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Indian HistoryHardAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper I

With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements : 1. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of 'indentured labour'. 2. In Lord Chelmsford's 'War Conference', Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War. 3. Consequent upon the breaking of Salt Law by Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Correct answer

B. 1 and 3 only

Explanation

The correct answer is B, 1 and 3 only. Gandhi did campaign to end indentured labour, and the Congress was outlawed after the Salt Satyagraha, but he supported the recruitment resolution at the War Conference.

Having seen the misery of indentured Indians in South Africa, Gandhi pressed for the end of the system, and the recruitment of Indian indentured labour for the colonies was stopped in 1917. At Viceroy Chelmsford's War Conference in Delhi in April 1918, Gandhi supported the resolution on recruiting Indians for the First World War and then toured Kheda as a recruiter, hoping loyalty would earn self-rule. After the Salt March of 1930 and mass breaking of the salt law, the government arrested leaders and declared the Congress Working Committee an unlawful body.

A is wrong: it includes statement 2, which is false.

C is wrong: it includes statement 2 and leaves out the true statement 1.

D is wrong: statement 2 is incorrect, so all three cannot be right.

Exam tip: Delhi War Conference, April 1918 = Gandhi backs recruitment; indenture recruitment stopped 1917; Salt Satyagraha 1930 = Congress outlawed.

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Q1.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2023, GKMedium

Which one of the following statements about the Shvetambara Sect of Jainism is not correct?

  1. A.It refers to monks, who wear white clothes.
  2. B.It refers to monks, who migrated to the south of Vindhyas in 4th century BCE.
  3. C.They recognized the existence canonical texts including the 12 Angas.
  4. D.They believed that women can also attain salvation.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. It refers to monks, who migrated to the south of Vindhyas in 4th century BCE.

The monks who went south were the followers of Bhadrabahu, who later became the Digambaras, not the Shvetambaras.

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Q4.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IMedium

Which one of the following statements about the 'Amara-Nayaka' system is not correct?

  1. A.The Amara-Nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire.
  2. B.The Amara-Nayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the Raya.
  3. C.The Amara-Nayakas collected taxes and retained part of the revenue for personal use and for maintaining their contingents.
  4. D.The territories held by the Amara-Nayakas were hereditary and were therefore non-transferrable.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. The territories held by the Amara-Nayakas were hereditary and were therefore non-transferrable.

The territories of the amara-nayakas were not hereditary; the Vijayanagara kings transferred them from one place to another from time to time.

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Q5.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IEasy

With reference to the history of India, "Ulgulan" or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events?

  1. A.The Revolt of 1857
  2. B.The Mappila Rebellion of 1921
  3. C.The Indigo Revolt of 1859 - 60
  4. D.Birsa Munda's Revolt of 1899 - 1900
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Birsa Munda's Revolt of 1899 - 1900

Ulgulan, meaning "the great tumult", is the name given to the Munda uprising led by Birsa Munda in the Ranchi region.

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