Modern History of India

161. Who among the following was the first non-official member to be electe

Who among the following was the first non-official member to be elected as Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly on 24-8-1925 ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Vithalbhai J Patel” option2=”Muhammad Yakub” option3=”G. V. Mavalankar” option4=”Sardar Hukum Singh” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is (A) Vithalbhai J Patel.
Vithalbhai J. Patel was elected as the first non-official Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly on August 24, 1925. The Central Legislative Assembly was the lower house of the Indian Legislature during the British Raj. Previously, the presiding officers (Presidents) were usually officials nominated by the government. Patel’s election was a significant political event, demonstrating the growing influence of Indian nationalist leaders within the legislative framework provided by the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (Government of India Act, 1919).
Muhammad Yakub later served as Speaker (President) after Vithalbhai Patel. G.V. Mavalankar was the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha (post-independence). Sardar Hukum Singh was also a Speaker of the Lok Sabha, serving later. Vithalbhai Patel’s election marked a crucial step towards Indian control over the legislative process.

162. On which one of the following conditions did the Marathas agree to ser

On which one of the following conditions did the Marathas agree to serve the Mughal king with a cavalry contingent of 15,000 in the early 18th century ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Grant of the jagir of Malwa province” option2=”Control of the resources of Gujarat” option3=”The right to levy chauth and sardeshmukhi in the Deccan and South India” option4=”The right to mint coins in their own name” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is (C) The right to levy chauth and sardeshmukhi in the Deccan and South India.
In the early 18th century, particularly after the decline of Aurangzeb and during the reign of his successors, the Mughal Empire struggled to contain the Marathas. Through negotiations and military pressure, the Marathas, under leaders like Shahu, secured the right to collect chauth (one-fourth of the revenue) and sardeshmukhi (an additional tenth) from the six subahs (provinces) of the Deccan, including Mysore, Trichinopoly, and Tanjore in South India. This right was formally granted by the Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar in 1719 through a treaty negotiated by the Syed Brothers, in exchange for military service and maintaining order in the Deccan. The cavalry contingent of 15,000 likely refers to the obligation associated with these rights, where the Marathas were to provide troops for the Mughal Emperor when needed.
While the Marathas aimed for control over territories like Malwa and Gujarat later, the primary condition under which they formally agreed to serve the Mughal king with a contingent in the early 18th century was the grant of revenue rights (chauth and sardeshmukhi) in the Deccan. This grant effectively legitimized the Maratha’s financial claims over vast territories nominally under Mughal control and was a major step in their rise to power. The right to mint coins in their own name was a symbol of sovereignty which they achieved much later, not as a condition for serving the Mughals.

163. Which among the following statements about Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha

Which among the following statements about Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha is/are correct ?

  • It was during the course of his campaign against racialism in South Africa that Gandhiji first applied Satyagraha
  • The two vital ingredients of Satyagraha are ‘truth’ and ‘non-violence’
  • The Satyagrahi resists evil by inflicting suffering on himself and not by inflicting suffering on the opponent
  • In India, Satyagraha was first tried by Gandhiji in Champaran

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

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Let’s examine each statement about Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha:
1. It was during the course of his campaign against racialism in South Africa that Gandhiji first applied Satyagraha: Correct. Gandhi coined the term ‘Satyagraha’ and developed its philosophy and techniques during his struggle against racial discrimination and unjust laws faced by Indians in South Africa between 1893 and 1914.
2. The two vital ingredients of Satyagraha are ‘truth’ and ‘non-violence’: Correct. Satyagraha literally means “holding onto truth” (Satya = truth, Agraha = holding firmly to). Ahimsa (non-violence) is the indispensable means or method through which truth is pursued and attained in Satyagraha.
3. The Satyagrahi resists evil by inflicting suffering on himself and not by inflicting suffering on the opponent: Correct. A core principle of Satyagraha is that the resister voluntarily accepts suffering (tapasya) to appeal to the conscience of the oppressor and expose the injustice, rather than resorting to violence which causes suffering to the opponent.
4. In India, Satyagraha was first tried by Gandhiji in Champaran: Correct. After returning to India in 1915, Gandhi’s first major public appearance was at the Benares Hindu University in 1916. His first application of Satyagraha as a tool for protest in India was in the Champaran district of Bihar in 1917, against the oppressive indigo cultivation system.
All four statements are correct.
– Satyagraha was developed in South Africa.
– Its pillars are truth and non-violence.
– Self-suffering is a key tactic.
– Champaran was the first Satyagraha movement in India led by Gandhi.
Satyagraha was a novel approach to passive resistance, emphasizing courage, moral force, and an active search for truth. It differed from mere passive resistance in its focus on positive action and moral persuasion rather than simply obstructing the opponent. Gandhi later successfully employed Satyagraha in various movements in India, including Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918), Kheda Satyagraha (1918), Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34), and Quit India Movement (1942).

164. Which of the following statements about the Arya Samaj which emerged i

Which of the following statements about the Arya Samaj which emerged in the late 19th century are correct ?

  • Had a very strong support base amongst the trading castes
  • Introduced ‘shuddhi’ or mass purification
  • The moderates in the Arya Samaj were headed by Hans Raj and Lajpat Rai and set up a chain of Dayanand Anglo-Vedic colleges
  • The Arya Samaj had fewer members than the Brahmo Samaj

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

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Let’s evaluate each statement about the Arya Samaj:
1. Had a very strong support base amongst the trading castes: Correct. The Arya Samaj was particularly influential among the commercial and trading castes (like Khatris and Aroras) in Punjab and other parts of North India.
2. Introduced ‘shuddhi’ or mass purification: Correct. The Arya Samaj initiated the Shuddhi movement aimed at reconverting people who had converted from Hinduism to Islam or Christianity, thus purifying them and bringing them back into the Hindu fold.
3. The moderates in the Arya Samaj were headed by Hans Raj and Lajpat Rai and set up a chain of Dayanand Anglo-Vedic colleges: Correct. After Dayanand’s death, the Arya Samaj split into two groups: the ‘College Party’ or moderates, led by Lala Hans Raj and Lala Lajpat Rai, who favoured Western education alongside traditional Hindu teachings and established the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) schools and colleges; and the ‘Gurukul Party’ or traditionalists, led by Swami Shraddhanand, who advocated for traditional Indian education (Gurukul system).
4. The Arya Samaj had fewer members than the Brahmo Samaj: Incorrect. While Brahmo Samaj was a pioneering reform movement, Arya Samaj, with its more assertive and revivalist approach, gained a much wider following, especially in North India, and became significantly larger than Brahmo Samaj.
Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct.
– Arya Samaj was a Hindu reform movement founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
– Key aspects include monotheism, rejection of idolatry, caste system rigidity, and opposition to Puranic Hinduism.
– The Shuddhi movement was a significant activity.
– A split occurred based on approach to education.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s slogan “Go back to the Vedas” was central to the Arya Samaj’s philosophy, advocating for a return to the purity of Vedic religion while rejecting later developments. The movement significantly contributed to social reform, education, and a sense of Hindu identity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

165. Who among the following were jailed in the Kanpur Bolshevik conspiracy

Who among the following were jailed in the Kanpur Bolshevik conspiracy case in 1924 ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Muzaffar Ahmad, S. A. Dange, Shaukat Usmani, Nalini Gupta” option2=”Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Usmani” option3=”S. A. Dange and S. V. Ghate” option4=”Muzaffar Ahmad and S. S. Mirajkar” correct=”option1″]

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The Kanpur Bolshevik conspiracy case in 1924 was a controversial trial initiated by the British government against early communist leaders in India. The main individuals accused and subsequently jailed in this case were Muzaffar Ahmad, S. A. Dange, Shaukat Usmani, and Nalini Gupta. These individuals were pioneers of the communist movement in India and were charged with conspiracy to wage war against the King-Emperor.
– The case targeted prominent early communists in India.
– The objective was to suppress the burgeoning communist movement.
Several other individuals were named in the FIR but were not arrested or tried, including M.N. Roy. The case brought national attention to the communist movement and its leaders, despite being seen by many as a politically motivated trial intended to curb anti-colonial activities linked to socialist or communist ideas.

166. Why was the Sittar poetry of Tayayumanavar famous ?

Why was the Sittar poetry of Tayayumanavar famous ?

[amp_mcq option1=”The writings were nationalist compositions” option2=”The writings were romantic epics” option3=”The writings were devotional songs” option4=”The writings were protests against the caste system” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is C) The writings were devotional songs. Tayayumanavar was a prominent Tamil spiritual philosopher and poet whose works are primarily celebrated for their devotional and philosophical depth, focusing on the nature of God and the path to spiritual liberation.
– Tayayumanavar (1705-1742) is considered one of the important figures in the Tamil Siddhar tradition.
– His poems are deeply philosophical and devotional, expressing the Advaita Vedanta philosophy mixed with Saiva Siddhanta.
– His works are widely read and sung as devotional hymns, emphasizing universalism and inner spiritual experience.
While the Siddhar tradition often involved critiques of societal norms including caste from a spiritual perspective, Tayayumanavar’s primary fame and the defining characteristic of his poetry are their devotional and philosophical nature, aimed at guiding seekers towards spiritual truth.

167. Arrange the establishment of the following in a chronological order (s

Arrange the establishment of the following in a chronological order (starting with the earliest) :

  • 1. The East India Association
  • 2. The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha
  • 3. The Madras Mahajan Sabha
  • 4. The Bombay Presidency Association

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

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The correct answer is A) 1, 2, 3, 4. The chronological order of the establishment of these organizations is: East India Association (1866), Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1870), Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884), and Bombay Presidency Association (1885).
– The East India Association was founded by Dadabhai Naoroji in London in 1866. Its objective was to discuss the Indian question and influence British public opinion.
– The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was founded in 1870 in Pune to represent the grievances of the people of the Deccan region to the government.
– The Madras Mahajan Sabha was founded in 1884 by M. Veeraraghavachariar, G. Subramania Iyer, and P. Anandacharlu in Madras.
– The Bombay Presidency Association was founded in 1885 by Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozeshah Mehta, and K.T. Telang in Bombay, shortly before the Indian National Congress.
These associations were important precursors to the Indian National Congress (founded in 1885) and played a crucial role in fostering political consciousness and organizing nationalist activities at the regional level before the emergence of a national body.

168. Why was Vasudeo Balwant Phadke known in history ?

Why was Vasudeo Balwant Phadke known in history ?

[amp_mcq option1=”He led a violent struggle against the British during the revolt of 1857″ option2=”He was a critic of Gandhian struggle” option3=”He led an armed uprising against the British in the 1870s” option4=”He was a radical leader of the Indian National Congress” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is C) He led an armed uprising against the British in the 1870s. Vasudeo Balwant Phadke was an Indian revolutionary who organized an armed rebellion against the British in the Bombay Presidency during the famine of 1876-77.
– Vasudeo Balwant Phadke (1845-1883) was a revolutionary from Maharashtra.
– He organized the Ramoshi peasant community into a rebel group due to the severe distress caused by famines and the indifference of the British government.
– He aimed to overthrow British rule through armed struggle. His rebellion in the 1870s was an early instance of organized armed resistance after the 1857 revolt.
Phadke’s efforts are considered a precursor to later revolutionary activities in India. He is often referred to as the ‘Father of the Indian Armed Rebellion’. He was eventually captured, tried, and sentenced to life imprisonment in Aden, where he died.

169. Why did the early nationalists oppose the Council Act of 1892 ?

Why did the early nationalists oppose the Council Act of 1892 ?

[amp_mcq option1=”The number of members of the Imperial Legislative Council was increased” option2=”The number of members of Provincial Councils was increased” option3=”The Councils were given the right to discuss the annual budgets” option4=”The Act did not give the Indians control over the public funds” correct=”option4″]

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The correct answer is D) The Act did not give the Indians control over the public funds. Early nationalists opposed the Indian Councils Act of 1892 because, despite some concessions like increasing members and allowing budget discussion, it did not grant real power or control over financial matters to the elected Indian members.
– The Indian Councils Act of 1892 increased the number of additional members in the Imperial and Provincial Legislative Councils.
– It introduced the principle of representation, albeit through indirect elections for a section of members.
– It granted the members the right to discuss the annual budget (though not to vote on it or move resolutions on it) and to ask questions on matters of public interest.
– Early nationalists criticized the Act as inadequate because it did not give Indians effective control over legislative or financial matters, the majority of members remained official nominees, and the system of ‘election’ was indirect and limited.
The opposition stemmed from the nationalist demand for greater Indian participation and control in the administration and finances of the country. The Act of 1892 was seen as a grudging concession rather than a significant step towards self-governance or representative government with real power.

170. Which of the following statements about Prarthana Samaj are correct ?

Which of the following statements about Prarthana Samaj are correct ?

  • 1. Its aim was to reform the Hindu society
  • 2. It was based in Maharashtra
  • 3. It believed in monotheism
  • 4. It had greatly influenced the Brahmo Samaj

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

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The correct answer is C) 1, 2 and 3. The Prarthana Samaj was founded with the aim to reform Hindu society, it was based in Maharashtra (Bombay), and it believed in monotheism. Statement 4 is incorrect as the Brahmo Samaj predated and influenced the Prarthana Samaj, not the other way around.
– The Prarthana Samaj was established in 1867 in Bombay (now Mumbai) by Dadoba Pandurang and his brother Atmaram Pandurang.
– Prominent leaders later associated with it included M.G. Ranade, R.G. Bhandarkar, and N.G. Chandavarkar.
– Its main aims were social and religious reforms within Hinduism, such as opposition to caste system, advocacy for widow remarriage and female education, and promotion of monotheistic worship.
– It was inspired by the Brahmo Samaj but focused more on social reform in Western India.
The Prarthana Samaj played a significant role in the socio-religious reform movements in Western India during the 19th century. While it was influenced by the intellectual and spiritual ideas of the Brahmo Samaj, it maintained its distinct identity and focus on practical social reforms.
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