INC Sessions & Presidents — Set 9

Correct Answer: B. She supported Gandhi and organized women participants in Satyagraha campaigns

Kasturba Gandhi actively supported her husband in Satyagraha campaigns in South Africa and India and helped organize women participants. She participated in setting up schools for rural populations. Throughout Gandhi's Satyagraha campaigns, Kasturba played a vital supportive role, often leading women's groups and maintaining the movements when Gandhi was imprisoned. She was herself imprisoned multiple times for her activism.

Correct Answer: B. Constitutional reforms that introduced separate electorates for Muslims; Tilak opposed the communal division

The Minto-Morley Reforms (Indian Councils Act 1909) introduced separate electorates for Muslims in India, which nationalists like Tilak strongly opposed as divisive. Gopal Krishna Gokhale participated in negotiating some aspects of the reforms as a moderate leader. The introduction of communal electorates was seen by many as the British policy of 'divide and rule'. This issue of separate electorates continued to haunt Indian politics until partition in 1947.

Correct Answer: B. A truce between Gandhi and the British government that ended the Civil Disobedience Movement temporarily

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on March 5, 1931, between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin (Viceroy). Under the pact, Gandhi agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement and attend the Second Round Table Conference in London. The British agreed to release political prisoners and allow salt manufacture by people living near the coast. Many nationalists criticized the pact as insufficient, particularly regarding the impending execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev.

Correct Answer: B. It was a powerful critique of the Hindu caste system and a call for social equality

Ambedkar's 'Annihilation of Caste' (1936) was a powerful and radical critique of the Hindu caste system. The text was originally prepared as a speech but was cancelled by the organizing body for being too radical. Ambedkar published it independently. The book argued that caste could not be reformed but had to be entirely destroyed, and criticized even Gandhi's approach to untouchability. It is considered one of the most important texts of modern Indian thought.

Correct Answer: B. Tilak — Beloved/Accepted by the people

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was given the title 'Lokmanya' which means 'Beloved and Respected by the People' or 'Accepted by the masses as a leader'. The title reflected his extraordinary popularity among the common people, especially in Maharashtra. He was the first mass political leader in India who could command the loyalty of millions across social classes. His ability to connect with ordinary people through festivals and newspapers earned him this revered title.

Correct Answer: C. 1915

Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in January 1915, after spending about 21 years there. He had gone to South Africa in 1893 as a lawyer and stayed to fight for the rights of Indian immigrants. During his time in South Africa, he developed and tested his philosophy of Satyagraha. After returning, he spent a year traveling across India to understand the country before engaging in political activities.

Correct Answer: B. To liberate India from British rule by marching from Southeast Asia to Delhi

The Indian National Army's primary goal was to liberate India from British colonial rule. Bose's strategy was to march the INA from Southeast Asia through Burma and into India, with the support of the Japanese military. The INA captured areas of northeastern India, including parts of Manipur and Nagaland, and hoisted the Indian tricolor at Moirang in Manipur in 1944. The INA was ultimately pushed back when Japan faced military defeats from Allied forces.

Correct Answer: C. Bombay

The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay (now Mumbai) in December 1885. The session was originally planned to be held in Pune but was moved to Bombay due to a plague epidemic in Pune. W.C. Bonnerjee presided over this first session with 72 delegates in attendance. The Congress subsequently held its sessions in different cities across India in its early years.

Correct Answer: B. She became Governor of United Provinces (Uttar Pradesh)

After independence, Sarojini Naidu was appointed as the Governor of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) in 1947, becoming the first woman governor of an independent Indian state. She had previously been the first Indian woman to become President of the Indian National Congress in 1925. She passed away in office on March 2, 1949. Her birthday, February 13, is celebrated as National Women's Day in India.

Correct Answer: B. He advocated for complete independence and radical nationalism through his writings and speeches

Bipin Chandra Pal earned the title 'Father of Revolutionary Thoughts in India' for his pioneering role in advocating complete independence and radical nationalism through his writings, speeches, and editorial work. He rejected the moderate approach of petitions and prayers to the British, instead calling for mass resistance and Swaraj. He was a brilliant orator and editor whose ideas inspired a generation of Indian nationalists. Along with Tilak and Lajpat Rai, he formed the extremist Lal-Bal-Pal trio.