UPSC Prelims 1998 · General Studies
Question 8: History and Culture
The educated middle class in India
AnswerThe answer is (c).
The 1857 revolt drew in soldiers, dispossessed rulers, landlords and peasants, but not the new English-educated middle class. That class was tiny, was just forming around the universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras set up in 1857, and saw British rule as a route to modern ideas and jobs. It stayed aloof from a revolt led by feudal chiefs, which it thought backward-looking. The key reads this as neutrality. Remember who joined: sepoys, Nana Sahib, Rani of Jhansi, Bahadur Shah, Kunwar Singh.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Many educated Indians disapproved, but the key does not describe the class as actively opposing the revolt.
- (b) The class did not support the rebels, who were led by feudal chiefs.
- (c) Right per the key: the class held aloof and took no side.
- (d) The revolt was against Company rule; the educated class did not fight native rulers.
Worth knowing: Many historians say the educated class actively disapproved of the revolt, so (a) is arguable, though the key marks neutrality.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
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.