UPSC 1998 Modern History Questions with Answers

Explanation

The Komagata Maru Incident (1914) involved a Japanese steamship, the Komagata Maru, carrying 376 Indian passengers (mostly Sikhs) attempting to migrate to Canada but were denied entry to Canada under discriminatory immigration laws and were forced to return to Calcutta, India. Gandhi ji stayed in South Africa for 21 years and fought for the rights of the non-Europeans in South Africa. Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and toured India on the advice of Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Tilak established the Indian Home Rule League in April 1916 in Belgaum. The league focused its activities in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Central Province, and Berar, excluding Bombay. The objective was to achieve self-government for India.

Explanation

Indian Muslims were generally not attracted to the Extremist movement because of the movement’s emphasis on Hindu symbolism, rituals, and historical references. The extremists believed in sacrificing everything including life for the cause of the motherland. They tried to instill self respect and patriotism in the people by invoking past heroes like Ashoka, Shivaji, Maharana Pratap, and this approach alienated many Muslims who felt that their religious and cultural identity was not adequately represented or respected.

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."

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.

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.

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.