UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies
Question 74: History and Culture
Who among the following gave a systematic critique of the moderate politics of the Indian National Congress in a series of articles entitled New Lamps for Old?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
New Lamps for Old was a series of articles written by Aurobindo Ghose in 1893-94 for the Bombay paper Indu Prakash. It sharply criticised the Congress of that time for its moderate methods of petitions and prayers and for its narrow middle-class base. He urged the Congress to turn to the masses and adopt stronger methods, a step towards the later Extremist thinking.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Aurobindo Ghose wrote the series.
- (b) R. C. Dutt is known for his writing on India's economic history, not this series.
- (c) Syed Ahmad Khan opposed the Congress but did not write these articles.
- (d) Viraraghavachari was a Madras leader of the period, not the author.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.