2016 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2016 · GS Paper I

Question 49: History and Culture

The ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Boycott’ were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the

aagitation against the Partition of Bengal
bHome Rule Movement
cNon-Cooperation Movement
dvisit of the Simon Commission to India

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

Swadeshi and boycott were first adopted as methods of political struggle in the agitation against the Partition of Bengal, announced in 1905. Indians boycotted British goods and promoted Indian-made ones. Later movements such as Non-Cooperation also used them, but the first use was in 1905; the Home Rule Movement and the Simon Commission protests came after.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Right: the Partition of Bengal agitation first used Swadeshi and boycott.
  • (b) The Home Rule Movement (1916) came later.
  • (c) Non-Cooperation (1920-22) came later.
  • (d) The Simon Commission visit (1928) came much later.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.