Gandhi and his Early Movements (Part-II)

Total Questions: 35

1. Which of the following statements about Mahatma Gandhi are true? [U.P.P.S.C.( GIC) 2010]

He received his early education in Rajkot.
He married Kasturba at the age of 13.
He studied law at the Inner Temple, London.
He was most influenced by Ruskin's book "Unto the Last."

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Solution:Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2-October, 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat. His primary education was completed in Rajkot. Mahatma Gandhi was married to Kasturba at the age of 13. He studied law at the Inner Temple, London. He was most influenced by the book "Unto This Last" written by John Ruskin.

2. Mahatma Gandhi said that some of his deepest convictions were reflected in a book titled, "Unto This Last" and the book transformed his life. What was the message from the book that transformed Mahatma Gandhi? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

(a) Uplifting the oppressed and poor is the moral responsibility of an educated man
(b) The good of individual is contained in the good of all
(c) The life of celibacy and spiritual pursuit is essential for a noble life
(d) All the statements (a), (b), and (c) is correct in this context

Correct Answer: (b) The good of individual is contained in the good of all

Solution:During his stay in South Africa, Gandhi read the book of John Ruskin "Unto This Last." Gandhi mentioned in his autobiography that the book transformed the life of Mahatma Gandhi. According to Gandhi, the message of this book was "The good of the individual is contained in the good of all." By that fact, Gandhiji had rendered the concept of "Welfare of all."

3. Which of the following was the first Satyagraha of Mahatma Gandhi in India? [654ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2018]

(a) Ahmedabad
(b) Bardoli
(c) Champaran
(d) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer: (c) Champaran

Solution:The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was the first Satyagraha of Mahatma Gandhi in India. Champaran Satyagraha was the first attempt at mobilising the Indian masses by Gandhi on an invitation
by Rajkumar Shukla in the context of indigo peasants of Champaran. This Gandhian Movement was the First Civil Disobedience in India. It was mainly due to the tinkathia system of indigo farmers, where peasants were forced to grow indigo on 3/20 part of their total land. Gandhi intervened in the matter but was asked to leave the place by authorities. However, Gandhi refused to leave, thus disobeying the order. Eventually, Gandhi was able to convince the government about the illness of the tinkathia system and look into the matter. The government appointed a committee to go into the matter and nominated Gandhi as a member. As a result, the tinkathia system was abolished, and in a compromise settlement, only 25% of the money taken by peasants was compensated. Participants: Rajendra Prasad, Narhari Parekh, and J.B. Kripalani

4. Arrange the following events in correct chronological sequence using the code given below: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

Satyagrah against the Rowlatt Act
Champaran Satyagraha
Kheda Peasant struggle
Ahmedabad Mill Strike

(a) 2, 3, 4, 1
(b) 1, 2, 3, 4
(c) 2, 1, 4, 3
(d) 2, 4, 3, 1

Correct Answer: (a) 2, 3, 4, 1

Solution:All of the above events are related to Mahatma Gandhi, held after his return to India (1915). Champaran Satyagraha was against forced Indigo farming in 1917, Ahmedabad Mill Strike due to issue of Plague bonus, Kheda Satyagraha was against the payment of high taxes levied by the British, that people were unable to pay due to crop failure and plague epidemic. The revolutionary activities in India was launched in 1919 by Mahatma Gandhi. Chronologically option (a) is correct.

5. In which of the following movements did Mahatma Gandhi make the first use of the hunger strike as a weapon? [69th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Non-Cooperation Movement
(b) Bardoli Satyagraha
(c) Ahmedabad Strike
(d) Rowlatt Satyagraha

Correct Answer: (c) Ahmedabad Strike

Solution:During Ahmedabad mill strike (1918), Gandhiji used hunger strike as a weapon for the first time. Following the Champaran Satyagraha, the next step in mobilising the masses was the workers of Ahmedabad's urban centre. Ahmedabad Mill Strike was the result of the disagreement between the textile workers and the mill owners arose in March 1918 regarding the end of the plague bonus. Mill owners paid bonuses of 75% of their salary to retain the workers during the outbreak of the plague in 1917. But, after the end of the plague, workers were demanding an increase of 50% in wages while mill owners were advocating discontinuance of the bonus. As a result, a deadlock was created. Gandhi intervened at the request of Anusuya Sarabhai and undertook a fast unto death. As a result, owners agreed to the 35% wage hike. This was the first movement where fasting, a means of self-suffering to create moral pressure, was used by Gandhi as a political weapon in India.

6. Whose work has influenced the Gandhian concept? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2013]

(a) Ruskin
(b) Thoreau
(c) Tolstoy
(d) All the above

Correct Answer: (d) All the above

Solution:Secular writers like Ruskin and Thoreau and Tolstoy much influenced Gandhian Ideology. One person that greatly influenced Gandhi and his tactics for achieving Indian Independence was Henry David Thoreau. Primarily his essay on Civil Disobedience. From Ruskin, Gandhiji learned to respect physical labour. Tolstoy famous quotes “the kingdom of God is within you,” inspired Gandhiji and it became the base of his Non-Violence Movement.

7. Which of the following Movement is not related to Gandhiji? [U.P Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998]

(a) Swadeshi Movement
(b) Khilafat Movement
(c) Individual Satyagraha
(d) Quit India Movement

Correct Answer: (a) Swadeshi Movement

Solution:Gandhiji was not related to the Swadeshi Movement. Swadeshi Movement was started to protest against the partition of Bengal in 1905 and continued up to 1911. During this period, Gandhi was residing in South Africa. The rest of the movements were led by Mahatma Gandhi.

8. Which one of the following Satyagrahas was not lead by Mahatma Gandhi? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

(a) Quit India
(b) Civil Disobedience
(c) Bardoli
(d) Kheda

Correct Answer: (c) Bardoli

Solution:Gandhi led Kheda Satyagraha (1918), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) and Quit India Movement (1942). While Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) was led by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.

9. Which of the following statement is/are correct regarding Gandhiji? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Fought hard to improve the status of casteless untouchables
(b) Launched the Non-Cooperation Movement
(c) Began the Civil Disobedience Movement
(d) All the above

Correct Answer: (d) All the above

Solution:Among all the constructive programs, "Service to Harijans" was Gandhi's prime priority. As he described it in his weekly Harijan, "It was a spiritual act of soul acting upon the soul." Stanley Wolpert quoted Gandhi, "Harijan service would remain from now on the breath of life, more precious than the daily bread." Gandhi started Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. Hence, option (d) is the right answer.

10. Who was the first person to call Mahatma Gandhi 'Father of Nation'? [U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008, Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A (Mains) 2007, I.A.S.]

(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Vallabhbhai Patel
(c) C. Raj Gopalachari
(d) Subhash Chandra Bose

Correct Answer: (d) Subhash Chandra Bose

Solution:Subhash Chandra Bose was the first person to call Mahatma Gandhi 'Father of Nation'. In July, 1944, Bose addressed to Gandhi on Azad Hind Radio from Rangoon and said: "India's last war of Independence has begun... Father of our Nation, in this holy war of India's liberation, we ask for your blessings and good wishes."

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