Question 1 :

There are certain things which cannot be mended but only ended. Brahmanical Hindusim is one such.

In this context evaluate the lower caste movement during modern India.

Answer : In 19th and 20th centuries-class consciousness among lower caste due to-
1. British policy of divide and rule.
2. Western education.
3. Introduction of a common CPC and CrPC.
4. Railways.
5. Growth of national consciousness.
6. Modern political thoughts of equality and social egalitarianism.

Reaction against Brahminical domination-

1. 1917-Justice party – P.Theagaraya, T.M.Nayar, Ramaswamy Naickar-
2. Narayan Guru and SNDP-2 point program for upliftment of Ezhavas-ie to give up practise of
untiuchability & build a no. of temoles open to all castes
3. Jyotirao Phule & Satya Sodhak Samaj
4. B.R.Ambedkar – 1924- Bhaishkari Hitkarni Sabha ; launched satyagraha to establish civic rights
of untouchables ; demanded separate electorates; 1942- schedule caste federation

Question 2

The recurrence of famines in India exposed the British myth of “ white men’s burden “ . Analyse

Answer : During EIC – 12 famines & 4 severe scarcities-

1769-70- Bengal famine
1781-82- scarcity in Madras
1784- famine in north India
1792- Madras famine
1803- famine in NWP & Oudh
1837- famine in upper India

No attempt to formulate any general system of famine relief or prevention .

Transfer of power & economic devt. – the state realised its responsibility for expansion of
irrigation facilities, enactment of agrarian legislation , preventive measures & formulation of
famine policy

10 severe famines & large no. of scarcities-

1860-61- Delhi & Agra

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 1866- 0rissa famine
1876-78- Madras, Bombay, UP & Punjab; 1880- Strachey commission
Famine of 1896-97
Famine of 1899-00; MacDonnel commission
Bengal Famine of 1942-43-

“More man-made than an act of God”;

Relief measures – belated & inadequate;
Lakhs of people died; hoarding of grains;

Question 3. Comment upon the growth of local self- government in India after 1918.
Answer :
The Montfort Report suggested: ”There should be , as far as possible, complete popular
control in local bodies and largest possible independence for them of outside control.”
The Government of India Resolution of 16May1918.
The Resolution suggested that local bodies should be made as representative as possible of the
people, their authority over the matters entrusted to them should be real and not nominal, that
all unnecessary official control should be checked and local bodies allowed to learn by their
mistakes. The Resolution in general endorsed the recommendation of the Decentralization
Commission in entrusting the municipal boards, in greater control of services paid for by local
bodies etc.
Regarding village panchayats, the Resolution stated that local bodies should not be looked
upon as mere mechanical adjuncts of local self-government but as association designed to
develop village corporate life.
Under Dyarchy. With the coming into force of Government of India Act 1919 local self-
government became a ‘transferred ‘ subject under popular ministerial control. Each province
was allowed to develop local self-institutions according to provincial needs and requirements.
The taxes which could be imposed by local bodies were separated from those which fell within
the competence of provincial governments. The Indian ministers, however could not do much
for lacks of funds, since finance was a ‘reserved’ subject under the charge of an Executive
Councillor.
The Simon Commission reporting. Observed that village panchayats had not shown any
marked progress except in the U.P. , Bengal and Madras. The commission suggested the
retrograde step of increasing the control of provincial governments over local bodies in the
interest of greater efficiency. The Commission adversely commented on the reluctance of the
elected members to impose local taxes.
The Government of India Act 1935 and after provincial autonomy was introduced which gave
father impetus to the development of local institution. Popular ministries controlled finance and
could make available adequate funds for development of local bodies. However their powers of
taxation remained more or less the same as in the days of Ripon. At the time of India’s
independence , The control of provincial goverments over local bodies in matters of new
proposals for taxation, for reduction or abolition of existing taxes were subject to the prior
approval of the provincial goverments.

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Question 4. The freedom of India declared in Aug. 1947 was the cumulative effect of the various
factors acting together.Do you think the partition of the country was inevitable ?
ANSWER : The partition at the time of grant of independence was the result of the prevailing of
circumstances various factors played role in creation the atmosphere in which most of the
Indian leaders were forced to accept partition of the country.
1. The separatist policies of ML was the most important factor in India’s partition. After defeat
of ML in elections of 1937,it had adopted radical policies and attempts were made to
higlight that interest of Muslims were different from Hindus.
2. The failure of INC leadership to successfully assimilate Muslim masses in Indian national
struggle was also important factor which allowed ML to play upon the fear of Muslim
masses.
3. The policy of divide & rule pursued by British Government in India resulted in undue
emphasis on the protection of rights of minorities. The seeds of division were sown in 1909.
As the INM grew stronger and stronger, the policy of appeasement pushed by government
toward ML became more aggressive. The ML was allowed to veto the progress of
constitutional reforms as happened at Shimla conference, June 1945.The Cripps proposal
provided that provinces could accept or reject the constitution. This proposal contained the
germs of pakistan. The refusal of British to continue const. progress without the
participation of ML made Jinnah more abdurate & communal.
The stiff non- cooperation of members of ML in interim government and the widespread communal
riots anchored by ML(1946-1947) forced the nationalistic leaders of INC to accept partition. Thus India
was partitioned according to provisions of Mountbatten plan.

Question 5.

Nehru considered socialism as a solution to India’s problems and world’s problem .Discuss.
ANSWER :

1. During the 1st half of 20th century, India was facing various social, economic and political
problems. The level of social development was low and because of this poverty
unemployment were wide spread . The colonial exploitation was another major problem.
The exploitation of labourers & peasantry was another problem. The unequal distribution
of wealth & resources had resulted in concentration of huge wealth in the hands of small
group of people.
2. The problem faced by India was not unique . similar kind of social, economic and political
problems were present in different parts of the world. Whole of Africa & Asia was under
colonial domination . Different countries was fighting for Independence.
3. Socialism believes in peaceful and harmonious relation among different groups of society &
among nations internationally.Socialism is anti colonialism. By adopting socialism conflicts
would disappear and domination would be eliminated.
4. The socialism ideology based on class harmony is against Economic exploitation & unequal
distribution of resources. Equal distribution of resources will not only eliminate poverty &
but the various factors resulting in social economic and political instability would be
removed.
5. Socialism believes I democratic values. The establishment of democratic form of
government would eliminate the most of the problems before India in first half of 20 th

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 century & the adoption of democratic principles would also fulfil nationalist aspiration
through the world & elimination cause of international conflict.
6. Becuse of this Nehru consider socialism is to India’s & world’s problems.

QUESTION 6:

Briefly discuss the role of Indian business class in civil disobedience movement .
ANSWER :

1. Supported CDM at the time of its launching.

2. Indian capitalist were under the influence of nationalist spirit.
3. Ever since early period- capitalist were favourably disposed towards congress.
4. They knew that the British Indian government will not take them seriously without the pressure
of Gandhi and INC.
5. The long drawn out mass movt. was against their interest .
6. They expected only a short term movt.
7. When the movement continued- capitalist class started expressing its sentiments against CDM.
8. Some advising & pressuring Gandhi to suspend CDM.
9. The signing of Gandhi-Irwin pact was a response to these factors to some extent

Q 7. What was the response and attitude of the early nationalist towards socialism .
ANSWER:
1. Did not show appreciation.
2. Some had studied socialism but failed to adopt socialist principles in their struggles against
British rule.
3. They believe in peaceful constitutional agitation & radical measures didn’t appeal to them.
4. Demanded administrative & constitutional reforms & didn’t attempt to bring revolutionary
changes.
5. Social background of early nationalist
6. They raised only nationalist issues
7. Masses did not formed an integral part of their political programme
8. They were convinced that the fulfilment of the political objectives in itself would turn India into a
happy & prosperous country & once prosperity returned the ills of economic disparity would disappear

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 MALUKA’S IAS
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www.malukaias.com
 MALUKA’S IAS
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