UPSC Prelims 2025
Modern History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy is known as the Father of Indian Renaissance. He respected India's ancient philosophical traditions while also advocating modern values.

• Statement I is Correct: He had deep respect for Vedanta, Upanishads, and other Eastern philosophical traditions.

• Statement II is Correct: He promoted rational thinking, scientific temper, human dignity, and equality of men and women.

• He worked against social evils such as Sati and supported women's rights and modern education.

• Therefore, both statements are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

Statement-wise Analysis

 Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Who was Raja Ram Mohan Roy?

• Known as the Father of Indian Renaissance.

• Founder of the Brahmo Sabha (1828), later known as Brahmo Samaj.

• One of the earliest social and religious reformers in modern India.

Major Contributions

• Led the movement against Sati Pratha.

• Advocated women's rights and widow remarriage.

• Promoted modern Western education and scientific learning.

• Supported freedom of the press and constitutional governance.

Important Fact

• His efforts contributed to the abolition of Sati through the Bengal Sati Regulation Act, 1829 under Governor-General Lord William Bentinck.

Detailed Explanation:

Statement 1 is Correct: At the Nagpur Session (1920), the Indian National Congress adopted 'Swaraj' through legitimate and peaceful means as its objective.

Statement 2 is Correct: The Non-Cooperation Movement was planned in phases. If Swaraj was not achieved and the government became repressive, the movement could advance to civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes.

Therefore, both statements are correct.

📝 Short Notes: Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22)

What was the Non-Cooperation Movement?

• Launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 against British rule.

• It combined the issues of Khilafat Movement and Punjab atrocities (Jallianwala Bagh) with the demand for Swaraj.

Major Programmes

• Boycott of government schools, colleges, courts, and elections.

• Surrender of titles and honours.

• Boycott of foreign goods and promotion of Swadeshi.

Why was it withdrawn?

• Withdrawn in 1922 after the Chauri Chaura Incident, where a violent clash led to the death of policemen.

Detailed Explanation:

The Non-Cooperation Programme (1920) aimed to weaken British rule through boycott, non-violence, and self-reliance.

• Statement I is Correct: Boycott of law courts and foreign cloth was an important part of the programme.

• Statement II is Correct: Strict non-violence was the foundation of the movement.

• Statement III is Incorrect: People were asked to surrender British titles and honours, not retain them.

• Statement IV is Correct: Panchayats were encouraged to settle disputes outside British courts.

• Therefore, Statements I, II and IV are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

📝 Short Notes: Non-Cooperation Programme (1920)

Main Objectives

• Achieve Swaraj through peaceful and non-violent means.

• Withdraw cooperation from British institutions.

Major Components

• Boycott of schools, colleges, courts, and elections.

• Boycott of foreign cloth and promotion of Khadi.

• Surrender of titles and honours.

• Establishment of national educational institutions and Panchayats.

Important Fact

• The movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi and became the first mass movement of the Indian freedom struggle.

Detailed Explanation:

Simple Explanation:

• Mahatma Gandhi strongly opposed untouchability and the British proposal of separate electorates for the Depressed Classes under the Communal Award (1932).

• After the Poona Pact (1932) between Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar, Gandhi made the upliftment of Harijans (Depressed Classes) a major part of his social and political programme.

• He later established the Harijan Sevak Sangh and started the journal Harijan to fight untouchability.

• Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

📝 Short Notes: Poona Pact (1932)

What was the Poona Pact?

• Signed on 24 September 1932 between Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

• Replaced the proposal of separate electorates for the Depressed Classes with reserved seats in joint electorates.

Importance

• Ended Gandhi's fast unto death in Yerwada Jail.

• Increased political representation of Depressed Classes.

• Marked the beginning of Gandhi's intensive campaign against untouchability.

Important Fact

• Gandhi began referring to the Depressed Classes as "Harijans" (Children of God) and launched nationwide social reform campaigns.

Detailed Explanation:

The Chauri Chaura Incident (1922) led to the arrest of hundreds of people, many of whom were awarded severe punishments, including death sentences.

• Madan Mohan Malaviya and his son Krishna Kant provided legal defence to the accused.

• Their efforts in the Allahabad High Court helped reduce many death sentences and saved numerous people from execution.

• Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

📝 Short Notes: Chauri Chaura Incident (1922)

What Happened?

• On 4 February 1922, protesters clashed with police at Chauri Chaura Incident in present-day Uttar Pradesh.

• An angry mob set a police station on fire, resulting in the death of 22 policemen.

Impact

• The incident convinced Mahatma Gandhi that the movement was turning violent.

• As a result, Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement in February 1922.

Important Fact

• Initially, 172 persons were sentenced to death by the Sessions Court. After the appeal argued by Madan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant, the number of death sentences was drastically reduced.

Detailed Explanation:

The Self-Respect Movement was founded by 'Periyar' E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker in 1925 in Tamil Nadu.

• Periyar launched the movement to fight caste discrimination, social inequality, and Brahminical dominance.

• The movement promoted self-respect, rationalism, women's rights, and equality.

• Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

📝 Short Notes: Self-Respect Movement

What was the Self-Respect Movement?

• Started in 1925 by E. V. Ramasamy.

• Sought to create a society based on equality, rationalism, and social justice.

Major Objectives

• End caste-based discrimination.

• Oppose untouchability and social hierarchy.

• Promote women's rights and self-respect marriages.

• Encourage scientific thinking and rationalism.

Important Fact

• The movement became the ideological foundation of the Dravidian Movement in South India and influenced later political parties in Tamil Nadu.

Detailed Explanation:

The Portuguese played an important role in introducing several New World crops and fruits to India during the 16th and 17th centuries.

• I. Papaya ✅ – Native to Central America; introduced by the Portuguese.

• II. Pineapple ✅ – Native to South America; brought to India by the Portuguese.

• III. Guava ✅ – Native to Central America; introduced by the Portuguese.

• Therefore, all three fruits were introduced into India by the Portuguese, making Option C the correct answer.\

📝 Short Notes: Portuguese Contributions to Indian Agriculture

Major Crops/Fruits Introduced by the Portuguese

• Papaya

• Pineapple

• Guava

• Cashew

• Tobacco

• Maize

• Tomato

• Potato

• Chilli

Why is it Important?

• These crops originated in the Americas and reached India through the Columbian Exchange.

• Many of them later became an integral part of Indian agriculture and cuisine.

Important Fact

• Among all introduced crops, chilli had the most significant impact on Indian food habits.

Detailed Explanation:

The statement "Sedition has become my religion" is associated with Mahatma Gandhi's Salt Satyagraha (1930) and the launch of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Gandhi believed that when a government becomes unjust and oppressive, non-violent resistance against it becomes a moral duty. The violation of the Salt Law at Dandi symbolized this spirit of peaceful defiance against British rule.

Why other options are wrong:

📝 Short Notes: Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March)