Q. Consider the following statements:

  1. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order.
  2. Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there.
  3. The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year.

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: (c) 1 and 3 only

St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
  • Francis Xavier venerated as Saint Francis Xavier, was a Catholic missionary and saint who was a co-founder of the Society of Jesus.
  • He was born in Javier, Kingdom of Navarre (in present-day Spain), he was a companion of Ignatius of Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits.
  • He led an extensive mission into Asia, mainly in the Portuguese Empire of the time and was influential in evangelization work, most notably in India.
His works
  • He has asked for a special minister to the king of Portugal whose sole office would be to further Christianity in Goa.
  • He also was the first Christian missionary to venture into Japan, Borneo, the Maluku Islands, and other areas.
  • In those areas, struggling to learn the local languages and in the face of opposition, he had less success than he had enjoyed in India.
  • Xavier was about to extend his missionary preaching to China when he died on Shangchuan Island.
  • Known as the “Apostle of the Indies” and “Apostle of Japan”, he is considered to be one of the greatest missionaries since Paul the Apostle.
  • The Feast of St. Francis Xavier:
    • The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is observed on December 3rd each year in Goa. 
    • It is a regional public holiday in the northern Spanish community of Navarra and the Indian state of Goa.
Francis Xavier
Francis Xavier

Q. Consider the following statements:

  1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age of 21.
  2. The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in legislature.

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: (b) 2 only

Notes:
  • The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, implemented through the Government of India Act of 1919, introduced limited franchise for women, but did not grant voting rights to all women above the age of 21.
    • Voting rights for women were very restricted and limited to certain categories of women, such as those with property qualifications or members of special interest groups (like graduates).
    • Universal adult franchise was not even discussed at that stage in colonial India, as the reforms were limited and aimed at giving Indians limited participation in governance.
  • The Government of India Act, 1935 expanded the electoral participation of women and provided reserved seats for them in the provincial legislatures.
    • While universal franchise was still not granted, the act allowed a larger number of women to vote compared to the 1919 reforms and allocated a specific number of reserved seats for women in provincial legislatures.
Government of India Act 1919
  • Provincial Government (Legislature)
    • The Government of India Act 1919 expanded the provincial legislative councils, with 70% of members elected, but key limitations persisted. The dyarchical system restricted Indian control to less critical areas, while essential sectors like finance and law remained under British authority.
      • The diarchy was implemented in eight provinces, including Assam, Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, Central Provinces, United Provinces, Bombay, Madras, and Punjab.
      • Women were granted the right to vote.
      • Legislative councils could propose legislation, but the governor’s approval was required. The governor can veto bills and issue ordinances.
      • The legislative councils may reject the budget, but the governor has the authority to restore it if necessary.
  • Central Government (Legislature)
    • The Council of State (Upper House) had 60 members, 26 nominated by the British government and 34 elected by the provincial legislatures.
      • The Legislative Assembly had 145 members—104 elected and 41 nominated. The electorate was limited to property owners and taxpayers.
      • Legislators had the authority to ask questions, pass adjournment motions, and vote on parts of the budget, but 75% of it remained unvoted.
      • The Council of State consisted of only male members and served for 5 years, while the Central Legislative Assembly lasted 3 years.

Q. With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?

(a) The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC.

(b) The Viceroy’s Executive Council was expanded to include more Indians.

(c) The Congress ministries resigned in seven provinces.

(d) Cripps proposed an Indian Union with full Dominion Status once the Second World War was over.

Answer: (a) The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC.

Notes:
  • The Congress Working Committee meeting at Wardha (14 July 1942) adopted a resolution demanding complete independence from the British government. The draft proposed massive civil disobedience if the British did not accede to the demands.
  • On 8th August 1942, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) passed the Quit India Resolution at Bombay (now Mumbai), which marked the beginning of the Quit India Movement.
    • This was a call for an immediate end to British rule in India and a mass struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi, emphasizing non-violent resistance.
    • The slogan “Quit India” was coined by Yusuf Meherally, a socialist and trade unionist.
  • On 8 August 1940, the Viceroy Lord Linlithgow made a proposal called the August Offer which expanded the Executive Council to include more Indians.
  • Congress ministries resigned in 1939, in opposition to the British decision to unilaterally announce India’s participation in Second World War.
  • Cripps offer came in march 1942, which promised full dominion status for India after the Second World War.

Q. Who among the following is associated with ‘Songs from Prison’, a translation of ancient India religious lyrics in English?

(a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

(b) Jawaharlal Nehru

(c) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

(d) Sarojini Naidu

Answer: (c) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Notes:
  • Gandhi made these translations during his incarceration in Yeravda Prison in 1930. The other editor was John S Hoyland.
  • Songs from Prison” is a collection of ancient Indian religious lyrics translated into English by Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Context:
    • Gandhi translated these texts while he was imprisoned during the freedom struggle. His work reflects his deep engagement with spirituality and his effort to share the essence of Indian religious thought with a broader, English-speaking audience.
  • Content:
    • The translations in this collection include spiritual songs and hymns from various sources, such as the Bhagavad Gita, Bhajans, and verses from saints like Tulsidas, Kabir, and others, reflecting Gandhi’s belief in non-violence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), and universal brotherhood.
  • Impact:
    • Through this work, Gandhi emphasized the role of spirituality in political action, drawing inspiration from ancient Indian religious traditions for his philosophy of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance).

Q. Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?

(a) Annie Besant

(b) Debendranath Tagore

(c) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

(d) Sarojini Naidu

Answer: (c) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Bethune College:
  • The “Hindu Female School,” later known as Bethune School and now Bethune College, was a pioneering institution founded in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1849, dedicated to promoting women’s education and later became the first women’s college in Asia.
  • It is the oldest women’s college in India. It was established as a girls’ school in 1849,  and as a college in 1879.
  • The college was founded as the Calcutta Female School in 1849 by John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune, with the support of social reformers like Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Raja Dakshinaranjan Mukherjee. 
    • Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, as the Secretary of the Hindu Female School, played a crucial role in the development and success of the school.

Q. In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as

(a) Leaders of Swadeshi and Boycott Movement

(b) Members of the Interim Government in 1946

(c) Members of the Drafting Committee in the Constituent Assembly

(d) Officers of the Indian National Army

Answer: (d) Officers of the Indian National Army

Notes:
  • The Indian National Army (also known as the Azad Hind Fauj) was an armed force formed by Indian Nationalists in 1942, through the patronage of the Imperial Japanese Army, to secure independence for India.
  • The first INA was formed under Mohan Singh, a former officer of the British Indian Army captured during the Malay campaign. Conditions in the prisoner-of-war camps, as well as resentment against the British in general, saw many prisoners of war volunteer to join the Indian National Army.
  • The initiative received considerable support from the Imperial Japanese Army and from the ethnic Indian population of South-East Asia.
    • However, disagreements between Mohan Singh and the Japanese Army Command regarding the autonomy of the Indian National Army led to the disbandment of the first INA in December 1942.
  • Subash Chandra Bose and the Second INA
    • Although Mohan Singh had angered the Japanese Army Command through his actions, they relented to form a second Indian National Army. Mohan Singh himself recommended Subash Chandra Bose for the leadership role. His reputation as a committed nationalist was known to both the Indian diaspora of South East Asia and the Imperial Japanese Army. As such, they were more open to the idea of a nationalist army led by Subash Chandra Bose. The activities of Subash Chandra Bose in India had forced the British authorities to imprison him, but he escaped and reached Berlin in 1941.
  • Major General Shah Nawaz Khan, Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon and Colonel Prem Kumar Sahgal were three of the senior-most officers of INA and trusted colleagues of Netaji.
    • These three officers were part of Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA), which fought alongside the Axis Powers during World War II to achieve India’s independence from British rule.
  • The Red Fort Trials (1945–1946):
    • The three officers — Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal, and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon – were charged with treason, murder, and torture for their role in the INA.
    • The trial took place at the Red Fort in Delhi, and it became a symbol of national resistance against British rule, uniting Indians across political ideologies.
    • Although the British found them guilty, the widespread public outrage and protests across India forced the British to commute their sentences.
Constituent Assembly of India
  • Constituent Assembly of India was partly elected and partly nominated body to frame the Constitution of India. It was elected by the Provincial assemblies of British India following the Provincial Assembly elections held in 1946 and nominated by princely states.
  • After India’s independence from the British in August 1947, its members served as the nation’s ‘Provisional Parliament‘, as well as the Constituent Assembly.
  • It was conceived and created by V. K. Krishna Menon, who first outlined its necessity in 1933 and enshrined it as an Indian National Congress demand.
  • The Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, comprised seven members:
    • Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar,
    • N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar,
    • K.M. Munshi,
    • Mohammad Saadulla,
    • B.L. Mitter (later replaced by N. Madhava Rao),
    • D.P. Khaitan (later replaced by T.T. Krishnamachari),
    • and B.R. Ambedkar.
Interim Government
  • The Interim Government of India, also known as the Provisional Government of India, formed on 2 September 1946 from the newly elected Constituent Assembly of India, had the task of assisting the transition of British India to independence.
    • It remained in place until 15 August 1947, the date of the independence (and partition) of British India, and the creation of the dominions of India and Pakistan.
  • Key Members and their Portfolios:
    • Jawaharlal Nehru (INC): Vice President, External Affairs, and Commonwealth Relations.
    • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (INC): Home Affairs, Information, and Broadcasting.
    • Rajendra Prasad (INC): Agriculture and Food.
    • C. Rajagopalachari (INC): Education and Arts.
    • Baldev Singh (Sikh): Defence.
    • Liaquat Ali Khan (Muslim League): Finance.
    • Jagjivan Ram (INC): Labour.
    • Asaf Ali (Muslim League): Railways and Communications.
    • C.H. Bhabha (Parsee): Works, Mines, and Power.
    • Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar (Muslim League): Commerce.
    • Abdur Rab Nishtar (Muslim League): Posts and Air.
    • Ghazanfar Ali Khan (Muslim League): Health.
    • Jogendra Nath Mandal (Scheduled Caste): Law.
    • John Matthai (Indian Christian): Industries and Supplies. 

Q. With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State.
  2. The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of Vijayanagara Empire.
  3. Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Answer: (b) 2 only

Notes:
  • The Nizamat of Arcot (also called the Carnatic Nawabdom) did not emerge from the Hyderabad state.
    • Arcot was initially part of the Mughal Empire and came under the Nawab of the Carnatic. Later, with the weakening of Mughal authority, the Nawab of Arcot established an independent rule.
    • However, Hyderabad was formed in 1724 when Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I declared independence from the Mughal Empire, but Arcot was separate from Hyderabad and ruled by its own Nawab.
  • The Kingdom of Mysore was founded by the Wodeyars in the 15th century, initially as a vassal state under the Vijayanagara Empire.
    • After the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire following the Battle of Talikota (1565), Mysore emerged as an independent kingdom and expanded its influence, particularly under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.
  • Rohilkhand was founded by Afghan chiefs, led by Daud Khan in the early 18th century.
    • Though Ahmad Shah Durrani (Abdali) invaded India multiple times, he did not establish Rohilkhand.
    • Instead, the Rohilla Afghans formed the kingdom independently from Mughal territories in the Awadh region (modern Uttar Pradesh). Durrani did, however, have some alliances with the Rohillas during his campaigns.

Q. In the first quarter of seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located?

  1. Broach
  2. Chicacole
  3. Trichinopoly

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Answer: (a) 1 only

Notes:
  • Broach (present-day Bharuch, Gujarat):
    • Broach was an important trading center in Gujarat. The EIC set up a factory here in 1616, along with other factories at Surat and Cambay.
    • Gujarat was attractive to the English due to its thriving textile and spice trade, and Broach was a key part of this network.
  • Chicacole (present-day Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh):
    • ​Chicacole was not a significant center of English trade or factory establishment in the early 17th century.
    • The EIC focused on the western coast during this period, and their presence on the eastern coast grew only later.
  • ​Trichinopoly (present-day Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu).
    • Trichinopoly was a significant city in South India, but it was not a focus of the English East India Company’s activities during the early 17th century. 
    • The company began expanding to the Coromandel Coast (Madras) later, towards the mid-17th century.
Advent of Europeans in India

Q. With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?

(a) Pingali Venkayya designed the tricolor Indian National Flag here.

(b) Pattabhi Sitaramaiah led the Quit India Movement of Andhra region from here.

(c) Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali to English here.

(d) Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott set up headquarters of Theosophical Society first here.

Answer: (c) Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali to English here.

Notes:
  • Madanapalle, a town in Andhra Pradesh, holds a special place in Indian history, particularly in the context of Rabindranath Tagore and the National Anthem.
  • Rabindranath Tagore in Madanapalle:
    • In 1919, Tagore visited Madanapalle, where he stayed at the Besant Theosophical College.
    • It was during this stay that he translated “Jana Gana Mana” (the National Anthem of India) from Bengali to English. This translation is titled “The Morning Song of India.”
  • Pingali Venkayya designed the tricolour flag in Vijayawada.
  • Pattabhi Sitaramaiah was active in the Andhra region during the freedom movement, but there is no record of him leading the Quit India Movement from Madanapalle.
  • The Theosophical Society was founded by Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott in New York in 1875, and its headquarters were later moved to Adyar, Chennai (then Madras).