10 NOVEMBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONS: Q1. The Sikh Gurdwara Reform Movement significantly aided India’s fight for independence. Discuss. the equivalent of 250 words (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        Early in the 1920s was when the Akali Movement, often referred to as the Gurdwara Reform Movement, really took off. Its goal was to change the way Sikh Gurdwaras are run and run for their congregations. The Akali Movement was started in order to expel Mahants who were supported by the British government from the historic Gurdwaras of the Sikhs. Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee was given responsibility over all historically significant Sikh sites in India by the Sikh Gurdwara Bill of 1925. (SGPC). ·       Body: ·        Indian independence cause contribution: ·        The Akali Movement, which initially had just a religious focus, eventually contributed significantly to India’s fight for independence. ·        The campaign’s goal was to liberate the Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) from uninformed and dishonest mahants (priests). ·        Government-appointed managers and caretakers also had some power over the Gurdwaras, in addition to the mahants, who frequently cooperated with mahants when the British took over Punjab in 1849. ·        The Mahants received the full support of the government. It spread Sikh loyalties through them and the managers, keeping them from joining the fledgling nationalist movement. ·        On the other hand, the Sikh nationalists and reformers supported rescuing the Gurdwaras from the mahants’ and the agents of the colonial administration in order to thoroughly reform them. ·        After they had issued a Hukamnama (directive from the Gurus or the sacred seats of the Sikh authority) against the Ghadarites and declared them rebels, the priests of the Golden Temple in Amritsar honoured and dubbed General Dyer, the perpetrator of the Jallianwala Massacre, a Sikh. These two events particularly startled the nationalists. ·        The reformers organised a number of public events in favour of their demand that “this greatest seat of Sikh faith should be placed in the hands of a representative body of the Sikhs.” ·        In November 1920, a representative assembly of approximately 10,000 reformers chose the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee, which consists of 175 members, to oversee and manage the Golden Temple, the Akal Takht, and other Gurdwaras. (SGPC). The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is the name of the Sikh nation’s legislature. ·        Both movements adopted total non-violence as their guiding philosophy under the influence of the modern Non-Cooperation Movement, whose leaders the Akali Dal and the SGPC shared. ·        The Akali movement experienced its first baptism by fire in February 1921 at Nankana, the Guru Nanak’s birthplace. Narain Das, the mahant of the Gurdwara there, was not keen on a peaceful transfer of authority to the Akalis. The Nankana disaster changed the course of the Akali conflict. To offer their support, national leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Lala Lajpat Rai, and others went to Nankana. ·        The SGPC adopted a resolution in May 1921 encouraging non-cooperation, a prohibition on imported commodities and alcoholic beverages, and the replacement of British courts by panchayats. The Akali leaders who were jailed for breaking the law made the decision not to defend themselves and contested the legality of the tribunals that were imposed by foreign governments. ·        A significant win for the Akalis came in October 1921 with the “Keys Affair.” The SGPC recommended Sikhs to participate in the hartal on the day the Prince of Wales arrived in India. In the rest of the nation, the Non-Cooperation Movement was at its height. ·        The Government again chose not to challenge Sikhs about a religious matter. All those detained in connection with the “Keys Affair” were freed, and Baba Kharak Singh, the head of the SGPC, received the Toshakhana’s keys as compensation. Right away, Mahatma Gandhi wrote a cable to the Baba declaring victory in the “first struggle for India’s liberty.” Congratulations.’ ·        The valiant nonviolent struggle around Guru-Ka-Bagh Gurdwara, which rocked all of India, was the culmination of the effort to free the Gurdwaras. Throughout the 70 years of British administration, Guru ka Bagh experienced the height of religious zeal. A lot of attention was paid to the court proceedings involving the volunteers, and when those found guilty were brought to prisons to serve their sentences, massive crowds awaited them there. ·       Conclusion: ·        The Akalis, however, were unable to make much progress because the problem did not include religion and received little support from the rest of the nation. By promising legislation that would be passed in July 1925 and provide authority of all Punjab Gurdwaras to an elected body of Sikhs that would later go by the name SGPC, the government was able to persuade the moderate Akalis. Q2. A number of foreigners settled in India and took part in a range of movements. Discuss. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        There were many honourable and brave foreigners who fought alongside their Indian counterparts in this fight, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of Indians who gave their life to the defence of their motherland. ·       Body: ·        The following are a few ways that foreigners contributed to the various pre-independence movements: ·        James Princep and Williams Jones: ·        Asian Society of Bengal members, who were accustomed to Indian customs, took the lead in the discussion in favour of eastern education in regional languages. Despite failing, it shows how much they respected and loved Indian customs. ·        Elizabeth Mary Noble (Sister Nivedita): ·        Swami Vivekananda’s Ramakrishna Mission was joined by an Irishman by birth. ·        criticised the British government’s racial policies, provided aid during the Bengal famine and plague outbreaks, and supported women’s rights. ·        She criticised Lord Curzon for the Bengal Partition in 1905 and the Universities Act of 1904. ·        Because she believed that the British were mostly to blame for the dismal state of the Indian economy, she backed the Swadeshi Movement and attended the Benares Congress in 1905. ·        She

09 NOVEMBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONS: Q1. What role, in your opinion, did the Indian National Army play in the abolition of British control in India? Also emphasise on Subhash Chandra Bose’s contribution in this regard. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        With the aid of the Imperial Japanese Army, Indian Nationalists founded the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) in 1942 to defend India’s independence. The first INA was established by Mohan Singh and Japanese Major Iwaichi Fujiwara and consisted of Indian POWs from the British-Indian Army who had been captured by Japan during the Malayan (current Malaysia) campaign and in Singapore. ·       Body: ·        What function did INA serve? ·        In 1943, Bose lost hope that Germany would contribute to the freedom of India. He subsequently switched his attention to Asia and became command of the Indian National Army (INA). ·        Bose formed the INA’s Azad Hind administration, which with the aid of Indians living abroad went on to develop its own currency, postal stamps, court system, and civil code. The Axis countries were aware of it. ·        Bose is respected in India despite the fact that the West mostly despises him for his collaboration with the Axis countries during World War II. ·        Bose, with the assistance of the Japanese, commanded the soldiers of the Indian National Army in combat against the British for the final two years of the war. ·        Of the 60,000 prisoners of war kept in Japanese camps, the Indian business community in South East Asia assisted the I.N.A. in collecting about 20,000 of them through labour and financial support. ·        The INA established the modern women’s detachment known as The Rani of Jhansi. The INA was primarily a non-communal organisation, with Muslims making up the majority of both its leaders and members. ·        Between March and June 1944, the INA fought on Indian soil, besieging Imphal with Japanese forces in an operation that was a total disaster. ·        After Japan was overthrown in 1945, the INA members were put back behind bars, but Bose mysteriously disappeared and was allegedly killed in an air crash that some people still think was staged. ·        Large-scale demonstrations were held in opposition to a British plan to tax INA members in November 1945. ·        The potential link between the INA experience and the wave of unrest in the British Indian army that occurred in the winter of 1945–46 and culminated in the great Bombay naval strike in February 1946 was even more significant, and this is probably what drove the British government to withdraw as quickly as it did. ·        The INA’s connection with Netaji Bose: ·        The INA emphasised Subhash Bose’s abilities as a military leader and strategist. One of the INA Brigades advanced closer to the border between India and the Japanese army. The Indian flag was erected in Kohima in March 1944. ·        The INA, however, disintegrated as the fighting grew and the Japanese force left after being routed. The INA’s actions had a big impact on India’s political climate. ·        After the battle, a wave of revolutionary movement overtook the nation as Indians realised how courageous and selfless they had been. ·        Indians had a sense of patriotism that went beyond fealty to a foreign country, according to the British authorities. ·        Subhash Chandra Bose had a ruthless worldview that captivated the Indian people to an unparalleled degree with his lofty objective of achieving India’s independence and his idealistic INA organisation. ·       Conclusion: ·        The INA suffered significant casualties in both people and equipment during this withdrawal. Numerous regiments were disbanded by the ineffective Japanese Army, or their personnel were amalgamated to form new divisions. After the Japanese were defeated in World War 2, the British captured the majority of the INA soldiers. Subash Chandra Bose managed to flee from captivity, although it’s thought he passed away in a plane crash in Taiwan in September 1945. Q2. Discuss Subhas Chandra Bose’s involvement with the struggle for Indian freedom. What lessons does his legacy still have for us today? (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, an Indian nationalist, was revered in his own country for his ardent patriotism. Bose defined freedom as the absence of political self-rule, social inequality, casteism, and other forms of intolerance. Bose was a staunch advocate for a secular political system and an industrialised society that permeates all facets of daily life. ·       Body: ·        A 28-foot Subhas Chandra Bose statue was most recently ordered to be erected near India Gate by the prime minister. The Grand Canopy of the monument encircles the statue, which was unveiled near to the Kartavya Path, formerly known as Rajpath. ·        Contribution of the Indian National Movement: ·        Indian National Army: ·        The organisation, popularly known as “Azad Hind Fauj,” was started by Rash Behari Bose in 1942. 1943 saw its resurrection. ·        The British eventually left India as a result of several significant occasions, most notably the INA invasion. ·        He emphasised prudent financial management and set an example for others. ·        female parity ·        Since women and men are treated equally, according to Bose, they should be willing to fight for India’s freedom and put up with sufferings. ·        In India, he oversaw a drive in the 1920s and 1930s to encourage women to participate more actively in the nation’s struggle for independence. ·        The Azad Hind Fauj created a women’s unit under the direction of Captain Lakshmi. Rani Jhansi was the name of the regiment. ·        Successful Leadership: ·        Bravery and Indian nationalism came to be associated with the Azad Hind Fauj. Bose’s indignant remarks inspired the soldiers. ·        He is credited with saying, “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom.” ·        Extensive mobilisation ·        A proponent of both individualism and group mobilisation, Subhash Chandra Bose ·        When he realised that the population was the country’s most valuable resource,

08 NOVEMBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONS: Q1. Demanding that Pakistan and the British concede it was one thing because it was in line with the policies the Muslim League had previously pursued. But why did the Congress, which had long supported the unification of India, abandon it? Examine. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        India’s 1947 split is rightfully remembered as a significant event in Indian history. There are two schools of thought: one holds that the partition could not have been avoided and the other believes it could not have been prevented. ·       Body: ·        It was impossible to avoid the Partition: ·        Partition’s seeds were planted a very long time ago. ·        As early as the 1940s, Winston Churchill prophesied that animosity between Hindus and Muslims would continue to serve as “a bulwark of British dominance in India.” This viewpoint was a component of the British “divide and rule” strategy. ·        Congress’ attempts to impose Islam were futile. The community was only marginally involved in nearly all nationalist movements. ·        The Congress Party leaders in the 1946 elections refused to share power with Jinnah because they believed they could win a majority of the vote without Muslim assistance. These ideas encouraged Muslim concerns that secular nationalism was a front for Hindu domination. ·        Muslims are concerned as a result of Congress’s activities and the rise of racial organisations like the Hindu Mahasabha. ·        Imminent situation: ·        massive destruction and bloodshed. A civil war would have started if the Congress leaders had opposed Partition (with violence in Punjab and Bengal escalating). Racial tension would have been higher. ·        Hurry to leave—It appears that the British believed that by dividing the nation along religious lines, departure would be made as straightforward as possible. Indian leaders wanted to exercise their power while the British were eager to separate and leave. ·        After Nehru, Congressmen like Patel and Rajaji started to promote the notion of Pakistan more and more. Gandhi ultimately gives up despite his opposition to the concept of Pakistan. ·        The partition was accepted by Congress for the following reasons: ·        The Congress was merely yielding to the inevitable since it had repeatedly failed to win over the Muslim masses to the nationalist cause. ·        Over the years, the Congress has been unable to convince the majority of Muslims to support nationalism. ·        Additionally, it had failed to halt the rise of Muslim communalism, especially since 1937. ·        During the Cripps Mission in 1942, provinces with substantial Muslim populations acquired autonomy. ·        Gandhiji took a step further in his 1944 meetings with Jinnah by recognising the right of Muslim-majority provinces to self-determination. ·        Congress eventually gave its approval to the concept of a separate constituent assembly made up of the provinces with a Muslim majority in June 1946. (added to Groups B and C of the Cabinet Mission Plan). ·        The Mission plan was understood differently by the Congress and League, who both saw it as a defence of their respective beliefs. ·        The Interim Government was established on September 2nd, 1946, with Nehru serving as the de facto head of state and only Congress MPs taking part. ·        This was contrary to the League’s rule that all contracts must be approved by it. ·        On August 6, 1946, Muslim communal organisations in Calcutta incited racial hysteria. ·        Hindu organisations responded in kind, and as a result, 5000 people died. ·        On June 30, 1948, the British decided to leave India, and Lord Mountbatten was named as the new Viceroy. ·        The Congress Working Committee passed a resolution at the start of March 1947 that made the first official mention of Partition. It stated that Bengal and Punjab would need to be divided if the country were to be divided. ·        By June 1947, the leaders of the Congress had come to the conclusion that the Muslim League’s call for Direct Action had greatly increased the risk of intercommunal violence, which could only be prevented by a quick change in power. ·        The division strategy outlined in Lord Mountbatten’s Third June Plan was approved by Congress. ·        The League’s demand for an independent Muslim state was met with a succession of concessions, the last of which was the adoption of Partition in 1947. ·       Conclusion: ·        But a year later, when the fight for Pakistan moved from the ballot box to the streets, it was too late to go back. The League made a succession of small concessions in response to its demands for an independent Muslim state, which culminated in 1947 with the League’s acceptance of Partition. Q2. The partition of India was the result of a number of circumstances. Nobody was in charge of it and didn’t have the power to stop it. Critically evaluate. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        The “last-minute” manoeuvre the British employed to win agreement over how independence would be attained was the division of British India into the two separate states of India and Pakistan on the weekend of August 14–15, 1947. Most people were surprised by the massive migration that followed because few people at the time were aware of what Partition would entail or what its effects would be. ·       Body: ·        The following factors had an impact on how India was divided: ·        Discretionary Power: The British employed a divide-and-rule strategy when they colonised India. ·        During the census, individuals were classified as distinct from one another and divided into religious groups. ·        The Muslims, who had previously ruled the subcontinent and India under the Mughal Empire for more than 300 years, also caused them concern. ·        Muslim persecution in Britain: ·        The Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College at Aligarh and the All-India Muslim Conference were two organisations that the founders of the Muslim League and the philosophy of Pakistan sprang from, and both organisations got financial support from the British. ·        A distinct Muslim

07 NOVEMBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONS: Q1. The partition of India led to the greatest, abruptest, unplanned, and most disastrous population shift in recorded human history. Analyze the partition’s results for India. Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        The “last-minute” strategy the British adopted to get agreement over how independence would be attained was the division of British India into the two separate states of India and Pakistan over the weekend of August 14–15, 1947. The majority of people were astonished by the massive migration that followed because few people at the time understood what Partition would imply or what its effects would be. ·       Body: ·        India’s response to the division: ·        Societal repercussions ·        Numerous refugees from various faith traditions are entering the country. ·        The loss of human resources was enormous because it took in over 16 million uprooted, penniless refugees who needed to be at the very least rehabilitated. ·        Migration and congestion are causing population shifts in border towns and cities. ·        Conflict between various ethnic groups is mostly caused by the growth of ethnocultural and ethnoreligious minorities. ·        The city of Kolkata is getting overly urbanised as a result of a population increase. ·        increasing unemployment while making plans for reintegrating refugees ·        A trickle of people continued to enter into the 1960s as a result of ongoing racial conflict. ·        financial effects ·        The nickname “the granary of undivided India” refers to West Punjab and Sind because of their historical importance as food producers. ·        However, because the two territories were taken over by Pakistan following the partition, India’s ability to produce food was severely limited. ·        Due to the long-standing interaction between industries and the agricultural sector for the purpose of obtaining raw materials generated in the agricultural sector, the industrial sector suffered severely from the impact on agriculture. ·        The riots that followed the split also led to a substantial exodus of skilled labour from India to Pakistan. Unsurprisingly, the majority of the artisans and skilled workers were Muslims. ·        The worst catastrophe for the jute industry was the partition, which forced the evacuation of almost 80% of jute production to east Pakistan. ·        consequences of geography ·        the disappearance of the area’s natural resources, like as its forests, the enormous Sunderbans delta mangroves, and its productive agricultural land (in this case, a large area under the jute crop). ·        Water resource sharing between higher and lower riparian nations ·        Flat alluvial plains and river deltas serve as the border’s distinguishing characteristics in border disputes. ·        The freshly independent states are connected by a subpar transportation and communication network. ·        Global significance of border communities’ infrastructure deficits in local, national, and international trade and commerce ·        The wide-ranging implications of the stupid land divide immediately affect geopolitical conditions. ·        A practical foreign policy and the solving of outstanding issues, including as the sharing of water, border management, border dispute resolution, and dissolution of terrorist organisations, are crucial for the subcontinent to achieve lasting peace. ·       Conclusion ·        The current state of relations between the two nations is far from ideal. Given that both countries possess nuclear weapons, Kashmir is a problem. The “Islamization” of society in Pakistan in the 1980s exposed non-Muslim minorities, and Indian Muslims are frequently charged with harbouring Pakistani allegiances. More than a billion people are still experiencing problems as a result of Partition seven decades later. Q2. Nehru favoured the idea of conserving indigenous people’s customs and identities while integrating them into Indian civilization. Elucidate. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        The government focused its efforts on integrating the tribes on preserving their distinctive social and cultural legacy. As stated by Jawaharlal Nehru, who had a significant influence on how the government felt about the tribals, the first issue we have to address there [in the tribal areas] is to inspire them [the tribal people] with confidence and to make them feel at one with India, as well as to realise that they are part of India and have an honoured place in it. But at the same time, “India should symbolise to them not just a guarding power but a liberating force.” Nehru said tribal people’s uniqueness could be accepted within the context of Indian nationalism. ·       Body: ·        One of Nehru’s goals was to integrate native Indians into society: ·        There were basically two schools of thought regarding how indigenous people should be treated inside Indian civilization. One tactic was to essentially ignore the native population and prevent it from being impacted by modern culture, enabling it to continue in its present form. ·        Assimilation into Indian society as quickly as possible was the second tactic. Instead of being mourned, the loss of the tribal way of life should be celebrated as a symbol of their “upliftment.” ·        Jawaharlal Nehru rejected both of these methods. According to him, the first tactic is to view the tribal people as “museum specimens to be studied and written about.” ·        He suggested that the level of isolation the native population currently has from the outside world could not be maintained. ·        The outer world had already gotten too close at this point, rendering isolation neither desirable nor practical. ·        The second plan, which suggested allowing them “be absorbed by the bulk of Indian humanity” or absorbing them by using conventional outside forces, was likewise untrue in Nehru’s opinion. ·        This would entail losing the tribal people’s social and cultural identity as well as many of their positive traits. ·        Because it permitted tribal people to retain their own identities and traditions while becoming an essential part of the Indian country, Nehru preferred this technique above the other two. ·        Nehru’s tribal Panchsheel policy: ·        The Nehruvian plan includes crucial elements like “The tribal areas must develop, and they must do it in their own unique manner. ·        ” As some might argue, progress wasn’t only

05 NOVEMBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONS: Q1. The Government of India Act of 1935 as a whole was important. In addition to acting as a temporary constitution, it served as the basis for the constitution of Free India. Elucidate. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        The Government of India Act of 1935 was an important piece of legislation in Indian history. A number of earlier Government of India Acts and Round Table Conferences led to the passage of the Government of India Act of 1935. It completely altered the political system, judicial system, and other aspects of the Federation of India. It made the Indian Federation possible and gave the Indian provinces autonomy. A framework, the Government of India Act of 1935, established some federal qualities. ·       Body: ·        The 1935 Government of India Act’s characteristics: ·        This Act has a number of noteworthy features, some of which have been thought important while others have been deemed unimportant. These are a few crucial qualities: ·        This Act serves as evidence of the British Parliament’s dominance or governing power. ·        This Act attempted to create an All-India Federation made up of princely states and provinces as a whole. ·        The old dyarchy system in the provinces was replaced by a system of provincial autonomy under this Act. Dysarchy was only used at the federal level this time, not the state level. ·        The Act’s recommendation led to the creation of a federal court. This court was established in 1937, two years after this Act was passed. ·        The Reserve Bank of India will be established under the provisions of this Act, and it will be responsible for managing the country’s currency and credit markets. ·        The Government of India Act of 1858, which established the Council of India, was abolished following the passage of this Act. ·        After the enactment of this Act, separate electorates were created for Muslims, Sikhs, and other communities aside from the lower classes. ·        The population of Universal Adult Franchise would rise from 3% to 14% with the approval of this Act. ·        The important emergency powers are no longer under the Governor’s exclusive control. ·        The GOI, 1935 Act had following issues: ·        The “safeguards” and “specific functions” of the governor-many generals served as limitations on the effectiveness of the Act. ·        The need to win Indian support for the British Raj determines the course of India’s constitutional development. ·        The governor of a province still held a lot of authority. ·        14% of British Indians received voting rights as a result of the Act. ·        India was divided as a result of the expansion of the system of communal electorates and the representation of different interests. ·        The Act produced a constrained Constitution with no space for internal expansion. ·        The British Parliament was given sole authority to make changes. ·        Suppression is only a short-term tactic. It was planned for the movement to gradually lose strength and be heavily absorbed into the colonial, constitutional, and administrative structures. ·        Constitutionalist liberals and moderates lost support from the general public as a result of the civil disobedience movement; reforms would improve their political position. ·        A large portion of Congressmen would be persuaded of the futility of an unlawful war by past repression and current reforms. ·        Congressmen would be hesitant to return to politics of sacrifice once they had a taste of power. ·        Reforms might be utilised to increase polarisation in Congress, with the right wing being appeased by constitutional compromises while the radical left being controlled through coercion. ·        Strong provincial leaders would emerge as a result of regional autonomy and eventually turn into independent political power centres. Congress would consequently become regionalized, eroding centralised authority. ·       Conclusion: ·        Nearly all parties opposed the 1935 Act, and Congress unanimously rejected it. Instead, the Congress supported the election of a Constituent Assembly that would write an independent India’s constitution by democratic adult vote. Up until the start of the 1942 Quit India Movement, Congress ran in the provincial elections on the basis of the Act and won in the vast majority of provinces. Q2. The largest prominent anti-imperialist conflict has properly been referred to as the Quit India Movement, which occurred on the verge of Partition and Independence. Explain. (250 Words) Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        The disastrous failure of the Cripps Mission in April 1942 revealed Britain’s reluctance to offer an honourable settlement and a significant constitutional advance throughout the War. In order to encourage the British to leave, Gandhiji authored a resolution for the Congress Working Committee, which brought the nation closer to the August Kranti or Quit India Movement. The British were enraged by Mahatma Gandhi’s call to action, “Do or Die,” and rushed to arrest the whole Congress leadership while also motivating hundreds of party members. ·       Body: ·        The Quit India Movement, which took place just before Partition and Independence, was probably the biggest anti-imperialist movement: ·        Gandhi’s radical social views: ·        In stark contrast to the Non-cooperation campaign, from which he withdrew following the Chauri Chaura incident, Gandhi did not only refuse to condemn the use of violence by the people in the Quit India movement, but he also unequivocally blamed the government for it. ·        Gandhi emphasised the importance of nonviolence time and time again, but his motto “Do or Die” perfectly sums up his aggressive nature. ·        Gandhi also called on everyone to take action, including the princes, Jagirdars, and Zamindars as well as the wealthy and affluent classes, who draw their income and belongings from the workers in the fields, industries, and other locations, to whom power and authority ultimately belong. ·        As socialists and communists had by this point joined the broadly based Congress, this illustrates Gandhi’s social radicalism and a shift in the Congress’s philosophical outlook. ·        Violence existed in some places: ·        The Quit India Movement was

03 NOVEMBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONS: Q1. The trajectory of the wide anti-imperialist uprising obviously tilted higher in the second half of 1927. What circumstances made civil disobedience more likely? Examine. (250 words). Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        The Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress, the Hindu Mahasabha, and Tej Bahadur Sapru’s Liberal Federation were among the political parties who backed the boycott. When the Muslim League split on the issue, Mohammed Ali Jinnah stood for the vast majority of Muslims who supported the boycott. ·        Even Jawaharlal Nehru was able to pass a hastily drafted resolution in 1927 that expressed the Congress’s desire for total independence. ·       Body: ·        On February 3, 1928, the entire country observed a hartal, and a sizable number of people came to the streets to take part in demonstrations under the black flag. On that day, severe accusations and other offences were also perpetrated. ·        Chest blows with a lathi killed Lajpat Rai. ·        Saunders Murder: In December 1928, Bhagat Singh and his supporters killed white police officer Saunders in retaliation for Lajpat Rai’s murder. ·        The circumstances that led to the civil disobedience movement: ·        The Nehru Report, named after its main author Motilal Nehru, was a proposal that was endorsed by the All-Parties Conference in February, May, and August 1928. ·        It was a response to Lord Birkenhead’s charge that Indians had failed to come up with a well-reasoned constitutional amendment plan that had widespread support in the Indian political sphere. ·        Younger nationalists criticised the research’s predicted dominion status. ·        Younger nationalists in Congress decided to declare full independence as their goal and initiate a campaign of civil disobedience to achieve it after the government refused to ratify a constitution based on Dominion Status by the end of the year. ·        The 14 points of Jinnah He claimed that the Nehru Report consolidated all the demands made over the years by various sectarian organisations into a single document that became known as Jinnah’s Fourteen Stages and represented Hindu interests. ·        When the Simon Report round table conference was held, a meeting that became known as the Delhi Manifesto was scheduled. ·        They requested that it be made crystal clear that the Round Table Conference’s goal was to develop a plan for implementing Dominion Status, not to talk about when it would be granted. ·        Irwin personally informed Gandhiji and the others on December 23 that he was unable to provide the assurance they required. ·        The era of agreement was over, and now the real fight would start. ·        Gandhi presented Lord Irwin with an ultimatum of eleven requests before announcing the beginning of a full-fledged campaign of civil disobedience. ·        Conclusion: ·        There was only one course of action available after Gandhi’s ultimatum to Lord Irwin on January 31—in which he outlined the crucial demands in the form of II points—was disobeyed: civil disobedience. At a Working Committee meeting held at Sabarmati Ashram in the middle of February 1930, Gandhiji was given full permission to start the Civil Disobedience Movement whenever and wherever he pleased. The civil disobedience movement began appeared about this period, posing a severe threat to British control. Q2. The movement to leave India was a revolution unto itself during the protracted national movement there. What characteristics did the “Quit India” movement have? (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        In 1942, the All-India Congress Committee opposed the “August Kranti” movement, commonly known as the “Quit India” movement, and supported what Gandhi called “An Orderly British Withdrawal” from India. Mahatma Gandhi’s rallying cry, “Do or Die,” infuriated the British, who hurried to arrest the whole Congress leadership while also inspiring hundreds of party members. The INC’s top leaders were all arrested following Gandhi’s speech without being given the chance to defend themselves, which forced the British to take prompt action. ·       Body: ·        At response to the Cripps Mission’s failure, Gandhiji used the words “Do or Die” in a speech at the Gowalia Tank Maidan. ·        When it was determined to leave India, the following guidelines were established: ·        terminating British sovereignty over India as soon as is practical. ·        a statement expressing the free India’s determination to fight fascism and all forms of imperialism. ·        the setting up of India’s temporary government following the departure of the British. ·        approving a movement of civil disobedience against British rule. ·        Gandhi’s directives to different groups of the public: ·        If you work for the government, think about joining the INC rather than leaving your position. ·        Soldiers, keep up your military service but don’t shoot at civilians. ·        Pay the agreed-upon rent if the landlords or Zamindars are against the government; if they support the government, do not pay the rent. ·        If they feel secure enough, a student may decide not to study. ·        Princes, uphold and assist the people in exercising their right to self-government. ·        Residents of princely states should only back their leaders if they oppose the ruling party and claim Native American descent. ·        Meaning of the “Quit India” movement: ·        Leaders who were first imprisoned, such as Mahatma Gandhi and others, did not promote the cause. ·        There were many participants and good representation of all demographic groups. ·        Decentralized command was this movement’s main contribution. ·        The British started to take India’s population growth seriously and started to ponder independence. ·        India’s independence was eventually made possible by the 1940s political negotiations with the British Empire being altered. ·        The slogan most often used to describe Kranti Kari is still “Do or Die.” ·        Additionally, it represents political betrayal. Gandhi’s appeal for complete civil disobedience was rejected by the Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS), and even the unifying Communist party. ·        The Movement’s Effects: ·        Famous inmates included Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Abdul Kalam Azad, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru. ·        The Congress was designated

02 NOVEMBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONS: Q2. Analyse the Struggle – Truce – Struggle Strategy that was propagated by Mahatma Gandhi. Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        Gandhiji’s arrival in India from South Africa in January 1915 marked the beginning of a pivotal period for the Nationalist Movement that lasted from 1917 to 1947. “Gandhi Era” is another name for this period. Mahatma Gandhi now took complete charge of the National Movement. His nonviolent teachings and satyagraha were employed to topple the British government. Gandhi significantly increased public support for the nationalist struggle. ·       Body: ·        Struggle-Truce-StruggleStrategy includes: ·        He opposed the law in a peaceful manner as part of his nonviolent satyagraha. ·        His tactics included large-scale protest marches, sporadic hartals, and actively seeking arrests. ·        He was prepared to compromise and strike a deal. ·        It’s common to refer to his confrontation with outside influence as a “struggle-truce-conflict.” ·        The British’s STS tactic cost the people, but it provided them time to band together and fight back. ·        All groups were encouraged to participate in Gandhi’s nationalism, including women. ·        Deficiencies in the Movement: ·        Gandhiji has a history of starting important movements and stopping them just as they are starting to acquire traction. ·        Gandhiji’s retractions of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22), the Quit India Movement (1940–42), and the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–33) are only related in that they were all made in defiance of the general public and other well-liked Congress leaders. ·        When the Lahore Congress demanded the Purna Swaraj agenda, Nehru criticised the STS strategy, claiming that the Indian National Movement had reached a point when continual struggle and conflict with imperialism were necessary until it was eradicated. ·        He advocated that the Congress adhere to its “continuous direct action” strategy without a constitutionalist phase. ·        He believes that only two or four annas have the potential to become powerful. The conflict-and-victory strategy was promoted by Nehru. ·        Gandhi’s “struggle-peace-struggle” strategy’s effects: ·        A period of breathing room is necessary to consolidate, recover, and gather strength for the next round of struggle, according to Gandhi’s Struggle-Truce-Struggle (STS) strategy. Mass movements naturally tend to wane once they reach a certain height, the ability of the masses to put up with oppression, suffer, and make sacrifices is limited, and a period of breathing room is necessary. ·        While in South Africa, Gandhiji saw that individuals had a constrained ability to support a cause. ·        Gandhiji and other prominent Congressmen believed that after the mass phase of the movement, there should be a period of calm (truce phase) before starting the next phase of the mass war (struggle phase). ·        The cease-fire was intended to offer the populace some breathing room while giving the administration time to respond to nationalists’ demands. They ran out of room to make additional sacrifices. ·        The movement could resurface with widespread support if the government does not act favourably. ·        The fundamental strategic goal of the national movement was to wage a protracted struggle for hegemony, or a conflict of views in Gramscian terms. ·        The growth of the nationalist influence through a variety of ways and through the different stages and eras of the national movement requires hegemonic combat, or the battle for men’s and women’s minds and souls. ·        There were times when the movement adhered to the letter of the law and times when it participated in extralegal or unlawful mass movements. However, both phases made an effort to win over the population to the nation’s cause. ·        One goal of nationalist strategy was to gradually reduce the colonial rulers’ intellectual hegemony or influence in all spheres of society. ·        The STS strategy, a radical kind of political activity that transformed Indian politics, inspired millions of Indians to fight against the British Raj. ·        Gandhiji’s efforts in this area resulted in Acts being passed and agreements being reached amongst the parties, proving the Satyagraha’s success. A few examples of this include the Champaran Satyagraha, the Ahmedabad Workers Strike, and the Kheda Satyagraha. ·        It assisted Martin Luther King Jr. in his fight against racism. ·        To end apartheid in South Africa, Nelson Mandela employed the Satyagraha tactic. ·        Today, protests are held in India and other countries to uphold the Satyagraha movement’s heritage. ·       Conclusion: ·        The Gandhian movement made extensive use of the STS (Struggle-Truce-Struggle) and PCP (Pressure-Compromise-Pressure) tactics. Due to the pressure the Gandhian movement alone exerted to get the British to leave India in 1947, it was incredibly successful. Q2. Having gained notoriety via his leadership of the Indian labourers’ and peasants’ uprisings in Champaran, Ahmedabad, and Kheda, Gandhi was now well prepared to lead the Indian National Movement. Comment. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        Cooperation, honesty, selflessness, and sacrifice are the cornerstones of the Gandhian philosophy. Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who contributed to the independence fight in his country and ingrained his personal values in the new governing elite that emerged after the British left. ·       Body: ·        Gandhi’s trip to South Africa in: ·        In 1894, he organised nonviolent demonstrations against the treatment of the African and Indian communities. ·        In order to find additional Indians to serve in South Africa, he took a brief trip to India in 1896. However, a furious mob attacked Gandhi when the 800 Indians arrived. ·        He established the Indian Ambulance Corps for the British at the start of the Boer War in 1899. Indians were nevertheless tormented and exposed to racial discrimination in order for the British to learn compassion. ·        Gandhi established Phoenix Farm, a centre for nonviolent Satyagraha or nonviolent protest, not far from Durban. According to legend, this is where the Satyagraha began. ·        Additionally, he established the Tolstoy Farm, which is credited with making Satyagraha into a form of protest. ·        In order to oppose the Transvaal Asiatic Ordinance, which was implemented in

01 NOVEMBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONS: Q1. Describe the characteristics of the Khilafat movement with an emphasis on how it aided the expansion of the Non-Cooperation movement. Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        The Khilafat and Non-Cooperation movements were significant turning moments in India’s modern history. Both of these events significantly impacted Indian politics and helped to spark a period of widespread mobilisation. Both anti-imperialist movements, but having relatively different strategies. They were born out of many problems. The Khilafat controversy considerably increased anti-imperialist and nationalist emotions despite having little direct influence on Indian politics. Under Gandhiji’s direction, these two movements came together in the years 1920–1922. ·       Body: ·        The Khilafat Movement’s Nature: ·        Desire among Indian Muslims to defend the Turkish Khalifa institution gave rise to the Khilafat movement. ·        According to Islamic history, the Khalifa served as the Prophet Muhammad’s spiritual successor as well as the keeper and protector of Muslim holy sites. ·        Turkey was subject to stringent limitations by the Allies following the First World War. Turkey was split, and the Khalifa was deposed. ·        The Khilafat movement was started by Muslims in India to exert pressure on the British to exercise restraint, protect the integrity of the borders of the Ottoman Empire, and support the institution of the Khalifa. ·        A Khilafat Committee was established in 1919 by the Ali brothers (Shaukat and Muhammad Ali), Maulana Azad, Ajmal Khan, and Hasrat Mohani. ·        According to one interpretation of the group, the Khilafat could represent an effort by Indian Muslims to bring together their pan-Islamic and Indian nationalist objectives. ·        The Khilafat Movement’s Role in the Development of the Non-Cooperation Movement: ·        A Khilafat Committee was established in Bombay on March 20, 1919, under the direction of well-known Muslim leaders. ·        At initially, they adopted a moderate stance, limiting their involvement to deputations, meetings, and petitions. ·        Members of the militant movement desired to start a non-cooperation campaign against the colonial authorities. ·        On November 23–24, 1919, a Khilafat Conference for all of India was held in Delhi. At the convention, a request for a boycott of British products was made. ·        They also promised to stop working with the government if Turkey received unfair treatment during the peace agreement. ·        Gandhiji was chosen as the movement’s future leader and leader-in-chief. ·        Gandhiji recognised a chance to equally unite Hindus and Muslims in support of the nationalist movement. ·        He oversaw the unification of the nationalist and anti-imperialist khilafat groups during this time. ·        Analysis of the Khilafat and the movement for non-cooperation: ·        An important factor in encouraging anti-imperialism among Indians was the Khilafat and non-cooperation movements. ·        Because Muslims and Hindus joined the campaign simultaneously across the nation, it was frequently impossible to distinguish between the khilafat and the non-cooperation movement. ·        The Malabar Happenings, in which Muslim peasants rose up and massacred a large number of their primarily Hindu landowners, had little bearing on the alliance between Hindus and Muslims at the time. ·        The struggle against cooperation brought to light a number of significant issues, including the need to eliminate untouchability and caste prejudice. ·        The independent Indian Constitution eventually included social justice, which was openly acknowledged, supported, and ultimately included. ·        There were significant anti-colonial movements among the general populace. ·        In both urban and rural areas, peasants, labourers, and middle-class people were quite active during this time. ·        Gandhiji’s commitment to nonviolence led to a large number of women joining the movement. ·        Gandhiji led these movements, which changed Indian politics in a number of important ways. ·        The mobilisation of many groups of people across the nation and the rise in their political and social consciousness might be seen as the movement’s most important accomplishments. ·       Conclusion: ·        Urban Muslims were included into the national movement by the movement. With the expansion of the Non-Cooperation Movement, nationalist sentiments became increasingly politicised and had an impact on all facets of society, including the urban poor, women, peasants, students, artisans, and traders, among others. Millions of people’s political involvement and mobilisation gave the national movement a revolutionary aura. The foundation of colonial rule was two myths. Such a law had the advantages of being unbreakable and favouring Indian interests. The first misconception had been debunked by the moderate nationalists’ economic research. Through mass protest, Satyagraha has proven the second myth to be false. Since that time, the general populace is no longer as concerned about colonial rule and its effective repressive machinery as it once was. Q2. The massacre of Chauri Chaura led to questioning of Gandhi’s leadership. Discuss. Paper & Topic: GS I à National Movement ·       Introduction: ·        Gandhiji began the Non-Cooperation Movement against the government on August 1st, 1920. It was regarded as part of “refusing to support a monarch who misrules” to use Swadeshi and to boycott foreign products, particularly clothing made by machines and judicial, educational, and administrative institutions. ·       Body: ·        Incident at Chauri Chaura: ·        On February 4, volunteers assembled in the town. They then marched to the neighbourhood police station and set up a picket there. ·        Numerous volunteers were shot and killed as the police began opening fire on the gathering. ·        The police station was burned down by the crowd as vengeance. Some of the police officers who attempted to flee were apprehended and brutally murdered. Both police weapons and equipment were severely damaged. ·        Reasons for the Suspension of the Movement: ·        On the other hand, Gandhiji emphasised his unwavering dedication to non-violence in order to advance himself. ·        He was worried that the movement was becoming violent in several places and that the satyagrahis needed to be ready for significant demonstrations. ·        Gandhi believed that the mass populace had not been adequately taught or understood the nonviolent approach. ·        Elections for Provincial Councils were first held under the Government of India Act of 1919. The goal of politicians is to be elected.

28 OCTOBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONS: Q1. The achievement of social fulfilment, human wellbeing, and national advancement was the reform movements’ ultimate goal. Comment. ·       Paper & Topic: GS I à Modern Indian History ·        Model Answer: ·       Introduction: ·        Indian society underwent a dramatic transformation in the eighteenth century. A multitude of social evils, including as female infanticide, sati, child marriage, the caste system, purdah, the ban on female education, widow remarriage, etc., emerged as a result of the devaluation of long-standing practises and conventions. A number of significant flaws and deficiencies in Indian social systems were made clear by the British conquest of India in the 18th and 19th centuries. The treatment of women was the most worrying problem. The “Indian Renaissance” refers to the socio-intellectual revolution that occurred in the area of social development. Post-Enlightenment reasoning was applied to society from the outside in during the European Renaissance, which was a major aspect of this period. However, it was necessary to relearn older logic from India’s history in that setting. ·       Body: ·        The most prominent impact of western culture was the substitution of a spirit of rationalism for naive faith in preexisting traditions, beliefs, and practises. ·        Reformers treated tradition with reason while also considering the social value of modern socio-religious practises. They wanted reason to take the place of faith. ·        It encouraged the Brahmo Samaj to contest the Vedas’ infallibility and the Aligarh Movement to strike a balance between Islamic theology and contemporary concerns. ·        Syed Ahmed Khan emphasised that religion will disappear, much as Islam did in India, if it did not change to meet modern needs. ·        Traditional culture was criticised by the socio-religious reform movement for having out-of-date social and religious vices. ·        Reviving venerable institutions in disciplines like philosophy, medicine, and education was the main objective. ·        Despite the varied approaches they used, these reform movements all shared the same objective of revitalising society via social and educational reforms. ·        The social reform movement, however, focused primarily on the perversions and distortions that had crept into society rather than the social structure as a whole. ·        They opposed any substantial adjustments to the country’s established socioeconomic system. ·        They called for improvements within the fundamental structure of the organisation rather than a radical overhaul. ·        The sacred writings were rendered into regional languages. ·        Worship became more individualised by putting an emphasis on scriptural interpretation and procedural simplification. ·        Modernization rather than complete westernisation was the aim of the reformers. ·        Press, lectures, sabhas, and propaganda networks were the principal urban communication channels utilised for idea transmission and the formation of favourable public opinion. ·        In order to break India’s intellectual and cultural isolation from the rest of the world, a conducive social environment has to be established. ·       Conclusion: ·        In contrast to Western countries, India’s social reforms tended to place less emphasis on changing society as a whole to benefit socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Instead, it referred to the introduction of fresh ideas and lifestyles into the already established social order. “The society would be retained, while its members would be altered” was the central tenet. In truth, the social reform movement was not a discrete event and was greatly influenced by more general national political and economic difficulties. The social reform movement could be seen as a kind of precursor to nationalism. Q2. Raja Ram Mohan Roy is referred to as the “father of Modern India.” Describe his efforts to put India on the road to modernity by promoting logic and progress. (250 words) ·       Paper & Topic: GS I à Modern Indian History ·        Model Answer: ·       Introduction: ·        Rammohun Roy is regarded as a pioneer in the Indian Renaissance. Known for his innovative work opposing practises like Sati, child marriage, and societal divisions as well as for his advocacy of education, he was a multifaceted social, religious, and educational reformer. He was renowned for his creative efforts promoting religious liberty as well. He was also widely known for his opposition to religious prejudice. He was known as the “father of Modern India” due to his modern values and disregard for outdated conventions. ·       Body: ·        India’s progress and thoughtful growth as a result of Raja Ram Mohan Roy: ·        His most significant contribution to transforming Indian society was the eradication of the abhorrent and murderous Sati Pratha. ·        He also had a significant impact on the cessation of purdah and child marriage. ·        He was in favour of women’s education and widow remarriage. ·        Raja Ram Mohan Roy will forever be known as a true champion for women who fought to abolish the Sati practise, denounced polygamy and child marriage, and pushed for women to be granted the same inheritance rights as men. ·        He was also an outspoken critic of the rigid caste distinctions that were in use at the time. ·        Education: In 1817, he and David Hare established Hindu College, which served as the impetus for a transformation of the Indian educational system. ·        Hindu College later became one of India’s finest universities, producing some of the best minds in the nation. ·        He established the Anglo-Vedic School in 1822 and the Vedanta College in 1826 in an effort to harmonise traditional theological teachings with contemporary philosophical concepts. ·        In order to unite the Calcutta Brahmos, a group of people who rejected caste restrictions and had no faith in idol worship, Ram Mohan Roy created the Brahmo Samaj in 1828. ·        He looked back on a tradition and looked forward to a kind of Protestant reformation inside the Hindu framework as he pursued monotheism. ·        He asserted that Vedanta serves as the conceptual basis for the major world religions, including Hinduism, in this case. ·        People were able to understand the paradigms of societal revolution thanks to Raja’s monotheistic Vedanta, and his monotheistic interpretation of the Vedanta’s cultural category—which he borrowed—led to the development of a comprehensive theory that offered

27 OCTOBER 2022 – MAINS QUESTIONSà DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS: Q1. Discuss some of the architectural and literature characteristics prevalent during the Delhi Sultunate.   Paper & Topic: GS I àIndian Culture ·        Model Answer: ·        The Delhi Sultanate’s architectural innovations: ·        The architectural practises on the subcontinent underwent a significant alteration during the Sultanate era. During this period, the Indo-Islamic architectural style began to develop. In this architectural style, the best elements of Islamic and Hindu design were combined. It wasn’t all Hindu or Islamic. ·        The fusion of Central Asian and Indian styles was influenced by many different sources. One of these elements was the Turkic and Afghan kings’ use of Indian “Craftsmen,” builders, and sculptors to introduce the Indian building style into Central Asian architecture. ·        Islamic and Indian art shared similarities in that they were both primarily decorative. Hindus adorned their structures with statues of countless gods and goddesses, in contrast to Muslims who drew square, triangular, parallel, and rectangular lines to reflect the Persian-scripted verses of the Koran. These circumstances led to the development of the Indo-Islamic architectural style, which was heavily influenced by the Hindu architectural style. ·        Literature published under the Delhi Sultanate: ·        The bulk of Turko-Afghan monarchs were military commanders, but a few of them also had a penchant for literature, which helped to produce some of the best works of literature of the time. There were many writers, poets, scholars, philosophers, logicians, theologians, attorneys, and chroniclers from varied backgrounds at the court of the Delhi Sultans. ·        The saints and religious reformers used plain language in their books, speeches, and sermons. In a number of languages, including Bengali, Maithili, Punjabi, Gurumukhi, Hindi, Marathi, and others, regional writing styles started to form about this time. Ramananda, Kabir, Surdas, and Tulsidas all preached in Hindi, along with Mirabai and a few other preachers and saints of the Radha-Krishna order. Q2. What are Green Crackers? Also discuss their significance.   Paper & Topic: GS III àEnvironmental Conservation ·        Model Answer: ·        What are Green Crackers: ·        “Green crackers” are low-emission firecrackers free of dangerous substances like lead, arsenic, barium, magnesium, or other heavy metals. ·        The National Environment and Engineering Research Institute of the CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) in India invented green crackers. ·        Examples of this include bombs, pencils, flower pots, fireworks, and other objects. ·        What sets green crackers apart as superior? ·        Compared to conventional crackers, green crackers significantly reduce pollution. Safer replacements are used in place of barium and arsenic. ·        These crackers can lower emissions by up to 30%, according to CSIR. ·        Furthermore, compared to conventional crackers, they are quieter (between 100 and 130 dB) (160-200 decibels). ·        They are connected to occasions where less lethal fireworks were used. ·        What restrictions do they impose on it? ·        It must be made clear that these green firecrackers cannot be substituted for traditional firecrackers. They only cause less harm. ·        One of the main obstacles to its adoption is the fact that these crackers are only made by a small number of companies that have contracts with the CSIR. ·        The restricted supply of necessary raw materials is another issue.