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Early Indian Nationalism

History Optional PYQPs History Optional

Early Indian Nationalism: History Optional PYQs
ByLotusArise August 31, 2026September 13, 2026
Early Indian Nationalism

Why has the ‘safety valve theory’ related to the foundation of the Indian National Congress been thoroughly discredited by recent researchers? Analyze.

Read article Why has the ‘safety valve theory’ related to the foundation of the Indian National Congress been thoroughly discredited by recent researchers? Analyze.
Early Indian Nationalism

“The significant feature of the Indian Councils Act of 1892 was the principle of election which it introduced, though the word ‘election’ was very carefully avoided in it.”

Read article “The significant feature of the Indian Councils Act of 1892 was the principle of election which it introduced, though the word ‘election’ was very carefully avoided in it.”
Early Indian Nationalism

The Swadeshi movement of 1905 anticipated many of the tactics that were later developed during the Gandhian mass movement. – Critically examine.

Read article The Swadeshi movement of 1905 anticipated many of the tactics that were later developed during the Gandhian mass movement. – Critically examine.
Early Indian Nationalism

Discuss the policies and programmes of the early nationalists (moderates). To what extent they were able to fulfil the aspirations of the people.

Read article Discuss the policies and programmes of the early nationalists (moderates). To what extent they were able to fulfil the aspirations of the people.
Early Indian Nationalism

What were the various ways in which nationalism manifested itself in India during colonial rule?

Read article What were the various ways in which nationalism manifested itself in India during colonial rule?
Early Indian Nationalism

Critically examine the following statement: In the first decade of the 20th century, the atmosphere was ripe for the emergence of revolutionary groups to fill up the vacant space in the political map of the country.

Read article Critically examine the following statement: In the first decade of the 20th century, the atmosphere was ripe for the emergence of revolutionary groups to fill up the vacant space in the political map of the country.
Early Indian Nationalism

In its political behaviour the Indian National Congress in its early career was never a radical organisation, besides the founders of the Congress involved A.O. Hume in their project. Do these facts verify that the Congress was founded as a ‘Safety valve’? Explain.

Read article In its political behaviour the Indian National Congress in its early career was never a radical organisation, besides the founders of the Congress involved A.O. Hume in their project. Do these facts verify that the Congress was founded as a ‘Safety valve’? Explain.
Early Indian Nationalism

How would you explain the major trends of the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal?

Read article How would you explain the major trends of the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal?
Early Indian Nationalism

How far was the drain theory a focal point of nationalist critique of colonialism?

Read article How far was the drain theory a focal point of nationalist critique of colonialism?
Early Indian Nationalism

Can methods and policies of the moderates be referred to as ‘political mendicancy’?

Read article Can methods and policies of the moderates be referred to as ‘political mendicancy’?
Early Indian Nationalism

Explain “Constructive Swadeshi” characterised by Atmashakti (self-reliance), which propelled the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal.

Read article Explain “Constructive Swadeshi” characterised by Atmashakti (self-reliance), which propelled the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal.
Early Indian Nationalism

“The Anti-Partition Agitation (1909) had an economic character in Bengal unlike the Extremist Agitation in Maharashtra which had a religious character.” Examine.

Read article “The Anti-Partition Agitation (1909) had an economic character in Bengal unlike the Extremist Agitation in Maharashtra which had a religious character.” Examine.
Early Indian Nationalism

“Politics remained for the bulk of the Moderates very much a part-time affair. The Congress was not a political party, but an annual three-day show…” Elucidate.

Read article “Politics remained for the bulk of the Moderates very much a part-time affair. The Congress was not a political party, but an annual three-day show…” Elucidate.
Early Indian Nationalism

“The ‘safety-valve thesis’ does not adequately explain the birth of the Indian National Congress in 1885.” Critically examine.

Read article “The ‘safety-valve thesis’ does not adequately explain the birth of the Indian National Congress in 1885.” Critically examine.
Early Indian Nationalism

“At the dawn of the twentieth century Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, was full of hostility towards the Indian National Congress and he confidentially reported to the Secretary of State in November 1900: My own belief is that the Congress is tottering to its fall, and one of my greatest ambitions while in India is to’ assist it to a peaceful demise.” Examine.

Read article “At the dawn of the twentieth century Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, was full of hostility towards the Indian National Congress and he confidentially reported to the Secretary of State in November 1900: My own belief is that the Congress is tottering to its fall, and one of my greatest ambitions while in India is to’ assist it to a peaceful demise.” Examine.
Early Indian Nationalism

Analyse the social composition of the early Congress leadership.

Read article Analyse the social composition of the early Congress leadership.
Early Indian Nationalism

‘Rabindranath Tagore’s nationalism was based on a Catholic internationalism.’ Comment.

Read article ‘Rabindranath Tagore’s nationalism was based on a Catholic internationalism.’ Comment.
Early Indian Nationalism

Examine the economic and social factors which led to the rise of Indian nationalism in the second half of the nineteenth century.

Read article Examine the economic and social factors which led to the rise of Indian nationalism in the second half of the nineteenth century.
Early Indian Nationalism

To what extent was the emergence of the Congress in 1885 the culmination of a process of political awakening that had its beginning in the 1870s?

Read article To what extent was the emergence of the Congress in 1885 the culmination of a process of political awakening that had its beginning in the 1870s?
Early Indian Nationalism

“Curzon’s partition of Bengal gave the unwitting initiative to events of magnitude and returned many years later to port with the cargo of freedom.” Comment.

Read article “Curzon’s partition of Bengal gave the unwitting initiative to events of magnitude and returned many years later to port with the cargo of freedom.” Comment.
Early Indian Nationalism

“India after 1905 had new interests and objectives and compelled new lines of policy.” Comment.

Read article “India after 1905 had new interests and objectives and compelled new lines of policy.” Comment.
Early Indian Nationalism

‘It was in this almost unrecognizable form that the Ilbert Bill was finally enacted… it was primarily a failure of the Viceroy’. Comment

Read article ‘It was in this almost unrecognizable form that the Ilbert Bill was finally enacted… it was primarily a failure of the Viceroy’. Comment
Early Indian Nationalism

Discuss ‘the safety valve’ theory. Does it satisfactorily explain the foundation of the Indian National Congress?

Read article Discuss ‘the safety valve’ theory. Does it satisfactorily explain the foundation of the Indian National Congress?
Early Indian Nationalism

‘Curzon was an unconscious catalyst who did not understand, let alone desire, what the new century was about to bring forth, but who helped it to be born.’ Comment

Read article ‘Curzon was an unconscious catalyst who did not understand, let alone desire, what the new century was about to bring forth, but who helped it to be born.’ Comment
Early Indian Nationalism

‘The Ilbert Bill was the most extreme but by no means isolated expression of white racism.’ Comment

Read article ‘The Ilbert Bill was the most extreme but by no means isolated expression of white racism.’ Comment
History Optional Modern Indian History

Lucknow Pact, 1916
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

The Home Rule Movement (1915–1916)
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

The Beginning of Revolutionary Extremism in India
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

Surat Split of INC, 1907
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

The Partition of Bengal (1905)
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

The Moderates and Extremists
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

The Social Composition of early Congress Leadership
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

Safety-valve thesis relating to the birth of Congress
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

Programme and Objectives of Early Congress
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

The Foundation of Indian National Congress
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

Political Association before Indian National Congress
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism
ByLotusArise August 3, 2026August 3, 2026

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