Indian National Movement (Part-II)

Total Questions: 50

11. As an alternative to the partition of India, Gandhiji suggested to Mountbatten that he: [2000]

Correct Answer: (b) invited Jinnah to form the government
Solution:Mountbatten Plan came into existence on June 3, 1947. Gandhi ji suggested that he should invite Jinnah to form the government rather than partition of India.
The Mountbatten Plan, announced on June 3, 1947, was a historic proposal that led to the partition of British India into two independent dominions—India and Pakistan. It was formulated by Viceroy Lord Louis Mountbatten, to address the growing communal tensions and the urgent demand for independence. The plan aimed to provide a swift and peaceful transfer of power while minimizing unrest.
Key provisions of the plan included the partition of Punjab and Bengal, referendums in the North-West Frontier Province and Sylhet, and the establishment of boundary commissions. The plan was crucial in determining the political landscape of South Asia, with its implementation on August 15, 1947, marking the end of British rule in India.

12. The native state of Tripura became involved in the freedom movement early in the 20th century because: [2000]

Correct Answer: (d) there were already some groups fighting against the kingship and its protector, the British
Solution:Tripura State, also known as Hill Tipperah was a princely state in India during the period of the British Raj and for some two years after the departure of the British. The state became involved in the freedom movement early in the 20th century because there were already some groups fighting against the Kingship and its protector, the British.

In September 1917, when demand was made to recruit more men for the Corps a large scale revolt was initiated by the Kukis against the King and the British authorities. This uprising is known as the Kuki Rebellion of 1917-1919 or Zou-Gal.

13. After returning from South Africa, Gandhiji launched his first successful satyagraha in: [2000]

Correct Answer: (c) Champaran
Solution:Gandhi ji returned from South Africa in 1915 and in 1917 he launched his first successful Satyagraha in Champaran in Bihar against the indigo planters at the request of Raj Kumar Shukla.
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.

14. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2000]

List-I List-II 
A. Chittagong Armoury Raid1. Kalpana Dutt
B. Abhinav Bharat2. Guru Ram Singh
C. Anushilan Samiti3. Vikram Damodar Savarkar
D. Kuka Movement4. Aurobindo Ghosh

Codes:

ABCD
(a)1342
(b)1334
(c)3124
(d)3142
Correct Answer: (a)
Solution:Chittagong Armoury Raid - April 1930; Abhinav Bharat-1904; Anushilan Samiti (1902, Calcutta)
The Chittagong armoury raid was carried out on 18 April 1930. Kalpana joined the "Indian Republican Army, Chattagram branch", the armed resistance group led by Surya Sen in May 1931.
• Abhinav Bharat Society (Young India Society) was a secret society founded by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and his brother Ganesh Damodar Savarkar in 1904.
• Anushilan Samiti was a Bengali Indian organisation that existed in the first quarter. It soon became an organ for the radical views of Aurobindo and Anushilan leaders, and lent the name "Jugantar party" to the Calcutta group.
• After Bhagat Jawarmal died, Balak Singh carried is legacy. However, it was not the real starting of the Kuka Movement as we know today. The real founder was Baba Ram Singh, who was born in 1815 as a son of a poor carpenter, in small village of Bhaini, around 7 kilometers away from Ludhiana.

15. The following items consist of two statements, one labelled as 'Assertion A' and the other labelled as 'Reason R', You are to examine these two statement carefully and decide if the Assertion 'A' and the Reason 'R' are individually true and if so, whether the Reason is a correct explanation of the Assertion. Select your answers to these items using the codes given below and mark your answer sheet accordingly. [2000]

Assertion (A): Lord Linlithgo described the August Movement of 1942 as the most serious revolt after the Sepoy mutiny.

Reason (R): Peasants joined the movement in large number in some places.

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 return. 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 sepoy mutiny.

16. The following items consist of two statements, one labelled as 'Assertion A' and the other labelled as 'Reason R', You are to examine these two statement carefully and decide if the Assertion 'A' and the Reason 'R' are individually true and if so, whether the Reason is a correct explanation of the Assertion. Select your answers to these items using the codes given below and mark your answer sheet accordingly. [2000]

Assertion (A): The basic weakness of the early nationalist movement lay in its narrow social base

Reason (R): If fought for the narrow interests of the social groups which joined it.

Correct Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Solution:R is incorrect as early nationalists fought for the rights of common people.
Early nationalist leaders lacked faith in the masses and did not engage them fully, leading to a limited base of participation mainly consisting of the educated, urban middle class, and a lack of mass mobilization and broader support for their cause. This limited participation also meant that the movement relied on petitions and prayers rather than militant action, hindering its effectiveness against colonial rule.

17. While delivering the presidential address, the Congress President who advocated the introduction of Roman script for Hindi language was: [2000]

Correct Answer: (d) Subhash Chandra Bose
Solution:In 1938, Haripura session by S.C. Bose
Subhash Chandra Bose was a key figure in India's fight for freedom from British rule during the early to mid-20th century. In 1943, Subhash Chandra Bose founded the Indian National Army (INA) i.e. Azad Hind Fauj, and led an armed coup, inspiring thousands of Indian youths to fight for independence from British colonialism. Subhash Chandra Bose was completely committed to the cause of overthrowing British dominance, convinced that national freedom was critical for India's future.
Subhash Chandra Bose’s political ideas demonstrated his unwavering commitment to independence and his willingness to explore various strategies to achieve it. His famous slogan was "Give me your blood, and I shall give you freedom”.
Subhash Chandra Bose continues to be a symbol of assertive nationalism.

18. At the time of partition of India, which one of the following provinces of British India came forward with a plan for a united and independent existence? [2000]

Correct Answer: (a) Punjab
Solution:The Partition of India was the division of British India in 1947 which accompanied the creation of two independent dominions, India and Pakistan. The partition involved the division of two provinces, Bengal and the Punjab, based on district-wise Hindu or Muslim majorities. At the time of partition of India, Punjab came forward with a plan for a united and independent existence.

19. The Balkan Plan for fragmentation of India was the brain child of: [2000]

Correct Answer: (c) Lord Mountbatten
Solution:Balkan Plan (1947) was the brain child of Mountbatten. This plan envisaged the transfer of power to separate provinces with Punjab and Bengal given the option to vote for partition of their provinces. The partioned units thus formed will have the choice to join India or Pakistan or remaining independent.
Indian leaders, particularly Jawaharlal Nehru, fiercely opposed the plan, fearing it would lead to widespread conflict and fragmentation. Mountbatten subsequently abandoned the plan and formulated the Mountbatten Plan, which was approved and implemented through the Indian Independence Act of 1947.
The Mountbatten Plan, announced on June 3, 1947, was a historic proposal that led to the partition of British India into two independent dominions—India and Pakistan. It was formulated by Viceroy Lord Louis Mountbatten, to address the growing communal tensions and the urgent demand for independence. The plan aimed to provide a swift and peaceful transfer of power while minimizing unrest.
Key provisions of the plan included the partition of Punjab and Bengal, referendums in the North-West Frontier Province and Sylhet, and the establishment of boundary commissions. The plan was crucial in determining the political landscape of South Asia, with its implementation on August 15, 1947, marking the end of British rule in India.

20. Consider the following statements about the Indian National Congress: [2000]

1. Sarojini Naidu was the first woman to be the President of the Congress

2. C.R. Das was in prison when he functioned as the President of the Congress

3. The first Britisher to become the President of the Congress was Alan Octavian Hume

4. Alfred Webb was the President of the Congress in 1894.

Which of these statements are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Solution:Sarojini Naidu was the second woman to be the President of the Congress (1925, Kanpur) first being Annie Beasant (1917, Calcutta). A.O. Hume was the founder of INC in 1885. Alfred Webb was the President of the Congress in 1894 at Madras. C.R. Das acted as the President in 1921 in Ahmedabad session.
Foundation of Indian National Congress (INC)
• The formation of a national organisation had been anticipated for some time, but a mediator was needed to unify regional leaders under one umbrella.
• A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant with a supra-regional identity and liberal political views, played this critical role.
• Touring the subcontinent, he convinced prominent leaders to convene at a national conference, initially planned in Poona but later moved to Bombay due to a cholera outbreak.
• Thus, in December 1885, at a convention of 72 delegates, the Indian National Congress (INC) was established as a national political forum.
• However, the formation of this all-India organisation stirred controversies, including the Safety-valve Theory.
• The first president of the Indian National Congress was Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee. He presided over the inaugural session of the Congress held in Bombay (now Mumbai) in December 1885.