UPSC Prelims 1998 · General Studies

Question 48: History and Culture

The Indian National Congress agreed in 1947 to the partition of the country mainly because

athe principle of two Nation theory was then acceptable to them

bit was imposed by the British Government and the Congress was helpless in this regard

cthey wanted to avoid large-scale communal riots

dIndia would have otherwise lost the opportunity to attain freedom

AnswerThe answer is (c).

After the Direct Action Day killings in Calcutta in August 1946 and riots in Noakhali, Bihar and Punjab, Congress leaders came to feel that an unworkable union would bring large-scale communal violence. The Congress never accepted the two-nation theory; it accepted partition, in the 3 June Plan, to end the riots and secure a quick transfer of power. The key takes the avoidance of communal riots as the main reason.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) The Congress never accepted the two-nation theory.
(b) Partition was agreed to by the Congress, not simply imposed.
(c) Right: the aim was to avoid large-scale communal riots.
(d) Independence was already assured, so losing the opportunity was not the main reason.

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.