Static Quiz 26 March 2025 (Modern History)

Correct Answer: (d) All four

Explanation:
1.The poor condition of women and child labourers: This was a significant factor as exploitative working conditions, especially for vulnerable groups like women and children, fueled the demand for workers’ rights and trade unions in British India.

2. Emergence of Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership: Gandhi’s involvement in labor issues, such as the Ahmedabad Textile Mill strike (1918), inspired trade unionism, making this a contributing cause.

3. Formation of the International Labour Organisation in 1919: The ILO’s establishment influenced labor movements globally, including in India, where it encouraged the formation of organized trade unions like the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920.

4. Occurrence of World War 1: World War 1 (1914–1918) led to economic hardships in India, including inflation, food shortages, and increased exploitation of workers to meet wartime demands. These conditions sparked labor unrest and strikes (e.g., in Bombay and Madras), directly contributing to the emergence of trade union movements.

Correct Answer:(a) Only one

Explanation:
• 1. Government servants were now made answerable to civil courts: This is correct. Under British reforms, especially after the 1858 transfer of power to the Crown, government servants became accountable to civil courts, ending their earlier immunity.
• 2. The judicial system in India became more streamlined and uniform: This is correct. Reforms under the British, such as the establishment of High Courts (1861) and codification of laws (e.g., Indian Penal Code, 1860), made the system more uniform.
• 3. The burden on courts and litigations was reduced after judicial reforms: This is incorrect. Judicial reforms often increased access to courts, leading to more litigation and a greater burden, not a reduction.
Thus, only statement 3 is incorrect, so the answer is “only one.”

Correct Answer: (b) Lord Lytton

Explanation:
• The “Statutory Civil Services” was introduced in 1878–79 under Lord Lytton as a response to demands for Indian representation in the civil services. It allowed a limited number of Indians to enter the administration through nomination, though it was not a full merit-based system.
• Lord John Lawrence (1864–1869) focused on post-1857 consolidation, not this reform.
• Lord Ripon (1880–1884) introduced local self-government reforms, not Statutory Civil Services.
• Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793) laid the foundation for the civil service but not the “Statutory” version.
Thus, Lord Lytton is the correct answer.

Correct Answer: (b) Only two

Explanation:
• 1. For the first time, Municipal Corporations were set up in India: This is incorrect. Municipal Corporations existed before Ripon (e.g., in Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta in the 18th century). Ripon expanded and reformed them but did not introduce them for the first time.
• 2. “Taluk” and “Tehsil” emerged as local boards in rural areas: This is correct. Ripon’s 1882 Resolution on Local Self-Government established rural boards at the taluk/tehsil level to decentralize administration.
• 3. The interference of officials was minimized in local bodies: This is correct. Ripon aimed to reduce official control and empower elected local bodies, though full autonomy was not achieved.
Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making “only two” the answer.

Correct Answer: (a) The formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement was made.

Explanation:
• (a) The formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement was made: Correct. On August 7, 1905, a massive meeting at Calcutta Town Hall formally launched the Swadeshi Movement to protest the Partition of Bengal, announced by Lord Curzon.
• (b) Lord Curzon was sworn in as the Viceroy of India: Incorrect. Curzon became Viceroy in 1899, not 1905.
• (c) The Bengal National College was founded as part of the Swadeshi Movement: Incorrect. It was founded later, in 1906, not on August 7, 1905.
• (d) Partition of Bengal was formally annulled: Incorrect. The partition was annulled in 1911, not 1905.
Thus, (a) is the correct answer.