UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 29: History and Culture
Of the four forms of political protests mentioned below, which one is derived from the name of the person who used it as a political weapon for the first time?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Boycott is named after Captain Charles Boycott, an English land agent in Ireland whom tenants and neighbours shunned in 1880 when he refused to lower rents. Gherao, Bandh and Hartal are words from Indian languages that describe the actions themselves. Remember: boycott is the only one of the four named after a person.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: the term comes from Captain Boycott, the land agent shunned in Ireland.
- (b) Gherao comes from the Hindi for surrounding someone; it is not a personal name.
- (c) Bandh means closed; it is not named after anyone.
- (d) Hartal comes from an Indian-language word for a shutdown; it is not named after anyone.
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.