UPSC Prelims 2016 Analysis

Explanation

The Cripps Mission was a failed attempt in late March 1942 by the British government to secure full Indian cooperation and support for their efforts in World War II.

The mission was headed by a senior minister Sir Stafford Cripps, Lord Privy Seal and leader of the House of Commons. Cripps was sent to negotiate an agreement with the nationalist Congress leaders, who spoke for the majority Indians, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League, who spoke for the minority Muslim population. Cripps worked to keep India loyal to the British war effort in exchange for a promise of elections and full self-government (Dominion status) once the war was over.

Cripps discussed the proposals, which he had drafted himself, with the Indian leaders and published them. Both the major parties rejected his proposals, and they were also unacceptable to Churchill; no middle way was found and the mission failed.

Explanation

Satyashodhak Samaj is a social reform society founded by Jyotirao Phule in Pune, India, on 24 September 1873. Its purpose was to liberate the less privileged in the then-prevailing society such as women, Shudra, and Dalit from exploitation and oppression.

Jyotirao's wife Savitribai was the head of the women's section of the society.

Through his writing and work, Jyotirao advocated against the caste system and the illogical and orthodox status of Brahmin.

Phule had also started a newspaper Deenbandhu which provided the voice for the views of the Samaj.

Jyotirao Phule?s book Gulamgiri is dedicated to the pain, suffering and hardship faced by slaves.

Explanation

On 24th January 1868 Keshab Chandra Sen laid the foundation stone of his mandir called the Tabernacle of New Dispensation. Keshab and his followers marched to the proposed spot early in the morning performing Sankirtan and this was the first Brahmo street procession and it was the first of its kind in Calcutta.

Indian Reforms Association aligns better with Sen's social reform activities. He established this association upon returning from Europe in 1870 to advocate for social progress in areas like education, women's rights, and temperance.

The Calcutta Unitarian Committee, jointly founded by William Adam and Rammohun Roy in September 1821, sought to bring together prominent Brahmins who were friends of Roy's and supporters of his agenda for the promotion of religious monotheism and social reform among Hindus. Thus, statement one is incorrect.

Explanation

The 'Swadeshi' (promotion of indigenous products and industries) and 'Boycott' (of British goods and institutions) were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the Anti-Partition Movement or the Swadeshi Movement of 1905-1911.

This movement was sparked by the decision of the British colonial government to partition the province of Bengal in 1905, which was seen as an attempt to weaken the nationalist movement in Bengal.

Explanation

The Extremist wanted to extend the Boycott and Swadeshi Movement to regions outside Bengal and also include all forms of associations (government services, law courts, councils, etc.) within the boycott programme, thus starting a nationwide mass movement.

Unlike Extremists, Moderates were opposed to extending the movement and the idea of passive resistance. They felt that it involved the use of force.

After the split, the Congress came to be dominated by the Moderates with Tilak?s followers functioning from outside.

The two groups reunited in December 1915. Next year, the Congress and the Muslim League signed the Lucknow Pact and decided to work together for representative government in the country.

Explanation

The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to constitutional reforms in British India.

These proposals, named after Secretary of State for India Edwin Montagu and Viceroy Lord Chelmsford, aimed to gradually introduce self-governing institutions in India.

The reforms were outlined in the Montagu-Chelmsford Report of 1918 and later formed the basis of the Government of India Act 1919.