Q. In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around

  1. women’s right to gain education
  2. age of consent
  3. restitution of conjugal rights

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Notes:
  • Rakhmabai Case (1884):
    • The Rakhmabai case of 1884, a pivotal event in Indian history, revolved around the issue of the age of consent and the right of a woman to refuse to live with her husband after a child marriage, leading to a heated debate on marriage and women’s rights.
    • Dr. Rukhmabai (1864 –1955) was an Indian physician and feminist. She is best known for being one of the first practising women doctors in colonial India as well as being involved in a landmark legal case involving her marriage as a child bride between 1884 and 1888. 
    • She was married off at the young age of eleven with Dadaji Bhikaji, who was nineteen years old. She stayed at her parent’s house and she educated herself under the guidance of her stepfather. In 1885, after 12 years of marriage, Bhikaji filed a petition in the court and sought “restitution of conjugal rights”. 
    • Rakhmabai Defense Committee was formed by Behramji Malabari and Pandita Ramabai in her defence. The case continued for 4 years until Dadaji was compensated in 1888, outside of court. The case was instrumental in the drafting of the Age of Consent Act in 1891. 
  • Age of Consent:
    • The case highlighted issues related to the age of consent, as Rakhmabai was married at a very young age and had not yet reached the legal age of consent for sexual relations.
    • This was a crucial aspect of the case that drew attention to the need for legal reforms regarding marriage and consent.
  • Restitution of Conjugal Rights:
    • The case also revolved around the husband’s petition for restitution of conjugal rights, which was a legal provision allowing a husband to seek the return of his wife to the marital home.
  • Women’s Right to Education:
    • While Rakhmabai’s case had broader implications for women’s rights, particularly in the context of education, the specific legal proceedings primarily focused on the age of consent and the rights related to marriage.

Q. Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of

(a) peasant resistance to the oppressive conduct of planters

(b) its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions

(c) national leaders’ opposition to the cultivation if indigo

(d) Government control over the planters

Answer: (b) its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions

Notes:
  • Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century primarily due to the unprofitability of natural indigo in the world market, stemming from the invention and widespread production of cheaper synthetic dyes.
  • The late 19th century saw the development and mass production of synthetic dyes, like aniline dyes, which were cheaper and easier to produce than natural indigo.
  • The availability of synthetic alternatives significantly reduced the global demand for natural indigo, leading to a decline in its price and profitability.

Q. Wellesley established the Fort William College Calcutta because

(a) he was asked by the Board of Directors at London to do so

(b) he wanted to revive interest in oriental learning in India

(c) he wanted to provide William Carey and his associates with employment

(d) he wanted to train British civilians for administrative purpose in India

Answer: (d) he wanted to train British civilians for administrative purpose in India

Fort William College:
  • Establishment of Fort William College:
    • Fort William College was established in 1800 in Calcutta by Lord Wellesley, the Governor-General of India.
  • Purpose:
    • The primary aim of establishing the college was to provide training to British officials and civilians in the languages, literature, and culture of India, thereby equipping them for better administration and governance in the country.
    • This was seen as essential for effective administration given the British presence in India.
  • Oriental Learning:
    • While there was a revival of interest in oriental learning during this period, the direct motivation for the establishment of the college was to facilitate administrative training rather than solely to promote such learning.
  • Employment for William Carey:
    • William Carey was indeed a prominent figure in the promotion of vernacular education and translation works, but the establishment of the college was not primarily for providing him or his associates employment.
  • Board of Directors’ Influence:
    • The establishment was not directly ordered by the Board of Directors in London but was rather an initiative taken by Lord Wellesley in line with his vision for administrative reforms in India.

Q. With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Trumult is the description of which of the following events?

(a) The Revolt of 1857

(b) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921

(c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60

(d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900

Answer: (d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900

Notes:
  • In Indian history, “Ulgulan” or “The Great Tumult” refers to a tribal rebellion led by Birsa Munda against British rule and exploitative policies, primarily in the Chotanagpur region of present-day Jharkhand; this rebellion is also known as the Munda Rebellion.
Munda Rebellion
  • The Munda was a tribe based in Chhota Nagpur of Jharkhand whose means of living was agriculture.
  • The cause of this uprising was similar to that of other rebellions – the British Colonizers, Zamindars and Missionaries.
  • The Mundas practiced Khuntkatti System, where the whole clan jointly owned the land fit for cultivation.
    • However, over the course of 19th century, the non-tribal people started to settle in the land of Munda and became Jagirdars and zamindars.
    • The land owned by Mundas were seized or forfeited and they were forced to work as landless labourers in the fields of these Jagirdars and zamindars.
    • They exploited these meek tribal people by charging them high rate of interest and withholding their receipts. Such practices brought the indigenous people in conflict with Dikus (outsiders).
  • Further, large forest areas was constituted as the protected forest and took away their rights from these lands.
    • The landlords and Dikus (outsiders) strengthened their hold over the properties of the Mundas and demanded begari (wageless labour).
    • The holders of lands were reduced to holders of plough.
    • As a result, their condition got worse and they lost their grip over ancestral land.
    • Thus, the people of Munda tribe were desperately in need of a person, who could show them the way and lead them to fight back for their land.
The Rebellion
  • It was at this time, Birsa Munda, spearheaded the tribal movement.
  • Born in 1875, he began to understand the nature of exploitation met out against his tribal villagers.
    • He had knowledge about the Golden Age of Munda tribe, which existed before the advent of dikus and had seen its transformation into an impoverished tribe.
    • He strived for a positive political programme, his object being the attainment of independence, both religious and political.
    • The movement sought the assertion of the rights of the Mundas, as the real proprietors of the soil.
    • This ideal agrarian order, according to Birsa, would be possible in a world free from the influence of European official
  • As a result, he called upon the Mundas to fight against superstition, give up animal sacrifice, stop taking intoxicants, to wear the sacred thread and retain the tribal tradition of worship in the sarna or the sacred grove.
    • The rebellion, was essentially a revivalist movement, which sought to purge Munda society of all foreign elements and restore its pristine character.
  • Further, by 1890s, he was mobilizing people and enraging the tribal in the region.
    • In 1894, he declared a revolt against the British and the dikus and declared to create a ‘Munda Raj’.
    • Under his leadership, the villagers attacked the police stations, churches and government properties in 1899.
  • However, on 9 January, 1900, the rebels were defeated. Birsa was captured and died in jail. Nearly 350 Mundas were put on trial and of them three were hanged and 44 transported for life.

Significance of the Movement:

  • Although the rebellion could not reach the desired end, it left a significant impact on the tribal movement of India.
    • It showed that the tribal people had the capacity to protest against injustice and express their anger against colonial rule.
  • The British enacted the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 which restricted the transfer of tribal land to non-tribal people.
    • The “Khuntkatti” rights were recognised and ”Beth begari” was banned.
    • Consequently, tribals won a degree of legal protection for their land rights.
  • Most importantly, Birsa Munda, in just 25 years of age, left a legacy behind him, and he is named among the exceptional freedom fighters of India.

Q. Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of the Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?

(a) Indian handicrafts were ruined.

(b) Machines were introduced in the Indian textile industry in large numbers.

(c) Railways lines were laid in many parts of the country.

(d) Heavy duties were imposed on the imports of British manufactures.

Answer: (a) Indian handicrafts were ruined.

Notes:
  • Impact on Indian Handicrafts:
    • The Industrial Revolution led to the mass production of textiles and other goods in Britain, resulting in cheaper, machine-made products that flooded the Indian market.
    • Indian handicrafts faced stiff competition and could not compete with the lower prices and higher quality of British manufactured goods.
    • As a result, many traditional crafts and artisans suffered significantly, leading to the decline of the handicraft industry.
  • Machines in Indian Textile Industry:
    • Although the Industrial Revolution brought machines to the textile industry, the introduction of machines in India was not widespread during the first half of the nineteenth century.
    • Indian textiles continued to rely on traditional methods of production for much of this period.
  • Railway Lines:
    • While railway lines were indeed laid in many parts of India, the major expansion occurred later in the second half of the nineteenth century.
    • Therefore, stating that this was a direct impact of the Industrial Revolution in the first half of the century can be misleading.
  • Duties on Imports:
    • Rather than imposing heavy duties on British manufactured goods, British policies favored the import of these goods, making it difficult for Indian goods to compete.

Q. With reference to the book ‘Desher Katha’ written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements:

  1. It warned against the Colonial State’s hypnotic conquest of the mind.
  2. It inspired the performance of swadeshi street plays and folk songs.
  3. The use of ‘desh’ by Deuskar was in the specific context of the region of Bengal.

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

Notes:
  • Colonial State’s Hypnotic Conquest:
    • Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar’s book Desher Katha warned against the colonial state’s “hypnotic conquest of the mind,” highlighting the psychological impact of colonialism on Indian society.
  • Inspiration for Swadeshi Street Plays:
    • The book inspired the performance of swadeshi street plays and folk songs, significantly influencing the cultural landscape during the Swadeshi Movement.
    • It became a vital part of the discourse around self-reliance and nationalism.
  • Context of ‘Desh’:
    • While Deuskar used the term ‘desh’ (country) in his writings, it was not limited to the specific context of Bengal.
    • The term had broader implications that encompassed the Indian nation as a whole.
  • In conclusion, Desher Katha played a significant role in shaping nationalist thought by warning against colonial mentalities and inspiring cultural expressions of resistance, while its terminology was more expansive than just the context of Bengal.

Q. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following?

  1. Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference
  2. Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement
  3. Acceptance of Gandhiji’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses
  4. Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only

Notes:
  • The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was a political agreement signed on March 5, 1931, between Mahatma Gandhi and the then Viceroy of India, Lord Irwin. The pact signified a compromise, with Gandhi agreeing to suspend the movement in exchange for concessions such as the release of political prisoners and the right to produce salt
  • This agreement marked a shift in British policy, acknowledging the Indian National Congress’s influence, and set the stage for future constitutional negotiations, including the Second Round Table Conference.
Gandhi Irwin Pact Proposed Conditions
  • The negotiations between Gandhi and Irwin were complex, with both sides presenting a range of demands and conditions. The discussions aimed to address the immediate grievances of the Indian populace while also paving the way for future constitutional reforms.
Conditions Proposed by the Indian National Congress

The Indian National Congress proposed conditions that included the release of all political prisoners, the right to produce salt, the lifting of all repressive restrictions, the return of confiscated property, and formal recognition of the Congress as a legitimate political entity.

  • Release of Political Prisoners: One of the primary demands was the release of all political prisoners arrested during the Civil Disobedience Movement. The INC sought the unconditional release of all activists to demonstrate goodwill and signal the government’s willingness to negotiate in good faith.
  • Right to Produce Salt: The INC demanded the abolition of the salt tax and the recognition of Indians’ right to produce salt freely along the coast. This demand was symbolic, as it challenged the very essence of British economic exploitation and control.
  • Lifting of Restrictions: The Congress demanded the removal of all repressive laws, ordinances, and restrictions imposed on civil liberties, including the freedom of speech, press, and assembly.
  • Return of Confiscated Property: The INC sought the return of lands and properties confiscated from farmers and activists during the civil disobedience protests.
  • Recognition of Congress as a Political Entity: The demand for formal recognition of the Indian National Congress as a legitimate political entity was crucial for establishing the INC’s role in future negotiations and governance.
Conditions Proposed by the British Government

The British government proposed conditions that included suspending the Civil Disobedience Movement, participating in the Second Round Table Conference to discuss constitutional reforms, and cooperating to maintain law and order and prevent escalation.

  • Suspension of Civil Disobedience: The British government sought an immediate suspension of the Civil Disobedience Movement and a cessation of all forms of protest against British rule.
  • Participation in Round Table Conferences: Lord Irwin invited the INC to participate in the Second Round Table Conference in London, aiming to discuss constitutional reforms and the future governance of India.
  • Cooperation with British Authorities: The British demanded cooperation from the Congress to maintain law and order and ensure that the movement did not escalate into violence or anarchy.
Gandhi Irwin Pact Outcome
  • The negotiations between Gandhi and Irwin were marked by concessions and compromises on both sides. While some demands were accepted, others were left unresolved, highlighting the complexity of the agreement and the challenges in bridging the gap between colonial interests and the aspirations of the Indian populace.
Gandhi Irwin Pact Demands Accepted

The British accepted some of the demands from the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, including the release of political prisoners, the right to produce salt for domestic use, lifting some repressive restrictions, and allowing Gandhi to represent the INC at the Second Round Table Conference.

  • Release of Political Prisoners: The British government agreed to release most of the political prisoners who had been arrested during the Civil Disobedience Movement. This was a significant victory for the INC, as it symbolized a concession to Indian demands.
  • Right to Produce Salt: The British allowed Indians to collect and produce salt for domestic use along the coast, effectively ending the salt monopoly. This acceptance was a symbolic victory for the Indian populace and validated the efforts of the Salt March.
  • Lifting of Restrictions: While not all repressive laws were lifted, the British agreed to remove some of the harsh restrictions imposed on civil liberties, allowing for greater freedom of speech and assembly.
  • Participation in Round Table Conference: Gandhi agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference as the sole representative of the INC, marking a significant step towards constitutional discussions.
Gandhi Irwin Pact Demands Unaccepted

The British rejected Gandhi-Irwin Pact demands, including the abolition of the salt tax, full restoration of confiscated property, INC recognition, and immediate constitutional reforms, opting for gradual changes through the Round Table Conferences.

  • Complete Abolition of Salt Tax: While the right to produce salt was granted, the complete abolition of the salt tax was not accepted by the British government, reflecting the economic interests tied to the tax revenue.
  • Full Restoration of Confiscated Property: Although some properties were returned, the complete restoration of all confiscated lands and assets was not achieved, leaving many farmers and activists without restitution.
  • Formal Recognition of INC: The British government did not fully recognize the INC as the sole representative body of the Indian populace, maintaining its stance of engaging with multiple political entities.
  • Immediate Constitutional Reforms: The demand for immediate constitutional reforms and self-governance was not accepted, as the British insisted on a gradual process through the Round Table Conferences.

Q. The Vital-Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience was published by

(a) Gopal Baba Walangkar

(b) Jyotiba Phule

(c) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

(d) Bhimrao Ranji Ambedkar

Answer: (a) Gopal Baba Walangkar

Notes:
  • Gopal Baba Walangkar, also known as Gopal Krishna walangkar,(1840–1904) is an early example of an activist working to release the untouchable people of India from their historic socio-economic oppression and is generally considered to be the pioneer of that movement.
  • He developed a racial theory to explain the oppression and also published the monthly journal Vital-Vidhvansak, targeted at the Brahmanical Orthodoxy.
    • In the year 1888, Gopal Baba Walangkar began the monthly publishing of the monthly journal titled Vital Vidhwansak. It was the first monthly journal where people from marginalised communities were the main audience.