Name the first major voluntary association representing primarily Indian landlord interests that was set up in Calcutta in 1851?
- A.British Indian Association
- B.Landholder's Society
- C.Madras Native Association
- D.Bombay Association
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, British Indian Association. It was formed in Calcutta in October 1851 by merging the Landholders' Society and the Bengal British India Society.
The British Indian Association was led by zamindars of Bengal such as Radhakanta Deb, its first president, with Debendranath Tagore as secretary. It mainly defended the interests of landlords, especially the Permanent Settlement, but it also sent petitions to the British Parliament before the renewal of the Company's Charter in 1853, asking for a legislature with Indian members, lower salaries for officials and the separation of executive and judicial powers. It was one of the leading political bodies of eastern India before the Indian National Congress was founded in 1885.
B is wrong because the Landholders' Society was set up earlier, in 1838, and merged into the 1851 body. C is wrong because the Madras Native Association was formed in Madras in 1852. D is wrong because the Bombay Association was founded in Bombay in 1852.
Exam tip: Landholders' Society 1838, British Indian Association 1851, Madras Native and Bombay Associations 1852.
Practice Questions
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- B.The All India Depressed Classes Association was not attended by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1926.
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Show answer
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