All questions of Important Dates for UPSC CSE Exam

Introduction
The Permanent Settlement of Bengal was a significant land revenue system introduced in British India that transformed the agrarian structure of the region.
Who Implemented the Permanent Settlement?
- The Permanent Settlement was implemented by Lords Cornwallis in 1793 during his tenure as the Governor-General of India.
Key Features of the Permanent Settlement
- Fixed Revenue: The settlement fixed the land revenue that zamindars (landlords) had to pay to the British government, making it a permanent arrangement.
- Zamindari System: It established the zamindars as the landowners, who were responsible for collecting taxes from the peasants and paying a fixed amount to the British.
- Transfer of Risks: By fixing the revenue, the British transferred the risks of agricultural fluctuations from themselves to the zamindars.
Impacts of the Permanent Settlement
- Economic Impact: The zamindars often exploited the peasants, leading to increased poverty and landlessness among the rural population.
- Agricultural Decline: The focus on revenue collection over agricultural productivity resulted in a decline in agricultural practices and yields.
- Social Changes: The system altered traditional landholding patterns and created a class of wealthy zamindars who often did not invest in agricultural improvements.
Conclusion
Lord Cornwallis's implementation of the Permanent Settlement had profound implications not only for Bengal’s economy but also for the social fabric of Indian society. It marked a pivotal moment in British colonial policy, reflecting a shift towards a more structured extraction of revenue from Indian agriculture.

Background:
The Cabinet Mission was a high-level delegation from the British government that visited India in 1946 to propose constitutional reforms.

Purpose:
The main objective of the Cabinet Mission was to propose a plan for the transfer of power from British hands to Indian leadership.

Key Features of the Cabinet Mission:
- The Cabinet Mission consisted of three members: Sir Stafford Cripps, Lord Pethick-Lawrence, and A.V. Alexander.
- It proposed a scheme for the formation of an interim government and the framing of a new constitution for India.
- The mission recommended a three-tiered federal structure for India, which included a Union of India comprising British India and the princely states, as well as provinces with considerable autonomy.
- It also suggested the establishment of a Constituent Assembly to draft the new constitution.

Outcome:
The proposals put forward by the Cabinet Mission were accepted by the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. However, disagreements over the composition of the Constituent Assembly led to the eventual breakdown of the talks.

Significance:
The Cabinet Mission Plan laid the groundwork for India's eventual independence and the drafting of its constitution. It marked a crucial step in the process of decolonization and the transfer of power from British rule to Indian self-governance.

Alexander's invasion of India in 327–326 BC created a land route between India and Europe. This allowed for increased trade and cultural exchange between these two regions. The invasion also influenced the development of Indian art and culture through interactions with the Greek and Persian civilizations.

The event that led to the establishment of British political rule in India was the Battle of Plassey.

Background:
- The British East India Company arrived in India in the early 17th century with the primary intention of establishing trade relations.
- Over time, the Company expanded its influence and started to intervene in local politics and conflicts.
- The Company gradually gained control over several coastal areas and established trading posts.

Causes of the Battle of Plassey:
- The Battle of Plassey took place on June 23, 1757, in the town of Plassey (now Palashi) in Bengal.
- Siraj ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, opposed the growing influence and encroachments of the British East India Company.
- The Nawab was particularly angered by the Company's fortification of Calcutta (now Kolkata) without obtaining permission.

Course of the Battle:
- Siraj ud-Daulah gathered a large army and besieged Calcutta, capturing the city in June 1756. The incident came to be known as the Black Hole of Calcutta.
- The British East India Company responded by sending a naval force under the command of Robert Clive to retake Calcutta.
- Clive formed an alliance with Mir Jafar, a discontented noble of the Nawab's court, who aspired to become the Nawab himself.
- On the day of the battle, Mir Jafar and his forces defected to the British side, turning the tide in their favor.
- Despite having a larger army, Siraj ud-Daulah was defeated due to betrayal and lack of support from his own men.
- The battle lasted only a few hours, and the British emerged victorious.

Consequences of the Battle:
- The Battle of Plassey marked a turning point in British colonial rule in India.
- The defeat of Siraj ud-Daulah weakened the Mughal Empire's control over Bengal and opened the door for the British East India Company to establish political dominance.
- Mir Jafar was installed as the new Nawab of Bengal, becoming a puppet ruler under British control.
- The victory at Plassey gave the British East India Company a foothold in Bengal and set the stage for further expansion and consolidation of their rule in India.
- It paved the way for the establishment of British political rule over large parts of the Indian subcontinent in the following decades.

Founders of the Vijayanagar Empire:
The Vijayanagar Empire was founded by Harihara and Bukka in the South of India.

Background:
- Harihara and Bukka were brothers who were initially serving in the army of the Kakatiya dynasty.
- They were captured by the Delhi Sultanate during the invasion of Warangal and converted to Islam.
- However, they later reverted to Hinduism and established the Vijayanagar Empire in 1336.

Establishment of the Empire:
- After reverting to Hinduism, Harihara and Bukka sought guidance from the sage Vidyaranya and founded the Vijayanagar Empire in present-day Karnataka.
- They established their capital at Hampi and began expanding their territory through military conquests and strategic alliances.

Expansion and Golden Era:
- Under the rule of Harihara and Bukka, the Vijayanagar Empire expanded rapidly, encompassing most of South India.
- The empire reached its peak during the reign of Krishnadevaraya, who is considered one of the greatest rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire.
- The empire flourished culturally, economically, and politically during this period, attracting traders, scholars, and artists from different parts of the world.

Legacy:
- The Vijayanagar Empire played a significant role in preserving Hindu culture and traditions in South India.
- Despite facing invasions from the Deccan Sultanates, the empire lasted for over 200 years and left a lasting impact on the history of South India.
In conclusion, Harihara and Bukka were the founders of the Vijayanagar Empire, which became one of the most powerful and prosperous empires in South India.

The Indian National Congress was founded by Allan Octavian Hume in 1885. Initially, it aimed to provide a platform for educated Indians to discuss their grievances and demands with the British colonial government.

The correct answer is option C) Lahore Session of the INC.

Explanation:

The formal partition of India was marked by the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (INC) held in 1929. This session is also known as the "Lahore Resolution" or the "Lahore Congress".

Key Points:

1. Demand for Purna Swaraj:
- The Lahore Session of the INC was significant because it was during this session that the demand for complete independence or Purna Swaraj was made.
- The resolution for Purna Swaraj was passed on December 31, 1929, and it declared that January 26, 1930, would be celebrated as Independence Day.

2. Civil Disobedience Movement:
- The Lahore Session and the declaration of Purna Swaraj laid the foundation for the Civil Disobedience Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930.
- The movement aimed to challenge British authority and gain independence through non-cooperation, protests, and acts of civil disobedience.

3. Impact on Partition:
- The demand for Purna Swaraj and the subsequent Civil Disobedience Movement led to increased tensions between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League.
- The Muslim League, fearing the dominance of Hindus in a unified India, began demanding a separate nation for Muslims, which eventually led to the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

4. Historical Significance:
- The Lahore Session of the INC marked a turning point in the Indian independence movement as it shifted the focus from constitutional reforms to complete independence.
- It provided a platform for nationalists to unite and demand self-rule, leading to a more radical approach in the struggle against British colonial rule.

In conclusion, the Lahore Session of the INC in 1929, where the demand for Purna Swaraj was made, marked the formal partition of India as it set the stage for the subsequent Civil Disobedience Movement and the demand for a separate nation by the Muslim League.

The Civil Disobedience movement, initiated by Mahatma Gandhi, aimed to protest against various British policies, including the salt tax. Gandhi's famous Dandi March in 1930 was a part of this movement, where he marched to the Arabian Sea to symbolically produce salt and break the British monopoly.

The outcome of the Lucknow Pact of 1916 was:
- Temporary Alliance: The Lucknow Pact was a significant event in the Indian independence movement as it brought about a temporary alliance between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. This pact marked a crucial moment of Hindu-Muslim unity in the fight against British colonial rule.
- Representation: The pact aimed to address the political demands of both the Hindu and Muslim communities in India. It provided for separate electorates for Muslims, which was a key demand of the Muslim League. It also called for increased representation for Indians in the civil services.
- Unity: The Lucknow Pact played a crucial role in fostering Hindu-Muslim unity and cooperation in the struggle for independence. It helped to bridge the gap between the two communities and laid the foundation for future collaboration.
- Historical Significance: The pact was a turning point in the Indian freedom movement as it demonstrated that Hindus and Muslims could come together in a common cause. This unity would be tested in the years to come, especially during the partition of India in 1947.
In conclusion, the Lucknow Pact of 1916 resulted in a temporary alliance between the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress, highlighting the importance of unity and cooperation in the fight against British colonial rule.

The Bengal famine of 1943–44 resulted in widespread suffering and loss of life. It was caused by a combination of factors including wartime disruptions, economic policies, and the failure of the monsoon. The suffering of the people during this period intensified anti-British sentiments.