Daily Static Quiz (Modern India) November 5, 2025

Daily Static Quiz (Modern India) November 5, 2025

1. Which of the following contributions is NOT associated with Jagannath Shankarseth’s work in 19th century Bombay?

(A) Founded the Indian Railway Association and promoted railway construction

(B) Established the first girls’ school in Bombay in 1849

(C) Co-founded the Atmiya Sabha for socio-religious reform

(D) Donated considerable land for the reconstruction and development of Bombay

2. The Atmiya Sabha, established in 1814-1815, primarily aimed to promote which of the following?

(A) Anti-colonial political organization and resistance against British rule

(B) Monotheistic ideals and rational thinking against social rigidities

(C) Development of indigenous industries and boycott of foreign goods

(D) Organization of trade unions for industrial workers’ welfare

3. The Indian Factories Act of 1861 provided provisions primarily for:

(A) Implementation of weekly holidays for workers

(B) Regulation of working hours and safety measures for factory workers

(C) Complete prohibition of child labor below 12 years of age

(D) Establishment of minimum wage standards for female workers

4. Which of the following tribal movements and their leaders is correctly paired?

(A) Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) – Led by Buddhu Bhagat in Bengal region

(B) Kol Rebellion (1831-32) – Led by Kanhu and Sidhu in Chotanagpur plateau

(C) Munda Rebellion (1899-1900) – Led by Birsa Munda in Chotanagpur plateau

(D) Khasi Uprising (1833) – Led by Sidhu Murmu in Assam hills

5. Which educational reform or provision did NOT occur between 1860 and 1900?

(A) Wood’s Despatch of 1854 established a structured educational system with English as medium of instruction

(B) Hunter Commission of 1882 emphasized primary education in vernacular languages

(C) Establishment of universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras through Wood’s Despatch

(D) Mandatory Sanskrit education for all students at primary and secondary levels

6. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s contributions to Bengal social reform primarily included:

(A) Leading the Brahmo Samaj and promoting monotheistic reform

(B) Advocating widow remarriage, promoting women’s education, and modernizing Sanskrit curriculum

(C) Establishing the Arya Samaj and promoting Vedic revival

(D) Founding the Ramakrishna Mission and promoting interfaith harmony

7. The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1911) emerged primarily in response to:

(A) Implementation of harsh Factory Acts by the British

(B) Lord Curzon’s partition of Bengal and the promotion of self-reliance through boycott of British goods

(C) Spread of Christian missionary activities in Bengal

(D) Economic depression caused by the British monopoly on Indian trade

8. Which early trade union leader founded the Bombay Mill-Hands Association in 1890 and is regarded as the father of modern trade union movement in India?

(A) Sasipada Banerjee of Bengal

(B) N.M. Lokhandy of Mumbai

(C) S.S. Bengalee of Mumbai

(D) Lala Lajpat Rai of Punjab

9. The translation of ancient Sanskrit texts such as the Rig Veda and Upanishads into English during 1800-1930 was primarily undertaken by:

(A) Henry Hayman Wilson and William Jones

(B) Max Müller and Oriental scholars for comparative religious studies

(C) Swami Vivekananda and the Ramakrishna Mission

(D) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and Bengali intellectuals

10. Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement (1925 onwards) in Tamil Nadu primarily focused on:

(A) Eliminating brahminical dominance, promoting caste equality, and advancing rationalism

(B) Establishing an independent Tamil nation separate from British India

(C) Promoting traditional Hindu rituals and Vedic education

(D) Supporting British administrative reforms and accepting colonial governance

ANSWER KEY WITH EXPLANATIONS

Question 1: Correct Answer – (C)

Explanation:
Jagannath Shankarseth was a pioneering businessman and social reformer who made substantial contributions to Bombay’s development in the 19th century. However, he did NOT establish the Atmiya Sabha. The Atmiya Sabha was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1814-1815 in Calcutta as a society of friends (Atmiya = friends) dedicated to propagating monotheistic ideals and fighting against social evils.

Shankarseth’s actual contributions included:

Founded the Indian Railway Association in 1845 and played a crucial role in bringing the first passenger train to India in 1853

Established the first girls’ school in Bombay in 1849, pioneering women’s education

Founded the Bombay Native Education Society

Provided substantial funds for the Elphinstone Educational Institution

Donated hundreds of acres of land for Bombay’s reconstruction and urban development

Served as one of the first Indian directors of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway

Key learning point: Distinguish between different social reformers and their organizations. Jagannath Shankarseth was primarily focused on infrastructure development, railways, and education in Bombay, while Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the intellectual force behind early Bengal Renaissance reform movements.

Question 2: Correct Answer – (B)

Explanation:
The Atmiya Sabha, established by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1814-1815 in Calcutta, was a precursor organization to later socio-religious reform movements. Its primary objectives were:

Propagation of monotheistic ideals derived from Vedantic philosophy

Promotion of rational thinking and philosophical discussion among educated Bengalis

Campaign against social rigidities, particularly caste discrimination and ritualism

Facilitation of debates on spiritual and social subjects to promote intellectual awakening

Context and significance:
The Atmiya Sabha laid the intellectual groundwork for the Bengal Renaissance. It provided a platform for like-minded individuals to challenge orthodox practices and advocate for social reform. This organization eventually evolved into the Brahmo Samaj (founded in 1828), which became a more prominent reform movement. The Atmiya Sabha represented the transition from traditional religious thinking to modern rationalist approach among the educated middle class in Bengal.

Why other options are incorrect:

(A) is wrong because it was primarily social-religious, not political or anti-colonial

(C) relates to the Swadeshi Movement which emerged 90 years later

(D) relates to 20th-century labor movements

Question 3: Correct Answer – (B)

Explanation:
The Indian Factories Act of 1861 was the first comprehensive legislation in India to regulate working conditions in factories. Its main provisions included:

Regulation of working hours for workers

Implementation of safety measures to prevent industrial accidents

Requirements for proper ventilation and lighting in factories

Guidelines for employment of children and women

Provisions for rest intervals and basic welfare measures

Evolution of Factory Acts:

1881 Act: Extended protections; prohibited child labor and regulated working hours

1891 Act: Further amendments including weekly holidays for all workers, limitation of women’s work to 11 hours, prohibition of child labor below age 9, and mandatory rest periods

Why other options are incorrect:

(A) is specifically provided by the 1891 Act, not 1861

(C) was not fully prohibited until later legislation

(D) was introduced gradually through subsequent amendments

Significance: These acts represented the first attempts by the British colonial administration to regulate industrial labor, though implementation was often limited and enforcement weak. These acts are significant because they provided legal recognition to the concept of labor rights and set precedents for independent India’s subsequent labor laws.

Question 4: Correct Answer – (C)

Explanation:
The Munda Rebellion (1899-1900), also known as “Ulgulan” (The Great Tumult), was led by Birsa Munda in the Chotanagpur plateau region of present-day Jharkhand. This is the only correctly paired option.

Correct pairings:

Why option C is correct:
Birsa Munda unified the Munda tribes under a religious and political banner, declaring “Munda Raj” in 1895. On December 24, 1899, he declared “Ulgulan” (the Great Tumult), a comprehensive rebellion against British rule and local exploitation. The movement spread across Chotanagpur, attracting thousands. The climactic Battle of Dombari Buru (January 9, 1900) saw approximately 400 tribals killed. Birsa was captured and died in prison in June 1900, possibly from cholera.

Common mistakes to avoid:

Confusing Sidhu-Kanhu (Santhal) with Buddhu Bhagat (Kol)

Mixing up Khasi (Assam) and Munda (Jharkhand) regions

Getting tribal leaders from different rebellions confused

Question 5: Correct Answer – (D)

Explanation:
Option (D) is the correct answer because mandatory Sanskrit education for all students was NOT a provision between 1860 and 1900. In fact, the trend was opposite.

Actual educational developments (1860-1900):

Wood’s Despatch (1854):

Established a formal, structured educational system

Promoted English as the medium of instruction at higher levels

Created universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras

Established teacher training colleges

Shifted focus from classical Sanskrit education to modern subjects

Hunter Commission (1882):

Emphasized primary education, particularly in vernacular languages

Advocated for local language instruction in primary schools

Addressed the neglect of primary education

Recommended grants-in-aid system for private institutions

Called for special attention to female education

Why other options are correct:

(A) Wood’s Despatch did establish the modern educational framework with English medium

(B) Hunter Commission did emphasize vernacular language education at primary level

(C) Universities were indeed established through Wood’s Despatch

Significance: The period saw a deliberate shift away from classical Sanskrit-based education toward English-medium and vernacular education designed to create a class of educated Indians suitable for colonial administration.

Question 6: Correct Answer – (B)

Explanation:
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-1891) was one of the foremost social reformers and educators of the Bengal Renaissance. His contributions specifically included:

Educational Reforms:

Modernized the Sanskrit College curriculum by introducing English and Western knowledge

Pioneered women’s education by establishing multiple girls’ schools in Bengal

Emphasized education in vernacular (Bengali) to make it more accessible

Founded the Metropolitan Institution (now Vidyasagar College) in 1872

Established 20 model schools across Bengal providing quality education to all classes

Social Reforms:

Advocate for widow remarriage, which contributed to the passage of the Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act of 1856

Fought against child marriage and other social evils

Worked against caste discrimination and untouchability

Promoted inter-caste and inter-religious harmony

Why other options are incorrect:

(A) describes Raja Ram Mohan Roy and his Brahmo Samaj

(C) describes Swami Dayanand Saraswati and the Arya Samaj

(D) describes Swami Vivekananda and the Ramakrishna Mission

Key distinction: While all these reformers worked in 19th century India, each had distinct organizational bases and approaches. Vidyasagar’s strength was in practical implementation of educational reform and support for widow rights through legislative action.

Question 7: Correct Answer – (B)

Explanation:
The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1911) emerged as a direct response to Lord Curzon’s partition of Bengal announced in 1905.

Background:

Lord Curzon announced the partition of Bengal on July 20, 1905

The partition was justified on administrative grounds but was widely seen as a political move to suppress nationalist sentiment

The partition separated the Bengali-speaking population (41.5 million) into two parts

Bengal was divided into “Eastern Bengal and Assam” (comprising Chittagong, Dhaka, Rajshahi divisions) and Western Bengal

Core features of Swadeshi Movement:

Boycott of British goods and promotion of indigenous products

Focus on self-reliance (swadeshi = of one’s own country)

Massive public participation including bonfires of foreign cloth

Revolutionary fervor alongside constitutional approaches

Strong women participation in organizing boycotts

Key leaders and events:

Surendranath Banerjee advocated boycott and swadeshi principles

Rabindranath Tagore composed patriotic songs and promoted inter-religious unity through Rakhi-tying ceremonies

Aurobindo Ghosh advocated more radical approaches

On October 16, 1905 (Partition day), which coincided with Raksha Bandhan, massive protests occurred

Federation Hall society was founded to coordinate resistance

Why other options are incorrect:

(A) relates to post-1881 labor issues

(C) was opposed but not the primary cause

(D) does not capture the immediate trigger

Question 8: Correct Answer – (B)

Explanation:
N.M. Lokhandy of Mumbai is widely regarded as the father of modern trade union movement in India. In 1890, he founded the Bombay Mill-Hands Association, marking the beginning of organized labor movement in India.

Historical significance:

N.M. Lokhandy was influenced by Mahatma Jyotirao Phule’s social reform ideas

He organized Bombay textile workers and advocated for improved working conditions

Founded the Bombay Mill-Hands Association in 1890 with focus on workers’ rights

Led protests against harsh working conditions in textile mills

Published the journal “Deenbandhu” to mobilize workers

Evolution of trade union movement (1870-1920):

Why other options are incorrect:

(A) Sasipada Banerjee founded Working Men’s Club in 1870, earlier but in Calcutta

(C) S.S. Bengalee worked for legislative reform but not formal union organization

(D) Lala Lajpat Rai founded AITUC in 1920 and was first president

Question 9: Correct Answer – (B)

Explanation:
Max Müller and other oriental scholars undertook the translation of ancient Sanskrit texts during the 1800-1930 period, primarily for the development of comparative religious studies.

Key translators and their contributions:

Max Müller (1823-1900):

German philologist and Indologist at Oxford University

Translated the Rig Veda and various Upanishads into English

Developed comparative linguistics methodology

Published “Sacred Books of the East” series (49 volumes)

Promoted the scientific study of religion and comparative mythology

Other important translators:

William Jones: Early Sanskrit scholar; studied Vedic texts

Charles Wilkins: Pioneering Sanskrit scholar

Horace Hayman Wilson: Sanskrit scholar and author

Monier-Williams: Lexicographer and Sanskrit scholar

Context and implications:

These translations were done under colonial knowledge production system

While they made Indian philosophy accessible to Western scholarship, they also served imperialist interests

The focus on Sanskrit as the “mother tongue” of Indo-European languages reflected contemporary linguistic theories

These efforts contributed to the development of Indology and Oriental Studies in Western universities

Why other options are incorrect:

(A) identifies correct early scholars but not the primary translators of the Vedas

(C) describes the Ramakrishna Mission’s later 20th-century work

(D) is chronologically relevant but not the primary translators of Vedic texts

Question 10: Correct Answer – (A)

Explanation:
Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement (1925 onwards) was a revolutionary social reform movement in Tamil Nadu focused on eliminating brahminical dominance, promoting caste equality, and advancing rationalism.

Core principles of Self-Respect Movement:

Challenge brahminical supremacy and the monopoly of upper castes

Promote equality among all sections of society regardless of caste

Advance rational thinking against superstitions and blind rituals

Advocate gender equality and women’s rights

Challenge Hindu orthodoxy and religious ritualism

Key initiatives and campaigns:

Social and political impact:

Laid foundation for Dravidian political parties (DMK)

Contributed to Tamil Renaissance and cultural pride

Influenced reservations and social justice policies

Promoted atheistic and rationalist worldview challenging religious authority

Why other options are incorrect:

(B) was not the primary focus; political independence was secondary to social reform

(C) opposed traditional Hindu practices, not promoted them

(D) rejected colonial governance and British rule

Significance: The Self-Respect Movement was unique in that it addressed social reform independent of the national independence movement, focusing on internal social transformation before political freedom, which distinguished it from most contemporary movements.

ADDITIONAL STUDY NOTES

Tribal Movements Summary:

Understanding the sequence and characteristics of major tribal movements helps in correct identification:

Earlier movements (1820s-1830s): Response to land alienation and administrative changes (Kol, Khasi)

Mid-century movements (1855-1860s): Response to revenue extraction (Santhal, Khond)

Late century movements (1890s-1900s): Response to religious and cultural suppression (Munda, Ho)

Reform Movements Classification:

Bengal-centric: Atmiya Sabha, Brahmo Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission

All-India: Arya Samaj, Prarthana Samaj

Regional Tamil: Self-Respect Movement

Trade union movements: Labor-focused, urban-based

Educational Timeline (1854-1920):

1854: Wood’s Despatch – formal educational structure, English medium

1870: Control transferred to provinces (weakened expansion)

1882: Hunter Commission – emphasis on primary and vernacular education

1902: Universities Commission – expansion and regulation of higher education

Modern India