Spectrum Test: The Emergence of Gandhi - UPSC MCQ

All these statements are correct. Drawbacks The reforms had many drawbacks: 
(i) Franchise was very limited. The electorate was extended to someone and a half million for the central legislature, while India's population was around 20 million, as per one estimate. 
(ii) At the centre, the legislature had no control over the viceroy and executive council. 
(iii) Division of subjects was not satisfactory at the centre. 
(iv) Allocation of seats for the central legislature to the provinces was based on 'importance of provinces, for instance, Punjab's military importance and Bombay's commercial importance. 
(v) At the level of provinces, division of subjects and parallel administration of two parts was irrational and unworkable. Subjects like irrigation, finance, police, press, and justice were 'reserved'. 
(vi) The provincial ministers had no control over finances and the bureaucrats, leading to constant friction between the two. Ministers were often not consulted on important matters too; in fact, they could be overruled special by the governor on any matter that the latter considered special.

• Statement 1 is correct: Gandhi did form the Passive Resistance Association in South Africa to conduct the campaign of defying the law and suffering penalties. This association played a crucial role in his satyagraha campaigns.
• Statement 2 is correct: Gandhi's technique of satyagraha indeed included non-payment of taxes and declining honours and positions of authority. These methods were integral parts of his non-violent resistance strategy.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Upon his return to India in 1915, Gandhi did not immediately join the Home Rule movement. Instead, he spent a year touring the country to understand the conditions of the people and refrained from taking any political stance during this period. He was also skeptical about the moderate politics and Home Rule agitation at that time.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

Statement-I correctly highlights the post-World War I economic hardships faced by various sections of Indian society, including industry, workers, artisans, peasantry, soldiers, and the educated urban classes. These hardships contributed to the nationalist resurgence in India.
Statement-II accurately points out the impact of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, showcasing how the revolution demonstrated that organized and determined people can challenge even powerful rulers. This event had reverberations globally, inspiring nationalist movements in various countries, including India. The Russian Revolution underscored the potential for people to challenge oppressive regimes and fight for self-determination. Thus, Statement-II provides context to the broader theme of challenging authority and seeking independence, complementing the economic hardships outlined in Statement-I.

Gandhi intervened in the Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918, advising the workers to demand a 35% increase in wages instead of the initially demanded 50%. He also emphasized non-violence during the strike. Eventually, the tribunal ruled in favor of the workers, granting them a 35% wage hike. This event highlighted Gandhi's strategic approach to labor disputes and the effectiveness of non-violent resistance in achieving workers' rights.

1. Hasan Imam - President of the Congress session in August 1918: Correct. Hasan Imam presided over the special session of the Congress in August 1918 at Bombay.

2. Gopal Krishna Gokhale - Described the Montford reforms as "a sunless dawn": Incorrect. It was Bal Gangadhar Tilak who described the Montford reforms as "a sunless dawn," not Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

3. Lord Hardinge - Condemned the repression against Indian immigrants in South Africa: Correct. Lord Hardinge condemned the repression against Indian immigrants and called for an impartial enquiry.

4. C.F. Andrews - Involved in the negotiations leading to the compromise solution in South Africa: Correct. C.F. Andrews was indeed involved in the negotiations that led to the compromise solution in South Africa.

Hence, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Industry - Increase in prices and recession post-World War I: Correct. The industry faced an increase in prices, followed by a recession and increased foreign investment which brought many industries to the brink of closure and loss.

2. Workers and Artisans - Faced high taxation and poverty: Incorrect. Workers and Artisans faced unemployment and bore the brunt of high prices, not high taxation and poverty.

3. Peasantry - Unemployment and high prices: Incorrect. The peasantry faced high taxation and poverty, not unemployment and high prices.

4. Soldiers - Awareness of racism in the attitude of the British: Incorrect. Soldiers who returned from battlefields abroad shared their experiences with the rural folk, not specifically awareness of racism in the attitude of the British.

Thus, only one pair (Pair 1) is correctly matched.

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct in this context. Statement-I highlights Gandhi's observation of the masses' willingness to participate and sacrifice for causes that resonated with them. Statement-II accurately reflects Gandhi's belief in the efficacy of non-violent satyagraha as a means to achieve nationalist objectives. Furthermore, Statement-II logically supports Statement-I, as Gandhi's belief in non-violent resistance directly aligns with his observation of the masses' responsiveness to causes they believed in. Therefore, both statements are accurate, and Statement-II indeed elucidates Statement-I, making option (a) the correct choice.

During Gandhi's time in South Africa, after a series of negotiations involving prominent figures, including Lord Hardinge and General Smuts, the South African government agreed to meet the main demands of the Indian community. This included addressing issues such as the poll tax, registration certificates, and marriages conducted according to Indian customs. The government also promised to consider the matter of Indian immigration in a more thoughtful manner. This compromise solution marked a significant achievement in Gandhi's early activism and demonstrated the power of peaceful negotiation and civil resistance in bringing about change.

1. Correct: The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms did introduce Dyarchy in the provincial government. Under this system, subjects were divided into 'reserved' and 'transferred' categories. The reserved subjects were administered by the governor through his executive council, while the transferred subjects were managed by ministers nominated from among the elected members of the legislative council.

2. Correct: The reforms included provisions for the governor to have veto power over the legislative councils' bills and to issue ordinances. This meant the governor had significant control and could override the legislative councils when necessary.

3. Incorrect: The provincial ministers did not have complete control over finances and the bureaucrats. In fact, this was one of the major drawbacks of the reforms, leading to constant friction as the ministers often lacked influence over important administrative matters and could be overruled by the governor.

Thus, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

One of the drawbacks of the Franchise system in India was its limited electorate size. This limitation posed challenges in terms of representation and inclusivity, affecting the democratic process and the voices that could be heard within the political sphere.

This question is designed to test the understanding of the limitations of the Franchise system in India, a crucial aspect of the political landscape during that period. The correct answer, Option A, reflects a key challenge faced within the electoral system at the time.