Test: The Making of National Movement (1870-1947) - UPSC MCQ

Nationalism is an ideology and movement that promotes the interests of a particular nation especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty over its homeland. Hence, it is a feeling of pride and love of one's country and willingness to sacrifice anything for it.

The Moderates were the one who dominate the affairs of the Indian National Congress from 1885-1905. They were Indians but in reality British in taste, intellect, opinions and morality. They believed in patience, steadiness, conciliation and union.

The correct option is D.
All the statements are correct 

Demands of Moderates:
- Change in British economic policies to benefit Indians.
- Indians to be appointed in high posts in administration.
- Reduction in military expenditure.
- Increase in taxes.
Explanation:
The demand of the Moderates that is not true is:
- Increase in taxes.
Reasoning:
- The Moderates, who were a group of Indian leaders during the British Raj, believed in the need for gradual and constitutional reforms rather than radical demands for independence.
- They aimed for a more inclusive and representative system of governance in India under British rule.
- Their demands focused on improving the position of Indians within the existing system.
- They wanted British economic policies to be changed to benefit Indians, as they believed that economic development would lead to social and political progress.
- They also advocated for Indians to be appointed in high posts in the administration to ensure better representation and decision-making.
- The Moderates emphasized the need for a reduction in military expenditure, arguing that the funds could be better utilized for social and economic development.
- However, the demand for an increase in taxes is not true for the Moderates. They did not advocate for higher taxes but rather for economic reforms that would benefit Indians.
In conclusion, the demand of the Moderates for an increase in taxes is not true.

Moderates refer to those group of western educated Indian intellectuals, who believed in legitimate and moderate means of protests like petitioning for the gradual realization of self rule in India.
They failed to attract common people. The vast majority of illiterate Indian’s were unable to connect to their political ideology
They were unable to organize a pan Indian campaign,neither did they try to increase the scale and magnitude of their political activities.
 Their moderate means yielded only meager practical achievements. The British treated them with contempt and didn’t concede to their demands in most cases.

Lal Bal Pal (Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal) were a triumvirate of assertive nationalists in British-ruled India in the early 20th century, from 1906 to 1918

Partition of Bengal, (1905), division of Bengal carried out by the British viceroy in India, Lord Curzon, despite strong Indian nationalist opposition. It began a transformation of the Indian National Congress from a middle-class pressure group into a nationwide mass movement.

Banerjee was also one of the senior-most leaders of the moderate Congress — those who favoured accommodation and dialogue with the British — after the "extremists" – those who advocated revolution and political independence.

Identifying the Radical Leader

• A: Pherozeshah Mehta - Moderate leader


• B: Dadabhai Naoroji - Moderate leader


• C: Aurobindo Ghosh - Radical leader


• D: Surendranath Banerjee - Moderate leader

Based on the given list, the leader who is not considered as a Moderate but a Radical is Aurobindo Ghosh.

Newspaper Edited by Balgangadhar Tilak Criticizing British Rule in Marathi:
- Answer: Kesari
Explanation:
- Balgangadhar Tilak was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement and a fierce critic of British rule in India.
- He edited a Marathi newspaper called Kesari, which played a significant role in spreading nationalist sentiments and advocating for the freedom struggle.
- Kesari was founded by Lokmanya Tilak in 1881 and was published from Pune, Maharashtra.
- The newspaper became a platform for Tilak to voice his opinions against British policies and to mobilize public support for the independence movement.
- Kesari played a crucial role in awakening the masses and creating a sense of unity and national identity among the people of Maharashtra.
- It actively criticized the oppressive British rule, advocated for the rights of the common people, and highlighted the need for self-governance.
- The newspaper faced multiple bans and restrictions from the British authorities due to its revolutionary content, but it continued to inspire and galvanize the freedom fighters.
- Kesari remains an important part of India's freedom struggle and continues to be remembered as a symbol of resistance against colonial rule.

Partition of Bengal in 1905:
The partition of Bengal in 1905 was a significant event in the history of India. It was a political decision made by the British colonial government, which had far-reaching consequences for the people of Bengal.
Reasons for Partition:
The British government cited several reasons for the partition of Bengal, including administrative convenience and improved governance. However, it was widely believed that the main motive behind the partition was to weaken the growing nationalist movement in Bengal.
Details of Partition:
The partition of Bengal in 1905 resulted in the creation of two separate entities:
1. East Bengal:
- East Bengal included the eastern districts of Bengal, which had a Muslim-majority population.
- The capital of East Bengal was Dhaka.
- This region later became part of Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947 and is now known as Bangladesh.
2. West Bengal:
- West Bengal included the western districts of Bengal, which had a Hindu-majority population.
- The capital of West Bengal was Calcutta (now Kolkata).
- This region remained part of India after the partition and continues to be a state in the present-day Indian Republic.
Impact of Partition:
The partition of Bengal had several consequences, including:
- It led to widespread protests and agitations, as the people of Bengal saw it as a deliberate attempt to divide and weaken their unity.
- The partition further fueled the nationalist movement in Bengal, with prominent leaders like Rabindranath Tagore and Surendranath Banerjee actively opposing the decision.
- It also led to communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims, as the partition was seen as a divide-and-rule policy by the British.
- The partition was eventually annulled in 1911, as the British government succumbed to the mounting pressure from the Indian nationalist movement.
Overall, the partition of Bengal in 1905 played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of India and furthering the cause of Indian independence.

Swadeshi Movement
The movement launched following the Partition of Bengal was the Swadeshi Movement. It was a significant phase in India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. The movement aimed to promote the use of indigenous goods and boycott British products as a means of economic resistance against British dominance. Here are some key details about the Swadeshi Movement:
1. Background:
- The Partition of Bengal in 1905 by the British colonial government sparked widespread protests and outrage among the Indian population.
- The partition was seen as a divide-and-rule policy aimed at weakening the growing nationalist movement in Bengal.
- To counter this, the Swadeshi Movement was initiated to promote self-reliance and assert Indian identity.
2. Key Features:
- Boycott of British goods: Indians were urged to boycott British products and instead support indigenous industries.
- Promotion of Indian products: The movement emphasized the use of Indian-made goods and encouraged the establishment of Swadeshi industries.
- Nationalistic fervor: The movement instilled a sense of pride in Indian culture, heritage, and self-sufficiency.
- Public protests and demonstrations: Mass rallies, processions, and public meetings were organized to mobilize public support for the movement.
3. Methods of Resistance:
- Boycott of foreign goods: Indians boycotted British textiles, machinery, and other products, leading to a decline in imports.
- Promotion of Indian goods: Swadeshi products like clothes, salt, and other daily essentials were produced and promoted as an alternative to British goods.
- Public demonstrations: People gathered in large numbers to protest against British policies, often leading to clashes with the authorities.
- National education: The movement emphasized the need for quality education rooted in Indian values and culture.
4. Impact:
- Economic empowerment: The movement led to the growth of indigenous industries and self-reliance, reducing dependency on British goods.
- National unity: The Swadeshi Movement brought people from different regions and communities together, fostering a sense of national unity.
- Strengthening of the freedom struggle: The movement served as a precursor to other major movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Quit India Movement.
- Cultural resurgence: The movement revitalized Indian arts, crafts, and traditional practices.
In conclusion, the Swadeshi Movement was launched as a response to the Partition of Bengal and aimed to promote indigenous industries, boycott British goods, and foster a sense of national unity and self-reliance. It played a crucial role in the overall struggle for Indian independence.

Explanation:
The Swadeshi Movement was a socio-political movement in India during the early 20th century that aimed to resist British rule and promote Indian nationalism. It had several important features, but one of the given options is not applicable to the Swadeshi Movement.
A: They boycotted British institutions and goods.
- This was one of the main strategies of the Swadeshi Movement. Indians were encouraged to boycott British goods and institutions as a way to protest against British rule and promote self-reliance.
B: Swadeshi movement stressed on the use of English language with minimal use of Indian languages.
- This statement is not applicable to the Swadeshi Movement. In fact, the movement emphasized the use of Indian languages and promoted the revival of indigenous industries and crafts.
C: They encouraged the ideas of self-help.
- This is another important feature of the Swadeshi Movement. The movement aimed to promote self-sufficiency and self-reliance among Indians, encouraging them to support indigenous industries and products.
D: The Swadeshi movement sought to oppose British rule.
- This is the main objective of the Swadeshi Movement. It aimed to resist British rule and promote Indian nationalism, advocating for the independence and self-governance of India.
Therefore, option B is not applicable to the Swadeshi Movement as it contradicts the movement's emphasis on the use of Indian languages.

The Moderates opposed to the usage of a specific word/term because they felt that it involved the use of force. The word/term they opposed to was "Boycott".

Explanation:

• The Moderates, who were a moderate group within the Indian National Congress during the Indian independence movement, believed in peaceful and constitutional methods to achieve their goals.


• They opposed any form of violence or force in their struggle for independence from British rule.


• The word/term "Boycott" refers to the act of refusing to buy, use, or participate in something as a form of protest or punishment.


• The Moderates opposed the use of this term because they believed that it involved the use of force, as it required individuals to actively refrain from participating in certain activities or purchasing certain goods.


• Instead, the Moderates advocated for methods like dialogue, negotiation, and constitutional reforms to bring about change.


• They believed in peaceful protests, petitions, and discussions with the British government to address their grievances.

Therefore, the Moderates opposed the usage of the word/term "Boycott" because they felt that it involved the use of force, which went against their principles of non-violence and peaceful means of achieving their goals.

Reunion of the Moderates and Radicals

The Moderates and Radicals were two factions within the Indian National Congress during the Indian independence movement. They had a major split in their ideologies and approaches towards achieving independence.

Years of the Split

• The split between the Moderates and Radicals occurred in the year 1907 during the Surat Session of the Indian National Congress.


• This split was mainly due to differences in opinions regarding the methods of political struggle and the approach towards British authorities.

Reunion of the Moderates and Radicals

• The Moderates and Radicals reunited after a gap of several years.


• The reunion took place in the year 1915.


• The coming together of the factions was mainly driven by the need to present a united front in the face of British repression and to work towards the common goal of independence.


• This reunion was significant as it united the different ideologies and strategies within the Indian National Congress, leading to a more cohesive and focused approach towards achieving independence.

Therefore, the correct answer is option D: In December 1915.

The Muslim deputation (Under the leadership of Agah Khan) meets Lord Minto in 1906 at Shimla and pleaded for separate representation and an organisation for Muslims.