Nationalist Movement (1905-1947) MCQs for UPPSC (UP) Exam

Vasudev Balavant Phadke was one of the first persons to start the revolutionary activity in India. He was born in 1845 in Maharashtra. He was a social reformer and a freedom fighter who played an important role in the Indian independence movement.

Early Life and Education
Vasudev Balavant Phadke was born in a small village in Maharashtra. He was the son of a farmer and had a simple upbringing. He received his education in a local school and later went on to study at the Deccan College in Pune.

Revolutionary Activities
Phadke was deeply influenced by the ideas of Swami Vivekananda and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He became involved in the freedom struggle and started organizing secret meetings and rallies to spread awareness among the people.

In 1875, he formed the 'Ranangan Sabha' in Pune, which was a secret society aimed at overthrowing the British rule in India. He also formed a private army of about 200 men, which he called the 'Pandavas'.

In 1879, he launched an armed rebellion against the British in Maharashtra. He attacked several British targets and even managed to capture a small town called Dhamari. However, his rebellion was short-lived as he was arrested by the British and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Legacy
Vasudev Balavant Phadke's contribution to the Indian freedom struggle was immense. He was one of the first persons to start the revolutionary activity in India. His fearless attitude and dedication to the cause of freedom inspired many others to follow in his footsteps.

Today, he is remembered as a hero who fought for the freedom of his country. His legacy continues to inspire people to fight against oppression and injustice.

The president of the Indian National Congress annual session in 1905 was Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale:
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale was an Indian liberal political leader and a social reformer.
- He was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and the founder of the Servants of India Society.
- Gokhale was known for his moderate views and his belief in gradual reform through constitutional means.
- He was a mentor to many Indian leaders including Mahatma Gandhi.

Indian National Congress Annual Session 1905:
- The Indian National Congress annual session in 1905 was held in Banaras (now Varanasi).
- The session was presided over by Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
- The session was significant as it marked the beginning of the Swadeshi movement in India.
- The Swadeshi movement was a nationalist movement that aimed to promote Indian goods and boycott British goods as a means of economic protest against British colonial rule.

Conclusion:
Gopal Krishna Gokhale was the president of the Indian National Congress annual session in 1905 held in Banaras, which marked the beginning of the Swadeshi movement in India.

D)Neither of them

Achievements of Swarajists:

1. Vitthal Bhai Patel elected as Speaker of Central Legislative Assembly in 1925:
- Swarajists were a group of Indian politicians who contested elections to the Central Legislative Assembly under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919, which allowed for limited self-government in India.
- In 1925, Vitthal Bhai Patel, a prominent Swarajist leader, was elected as the Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly, which was a significant achievement for the Swarajist movement.
- Patel was the first Indian to hold this position, and it gave the Swarajists a platform to voice their demands for greater self-government for India.

2. Defeat of the Public Safety Bill 1928:
- The Public Safety Bill was introduced in 1928 by the British government in India to curb political activities and suppress dissent.
- The Swarajists, along with other Indian nationalist groups, opposed the bill and launched a campaign against it.
- The Swarajists' efforts paid off, and the bill was eventually defeated in the Central Legislative Assembly, which was a significant victory for the Indian nationalist movement.

3. Setting up of National Schools and Colleges:
- The Swarajists believed that education was an essential tool for creating a non-colonial ideological framework in India.
- To achieve this goal, they set up national schools and colleges where students were trained in an Indian cultural and ideological framework.
- These institutions aimed to provide education that was free from the influence of colonialism and imperialism, and they played a crucial role in shaping the Indian nationalist movement.

In conclusion, the Swarajists were able to achieve significant victories in their fight for self-government and national education in India. Their efforts helped pave the way for India's eventual independence in 1947.

Statement Analysis:

Statement 1: Except Provincial Congress Committees, The Congress Working Committee, the All India Congress Committee were declared unlawful associations under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908.

Statement 2: The assembly of public meetings was prohibited under the Defence of India Rules.

Correctness of the statements:

Statement 1 is not correct as it states that Provincial Congress Committees were not declared unlawful associations, which is false. In fact, all Congress Committees were declared unlawful associations under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908.

Statement 2 is correct as the assembly of public meetings was indeed prohibited under the Defence of India Rules.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A' - 1 Only.

Explanation:

The Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908 was enacted by the British Government to suppress political dissent in India. Under this act, the Congress Working Committee, the All India Congress Committee, and all Provincial Congress Committees were declared unlawful associations. This meant that any person found to be a member of these associations could be arrested and prosecuted.

The Defence of India Rules were also introduced during the First World War to control political activities in India. These rules prohibited the assembly of public meetings, processions, and demonstrations without prior permission from the authorities. This was done to prevent anti-British sentiments from spreading and to maintain law and order.

In conclusion, both the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908 and the Defence of India Rules were used by the British Government to suppress political dissent and maintain their control over India.

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 'D' - None of them.

Statement 1: What angered the Indians most was the exclusion of Indians from the commission and the basic notion behind the exclusion that foreigners would discuss and decide upon India's self-government fitness.

This statement is correct. During the time of British rule in India, the Simon Commission was appointed by the British government to propose constitutional reforms for India. However, the commission did not include any Indian members, which angered the Indians. They felt that the exclusion of Indians from the commission was unfair and reflected the British government's lack of trust in the Indian people's ability to discuss and decide upon their own self-government fitness. This exclusion was one of the main reasons for the widespread protests and opposition against the Simon Commission.

Statement 2: This notion was seen as a violation of the principle of self-determination and as a deliberate insult to the self-respect of Indians.

This statement is also correct. The notion of excluding Indians from the Simon Commission was seen by the Indians as a violation of the principle of self-determination. Self-determination is the right of a nation or people to govern themselves and make decisions about their own political, economic, and social affairs. By excluding Indians from the commission, the British government was denying Indians the opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination and determine their own future.

Furthermore, the exclusion of Indians from the commission was perceived as a deliberate insult to the self-respect of Indians. It sent a message that the British government did not value the opinions and capabilities of the Indian people. This insult to their self-respect further fueled the anger and resentment among the Indian population, leading to widespread protests, boycotts, and demands for complete independence from British rule.

In conclusion, both statements are correct. The exclusion of Indians from the Simon Commission and the notion behind this exclusion were major sources of anger and resentment among the Indian population, as it violated the principle of self-determination and insulted their self-respect.

The Prevention of seditious meetings Act (1907) The Explosives Substances Act (1908) The Press Act (1910) Annulment of the partition (1911).

Explanation:

Split in Congress:

- The Congress split in 1907 at Surat session due to ideological differences between moderates and extremists.
- The moderates were led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and the extremists were led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal.

Different Approaches:

- The moderates supported the resolutions on Swaraj (self-rule), Swadeshi (boycott of foreign goods), and Boycott of foreign goods as proposed by extremists but differed in the approach to implement these ideas.
- Moderates believed in constitutional methods and believed in gradual reform while extremists believed in more radical methods and direct action.

Presidential Candidate:

- In the Surat session, extremists wanted Lala Lajpat Rai or Bal Gangadhar Tilak as the presidential candidate of Congress.
- Moderates supported Dr. Rashbihari Ghosh, a moderate leader from Bengal, as the presidential candidate.

Correct option:

- Option B is correct as statement 2 is true and statement 1 is not completely correct. While moderates supported the resolutions proposed by extremists, they differed in their approach to implement these ideas.

India House and its founders

India House was a student hostel and center for Indian nationalist activities in London, established in 1905. It played a significant role in the Indian independence movement and was a gathering place for Indian students and intellectuals studying in Britain.

Founder of India House

The founder of India House was Shyamji Krishna Varma. He was a lawyer, scholar, and journalist who strongly advocated for India's independence from British rule. Shyamji Krishna Varma was born in 1857 in Gujarat, India and studied law in the United Kingdom.

Objectives of India House

The main objective of India House was to promote the cause of Indian nationalism and independence. The students and intellectuals who resided at India House aimed to mobilize support for the cause of Indian self-rule through various means such as publications, public speeches, and organizing political events.

Activities of India House

The residents of India House, including Shyamji Krishna Varma, organized lectures, debates, and discussions on topics related to Indian nationalism and independence. They also published journals and pamphlets to disseminate their ideas and create awareness among the Indian diaspora in Britain and back in India.

Contribution of India House

India House became a hub of revolutionary activities and a platform for Indian students to voice their concerns and aspirations for their homeland. It provided a space for young Indian intellectuals to network, exchange ideas, and develop a sense of national consciousness.

Key members of India House

Some of the prominent members of India House included Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, Madan Lal Dhingra, and Har Dayal. These individuals played crucial roles in the Indian independence movement and later went on to contribute significantly to India's struggle for freedom.

Conclusion

India House, founded by Shyamji Krishna Varma in London in 1905, served as a center for Indian nationalist activities and played a vital role in mobilizing support for India's independence. It provided a platform for Indian students and intellectuals to come together, discuss ideas, and work towards the goal of self-rule.

Muslim participation in NWFP saw overwhelming participation. Merchants and commercial bodies were very enthusiastic.

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 'a' - Both of them.

Statement 1: In 1927, a large number of Muslim leaders had met at Delhi at the Muslim League session and evolved four proposals for their demands to be incorporated into the draft constitution.

Explanation:
In 1927, the Muslim League session was held in Delhi where a large number of Muslim leaders gathered. During this session, these leaders put forth four proposals to be included in the draft constitution. These proposals were aimed at safeguarding the rights and interests of the Muslim community in India. The demands included separate electorates, reservation of seats for Muslims in legislative bodies, adequate representation of Muslims in government services, and protection of Muslim culture and education. These proposals reflected the concerns and aspirations of the Muslim community at that time.

Statement 2: These proposals, which were accepted by the Madras session of the Congress came to be known as the Delhi Proposals.

Explanation:
After the Muslim League session in Delhi, these proposals were presented to the Madras session of the Indian National Congress. The Congress, recognizing the importance of addressing the concerns of the Muslim community, accepted these proposals. As a result, these proposals became known as the Delhi Proposals. The acceptance of these proposals by the Congress demonstrated the willingness of the nationalist movement to accommodate the demands of the Muslim community within the framework of a united India.

Therefore, both statements are correct. The Muslim League's proposals made at the Delhi session were accepted and came to be known as the Delhi Proposals after being accepted by the Madras session of the Congress.

Lower level of government officials participated in the movement. The Muslim League opposed the movement.