IAS Prelims 2014: Gs Paper I: Indian National Movement: Previous Year Questions

The people of India agitated against the arrival of Simon Commission because there was no Indian member in the Simon Commission. This lack of Indian representation was seen as a disregard for the opinions and interests of the Indian people. The absence of Indian members in the commission was seen as a symbol of British imperialism and a denial of Indian voices in the decision-making process. The Indian population felt that their concerns and perspectives were not being taken into account, leading to widespread protests and agitation against the Simon Commission.

The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the Government of India Act, 1935. This act served as a blueprint for the governance of British India and laid the foundation for the federal structure of the Indian Constitution. It introduced the concept of a dual polity, with powers divided between the central government and the provincial governments. The act also defined the powers and responsibilities of the central and provincial legislatures, as well as the relationship between them. The Indian Constitution drew heavily from the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935, in shaping the distribution of powers between the Centre and the States.

The Rowlatt Act, passed in 1919 by the British colonial government in India, aimed at implementing imprisonment without trial and summary procedure for trial. This act allowed the government to arrest and detain individuals without presenting any evidence or giving them a fair trial. It was a repressive measure taken by the British to suppress any form of dissent and control the Indian independence movement. The act was highly controversial and led to widespread protests and civil disobedience, marking a significant turning point in India's struggle for freedom from British rule.

Mahatma Gandhi organized a Satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda because the administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of a drought. This shows that statement 1 is correct. There is no mention of the administration proposing to introduce Permanent Settlement in Gujarat, so statement 2 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 only.

The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history because the Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence. This resolution, known as the Poorna Swaraj resolution, marked a significant shift in the Congress's goals and objectives, as it now sought complete independence from British rule rather than just limited self-government. This resolution played a crucial role in shaping the Indian freedom movement and setting the stage for future struggles for independence.

The correct answer is that none of the statements (a), (b), and (c) given above is correct. This means that the Congress ministries did not resign in the seven provinces in 1939 due to any of the reasons mentioned in the statements. The actual reason for their resignation may be something else, but it is not provided in the question.

The book "Unto this Last" transformed Mahatma Gandhi's life by conveying the message that uplifting the oppressed and poor is the moral responsibility of an educated man, that the good of the individual is contained in the good of all, and that a noble life requires celibacy and spiritual pursuit.

Usha Mehta is well-known for running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of the Quit India Movement. This movement was a civil disobedience movement launched by the Indian National Congress against British rule in 1942. The radio station played a crucial role in disseminating information and spreading the message of independence during this time. Usha Mehta's involvement in running the secret radio station highlights her dedication and contribution to the freedom struggle in India.

The Ilbert Bill controversy was related to the removal of disqualifications imposed on the Indian magistrates with regard to the trial of the Europeans. This bill proposed that Indian magistrates would have the authority to preside over cases involving Europeans, which was opposed by the British community in India. They argued that Indian magistrates were not qualified to judge Europeans and that it would compromise their rights and privileges. The controversy highlighted the racial discrimination and unequal treatment towards Indians under British rule.

The correct answer is elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies. The members of the Constituent Assembly from the Provinces were not directly elected by the people, but rather were elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies. This was done to ensure that the members had the support and representation of the provincial governments and to ensure a fair and balanced representation in the Constituent Assembly.

The Quit India Movement was launched in response to the Cripps Proposals. The Cripps Proposals were a set of constitutional proposals made by Sir Stafford Cripps in 1942, which aimed to secure Indian support for the British war effort in World War II. However, the proposals failed to meet the demands of Indian nationalists for immediate self-government, leading to widespread disappointment and frustration. In response, the Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, launched the Quit India Movement, calling for the immediate withdrawal of British rule from India.

Dadabhai Naoroji's most effective contribution to the Indian National Movement was that he exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British. This means that statement 1 is correct. However, there is no mention or evidence to support statement 2 or 3, so they are incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 only.

The correct answer is "Making East India Company an overlord of Zamindars." This provision made the East India Company the ultimate authority over the Zamindars, giving them significant power and control over the land and its inhabitants. This shift in power dynamics led to increased litigation as the Zamindars and the ryots (tenants) had to navigate the legal system under the Company's rule.

The demand for the Tebhaga Peasant Movement in Bengal was for the reduction of the share of the landlords from one-half of the crop to one-third. This means that the peasants wanted a decrease in the amount of their produce that they had to give to the landlords as rent. They believed that one-half was too high and unfair, and that one-third would be a more reasonable share. This demand was a key aspect of the movement's goal to improve the economic conditions of the peasants and gain more control over their own land and resources.

During the Indian freedom struggle, Behramji Malabari and M.G. Ranade decided to bring together all the social reform groups of the country under one organization. This was the reason for the formation of the National Social Conference. The purpose of this organization was to unite different social reform groups or organizations from across the country and discuss issues of larger interest. They also aimed to prepare appropriate petitions and representations to the government. This statement provides a clear explanation for the formation of the National Social Conference.

Dr. B.R Ambedkar established the All India Scheduled Castes Federation and the Independent Labour Party. The Peasants and Workers Party of India was not established by him. Therefore, the correct answer is 2 and 3 only.

Annie Besant was once the President of the Indian National Congress, which makes statement 3 correct. However, there is no information provided in the question about Annie Besant's involvement in starting the Home Rule Movement or founding the Theosophical Society. Therefore, statement 1 and statement 2 cannot be confirmed as correct based on the given information.

Mahatma Gandhi undertook a fast unto death in 1932 because Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award. The Communal Award was a provision that granted separate electorates for different religious communities in India, which Gandhi strongly opposed. He believed that this would further divide the Indian society along religious lines and hinder the goal of achieving unity and harmony. Gandhi's fast was a form of protest against this decision and to bring attention to the issue.

The rise of a large number of money lenders, traders, and revenue farmers as middlemen in tribal areas provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century. This is because these middlemen exploited the tribal communities by charging high interest rates, manipulating prices, and exploiting their resources. This economic exploitation led to discontent and resentment among the tribal communities, which eventually resulted in insurrections against these middlemen and the oppressive system they represented.

The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces, which means that certain subjects were transferred to elected Indian ministers while others remained under the control of British officials. Additionally, the act devolved legislative authority from the center to the provinces, giving them more autonomy in decision-making. The act did not introduce separate communal electorates for Muslims, making option 2 incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 3 only.

The Ryotwari Settlement was a system of land revenue collection introduced by the British in India. In this system, the peasants paid rent directly to the Government, which is stated in statement 1. The Government also gave Pattas, which are legal documents granting ownership rights, to the Ryots (peasants), as mentioned in statement 2. Additionally, before imposing taxes, the lands were surveyed and assessed, as stated in statement 3. Therefore, all three statements are correct, making the correct answer option 1, 2, and 3.

Brahmo Samaj was a reform movement in 19th century India that aimed to purify and modernize Hinduism. Statement 1 is correct because Brahmo Samaj opposed idolatry and emphasized the worship of a formless God. Statement 2 is correct because Brahmo Samaj believed in the direct relationship between an individual and God, without the need for intermediaries such as priests. Statement 3 is incorrect because Brahmo Samaj did not consider the Vedas to be infallible, but rather believed in personal experience and reason as the basis for religious understanding. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 2 only.

Sir William Wedderburn and W. S. Caine set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893 with the purpose of agitating for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons. This suggests that they aimed to advocate for changes and improvements in the political system that would benefit India and its people. They likely sought to address issues such as representation, rights, and governance, and believed that the House of Commons was a platform where their voices could be heard and their demands could be addressed.

The Nehru report, which was a response to the Simon Commission, recommended joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities and the provision of fundamental rights for the people of India in the Constitution. However, it did not recommend complete independence for India. Therefore, the correct answer is 2 and 3 only.

The Quit India Movement of 1942 was a non-violent and spontaneous movement against British rule in India. However, it was not led by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi was arrested shortly after the movement began and was not actively involved in its leadership. The movement was instead led by other prominent leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

The correct answer is "None" because all three practices mentioned in the options were not introduced into India by the English. The assessment of land revenue based on soil and crops was a pre-existing practice in India. The use of mobile cannons in warfare was introduced by the Mughals, not the English. Similarly, cultivation of tobacco and red chillies was already prevalent in India before the arrival of the English.

During the period of colonial rule in India, "Home Charges" referred to the funds used to support the India Office in London. This included the expenses for administrative purposes, maintenance of the office, and other related costs. It did not involve funds used for paying salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in India or funds used for waging wars outside India by the British. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 only.