UPSC Prelims 2019 Analysis

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi actively campaigned against the exploitative system of indentured labour, particularly during his time in South Africa. He recognized the hardships faced by indentured labourers and advocated for their rights.

During World War I, Gandhi supported the resolution for recruiting Indians for the British war effort. He believed this would demonstrate Indian loyalty to the Empire and potentially lead to greater political concessions after the war. This position was controversial within the Indian independence movement. Hence, statement two is incorrect

The Salt Satyagraha, led by Gandhi in 1930, involved the deliberate breaking of the British salt laws as a form of protest. In response to this non-violent civil disobedience movement, the British government declared the Indian National Congress illegal.

Explanation

The phrase "New World crops" is usually used to describe crops, food and otherwise, that were native to the New World (mostly the Americas) before 1492 CE and not found anywhere else at that time. Many of these crops are now grown around the world and have often become an integral part of the cuisine of various cultures in the Old World.

New World Food - corn, potato, tomato, bell pepper, chili pepper, vanilla, tobacco, Cocoa, rubber tree, beans, pumpkin, cassava root, avocado, peanut, pecans, cashews, pineapple, blueberries, sunflower, petunia, black-eyed susan, dahlia, marigold, quinine, wild rice, gourds, and squash.

Explanation

Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru: He was an important leader of All India liberal federation and served as its President.

KC Neogy: He was a member of the constituent Assembly from West Bengal.

Puran Chand Joshi (14 April 1907 9 November 1980), was one of the early leaders of the communist movement in India. He was the first general secretary of the Communist Party of India from 1935-47.

Explanation

The Charter Act of 1813 was a significant legislation:

• Company’s rule and trade monopoly in India was extended to another 20 years. Monopoly was ended except for the trade in tea and with China.
• This asserted the Crown’s sovereignty over British India by defining the constitutional position of the British in India.
• This act also empowered the local governments to impose taxes on the persons subject to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
• The European British subjects were also strengthened in India over the power of the provincial governments and courts.
• Financial provision was made to encourage a revival in Indian literature and for the promotion of science.
• This act also envisages that missionaries can go and spread the Christianity in India.

Explanation

The National Council of Education (or NCE) was an organisation founded by Indian nationalists in Bengal in 1906 to promote science and technology as part of a swadeshi industrialization movement.

The Swadeshi had a great impact on the handloom industry. - There was a revival in handloom, silk weaving, and some other traditional artisan crafts. - Cotton mills were set up at this time.

Both, statement 1 and 2 are correct.

Explanation

All India Anti Untouchability League: It was formed by Mahatma Gandhi then later renamed as Harijan Sewak Sangh.

All India Kisan Sabha: It was formed by Sahajanand Saraswati in the Lucknow Session of 1936.

Self-Respect Movement: EV Ramaswamy Naicker was an important leader of self respect movement in 1925. It was an anti-caste movement against Brahmanism.