Indian National Movement (Part-IV)

Total Questions: 43

1. The Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939, because: [2012-1]

Correct Answer: (d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
Solution:The Congress ministries resigned in October and November 1939, in protest against Viceroy Lord Linlithgow's action of declaring India to be a belligerent in the Second World War without consulting the Indian people.
• The resignation of Congress ministers had a profound effect on Indian politics and the nationalist movement.
• It represented growing dissatisfaction with the British government’s handling of Indian demands, as well as the realization that alternative methods, such as non-cooperation and civil disobedience, might be required.
• The resignation also highlighted the growing schism between the Congress and British authorities, laying the groundwork for more confrontational approaches to the independence struggle.

2. During Indian freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed. What was the reason for its formation? [2012-1]

Correct Answer: (b) Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose
Solution:

• When the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885, it was led by ardent social reformers such as M.G.Ranade and R.Ragunath Rao who were under the impression that the Congress would be concerned with social, economic, and political issues.
• However, it soon became clear that a strong faction in Congress was opposed to including social reform as part of the procedure.
• The gist of the argument was that social reform was divisive and contentious, whereas Congress’s goal was political unity. As a result, social issues were omitted.
• Ranade and Rao’s response was the formation of the Social Conference, which met for the first time in Madras in 1887.
• Ranade, a towering figure in modern Indian history, was an inspiring spirit.
• He was the one who arranged for the Conference to meet every year, immediately following the Congress, and in the same location.

3. Which of the following parties were established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar? [2012-1]

1. The Peasants and Workers Party of India

2. All India Scheduled Castes Federation

3. The Independent Labour Party

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Solution:The parties established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar were - All India Scheduled Castes Federation and the Independent Labour Party.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as the “Architect of the Indian Constitution,” was a pioneering leader, social reformer, and champion of Dalit rights. Born into a Dalit “untouchable” family, Ambedkar overcame immense social discrimination to become one of the most educated Indians of his time, earning doctorates in law and economics.
His contributions span across drafting the Indian Constitution, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, and fighting tirelessly to end untouchability. As India’s first Law Minister, he introduced reforms promoting social justice and equality. His legacy continues to inspire movements for equality and justice in India and beyond.

4. Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because: [2012-1]

Correct Answer: (c) Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award.
Solution:Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, against Ramsay Macdonald Announcement of the Communal Award.
Major Provisions Were
• Muslims, Europeans, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo- Indians, depressed classes, women, and even the Marathas were to get separate electorates. Such an arrangement for the depressed classes was to be made for a period of 20 years.
• In the provincial legislatures, the seats were to be distributed on a communal basis.
• The existing seats of the provincial legislatures were to be doubled.
• The Muslims, wherever they were in minority, were to be granted a weightage.
• Except in the Northwest Frontier Province, 3% of seats were to be reserved for women in all provinces.
• The depressed classes were to be declared/accorded the status of minority.
• The depressed classes were to get a ‘double vote’, one to be used through separate electorates and the other to be used in the general electorates.
• Allocation of seats was to be made for labourers, landlords, traders, and industrialists.
• In the province of Bombay, 7 seats were to be allocated for the Marathas.
• Reaction of Congress: Congress was opposed to separate electorates. However, did not favour changing the award without the consent of minorities and so it neither accepted nor rejected the award.

5. Consider the following statements: [2012-1]

The most effective contribution made by Dadabhai Naoroji to the cause of Indian National Movement was that he

1. exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British

2. interpreted the ancient Indian texts and restored the self-confidence of Indians

3. stressed the need for eradication of all the social evils before anything else

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) I only
Solution:He exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British.

Dadabhai Naoroji, the “Grand Old Man of India,” was a trailblazing leader in the Indian independence struggle. He was a scholar, social reformer, and the first Indian elected to the British Parliament in 1892. Naoroji played a significant role in the formation of the Indian National Congress (INC) and served as its president three times, pushing for constitutional reforms and self-rule for India.

Dadabhai Naoroji’s most notable contribution was his “Drain Theory,” which highlighted how British economic policies were draining India’s wealth. Naoroji’s ideas on economic exploitation laid the foundation for India’s economic nationalism and inspired future leaders like Mahatma Gandhi to advocate for Indian self-governance and social reforms.

6. The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress 1929 is very important in history, because: [2012-1]

1. the Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence

2. the rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session

3. a resolution was passed rejecting the two-nation theory in that Session

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:

• Jawaharlal Nehru was chosen as the President due to following reasons:
○ Because of the timing (Congress’ acceptance of complete independence as its goal), and
○ To recognize the surge of youth that had made the anti-Simon campaign a huge success
• The following major decisions were taken at the Lahore session:
○ The Round Table Conference was to be boycotted
○ Complete independence was declared as the aim of the Congress
○ Congress Working Committee was authorised to launch a programme of civil disobedience including non-payment of taxes and all members of legislatures were asked to resign their seats
○ January 26, 1930 was fixed as the first Independence (Swaraj) Day, to be celebrated everywhere
• At midnight on New Year’s Eve, President Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the tricolour flag of India upon the banks of the Ravi in Lahore

7. Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919? [2012-1]

1. Introduction of dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces

2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims

3. Devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Solution:1st and 3rd are correct.
The Government of India Act 1919 was a legislative framework designed to reform British India’s governance. It was based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which was drafted by Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India at the time.
The primary goal of the Act was to introduce a more responsible form of government in India by increasing Indian participation in the administrative machinery while retaining ultimate authority with the British Crown. The Act established a dual governance structure (dyarchy) at the provincial level and a more inclusive legislative framework, but with some limitations.

8. The Rowlatt Act aimed at [2012-1]

Correct Answer: (b) imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial
Solution:

The British government was concerned about the threat of terrorism and revolutionary activity, and the Rowlatt Act was seen as a way to suppress these threats. The Rowlatt Act had a number of features that were widely criticized by Indians.

The draconian Act suspended basic civil liberties.
It enabled detention without trial for up to 2 years of purported political agitators.
No appeal was allowed against such administrative detention.
It authorised aroma trials without juries for sedition cases, severely compromising judicial transparency and fairness.
Tighter censorship, control of extremist publications and restrictions on public gatherings were introduced..

9. The demand for the Tebhaga Peasant Movement in Bengal was for [2013-1]

Correct Answer: (a) the reduction of the share of the landlords from one-half of the crop to one-third
Solution:

The Tebhaga Movement (1946-1947) in Bengal arose from economic exploitation by landlords, exacerbated by the 1943 famine and fueled by the unimplemented Floud Commission recommendation for sharecroppers to receive two-thirds of their produce.

Economic Exploitation- The primary cause of the Tebhaga Movement was the economic exploitation of sharecroppers by landlords.
Under the existing system, sharecroppers had to give half of their produce to the landlords, leaving them with insufficient resources to sustain themselves and their families.
Famine of 1943: The Bengal famine of 1943 had a devastating impact on the peasantry, leading to widespread starvation and death. It fueled resentment against the landlords who continued to demand their share of the produce even in the face of mass suffering.
Floud Commission Recommendations: The Floud Commission, established by the British government, recommended that sharecroppers receive two-thirds of the produce instead of half. Although not implemented, this recommendation provided a basis for the peasants’ demands during the movement.

10. Annie Besant was: [2013-1]

1. responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement

2. the founder of the Theosophical Society

3. once the President of the Indian National Congress

Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Solution:Annie Besant had formed and led the Home Rule Movement as she was influenced by the Irish Home Rule League. She also became the President of Indian National Congress in 1917. But she was not the founder of the Theosophical Society; rather she was the second President of the society. The founder was Henry Steel Olcott.
• Annie Besant’s political engagement in India began with her fervent support for Indian self-rule (Swaraj).
• She joined the Indian National Congress and became one of its most vocal leaders.
• In 1916, she launched the Home Rule Movement, which demanded greater autonomy for India within the British Empire.
• The movement inspired many Indians to rally for independence and marked a significant step in the freedom struggle.
• Her leadership and efforts culminated in her election as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1917, making her the first woman to hold this prestigious position.