UPSC 2015 Modern History Questions with Answers

Explanation

The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908) was a key turning point in the history of the Indian National Congress that later led to a split between the moderates and extremists in the party. The movement, which was sparked by the partition of Bengal by the British in 1905, saw the rise of extremist leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who advocated for more radical measures to achieve self-rule, while the moderates, led by figures like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji, supported gradual reforms within the British system. The differences over the approach to achieving independence eventually led to the split at the Surat Session of 1907.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Rowlatt Act was passed on the recommendations of the Sedition Committee chaired by Sir Sidney Rowlatt.

Statement 2 is correct: In organising his satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilise three types of political networks: The Home Rule Leagues; Certain Pan-Islamist groups and Satyagraha Sabha.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The two time periods are not the same. The incident of Rowlatt Satyagraha took place in 1919 and the Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission took place in 1928, thus the two events cannot coincide.

Explanation

A high-powered mission of three British Cabinet members-Lord Pethick-Lawrence (the Secretary of State for India), Sir Stafford Cripps(President of the Board of Trade) and A. V. Alexander(the First Lord of the Admiralty) reached Delhi on 24th March 1946.

Statement 1 is correct: The Cabinet Mission proposed a Three-tier executive and legislature at provincial, section and union levels which essentially means a federal government. All subjects other than Union subjects and residuary power would vest in the provinces of British India. Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect: The plan did not include the enlargement of the powers of the Indian Court nor provided for more Indians in the ICS.

Explanation

The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms which became the Government of India Act in 1919, defined the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments. It introduced dyarchy in eight provinces, where executive powers were shared between the Governor and elected ministers. Subjects were divided into ‘reserved’ (e.g., law, finance) managed by the Governor and his council, and ‘transferred’ (e.g., education, health) handled by ministers from the legislative council, increasing provincial authority.

Explanation

Dadabhai Naoroji, R.C. Dutt, Ranade, Gokhale, and G. Subramania Iyer were among the moderate leaders who established Indian nationalism on the principles of anti-imperialism by formulating the first comprehensive economic critique of colonialism.

Option (d) is correct: Dadabhai Naoroji (Grand Old man of India) in "Poverty and UnBritish Rule in India" propounded Drain of Wealth Theory. Romesh Chandra Dutta in "The Economic History of India" pointed to the absence of protection for India’s infant industries, and the negative implications of even constructive efforts like the railways which facilitated the import of British manufactured goods.G. V. Joshi pointed out that the development in India was like a subsidy to the British Industries. Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade, G. Subramaniam Iyer, G.K. Gokhale etc. examined every facet of the economy and subjected the entire range of economic issues and colonial economic policies to minute scrutiny.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Annie Besant in the 1917 Calcutta Session. Sarojini Naidu became the first Indian woman President of INC in 1925 Kanpur Session.

Statement 2 is correct: Badruddin Tyabji (1844-1906) was the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress. He presided over the third session of the INC in 1887 (Madras Session). He was a progressive leader, reformist, and the first Indian to practice law in the Bombay High Court.