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Indian HistoryEasyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper I

Who among the following was the founder of the 'Self-Respect Movement'?

  1. A.'Periyar' E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker
  2. B.Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
  3. C.Bhaskarrao Jadhav
  4. D.Dinkarrao Javalkar

Correct answer

A. 'Periyar' E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker

Explanation

The correct answer is A, 'Periyar' E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker. Periyar launched the Self-Respect Movement in the Madras Presidency in 1925 to fight caste discrimination and Brahmin dominance.

Periyar had left the Congress after he felt it did little for non-Brahmins. The movement asked people to live with dignity regardless of caste, opposed priestly rituals, promoted "self-respect marriages" held without priests, and supported women's rights and widow remarriage. Earlier, in 1924, he had led the Vaikom Satyagraha in Travancore for the right of lower castes to use roads near a temple. He later headed the Justice Party and in 1944 renamed it the Dravidar Kazhagam, from which the Dravidian parties of Tamil Nadu grew.

B is wrong because Ambedkar founded the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha and led the Mahad Satyagraha. C is wrong because Bhaskarrao Jadhav was a leader of the non-Brahmin movement in Maharashtra. D is wrong because Dinkarrao Javalkar was also a Maharashtra non-Brahmin writer and activist.

Exam tip: Self-Respect Movement 1925, Periyar; Vaikom Satyagraha 1924.

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The Barrackpore Mutiny of 1824 broke out because the sepoys of the 47th Native Infantry refused to

  1. A.Wear a leather cockade on the turban
  2. B.Use the new Enfield cartridge
  3. C.March to Burma across the sea
  4. D.Serve under Indian officers
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Correct answer: C. March to Burma across the sea

During the First Anglo-Burmese War the 47th Regiment of Native Infantry at Barrackpore was ordered to Burma. The sepoys objected because crossing the sea meant loss of caste, and because no allowance had been granted for the carriage of their baggage as service custom required.

Q3.Indian HistoryMedium

The Wahabi movement in India was shaped mainly by

  1. A.Syed Ahmad Barelvi
  2. B.Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
  3. C.Dudu Mian
  4. D.Titu Mir
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Correct answer: A. Syed Ahmad Barelvi

The correct answer is A, Syed Ahmad Barelvi of Rae Bareli, who drew on the teachings of Shah Waliullah and organised the movement known in India as the Wahabi or Tariqah-i-Muhammadiya movement, with Patna as its Indian centre.

Q5.Indian HistoryHard

The Khasi uprising of 1829-33 was led by U Tirot Sing against which British project?

  1. A.A railway line from Calcutta to Dacca
  2. B.A road from the Brahmaputra valley to Sylhet
  3. C.A canal through the Khasi hills
  4. D.A tea plantation in Cachar
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Correct answer: B. A road from the Brahmaputra valley to Sylhet

The Company wanted a road joining the Brahmaputra valley with Sylhet through Khasi territory, and brought in outside labour and troops to build it.