Gandhian Era — Set 17
Indian History · गांधी युग · Questions 161–170 of 170
Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution?
Correct Answer: D. B.R. Ambedkar
• **Dr. B.R. Ambedkar** = Chairman of the **Drafting Committee** and 'Father of the Indian Constitution'. • Drafting Committee had **7 members** total; Constitution took **2 years, 11 months, 18 days** to draft. • Constitution adopted on **November 26, 1949** (Constitution Day); came into effect **January 26, 1950**. • 💡 B.N. Rau = Constitutional Advisor, not Chairman; Rajendra Prasad = Constituent Assembly President; Nehru = moved Objectives Resolution but not drafting committee head.
Where was the 'Azad Hind Fauj' (INA) formed?
Correct Answer: B. Singapore
• **Azad Hind Fauj (INA)** formed in **Singapore** — originally by **Mohan Singh (1942)**, revived by Bose (1943). • Aimed to liberate India with **Japanese help**; fought in Imphal-Kohima campaign 1944. • Bose declared Provisional Government of Azad Hind in Singapore October **1943**; gave 'Chalo Dilli' call. • 💡 India = INA operated from abroad; Japan = gave military support, not where INA formed; Germany = where Bose went **1941**, not INA base.
Who wrote the autobiography 'The Story of My Experiments with Truth'?
Correct Answer: C. Mahatma Gandhi
• Gandhi wrote **'The Story of My Experiments with Truth'** — covers his life up to **1921**. • Originally written in **Gujarati** ('Satyana Prayogo athva Atmakatha'); serialised in 'Navjivan' weekly. • Translated into English by **Mahadev Desai** (Gandhi's secretary); considered a spiritual autobiography. • 💡 Nehru = 'Toward Freedom' (autobiography); Bose = 'The Indian Struggle'; Ambedkar = 'Waiting for a Visa' (autobiography).
The 'Salt Satyagraha' is also known as:
Correct Answer: A. Civil Disobedience Movement
• **Salt Satyagraha** = also known as **Civil Disobedience Movement** — started with Dandi March (1930). • Breaking the salt law at **Dandi on April 6, 1930** was the symbolic opening act. • The movement spread nationwide: forest law violations, liquor picketing, non-payment of revenue. • 💡 Khilafat Movement = **1919**–24, separate movement; Quit India = **1942** movement; Non-Cooperation = **1920**–22 movement; Salt Satyagraha/Civil Disobedience = **1930** movement.
Who gave the slogan 'Tum Mujhe Khoon Do, Main Tumhe Azadi Dunga'?
Correct Answer: B. Subhash Chandra Bose
• **Subhash Chandra Bose** gave **'Tum Mujhe Khoon Do, Main Tumhe Azadi Dunga'** to INA soldiers in 1944. • Full line in English: 'Give me blood and I will give you freedom'; motivated soldiers to sacrifice. • He also gave: **'Chalo Dilli'** (March to Delhi) and **'Jai Hind'** as INA's battle slogans. • 💡 Tilak = 'Swaraj is my birthright'; Chandrashekhar Azad = 'Dushman ki goliyon ka hum samna karenge'; Bhagat Singh = 'Inquilab Zindabad'.
Which year is known as the year of the 'Great Divide' in Indian demographics?
Correct Answer: A. 1921
• **1921** = 'Year of the Great Divide' in Indian demography — population growth consistently rose after this. • Before **1921**, growth was sporadic due to famines, epidemics (**1918** influenza killed millions). • **1911–1921** was the only decade where India's population actually **declined** (net fall). • 💡 **1947** = year of partition/independence; **1911** = Delhi Durbar/capital shift; **1931** = census year but not Great Divide year.
Who was the first President of Independent India?
Correct Answer: D. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
• **Dr. Rajendra Prasad** = first President of India — the **only President to serve two full terms** (1950–1962). • Key Congress leader from **Bihar**; played a crucial role in freedom struggle and Constituent Assembly. • Also served as Constituent Assembly President; received **Bharat Ratna in 1962**. • 💡 Zakir Hussain = 3rd President; S. Radhakrishnan = 2nd President; Nehru = PM not President; Rajendra Prasad alone = two terms.
When was the Indian Independence Act passed by the British Parliament?
Correct Answer: C. July 1947
• **Indian Independence Act** passed in **July 1947** — received Royal Assent on **July 18, 1947**. • Formalised partition into two dominions: **India and Pakistan** (effective August 14–15, 1947). • It transferred power to Constituent Assemblies of both countries and ended Paramountcy over princely states. • 💡 January **1947** = Attlee's announcement of leaving India; June **1947** = Mountbatten Plan announced; August **1947** = independence date, not when Act passed.
Who was the 'Political Guru' of Gopal Krishna Gokhale?
Correct Answer: D. M.G. Ranade
• **M.G. Ranade** = political guru of **G.K. Gokhale**; Gokhale was in turn political guru of **Gandhi**. • Chain: Ranade → Gokhale → Gandhi (three-generation political mentorship). • Ranade was a judge, social reformer, co-founded **Prarthana Samaj (1867)** in Maharashtra. • 💡 Dadabhai Naoroji = Gandhi's other early inspiration; Gandhi = Gokhale's disciple; Tilak = rival of Gokhale, not in this chain.
Who said 'At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom'?
Correct Answer: A. Jawaharlal Nehru
• **Jawaharlal Nehru** delivered the **'Tryst with Destiny'** speech on **August 14, 1947** (midnight) to Constituent Assembly. • Famous line: 'At the stroke of midnight hour.India awakes to life and freedom'. • He ended the speech with **'Jai Hind'** — tradition continues to this day. • 💡 Bose = 'Give me blood, I'll give freedom'; Sardar Patel = Iron Man speech; Gandhi = 'Do or Die'; Nehru alone = Tryst with Destiny.