TSPSC - Group-1 Mains - 2024

(Test-04)
QUESTION & ANSWERS

1) How did the British colonial policies affect the agrarian situation and economy in India?

Why this  Bring out the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways
question in different countries of the world? (UPSC 2023)
 Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the
mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons. (UPSC 2022)
 Critically examine the economic, political, and administrative reforms
introduced by the British in Modern India. (APPSC 2011)

Demand of the Write about the impact of British policies on the agricultural sector and
question the overall economy of India at that time.

Introduction The economic policies followed by the British led to the rapid
transformation of India’s economy into a colonial economy, whose nature
and structure were determined by the needs of the British economy and
their industrialisation.

Body Some key ways in which these policies affected agriculture and the
overall economy include:
Dimensions Content with examples

Land revenue  The British introduced Permanent

system Settlement in Bengal, Ryotwari System in
Madras & Mahalwari in the western India.
The increased revenue demand of these
systems increased tax burdens on farmers.

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 Commercialisation  British policies encouraged the cultivation
of agriculture of cash crops like indigo, cotton & opium for
export to meet the demand in Europe,
leading to the neglect of food crops &
subsistence farming.

Land ownership  British recognized and codified zamindari

and landlordism, which concentrated
landownership in the hands of a few elites.

Infrastructure  While the British invested in building

irrigation canals & railways, these projects
were often focused on facilitating the
movement of raw materials & finished
products rather than improving agricultural
productivity for local farmers.

Famines  Grain was often exported during famines,

and relief efforts were inadequate, leading to
widespread suffering and loss of life.
Eg: Bengal famine 1770

Commercialisation  British policies also led to the

of forests commercialization of forests, affecting tribal
communities and traditional forest-based
economies.

Deindustrialization  The emphasis on cheap British

manufactured goods led to the decline of
India's indigenous industries, such as
textiles, handicrafts, and metalwork.

Rural distress  The agrarian distress caused by these

policies contributed to social unrest and
movements such as the Indigo Revolt and
the Deccan Riots.

Conclusion The British colonial policies significantly altered India's agrarian

landscape & economy, leading to economic exploitation, famines, and the
transformation of agrarian society. The consequences of these policies
continued to influence India's economic development long after
independence.

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2) Analyse the contributions of Dadabhai Naoroji in shaping the economic thought of the early
nationalists. How did his Drain Theory influence the demands of the Indian National
Congress during its initial years?

Why this  To what extent did the role of the moderates prepare a base for the
question wider freedom movement? Comment. (UPSC 2021)

Demand of the Analyse— Address different parts of question and summarize at the end.
question

Introduction Dadabhai Naoroji, the Grand Old Man of India, was a pioneer in the
moderate phase of national movement. His contributions to shaping
economic thought and the articulation of the ‘Drain Theory’ had a
profound influence on the Indian National Congress (INC) during its
formative years.

Body His contributions in shaping early nationalist economic thoughts

include:
Dimensions Content with examples

Drain theory  In speeches and debates, he argued that India was

experiencing a massive economic drain due to the
exploitative policies of the British colonial
administration

Economic  By authoring various articles and books, he

literacy exposed the economic exploitation of the British
rule.
Eg: Poverty and un-British Rule in India (1901)
by D. Naoroji

Advocating  He advocated for the promotion of indigenous

self-sufficiency industries, agriculture, and the development of a
self-reliant economy that could address the
poverty and economic woes of the Indian
populace.

Activities  He organised the East India Association in

abroad London, as a platform for discussing the Indian
question and the economic loot of India by the
British was often the hot topic.

Empowerment  Through the news paper —Rast Goftar, Naoroji

along with fellow English educated Parsis,

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 advocated for the economic and social upliftment
of Parsi women.
His Drain Theory influenced the Congress agenda in many ways such as:
Dimensions Content with examples

Emphasised  The INC demanded policies that would halt

economic the economic drain, promote economic self-
reforms sufficiency, and encourage the development
of Indian industries and agriculture.

Fiscal  INC demanded that decisions related to

autonomy taxation & public expenditure should be
made in India rather than in Britain.

Economic  They argued that the wealth drained from

justice India should be used for the benefit of the
Indian people, particularly for infrastructure
development, education, and poverty
alleviation.

Indian  INC began to advocate for policies that

industrialisation would protect and nurture Indian industries.
This included tariffs to safeguard Indian
manufacturers from foreign competition.

Conclusion Thus, Dadabhai Naoroji's Drain Theory helped the Congress leaders
articulate the economic injustices suffered by India under British
colonialism and contributed to their overall vision of achieving political
and economic self-determination for the country.

3) Enumerate the factors that contributed to the growth of militant nationalism in India
during the early 20th century. How did it differ from the earlier phases of the Indian
freedom struggle?

Why this  Discuss the contribution of the Revolutionary Nationalists to the

question Freedom Movement and their impact on the British Rule. (APPSC
2017)
 Examine the objectives, methods and the impact of the Moderates vis-
à-vis the Extremists during the course of the Indian Freedom Struggle
from 1885 to 1920. (APPSC 2008)

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 Demand of the Enumerate—means that you just list down the points about the topic
question along with a very brief explanation.

Introduction Although the Moderate nationalists who hailed from the middle-class
intelligentsia prepared the ground, the growth of militant nationalism in
India during the early 20th century was a pivotal phase in the country's
struggle for independence.

Body Several interconnected factors contributed to this growth of militant

nationalism, such as:
Dimensions Content with examples

Failure of  The slow progress made through the moderate

moderate methods of protest and negotiation with the
methods British authorities, disillusioned many Indians,
leading them to explore more militant
alternatives.

Lopsided  The Councils Act of 1892, disappointed both

British leadership as well as the common man. The
policies Freedom of Press was curtailed through the
Official Secrets Act 1904. All these made the
nationalists think more radical.

Foreign  The defeat of European colonial powers in

influence various wars across the world inspired the
Nationalists to demolish the myth of European
invincibility.
Eg: British setbacks un Boer wars.

Reaction to  The new leadership felt the stranglehold of

westernisation excessive westernisation and sensed colonial
designs to submerge the Indian national identity
in the British Empire.
Eg: Intellectuals like Vivekananda & Dayanand
Saraswati preached India’s prosperous past.

Growth of  The rise in unemployment and underemployment

education among the educated drew attention to poverty and
the underdeveloped state of the country’s
economy under colonial rule.

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 Self-respect  A feeling started gaining currency that the masses
had to be involved in the battle against colonial
government as they were capable of making the
immense sacrifices needed to win freedom.

Radical  A new young leadership with radical ideology

leadership emerged in various parts of the country, who
believed in militant methods to freedom.
Eg: Bipin Chandra Pal in Bengal, Lala Lajpat Rai
in Punjab and Tilak in Bombay

Impact of  Many newspapers emerged during these years

Mass Media under distinguished and fearless journalists,
which helped in spreading the militant or radical
idea.
Eg: Amrita Bazar Patrika under Sisir Kumar
Ghosh & Motilal Ghosh, Mahratta & Kesari
under Tilak
In contrast, this militant school differed from the earlier moderates,
in way such as:
Dimensions Content with examples

Methods of  Activists in this phase were willing to use force,

Protest engage in acts of civil disobedience, and even
resort to armed struggle against the British,
unlike the earlier—pray, petition, protest method

Objectives  Earlier attempts were focused on getting reforms

implemented, but now the militant/extremist
leadership aimed for nothing less than freedom or
swaraj.

Ideology  Moderates emphasized the importance of

education and socio-economic reforms, while
militants emphasized direct action and were
ready to make personal sacrifices for the cause.

Mass  Moderate phase saw less widespread and more

mobilisation urban-centric movements. But the
extremist/militant leaders believed in
involvement of the masses.

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 Confrontation  Moderates avoided direct confrontation with
British & resorted to legal route. While, the
militants emphasized direct action and were
ready to make personal sacrifices for the cause.

Conclusion In sum, the growth of militant nationalism in India during the early 20th
century was a complex & multifaceted process driven by a combination
of political, social and global factors, which through the later Gandhian-
phase paved way for India's eventual freedom in 1947.

4) "Annie Besant played a significant role in the Indian freedom struggle and in the promotion
of Indian education. Discuss her contributions on the socio-political landscape of India
during the early 20th century."

Why this  Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in
question various movements. Analyse their role in the Indian struggle for
freedom. (UPSC 2013)

Demand of the Discuss—means talk to examiners regarding theme of the question.

question Sometimes the theme may demand you to provide counter
views/arguments.

Introduction Annie Besant came to India in 1893, as a part of strengthening the

activities of Theosophical Society in India. She later became instrumental
in key political movements associating with leaders like Tilak and
associations like the Indian National Congress.

Body Her contributions include:

Dimensions Content with examples

Supported  Besant used the newspapers/journals to

India’s propagate nationalist ideals and advocated for
political India’s self-rule.
autonomy Eg: New India & Commonweal by Annie Besant.

Home Rule  She co-founded the All-India Home Rule League

movement in 1915-16, along with Bal Gangadhar Tilak &
others; and toured extensively to promote the
demand for self-governance.

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 Presided  She became the first ever women to preside over
Congress a Congress session. As president, she began to
sessions take a conciliatory attitude towards the
moderates.

Spread of  Among Besant’s many achievements in India

education were the establishment of the Central Hindu
School at Banaras which was later developed by
Madan Mohan Malaviya into the Banaras Hindu
University.

Unification of  The efforts of Tilak and Annie Besant towards

congress the Moderate-Extremist reunion at Lucknow
(1916) revived the Congress as an effective
instrument of Indian nationalism.

Socio-religious  Deeply interested in Indian spirituality, she

reforms supported the Indian renaissance by advocating
for the revival of ancient Indian philosophies and
promoting religious tolerance.

Appealing to  Her advocacy for Indian freedom and active

masses participation in the nationalist movement
energized the masses and added a global
dimension to India's struggle.

Women  In her various capacities, she raised voice and

empowerment worked tirelessly to promote education and social
upliftment of women.

Conclusion In sum, Annie Besant’s legacy continues to inspire generations of Indians

who cherish the values of freedom, education, and social harmony she
championed. She, among several others like Sarojini Naidu, symbolises
the role of women in India’s freedom struggle.

5) Analyse the role of the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917 as a precursor to the larger freedom
struggle. How did Mahatma Gandhi's involvement in this peasant movement shape his later
strategies for India's independence?

Why this  Comment on the contribution of peasant movements in freedom

question struggle. (APPSC 2016)

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 Demand of the Analyse—Address different parts of question and summarize at the end.
question

Introduction The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917, led by Mahatma Gandh, is

considered as his First Civil-disobedience in India. It was aimed at
addressing the peasant discontent against the European planters forcing
them to produce indigo under the tinkathia system (crop indigo on 3/20th
of land). Raj Kumar Shukla invited Gandhi, under whose call the masses
rallied spontaneously.

Body The role of Champaran satyagraha in the freedom struggle involved:

Dimensions Content with examples

Mass  It brought together people from various religious

mobilisation and caste backgrounds, highlighting the unifying
potential of nonviolent resistance, under Gandhi.

Rise of  It marked one of the earliest instances of Gandhi's

Gandhi application of civil disobedience to redress
grievances.

Peasant  By supporting the plight of indigo farmers

empowerment oppressed by British indigo planters, Gandhi
effectively empowered the local peasants to resist
an unjust system.

Motivated  The victory in securing the interests of peasants

nationalists in Champaran, motivated the nationalists of the
time in the new methods advocated by Gandhi.
This movement and its victory along with the later “Kheda
Satyagraha” and “Ahmedabad Mill strike” in 1917 had the following
impact on Gandhi's later strategies:
Dimensions Content with examples

Non-violence  Gandhi's experience in Champaran reinforced his

as core belief in nonviolence as the most potent weapon
principle for change.
Eg: Khilafat—Non-Cooperation movement
(CDM).

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 Focus on  Gandhi now realized that addressing the basic
socio- problems of the masses was crucial for the
economic success of the freedom struggle.
issues

Involvement  Champaran demonstrated the power of

of the masses mobilizing ordinary Indians to demand change;
this approach of empowering the masses through
nonviolent resistance became a hallmark of
Gandhi’s future strategies
Eg: Civil disobedience movement (CDM)

Amplifying  Gandhi's recognition of the need to upscale local

local issues to issues into broader national movements,
national level culminated in the later, massive NCM, CDM and
quit India movements.

Conclusion Mahatma Gandhi's involvement in this peasant movement not only

brought immediate relief to the oppressed indigo farmers but also became
the cornerstone of his leadership in the struggle for a India’s freedom.

6) “Mahatma Gandhi's differences with other leaders of the freedom movement, such as
Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, have been well-documented.” Analyse these
differences and their impact on the trajectory of the Indian freedom struggle.

Why this  Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during
question Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement.
(UPSC 2021)
 How different would have been the achievement of Indian
independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss. (UPSC 2015)
 “Gandhi was a politician among saints and a saint among politicians.”
Discuss (APPSC 2017)

Demand of the Analyse: Address different parts of question and summarize at the end.
question

Introduction Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose were
indeed the prominent leaders of the Indian freedom struggle, but the
approach they undertook and the methods they employed varied and often
resulted in difference of opinion in various respects. Gandhi transformed

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 the national movement into a mass agitation, while Nehru and Bose
represented the socialist and younger elements.

Body The difference between them can be analysed as:

Dimensions Content with examples

Ideological  Gandhi advocated non-violence (ahimsa) as a

differences means to freedom. His philosophy of satyagraha
was deeply rooted in his spiritual and moral
beliefs.
 Nehru & Bose, were more aligned with modern,
secular & socialist ideologies. They didn’t negate
alternative means; armed struggle in Bose’s case
and more active political involvement in Nehru’s
case.

Difference in  Gandhi's approach involved non-cooperation,

approach civil disobedience & constructive work, on the
belief that political freedom should accompany
socio-economic transformation.
Eg: Khadi industry & village self sufficiency
 Nehru & Bose, gave paramount importance to
achieving independence and considered more
assertive measures to attain it.
Eg: INA by Bose and invoking global attention
to Indian question by Nehru

Difference  The Haripura (1938) and Tripuri (1939) sessions

over direction of the Congress, was filled with conflicts of
interests between Gandhi & Bose.
 Bose, being the then president, asserted a more
radical stance. Whereas Gandhi supported by
Patel & others believed in the working of
congress bodies like the Congress Working
Committee.

Idea of  Gandhi believed in dominion status (swaraj) till

freedom the late 1920s and advocated social reforms
through movements like the harijan campaign.
Gandhi’s idea of freedom was rooted in self-
sufficient—autonomous villages.

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  Nehru & Bose, discarded Gandhi’s idea of
autonomous free villages and strongly advocated
for a unified India on modern, socialist-secular
lines.
These difference between the top leaders impacted the trajectory of
national movement in ways such as:
Dimensions Content with examples

Mass  Gandhi's moral authority and mass appeal made

mobilisation him the central figure of the freedom movement.
His methods contributed to the mobilization of
millions of Indians in the struggle against British
colonialism.

Splits &  The differences between Gandhi & other leaders

conflicts did create tensions within the Indian National
within Congress and the broader freedom movement,
congress which often led to splits and varying approaches
to achieving independence.
Eg: Nehru & Bose formed the Independence for
India League.

Armed  Subhas Chandra Bose's leadership of the Indian

struggle National Army and his collaboration with Axis
powers during World War II exemplified the
extreme end of differences with Gandhi's non-
violent stance.

Determining  The young voices represented by Nehru & Bose,

goals of strengthened their demand for poorna-swaraj
struggle since 1928-29 period; instead of the dominion
status voiced by the older generation represented
by Gandhi

Conclusion Although there were differences which eventually led to the resignation
of Gandhi from the congress, the fact that he supported & led the quit-
India movement in the 1940s shows that there was unity in a larger context
despite conflicts of interests between the leaders.

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7) Enumerate the factors leading to the partition of India in 1947. Comment the consequences
of the partition on the communal harmony in India.

Why this  Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process
question of transfer of power during the 1940s. (UPSC 2019)
 Analyse the role of communalism in the partition of the country.
(APPSC 2016)

Demand of the Enumerate—means that you just list down the points about the topic
question along with a very brief explanation.

Introduction Lord Mountbatten came as the Viceroy of India with a plan to grant
freedom with Partition. As a result of the prolonged national movement
which peaked with the Quit India movement of 1940s, the freedom came
on August 15, 1947 but it was after bifurcating the country two.

Body A culmination of various complex factors, led to this division of

British India into two separate nations, which includes:
Dimensions Content with examples

Communal  The growing Hindu-Muslim communal divide,

tensions exacerbated by historical mistrust, conflicting
interests etc, created an environment of hostility
that furthered the demand for separate nations.

Two-nation  The Two-Nation Theory by Muhammad Ali

theory Jinnah, asserting that Hindus & Muslims were
distinct nations with different cultural and
political identities, fuelled the demand for a
separate Muslim state

British divide  This exploited existing fault lines within Indian

& rule policy society, ultimately making the partition a
seemingly convenient solution for the British to
relinquish control.
Eg: The Plan Balken of 1947 giving provision for
states to remain independent.

Congress-  The inability of the Congress and Muslim League

league discord to reach a consensus on a constitutional
framework that would satisfy the aspirations of
both communities contributed to the inevitability
of partition.

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 Making matters worse the partition of India had profound and
enduring consequences on communal harmony, which include:
Dimensions Content with examples

Mass  It led to a massive exodus of people across the

migration newly drawn borders, resulting in widespread
violence, bloodshed, and communal riots that
caused immense loss of life and property.

Forced  The forced displacement of millions of people,

displacement particularly Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan and
Muslims in India, disrupted centuries-old social
structures and led to the loss of homes,
livelihoods, and identities.

Communalism  The traumatic memories of the partition, further

in post- exacerbated religious & communal fault lines,
independent making communal harmony a persistent
era challenge in the post-independence era.

Strained  The legacy of the partition continues to strain

relations diplomatic & political relations between India &
Pakistan, hindering efforts to build lasting peace
and cooperation in the region.

Conclusion Thus, while the partition of India in 1947 provided political independence,
it also resulted in a legacy of communal disharmony, displacements, and
strained relations between the two nations, posing a significant challenge
to the idea of a united and harmonious Indian subcontinent.

8) Analyse the difference in approach between Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar in the
question of social reform.

Why this  What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath
question Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism? (UPSC
2023)

Demand of Analyse: Address different parts of question and summarize at the end.
the question

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 Introduction In India, Mahatma Gandhi is revered as the father of the nation and
Ambedkar as the father of its Constitution. While both leaders indeed
provided strong leadership in their own respect to the national movement,
the differences in their approach towards social reform have been in debate
ever since.

Body The approach of Gandhi:

Dimensions Content with examples

Emphasis on  He believed in the power of satyagraha & civil

ahimsa disobedience to bring about social change,
promoting the idea of 'ahimsa' (non-violence) as
the cornerstone of his reform philosophy.
Eg: Peaceful protests during Champaran and
Kheda satyagraha.

Focus on  Gandhi stressed the importance of self-discipline,

spiritual self-sufficiency, and spiritual growth as essential
transformation components of social reform.

Integration of  His concept of 'Harijan' reflected his attempt to

caste system uplift the oppressed classes “within the caste
system “through moral and spiritual means.
Eg: The works of Harijan Sevak Sangh founded by
Gandhi

Emphasis on  Gandhi advocated for a decentralized, village-

village- centric economic model. He believed that
economy economic self-sufficiency at the local level could
empower communities and mitigate social
disparities.
Eg: Sarvodaya model of governance by Gandhi
The approach of Ambedkar:
Dimensions Content with examples

Emphasised  He advocated for constitutional remedies and legal

political safeguards to protect the rights of marginalized
reforms communities, especially the Dalits, and to ensure
their representation in the political sphere.

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 Eg: He advocated strongly for the cause in the
Round Table Conferences post-the Simon
Commission report.

Annihilation  Ambedkar sought complete annihilation of the

of the Caste caste system, defining it as the root cause of social
discrimination & inequality; advocating for its
eradication through radical social and political
reform.

Promotion of  He emphasized the importance of education and

rational rational thinking as the means to liberate the
thinking oppressed classes from the shackles of social
hierarchy.
Eg: Established ‘All-India Depressed Classes
Association’ for the purpose

Focus on  He advocated for reservations and other

economic & affirmative measures to ensure representation and
social rights equal opportunities for the marginalized sections in
education, employment, and other spheres.

Conclusion Thus, Gandhi's emphasis on non-violence, spiritual transformation and

village economy contrasted with Ambedkar's focus on politico-legal
reforms, education and the complete annihilation of the caste system. Their
diverse perspectives continue to shape the discourse on social reform in
India.

9) Examine the role of British rule in causing tribal uprising in various parts of colonial India?

Why this  How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the
question tribal response to the colonial oppression? (UPSC 2023)

Demand of the Examine – explain in detail and establish the key facts surrounding a
question topic.

Introduction The colonial interference into the tribal realm started from the early
Portuguese time itself. But it became a pillar in policy matter ever-since
the British started interfering in Indian politics and economy including in
the forested areas and the tribals depended on them.

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 Body These interferences in played an important role in causing uprisings
in tribal areas in various parts of India. It can be examined as:
Dimensions Content with examples

Land revenue  The imposition of the Zamindari system by

system the British often led to the dispossession of
tribal communities from their traditional
lands.

Forest laws  Colonial forest laws restricted tribal access

to forests, which significantly affected their
traditional livelihoods and cultural practices.
Eg: Indian Forest Act of 1878

Cultural  The British administration often disregarded

suppression tribal customs, traditions, and social
structures, undermining the cultural
identities and values of the tribal
communities.

Forced  Efforts were made to impose Western

assimilation education and cultural values, leading to the
erosion of tribal identities and fostering a
sense of alienation among tribal groups.
Eg: European missionary activities in Indian
tribal areas

Resource  British exploited the rich natural & human

exploitation resources of tribal areas without adequate
compensation, depriving the tribes of their
primary means of sustenance and leading to
economic distress.
Eg: Forced transfer of tribals from Tamil
Nadu region as plantation labourers in Sri
Lanka.

Legal  Discriminatory laws and policies were

discrimination implemented that disadvantaged tribal
communities, leading to a sense of injustice
and a growing sentiment of resistance
against the colonial authorities.
Eg: The Criminal Tribes Act 1871

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 Non-  Tribal communities were largely excluded
representation from decision-making processes, leading to
a lack of political representation and voice in
governance, fuelling their sense of alienation
and frustration.

Commercialisation  This alienated the tribals who depended on

forests the natural forest resources, which were
deforested and replaced with forest
plantations for extracting commercial
timber.

Conclusion The combined impact of these factors demonstrates the significant role
played by British colonial policies and practices in fostering tribal
uprisings in various parts of colonial India.

10) How will you explain the role of intellectuals in bringing socio-religious reforms in the
colonial India?

Why this  Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with
question special reference to Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj. (UPSC 2021)

Demand of the Explain— clarify a topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why
question it occurs, or what is meant by the use of this term in a particular context.

Introduction The policy of ‘downward filtration’ although had vested interests,

consequently resulted in the creation of class of Indian intellectuals,
especially in Bengal region. Raja Rammohun Roy is among the notable
personalities of such a movement.

Body The role of intellectuals in bringing about socio-religious reforms can

be explained as:
Dimensions Content with examples

Criticizing  Intellectuals like Ram Mohan Roy & I.C.

social evils Vidyasagar played pivotal roles in criticizing
prevalent social evils such as sati, child marriage
and the caste system, through their writings and
public advocacy.

Promoting  The emphasized education as a means to

education enlighten society & advocated for the spread of

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 modern education, which helped in challenging
regressive social norms & promoting rational
thinking and among the masses.

Women  Reformist intellectuals like Pandita Ramabai and

empowerment Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain advocated for
women's education and fought against practices
such as purdah, child marriage, and female
illiteracy.

Interfaith  Intellectuals like Swami Vivekananda &

harmony Maulana Abul Kalam Azad worked towards
fostering interfaith harmony and religious
tolerance.

Social  Intellectuals like Mahatma Gandhi and

cohesion Rabindranath Tagore stressed the importance of
social unity & cohesion, advocating for a society
free from discrimination and divisions based on
caste, creed or religion.

Legal reforms  They engaged in the legal and political spheres,

advocating for the reform of discriminatory laws
and regulations that perpetuated social injustices.
Eg: Ambedkar’s efforts for political rights of
Depressed Classes.

Cultural  Intellectuals such as Bankim Chandra

renaissance Chattopadhyay and Rabindranath Tagore
contributed to the cultural renaissance in India,
promoting the revival of indigenous art, literature
and cultural practices.

Promotion of  Intellectuals like Dayananda Saraswati and

rationalism Jyotiba Phule promoted rational and scientific
thinking, advocating for the rejection of
superstitions and blind faith

Conclusion In sum, the intellectuals’ efforts were instrumental in instigating a

transformative social consciousness and promoting a more progressive
and egalitarian social order, that would significantly shape India's modern
social, cultural, and political landscape.

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11) Discuss the impact of the British land revenue policies on food security in colonial India.

Why this  Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the
question mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons. (UPSC 2022)

Demand of the Discuss —means talk to examiners regarding theme of the question.
question Sometimes the theme may demand you to provide counter
views/arguments.

Introduction The British land revenue policies like Zamindari, Ryotwari and
Mahalwari systems had a significant impact in colonial India, affecting
the agricultural practices, land tenure systems, and overall food
production. This worsened the fate of the already oppressed people during
instances like the Bengal famine.

Body The impact of British land revenue policies on food security include:
Dimensions Content with examples

Resource transfer  Policies like Permanent Settlement led to the

transfer of resources from the agricultural
sector to the colonial government, often at
the expense of investment in agricultural
productivity and land improvement.

Absentee  The newly created class of zamindars chose

landlordism to lead a life of luxury in urban centres, often
neglecting investments in increasing the
productivity of land under their jurisdiction.

Commercialisation  A shift from subsistence farming to cash

of agriculture crop cultivation, compelled farmers to grow
commercial crops to meet the demands of the
colonial government; often creating shortage
of food crops.

Displacement of  The burden of high land taxes contributed to

peasants a decrease in overall agricultural
productivity and consequently impacted
food availability & accessibility.

Inadequate  The revenue policies often prioritized the

infrastructure collection of land taxes over investments in
irrigation, agricultural infrastructure, and

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 modern farming techniques, hindering
agricultural productivity

Famine  The emphasis on cash crops and the neglect

vulnerability of food crops led to food shortages,
exacerbating their vulnerability to famines
and food-related crises.
Eg: Bengal famine of 1770

Rural poverty  The trapped farmers in cycles of

indebtedness and poverty, further
undermined their ability to invest in
agricultural productivity, thus perpetuating
food insecurity in rural areas.

Diversion for  The diversion of resources for wars fought

military by colonial masters intensified the already
hungry population of colonial India.

Conclusion In sum, the British land revenue policies in colonial India not only
disrupted traditional agricultural practices but also contributed to systemic
issues that severely impacted food security, leading to periodic famines
and persistent poverty among the agrarian communities.

12) Assess the contributions of Lord Ripon to the Indian political system during the colonial
period.

Why this  Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long-term implications
question on the national movements. (UPSC 2020)
 In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India.
Elaborate. (UPSC 2013)

Demand of the Assess— Weigh up to what extent something is true.

question

Introduction Lord Ripon, the Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884, is regarded as the
father of local self-government in India. Ripon was known for his liberal
views and his support for reforms in India.

Body Ripon’s contributions to Indian politics include:

Dimensions Content with examples

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 Introducing  The 1882 resolution of Ripon allowed for the
local self- establishment of elected municipal and district
government boards, giving for the first time, a say in their
own local government to Indians.

Expanding  He promoted modern education and advocated

education for its expansion among Indians, including the
establishment of universities and educational
institutions.
Eg: Ripon appointed Hunter Commission for
education in 1882.

Ilbert Bill  Ilbert Bill allowed Indian judges to try British

controversy defendants. However, the bill was fiercely
opposed by Europeans in India, and it was
eventually diluted by purpose.

Press freedom  He opposed the draconian Vernacular Press Act

of 1878, which aimed to curb the freedom of the
Indian language press.

Social justice  He initiated reforms to improve the conditions

initiatives of indentured laborers and introduced measures
to protect the rights of tenant farmers.
Eg: The first Factory Act (1881) to improve
labour conditions.

Financial  The Government resolution on local self-

decentralisation government (1882) by Lord Ripon. provided for
the decentralisation of financial resources and
gave taxation powers of local institutions.

Rendition of  In 1881, Lord Ripon restored the kingdom to the

Mysore Wadiyar dynasty, which was previously taken
under control by William Bentinck in 1831, on
grounds of misgovernance.

Diplomacy  After the 2nd Anglo Afghan War,

Lord Lytton planned to dismember
Afghanistan, but Lord Ripon abandoned this
and pursued a policy of maintaining
Afghanistan as a buffer state.

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 Conclusion Lord Ripon's contributions were progressive & forward-looking. He is
among the few British Viceroys who recognized the need for reform in
India. Ripon’s reforms were not without their critics, but they ultimately
helped to lay the foundation for Indian self-government. Soon after Ripon
demitted office, the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885.

13) Discuss the variations in social base during different phases of the Indian national
movement.

Why this  Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired
question various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base.
Discuss. (UPSC 2020)

Demand of the Discuss —means talk to examiners regarding theme of the question.
question Sometimes the theme may demand you to provide counter
views/arguments.

Introduction The Indian national movement, spanning several decades starting from
the mid-18th century, exhibited significant variations in its social base,
reflecting the evolving dynamics of society and the changing priorities
during different phases.

Body

Fig 1 Dynamics in social participation during different phase

The variations in the social base during different phases of the Indian
national movement are:

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 Dimensions Content with examples

Early phase  The national movement in this phase was

dominated by the educated elite class comprising
intellectuals, & upper-class individuals who
sought social reforms. Hindu-Muslim unity
during the Sanyasi/fakir revolt and 1857 revolt
was notable.
Eg: Raja Rammohan Roy, David Hare, Derozio
etc

Moderate  This phase witnessed increased participation

phase from the middle class, teachers, lawyers,
journalists etc., aimed at achieving gradual
reforms, larger share in the administrative
processes and economic criticism of colonialism.
Their wide participation in the Swadeshi
movement is notable.
Eg: Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale
and Surendranath Banerjee

Extremist  This phase marked a shift toward mass

phase mobilization and popular participation in the
national movement, emphasizing issues of
agrarian distress, economic exploitation etc.
Eg: Leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra
Pal, and Aurobindo Ghosh

Gandhian  People from all walks of life participated in

phase Gandhi's campaigns, such as the Non-
Cooperation Movement, the Civil Disobedience
Movement. He also tried to bring Hindu-Muslim
unity by clubbing Khilafat and Jallianwala Bagh
issue during the Non-cooperation movement.
Eg: Politicisation of Depressed Classes through
Gandhi’s Harijan Sevak Sangh

Quit India  Although the participation in this phase was more

movement wide spread, certain groups like the Communists,
Hindu Mahasabha and certain sections of the
Muslim League abstained from participating in
the agitation.

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 Conclusion The expansion of the social base of the Indian national movement was a
key factor in its success. By mobilizing a wide range of social groups, the
movement was able to exert greater pressure on the British government
and ultimately achieve its goal of independence.

14) Assess the importance of changing objectives in broadening the vision of Indian
independence in various phases of the Indian national movement.

Why this  Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the
question vision of Indian independence since twenties of the last century.
(UPSC 2017)

Demand of the Assess—Weigh up to what extent something is true.

question

Introduction The national movement, with the formation of Indian National Congress
in 1885, got a nation-wide appeal. With various pressure groups both
within and outside the Congress, the goals of the national movement
underwent significant changes, during each phase.

Body

The changing nature of such goals can be highlighted as:

Dimensions Content with examples

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 Early phase  In the early phase, the focus was on bringing
social reforms through religious as well as secular
movements.
Eg: Brahmo Samaj’s efforts towards abolition of
sati and widow remarriage in 1820s.

Moderate  The movement shifted its focus to pursuing

phase gradual constitutional reforms within the British
colonial system, in this phase. It goals during this
phase was the spread of nationalist education,
economic reforms securing Indian industries and
swadeshi movement.
Eg: V.O.Chidambaram’s Swadeshi Steam
navigation company as a indigenous shipping
industry.

Extremist  This phase marked the heated arguments for the

phase inclusion of masses towards the national struggle.
Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie
Besant advocated for a more active role for
Indians in the governance.
Eg: Home Rule leagues setup by Tilak and
Besant

Gandhian  Mahatma Gandhi's leadership brought forth the

phase objectives of Swaraj (self-rule), social equality,
and the empowerment of the marginalized
sections of society, including peasants, workers,
and women.

Nehruvian  The Lahore session of Congress in 1929 marked

phase the shift of goal from swaraj (self-rule with
dominion status) to poorna swaraj (complete
independence). This period saw the rise of
leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhai Patel etc
as a national leader.
 The inclusion of people’s struggle in the Princely
States to the freedom struggle also took place in
this phase.
Eg: Praja Mandal movement of 1920s

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 Conclusion From the pursuit of political representation to the demand for complete
independence, the changing nature of goals during the various phases of
the national movement reflects the movement's adaptability and
responsiveness to the evolving aspirations and challenges of Indian
society.

15) Elaborate on the role of women in the struggle for India’s freedom.

Why this  The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th
question century social reform movement. What were the major issues and
debates concerning women in that period? (UPSC 2017)
 Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during
the Gandhian phase. (UPSC 2016)
 Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women
became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India.
Discuss. (UPSC 2013)

Demand of the Elaborate – explain in detail. Bring in examples (if any) to strengthen the
question arguments.

Introduction India got freedom from foreign rule in 15th August 1947 but when we
think of the people who led the national movement, majority of the names
that pops up are of men. It is not because women did not participate, but
because the role of women in freedom struggle is understated.

Body An elaboration on their vital contributions include:

Dimensions Content with examples

Participation  Women actively participated in various mass

in mass movements like the Civil Disobedience
movements Movement (CDM), Quit India Movement, and
Non-Cooperation Movement.
Eg: Largest participation of women seen in the
CDM.

Social reforms  Women's organizations, such as the All-India

Women's Conference (AIWC) led by Margaret
Cousins, campaigned against social evils like
purdah, child marriage through promoting
education & female empowerment.

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 Literary  Women contributed significantly to nationalist
contributions publications, spreading awareness and
mobilizing public opinion through newspapers,
magazines, and pamphlets.
Eg: Sarojini Naidu and Kamala Nehru used their
literary prowess to inspire and mobilize the
masses

Underground  Some Indian women also took revolutionary

activity steps against imperial rule.
Eg: Kalpana Datta participated in the Chittagong
armoury raid.

Mobilising  The Heraka movement led by Rani Gaidineliu

tribes mobilised the Nagas and resisted British intrusion
into Tribal realms.

Home rule  Annie Besant along with leader like Tilak,

launched the Home-Rule movement and at once
became the president of the Indian National
Congress.

Motivating  Indira Gandhi formed a Vanar Sena (Monkey

youth army)- a group of children- to lead resistance
against the British colonial rule

Spreading  Women like Pandita Ramabai and Savitri Phule,

education contributed efforts towards the cause of women’s
education and their socio-economic upliftment.

Conclusion Thus, women’s contributions not only bolstered the collective efforts for
national liberation but also laid the groundwork for the subsequent women
empowerment movements in post-independence India.

 Reference: Heraka movement — https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?17578

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