Modern History of India Archives

121. Consider the following statements: 1. The first woman President of t

Consider the following statements:

1. The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini Naidu.
2. The first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress was Badruddin Tyabji.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option2″]

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Statement 1 is incorrect. The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Annie Besant, who presided over the Calcutta session in 1917. Sarojini Naidu was the first *Indian* woman President, presiding over the Kanpur session in 1925.
Statement 2 is correct. Badruddin Tyabji was the third President of the Indian National Congress and the first Muslim President. He presided over the Madras session in 1887.
Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.

– Annie Besant was the first woman INC President.
– Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman INC President.
– Badruddin Tyabji was the first Muslim INC President.

The first President of the Indian National Congress was W.C. Bonnerjee (1885). The second President was Dadabhai Naoroji (1886).

122. Who of the following organized a march on the Tanjore coast to break t

Who of the following organized a march on the Tanjore coast to break the Salt Law in April 1930?

[amp_mcq option1=”V. O. Chidambaram Pillai” option2=”C. Rajagopalachari” option3=”K. Kamaraj” option4=”Annie Besant” correct=”option2″]

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During the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930, parallel to Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi March, C. Rajagopalachari (C.R.) organized and led a salt march in Tamil Nadu. The march started from Tiruchirappalli to Vedaranyam on the Tanjore (Thanjavur) coast to break the salt law.

– C. Rajagopalachari led the Salt Satyagraha in Tamil Nadu in 1930.
– The march was from Tiruchirappalli to Vedaranyam on the Tanjore coast.
– This was part of the wider Civil Disobedience Movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi.

V. O. Chidambaram Pillai was a freedom fighter associated with Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company and the Swadeshi movement in Tamil Nadu, but not the 1930 salt march. K. Kamaraj was a prominent Congress leader and later Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, but his significant role was in post-independence politics and the freedom movement in general, not this specific event. Annie Besant was a key figure in the Home Rule Movement, earlier than the Civil Disobedience Movement.

123. The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined

The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined

[amp_mcq option1=”the separation of power between the judiciary and the legislature” option2=”the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments” option3=”the powers of the Secretary of State for India and the Viceroy” option4=”None of the above” correct=”option2″]

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The correct option is B. The Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) clearly defined the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments by dividing the subjects of administration into central and provincial lists.

– The 1919 Act introduced a scheme of ‘dyarchy’ in the provinces, dividing provincial subjects into ‘transferred’ and ‘reserved’.
– It clearly demarcated the subjects handled by the central government and those handled by the provincial governments. This division of subjects essentially defined their respective jurisdictions.

The Act did not define a clear separation of power between the judiciary and the legislature in the modern sense. While it brought about significant changes in the legislative and executive structures at the centre and provinces, its primary innovation regarding the distribution of powers was the distinction between central and provincial spheres of governance through subject lists.

124. With reference to Congress Socialist Party, consider the following sta

With reference to Congress Socialist Party, consider the following statements:

It advocated the boycott of British goods and evasion of taxes.
It wanted to establish the dictatorship of proletariat.
It advocated separate electorate for minorities and oppressed classes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”3 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3″ option4=”None” correct=”option4″]

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None of the statements correctly describes the Congress Socialist Party (CSP).

The CSP was founded within the Indian National Congress and represented a socialist faction. They advocated for democratic socialism, land reforms, nationalization of key industries, and participation in the freedom struggle.

Statement 1: While CSP members participated in the freedom struggle which included boycotts and civil disobedience, “advocated the boycott of British goods and evasion of taxes” is not a complete or defining characteristic of the CSP compared to other factions within the Congress. Their primary focus was on achieving independence through nationalist movement and establishing a socialist society thereafter.
Statement 2: The CSP explicitly rejected the idea of the dictatorship of the proletariat, distinguishing themselves from communist parties. They believed in democratic methods for achieving socialism.
Statement 3: The CSP was committed to a secular and united India. They were staunch opponents of separate electorates and communal politics, advocating for the upliftment of all oppressed sections within a unified national framework.
Therefore, none of the statements accurately reflect the core ideology or positions of the Congress Socialist Party.

125. Who of the following was/were economic critic/critics of colonialism i

Who of the following was/were economic critic/critics of colonialism in India?

1. Dadabhai Naoroji
2. G. Subramania Iyer
3. R. C. Dutt

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

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All three individuals listed – Dadabhai Naoroji, G. Subramania Iyer, and R. C. Dutt – were prominent economic critics of British colonialism in India.

These figures belonged to the early nationalist phase and extensively analyzed and critiqued the economic impact of British rule. They argued that British policies were designed to extract wealth from India (the “drain of wealth”) and were responsible for India’s poverty and deindustrialization.

Dadabhai Naoroji is famous for propounding the ‘Drain Theory’. R. C. Dutt authored “The Economic History of India under Early British Rule”, a detailed critique of British economic policies. G. Subramania Iyer, a founder of ‘The Hindu’, also wrote extensively on the economic plight of India under British rule. Their work laid the intellectual foundation for economic nationalism and influenced subsequent generations of Indian leaders.

126. With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statement

With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the ‘Sedition Committee’.
2. In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League.
3. Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

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Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect regarding the Rowlatt Satyagraha.

The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was indeed based on the recommendations of the Sedition Committee, headed by Justice S.A.T. Rowlatt, which investigated ‘revolutionary crime’ in India (Statement 1 is correct). Mahatma Gandhi launched the Rowlatt Satyagraha against this act and utilized the widespread network and existing infrastructure of the Home Rule League to organize protests and demonstrations across India (Statement 2 is correct). The Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928, almost a decade after the Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919), so demonstrations against it did not coincide with the Rowlatt Satyagraha (Statement 3 is incorrect).

The Rowlatt Act authorized the government to imprison any person without trial and conviction in a court of law, which was seen as a denial of civil liberties. The protests against it were widespread and marked the beginning of a new phase of mass mobilization in the Indian independence movement under Gandhi’s leadership. The Simon Commission faced protests because it was an all-British commission tasked with reviewing the constitutional progress in India, with no Indian representation.

127. What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (185

What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)?

1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States
2. To place the Indian administra- tion under the British Crown
3. To regulate East India Company’s trade with India

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

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Queen Victoria’s Proclamation of 1858 was issued following the suppression of the Indian Mutiny of 1857. Its main objectives were to formally transfer the administration of India from the East India Company to the British Crown and to address the grievances and concerns raised by the Revolt.
Let’s evaluate the statements:
1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States: The Proclamation promised the Indian princes that their territories would not be annexed and that the British Crown would respect their dignity and honour. This was a key objective.
2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown: The Government of India Act 1858, which preceded the Proclamation, abolished the East India Company and transferred governing powers to the Crown. The Proclamation announced this change and outlined the new relationship. This was a key objective.
3. To regulate East India Company’s trade with India: By 1858, the East India Company had largely ceased its commercial activities and was primarily an administrative body. The focus of the Proclamation was on governance and political relations, not regulating the Company’s trade. This was not an object of the proclamation.
Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

– The Proclamation is often referred to as the ‘Magna Carta of the Indian people’, although its promises were not always kept.
– It marked the beginning of direct British rule (the British Raj) in India.
– It also announced a policy of religious neutrality and equal treatment for all subjects, irrespective of race or creed (though implementation was often discriminatory).

The Proclamation aimed to conciliate the Indian ruling class and population after the upheaval of 1857, signaling a shift in British policy from annexation and reform towards consolidation and maintaining the status quo with the native states.

128. The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a

The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a

[amp_mcq option1=”revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco” option2=”nationalist organization operating from Singapore” option3=”militant organization with headquarters at Berlin” option4=”communist movement for India’s freedom with headquarters at Tashkent” correct=”option1″]

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The Ghadr (Ghadar) Party was a revolutionary organization formed by Indians in the United States and Canada in the early 20th century with the aim of liberating India from British rule. Its headquarters were located in San Francisco, USA.

– The Ghadar Party was primarily composed of Punjabi Sikhs.
– It advocated armed revolution against British rule in India.
– Its newspaper, ‘The Ghadar’, was published in multiple languages and disseminated revolutionary ideas.

The party was founded in 1913 by Lala Hardayal and others. While based primarily in North America, it had members and sympathizers in various parts of the world, including other parts of Asia and Europe, and attempted to coordinate activities with other nationalist groups.

129. The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the

The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the

[amp_mcq option1=”attainment of Self-Government was declared as the objective of the Congress” option2=”attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress” option3=”Non-Cooperation Movement was launched” option4=”decision to participate in the Round Table Conference in London was taken” correct=”option2″]

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The 1929 Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress, presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru, is highly significant because it was there that the Congress adopted ‘Poorna Swaraj’ (complete independence) as its ultimate goal. A resolution was passed declaring that the aim of the Congress was the attainment of Poorna Swaraj.

– The session was held in Lahore in 1929.
– Jawaharlal Nehru was the president of the session.
– The Declaration of Poorna Swaraj was passed.
– January 26, 1930, was designated as the first Poorna Swaraj Day.

Prior to 1929, the demand was often for ‘Swaraj’ or self-government within the British Empire. The Lahore session marked a radical shift in the stance of the Indian National Congress, demanding complete separation from British rule.

130. The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until

The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until

[amp_mcq option1=”the First World War when Indian troops were needed by the British and the partition was ended” option2=”King George V abrogated Curzon’s Act at the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911″ option3=”Gandhiji launched his Civil Disobedience Movement” option4=”the Partition of India in 1947 when East Bengal became East Pakistan” correct=”option2″]

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The Partition of Bengal, enacted by Lord Curzon in 1905, did not last until the First World War or the Partition of India in 1947. It was annulled in 1911. The annulment was announced by King George V at the Delhi Durbar on December 12, 1911, in response to widespread protests and the Swadeshi movement.

– The Partition of Bengal was implemented in 1905 by Lord Curzon.
– It led to significant political unrest and the launch of the Swadeshi movement.
– The partition was revoked in 1911.
– The decision to annul was announced at the Delhi Durbar.

Upon annulment, Bengal was reunified, but new provincial boundaries were created; Bihar and Orissa were separated from Bengal, and Assam became a separate province. The capital of British India was also shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911.