UPSC 2011 Modern History Questions with Answers

Explanation

Tribal revolts in 19th-century India were driven by the disruption of traditional tribal life, which centered on shifting cultivation, hunting, and forest produce during colonial rule.

Option (d) is correct:

The influx of non-tribals and the imposition of settled agriculture led to land loss for tribals. Restrictions on forest resources and shifting agriculture, along with the introduction of moneylenders, reduced tribals to landless laborers and bonded peasants. The establishment of government monopolies on forests (1865-1878) further exploited tribes. Tribal egalitarianism was replaced by caste-based inequalities, and the influence of Christian missionaries also fueled resentment leading to uprisings like the Kol Rebellion (1832), Santhal Rebellion (1855-56), and Munda Rebellion (1899-1900).

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Kheda Satyagraha (1918) was a protest against the British government’s tax demands on Gujarat farmers whose crops had failed due to drought. Despite the revenue code allowing remission, the government insisted on full payment, threatening to seize property. Led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and others, Gandhi encouraged farmers to resist paying taxes peacefully. The government eventually agreed to return confiscated property and suspend tax collection for the year.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Permanent Settlement was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 and it was confined in the areas of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Varanasi (United Provinces), Northern Karnataka. It was never introduced in Gujarat.

Explanation

The Nehru Report, drafted in response to Lord Birkenhead’s challenge, was prepared by a committee led by Motilal Nehru. Key members included Tej Bahadur Sapru, M.S. Aney, Subhash Chandra Bose, and G.R. Pradhan.

Option (b) is correct: Recommendations were:

Dominion status on lines of self-governing dominions but not full independence. Rejection of separate electorates. Joint electorates with reservation of seats for Muslims at the Centre and in areas where they were in minority. Nineteen fundamental rights, including the rights to form unions, the right to equal treatment for women, and universal adult suffrage. Responsible government at the Centre and in provinces. Provisions to protect the cultural and religious rights of minorities.

Explanation

The Quit India Resolution was ratified in a Congress meeting at Gowalia Tank on 8th August 1942. Apart from the Quit India Movement, other resolutions involved the Civil Disobedience Movement against British Rule. Mantra of "Do or Die" was adopted in this Session by Gandhiji. The British Govt responded to the call of Gandhi by arresting all major Congress leaders the very next day. Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, etc. were all behind the bars. This left the movement in the hands of the younger leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia, besides many regional leaders also rose up to lead this movement in their respective regions.

Explanation

The Quit India Movement was one of the largest anti-colonial movements. It started on August 8, 1942, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. The immediate causes were the failure of Cripps mission, hardships caused during World War II and the Japanese knocking at the doors of Indian borders. Even before the movement could formally be launched all major leaders of congress were put behind the bars by the British. In this situation various secret and underground activities under the leadership to younger congress leaders kept the movement going. In this environment, Usha Mehta, a young congress leader started an underground Radio to give fuel to the movement.

Explanation

Sir William Wedderburn was President of INC in Bombay, 1889 and Allahabad, 1910 sessions. Together with Dadabhai Naoroji and other supporters of India, Sir William Wedderburn and W. S. Caine established the "Indian Parliamentary Committee" in 1893. The Indian Parliamentary Committee’s mission is to lobby the House of Commons for political reforms in India. In 1895, Wedderburn represented India on the Welby Commission (i.e. Royal Commission) on Indian Expenditure.

Explanation

The Permanent Land Revenue Settlement of Bengal was extended to the provinces of Bihar and Orissa by Lord Cornwallis in 1793. The land where the zamindars had previously been responsible for collecting revenue was given to them as ownership. The demand for land revenue was predetermined and out of controlled revenue, 10/11th part was given to the company.

Option (d) is correct: The reforms increased the litigation after the introduction of the land settlement system and the main reason for this was the relief at the front of Court Fee and now everybody could drag anybody to the courts.

Explanation

Dadabhai Naoroji in "Poverty and UnBritish Rule in India" (1901), propounded the Drain of Wealth Theory. It refers to the constant one way flow of wealth from India to England for which India got no return. Home Charges played a significant role in the Drain of Wealth from India.

Statement 1 is correct: Funds used to support the India Office in London.

Statement 2 is correct: Funds used to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in India.

Statement 3 is incorrect: There are no clear references to using these funds for waging wars outside India by the British. Note: Here official answer given by UPSC is Option (b), However confusion with Statement 3 is understandable.