Emergence of Nationalism and the Early Congress: RAS Prelims MCQs
26 RAS Prelims MCQs on the emergence of nationalism and the early Indian National Congress test the economic, political and social causes of the movement, the role of the press and the ideas of the Extremist leaders. The Ilbert Bill controversy, the Vernacular Press Act, Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and the Home Rule Movement come up repeatedly.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–26 of 26 questions
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Emergence of Nationalism and the Early Congress
Q21. Arrange the following events related to the life of Lala Lajpat Rai in chronological order: I. Deportation to Mandalay without trial II. Foundation of the National School at Lahore III. Presidency of the special session of INC at Calcutta IV. Severe lathi charge while protesting the Simon Commission Which of the following represents the correct chronological order?
Explanation
Lajpat Rai was deported to Mandalay in 1907, presided over the Calcutta special session of the Congress in 1920, started the National School at Lahore and was injured by lathi charge at the Simon Commission protest in 1928. The correct order is I, III, II, IV.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Emergence of Nationalism and the Early Congress
Q22. The influential book "Unhappy India", which heavily criticized British colonial rule and countered Katherine Mayo’s ‘Mother India’, was written by:
Explanation
Lala Lajpat Rai wrote Unhappy India in reply to Katherine Mayo’s Mother India.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Emergence of Nationalism and the Early Congress
Q23. Consider the following statements regarding Lala Lajpat Rai: I. He was actively associated with the Arya Samaj movement in Punjab. II. He strongly opposed the Swadeshi movement, considering it economically unviable. III. He became the first President of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Lajpat Rai was associated with the Arya Samaj in Punjab and was the first President of the AITUC in 1920. He supported the Swadeshi movement, so II is wrong.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Emergence of Nationalism and the Early Congress
Q24. Which of the following pairs of nationalist leader and their associated publication is incorrectly matched?
Explanation
Lajpat Rai edited The Punjabi, Bipin Chandra Pal edited New India and Tilak the Mahratta. Aurobindo Ghosh is linked with Bande Mataram, not Voice of India, so C is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Emergence of Nationalism and the Early Congress
Q25. Lala Lajpat Rai earned the popular title "Punjab Kesari" primarily because of his:
Explanation
Lajpat Rai is called Punjab Kesari (Lion of Punjab) for his strong leadership and mobilisation of people in Punjab.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Emergence of Nationalism and the Early Congress
Q26. Identify the correct statement regarding the political trajectory of Bipin Chandra Pal.
Explanation
Bipin Chandra Pal initially participated in the moderate politics of the early Congress but eventually became a leading voice of the extremist faction. Along with Tilak and Lajpat Rai, he formed the famous "Lal-Bal-Pal" trio. He advocated for complete autonomy and passive resistance, representing a significant shift from the earlier methods of petitioning and constitutional agitation to more assertive nationalist demands.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
21
(d) I - III - II - IV
22
(d) Lala Lajpat Rai
23
(c) I and III only
24
(c) Aurobindo Ghosh - Voice of India
25
(a) Leadership and indomitable mobilization in the Punjab region
26
(d) Transition from moderate constitutionalism to prominent extremist leadership.
Key facts from Emergence of Nationalism and the Early Congress
The drain of wealth and the destruction of indigenous industry were the main economic causes of nationalism.
The Ilbert Bill controversy of 1883 exposed racial arrogance and European resistance to legal equality.
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was passed under Lytton; the Amrita Bazar Patrika became an English paper to escape it.
Tilak coined "Swaraj is my birthright" during the Home Rule Movement of 1916; Valentine Chirol called him the Father of Indian Unrest.
Lala Lajpat Rai, called Punjab Kesari, wrote Unhappy India in reply to Mother India.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Emergence of Nationalism and the Early Congress?
This page has 26 practice MCQs on Emergence of Nationalism and the Early Congress (Modern Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which newspaper turned English to escape the Vernacular Press Act?
The Amrita Bazar Patrika, a Bengali paper. After the Act of 1878, it changed overnight into an English weekly, since the Act applied only to papers in Indian languages.
What did the Ilbert Bill controversy show?
It showed racial arrogance and the resistance of Europeans to legal equality. The bill let Indian judges try Europeans, and the European protests that forced its dilution convinced educated Indians of the need for organised political action.
Who wrote Unhappy India?
Lala Lajpat Rai, as a reply to Katherine Mayo’s Mother India. The book defended Indian society and criticised British rule, and Lajpat Rai was known as Punjab Kesari for his leadership in Punjab.
