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Indian HistoryMediumAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2019, Paper I

Which of the following statements about Prarthana Samaj are correct ? 1. Its aim was to reform the Hindu society 2. It was based in Maharashtra 3. It believed in monotheism 4. It had greatly influenced the Brahmo Samaj Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1,2 and 3
  4. D.1 and 4

Correct answer

C. 1,2 and 3

Explanation

The correct answer is C, 1, 2 and 3. The Prarthana Samaj was a monotheistic Hindu reform body of Maharashtra, but it was influenced by the Brahmo Samaj, not the other way round.

The Prarthana Samaj was founded in Bombay in 1867 by Atmaram Pandurang, after a visit by Keshab Chandra Sen of the Brahmo Samaj inspired reformers there. M. G. Ranade and R. G. Bhandarkar became its leading figures. It worshipped one God, rejected idol worship and priestly dominance, and worked for social reform: it opposed caste restrictions and child marriage and supported women's education and widow remarriage. Its members drew on the bhakti tradition of the Maharashtra saints such as Namdev and Tukaram. Since the Brahmo Samaj began in Bengal in 1828 and shaped the Prarthana Samaj, statement 4 reverses the real direction of influence.

A is wrong because statement 3 is also correct. B is wrong because statement 1 is also correct. D is wrong because statement 4 is false.

Exam tip: Prarthana Samaj 1867 Bombay, Atmaram Pandurang, inspired by Keshab Chandra Sen; Ranade was its best-known leader.

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Q1.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

Economically, one of the results of the British rule in India in the 19th century was the

  1. A.increase in the export of Indian handicrafts
  2. B.growth in the number of Indian owned factories
  3. C.commercialization of Indian agriculture
  4. D.rapid increase in the urban population
Show answer
Correct answer: C. commercialization of Indian agriculture

British rule pushed Indian farmers to grow crops for sale and export rather than for their own food. Heavy land revenue had to be paid in cash, so peasants turned to cash crops such as indigo, cotton, jute, opium, tea and sugarcane, which fed British industry and trade.

Q2.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following freedom fighters:

1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh

2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee

3. Rash Behari Bose

Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party?

  1. A.1 and 2
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.1 and 3
  4. D.3 only
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 3 only

Of the three, only Rash Behari Bose worked actively with the Ghadar Party. The Ghadar Party was founded in 1913 at San Francisco by Indians in North America, with Lala Har Dayal and Sohan Singh Bhakna among its leaders.

Q3.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IMedium

Subsequent to which one of the following events, Gandhiji, who consistently opposed untouchability and appealed for its eradication from all spheres, decided to include the upliftment of 'Harijans' in his political and social programme?

  1. A.The Poona Pact
  2. B.The Gandhi-Irwin Agreement (Delhi Pact)
  3. C.Arrest of Congress leadership at the time of the Quit India Movement
  4. D.Promulgation of the Government of India Act, 1935
Show answer
Correct answer: A. The Poona Pact

After the Poona Pact of September 1932, Gandhi made the upliftment of the Harijans a central part of his work.

Q5.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following pairs:

(Party : Its Leader)

1. Bharatiya Jana Sangh : Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee

2. Socialist Party : C. Rajagopalachari

3. Congress for Democracy : Jagjivan Ram

4. Swatantra Party : Acharya Narendra Dev

How many of the above are correctly matched?

  1. A.Only one
  2. B.Only two
  3. C.Only three
  4. D.All four
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Only two

Pairs 1 and 3 are correct; the leaders in pairs 2 and 4 have been swapped. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951.