Q. Consider the following statements about ‘the Charter Act of 1813’:

  1. It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.
  2. It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.
  3. The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Charter Act of 1813:
  • The Charter Act of 1813 renewed the Company’s lease for another 20 years but introduced key changes reflecting the shifting political and economic dynamics of the period.
  • Causes/Reasons behind Charter Act of 1813:
    • The expiry of privileges granted under the 1793 Act.
    • Growing demands by free-trade enthusiasts in Britain, especially after the Napoleonic Continental System disrupted European trade.
    • Ideological pressures from reformist groups and evangelicals in Britain.
    • The Company faced financial strains due to wars and trade setbacks.
    • Expansion of the Company’s territories despite directives to avoid conquest.
  • Salient Features of Charter Act of 1813:
    • The Company’s monopoly over trade with India was abolished, but it retained monopoly over the tea trade and trade with China.
    • The Company’s privileges were renewed, but the Crown asserted sovereignty over Indian territories.
    • The Board of Control’s powers were expanded significantly.
    • A provision was made to spend ₹1,00,000 annually on the promotion of education in India.
    • Allowed missionaries to preach Christianity in India.
    • Defined British territories: The Councils of Madras, Bombay, and Calcutta were required to submit their regulations to the British Parliament and for the first time, the British territories’ constitutional position in India was clearly defined.
    • Separate Accounts and Expanded Supervision: Separate accounts were required for commercial transactions and territorial revenues. The Board of Control’s powers of supervision and direction were expanded significantly.
Charter Act of 1813
Pitt’s India Act 1784:
  • It established an authority in England to supervise the company’s affairs. This is known as the Board of Control which has 6 members.
  • The revenues of India were controlled by the British parliament through Pitts India Act 1784.
  • The Governor-General in the council has more powers over Bombay and Madras Governors in matters related to the War, Revenue and Diplomacy.
  • In India, the strength of the executive council was reduced from four to three.
Pitts India Act

Q. With reference to Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements:

  1. It contributed to the revival of the indigenous artisan crafts and industries.
  2. The National Council of Education was established as a part of Swadeshi Movement.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Swadeshi movement:
  • It was launched in 1905 as a protest against the partition of Bengal, had spread across the country.
  • Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai are the key people in the swadeshi movement.
  • When Lord Curzon, then Viceroy of India, announced the partition of Bengal in July 1905, Indian National Congress, initiated the Swadeshi movement in Bengal.
  • Contribution to Indigenous Crafts and Industries:
    • The Swadeshi Movement significantly contributed to the revival of indigenous artisan crafts and industries. By promoting the use of locally produced goods and boycotting foreign products, it fostered a sense of nationalism and self-sufficiency among Indians.
  • Establishment of the National Council of Education:
    • The National Council of Education was established in 1906 as part of the Swadeshi Movement’s broader goals. This institution aimed to promote technical education and national consciousness among Indians, countering British educational policies that were seen as inadequate. 

Q. Consider the following pairs:

Movement/OrganizationLeader
1.All India Anti-Untouchability LeagueMahatma Gandhi
2.All India Kisan SabhaSwami Sahajanand Saraswati
3.Self-Respect Movement NaickerE.V. Ramaswami

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Notes:
  • The All India Anti-Untouchability League was set up by Gandhi Ji in September 1932 for the eradication of untouchability in the society.
  • The All India Kisan Sabha, a peasant movement was founded by Swami Sahjanand Saraswati at the Lucknow session of INC in April 1936.
  • The Self-Respect Movement was started in Tamil Nadu in 1925 by E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker, who is also known as the ‘Father of the Dravidian Movement‘. It was a movement against the Brahmanical dominance in society.

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Q. With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements:

  1. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of ‘indentured labour
  2. In Lord Chelmsford’s ‘War Conference’, Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.
  3. 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?

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

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Notes:
  • Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the indentured (meaning contract) labour system in the British Empire.
  • In Lord Chelmsford’s ‘War Conference’, Mahatma Gandhi supported the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.
    • In order to gain the trust of the empire and to attain swaraj, he supported resolution recruiting Indians in the army for World War I.
  • On March 12, 1930, Gandhiji started the famous Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) from his residence at Sabarmati protesting against the 1882 Salt Act.
    • On Apr 6, 1930, Gandhiji broke Salt laws at Dandi.
    • Consequent upon the breaking of Salt Law by Indian People, in January 1932 the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.

Q. With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs:

PersonPosition held
1.Sir Tej Bahadur SapruPresident, All India Liberal Federation
2.K.C. NeogyMember, The Constituent Assembly
3.P.C. JoshiGeneral Secretary, Communist Party of India

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Notes:
SirTej Bahadur Sapru – President, All India Liberal Federation
  • Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru was a prominent lawyer, constitutionalist, and moderate leader in India’s political landscape during the early 20th century. He played a key role in several important political negotiations during the freedom movement.
  • Role as President of All India Liberal Federation: Sir Sapru was associated with the All India Liberal Federation (AILF), a political group that emerged after the split between moderates and extremists in the Indian National Congress. The AILF consisted mainly of moderate leaders who believed in constitutional reforms and constructive engagement with the British government to gain self-governance.
  • Key Contributions: As the President of AILF, Sir Sapru’s leadership was instrumental in advocating for constitutional reforms, most notably in his involvement in the Simon Commission (1927) and Round Table Conferences (1930–1932). He championed for dominion status for India and played a mediatory role between the British and Indian political leaders during a time of political unrest.
  • Legacy: Sapru is remembered for his moderate and constitutional approach to India’s freedom struggle, often negotiating compromises between British authorities and Indian leaders. He was an advocate for individual rights, justice, and communal harmony.
K. C. Neogy – Member, The Constituent Assembly
  • Kshitish Chandra Neogy (K. C. Neogy) was a noted politician, economist, and statesman who played a crucial role in shaping post-independence India’s economic policies.
  • Role as a Member of the Constituent Assembly: K. C. Neogy was one of the Members of the Constituent Assembly of India, the body responsible for drafting the Indian Constitution. The assembly was formed in 1946, and its task was to lay down the framework of governance for a newly independent India.
  • Key Contributions: Neogy contributed significantly to the economic discussions within the assembly. His expertise in economic matters was acknowledged, and he was later entrusted with important government roles such as serving as the Finance Minister of India. His work within the Constituent Assembly revolved around issues of economic planning and policy formulation that would drive India’s early economic development post-independence.
  • Legacy: Neogy’s work in the assembly and later as a minister ensured that India adopted sound economic policies in its formative years, helping to stabilize the economy after the tumultuous years of partition.
 P. C. Joshi – General Secretary, Communist Party of India
  • Puran Chand Joshi (P. C. Joshi) was a prominent Indian communist leader, known for his tenure as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI). He was an influential figure in the Indian leftist movement during the struggle for independence.
  • Role as General Secretary of the Communist Party of India: P. C. Joshi became the General Secretary of the CPI in 1935. Under his leadership, the CPI aligned itself with the broader national movement against British colonial rule, despite ideological differences with the Indian National Congress.
  • Joshi is particularly known for advocating a pragmatic approach to communism in India. During World War II, he proposed cooperation with the Congress Party and supported the British war effort against fascism, viewing it as a temporary strategy to fight global imperialism. His leadership helped CPI grow and gain recognition as a significant political force in India during this period. Joshi also worked to unite labor movements, and under his guidance, the CPI established strong connections with trade unions and workers’ movements.
  • Legacy: Although P. C. Joshi was eventually ousted from the CPI in 1948, his contributions to India’s communist movement were pivotal. He was instrumental in positioning the CPI as a key player in India’s political landscape during the independence movement. He also left a lasting legacy in organizing the working class and contributing to labor rights in India.