Syllabus- Three Phases of Indian Freedom Struggle, 1885-1947. The rise and growth of All India Kisan Sabha, Workers and Tribal movements; Issue of Gender and Women’s movement; Growth of Socialist and Communist Movements; Growth of Communalism; Independence and Partition of India.
Number of questions- Mains: 02, Prelims – 10
Mains Questions of the day-
1.Explain the major factors contributing to the rise of Communalism in India and mention the major challenges posed by Communalism in India?
Introduction: –
Write briefly about communalism.
Body: –
Mention the factors contributing to the rise of communalism in India.
Mention the major challenges that are posed by communalism in India.
Conclusion: –
Thus there is a need to curtail such phenomena and move towards social harmonization among the different religious group:
- Establishment of Peace committees that mediate in times of volatile situations.
- Regulation of Media, especially social media so that rumors and fake news are not spread.
- Check on Communal Agenda and politicization by way of strict implementation of law like on speeches during electioneering.
- Apart from communalism, there are other pressing concerns like corruption, poverty, widening inequality that India as democracy needs to address.
- India has unity in diversity since ancient times. The principles of Bhakti movement and Sufism reflect this.
- The struggle for independence itself is evidence of how various communities came together and believed in the collective sense of belongingness.
Content: –
Communalism: –
- Communalism as a political philosophy has its roots in the religious and cultural diversity of India.
- Communalism, in a broad sense means a strong attachment to one’s own community.
- It promotes belief in orthodox elements and principles, intolerance and hatred of other religions and thus divides the society.
- Positive aspect of communalism stands for the affinity of an individual towards his own community involving efforts for the social and economic upliftment of his community.
- In negative connotation, it is an ideology which emphasises the separate identity of a religious group in relation to other groups with a tendency to promote its own interests at the expense of the others.
- It has been used as a political propaganda tool to create divide, differences and tensions between the communities on the basis of religious and ethnic identity leading to communal hatred and violence.
Major factors contributing to rise of communalism in India: –
- Divisive Politics –
- Communalism is often defined as a political doctrine that makes use of religious and cultural differences in achieving political gains.
- Indian society, during ancient India was united and no such communal feelings were there. People lived peacefully together, there was acceptance for each other’s culture and tradition.
- In Medieval period, same acceptance for different cultures and tradition was practised in several kingdoms throughout India, because of which there was peace and harmony, barring few sectarian rulers like Aurangzeb, who was least tolerant for other religious practises. Overall, the Hindus and Muslims in those days, had common economic and political interests.
- Communalism in India is result of the emergence of modern politics, which has its roots in partition of Bengal in 1905 and feature of separate electorate under Government of India Act, 1909.
- Later, British government also appeased various communities through Communal award in 1932, which faced strong resistance from Gandhi and others.
- All these acts were done by the British government to appease Muslims and other communities, for their own political needs.
- This feeling of communalism has deepened since then, fragmenting the Indian society and being a cause of unrest.
- Communal consciousness arose as a result of the transformation of Indian society under the impact of colonialism.
- Political causes –
- Rise of Communal Political Parties among other religious groupings like Akali Dal, Hindu Mahasabha in the 1920s-30s basing their ideology and demands on religious interests.
- Communalization of Politics especially in the 1990s and a rising security threat from terror groups like Pro- Khalistan, SIMI etc. leading to polarization among the general populace.
- Economic Causes –
Uneven development, class divisions, poverty and unemployment aggravates insecurity in the common men which make them vulnerable to political manipulation.
- Isolation and Economic Backwardness of Muslim Community –
- Socio-economic backwardness of minorities especially Muslims in India, forcing them to become vulnerable towards extremist ideology, especially among younger age groups.
- The failure to adopt the scientific and technological education and thus, insufficient representation in the public service, industry and trade etc. has led to the feeling of relative deprivation among Muslims.
- The resurgence of Hindu-Muslim economic competition, especially among the lower and middle class strata has fuelled the communal ideology.
- Administrative Failure –
A weak law and order is one of the causes of communal violence.
- Psychological Factors –
The lack of inter-personal trust and mutual understanding between two communities often result in perception of threat, harassment, fear and danger in one community against the members of the other community, which in turn leads to fight, hatred and anger phobia.
- Role of Media –
- It is accused of sensationalism and disseminates rumours as “news” which sometimes resulted into further tension and riots between two rival religious groups.
- Social media has also emerged as a powerful medium to spread messages relating to communal tension or riot in any part of the country.
Following are the major challenges posed by the communalism in India:
- It is a threat to basic principles of Indian Constitution like: –
- Democracy
- Fundamental Rights
- Secularism
- Fraternity
- Unity and Integrity
- Promote the chauvinism ideology (majority religious group in an area hinders the enjoyment of such by minorities).
- Frequent disruption in the process of development as riots, forced displacement, damaging public property raises the economic cost.
- Discontent among social groups based on religion for the future, thereby continuing the cycle of violence.
- It also makes the country vulnerable to external threats like terrorism, allowing influence by state and non-state actors in domestic politics, thereby challenging the sovereignty.
2.Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.
Introduction: –
Write briefly about Dalhousie and his policies during his term.
Body: –
- Write about Dalhousie territorial acquisition through annexation and application of Doctrine of Lapse
- Mention his contribution towards administrative reforms, introduction of railways and communication (telegraph and postal system), education and public works Department.
Conclusion: –
- The Modern India stands on the state-district administration, Rail-Post-Telecom infrastructure and three tier education system.
- Dalhousie directly involved in all of them, hence aptly called the founder of Modern India.
Content: –
During his term, Dalhousie increased the extent of British India to Punjab, Oudh, Satara, Jhansi and other parts of India. His territorial acquisition transformed the map of India. He was not only a conqueror but also a great administrator.
- He started converting the medieval provinces into modern centralized states- with his “non-regulation system”. Punjab was divided into smaller district supervised by Deputy Commissioners, who were in turn supervised by a Chief Commissioner.
- Introduced railways in India for commercial, strategic and Administrative purpose.
- Introduced postal stamps, uniform charges and modern Postal System.
- Laid more than 4000 miles of telegraph line.
- Created separate Public Works department, allotted more funds for roads-canal construction.
- Implemented Woods Dispatch, assumed the responsibility of educating the masses, created hierarchy of educational institutes from primary schools at villages, high schools and collages at district level and universities in presidency towns.
Prelims Questions of the day: –
1. Which of the following locations, the Dutch established their earliest factory?
- Surat
- Pulicat
- Cochin
- Cassimbazar
Answer: B
Explanation:
- The Dutch East India Company was created in 1602 as “United East India Company” and its first permanent trading post was in Indonesia.
- Dutch Factories in India: Masulipatnam (1605), Pulicat (1610), Surat (1616), Bimlipatnam (1641), Karikal (1645), Chinsurah (1653), Cassimbazar, Baranagore, Patna, Balasore, Nagapatnam (1658) and Cochin (1663). (It covered both Eastern and western Coasts).
- Dutch presence on the Indian subcontinent lasted from 1605 to 1825. Merchants of the Dutch East India Company first established themselves in Dutch Coromandel, notably Pulicat, as they were looking for textiles to exchange with the spices they traded in the East Indies. DutchSuratte and Dutch Bengal were established in 1616 and 1627 respectively.
2.During which struggle the “civil disobedience” was adopted as a method of struggle for the first time in India?
- Kheda satyagraha
- Ahmedabad mill strikes
- Champaran satyagraha
- Civil disobedience movement
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Champaran Satyagraha was Mahatma Gandhi’s first experiment of Satyagraha.
- It was undertaken in the erstwhile undivided Champaran district in northern Bihar in April 1917.
- A peaceful protest with passive resistance is known as non-cooperation, along with breaking the colonial rules is known as civil disobedience which was started.
- In 1906 first civil disobedience against Asians ordinance was used, but in India first civil disobedience was Champaran Satyagraha. Hence statement C is correct.
3.Under which of the following act the first Law Commission was established, under the Chairmanship of Lord Macaulay?
- Government of India Act 1935
- Charter Act of 1833
- Law Commission Act, 1967
- Act of 1919
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Law Reform in the ancient period was ad hoc and not institutionalised.
- However, since the third decade of the nineteenth century, Law Commissions were constituted by the Government from time to time.
- The first law commission was established in 1834 under the Charter Act of 1833.
- Thereafter, the second, third and fourth Law Commissions were constituted in 1853, 1861 and 1879 respectively helped adapt English Laws to Indian conditions.
- The Indian Code of Civil Procedure, the Indian Contract Act, the Indian Evidence Act, the Transfer of Property Act etc. are products of the labour of the first four Law Commissions.
- The First Law Commission of Independent India in 1955 with the then Attorney-General of India, Mr. M. C. Setalvad, as its Chairman.
4.What is the role of Alluri Sitaramaraju in Indian national movement?
- He organized peasants in Deccan during non-cooperation movement
- He organized military movement during quit India movement
- He organized tribal movement against foreigners during non-cooperation
- He organized communist movement in Kerala against landlords
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Alluri Sitaramaraju led the Rampa Revolt to fight against the discriminatory practices of the British along with the tribal’s in Andhra against British rule in 1922-24 during non-cooperation movement.
- The people honored him with the title ‘Manyam Veerudu’ which translates to ‘Hero of the jungles’. Hence option C is correct
5.Who among the following founded Indian Ambulance corps during Boer wars and got a title Kaiser-I-hind?
- Acharya vinoba bhave
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- Braham dutt
Answer: B
Explanation:
- In South Africa, Transvaal area was rich in gold, So British plotted to overthrow Boer government. This led to the Boer War.
- Boers were defeated but they continued to live here.
- During Boer war, Gandhi served from British side, as an assistant superintendent of the Indian volunteer stretcher-bearer corps in 1900.
- For his services, he received the Queen’s South Africa Medal.
- In 1915, Gandhi returned to India, Lord Hardinge awarded Kaisar-I-Hind medal for his services in ambulance corps during South Africa. Hence statement B is correct.
6.The term ‘Bardoli resolutions’ is related which of the following?
- Viceroys directions to India to participate in world war I
- Patel is given the title sardar through this resolution.
- To stop the non-cooperation movement
- Quit India movement launched
Answer: C
Explanation:
After the death of 22 policemen and 3 other people at Chauri Chaura led Gandhi to call off the Non Cooperation Movement from Bardoli in February 1922, so it is called as Bardoli resolutions. Hence option C is correct.
7. By which of the following Acts, a law member was added to Governor-General’s Council?
- Pitt’s India, 1784
- Charter Act, 1813
- Charter Act, 1833
- Charter Act, 1853
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Provision was made under the Charter Act, 1833 for the addition of a law member to the Governor-General’s Council.
- Lord Macaulay was the first Law Member appointed under the Act.
- The Governor-General was also advised to appoint a Law Commission to codify all the laws. Hence, option (c) is correct.
8.Gandhiji was not associated with which of the following?
- Hind swaraj
- Indian opinion
- Common wheel
- Young India
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Literary Influence on Gandhi: John Ruskin’s ‘Unto the Last’, Emerson, Thoreau, Leo Tolstoy, the Bible and the Gita.
- Literary Works: Hind Swaraj (1909), My Experiments with Truth (Autobiography, 1927)
- As an Editor: Indian Opinion (1903–15), Harijan (1919–31), and Young India (1933–42).
- Common wheel was written by Annie Besant. Hence statement C is incorrect.
9.Which of the following Governor-General of India for the first time separated central and provincial finances?
- Lord Curzon
- Lord Mayo
- Lord Rippon
- Lord Lytton
Answer: B
Explanation:
- After the 1857 revolt, it became impossible for the Central Government to supervise the efficient collection of revenues by a provincial government.
- The authorities, therefore, decided to decentralize public finance, and the first step in this direction was taken by Lord Mayo in 1870 with the separation of the central and provincial finances.
10. Which of the following was the main aim of “The Lex Loci Act of 1850” introduced by the Colonial Government?
- Promoting mass education in India
- Allowing Indian judges to deliver cases of Europeans
- Banning all the vernacular publications
- Providing the right to inherit ancestral property to Hindu converts to Christianity
Answer: D
Explanation:
- The Lex Loci Act was passed in 1850 was designed to protect the civil rights of religious converts.
- It provided the right to inherit ancestral property to Hindu converts to Christianity.
- It polarized public opinion along religious lines.
- In the eyes of many missionaries, this act removed the disincentive for conversion, especially among the propertied class.
- The Hindu gentry of Madras, however, opposed the Act, regarding it as evidence of the Government’s Christianizing agenda and its hostility towards their most cherished social and religious institution. The act created general resentment among the masses.