UPSC Prelims 1998 · General Studies

Question 74: History and Culture

The Indian Muslims, in general, were not attracted to the Extremist movement because of the

aInfluence of Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan

bAnti-Muslim attitude of extremist leaders

cIndifference shown to Muslim aspirations

dExtremists’ policy of harping on Hindu past

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Extremist leaders such as Tilak used Hindu symbols and festivals (the Ganapati and Shivaji festivals, cow protection, the Gita) and invoked a glorious Hindu past to rouse the people. Muslims felt left out of this idiom and were not drawn to the movement. Sir Sayyid's advice to stay away from the Congress also mattered, but the key takes the Extremists' harping on the Hindu past as the reason.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Sayyid Ahmad Khan's influence mattered but was not the cause the key gives.
(b) The Extremists were not specifically anti-Muslim.
(c) Indifference was not the main charge; the stress on the Hindu past was.
(d) Right per the key: the Extremists' stress on the Hindu past alienated Muslims.

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.