UPSC Prelims 2011 · GS Paper I

Question 63: History and Culture

What was the purpose with which Sir William Wedderburn and W. S. Caine had set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893 ?

aTo agitate for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons

bTo campaign for the entry of Indians into the Imperial Judiciary

cTo facilitate a discussion on India's Independence in the British Parliament

dTo agitate for the entry of eminent Indians into the British Parliament

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Sir William Wedderburn and W. S. Caine formed the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893, made up of British MPs sympathetic to India, to press for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons and raise Indian grievances there. It worked with the Indian National Congress, whose British Committee in London was also active. It did not demand independence, entry of Indians into the judiciary, or the election of eminent Indians to the British Parliament.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right: to agitate for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons.
(b) Entry of Indians into the judiciary was not its purpose.
(c) Independence was not the demand of that time.
(d) Entry of Indians into the British Parliament was not its aim; it was made up of British MPs.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2011, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.