UPSC Prelims Research: Modern Indian History 2014

Q. The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until

(a) the First World War when Indian troops were needed by the British and the partition was ended.

(b) King George V abrogated Curzon’s Act at the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911.

(c) Gandhiji launched his Civil Disobedience Movement.

(d) the Partition of India in 1947 when East Bengal became East Pakistan.

Answer: (b) King George V abrogated Curzon’s Act at the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911.

Notes:

• The Partition of Bengal, implemented by Lord Curzon in 1905, was annulled in 1911. This decision came after widespread political protests and the outbreak of the Swadeshi movement. The partition was deemed unconstitutional and the changes were reversed.
• 1911: King George V visits India:
  • Owing to mass political protests, the Bengal partition was annulled in 1911.
  • The capital of British India was moved to Delhi from Calcutta (now Kolkata).
  • East and West Bengal were reunited while Bihar and Orissa became separate provinces.
  • A separate Assam province was created.

Q. The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the

(a) attainment of Self-Government was declared as the objective of the Congress

(b) attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress

(c) Non-Cooperation Movement was launched

(d) decision to participate in the Round Table Conference in London was taken

Answer: (b) attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress

Lahore Session, 1929:

• The Indian National Congress, on 19 December 1929, passed the historic ‘Purna Swaraj’ – (total independence) resolution – at its Lahore session.
• A public declaration was made on 26 January 1930 – a day which the Congress Party urged Indians to celebrate as ‘Independence Day’.
• The declaration was passed due to the breakdown of negotiations between leaders of the freedom movement and the British over the question of dominion status for India.
• Lahore Congress Session 1929:
  • Jawaharlal Nehru was chosen as the President due to following reasons:
    • Because of the timing (Congress’ acceptance of complete independence as its goal), and to recognize the surge of youth that had made the anti-Simon campaign a huge success.
  • The following major decisions were taken at the Lahore session:
    • The Round Table Conference was to be boycotted
    • Complete independence was declared as the aim of the Congress
    • Congress Working Committee was authorised to launch a programme of civil disobedience including non-payment of taxes and all members of legislatures were asked to resign their seats
    • January 26, 1930 was fixed as the first Independence (Swarajya) Day, to be celebrated everywhere
  • At midnight on New Year’s Eve, President Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the tricolour flag of India upon the banks of the Ravi in Lahore.

Q. The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a

(a) revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco

(b) nationalist organization operating from Singapore

(c) militant organization with headquarters at Berlin

(d) communist movement for India’s freedom with headquarters at Tashkent

Answer: (a) revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco

Ghadar Party:

• The Ghadar Party was a revolutionary group founded by Indians in the United States with the aim of securing India’s independence from British rule.
• Taraknath Das, a prominent Indian in the USA, established the Indian Independence League in California in 1907 and later began publishing the paper Free Hindustan.
• In 1913, Sohan Singh Bhakna founded the Hind Association of America, which started the weekly publication Ghadar in English, Urdu, Marathi, and Gurmukhi.
• This paper promoted revolutionary ideas and inspired the name of the Ghadar Party.
• Lala Hardayal emerged as a key leader in the Ghadar movement, establishing a central committee with headquarters at the Yugantar Ashram in San Francisco.
• The Ghadar Party also had notable figures such as Bhai Parmanand and Ram Chandra, and the publication Ghadar consistently encouraged armed struggle and revolt against British rule.
• Revolutionaries Raja Mahendra Pratap and Barkatullah supported the Ghadar Party from abroad and, with the help of Germany and Russia, attempted to set up a provisional government of India in Kabul.
• Founder of Ghadar Party:
  • The Ghadar Party’s founders, including Taraknath Das, Sohan Singh Bhakna, and Lala Hardayal, among others, were Indian expatriates committed to liberating India from British control.
  • These leaders harnessed the collective discontent of Indian immigrants in North America and the nationalist fervor within India to form an organized resistance.

Q. What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)?

1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States.
2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown.
3. To regulate East India Company’s trade with India.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Government of India Act 1858 or Victoria’s Proclamation:

• The Government of India Act of 1858, also known as the Act for the Better Government of India, was a pivotal piece of British legislation that transferred the administration of India from the East India Company to the British Crown.
• It abolished the East India Company and established direct British rule in India, marking a significant shift in governance.
• Queen Victoria’s Proclamation of 1858:
  • Queen Victoria’s Proclamation of 1858 marked the transfer of power in India from the British East India Company to the British Crown. The proclamation, issued on November 1, 1858, sought to establish direct governance by the British monarch and ensured the British Crown’s sovereignty over India.
    • It promised to respect Indian princes’ rights, avoid interference in religious matters, and abolish the Doctrine of Lapse.
    • The proclamation aimed to stabilise British rule following the 1857 rebellion by ensuring the protection of Indian states and granting Indian subjects equal rights under British law.
• Government of India Act 1858 Provisions:
  • The Government of India Act of 1858 was enacted following the Revolt of 1857. The Act for the Good Government of India abolished the East India Company and introduced several key provisions to reorganise the governance of India:
    • Transfer of Power: The Government of India Act of 1858 transferred the East India Company’s powers, territories, and revenues to the British Crown, effectively ending the Company’s rule in India.
      • The act vested the British Crown with direct control over the Indian territories, with the monarch represented by the Governor-General of India.
      • The Governor-General was also given the title of Viceroy, reflecting the Crown’s direct authority.
    • Establishment of Secretary of State for India: The Government of India Act of 1858 established the position of Secretary of State for India, a member of the British Cabinet in charge of Indian affairs.
      • A 15-member Council of India was also formed to assist the Secretary of State. The initiative and final decision were to be with the Secretary of State, and the council was to be advisory.
      • He was also the point of contact between the British government in Britain and the Indian administration. He also had the authority to send secret communications to India without consulting his council.
    • Governor-General and Viceroy: The Governor-General of India was appointed Viceroy, acting as the Crown’s representative in India. Lord Canning became the first Viceroy under the new system.
    • Abolishment of Dual Government: The Government of India Act of 1858 abolished the Board of Control and the Court of Directors, effectively ending the double government system.
    • Reorganisation of Indian Civil Services: The Government of India Act 1858 established the Indian Civil Services (ICS), which were open to Indians via competitive examinations.
    • Expansion of Legislative Councils: The Government of India Act 1858 expanded the powers of legislative councils. It enabled the establishment of legislative councils at the provincial level, where laws could be enacted, amended, or repealed. These councils consisted of both official and non-official members.
      • However, Indian representation was limited and did not accurately reflect the Indian population. The majority of the members were British officials.
    • Military Reforms: The Act of 1858 brought the Indian Army under the direct control of the British Crown, with the Commander-in-Chief of India being subordinate to the Governor-General.
    • Princely States: It was decided that the remaining Indian princes and chiefs (over 560 in number) would retain their independence as long as they accepted British rule.