UPSC Prelims 2000 · General Studies
Question 8: History and Culture
At the time of partition of India, which one of the following provinces of the British India came forward with a plan for a united and independent existence?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
In 1947, as partition neared, Bengal's Chief Minister H. S. Suhrawardy and Sarat Chandra Bose put forward a plan for a sovereign, undivided Bengal outside both India and Pakistan. Congress leaders did not support it, the Hindu Mahasabha opposed it, and Bengal was partitioned. Punjab, Assam and Bihar offered no such plan.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Punjab was itself divided in 1947; no plan for a united independent Punjab was put forward.
- (b) Assam did not offer a plan for independent existence.
- (c) Right: the Suhrawardy and Sarat Bose plan proposed a united, sovereign Bengal.
- (d) Bihar did not offer a plan for independent existence.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2000, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.