UPSC Mains 2017 · GS I · Q13 · 15 marks · 250 words

Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian independence since the twenties of the last century.

हिन्दी में

पिछली शताब्दी के तीसरे दशक से भारतीय स्वतंत्रता की स्वप्न दृष्टि के साथ सम्बद्ध हो गए नए उद्देश्यों के महत्त्व को उजागर कीजिए ।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “The third decade of the 20th century witnessed the emergence of new forces and ideological currents that influenced the character of the Indian national movement. Elaborate.”

Surabhi YadavAIR 14 · CSE 2025 · 244 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Indian National Movement started with 1857 Revolt (V.D Savarkar), however debated, since then it passed through various phases.

Third Decade of 20th century (1930s) saw New Forces & Ideological current :-

Body · points

(1) Emergence of "Revolutionary" in 2nd phase → (1) Bhagat Singh was hanged in 1931, he inspired other revolutionaries. (2) Attack on British officials. (eg) Khudiram Bose, Hardinge etc (3) The "cult of Bomb" became important where individuals became a terror for British Rule.

(2) Emergence of "Socialist Ideas" (1) Jawaharlal Nehru visited Brussels conference & got inspired by Socialism. (2) Founding of "National socialist Party" in 1938 was inspired by west ideas. (3) "Karachi Session" saw "Fundamental Rights & Socio Economic Reforms" to be the goal of Congress.

(3) Emergence of "Communist Ideology"

  • Though Communist Party founded in 1924 but it gained prominence in 1930s inspired by "Comintern International, Russia".

(4) Constructive work by Moderates while some entered "Electoral Politics" - "Swarajists" → Thus electoral politics became important.

(5) Methods of struggle were questioned in wake of world war II emergence

  • Subhash Chandra Bose - founded Forward Block & "Azad Hind Fauz" while Congress was still on siding & negotiation with British through Non-violent methods.

(eg) Participation in "Round Table Conference"

Challenges

  • Multiple Factions
  • Lacked Cohesion
  • Mass movement got silent

Close · a summary

Nonetheless, All the ideas has single goal of "National Freedom" & thus worked with "Mutual Respect" towards each other & gained Independence 15th August 1947.

1 more topper’s answer to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Q13. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.