Daily Static Quiz (Modern India) December 3, 2025

Daily Static Quiz (Modern India) December 3, 2025

QUESTION 1

With reference to the social reform movement in Maharashtra during the mid-19th century, which of the following statements regarding Gopal Hari Deshmukh is/are correct?

1. He wrote “Shatpatre” (hundred epistles) in the weekly Prabhakar under the pen name “Lokahitawadi”

2. He advocated for the reorganization of society based on rational, secular, and humanistic principles

3. He was the founder of the Satya Shodhak Samaj

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

QUESTION 2

With reference to the peasant movements in Bengal during the mid-19th century, consider the following statements about the Indigo Revolt of 1859:

1. It was led by Digambar Biswas and Bishnu Biswas from the Nadia district

2. Peasants protested against the “tinkathia” system which forced them to cultivate indigo on a significant portion of their land

3. The revolt directly led to the establishment of the Indigo Commission in 1860

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

QUESTION 3

Which of the following pairs correctly matches a social reformer from West Bengal with the organization he established?

(a) Keshab Chandra Sen – Satya Shodhak Samaj
(b) Keshab Chandra Sen – Tabernacle of New Dispensation
(c) Raja Rammohan Roy – Indian Reform Association
(d) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar – Brahmo Samaj

QUESTION 4

With reference to Pandita Ramabai, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. She founded the Arya Mahila Samaj to promote women’s education and fight against child marriage

2. The Mukti Mission, established by her, provided shelter and vocational training to widows and orphans

3. She established the Sharada Sadan in 1889, which served as a residential school for child widows

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

QUESTION 5

Which of the following organizations/movements emerged directly as a result of the Bengal Partition crisis of 1905?

1. Swadeshi Movement – emphasizing boycott of British goods and promotion of indigenous industries

2. Vandemataram Movement – referred to as the Swadeshi Movement in Andhra Pradesh

3. Moderate faction of Congress – advocated for acceptance of the partition

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

QUESTION 6

With reference to the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It was founded by Mahadev Govind Ranade in 1870 to serve as a mediator between the government and Indian people

2. The Sabha organized a campaign against the land revenue settlement of 1867, which contributed to peasant resistance in 1875

3. The organization later evolved into the Servants of India Society under Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

QUESTION 7

Which of the following sequences correctly represents the chronological order of British annexations of Indian princely states under the Doctrine of Lapse during the rule of Governor-General Lord Dalhousie?

(a) Satara (1848) → Jhansi (1853) → Nagpur (1854) → Sambalpur (1849)
(b) Satara (1848) → Sambalpur (1849) → Jhansi (1853) → Nagpur (1854)
(c) Sambalpur (1849) → Satara (1848) → Jhansi (1853) → Nagpur (1854)
(d) Jhansi (1853) → Satara (1848) → Nagpur (1854) → Sambalpur (1849)

QUESTION 8

With reference to the Permanent Settlement of Bengal (1793) and the Ryotwari System, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Under the Permanent Settlement, revenue rights were granted to zamindars in perpetuity, while the actual cultivators became tenants with insecure tenure

2. The Ryotwari System involved direct settlement with cultivators, recognizing them as proprietors if they paid revenue

3. Both systems resulted in the impoverishment of the peasantry due to high revenue rates and frequent reassessment

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

QUESTION 9

Which of the following statements about the 1914 Indian National Congress session is/are correct?

(a) It was held in Lahore and passed a resolution demanding complete independence (Purna Swaraj)
(b) It witnessed ideological conflict between the Extremists led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Moderates led by Dadabhai Naoroji
(c) It resulted in the split between Moderates and Extremists within the Congress
(d) It was held in Delhi and adopted “Swaraj” as the objective of Congress

QUESTION 10

With reference to the Civil Disobedience Movement and the salt satyagraha, which of the following correctly pairs a regional leader with his/her salt-related protest:

(a) C. Rajagopalachari – Led the Dandi March in March 1930
(b) C. Rajagopalachari – Led the Vedaranyam March in April 1930 in Tamil Nadu
(c) Rajendra Prasad – Led salt satyagraha in Peshawar
(d) Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan – Led the Vedaranyam March in Tamil Nadu

– ANSWER AND EXPLANATION

QUESTION 1

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Gopal Hari Deshmukh (1823-1892) was one of the prominent social reformers in Maharashtra, known by the pen name “Lokahitawadi” (one who works for the welfare of all).

Statement 1 – CORRECT: Deshmukh wrote extensive articles on social reform in the weekly Prabhakar. During the first two years (starting at age 25), he penned 108 articles which became collectively known in Marathi literature as “Lokhitawadinchi Shatapatre” (Hundred Epistles of Lokahitawadi). These articles covered political, religious, social, and cultural topics of the time.

Statement 2 – CORRECT: Deshmukh was a rationalist and reformer who advocated for the reorganization of Indian society on rational principles and modern, humanistic, secular values. He attacked Hindu orthodoxy, criticized the caste system, and supported social and religious equality. He was particularly known for his opposition to child marriage, the dowry system, polygamy, and untouchability. He famously said: “If religion does not sanction social reform, then change religion.”

Statement 3 – INCORRECT: The Satya Shodhak Samaj was founded by Jyotiba Phule in Pune in 1873, not by Gopal Hari Deshmukh. While both were reformers in Maharashtra, they were different individuals with different organizational affiliations.

– QUESTION 2

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation:

The Indigo Revolt, also known as the Neel Bidroha (Neel Rebellion), occurred in Bengal in 1859 and was one of the first major peasant uprisings during British rule.

Statement 1 – CORRECT: The rebellion began in March 1859 in the Nadia district of Bengal and was led by Digambar Biswas and Bishnu Biswas. These leaders organized the peasants to collectively refuse to sow indigo, setting the stage for widespread peasant mobilization.

Statement 2 – CORRECT: The primary cause of the revolt was the exploitative “tinkathia” system introduced by European indigo planters. Under this system, peasants were forced to use approximately 25-33% of their most fertile land for indigo cultivation (instead of food crops like rice). This system involved:

• Advance loans (dadan) with exorbitant interest rates that trapped peasants in perpetual debt

• Low prices paid for indigo

• Soil exhaustion from continuous indigo cultivation

• Coercive methods including threats and violence

Statement 3 – CORRECT: The widespread and organized nature of the revolt drew attention from the colonial administration and the intelligentsia. As a consequence, the British government established the Indigo Commission in 1860 to investigate the system of indigo cultivation. The Commission’s findings exposed the oppressive nature of forced indigo farming, leading to the passage of the Indigo Act of 1862 and the eventual abolition of forced indigo cultivation in Bengal.

– QUESTION 3

Correct Answer: (b) Keshab Chandra Sen – Tabernacle of New Dispensation

Explanation:

This question tests knowledge of key social reformers and organizations in Bengal during the 19th century.

(a) INCORRECT: The Satya Shodhak Samaj was founded by Jyotiba Phule in Maharashtra in 1873, not by Keshab Chandra Sen.

(b) CORRECT: Keshab Chandra Sen (1838-1884) was a prominent social reformer and leader of the Brahmo Samaj. On January 24, 1868, Keshab Chandra Sen laid the foundation stone of his mandir called the “Tabernacle of New Dispensation.” This was a significant moment in the Brahmo movement, as it represented the first Brahmo street procession in Calcutta, which was later condemned by the orthodox Adi Samaj as a degradation of Brahmoism. Sen also established the Indian Reform Association to promote social reforms including the legalization of Brahmo marriage and the fixing of a minimum age for marriage.

(c) INCORRECT: The Indian Reform Association was established by Keshab Chandra Sen (not Raja Rammohan Roy). While Raja Rammohan Roy was the founder of the Brahmo Samaj in 1828, he was not the founder of the Indian Reform Association, which came later.

(d) INCORRECT: The Brahmo Samaj was founded by Raja Rammohan Roy in 1828, not by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Although Vidyasagar was an important social reformer, he is known for championing widow remarriage and women’s education rather than founding the Brahmo Samaj.

– QUESTION 4

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation:

Pandita Ramabai (1858-1922) was one of the most significant women social reformers in India, championing women’s rights, education, and the emancipation of widows.

Statement 1 – CORRECT: After her husband’s death, Pandita Ramabai founded the Arya Mahila Samaj (Arya Women’s Society) in Pune. This organization’s primary objective was to promote women’s education and combat social evils like child marriage. She was instrumental in advocating for women to read and write in their native languages and translated various Sanskrit religious texts into Marathi and Hindi to make them accessible.

Statement 2 – CORRECT: In 1889, Pandita Ramabai established the Mukti Mission (also called Mukti Sadan), which became her most significant contribution to social reform. The Mission provided:

• Shelter and rehabilitation for widows, orphans, and socially ostracized individuals

• Vocational training to help them achieve economic independence

• Educational programs to empower these marginalized groups
  The Mission continues to operate till today as a testament to her legacy.

Statement 3 – CORRECT: In 1889, Ramabai established the Sharada Sadan (House of Sharada), a residential school specifically dedicated to child widows. This institution was revolutionary in its approach, offering not only academic education but also practical vocational training in various crafts. The school enabled widows to gain skills and economic independence, addressing the dire social conditions that child widows faced in 19th-century Indian society.

– QUESTION 5

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

The Bengal Partition of 1905 was a watershed moment in Indian nationalism and triggered significant social, economic, and political movements.

Statement 1 – CORRECT: The Swadeshi Movement emerged directly from the Bengal Partition crisis of 1905. Although protests against the partition began in 1903 through petitions and public meetings, the movement gained momentum and better organization after the official implementation in 1905. The Swadeshi Movement:

• Called for the boycott of British goods as a patriotic duty

• Encouraged citizens to buy and use locally-made (indigenous) products

• Promoted the establishment of national schools and colleges

• Advocated for the revival of indigenous artisan crafts and industries

• Emphasized economic self-sufficiency (Swadeshi)

Statement 2 – CORRECT: In other regions, particularly the deltaic regions of Andhra Pradesh, the same movement was referred to as the Vandemataram Movement. The movement spread beyond Bengal to various parts of India, albeit with regional variations in name and approach. Both movements shared the common objectives of opposing British rule and promoting Indian nationalism through economic self-reliance.

Statement 3 – INCORRECT: The Moderate faction of Congress did NOT advocate for acceptance of the partition. In fact, both the Moderate and Extremist sections of Congress united in opposition to the Bengal Partition. Moderates like Surendranath Banerjee and Extremists like Bipin Chandra Pal all opposed the partition. While Moderates preferred constitutional methods of protest (petitions, resolutions, public meetings), and Extremists advocated for more aggressive means (boycotts, passive resistance), both groups opposed the partition itself. The split between Moderates and Extremists occurred in 1907 at the Surat session, but this was not about acceptance of the partition.

– QUESTION 6

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

The Poona (Pune) Sarvajanik Sabha was an important early nationalist organization that represented the emerging middle-class political consciousness in western India.

Statement 1 – CORRECT: The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was established on April 2, 1870, by Mahadev Govind Ranade with the assistance of associates including Ganesh Vasudeo Joshi, S.H. Sathe, and S.H. Chiplunkar. The organization was founded with the explicit purpose of:

• Serving as a liaison and mediating body between the government and the Indian people

• Addressing public grievances to the British government through constitutional means

• Instilling patriotic sentiment among the people

• Working as a sociopolitical organization to popularize peasants’ legal rights

Statement 2 – CORRECT: During 1873-74, the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, under the leadership of Mahadev Govind Ranade, organized a highly successful campaign among peasants in Poona and Bombay against the land revenue settlement of 1867. This settlement had imposed heavy land tax burdens on peasants. The Sabha’s agitation was instrumental in:

• Generating a mentality of resistance among the peasantry

• Contributing directly to the rise of peasant protests in 1875, which became known as the Deccan Riots

• Securing support for the Deccan Agriculturists’ Relief Bill

• Demonstrating that large numbers of peasants were willing to refuse payment of enhanced revenue

Statement 3 – INCORRECT: While Gopal Krishna Gokhale was indeed influenced by the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, he did not establish the Servants of India Society as a direct evolution of the Sabha. Rather, Gokhale left the Deccan Education Society to found the Servants of India Society in Pune on June 12, 1905. The two organizations were separate entities with different objectives, though both contributed to nationalist thought and action.

– QUESTION 7

Correct Answer: (b) Satara (1848) → Sambalpur (1849) → Jhansi (1853) → Nagpur (1854)

Explanation:

The Doctrine of Lapse was an aggressive policy introduced by Governor-General Lord Dalhousie (1848-1856) that proved highly controversial and directly contributed to causing resentment that led to the Revolt of 1857.

The Doctrine of Lapse explained:

• It stipulated that any Indian princely state whose ruler died without a direct male heir would be annexed by the East India Company

• The doctrine was justified on grounds that the state had become “manifestly incompetent” or was “in a state of mismanagement”

• This aggressive expansionism violated the traditional principle of allowing adoption as a legitimate form of succession in Hindu law and custom

Chronological order of annexations:

1. Satara (1848) – One of the first states annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse when the ruler had no direct heir

2. Sambalpur (1849) – Annexed in 1849 following the Doctrine of Lapse principle

3. Jhansi (1853) – The state of Jhansi was annexed in 1853 when Raja Gangadhar Rao had no male heir, leading to the famous resistance by the Rani of Jhansi during the 1857 Revolt

4. Nagpur (1854) – Annexed in 1854, this was one of the last major annexations under Dalhousie

Other states annexed under similar circumstances included Jaitpur and Sambalpur (1849), Baghat (1850), and Udaipur (1852).

Historical Significance:
The Doctrine of Lapse was particularly resented by the Indian rulers and indirectly contributed to the discontent that culminated in the Revolt of 1857. Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, whose state was annexed under this doctrine, became one of the most celebrated leaders of the 1857 Revolt, defending her state’s independence.

– QUESTION 8

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

The land revenue systems introduced by the British fundamentally transformed agrarian relations in India and had profound implications for peasant welfare.

Statement 1 – CORRECT: The Permanent Settlement of Bengal (1793), introduced by Lord Cornwallis, had the following characteristics:

• Revenue rights were granted to zamindars (landlords) as permanent, hereditary proprietors

• The revenue amount was fixed in perpetuity at 10/11 of the total amount, with the zamindar retaining 1/11

• Actual cultivators (ryots/peasants) became tenants with highly insecure tenure

• Peasants could be evicted and had limited legal protections

• Revenue had to be paid even in times of poor harvest or famine

• The system was primarily applied in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa

Statement 2 – CORRECT: The Ryotwari System, introduced in southern and western India by Thomas Munro and others, had different characteristics:

• Direct settlement was made with individual cultivators (ryots) rather than intermediaries

• Cultivators were recognized as proprietors of the land if they paid the revenue

• Ownership rights were vested with the peasants, not with the state or zamindars

• The revenue was assessed annually (and later at periodic intervals)

• Revenue rates were 50% on dry land and 60% on irrigated land

• The system aimed to give peasants greater security of tenure compared to the Zamindari system

Statement 3 – PARTIALLY INCORRECT: While both systems did impoverish peasants, the reasons differed:

• Permanent Settlement: Peasants suffered because of insecure tenure, high rents imposed by zamindars, and inability to negotiate favorable terms

• Ryotwari System: Although ownership was vested with peasants, the high revenue rates (50-60% of produce) meant they were heavily taxed, and the frequent reassessment could lead to sudden increases

• Therefore, while both systems eventually led to peasant hardship, they did not operate on identical principles. The Permanent Settlement fixed rates permanently, while the Ryotwari System allowed for periodic reassessment, making the statement partially misleading in suggesting both experienced “frequent reassessment.”

– QUESTION 9

Correct Answer: None of the options are entirely accurate; this question has historical ambiguities.

Explanation:

This question requires careful historical clarification, as the options contain significant errors regarding the 1914 Congress session.

(a) PARTIALLY MISLEADING: The Lahore Session is famous, but the historic “Purna Swaraj” resolution was passed at the Lahore Session of 1929, not 1914. In 1914, Annie Besant was attempting to revive Congress after years of dormancy following the 1907 Surat split. The 1914 session was less significant than the 1929 session.

(b) INCORRECT (in context of 1914): The major ideological conflict between Extremists (Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal) and Moderates (Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji) had already occurred. Tilak had been imprisoned in 1908, and the Congress had been relatively dormant. Dadabhai Naoroji had already passed away in 1899, so this confrontation would not have occurred in 1914.

(c) INCORRECT: The split between Moderates and Extremists occurred at the 1907 Surat Session, not in 1914. At the Surat session, the Congress president was Rash Bihari Ghosh, and the session was adjourned amid the conflict. The split had already happened by 1914.

(d) INCORRECT: “Swaraj” (self-governance) was adopted as the objective at the 1906 Calcutta Congress Session, not in 1914. This was a significant shift in Congress ideology when both Moderates and Extremists temporarily united to adopt Swaraj as the goal.

NOTE ON QUESTION DESIGN: This question appears to have issues with its construction. The most historically significant 1914 event was the outbreak of World War I, which had implications for Indian politics. If the question is about a Congress session passing Purna Swaraj, that refers to the 1929 Lahore Session, where Jawaharlal Nehru was president and the historic resolution was passed on December 19, 1929.

Recommended Answer for Exam Purposes: Given the ambiguity, candidates should select the option that seems least incorrect or leave it blank if instructions allow. In a real UPSC exam, such questions would typically be reviewed and may result in awarding marks to all candidates if deemed defective.

– QUESTION 10

Correct Answer: (b) C. Rajagopalachari – Led the Vedaranyam March in April 1930 in Tamil Nadu

Explanation:

The Salt Satyagraha of 1930 was a nationwide civil disobedience movement with different leaders spearheading protests in different regions of India.

(a) INCORRECT: The Dandi March in March 1930 was led by Mahatma Gandhi, not C. Rajagopalachari. Gandhi marched from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi on the western coast to defy the salt law and make salt from seawater. This became the symbolic beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement. While C. Rajagopalachari supported Gandhi’s decision to focus on salt as a protest target, he did not lead the Dandi March.

(b) CORRECT: C. Rajagopalachari (also known as Rajaji), a close associate and disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, led the Vedaranyam March in Tamil Nadu. Key details:

• The march began on April 13, 1930, from Trichinopoly (Tiruchirappalli)

• It proceeded approximately 150 miles toward the coastal town of Vedaranyam in the Tanjore district

• The march had around 150 volunteers, mostly members of the Indian National Congress

• By collecting salt directly from the sea, the marchers broke the salt law and defied British monopoly

• Along the way, Rajagopalachari educated the masses about social discrimination and the importance of Khadi

• The campaign ended on April 28, 1930, when participants were arrested

• Rajagopalachari was imprisoned for six months

• The march, along with Gandhi’s Dandi March and the Dharasana satyagraha, drew worldwide attention to the Indian independence movement

(c) INCORRECT: Rajendra Prasad did lead salt satyagraha activities, but specifically in Bihar (in districts like Champaran and Saran), not in Peshawar. He was instrumental in laying the foundation for a widespread Civil Disobedience Movement in Bihar, initially focusing on salt production before shifting to the “No Chowkidari Tax Campaign.”

(d) INCORRECT: Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan (also known as Badshah Khan or Frontier Gandhi) led demonstrations and satyagraha in Peshawar (in the North-West Frontier Province, now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), not in Tamil Nadu. He established the Khudai Khidmatgars (Red Shirts), a non-violent militia that supported the Civil Disobedience Movement in the frontier regions

Modern India