UPSC Prelims 1998 · General Studies

Question 29: History and Culture

Assertion (A): The Khilafat movement did bring the urban Muslims into the fold of the National Movement. Reason (R): There was a predominant element of anti-imperialism in both the National and Khilafat Movements.

aBoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

bBoth A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A

cA is true, but R is false

dA is false, but R is true

AnswerThe answer is (a).

The Khilafat movement of 1919-24, led by Muslim leaders such as the Ali brothers, merged with Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement and brought many urban Muslims into the national struggle, so A is true. R is also true and explains A: both movements opposed British imperial rule, one over the Khalifa's fate after the First World War and the other over wrongs such as the Rowlatt Act and the Punjab killings. That shared anti-imperialist aim made the alliance possible.

A. Khilafat joined Non-Cooperation and brought urban Muslims into the national movement.
R. Both movements opposed British imperialism, which bound them together.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes. Then judge the second statement; if it is correct too, decide whether it explains the first.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right: the shared anti-imperialism made the alliance work.
(b) R is not just true but explains A.
(c) R is true, so this fails.
(d) A is true, so this fails.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1998, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.