Modern History: Miscellaneous

Consider the following events leading to the Indian Independence :

• 1. Lucknow Pact
• 2. Return of Subhash Chandra Bose to India
• 3. Cripps Mission
• 4. Naval Mutiny in Bombay

Select the chronological sequence of these events (earliest to latest) from the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”4, 3, 2, 1″ option2=”3, 4, 2, 1″ option3=”1, 2, 3, 4″ option4=”2, 1, 3, 4″ correct=”option3″]

Let’s place the events in their chronological order:
1. Lucknow Pact: Signed in December 1916.
2. Return of Subhash Chandra Bose to India: Subhash Chandra Bose resigned from the Indian Civil Service in 1921 and returned to India to join the national movement.
3. Cripps Mission: Sent by the British government to India in March 1942 to secure Indian support during World War II.
4. Naval Mutiny in Bombay: Occurred in February 1946, involving ratings of the Royal Indian Navy.
The chronological sequence is therefore 1 (1916), 2 (1921), 3 (1942), 4 (1946). This matches option C.

These events represent significant milestones in India’s struggle for independence, reflecting shifts in political alliances, growing nationalist activity, and increasing pressure on the British government.

The Lucknow Pact was an agreement between the Congress and the Muslim League, and also saw the reunion of the moderate and extremist factions of the Congress. The Cripps Mission failed due to disagreements over the nature of India’s future government and defence. The Naval Mutiny was one of the final major revolts against British authority before independence.

The British policy towards Afghanistan in the first half of the 19th century aimed at

[amp_mcq option1=”Strengthening Afghanistan as a buffer against Russia.” option2=”Weakening Russian influence in Afghanistan but not promoting a strong Afghanistan either.” option3=”Promoting Russian influence in Afghanistan to control insurgent tribal leaders.” option4=”Annexing Afghanistan as a directly-controlled British Territory.” correct=”option2″]

In the first half of the 19th century, during the period known as the “Great Game,” British policy towards Afghanistan was primarily driven by the need to protect British India from potential Russian expansion. Therefore, the main objective was to strengthen Afghanistan as a buffer state that would prevent Russia from directly threatening the Indian frontier.

– The “Great Game” was a strategic rivalry between the British Empire and the Russian Empire for supremacy in Central Asia.
– Afghanistan’s geographical location made it a crucial barrier between the two empires’ spheres of influence.

British attempts to control Afghanistan’s foreign policy and install rulers favorable to their interests led to the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842). Despite setbacks, the long-term policy remained centered on maintaining Afghanistan’s independence or at least ensuring it was not under Russian control.

Who among the following formed the National Liberation Federation (Liberal Party)?

[amp_mcq option1=”Motilal Nehru and C. R. Das” option2=”Muhammad Ali and C. R. Das” option3=”T. B. Sapru and M. R. Jayakar” option4=”M. R. Jayakar and C. R. Das” correct=”option3″]

The National Liberation Federation (Liberal Party) was formed by Moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress who disagreed with the methods and goals of the Extremists and, later, Mahatma Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement. Prominent figures who formed this federation after leaving the Congress in 1918 included Surendranath Banerjea, Tej Bahadur Sapru, V. S. Srinivasa Sastri, and M. R. Jayakar.

The Liberal Party advocated for constitutional methods and gradual progress towards self-government, distinguishing themselves from the more radical approaches gaining prominence in the Congress after Gandhi’s rise.

Motilal Nehru and C. R. Das were leaders of the Swaraj Party, which emerged from within the Congress after differences over council entry following the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement. Muhammad Ali was a prominent leader of the Khilafat Movement and the Congress.

Who among the following formed the Seva Samiti Boy Scouts Association in 1914?

[amp_mcq option1=”Hriday Nath Kunzru” option2=”S. G. Vaze” option3=”Annie Besant” option4=”Shri Ram Bajpai” correct=”option1″]

The Seva Samiti Boy Scouts Association was formed in 1914 as a nationalist alternative to the colonial Boy Scouts movement, which primarily catered to British and Anglo-Indian boys. Shri Ram Bajpai is widely credited as the founder of the Seva Samiti Scout Association, working under the umbrella of the Seva Samiti founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Pandit Hriday Nath Kunzru also played a crucial role in its establishment and served as its President. However, Shri Ram Bajpai was the pioneering figure who initiated and led the movement, often referred to as the father of Indian Scouting.

The formation of the Seva Samiti Boy Scouts Association was part of the wider nationalist movement aiming to instill discipline, service, and national pride among Indian youth.

The Seva Samiti was founded in Allahabad by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1910. The Seva Samiti Scout Association aimed at training youth in social service and self-reliance. Shri Ram Bajpai developed the syllabus and training methods suited for Indian conditions and values.

Arrange the following in the chronological order of their implementation :

1. The Indian Factory Act (First)
2. The Vernacular Press Act
3. The Morley-Minto Reforms
4. The Cornwallis Code

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

[amp_mcq option1=”4, 2, 1, 3″ option2=”2, 4, 1, 3″ option3=”3, 4, 1, 2″ option4=”2, 1, 3, 4″ correct=”option1″]

Arranging the given acts/reforms chronologically based on their enactment year:

1. The Cornwallis Code was enacted in 1793.
2. The Vernacular Press Act was passed in 1878.
3. The First Indian Factory Act was enacted in 1881.
4. The Morley-Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act) were enacted in 1909.

The chronological order is thus 4 (1793), 2 (1878), 1 (1881), 3 (1909).

Who among the following was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army of independent India?

[amp_mcq option1=”S. M. Srinagesh” option2=”K. M. Cariappa” option3=”K. S. Thimayya” option4=”K. S. Rajendrasinhji” correct=”option2″]

General K. M. Cariappa was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army of independent India.

– On 15 January 1949, General K. M. Cariappa took over as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from its last British Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Francis Butcher. This day is celebrated as Army Day in India.

– K. M. Cariappa was the first Indian officer to be appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. He was later elevated to the rank of Field Marshal in 1986. S. M. Srinagesh, K. S. Thimayya, and K. S. Rajendrasinhji were also prominent Indian Army chiefs who succeeded Cariappa.