Modern History: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

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

These revolts were often triggered by socio-economic oppression or resistance to administrative interference. The Moplah Revolt, also referred to as the Mappila Outbreaks, was a series of uprisings by the Mappila (Moplah) Muslim peasantry of Malabar (present-day Kerala). These uprisings were against the exploitation by Hindu landlords and the oppressive colonial state. The Pabna Peasant Uprising in Bengal, was led by peasants (ryots) against the oppressive zamindars. This revolt arose from economic distress and disputes over tenancy rights. The Eka (Unity) Movement emerged in Awadh (modern Uttar Pradesh) was a farmers’ rebellion against high rents, illegal levies, and the oppressive practices of landlords under British rule. The Birsa Munda Revolt was a significant tribal uprising in Bihar and the region now known as Jharkhand. The Munda community revolted against colonial policies and zamindari practices, which encroached upon their land and traditions.

Explanation

The events of the 20th century were marked by major political reforms, protests, and movements that significantly shaped India’s struggle for independence. Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) introduced separate electorates for Muslims and increased Indian representation in the legislature under British rule. Simon Commission (1927) was appointed to review the Government of India Act, 1919, which was met with widespread protests in India due to its all-white composition. Chauri-Chaura Incident (1922) was a violent clash between protesters and police during the Non-Cooperation Movement, leading to the death of 22 policemen, which caused Gandhi to suspend the movement. Dandi March (1930) led by Mahatma Gandhi to defy the British salt monopoly, marking a pivotal moment in the Civil Disobedience Movement.Gandhi and his followers illegally produced salt by collecting seawater and evaporating it, symbolizing defiance of British law.

Explanation

The Chittagong Armoury Raid took place in April, 1930, in Chittagong was led by Surya Sen. The aim was to establish an armed struggle and ignite a rebellion against the British government. The Kakori Conspiracy (1925) is associated with looting a train carrying government funds by the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), and Ram Prasad Bismil was one of its chief organizers. The Lahore Conspiracy refers to the Central Assembly Bombing which took place in 1929. The bombing was an attempt to protest against the repressive laws of the British government. Jatin Das was accused of making a bomb that was thrown in the Assembly Hall during a regular session by Bhagat Singh and Batukeswar Dutt. The Ghadar Party was an important revolutionary organization founded in 1913 in the United States by Lala Hardayal and other expatriates. Its goal was to liberate India from British colonial rule through armed struggle.

Explanation

The British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald had proposed separate electorates for the Depressed Classes in the Communal Award, which Gandhi opposed, fearing it would fragment Indian society permanently and weaken the national movement. The Poona Pact (1932, not 1934) was an agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, mediated by the British Government, to resolve the issue of separate electorates for the Depressed Classes (Harijans).

Option (d) is correct: The pact provided for joint electorates with reserved seats for the Depressed Classes in the general constituencies instead of separate electorates. This ensured representation for the Depressed Classes while maintaining social unity. The number of reserved seats in provincial legislatures was increased, and provisions were made for their upliftment.

Explanation

Thugs were a secret criminal network in India, active between the 14th to the 19th century, known for their ritualistic strangulation of travelers to rob them. Captain William Henry Sleeman was a British officer in India who played a key role in the suppression of the Thuggee cult in the early 19th century. He was appointed during Lord William Bentick’s tenure, during Lord William Bentinck’s tenure (1828-1835). He led several successful campaigns against the thugs, and his efforts led to the eventual dismantling of the organization.

Explanation

The chronological sequence is Macaulay’s Minute (1835) Wood’s Despatch (1854) Hunter Commission (1882) Sargent Report (1944). Macaulay’s Minute on Education (1835): Drafted by Lord Macaulay, it played a pivotal role in establishing English as the medium of instruction in Indian schools. Wood’s Education Despatch (1854) was issued by Sir Charles Wood, then President of the Board of Control for the East India Company and stressed on emphasizing scientific learning and rational thinking over traditional religious teachings. Indian Education Commission (Hunter Commission) (1882) was headed by William Wilson Hunter and recommended that primary education be provided in vernacular languages and highlighted the importance of expanding primary education. The Sargent Education Report (1944) proposed compulsory and free education for children up to the age of 14, intending to raise educational standards to international levels.

Explanation

The description perfectly matches Gopal Krishna Gokhale, one of the most respected leaders of the Indian freedom struggle. Gokhale graduated from Elphinstone College, Bombay (Mumbai), in 1884 at the age of 18. He was one of the first Indian graduates of the university. He became a professor of history and political economy at Fergusson College, Pune. He also became associate editor of the newspaper ’Sudharak’ which was run by his mentor M.G. Ranade. He became secretary of the Pune Sarvajanik Sabha, an organization that worked for Indian political rights. He was also involved in provincial-level conferences advocating for self-governance. In 1895 at the age of 29 Gokhale became Secretary of the Indian National Congress (INC). In 1897 Gokhale testified before the Welby Commission (Royal Commission on Indian Expenditure) in England and advocated for financial autonomy for India. He was elected to the Bombay Legislative Council in 1900 at the age of 34. In 1902 he was nominated to the Imperial Legislative Council, where he became a key advocate for Indian self-governance and social reforms. In 1905, at the age of 39, Gokhale was elected President of the Indian National Congress in Benares (Varanasi) Session. Mahatma Gandhi regarded Gokhale as his political mentor, calling him "Mahatma without the title".

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

Butler Committee Report (1927) focused on the relationship between the Indian states and the British Paramount Power. It studied the status and governance of princely states under British rule. Hurtog Committee Report (1929) studied the growth of education in India and its future potential. The committee also emphasized on the role of higher education in producing trained administrative personnel for the British government. Hunter Inquiry Committee Report (1920) investigated the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and its aftermath. The report was criticized for being a whitewashed account of the massacre, as it did not hold Dyer accountable in a meaningful way. The Muddiman Committee Report (1924) examined the working of the dyarchy introduced under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919). The committee’s report found that the dyarchy system was not working effectively due to several reasons, such as the lack of real power in the hands of Indian ministers, bureaucratic resistance, etc.