Indian Freedom Movement UPSC Flashcards
(133 cards)
1
Q
Which British officer was killed in Kanpur during the Revolt of 1857?
A
General Hugh Wheeler
2
Q
Who founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828?
A
Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
3
Q
Which movement did Swami Dayananda Saraswati start?
A
Arya Samaj
4
Q
What was the significance of Jyotirao Phule’s Satyashodhak Samaj
A
upliftment of lower castes
5
Q
Who was the author of Gulamgiri (1873)
A
Jyotirao Phule
6
Q
Which newspaper was started by Bal Gangadhar Tilak
A
Kesari (Marathi) and Mahratta (English)
7
Q
Who presided over the first session of the INC?
A
W.C. Banerjee
8
Q
Who was the British Viceroy during the formation of INC?
A
Dufferin
9
Q
Who was the Viceroy responsible for the Partition of Bengal (1905)?
A
Curzon
10
Q
What was the main economic weapon of the Swadeshi Movement?
A
Boycott of British goods
11
Q
Who was known as the ‘Lion of Punjab’?
A
Lala Lajpat Rai.
12
Q
Who composed the patriotic song Bande Mataram?
A
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
13
Q
Who established Anushilan Samiti?
A
Barindra Kumar Ghosh, Jatindarnath Banerjee, Pramathanath Mitra;
fitness club and anti-British underground revolutionary organization
14
Q
Which revolutionary threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly in 1929?
A
Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt
15
Q
Who assassinated Curzon Wyllie in 1909?
A
Madan Lal Dhingra (revolutionary nationalist)
16
Q
Who started the Home Rule Movement?
A
Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant.
17
Q
Which movement did Mahatma Gandhi launch in 1920?
A
Non-Cooperation Movement.
18
Q
What was the first major event of the Civil Disobedience Movement?
A
Dandi March (March 12, 1930).
19
Q
When was the Quit India Resolution passed?
A
August 8, 1942.
20
Q
Which committee recommended the formation of the Constituent Assembly?
A
Cabinet Mission (1946)
21
Q
Who was the first Indian Governor-General of Independent India?
A
C. Rajagopalachari
22
Q
What was the Indian Councils Act of 1861?
A
It introduced limited Indian representation in legislative councils
23
Q
What was the main feature of the Indian Councils Act of 1892?
A
It increased Indian representation and allowed discussion of budgets in councils.
24
Q
What was the main achievement of the Morley-Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act 1909)?
A
Introduction of separate electorates for Muslims.
25
What was the main achievement of the Government of India Act 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms)?
Introduction of dyarchy (nominated British and elected Indians) in provinces, giving limited self-governance.
26
Who led the Swadeshi Movement (1905–1911)?
Bal Gangadhar Tilak,
Lala Lajpat Rai, and
Bipin Chandra Pal (Lal-Bal-Pal)
27
Which newspapers played a significant role in the freedom movement? (6)
- Kesari (Tilak),
- Young India (Gandhi),
- The Hindu,
- Amrita Bazar Patrika,
- The Tribune, and
- The Leader.
28
Which literary works inspired nationalistic sentiments? (4)
- Anandamath (Bankim Chandra Chatterjee),
- Gitanjali (Rabindranath Tagore),
- Hind Swaraj (Gandhi),
- Bande Mataram (Aurobindo Ghosh)
29
Who was the founder of the Aligarh Movement?
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, promoting modern education among Muslims.
30
When was the All India Muslim League founded?
1906 in Dhaka by Aga Khan, Nawab Salimullah, and others.
31
What was the Lucknow Pact (1916)?
An agreement between INC and the Muslim League for self-governance
32
What was the Mountbatten Plan (1947)?
It led to the partition of India and the creation of India and Pakistan on August 15, 1947.
33
What was the significance of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)?
On April 13, 1919, General Dyer ordered open fire on unarmed protesters in Amritsar, leading to hundreds of deaths.
34
What was the significance of the Kakori Conspiracy (1925)?
A train robbery conducted by revolutionaries (Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan of Hindustan Republican Association) to fund armed resistance against British rule.
35
What were Bhagat Singh’s major contributions to the Freedom Struggle?
1. He, along with Batukeshwar Dutt, threw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly (1929)
2. He was later executed for the Lahore Conspiracy Case (1931).
36
What was the significance of the Second Round Table Conference (1931)?
Gandhi represented the INC, but the conference failed due to British reluctance to grant substantial reforms.
37
Who were the Moderate leaders of the INC? (5)
Dadabhai Naoroji,
Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta,
M.G. Ranade, and Surendranath Banerjee.
38
What was the "Drain of Wealth" theory, and who propounded it?
Dadabhai Naoroji explained that British economic policies led to the extraction of wealth from India.
39
What caused the Surat split in the INC between Moderates and Extremists in 1907?
Differences over the approach toward British rule—Moderates favored dialogue, while Extremists preferred aggressive methods.
40
Name key leaders from both sides in the Surat Split.
Moderates: Gopal Krishna Gokhale;
Extremists: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai.
41
Name two important revolutionary organizations formed during the freedom struggle.
Anushilan Samiti (1902) and Abhinav Bharat Society (1904).
42
Who were the key figures in the Ghadar Movement (1913)?
Lala Hardayal, Bhai Parmanand, and Kartar Singh Sarabha.
43
What was Gandhi's first major political movement in India?
Champaran Satyagraha (1917) to protest against indigo cultivation
44
What was the significance of the "Nehru Report" (1928)?
It proposed a dominion status for India with fundamental rights.
45
What was the slogan of Subhas Chandra Bose?
"Give me blood, and I will give you freedom!"
46
Who was the first woman President of the Indian National Congress?
Annie Besant in 1917.
47
What was the significance of the Lahore Resolution (1940)?
creation of Pakistan.
48
What were three key provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935?
Provincial autonomy,
federal structure, and establishment of a central legislature.
49
How did the First World War impact India's economy?
It led to high taxation, inflation, food shortages, and economic hardships, which fueled discontent against British rule.
50
What was the **British promise** in response to India's support in the First World War?
The **Montagu Declaration (1917)** promised "gradual development of self-governing institutions."
51
What were the two primary **objectives** of the **Non-Cooperation Movement**?
1) Attaining **Swaraj** (self-rule), and
2) Supporting the **Khilafat Movement** to protect the Ottoman Caliphate.
52
What were the main **methods** of the **Non-Cooperation Movement**?
**Boycott** of British goods, institutions, courts, and titles;
* promotion of **Khadi** and
* **Swadeshi** industries.
53
What event led to the **suspension** of the **Non-Cooperation Movement**?
The **Chauri Chaura incident (1922)**, where police were burned alive by protesters, led Gandhi to call off the movement.
54
Why did the **Khilafat Movement** fail?
The abolition of the **Caliphate** by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1924 removed the movement’s main cause.
55
Who were the **Swarajists**?
A faction within Congress led by **C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru** that sought to enter legislative councils and obstruct British policies.
56
Why did the Swarajists oppose Gandhi’s decision to **withdraw** the **Non-Cooperation Movement**?
They believed in continuing the fight within the British system rather than total non-cooperation.
57
What was the "**Council Entry**" strategy of the **Swarajists**?
They contested elections and used legislative councils to resist British policies from within.
58
What was the purpose of the **Simon Commission**?
To review the **Government of India Act, 1919**, and suggest constitutional reforms.
59
What was the **Nehru Report (1928)**, and how was it related to the **Simon Commission**?
It was a **counter-proposal** by Indian leaders demanding self-rule and fundamental rights.
60
What were the FOUR key features of the **Nehru Report**?
- Universal **adult suffrage**,
- **fundamental rights**,
- protection of **minorities**, and
- **rejection of separate electorates**.
61
Why did the **Muslim League** oppose the **Nehru Report**?
It rejected **separate electorates**, which were a key demand of Muslim leaders
62
What was the **Cripps Mission** (1942), and why did it fail?
It offered **Dominion status** but was rejected due to **vague assurances** and lack of immediate independence.
63
How did the British control the **press**?
Through laws like the **Vernacular Press Act** (1878) and the **Press Act** (1910).
64
What were THREE major British initiatives in advancing **education** in India?
Charter Act of 1813, Macaulay’s Minutes (1835), Wood’s Despatch (1854)
65
What was the significance of **Wood’s Despatch** (1854)?
It introduced modern education and set up universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras.
66
SIX important contributions of **Raja Ram Mohan Roy**
* 1815- Atmiya Sabha -Preach Monotheism
* Mirat Ul Akhbar (persian Magazine)
* Samwad Kaumudi (Newspaper)
* 1817 - Hindu College
* 1828 - Brahmo Samaj (with Dwarkanath Tagore)
* 1828 - Percepts of Jesus
67
Who is **Devendranath Tagore** and what is his contribution to the Socia-Religious Reform Movement?
* Started **"Tatvabodhini Sabha"** based on principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
* Joins Brahmo Samaj in 1843
* Ideological differences with Keshav Chandra Sen lead to split of Brahmo Samaj and establishment of **"Adi Brahmo Samaj"**
68
Who is **Keshav Chandra Sen** and what is his contribution to the Socia-Religious Reform Movement?
* **Sangat Sabha**/ Friendly Association
* Joins Brahmo Samaj in 1857
* Starts "**Brahmo Samaj of India/ Nava Vidhan**" in 1866 which falls when he marries his minor daughter to minor boy
69
Who established the **Sadharan Brahmo Samaj** in 1878?
Anand Mohan Bose
70
What was the **"Dharma Sabha"**? Who founded it?
Traditional Organization that opposed religious reform and **supported Sati**.
Founded by **Radha Kant Deb**
71
What was the **Young Bengal Movement**? Who founded it?
Founded by **Henry Vivien Derozio** (Anglo-Indian) that demanded liberal reforms like:
* Induction of Indians into higher services,
* protection of ryots from Zamindars,
* Freedom of press
* Better treatment of Indian labourers
72
Name TWO organizations founded by **Henry Viven Derozio** and his followers?
1. Academic Association in Hindu College
2. Society for Acquisition of General Knowledge
73
What was the "**South Indian Liberation Federation**" aka **Justice Party**? Who founded it?
* **TM Nair, Tyagaraja Chettiar, & Raja of Penegal**
* Newspaper - "**Justice**"
* **Non-Brahmin Manifesto** for representation of Non-brahmins in Govt. jobs
* First cohesive demand for **reservation** in India
74
What was the **"Self Respect Movement"**?
* Movement started in 1920s by **Ramaswamy Naicker** (Socrates of Asia)
* to demand reforms of Hinduism - **marriage without brahmin priests**, **burning of Manusmriti** and t**emple entry of lower castes**
* Journal - **Kudi Arasu**
75
What was the "**Ezhava Movement**" or the Sri Narayan Dharma Paripolam Yogam (SNDP) ?
* Untouchables of Kerala (Ezhavas) discriminated by Nambudari brahmins
* Founded by **Narayana Guru**
* Demands: Admission to schools, Access to roads, entry into temples, reservation in govr jobs, etc.
76
What is the **Vaikom Satyagraha** of 1924-25?
* A social reform movement from Travancore (Kerala) demanding **temple entry **for all sections and access to temple roads.
* Leaders: **K. Kelappan**, T. K. Madhavan, and K. P. Kesava Menon
* Supported by: Mahatma Gandhi and Periyar E.V. Ramasamy
77
What was the **"Arya Samaj"**? Who founded it?
**Swami Dayanand Saraswati** in 1875 in Bombay
Slogan: Back to the Vedas
78
Name TWO important works of **Swami Dayanand Saraswati**
* Satyarth Prakash
* Veda Bhasya Bhumika (Commentary on Yajurveda and Rigveda)
79
Who started the "**Shuddhi Movement**" and why?
Dayanand Saraswati for people that wanted to re-convert to Hinduism
80
Who started the **Arya Mahila Samaj**?
Pandita Ramabai
81
What is the **Theosophical Society**?
1875 in New York by Alcott and Blavatsky
Universal brotherhood of man, to study all religions of the world
In 1888 in Adyar (Madras) - Annie Besant
82
Who founded "**Satyasodhak Samaj**"?
Jyotibha Phule and Savitribai Phule
Books: Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Pustak & Gulamgiri
83
Who gave the call for the **Swadeshi Movement**? What were the main characteristics?
Gopal Krishna Gokhale in 1905
Boycott of foreign goods, govt schools and colleges
84
What were the causes for the formation of the **Muslim League** in 1906?
* **Lord Curzon**'s Divide and rule policy sowed the seeds for **Muslim communalism** - Promised to establish muslim educational institutions in Dacca after **Partition of Bengal**
* **Syed Ahmed Khan** called for muslims to stay loyal to British and stay away from INC
* First president - **Aga Khan**
85
Who gave the title of **Muslim Gokhale** to Mohammed Ali Jinnah?
Sarojini Naidu
86
Name ONE major achievement of the **Muslim League**
Attaining a separate electorate for muslims in the Minto-Morley Reforms of 1909.
87
What are the **FOUR resolutions** passed by Extremists during the **1906 Calcutta** meeting of the INC?
1. Resolution on Self Government (Swarajya)
2. Swadeshi
3. Boycott
4. Resolution on National Education
88
Name the THREE extremist leaders and their slogan
**Lal-Bal-Pal** (Lala Lajpat Rai, Balgangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal)
"**Swaraj is my Birthright**"
89
In which session of the INC was "**Swaraj**" adopted as the goal of Indian people?
In **Calcutta session of 1906**, under the leadership of **Dadabhai Naoroji**
(Toned down by the Moderates to mean "**self governing British Colonies**")
90
What were the causes of the **Surat Split** of the INC (1907)?
1. Increasing popularity of the Extremists
2. disillusionment with the apporach of the Moderates
91
Who was the **President** of the 1907 **Surat Session** of the INC?
Ras Bihari Ghosh
92
What were the FOUR laws passed by the British Govt after the Surat Split in 1907?
To check anti-government activity, the British govt. passed:
1. The **Seditious Meetings** Act, 1907
2. The Indian Newspapers (**Incitement to Offences**) Act, 1908
3. The **Criminal Law** Amendment Act, 1908
4. Indian **Press** Act, 1910
93
Who passed the **Indian Press Act**, 1910?
**Herbert Hope Risley**
(Home Secretary to the Govt)
Said: "Bengal United is Power, Bengal divided will pull several ways"
94
Which jail was **Tilak** sent to in **1908**?
After the Surat Split, Tilak was sent to **MANDALAY prision in Burma** for 6 years till 1914 on teh charge of SEDITION
95
What was the movement initiated by **Tilak **after his release from jail in **1914**?
**Home Rule Movement**
(Along with **Annie Besant**, started the **All India Home Rule League**)
96
Describe the **Carrot and Stick Policy** of the British?
1. **Repression**: Harshly repress extremists to frighten moderates
2. **Conciliation**: Moderated placated through concessions, with hints that more would follow if they are loyal to British. Isolation of Extremists
3. **Suppression**: Suppression of Extremists and ignore Moderates.
97
What were THREE main aims of the **Home Rule Movement** (1914)?
1. To lead the demand for national self-government
2. Dominion status within the empire
3. Similar to the Home Rule already granted to other British colonies like Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa
98
What were the SIX main causes of the Home Rule Movement?
1. **Moderates' disiluusionment** with the Morely-Minto Reforms (1909)
2. **Lack of progress** with the PPP approach and need to put pressure on British govt.
3. **High taxation** and price burdens causing wartime misery (First world war)
4. Exposing the **myth of White Supremacy**
5. **Tilak's readiness** to lead any aggressive protest to achieve freedom.
6. Realization that the **Surat split** harmed both moderates and extremists alike.
99
TWO Annie Besant Newspapers
New India
Commonweal
100
TWO newspapers started by MK Gandhi
Indian Opinion
Young India
101
**Tilak's Home Rule League** founded in? Which **areas** were included? What were the **demands**?
* Founded in Poona (1916) - HQ in Delhi
* Restricted to Maha, K'taka, Central provinces and Berar
* Demands: Swarajya, Liguistic states, Vernacular education
102
Annie Besant' "**All-India Home Rule League**"
* Founded in Madras (Sep 1916)
* Jurisdiction: Bombay city, Madras, Rest of India
* George Arundale - Organizing Secretary
* Demand: Self government
103
Who stayed away from the **Home rule movement** and why?
* Anglo Indians, Muslims and Southern Brahmins
* They felt that Home Rule would mean rule by Upper Caste Majority Hindus from north india
104
Which GGI wanted to **Partition Bengal in (1905**)?
**Curzon** on 16th October 1905 (**Day of Mourning**)
(**Divide and Rule Policy**: To weaken the freedom movement by dividing populaiton on communal basis)
105
Describe the **Swadeshi and Boycott Movements** (1905-11)
* **Leaders**: Aurobindo Ghosh, Bipin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Chidambaram Pillai
* **Genesis**: Bengal Anti Partition movement
* **Aim**: to create **economic pressure** on Britain by boycotting the purchase of British manufactured goods (**Manchester cotton, Liverpool Salt**) and revival of Indian industries.
* **Samitis**: Volunteer groups that mobilized people and spread Swadeshi movement (**Swadesh Bandhab Samiti** of **Ashwini Kumar Dutt**)
106
Who was the first Principal of the **Bengal National College** est. in 1906?
**Aurobindo Ghosh**
He left in 1907 after the British prosecuted him for Sedition due to his links with the **Bande Mataram** newspaper
107
Who composed "**Amar Sonar Bangla**"?
**Rabindranath Tagore**
Inspires the Bangladesh Independence movement and becomes its National Anthem in 1971
108
When was the **Muslim League** Formed?
1906
109
What is the "**Tolstoy Farm**" (1910-13)?
A support farm set up by **Gandhi** to house and employ the families of Satyagrahis in **Johannesburg, South Africa**. A precursor to Indian ashrams
110
In which Three struggles was Gandhiji involved between 1917-18?
1. **Champaran** Satyagraha (1917)- *First civil disobedience in India* - Indigo Farmers' Theenkathia system
2. **Ahmedabad** Cotton Mill Strike (1918) - *First Hunger Strike* - Dispute between Mill owners and workers about **Plague bonus**
3. **Kheda** Satyagraha (1918) - First *Non-Cooperation* - Protesting against **revenues** being collected after a **drought**
111
What was the **Teenkathia System**?
Farmers were forced to grow **Indigo on 3/20th** portion of their land in Bihar
112
What was the **Treaty of Sèvres** (1920)?
* Post-World War-I pact between the victorious **Allied powers** (British Empire, France, and Russia) and representatives of the government of **Ottoman Turkey**.
* The treaty **abolished the Ottoman Empire**
113
What was the **Lucknow Pact** of 1916?
* Agreement between **INC** and **Muslim League** (led by Jinnah) at a joint session of both parties to demand **constitutional reforms**
* For his efforts, Sarojini Naidu gave Jinnah the title ‘the Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity
114
During which meeting of the **Muslim League** was the call for **Khilafat Movement** made?
at the 1918 Delhi Session by M.A. Ansari
115
On which date was **Khilafat day** observed throughout the country?
19th October 1919
116
What were the TWO main demands of the **Khilafat Movement**?
1. Lenient treatment of the Caliph and Turkey
2. Restoration of all Muslim territories to the Caliphate (**Jazirat-Ul-Arb**)
117
When did **INC** decide to support the **Khilafat Movement**?
In **1920** at the **Nagpur** session as a way to signal **Hindu-Muslim Unity**
118
Which **Khilafat leader** was given the title of "**Hazik-ul-mulk**" / **Mesiha-ul-mulk** for his efforts in the movement?
Hakim Ajmal Khan
119
What were the DUAL functions of the **Secretary of State for India** before the Govt. of India Act of 1919?
1. Political and Administrative functions
2. Agency functions
120
What was the reform introduced by **1919 Govt of India Act** to the **Secretary of State**'s powers?
* Splitting the powers between **Secretary of State** (Political and Admin powers) and a newly appointed **High Commissioner of India** (Agency functions)
* Sec of State paid by British, High commissioner by Indians
121
Which Act allowed Indians to become part of the Imperial Legislative Council?
(Morley Minto reform)
Indian Councils Act, 1909
First Law member - Satyendranath Sinha
122
What were the FOUR main demands of INC + AIMIM after the Lucknow Pack?
1. Self-government in India
2. Half the members of the Imperial Legislative Council to be Indians
3. 1/3rd representation to be given to Muslims in the Central Government
4. Separation of the executive from the judiciary
123
Which act introduced Bicameralism in India?
* Govt. of India Act, 1919
* **Central Legislative Assembly** (145 members)
* **Council of States** (60 members)
124
Under which Act was **Dyarchy** introduced in the Indian Provinces?
**Govt. of India Act, 1919**
Through the introduction of **"Reserved" and "Transferred"** lists
Reserved lists - laws made by GG + Executive Council
Transferred List - Laws made by GG + Indian Ministers
125
Which Governor General of Bengal was known as the "**Father of Civil Services in India**"?
Cornwallis
126
Which Governor General of Bengal started the policy of **Subsidiary Alliance** in India? in which **province**?
**Wellesley** in Hyderabad (1798)
127
Which Governor General of India was known as the "Liberator of Press in India"? Why?
Metcalfe (1835-36)
Repealed the "Licensing Regulation of 1823"
128
Which Governor General of India abolished **Female infanticide and Human sacrifice**?
Hardinge I (1844-48)
129
Who was the First Viceroy of India?
**Canning (1856-62)**
Notable facts:
1. Revolt of 1857
2. Govt. of India Act 1858
3. Hindu Widows Remarriage Act 1856
4. Imperial Civil Services
130
Which Viceroy was assassinated during his tenure? Why?
**Mayo**, by **Sher Ali**, an Afridi tribesman in the Andaman Islands.
Context of **Wahabi Movement** of the 18th Century
131
What was the Wahabi Movement? Why is it significant?
* it is a revivalist and reform movement aimed at **purifying Islam**
* founded by **Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab** in the Arabian peninsula
* Wahhabi Movement in India is associated with **Sayyid Ahmad Barelvi** (1786–1831)
* Key beliefs: Tawhid (Monotheism), Rejection of Bid’ah (Innovations) and Emphasis on Jihad.
132
What was the Ilbert Bill Controversy of 1883? Who was the Viceroy at that time?
* Ilbert bill allowed **Indian judges to hear cases involving British subjects** and aimed to remove racial discrimination in the Indian judicial system.
* British and Europeans fiercely opposed the bill and protested (**racial superiority**, economic concerns, and fears of losing authority, leading to public outrage and propaganda)
* Compromise Amendment to the bill: if an Indian judge presided over a case involving a European, the **defendant could request a jury composed of at least 50% Europeans**
* Viceroy: **RIPON**
133
Which Viceroy was the father of Local Self Governance?
**Ripon**
Also, he repealed the **Vernacular Press Act** in 1882 and improved labor conditions through the **First Factory Act, 1881**
