Modern History: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

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.

Explanation

The August Offer (1940) was a constitutional framework proposed by the British government to gain Indian cooperation in WWII, offering Dominion status after the war. It was rejected by Indian leaders. The Quit India Movement (1942) was a mass civil disobedience movement launched by the Indian National Congress demanding an immediate end to British rule. The I.N.A Trial (1945-46) of Indian National Army officers at the Red Fort led to widespread public outrage and rise in nationalist sentiment. The Royal Indian Naval Ratings’ Revolt (1946) by Indian naval personnel in Bombay and other cities, demonstrated the growing discontent among the armed forces.

Explanation

Lord Mountbatten was appointed Viceroy of India in 1947 with the task of overseeing the transfer of power from British rule. His primary goal was to keep India united, but escalating communal tensions and Jinnah’s demand for Pakistan made this impossible. After failed negotiations for a united India, Mountbatten proposed the 3rd June Plan, which led to the partition of India into two nations--India and Pakistan. He expedited the process, ensuring the transfer of power was completed by August 15, 1947, despite the challenges posed by widespread violence and political divisions.

Explanation

The Cripps Mission (1942) was a British initiative to secure Indian support for World War II by offering limited self-government, but it was rejected by Indian leaders due to its insufficient concessions on independence. A is true: The Congress rejected the Cripps proposals because they offered dominion status instead of full independence and allowed provinces to opt out of the Indian union, which could lead to fragmentation. R is true: The rejection of the proposals had nothing to do with the racial composition of the Cripps Mission. There was no protest from Congress or other parties about the all white composition of the Mission. Instead, it was due to the lack of substantive promises for Indian self-rule. R is not a correct explanation of A: The Cripps Mission was rejected by the Indian National Congress primarily because it did not offer full independence, lacked clear provisions for self-rule, and did not address the concerns of both the Congress and the Muslim League in a satisfactory manner.

Explanation

Liyaqat Ali Khan was given the Finance portfolio in the 1946 Interim Government, granting the Muslim League significant influence over India’s financial policy. Other portfolios in Interim Government 1946:

The Foreign Affairs portfolio was held by Jawaharlal Nehru. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was in charge of the Home Affairs, Information, and Broadcasting portfolio. The Defence portfolio was assigned to Baldev Singh.

Explanation

The Indian National Congress reluctantly agreed to the partition in 1947 primarily to prevent large-scale communal riots and bloodshed. Communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims had escalated to violent proportions, particularly after the Direct Action Day in 1946 and the failure of attempts to find a united solution. Congress leaders, including Nehru and Patel realized that accepting partition was the only way to avoid a full-scale civil war and ensure a relatively peaceful transition to independence.

Explanation

At the time of India’s Independence in 1947, Mahatma Gandhi was not a member of the Congress. He had distanced himself from formal political roles and the organizational activities of the Indian National Congress, instead, he focused on social reform, communal harmony, and grassroots movements. Gandhi was deeply involved in peace efforts during the communal riots that accompanied Partition, working tirelessly in Bengal and Delhi to curb violence and promote unity. Despite his lack of an official role, he remained a guiding moral force for Congress leaders.

Explanation

The statement is attributed to Lord Curzon, who served as the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905. This remark reflects his deep opposition to the Indian National Congress (INC) and his belief in maintaining British control over India. Appointment of Police Commission (1902) under Sir Andrew Frazer to review police administration, Partition of Bengal (1905) and curbing press freedom through Official Secrets Act (1904) were other instances of Lord Curzon’s suppressing acts during his tenure. While Curzon believed his policies would weaken the Congress, many of his actions galvanized the nationalist movement instead. The backlash led to the Swadeshi Movement and laid the groundwork for a more united and organized fight for Indian independence.

Explanation

The Educated Indians largely remained neutral and regarded the Revolt of 1857 as a reactionary movement that sought to restore the feudal order and resist the social, political, and economic changes brought about by modernity. They viewed the uprising as a protest by traditional forces, including rulers, landlords, and soldiers, who were unwilling to adapt to the evolving world. These educated individuals, exposed to Western ideas, had high hopes that British rule would bring about an era of modernization through reforms like education, infrastructure development, and legal systems.

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.