principles. R is true: The violence at Chauri-Chaura was the pivotal reason for Gandhi’s decision. R is the correct explanation of A: The abandonment of non-violence conflicted with Gandhi’s philosophy, making the incident a decisive factor in halting the movement.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
1998
(a) there was no Indian member in the Commission
2
1998
(b) Massacre at Jallianwala Bagh
3
1998
(a) Both A and R are true but R the correct explanation of A
4
1998
(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Indian National Movement II (1918-1929)?
This page covers 4 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Indian National Movement II (1918-1929) (Modern History), asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Indian National Movement II (1918-1929)?
Questions on Indian National Movement II (1918-1929) (Modern History) are available for 18 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
