UPSC CSE Prelims
Mass National Movements Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Mass National Movements
Topic Breakdown: Scroll →
Who provided legal defence to the people arrested in the aftermath of Chauri Chaura incident?
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.
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Madan Mohan Malaviya and his son Krishna Kant provided legal defence to the accused.
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Their efforts in the Allahabad High Court helped reduce many death sentences and saved numerous people from execution.
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Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
| Option | Why Incorrect |
|---|---|
| C. R. Das | He was a prominent nationalist leader and lawyer but did not defend the Chauri Chaura accused. |
| Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Khwaja Hasan Nizami | They were associated with the Khilafat and nationalist movements, not the Chauri Chaura trial. |
| M. A. Jinnah | He was not involved in providing legal defence in this case. |
📝 Short Notes: Chauri Chaura Incident (1922)
What Happened?
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On 4 February 1922, protesters clashed with police at Chauri Chaura Incident in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
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An angry mob set a police station on fire, resulting in the death of 22 policemen.
Impact
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The incident convinced Mahatma Gandhi that the movement was turning violent.
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As a result, Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement in February 1922.
Important Fact
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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.
Consider the following subjects with regard to Non-Cooperation Programme:
I. Boycott of law-courts and foreign cloth
II. Observance of strict non-violence
III. Retention of titles and honours without using them in public
IV. Establishment of Panchayats for settling disputes
How many of the above were parts of Non-Cooperation Programme?
Detailed Explanation:
The Non-Cooperation Programme (1920) aimed to weaken British rule through boycott, non-violence, and self-reliance.
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Statement I is Correct: Boycott of law courts and foreign cloth was an important part of the programme.
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Statement II is Correct: Strict non-violence was the foundation of the movement.
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Statement III is Incorrect: People were asked to surrender British titles and honours, not retain them.
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Statement IV is Correct: Panchayats were encouraged to settle disputes outside British courts.
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Therefore, Statements I, II and IV are correct, making Option C the correct answer.
📝 Short Notes: Non-Cooperation Programme (1920)
Main Objectives
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Achieve Swaraj through peaceful and non-violent means.
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Withdraw cooperation from British institutions.
Major Components
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Boycott of schools, colleges, courts, and elections.
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Boycott of foreign cloth and promotion of Khadi.
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Surrender of titles and honours.
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Establishment of national educational institutions and Panchayats.
Important Fact
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The movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi and became the first mass movement of the Indian freedom struggle.
Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement:
- The Congress declared the attainment of 'Swaraj' by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective.
- It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if 'Swaraj' did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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?
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Launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 against British rule.
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It combined the issues of Khilafat Movement and Punjab atrocities (Jallianwala Bagh) with the demand for Swaraj.
Major Programmes
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Boycott of government schools, colleges, courts, and elections.
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Surrender of titles and honours.
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Boycott of foreign goods and promotion of Swadeshi.
Why was it withdrawn?
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Withdrawn in 1922 after the Chauri Chaura Incident, where a violent clash led to the death of policemen.
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With reference to 8th August 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC.
On 8th August 1942, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) passed the historic Quit India Resolution at Bombay, launching the Quit India Movement under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership. This marked a decisive phase in India's freedom struggle, demanding immediate British withdrawal from India.
✅ Option 1 – Correct: The Quit India Resolution was indeed adopted by the AICC on 8th August 1942 at Bombay (now Mumbai).
❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: The expansion of the Viceroy's Executive Council was part of the August Offer of 1940, not related to 8th August 1942.
❌ Option 3 – Incorrect: Congress ministries resigned in seven provinces in October-November 1939 following the outbreak of World War II, not in 1942.
❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: Cripps Mission proposing Dominion Status occurred in March 1942, not on 8th August 1942.
📝 Short Notes: Quit India Movement (1942)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | 8th August 1942 (Resolution adopted) |
| Place | Bombay (Gowalia Tank Maidan) |
| Leader | Mahatma Gandhi |
| Slogan | "Do or Die" (Karenge ya Marenge) |
| Key Demand | Immediate end to British rule in India |
| Government Response | Immediate arrest of top Congress leaders on 9th August 1942 |
| Character | Spontaneous mass movement with widespread violence and sabotage |
| Parallel Governments | Established in Ballia (UP), Satara (Maharashtra), Midnapore (Bengal) |
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following?
- Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference
- Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement
- Acceptance of Gandhiji’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses
- Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 1, 2, and 4 only
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931) was a landmark agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and Viceroy Lord Irwin that led to the suspension of the Civil Disobedience Movement. The pact included Congress participation in the Second Round Table Conference, withdrawal of ordinances, and release of non-violent political prisoners, but did not accept Gandhi's demand for an inquiry into police excesses.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The British government agreed to invite the Indian National Congress to participate in the Second Round Table Conference in London as part of the pact.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The pact provided for the withdrawal of repressive ordinances that had been promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: While Gandhi raised the issue of police excesses during negotiations, the British government refused to accept his suggestion for an inquiry into police brutality, making this a point of contention.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: The pact stipulated the release of political prisoners arrested during the Civil Disobedience Movement, except those convicted of violence.
📝 Short Notes: Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 5, 1931)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Delhi Pact |
| Parties | Mahatma Gandhi and Viceroy Lord Irwin |
| Main Provisions |
|
| British Refusals |
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| Significance | First bilateral agreement between Congress and British government as equals; however, criticized for limited gains |
| Outcome | Gandhi attended Second RTC (1931) but it failed; CDM resumed in 1932 |
With reference to the Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events:
- Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy
- Quit India Movement launched
- Second Round Table Conference
What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 3-2-1
The Second Round Table Conference was held in London in September 1931 to discuss constitutional reforms. The Quit India Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on 8 August 1942, demanding immediate British withdrawal from India. The Royal Indian Navy Mutiny occurred in February 1946, when Indian sailors revolted against British discrimination and poor conditions. Thus, the correct chronological order is 3-2-1.
Who of the following organized a march on the Tanjore coast to break the Salt Law in April 1930?
Detailed Explanation:
C. Rajagopalachari organized the Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha on the Tanjore coast in April 1930, inspired by Gandhi's Dandi March.
This march was part of the Civil Disobedience Movement in the Madras Presidency, where Rajaji led volunteers from Trichinopoly to Vedaranyam to break the Salt Law.
Quit India Movement was launched in response to:
Detailed Explanation:
The Quit India Movement was launched on 8 August 1942 in direct response to the failure of the Cripps Proposals (March 1942).
The Cripps Mission, led by Sir Stafford Cripps, offered dominion status after World War II and the right to frame a constitution, but rejected immediate independence and allowed provinces to opt out – both Congress and Muslim League rejected these inadequate proposals.
The Simon Commission (1928), Wavell Plan (1945), and Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) occurred in different time periods, making them irrelevant to the 1942 movement.