UPSC CSE Prelims
Swadeshi and Boycott Movement Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

National Handloom Day is observed annually on 7th August to honour handloom weavers and highlight India's handloom industry. The date was specifically chosen to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement on 7th August 1905 at Calcutta Town Hall, which aimed at reviving domestic products and production processes in protest against the partition of Bengal.

✅ Statement-I – Correct: 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day, first observed in 2015.
✅ Statement-II – Correct: The Swadeshi Movement was launched on 7th August 1905 at Calcutta Town Hall.

Since the date of National Handloom Day was deliberately chosen to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement's launch, Statement-II correctly explains Statement-I.

📝 Short Notes: Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908)

• Launch Date: 7th August 1905 at Calcutta Town Hall in response to the Partition of Bengal announced by Lord Curzon
• Objective: Boycott of British goods and promotion of Indian-made products (Swadeshi goods) as a form of economic nationalism
• Key Features: Boycott of foreign goods, promotion of indigenous industries (especially handloom textiles), establishment of Swadeshi stores, and mass participation
• Leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, Aurobindo Ghosh
• Methods: Public meetings, processions, formation of Swadeshi Samitis, use of Swadeshi or indigenous goods, and establishment of national educational institutions
• Impact: First mass movement involving various sections of society; laid foundation for future mass movements and promoted indigenous industries, particularly handlooms
• National Handloom Day: Instituted by Government of India in 2015, celebrated on 7th August to honor the contribution of handloom weavers and the Swadeshi spirit

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — Both 1 and 2

The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1911) aimed at promoting indigenous industries and self-reliance by boycotting foreign goods. Both statements correctly capture key aspects of this movement.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Swadeshi Movement led to the revival of indigenous artisan crafts and industries, including handloom weaving, silk industry, and cottage industries, with new cotton mills and textile units being established.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The National Council of Education was founded in Bengal in 1906 as part of the Swadeshi Movement to provide nationalist education and promote science, technology, and industrial education independent of British control.

📝 Short Notes: Swadeshi Movement (1905-1911)

• Background: Launched in response to the Partition of Bengal (1905) by Lord Curzon, aimed at dividing Bengal along communal lines.
• Economic Aspects: Boycott of British goods, promotion of indigenous industries, revival of handloom and cottage industries, establishment of Swadeshi stores and banks.
• Educational Initiatives: National Council of Education (1906), Bengal National College established with Aurobindo as Principal, promotion of technical and industrial education.
• Cultural Revival: Encouragement of Indian art, literature, music; use of indigenous products in daily life; celebration of national festivals.
• Key Leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal (Lal-Bal-Pal), Aurobindo Ghosh, Rabindranath Tagore (initially).
• Impact: Strengthened nationalist sentiment, laid foundation for mass politics, promoted self-reliance and economic nationalism.
• Limitations: Limited mass appeal beyond Bengal, did not significantly involve peasants and workers, gradually declined after 1908.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — Agitation against the Partition of Bengal

The 'Swadeshi' (use of indigenous goods) and 'Boycott' (of British goods and institutions) were first adopted as organized methods of political struggle during the Anti-Partition Movement (1905-1911). When Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal in 1905 to divide Hindus and Muslims, it sparked massive protests. Leaders like Surendranath Banerjee, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai mobilized people to boycott British textiles, promote indigenous industries, and establish Swadeshi enterprises. This movement marked the shift from petitioning to mass mobilization in India's freedom struggle. While earlier leaders had occasionally promoted indigenous goods, the systematic use of Swadeshi and Boycott as political weapons began with this movement. The Home Rule Movement (1916), Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), and Simon Commission protests (1928) came much later and adopted these methods after they had already been established.

Detailed Explanation:

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Rowlatt Act (1919) was based on recommendations of the Sedition Committee headed by Justice Sidney Rowlatt, which investigated revolutionary activities and recommended preventive detention powers.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Gandhi attempted to utilize the organizational networks of the Home Rule Leagues (led by Annie Besant and Tilak) to mobilize support for the Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919), though it wasn't the primary mobilization tool.

❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Demonstrations against the Simon Commission occurred in 1928, while Rowlatt Satyagraha took place in 1919 – nearly 9 years apart, not coinciding.