Modern History: Miscellaneous Archives

21. Which of the following statements about town planning in British India

Which of the following statements about town planning in British India in early 19th century is/are correct?

1. The funds for town improvement were also raised through public lotteries.
2. The threats of epidemics gave an impetus to town planning in the early decades of 19th century.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2018

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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2.

– Statement 1: During the early 19th century in British India, especially in Presidency towns like Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, funds for urban development and improvement projects were indeed raised through public lotteries. The Lottery Committee in Calcutta (1817-1836) is a significant example, using lottery funds for projects like road construction, bridge building, and tank excavation. This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: The frequent outbreaks of devastating epidemics, such as cholera and plague, in Indian cities highlighted poor sanitation and overcrowding. These health crises prompted the British authorities to implement sanitary measures, improve drainage, and consider aspects of town planning to prevent future epidemics, particularly in the early 19th century, although more systematic town planning policies emerged later. This statement is correct.

Town planning efforts in British India evolved throughout the colonial period, driven by various factors including defense needs, commercial interests, administrative requirements, and public health concerns highlighted by epidemics. Early measures often focused on sanitation and infrastructure within limited areas.

22. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Nationalism in India

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Nationalism in India, which was assigned a privileged position by its western educated political leadership, was a ‘different’, but a ‘derivative discourse’ from the west
Statement-II: Indian nationalism as a response to western imperialism was ‘like all such responses, shaped by what it was responding to’

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements and the code?

Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I

Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is NOT the correct explanation of Statement I

Statement I is true but Statement II is false

Statement I is false but Statement II is true

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2017

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Statement I is true; scholars like Partha Chatterjee have argued that Indian nationalism, largely articulated by a Western-educated elite, was a ‘derivative discourse’ in that it adopted concepts, language, and organizational forms from Western nationalism, while also being distinct in its context and goals. Statement II is true; Indian nationalism emerged as a response to Western imperialism and colonial rule, and as such, its nature, strategies, and even criticisms were fundamentally shaped by the structure and impact of the imperialism it was confronting. Statement II directly explains why Statement I is true: because it was a response to Western imperialism, Indian nationalism inevitably took on characteristics influenced by that which it was responding to, leading it to be, in part, a derivative discourse.

Indian nationalism, a response to Western imperialism, adopted elements from Western discourse while being shaped by the context of colonial rule.

Partha Chatterjee’s work, particularly “Nationalist Thought and the Colonial World: A Derivative Discourse?”, is central to this line of argument, suggesting that even while asserting its distinctiveness, anti-colonial nationalism operated within the intellectual frameworks established by colonialism.

23. Which of the following statements about the ideology of Utilitarianism

Which of the following statements about the ideology of Utilitarianism in the context of British India is / are correct ?

Utilitarianism believed that the rule of law was necessary for societal betterment
James Mill expounded the principles of Utilitarianism in his famous book, “Utilitarians and the Raj”
Utilitarians differed from the liberals in significant ways
Utilitarianism had distinct authoritarian tendencies

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only

1 and 2 only

3 and 4 only

1, 3 and 4

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2016

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The correct answer is D. Statements 1, 3, and 4 accurately describe aspects of the ideology of Utilitarianism in the context of British India, while statement 2 contains a factual error.

– Statement 1: “Utilitarianism believed that the rule of law was necessary for societal betterment”. Correct. Utilitarians like Bentham and Mill advocated for clear, codified laws and a predictable legal system, believing this would lead to greater security, order, and efficiency, thereby promoting the overall welfare or utility of society. They were strong proponents of legal reform in India.
– Statement 2: “James Mill expounded the principles of Utilitarianism in his famous book, ‘Utilitarians and the Raj'”. Incorrect. James Mill was a key Utilitarian thinker and wrote extensively about India in his influential “The History of British India”. However, “Utilitarians and the Raj” is not a book *by* James Mill; it sounds like a modern academic title analyzing the influence of Utilitarianism on British rule in India. Mill’s primary work on political theory and utilitarianism is “An Essay on Government”.
– Statement 3: “Utilitarians differed from the liberals in significant ways”. Correct. While Utilitarianism is a strand of classical liberalism, Utilitarians like Mill often adopted a more radical and interventionist stance compared to other liberals regarding India. They were highly critical of Indian society and culture, advocating for sweeping reforms based on abstract principles of utility, often differing from liberals who might have been more cautious or respectful of local customs.
– Statement 4: “Utilitarianism had distinct authoritarian tendencies”. Correct. Utilitarians like James Mill believed that rulers, particularly those informed by rational principles, could determine what maximized utility for the governed population better than the people themselves, especially in societies they deemed ‘backward’. This led to a paternalistic and sometimes authoritarian approach to governance and reform in India, prioritizing efficiency and reform according to Utilitarian principles over self-governance or traditional rights.

Utilitarian ideas significantly influenced British administration and policy-making in India during the 19th century, particularly in areas like law, education, and economic policy. Key figures associated with implementing these ideas in India included administrators like Lord Dalhousie and legal reformers like Thomas Macaulay, who was influenced by Bentham and James Mill.

24. Who among the following British ethnographers launched the Survey of I

Who among the following British ethnographers launched the Survey of India project in the 1860s ?

Hunter

Dufferin

Risley

Thurston

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2016

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The correct option is A.

The question asks about a “Survey of India project” launched in the 1860s by a British ethnographer. While the formal Survey of India is a mapping agency, the term might be used here loosely to refer to a major large-scale documentation effort *about* India that included ethnographic aspects.
– William Wilson Hunter (A) was appointed to organize a statistical survey of India in 1869 (late 1860s). This project, which led to the creation of the “Statistical Accounts of Bengal” and eventually the “Imperial Gazetteer of India”, involved collecting vast amounts of data on geography, statistics, history, and also socio-cultural aspects, including ethnographic details. While not solely an ethnographer, Hunter initiated this major survey project in the specified timeframe, and his work contained significant ethnographic information.
– Lord Dufferin (B) was a Viceroy (1884-1888) and not an ethnographer or survey initiator in the 1860s.
– Herbert Hope Risley (C) is a prominent ethnographer known for his anthropometric surveys and works like “The Tribes and Castes of Bengal” (1891) and “The People of India” (1908). His major systematic ethnographic work began later than the 1860s.
– Edgar Thurston (D) was another significant ethnographer who worked in South India and published “Castes and Tribes of Southern India” (1909). His work is also from a later period.
Given the timeframe of the 1860s and the options provided, W.W. Hunter is the most plausible figure who initiated a large-scale survey project covering various aspects of India, including ethnographic information, around that period.

Systematic ethnographic surveys became more prominent in British India later in the 19th century, often linked with Census operations, which began collecting detailed socio-ethnic data from 1871 onwards. Risley played a key role in using anthropometry to classify Indian populations during the censuses he supervised. However, Hunter’s initiation of the Statistical Survey in 1869 fits the ‘1860s project’ description better than the major works of Risley or Thurston.

25. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

List-I (Person)	List-II (Political Party)
A. B.R. Ambedkar	1. Pakistan Muslim League
B. Sikander Hayat Khan	2. Krishak Praja Party
C. Fazlul Huq	3. Unionist Party
D. Khaliquzzaman	4. Independent Labour Party

Code :

</p> <table> <tr> <td></td> <td>A</td> <td>B</td> <td>C</td> <td>D</td> </tr> <tr> <td>(a)</td> <td>4</td> <td>2</td> <td>3</td> <td>1</td> </tr> </table> <p>

</p> <table> <tr> <td></td> <td>A</td> <td>B</td> <td>C</td> <td>D</td> </tr> <tr> <td>(b)</td> <td>4</td> <td>3</td> <td>2</td> <td>1</td> </tr> </table> <p>

</p> <table> <tr> <td></td> <td>A</td> <td>B</td> <td>C</td> <td>D</td> </tr> <tr> <td>(c)</td> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> <td>3</td> <td>4</td> </tr> </table> <p>

</p> <table> <tr> <td></td> <td>A</td> <td>B</td> <td>C</td> <td>D</td> </tr> <tr> <td>(d)</td> <td>1</td> <td>3</td> <td>2</td> <td>4</td> </tr> </table> <p>

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2015

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The correct match is A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1.

This question tests knowledge of prominent political figures and the parties they were associated with during the late colonial period in India.

B.R. Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party in 1936 to represent the interests of Dalits and workers. Sikander Hayat Khan was a key leader of the Unionist Party in Punjab. Fazlul Huq was the leader of the Krishak Praja Party in Bengal and served as its Prime Minister. Khaliquzzaman was a prominent leader of the All-India Muslim League.

26. Balgangadhar Tilak was associated with: 1. Poona Sarvajanik Sabha 2. T

Balgangadhar Tilak was associated with:
1. Poona Sarvajanik Sabha
2. The Age of Consent Bill
3. Gaurakshini Sabha
4. Atmiya Sabha

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only

1, 2 and 4

3 and 4

2 and 4 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2015

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Bal Gangadhar Tilak was associated with the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha in his early political career. He was also a prominent figure in the public debate surrounding The Age of Consent Bill (1891), strongly opposing it as interference in Hindu social customs. While he supported the cow protection movement (Gaurakshini Sabha), Atmiya Sabha was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy much earlier and had no association with Tilak. Therefore, 1 and 2 are valid associations. Statement 3 (Gaurakshini Sabha) is also a valid association, but only option A lists 1 and 2 together without incorrect options.

Tilak was a prominent nationalist, social reformer, and lawyer. His association with the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was early in his political activism. His opposition to the Age of Consent Bill was a significant public stance reflecting his conservative social views coupled with nationalist opposition to colonial interference. He was also a proponent of Hindu nationalism, which included supporting cow protection.

Tilak later became a leader of the extremist faction of the Indian National Congress and is known for his slogan “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!”. Atmiya Sabha was founded in 1815 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy for discussing philosophical subjects.

27. Which of the following was / were NOT part/parts of the RIN Mutiny ?

Which of the following was / were NOT part/parts of the RIN Mutiny ?

1. Indian National Army

2. HMIS Talwar

3. Hunger strike by naval ratings

4. Lord Irwin

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 2

2 and 3

1 and 4

4 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2015

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The Indian National Army (INA) and Lord Irwin were not part of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Mutiny. The INA, formed under Japanese patronage during WWII, was active in Southeast Asia. Lord Irwin was Viceroy of India much earlier (1926-1931). The RIN Mutiny occurred in February 1946. HMIS Talwar was the ship where the mutiny originated, and hunger strikes by naval ratings were the initial form of protest.

The RIN Mutiny of 1946 was a significant uprising by Indian naval ratings against British officers, demanding better food, living conditions, and release of INA prisoners, and protesting against racial discrimination. It spread to several ports across India.

The mutiny was suppressed with difficulty but demonstrated the growing nationalist sentiment and contributed to the urgency for British withdrawal from India. Political leaders like Sardar Patel and Maulana Azad played a role in negotiating the surrender of the mutineers.

28. William James, Henry Colebrooke and Nathaniel Halhed had which of the

William James, Henry Colebrooke and Nathaniel Halhed had which of the following common among them ?

They were critics of Indian culture and civilization

They were judges at the courts of the East India Company

They were professors teaching history and society of South Asia

They were linguists who tried to interpret the culture of South Asia to the East India Company

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2014

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Assuming William James is a typo for Sir William Jones, William Jones, Henry Colebrooke, and Nathaniel Halhed were prominent Orientalists during the British rule in India. They were deeply involved in the study of Indian languages (Sanskrit, Bengali, Persian), ancient texts, laws, and literature. Their work aimed at understanding and interpreting Indian culture, legal systems, and history for the East India Company’s administration. They were essentially linguists and scholars who facilitated cultural interpretation.

William Jones, Henry Colebrooke, and Nathaniel Halhed were key figures in the Orientalist tradition in British India, focusing on the study of Indian languages, laws, and texts to interpret the culture for colonial administration.

Sir William Jones (assuming the intended person) was a polyglot and scholar who founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal and famously identified the relationship between Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin. Henry Colebrooke was a Sanskrit scholar and linguist who studied Hindu law, astronomy, and philosophy. Nathaniel Halhed was an administrator and Orientalist known for translating a digest of Hindu law (A Code of Gentoo Laws) and writing a Bengali grammar. While Jones and Colebrooke served as judges (Option B), Halhed’s primary role was administrative and linguistic translation. Their most significant commonality was their work as linguists and interpreters of Indian culture through its texts and languages (Option D). They were not primarily critics (A) like James Mill, nor were they university professors in the modern sense (C).

29. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List-I (Individual)	List-II (Organization)
A. Bhagat Singh	1. Congress
B. Swami Sahajananda	2. Hindustan Socialist Republic Association
C. G. K. Gokhale	3. All India Trade Union Congress
D. S. A. Dange	4. All India Kisan Sabha

Code :

A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2012

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Matching the individuals with their respective organizations:
A. Bhagat Singh was a prominent member of the Hindustan Socialist Republic Association (HSRA).
B. Swami Sahajananda Saraswati was the founder of the All India Kisan Sabha.
C. G. K. Gokhale was a leading moderate leader of the Indian National Congress and founded the Servants of India Society.
D. S. A. Dange was a founding member of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and a prominent communist leader.
Thus, the correct match is A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3.

Knowledge of prominent personalities of the Indian independence movement and their associated organizations is essential.

The Hindustan Socialist Republic Association was a revolutionary organization founded in 1928. The All India Kisan Sabha was formed in 1936 to address peasant issues. The Indian National Congress was the premier political organization leading the independence movement. The All India Trade Union Congress was formed in 1920 and is one of the oldest trade union federations in India.

30. Consider the following events in the history of Indian freedom struggl

Consider the following events in the history of Indian freedom struggle:
1. Champaran Satyagraha
2. Bardoli Satyagraha
3. Ahmedabad Mill Workers Strike
4. Chauri-Chaura Incident
Which one of the following is a correct chronological sequence of the above events starting from the earliest?

1-3-2-4

1-2-4-3

1-3-4-2

3-1-2-4

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

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The correct chronological sequence of the given events is Champaran Satyagraha (1917), Ahmedabad Mill Workers Strike (1918), Chauri-Chaura Incident (1922), and Bardoli Satyagraha (1928). Thus, the sequence is 1-3-4-2.

– Champaran Satyagraha was Gandhi’s first Satyagraha movement in India, initiated in 1917 against the oppressive indigo plantation system.
– Ahmedabad Mill Workers Strike took place in March 1918, where Gandhi used fast-unto-death for the first time in India to support the workers’ demand for increased wages.
– The Chauri-Chaura Incident occurred on February 4, 1922, where a violent clash led to the death of policemen, prompting Gandhi to suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement.
– The Bardoli Satyagraha was a peasant movement led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1928 against the arbitrary increase in land revenue.

These events represent significant milestones in the Indian freedom struggle, demonstrating different forms of resistance and the evolving leadership of figures like Gandhi and Patel.