UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 14: History and Culture
Consider the following statements: The Non-cooperation Movement led to the I. Congress becoming a mass movement for the first time. II. Growth of Hindu Muslim unity. III. Removal of fear of the British ‘might’ from the minds of the people. IV. British government’s willingness to grant political concessions to Indians. Of these statements
AnswerThe answer is (c).
The Non-cooperation Movement (1920-22) took the Congress to the masses, peasants, workers, students and traders, for the first time, and it broke the awe of British power in the public mind. The Hindu-Muslim unity of the Khilafat days did not last: it frayed once the movement was withdrawn and riots followed in the mid-1920s. The government gave no political concessions in response. Remember: mass base and loss of fear were the lasting gains.
- I. The Congress became a mass movement for the first time.
- II. Unity of the Khilafat days was short-lived and gave way to communal riots after 1922.
- III. Fear of British might was greatly reduced among ordinary people.
- IV. The government did not respond with political concessions.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Includes II and IV, which the movement did not lastingly secure.
- (b) II and IV leave out the movement's main results and include things it did not secure.
- (c) Right: statements I and III hold.
- (d) IV is wrong: the government made no political concessions in response.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.