Early Nationalism & INC Formation — Set 16

Correct Answer: A. A. He was a leading reformer who founded Prarthana Samaj and Social Conference

Mahadev Govind Ranade was a prominent Bombay High Court judge, historian, and social reformer who made major contributions to Indian nationalism. He founded the Prarthana Samaj in 1867 for religious reform. He co-founded the Indian National Social Conference in 1887. He mentored Gokhale and influenced the moderate wing of Indian nationalism. His scholarly works on Indian economic history contributed to the critique of British colonial economics.

Correct Answer: A. A. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Gopal Krishna Gokhale and the moderate leaders believed that Indians needed education and preparation before being ready for self-rule. Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society with this philosophy. He emphasized education, economic development, and gradual reforms. The extremists, led by Tilak, rejected this gradualist approach and demanded Swaraj immediately as a birthright regardless of readiness.

Correct Answer: A. A. Provincial Congress Committees were reorganized on linguistic lines

The Nagpur session of the INC in 1920 reorganized Provincial Congress Committees along linguistic lines, recognizing that India was a multilingual country and political organizations needed to communicate with people in their own languages. This was a visionary decision that reflected the linguistic diversity of India. It eventually led to the reorganization of Indian states on linguistic lines after independence in 1956.

Correct Answer: A. A. She participated in satyagraha campaigns and was jailed multiple times

Kasturba Gandhi participated actively in the Indian freedom movement alongside her husband Mahatma Gandhi. She was jailed multiple times for participating in civil disobedience campaigns. She participated in satyagraha in South Africa and various campaigns in India. She led the women protesters in the Quit India Movement. She passed away in prison in Pune in 1944, becoming a martyr of the Indian independence movement.

Correct Answer: A. A. A religious reform movement in Bombay emphasizing social reform and monotheism

The Prarthana Samaj (Prayer Society) was founded in Bombay in 1867 by Atmaram Pandurang, with major contributions from M.G. Ranade. It promoted monotheism and opposed idol worship, caste discrimination, and untouchability. It was influenced by the Brahmo Samaj. The Prarthana Samaj contributed to social reform in Maharashtra and helped create a modernizing intellectual climate that later contributed to the nationalist movement.

Correct Answer: A. A. More Indians in civil service and legislative councils

The early moderate nationalists demanded greater Indian participation in administration, meaning that more Indians should be appointed to the Indian Civil Service, included in the legislative councils, and given roles in local self-government. This was a realistic and incremental demand within the existing British administrative framework. It was pursued through petitions and resolutions rather than mass agitation. The moderates believed this would gradually lead to more substantial self-governance.

Correct Answer: A. A. Women like Pandita Ramabai worked for women rights linked to broader social reform

Women social reformers like Pandita Ramabai, Savitribai Phule, and Anandibai Joshi contributed to early nationalism by linking women rights with broader national consciousness. Savitribai Phule fought for women education and against caste discrimination in Maharashtra in the 1840s-50s. These early women activists prepared the ground for the later mass participation of women in the nationalist movement. Social reform and nationalism were closely intertwined in 19th century India.

Correct Answer: A. A. Anandibai Joshi

Anandibai Joshi became the first Indian woman to obtain a degree in Western medicine, graduating from the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1886. She overcame enormous social obstacles and caste restrictions to pursue medical education. Her achievement was celebrated across India as a symbol of women empowerment. She sadly died of tuberculosis in 1887 at just 22, but her story inspired generations of Indian women to pursue education.

Correct Answer: A. A. He organized the Shivaji festival to invoke memory of Maratha resistance to foreign rule

Bal Gangadhar Tilak organized the Shivaji festival starting in 1896 to invoke the memory of the Maratha king Shivaji as a symbol of resistance against foreign domination. By celebrating a Hindu warrior king who fought Muslim rule, Tilak was using historical symbolism to inspire nationalism. The festival served as a platform for nationalist speeches and community gatherings. Tilak used Shivaji's example to argue that armed resistance to unjust authority was justified.

Correct Answer: A. A. Petitions, speeches, memorials, and resolutions passed at INC sessions

The early moderate nationalists used constitutional and peaceful methods including petitions to British Parliament and the Viceroy, speeches at public meetings, memorials to the government, and resolutions passed at annual INC sessions. They also published newspapers and wrote books criticizing British policies. They believed in the power of educated public opinion and appeals to British sense of justice. Their methods were limited but laid the groundwork for later, more militant approaches.