68th Prelims 2023

Explanation:

The Swadeshi and Boycott movement (1905-08) originated in the anti-partition movement opposing the British decision to divide Bengal. The partition was announced on 20th July 1905 and came into force on 16th October 1905, observed as a 'day of mourning' in Bengal. Discussions on 7th August 1905 at Calcutta Town Hall led to the Swadeshi movement. Lord Curzon was Viceroy of India, and Sir Andrew Fraser was Lieutenant Governor of Bengal at the time. The partition was canceled in 1911 during King George V's Delhi Durbar under Lord Hardinge. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the 'Grand Old Man of India', unfurled the 'Flag of Swaraj for India' at the Calcutta session of the INC in December 1906. The session adopted 'Swaraj' as the goal of the Indian people. Naoroji emphasized self-government or Swaraj similar to that of the United Kingdom. He was the first Indian elected to the British Parliament, served as INC president in 1886, 1893, and 1906, and was the first Indian professor of Mathematics and Physics at Elphinstone College. He also started the 'Gujarati Magazine' 'Rost Goftar' in 1851. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

The Praja Mandal Movements emerged in princely states under Indian rulers during the early 20th century. Revolutionary nationalists fleeing British authority initiated political activities in these states. Inspired by the non-cooperation and Khilafat movements, the subjects formed people's organizations called 'Praja Mandals'. They fought against feudal princes and the British administration for democratic rights, implementing constructive programs like establishing schools, promoting Khadi, and encouraging cottage industries. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

Non-Cooperation and Khilafat movements (1919-1922) under Mahatma Gandhi mobilized masses against British rule. Statement 1 is incorrect: people from the middle classes initially led the movement. Statement 2 is incorrect: the Justice Party did not boycott council elections. Statement 3 is correct: thousands of students left government schools, headmasters and teachers resigned, and lawyers gave up practice. The question asks for incorrect statements; thus, Option C (1 and 2) is correct. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

Al-Hilal, an Urdu weekly started by Abul Kalam Azad in 1912, promoted Hindu-Muslim unity after the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909). It was banned by the British in 1914 for propagating secessionist views. Azad also started Al-Balagh. He was the youngest INC president in 1923, first education minister of India, and posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna in 1992. Important newspapers/journals of the period include The Comrade (Maulana Mohammad Ali), Zamindar (Maulana Zafar Ali Khan), Bengal Gazette (James Augustus Hicky), Samvad Kaumudi & Mirat-ul-Akbar (Raja Ram Mohan Roy), Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq (Sir Syed Ahmad Khan), Amrita Bazar Patrika (Sisir Kumar Ghosh & Motilal Ghosh), Tribune (Dayal Singh Majeetia), and Leader (Madan Mohan Malviya). [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

Statement A is correct: Gandhiji withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri Chaura incident (February 1922), where 22 policemen were killed. Statement B is correct: he delivered his first major public speech at BHU on 4th February 1916, invited by Madan Mohan Malviya. Statement C is incorrect: Gandhi was arrested in March 1922, not 1921, and sentenced to six years in jail. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

The study of history fostered nationalism in India by: 1) reinterpreting historical facts to counter the British portrayal of Indians as backward; 2) highlighting India's glorious past to instill pride; and 3) motivating struggle against oppressive conditions under British rule. Thus, 'More than one of the above' is correct. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

Mahatma Gandhi founded All India Harijan Sangh in 1932 in Bombay to assist depressed classes in accessing public places such as temples, schools, and water sources. Ghanshyam Das Birla was founding president and Amritlal Thakkar was secretary. Gandhi returned from South Africa in 1915, spoke at BHU in 1916, led Champaran Satyagraha (1917), Kheda Satyagraha (1918), Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918), and presided over INC session at Belgaum (1924). He established Depressed Class Welfare Institute (Bahiskrit Hitkarna Sabha) in 1924, led Mahad Satyagraha (1927), founded Independent Labour Party (1936), and started periodicals defending Dalit rights. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

On 20th February 1947, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee announced that Britain would withdraw from India by June 1948, transferring power to responsible Indian hands. The announcement led to agitation by the Muslim League demanding partition, followed by the Mountbatten Plan on 3rd June 1947, accepted by both Congress and Muslim League. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

Sir Cyril John Radcliffe, a British lawyer, was appointed Chairman of the Boundary Commissions for Punjab and Bengal to draw new borders between India and Pakistan. He was given five weeks to complete the task. The commission's award was made public on 17th August 1947. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

Holt Mackenzie introduced the Mahalwari Settlement in 1822 in the North Western provinces of Bengal Presidency. Land revenue was collected by village headmen from the whole village, considered a single unit called 'Mahal'. Revenue was revised periodically. Permanent Settlement (1793) by Lord Cornwallis used Zamindars as intermediaries, prevalent in West Bengal, Bihar, UP, Andhra Pradesh. Ryotwari system (1820s) by Alexander Reed and Sir Thomas Munro had farmers (Ryots) paying directly to the state, introduced in Madras Presidency, later extended to Maharashtra, East Punjab, Berar. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

Vinoba Bhave began the 'Individual Satyagraha' in 1940 from Pavnar, Maharashtra. It was a symbolic moral protest against British policies. Jawaharlal Nehru was the 2nd individual satyagrahi, and Brahma Dutt the 3rd. The movement was led under Mahatma Gandhi's guidance. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

The Montagu Report (1918) divided Congress between moderates and extremists. Moderate leaders like Sapru, Jayakar, and Chintamani accepted it and formed the Indian National Liberal Federation in 1919, founded by Surendra Nath Banerjee, to continue moderate political activities. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

The Cabinet Mission, sent in 1946 by British PM Clement Attlee, aimed to negotiate a peaceful transfer of power to India. Members: Pethick Lawrence (Chairman), Stafford Cripps, and A.V Alexander. They discussed interim government and constitutional arrangements. Congress and Muslim League disagreed on unity/partition, so the mission proposed its own constitutional plan in May 1946. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]

Explanation:

Baba Ram Chandra, a peasant leader from Awadh, had been an indentured laborer in Fiji. He fought against landlord injustices in the 1920s-1930s, demanded social boycott of oppressive landlords, abolition of begar, and revenue reduction. With Jawaharlal Nehru and others, he established 'Oudh Kisan Sabha' in October 1920 to address peasants' grievances. [68th BPSC Prelims Exam 2023]