UPSC CSE Prelims
Important Personalities Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Important Personalities
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Which of the following factors contributed to the formation of the Forward Bloc by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939 ?
- Bose failed to win the confidence of Mahatma Gandhi.
- The Congress Left was disunited and failed to support Bose.
- The Communists did not support Bose in his endeavours.
- The supporters of M.N. Roy and socialist leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan preferred Congress unity to supporting Bose.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Correct. After Bose's re-election as INC President in 1939, Gandhi declared the defeat of his candidate Pattabhi Sitaramayya as his own personal defeat — clearly indicating his lack of confidence in Bose. This irreconcilable difference made Bose's continuation within the mainstream Congress untenable.
Statement 2 — Correct. The Congress Left was deeply fragmented during the Tripuri Crisis. The Congress Socialist Party, Communists, and Royists failed to present a united front behind Bose — leaving him politically isolated despite being the elected President.
Statement 3 — Incorrect. While Communists did not actively support Bose's radical approach, this was not a direct factor in the formation of the Forward Bloc. Their stance was primarily about maintaining Congress unity under Gandhi rather than directly opposing Bose's endeavours.
Statement 4 — Correct. Supporters of M.N. Roy and socialist leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan chose Congress unity over supporting Bose. They abstained from voting on the Govind Ballabh Pant resolution — effectively withdrawing support from Bose to prevent a split in the Congress.
Key Takeaway: The Forward Bloc (1939) was born out of Bose's political isolation — abandoned by Gandhi, the Congress Left, and socialist groups who all prioritised organisational unity over ideological alignment with Bose.
Sedition has become my religion' was the famous statement given by Gandhiji at the time of
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:
| Option | Why not correct? |
|---|---|
| Champaran Satyagraha | Focused on the grievances of indigo farmers in Bihar. |
| Second Round Table Conference | It was a constitutional discussion in London, not linked to this statement. |
| Quit India Movement | Launched in 1942, much later than the Salt Satyagraha. |
📝 Short Notes: Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March)
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Year | 1930 |
| Leader | Mahatma Gandhi |
| Route | Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi |
| Distance | About 390 km |
| Objective | Protest against the British Salt Tax |
| Outcome | Beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement |
Subsequent to which one of the following events, Gandhiji, who consistently opposed untouchability and appealed for its eradication from all spheres, decided to include the upliftment of 'Harijans' in his political and social programme?
Detailed Explanation:
Simple Explanation:
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Mahatma Gandhi strongly opposed untouchability and the British proposal of separate electorates for the Depressed Classes under the Communal Award (1932).
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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.
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He later established the Harijan Sevak Sangh and started the journal Harijan to fight untouchability.
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Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
| Option | Why Incorrect |
|---|---|
| Gandhi-Irwin Agreement (1931) | Related to the Civil Disobedience Movement, not Harijan upliftment. |
| Quit India Movement arrests (1942) | Occurred much later and had no connection with the beginning of Gandhi's Harijan campaign. |
| Government of India Act, 1935 | Concerned constitutional reforms, not the launch of Gandhi's anti-untouchability programme. |
📝 Short Notes: Poona Pact (1932)
What was the Poona Pact?
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Signed on 24 September 1932 between Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
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Replaced the proposal of separate electorates for the Depressed Classes with reserved seats in joint electorates.
Importance
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Ended Gandhi's fast unto death in Yerwada Jail.
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Increased political representation of Depressed Classes.
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Marked the beginning of Gandhi's intensive campaign against untouchability.
Important Fact
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Gandhi began referring to the Depressed Classes as "Harijans" (Children of God) and launched nationwide social reform campaigns.
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Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy:
I. He possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophical systems of the East.
II. He desired his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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.
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Statement I is Correct: He had deep respect for Vedanta, Upanishads, and other Eastern philosophical traditions.
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Statement II is Correct: He promoted rational thinking, scientific temper, human dignity, and equality of men and women.
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He worked against social evils such as Sati and supported women's rights and modern education.
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Therefore, both statements are correct, making Option C the correct answer.
Statement-wise Analysis
| Statement | Status | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I. He respected traditional Eastern philosophical systems | ✅ Correct | He drew inspiration from Vedanta and the Upanishads while advocating reforms. |
| II. He promoted rationalism, scientific thinking, and equality | ✅ Correct | He supported modern education, social reform, and gender equality. |
Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Who was Raja Ram Mohan Roy?
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Known as the Father of Indian Renaissance.
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Founder of the Brahmo Sabha (1828), later known as Brahmo Samaj.
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One of the earliest social and religious reformers in modern India.
Major Contributions
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Led the movement against Sati Pratha.
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Advocated women's rights and widow remarriage.
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Promoted modern Western education and scientific learning.
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Supported freedom of the press and constitutional governance.
Important Fact
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His efforts contributed to the abolition of Sati through the Bengal Sati Regulation Act, 1829 under Governor-General Lord William Bentinck.
With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements:
- Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of ‘indentured labour’.
- In Lord Chelmsford’s ‘War Conference’, Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.
- Consequent upon the breaking of Salt Law by Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 1 and 3 only
This question tests knowledge of Mahatma Gandhi's role in various colonial-era issues and British responses to Indian nationalist movements. Statement 2 is incorrect as Gandhi actually supported the recruitment resolution at the War Conference, while statements 1 and 3 accurately reflect historical facts.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Mahatma Gandhi actively campaigned against the exploitative system of indentured labour, which was finally abolished in 1920 following his persistent efforts and advocacy for labourers' rights both in South Africa and India.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: At Lord Chelmsford's War Conference in 1918, Gandhi actually supported the British war effort and the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War I, believing that Indian loyalty would earn political concessions and dominion status.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Following the Salt Satyagraha launched by Gandhi on March 12, 1930, and the subsequent mass breaking of salt laws, the British government declared the Indian National Congress illegal and arrested thousands of Congress leaders and activists.
📝 Short Notes: Gandhi's Political Movements and British Responses
| Event/Movement | Year | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Indentured Labour System | Abolished 1920 | Gandhi campaigned against this system since South Africa days; system involved bonded labour sent to colonies under exploitative contracts |
| War Conference 1918 | April 1918 | Gandhi supported British war efforts; believed cooperation would lead to Home Rule; faced criticism from nationalists like Tilak |
| Salt Satyagraha | March-April 1930 | Dandi March (March 12-April 6); Gandhi broke salt law at Dandi on April 6; triggered mass civil disobedience nationwide |
| Congress Declared Illegal | 1930-31 | Following Salt Satyagraha; led to arrest of over 60,000 people including Gandhi and Nehru; Congress banned until Gandhi-Irwin Pact 1931 |
With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs:
| Person | Position Held |
|---|---|
| 1. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru | President, All India Liberal Federation |
| 2. K.C. Neogy | Member of the Constituent Assembly |
| 3. P.C. Joshi | General Secretary, Communist Party of India |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 3
All three pairs are correctly matched. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru was a prominent liberal leader who served as President of the All India Liberal Federation. K.C. Neogy was indeed a member of the Constituent Assembly representing West Bengal. P.C. Joshi was the first General Secretary of the Communist Party of India from 1935 to 1947.
✅ Pair 1 – Correct: Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru was President of the All India Liberal Federation and a distinguished liberal leader.
✅ Pair 2 – Correct: K.C. Neogy was a member of the Constituent Assembly from West Bengal.
✅ Pair 3 – Correct: P.C. Joshi served as the first General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (1935-1947).
📝 Short Notes: Key Personalities of Indian National Movement
| Person | Key Role/Position | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru (1875-1949) | President, All India Liberal Federation | Eminent lawyer, liberal leader, member of various round table conferences, advocate of moderate constitutional reform |
| K.C. Neogy (1897-1973) | Member, Constituent Assembly (West Bengal) | Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation in Nehru Cabinet, worked on refugee rehabilitation post-partition |
| P.C. Joshi (1907-1980) | General Secretary, CPI (1935-1947) | First General Secretary of CPI, led the party during crucial pre-independence years, replaced by B.T. Ranadive in 1947 |
- All India Liberal Federation: Formed in 1918 by moderate leaders who believed in constitutional methods and cooperation with British reforms.
- Constituent Assembly: Established in 1946 to frame India's Constitution; had 299 members representing different provinces and princely states.
- Communist Party of India: Founded in 1925, played significant role in trade union movements and peasant struggles during the freedom movement.
He wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji and Shrikrishna; stayed in America for some time, and was also elected to the Central Assembly. He was
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — Lala Lajpat Rai
Lala Lajpat Rai was a prominent nationalist leader who authored biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji, and Shrikrishna to inspire Indian youth with ideals of patriotism and sacrifice. He stayed in the United States from 1914 to 1920, where he founded the Indian Home Rule League of America in New York (1917), and later was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly in 1923 as a member of the Swaraj Party.
📝 Short Notes: Lala Lajpat Rai
- Known as: 'Punjab Kesari' (Lion of Punjab) and part of the extremist Lal-Bal-Pal trio (Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal)
- Literary Contributions: Wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji, and Shrikrishna; authored 'Young India' (1916) and 'Unhappy India' (1928)
- USA Sojourn (1914-1920): Founded Indian Home Rule League of America in New York (1917); campaigned for India's independence
- Political Career: Elected to Central Legislative Assembly in 1923 as member of Swaraj Party; opposed Simon Commission
- Martyrdom: Led protests against Simon Commission in Lahore (1928); sustained lathi charge injuries and died on November 17, 1928
- Legacy: His death galvanized the freedom movement; inspired revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev
Which of the following parties were established by Dr B. R. Ambedkar?
- The Peasants and Workers Party of India
- All India Scheduled Castes Federation
- The Independent Labour Party
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Peasants and Workers Party of India was founded in 1947 by Keshavrao Jedhe and others in Maharashtra, not by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: All India Scheduled Castes Federation was established by Dr. Ambedkar in 1942 to fight for the rights of the Dalit community.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The Independent Labour Party was founded by Dr. Ambedkar in 1936 in Bombay and contested the 1937 elections.