Indian National Movement (Part-II)

Total Questions: 50

1. Which one of the following leaders of the Congress was totally in favour of Cabinet Mission Plan? [1999]

Correct Answer: (c) Sardar Patel
Solution:Cabinet Mission Plan came into being in May 1946. Sardar Patel was totally in favor of cabinet Mission Plan.
• The Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 marked a pivotal chapter in India’s journey toward independence.
• The British Government’s final attempt was to transfer power to Indian hands while ensuring a peaceful exit.
• Sent by British Prime Minister Clement Attlee in February 1946, the mission arrived in March to address the complex political demands of Indian stakeholders and devise a framework for an independent India.
• The mission comprised three distinguished members: Pethick Lawrence, Secretary of State for India; Stafford Cripps, President of the Board of Trade; and A.V. Alexander, First Lord of Admiralty.
• By this time, Britain had resolved to leave India as soon as possible, realising that a swift and orderly withdrawal would better serve the imperial interests.

2. Which one of the following Indian leaders was dismissed by the British from the Indian Civil Service? [1999]

Correct Answer: (b) Surendranath Banerji
Solution:Surendranath Banerji cleared the competitive examination in 1869, but was barred owing to a dispute over his exact age. After clearing the matter in the courts, Banerjee cleared the exam again in 1874 and was posted as assistant magistrate in Sylhet. However, Banerjee was dismissed soon from his job owing to racial discrimination. Satyendranath Tagore in 1863 became the first Indian to qualify the ICS.

3. The term "imperial preference" was applied to the: [1999]

Correct Answer: (a) special privileges on British imports in India
Solution:Imperial Preference (later Commonwealth Preference) was a proposed system of reciprocally-levelled tariffs or free trade agreements between different Dominions and Colonies within the British Commonwealth of Nations. The purpose of such practices was to promote the mutual prosperity, and thus unity, of allied imperial nations. So best answer is a.

4. Assertion(A): LordLinlithgowdescribedthe AugustMovement of 1942 as the most serious rebellion since Sepoy Mutiny. [1999]

Reason (R): There was massive upsurge of the peasantry in certain areas.

Correct Answer: (a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A
Solution:This movement placed the demand for independence on the immediate agenda of national movement. After Quit India, there could be no going back. In this struggle, common people displayed unparalleled heroism. That's why Lord Linlithgow (1936-44) described the Quit India Movement as the most serious revolt after the sepoy mutiny.

5. The first venture of Gandhi in all-India politics was the: [1999]

Correct Answer: (c) Champaran Movement
Solution:Champaran movement was the first action of Gandhi on all India level. Satyagraha was to be launched on April 6, 1919. But after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Gandhiji was alarmed by the atmosphere of violence and withdrew the Movement on April 18, 1919.
The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 marked a pivotal moment in India's fight for independence, being the first Satyagraha movement against British colonial rule led by Mahatma Gandhi. The movement took place in Champaran, Bihar, where indigo farmers suffered under the oppressive 'Teen Kathia' system, forcing them to grow indigo on a portion of their land. The European planters exploited the farmers, imposing unfair taxes and harsh terms.
However, Gandhi's leadership in the movement not only secured relief for the farmers but also laid the foundation for future mass movements. As a result, the success of the Champaran Satyagraha became a powerful example of peaceful protest, inspiring widespread participation and strengthening the Indian independence struggle.

6. The Congress policy of pray and petition ultimately came to an end under the guidance of: [1999]

Correct Answer: (b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Solution:Bal Gangadhar Tilak described the method of three P's - Prayer, petition and protest as political mendicancy. He propagated militancy and not mendicancy.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak, born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak, was a prominent Indian nationalist, widely regarded as Lokmanya, meaning "accepted by the people as their leader." Tilak was one of the most influential leaders in the freedom struggle and a member of the famous Lal-Bal-Pal trio, along with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal.
Tilak was among the first to strongly advocate for Swaraj (self-rule) and a staunch advocate of Hindu culture, social reforms, and education. The British labelled him "The father of Indian unrest" for his radical stance against colonial rule.

7. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [1999]

List-I List-II 
A. Shyamji Krishna Varma1. Bande Mataram
B. Madame Bhikaji Cama2. Indian Sociologist
C. Annie Besant3. The Talwar
D. Aurobindo Gosh4. Commonwealth

Codes:

ABCD
(a)2341
(b)3214
(c) 2314
(d) 3241
Correct Answer: (a)
Solution:

The Indian Sociologist was an Indian nationalist journal edited by Shyamji Krishnavarma from 1905 to 1914. Its sub-title was An Organ of Freedom, and Political, Social, and Religious Reform.
The publication of ' The Talvar' was established in 1909 in Paris by Bhikajji Cama. It was originally named after Madan Lal Dhingra.
Annie Besant: one of the main protagonists of the Home Rule Movement, wrote Commonweal, and The Bande Mataram was an English language weekly newspaper published from Calcutta (now Kolkata) founded in 1905 by Bipin Chandra Pal and edited by Sri Aurobindo.

8. "In this instance we could not play off the Mohammedans against the Hindus." [2000]

To which one of the following events did this remark of Aitchison relate?

Correct Answer: (c) Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movement
Solution:
  • Two mass movements were organized in 1919-1922 to oppose the British rule in India are the Khilafat movement and the Non-Cooperation movement.
  • The movements, despite having different issues, adopted a unified plan of action of non-violence and non-cooperation.
  • This time period saw the unification of Congress and the Muslim League. Many political demonstrations took place with the joint effort of both these parties.

9. Which one of the following is not a feature of the Government of India Act of 1935? [2000]

Correct Answer: (a) Diarchy at the Centre as well as in the provinces
Solution:In the Act of 1935 provincial autonomy replaced diarchy The GIA, 1919 provided for diarchy at the Centre as well as in the provinces.
The Government of India Act 1935 was a significant constitutional reform enacted by the British Parliament with 451 clauses and 15 schedules. The Act granted provincial autonomy, expanded the electorate to 10%, and created a Federal Court. It introduced elected legislatures and Indian ministers but retained key powers for the British Crown and Governor-General, including control over defence, foreign affairs, and veto authority. These limitations fueled the demand for full independence.

10. The Indian National Army (I.N.A.) came into existence in 1943 in: [2000]

Correct Answer: (a) Japan
Solution:In Japan INA came into existence in March, 1942 under the leadership of Mohan Singh. The idea of INA was first conceived in Malaya.

• The INA was established in December 1941 when Captain Mohan Singh, an officer of the Punjab Regiment in the British Indian Army, surrendered to the Japanese in Malaya.
• Alongside Mohan Singh, numerous Indian soldiers were taken as Prisoners of War (POWs) after the British defeat.
• Recognising an opportunity, Major Fujiwara, a Japanese army officer, persuaded Mohan Singh to collaborate for India’s freedom by creating an Indian army with these POWs.