Modern History of India

31. Which one of the following Acts provided for the inclusion of certain

Which one of the following Acts provided for the inclusion of certain additional ‘non-official’ members in the Executive Council of the Governor-General for the first time?

The Indian Councils Act, 1861
The Government of India Act, 1919
The Government of India Act, 1858
The Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
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The Indian Councils Act, 1861 provided for the inclusion of certain additional ‘non-official’ members in the Governor-General’s Council for legislative purposes for the first time. While the question mentions “Executive Council”, the 1861 Act introduced the concept of associating non-officials (Indians) with the legislative functions of the Governor-General’s Council.
The Act of 1861 initiated a system of involving Indians in the process of law-making through nomination of non-official members to the Legislative Council.
The Governor-General was empowered to nominate not less than six and not more than twelve additional members, of whom not less than half were to be non-official members, for the purpose of legislation. This Act also restored the legislative powers of the Bombay and Madras Presidencies.

32. In 1942, the Prati Sarkar was started in

In 1942, the Prati Sarkar was started in

Belgaum in Karnataka
Chittagong in Bengal
Guntur in Andhra Pradesh
Satara in Maharashtra
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In 1942, the Prati Sarkar (parallel government) was started in Satara in Maharashtra.
– During the Quit India Movement of 1942, various forms of ‘parallel governments’ or ‘Prati Sarkars’ were established in several parts of India by nationalist activists who had gone underground.
– Prominent examples include the Prati Sarkar in Satara district, Maharashtra (led by leaders like Nana Patil and Y.B. Chavan), the Jatiya Sarkar in Tamluk, Midnapore district, Bengal (led by figures like Satish Chandra Samanta and Ajoy Mukherjee), and the government in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh (under Chittu Pandey for a short period).
– The Prati Sarkar in Satara was one of the most significant and long-lasting, operating for several years and undertaking constructive work as well as revolutionary activities.
These parallel governments aimed to undermine British authority, carry out local administration, dispense justice, and organize resistance, representing a significant phase of popular defiance during the Quit India Movement. Chittagong is famous for the 1930 armoury raid, not a 1942 parallel government. While activities happened in Belgaum and Guntur during Quit India, Satara’s Prati Sarkar is the most widely recognized example of this phenomenon from 1942.

33. The Asiatic Society of Bengal’ was founded by Sir William Jones in the

The Asiatic Society of Bengal’ was founded by Sir William Jones in the year

1782
1784
1786
1791
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The Asiatic Society of Bengal was founded by Sir William Jones in the year 1784.
– Sir William Jones, with the support of Warren Hastings (the then Governor-General of Bengal), founded the Asiatic Society in Calcutta on January 15, 1784.
– The society was established with the aim of promoting Oriental studies and conducting research into the history, antiquities, arts, sciences, and literature of Asia.
– It played a crucial role in unlocking India’s ancient past by translating and studying numerous Sanskrit and other Oriental texts.
The founding of the Asiatic Society marked the beginning of systematic Oriental scholarship in British India and was instrumental in creating a greater understanding of Indian culture and history among European scholars. Its publications, particularly the journal *Asiatick Researches*, were highly influential.

34. Who among the following translated the Manusmriti into English for the

Who among the following translated the Manusmriti into English for the first time?

Sir William Jones
Charles Wilkins
N. B. Halhed
Warren Hastings
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Sir William Jones translated the Manusmriti into English for the first time.
– Sir William Jones (1746-1794) was a British philologist, jurist, and scholar of ancient India. He founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784.
– He was a pioneer in the study of Sanskrit and translated several important Indian texts.
– His translation of the *Manu Smriti* (or *Laws of Manu*) titled “Institutes of Hindu Law, or, the Ordinances of Menu” was published in 1794. This was the first complete English translation of this ancient legal and social treatise.
– Charles Wilkins translated the Bhagavad Gita and the Hitopadesha into English. N. B. Halhed translated the Code of Gentoo Laws (a compilation of Hindu laws based on various texts) into English. Warren Hastings encouraged such translations and studies but did not perform the translation himself.
Sir William Jones’s work was crucial in introducing ancient Indian literature, philosophy, and legal systems to the Western world and played a significant role in the development of Oriental studies. He is also known for observing the linguistic similarities between Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin, laying the foundation for comparative linguistics.

35. In 1922, who referred to Lenin as ‘the Dear Leader of the Kisans’?

In 1922, who referred to Lenin as ‘the Dear Leader of the Kisans’?

Swami Vidyananda
Swami Sahajananda
Baba Ramchandra
Jawaharlal Nehru
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In 1922, Baba Ramchandra referred to Lenin as ‘the Dear Leader of the Kisans’.
– Baba Ramchandra was a leading figure in the kisan (peasant) movement in Awadh during the early 1920s, particularly around 1920-1921.
– While primarily involved in the struggle against talukdars and landlords, he was influenced by nationalist ideas and, reflecting the revolutionary atmosphere of the time and the impact of the Russian Revolution, reportedly incorporated references to figures like Lenin in his speeches to mobilize peasants, portraying them as leaders of peasant/worker struggles globally.
– This specific phrase is attributed to Baba Ramchandra in historical accounts detailing the peasant movements in Awadh during this period.
Swami Sahajananda Saraswati was a prominent leader of peasant movements, but his major activities and the formation of the All India Kisan Sabha were later in the 1930s. Swami Vidyananda was also active in peasant movements in Bihar. Jawaharlal Nehru had connections with peasant movements but the specific quote referencing Lenin in this manner is associated with Baba Ramchandra.

36. The basis of the failed Gandhi-Jinnah Talks of 1944 was

The basis of the failed Gandhi-Jinnah Talks of 1944 was

Wavell Plan
Partition of India
Rajagopalachari Formula
Cabinet Mission Proposals
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The basis of the failed Gandhi-Jinnah Talks of 1944 was the Rajagopalachari Formula.
– C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) proposed a formula in March 1944 to resolve the political deadlock between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, particularly regarding the issue of Pakistan.
– The ‘Rajaji Formula’ suggested that the Muslim League should support the Congress demand for complete independence. After the transfer of power, a plebiscite would be held in Muslim-majority districts in the North-West and North-East of India to decide whether they wished to form a separate sovereign state. If separation was agreed upon, agreements would be made on subjects like defence, commerce, communications, etc.
– Mahatma Gandhi endorsed this formula and used it as the basis for his talks with Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim League, in September 1944.
– The talks failed because Jinnah rejected the formula, finding it unsatisfactory. He wanted the Congress to accept the two-nation theory and the principle of Partition first, before any plebiscite, and wanted only Muslims to vote in the plebiscite, not all inhabitants of the area.
The Wavell Plan came in 1945, the Cabinet Mission Proposals in 1946. The Partition of India was the eventual outcome but not the basis *for* the 1944 talks; rather, the talks attempted (unsuccessfully) to find a formula that might lead to a mutually acceptable arrangement concerning areas claimed for Pakistan.

37. The Congress leader Swami Ramananda Tirtha was active in the freedom s

The Congress leader Swami Ramananda Tirtha was active in the freedom struggle in which of the following Princely States?

Kashmir
Mysore
Baroda
Hyderabad
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Swami Ramananda Tirtha was active in the freedom struggle in the Princely State of Hyderabad.
– Swami Ramananda Tirtha (born Venkatesh Bhagwan Khedgikar) was a prominent Indian freedom fighter, educator, and social activist.
– He is considered the architect of the freedom movement in the Hyderabad state.
– He founded the Hyderabad State Congress in 1938 and led the struggle for the integration of Hyderabad with the Indian Union after India’s independence, opposing the Nizam’s reluctance to accede.
The movement led by Swami Ramananda Tirtha in Hyderabad involved both peaceful protests and later, a more forceful struggle (known as Operation Polo or Police Action by the Indian government) due to the Nizam’s defiance and the violence perpetrated by the Razakars (a paramilitary force).

38. Who issued an Independence Proclamation in 1930 in the name of the ‘In

Who issued an Independence Proclamation in 1930 in the name of the ‘Indian Republican Army’?

Sachindra Nath Sanyal
Chandra Shekhar Azad
Surya Sen
Bhagat Singh
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Surya Sen issued a proclamation in the name of the ‘Indian Republican Army’ in 1930.
– Surya Sen, also known as Masterda, was a revolutionary from Bengal who is best known for leading the Chittagong Armoury Raid on April 18, 1930.
– His revolutionary group was named the ‘Indian Republican Army, Chittagong Branch’.
– After successfully raiding the armouries and seizing weapons (though not ammunition), the revolutionaries gathered, hoisted the national flag, and Surya Sen issued a proclamation declaring the establishment of a provisional revolutionary government in Chittagong, effectively using the name of the ‘Indian Republican Army’.
While Sachindra Nath Sanyal founded the Hindustan Republican Association (later Hindustan Socialist Republican Association) and Bhagat Singh and Chandra Shekhar Azad were key figures in its later form and activities (like the Lahore Conspiracy Case and Assembly bomb throwing), the specific association with the ‘Indian Republican Army’ and the 1930 proclamation related to an armed uprising against the British in Chittagong points directly to Surya Sen.

39. Which of the following statements are true of Shah Alam II? 1. He j

Which of the following statements are true of Shah Alam II?

  • 1. He joined Mir Jafar of Bengal to fight the British.
  • 2. He joined Mir Qasim of Bengal and Shuja-ud-Daulah of Awadh to fight the British.
  • 3. He was defeated by the British.
  • 4. He lived at Allahabad as a pensioner of the British.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2, 3 and 4
1, 2 and 4
1, 3 and 4
2 and 3 only
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Statements 2, 3, and 4 are true regarding Shah Alam II.
– Shah Alam II (reigned 1760-1788 and 1788-1806) joined forces with Mir Qasim, the deposed Nawab of Bengal, and Shuja-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Awadh, to form a confederacy against the British East India Company.
– This alliance was defeated by the British forces under Hector Munro at the Battle of Buxar in 1764.
– Following his defeat, Shah Alam II signed the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765 with the British. According to this treaty, he granted the Diwani (right to collect revenue) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the British East India Company. In return, he was granted territories of Kara and Allahabad and was promised an annual pension, living for several years as a pensioner of the British in Allahabad.
– Statement 1 is incorrect as Mir Jafar was installed as Nawab of Bengal by the British after the Battle of Plassey and was a puppet ruler; he did not ally with Shah Alam II against the British in 1764.
The Battle of Buxar was a crucial turning point in Indian history, firmly establishing the British East India Company’s dominance in Bengal and opening the way for their eventual control over much of the Indian subcontinent. Shah Alam II’s status was reduced to that of a titular head dependent on the British.

40. Who was the founder of Brahma Samaj of India?

Who was the founder of Brahma Samaj of India?

Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Debendranath Tagore
Keshab Chandra Sen
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
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The original Brahmo Samaj was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828. After his death, Debendranath Tagore led the movement. However, a major split occurred in 1866 primarily due to ideological differences and disputes over social reforms, particularly regarding caste and inter-caste marriage. Keshab Chandra Sen and his followers established a new organization called the “Brahmo Samaj of India” (Brahmo Samaj of Keshub Chandra Sen), while Debendranath Tagore’s group became known as the “Adi Brahmo Samaj” (Original Brahmo Samaj). Therefore, Keshab Chandra Sen was the founder of the “Brahma Samaj of India”.
– Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Sabha (later Brahmo Samaj) in 1828.
– Debendranath Tagore led the movement after Roy.
– A split occurred in 1866.
– Keshab Chandra Sen founded the “Brahmo Samaj of India” after the 1866 split.
The split led to two distinct branches. Later, another split occurred in Keshab Chandra Sen’s group (in 1878), leading to the formation of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj by younger members who opposed some of Keshab Chandra Sen’s actions, such as the marriage of his underage daughter. Thus, the Brahmo movement fragmented over time.
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