Chapter 19 · Topic 19.2 · Prelims + Mains2 of 2
Modern History: Previous Year Themes: Movements and sessions
Key points
- Ulgulan: Birsa Munda's revolt, 1899–1900 (Prelims 2020).
- Tribal effects: forest laws, dikus, forced labour; responses: Santhal hul 1855–56, Rampa 1922–24 (Mains 2023).
- Ghadar: San Francisco, 1913 (Prelims 2014). Lahore 1929: Purna Swaraj (Prelims 2014).
- Usha Mehta: secret Congress Radio (Prelims 2011).
Prelims box: facts and traps
- Sessions: Bombay 1885, Surat 1907, Lucknow 1916, Nagpur 1920, Lahore 1929, Karachi 1931.
- Revolutionary themes: Anushilan, Jugantar, HSRA, Chittagong 1930, INA trials 1945.
- Rampa: Alluri Sitarama Raju.
Tribal, peasant and revolutionary movements
Prelims 2020 asked: “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which event? Answer: Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899 — 1900 (d).
With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events ?
- The Revolt of 1857
- The Mappila Rebellion of 1921
- The Indigo Revolt of 1859 — 60
- Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899 — 1900
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Answer: (d) · UPSC official key
Mains 2023 asked: How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression? Effects: forest laws, loss of land to moneylenders and outsiders (dikus), forced labour and missionary pressure. Imagine a family whose forest, its food and firewood, is suddenly fenced off by strangers. Responses: the Santhal hul (1855–56), Birsa Munda’s ulgulan, the Rampa rebellion (1922–24) under Alluri Sitarama Raju, and later links with the national movement.
How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression?
Prelims 2014 asked: The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a… Answer: revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco (a). It was founded in 1913 by Indians on the Pacific coast of North America, with Lala Har Dayal among its leaders.
The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a
- revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco
- nationalist organization operating from Singapore
- militant organization with headquarters at Berlin
- communist movement for India’s freedom with headquarters at Tashkent
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Answer: (a) · UPSC official key
Revolutionary themes UPSC likes: Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar in Bengal, the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad), the Chittagong armoury raid (1930), and the INA trials (1945).
What UPSC asks: Prelims: Ulgulan, hul, Rampa. Mains: the tribal response to colonial rule. Next likely angle: Ghadar, HSRA, INA.
The national movement and Congress sessions
Prelims 2014 asked: The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the… Answer: attainment of Poorna Swaraj (complete independence) was adopted as the goal of the Congress (b). The session was held at Lahore under Jawaharlal Nehru.
The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the
- attainment of Self-Government was declared as the objective of the Congress
- attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress
- Non-Cooperation Movement was launched
- decision to participate in the Round Table Conference in London was taken
Show answer
Answer: (b) · UPSC official key
| Session | Year | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Bombay | 1885 | First session (W. C. Bonnerjee) |
| Surat | 1907 | Moderate–Extremist split |
| Lucknow | 1916 | Congress–League pact; Moderates and Extremists reunite |
| Nagpur | 1920 | Non-Cooperation endorsed |
| Lahore | 1929 | Purna Swaraj resolution |
| Karachi | 1931 | Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy resolution |
Mains 2021 asked: To what extent did the role of the Moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement? They built an all-India platform, trained a generation in politics, and their economic critique (the drain theory) undermined the moral case for British rule, even though their methods (petitions and prayers) won few gains.
To what extent did the role of the Moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement? Comment.
Prelims 2011 asked what Usha Mehta is well known for. Answer: Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement (a).
With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for
- Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
- Participating in the Second Round Table Conference
- Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
- Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
Show answer
Answer: (a) · UPSC official key
Mains 2024 asked: What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement? Point out its results. Events: failure of the Cripps Mission (1942), Japanese advance to Burma, wartime prices and shortages. Results: mass, leaderless rising, parallel governments (Satara, Tamluk, Ballia), and the clear signal that independence could not be postponed after the war.
What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement? Point out its results.
What UPSC asks: Prelims: session to resolution. Mains: the Moderates’ legacy. Next likely angle: Quit India causes and results.
Mains box: analysis and answer points
- Mains 2021 (GS I, 15 marks): Moderates built the platform and the economic critique.
- Mains 2024 (GS I, 10 marks): Quit India causes (Cripps, Japan, prices) and results (parallel governments).
- Mains 2023 (GS I, 15 marks): tribal effects and responses.
Practice
Write an answer
In 150 words, explain the significance of Modern History with one recent example.
Flashcards (11)
Ulgulan?
Birsa Munda’s revolt, 1899–1900.
Santhal hul?
1855–56.
Rampa rebellion leader?
Alluri Sitarama Raju.
Ghadar headquarters?
San Francisco.
Chittagong armoury raid?
1930.
Purna Swaraj session?
Lahore, 1929.
Surat split?
1907.
Lucknow Pact?
1916.
Karachi resolution on?
Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy, 1931.
Usha Mehta?
Secret Congress Radio, 1942.
Quit India launched?
August 1942.
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