Modern History: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

The Constituent Assembly was partly elected and partly nominated. The elections for the Constituent Assembly(Total 389 seats) was held in 1946 according to the plan of the Cabinet Mission. The elected members were indirectly elected by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assembly. The election happened based on Proportional Representation through Single Transferable Vote. Princely States nominated their representatives.

Explanation

Pre-Congress associations like Madras Association, Indian Association were, active before the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885, laid the groundwork for India’s political awakening. These associations united educated Indians to demand reforms and fostered early nationalist sentiment.

Option (d) is correct: The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, established in 1867 in Pune, aimed to promote education, social welfare, and political reforms in India. In 1875, it submitted a petition to the House of Commons, demanding direct representation for India in the British Parliament. The petition argued that India, as part of the British Empire, deserved a voice in the legislative process to address Indian concerns and prevent policies harmful to its progress.

Explanation

The Indian Councils Act of 1861 strengthened the Viceroy’s authority over his Executive Council by replacing corporate functioning with a portfolio system. In the portfolio system individual members of the Viceroy’s Executive Council were assigned specific departments to manage, replacing the previous collective decision-making process. This shift strengthened the Viceroy’s authority, enabling more efficient governance. Before the Act, the Council functioned collectively but after it, the Viceroy had greater centralized control with Council members responsible for key areas like finance, law, and home affairs. This reorganization reinforced British control over colonial governance.

Explanation

The given statements refer to notable figures and reform movements in Indian history, particularly Arya Samaj, Brahmo Samaj, and Sarvodaya Samaj.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Arya Samaj was established in 1875, not in 1835. It was founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati to promote Vedic ideals and social reform.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent nationalist leader, was a staunch supporter of Arya Samaj and its principles. He did not oppose its appeal to the Vedas but actively advocated its social reform agenda.

Statement 3 is correct: Keshab Chandra Sen, as a prominent leader of Brahmo Samaj, played a significant role in championing women’s education and addressing social issues like child marriage and dowry.

Statement 4 is correct: Vinoba Bhave founded the Sarvodaya movement, which focused on the welfare of all sections of society, particularly through initiatives like the Bhoodan movement. It also worked with refugees.

Explanation

The London Muslim League was founded in 1908 by Syed Ameer Ali and other Muslim leaders. He was a prominent figure in the Muslim community, played a significant role in promoting the interests of Indian Muslims on an international platform. In 1909 he became the first Indian to be appointed as a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. He served in this prestigious position until his death in 1928, leaving a lasting impact on the representation of Indians in British institutions.

Explanation

The Chittagong Armoury Raid, took place on April 18, 1930 was organized by Surya Sen, also known as Masterda Surya Sen. He was the leader of the Indian Republican Army, a revolutionary group that aimed to seize arms and ammunition from the British armoury in Chittagong. Other participants of Chittagong Armoury Raid were Ananta Singh and Subodh Roy.

Explanation

The Permanent Settlement of 1793, introduced by Lord Cornwallis. It fixed land revenue that zamindars had to pay to the British government permanently. While it aimed to create a loyal class of landlords, it led to peasant exploitation and failure to issue pattas (land agreements) to farmers due to a lack of effective oversight. The zamindars often did not issue pattas because there was no effective supervision or enforcement by the British government, leaving farmers vulnerable to exploitation.

Explanation

The All-India States People’s Conference (AISPC) was established in 1927 as a federation of political movements within the princely states of British India. Its primary aim was to unite these states and create a platform for them to demand political and administrative rights under British rule. In 1939, Jawaharlal Nehru was elected the president of the All-India States People’s Conference. He played a crucial role in advocating for the rights and aspirations of the people in the princely states.

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.