64th BPSC Prelims 2018 Part 1 Question Paper with Answers and Solutions (Solved)

⚔️ Causes of Discontent among the Company’s Sepoys

The expected answer is (D), because the wording of this option does not identify a recognised specific grievance of the sepoys. The other options refer to important historical factors associated with military discontent under the East India Company. Religious interference, restrictions on overseas service and the reduction or withdrawal of allowances contributed to resentment among Indian soldiers. These grievances formed part of the wider background of the Revolt of 1857.

📌 Major Causes of Sepoy Discontent

• Religious apprehensions: Many Indian soldiers feared that the Company’s policies and the activities of some Christian missionaries were intended to convert Indians to Christianity. Such fears were strengthened by social and religious reforms and rumours of forced conversion.
• General Service Enlistment Act, 1856: The Act required newly recruited soldiers in the Bengal Army to accept service beyond the seas when required. Crossing the sea was considered religiously objectionable by sections of Hindu society because of the belief in loss of caste. The provision created anxiety among sepoys.
• Withdrawal or reduction of Bhatta: Bhatta was an additional allowance paid to soldiers for service in certain areas or under particular conditions. Changes in these allowances, including reductions or withdrawal when soldiers served in territories considered part of the Company’s dominions, caused resentment.
• Discrimination in the army: Indian soldiers faced unequal treatment in pay, promotion and service conditions compared with European soldiers. Higher military positions were largely reserved for Europeans.
• Greased cartridges: The introduction of the Enfield rifle and the rumour that its cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat deeply offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers. Soldiers had to bite the cartridge before loading the rifle.

📊 Important Military Grievances

🧠 Additional Exam-Oriented Facts

• Beginning of the Revolt: The major outbreak began at Meerut on 10 May 1857, followed by the march of the rebels to Delhi.
• Mangal Pandey: He attacked British officers at Barrackpore on 29 March 1857 and was executed on 8 April 1857.
• Bahadur Shah Zafar: The rebels proclaimed the Mughal emperor as their symbolic leader in Delhi.
• Military character: The revolt began among sepoys but spread to several regions and involved rulers, peasants, landlords and other groups.
• Important distinction: The greased-cartridge controversy was an immediate military trigger, whereas religious, economic and service-related grievances had developed over a longer period.
• Option wording note: Option (D), as supplied, is grammatically incomplete. Its expected selection is based on the fact that it does not state a specific recognised sepoy grievance.

Quick Revision: Sepoy discontent → Religious apprehensions + overseas service issue + Bhatta reduction + discrimination + greased cartridges → Revolt of 1857.

✔️ Expected Answer: (D) The officers inefficiency of the

👑 Bahadur Shah Zafar and the Decline of the Mughal Empire

Bahadur Shah Zafar (1775–1862) was the last Mughal emperor of India. He ruled from 1837 until the suppression of the Revolt of 1857. By his time, the Mughal Empire had lost almost all its former political and military power. The emperor’s effective authority was largely confined to Delhi and its immediate surroundings, while the East India Company exercised decisive political and military control over much of the subcontinent.

The expression “from Chandni Chowk to Palam” is commonly associated with the extremely limited territorial authority of the later Mughal emperor. Chandni Chowk was an important market area in the walled city of Delhi, while Palam was a settlement outside the city. The expression is used to illustrate the decline of Mughal imperial power; it should not be treated as a precise administrative boundary or a formally documented territorial measurement.

📜 Important Facts About Bahadur Shah Zafar

• Full name: Abu Zafar Siraj-ud-din Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafar.
• Birth: 24 October 1775.
• Reign: 1837–1857.
• Father: Akbar II, the Mughal emperor before him.
• Role in 1857: The rebels declared him the symbolic emperor and leader of the uprising.
• Capture: British forces captured him in September 1857 after the recapture of Delhi.
• Trial and exile: He was tried by the British and exiled to Rangoon, in present-day Myanmar.
• Death: 7 November 1862, in Rangoon.
• Literary identity: He was also a noted Urdu poet and used the pen name “Zafar”.

📊 Decline of Mughal Political Authority

🧠 Additional Exam-Oriented Facts

• Chandni Chowk: A historic market in Old Delhi, developed during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
• Palam: A historic settlement in the Delhi region, now associated with the southwestern part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
• Red Fort: Bahadur Shah Zafar’s court was associated with the Red Fort in Delhi.
• Last Mughal emperor: Bahadur Shah Zafar was the final ruler of the Mughal dynasty.
• Government of India Act, 1858: It transferred the administration of India from the East India Company to the British Crown.
• Important distinction: The phrase about Chandni Chowk and Palam illustrates the weakness of the Mughal emperor’s effective authority; it does not mean that the Mughal Empire formally possessed a precisely measured territory limited to those two points.

⚠️ BPSC Question Status

This question was deleted by BPSC itself. Therefore, option (A) may be mentioned as the commonly expected historical answer, but it must not be presented as an officially accepted answer for the deleted question. A deleted question is excluded from the final evaluation according to the Commission’s applicable decision.

Quick Revision: Bahadur Shah Zafar → Last Mughal emperor → Reign: 1837–1857 → Symbolic leader of the Revolt of 1857 → Exiled to Rangoon → Died in 1862.

✔️ Commonly Expected Answer: (A) Chandni Chowk to Palam
⚠️ Official Status: Question deleted by BPSC.

⚔️ Early Resistance to East India Company Rule

The correct answer is (B) Nizam of Hyderabad. The Nizam of Hyderabad did not lead a major armed rebellion against the East India Company’s control in the manner of the other personalities and groups listed. Hyderabad entered into a subsidiary alliance with the British under Nizam Asaf Jah II in 1798. This arrangement brought the State under strong British influence and required it to maintain British troops, while the Nizam retained his throne under British protection.

The other options refer to important episodes of resistance against Company expansion and interference in Indian States. These movements took place in different regions and at different times before the Revolt of 1857.

📜 Major Anti-Company Resistance Movements

1. Raja of Vizianagaram

The Raja of Vizianagaram, Vijaya Rama Raju, resisted the policies of the East India Company in the northern Circars region. The dispute involved the Company’s demands for tribute and its interference in the political authority of local rulers. The conflict culminated in the revolt of 1794, in which the Raja was killed at Padmanabham. This episode is remembered as an early example of resistance to Company expansion in the region.

2. Polygar Rebellions

The Polygars (also known as Palayakkarars) were local military chiefs and revenue administrators in parts of present-day Tamil Nadu. They resisted the Company’s attempts to impose direct control, collect revenue and reduce their traditional authority. Important resistance movements included:

• Veerapandiya Kattabomman: The ruler of Panchalankurichi who resisted Company revenue demands and was executed in 1799.
• First Polygar War: Associated with the resistance of Kattabomman and other Polygars in 1799.
• Second Polygar War: A wider rebellion in 1800–1801 involving several chiefs, including the Marudu brothers of Sivaganga.

3. Dewan Velu Thampi of Travancore

Velu Thampi Dalawa, the Dewan of Travancore, led an armed revolt against British interference and the financial and political pressures imposed on the State. He issued the famous Kundara Proclamation on 11 January 1809, calling upon the people to resist British authority. The uprising was suppressed, and Velu Thampi died in 1809.

📊 Comparison of the Personalities and Movements

🧠 Additional Exam-Oriented Facts

• Subsidiary Alliance: A system developed by Lord Wellesley to extend British political control over Indian States.
• Hyderabad: Nizam Asaf Jah II accepted the Subsidiary Alliance in 1798.
• Lord Wellesley: Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805; associated with the expansion of the Subsidiary Alliance system.
• Polygar: A local military chief or administrator who controlled a territory or palayam in parts of South India.
• Kundara Proclamation: Issued by Velu Thampi in January 1809 against British interference.
• Historical significance: These early uprisings demonstrate that resistance to Company rule existed well before 1857.
• Important distinction: Acceptance of a Subsidiary Alliance did not mean that a State retained complete political independence; it came under substantial British influence.

Quick Revision: Vizianagaram → 1794; Hyderabad Nizam → Subsidiary Alliance, 1798; Polygar Wars → 1799 and 1800–1801; Velu Thampi → Kundara Proclamation, 1809.

✔️ Final Answer: (B) Nizam of Hyderabad

💙 Indigo Rebellion (1859–1860)

The Indigo Rebellion, also known as the Nil Bidroha, was a major peasant uprising against European indigo planters in Bengal during 1859–1860. Peasants were forced or pressured to cultivate indigo under oppressive arrangements and were often paid prices that were extremely low and economically disadvantageous. They preferred to cultivate food crops rather than indigo, but planters used coercion, advances and contractual pressure to secure indigo cultivation.

Therefore, option (C) is the most complete answer because it includes both the unwillingness of peasants to grow indigo and the unfair price conditions under which they were compelled to cultivate it. Option (A) expresses the broad idea of forced cultivation, but option (C) gives the more specific economic grievance.

🌱 Why Were Peasants Forced to Grow Indigo?

• European planters: European indigo planters wanted a regular supply of indigo, which was used as a valuable natural blue dye in textile production.
• Unfair contracts: Peasants were often compelled to accept advances and agreements that required them to cultivate indigo.
• Low prices: The prices paid to cultivators were generally inadequate compared with the costs and risks of cultivation.
• Loss of food-crop land: Indigo cultivation occupied land that could otherwise have been used for growing food crops.
• Coercion and exploitation: Planters used pressure, threats and local influence to force cultivators to follow indigo contracts.
• Economic hardship: The system often pushed peasants into debt and reduced their ability to earn a fair return from agriculture.

📜 Important Events of the Indigo Rebellion

📚 Important Personalities and Publications

• Dinabandhu Mitra: Wrote the famous Bengali play Nil Darpan, which portrayed the exploitation of indigo cultivators.
• Harish Chandra Mukherjee: Editor of the newspaper Hindoo Patriot, which highlighted the hardships faced by indigo peasants.
• Rev. James Long: Associated with the publication and circulation of an English translation of Nil Darpan; he was prosecuted and fined in connection with its publication.
• Indigo Commission: Appointed in 1860 to examine the conditions of indigo cultivation and the complaints of peasants.

🧠 Additional Exam-Oriented Facts

• Region: Mainly Bengal, particularly areas such as Nadia and Jessore, which are now divided between India and Bangladesh.
• Nature: A peasant movement against exploitative plantation practices.
• Period: 1859–1860.
• Nil Darpan: A play by Dinabandhu Mitra that exposed the exploitation of indigo cultivators.
• Indigo Commission: Established in 1860 by the colonial government.
• Indigo cultivation systems: Two important systems were Nij, in which planters cultivated indigo on land under their direct management, and Ryoti, in which peasants cultivated indigo on their own holdings under arrangements with planters.
• Historical significance: The rebellion demonstrated the power of organised peasant resistance and became an important episode in the history of colonial agrarian exploitation.

🔍 Indigo Rebellion vs. Champaran Satyagraha

Quick Revision: Indigo Rebellion → Bengal → 1859–1860 → Forced cultivation and low prices → Dinabandhu Mitra’s Nil Darpan → Indigo Commission, 1860.

✔️ Final Answer: (C) The peasant not wanting to grow indigo but being forced to grow at a price that was unacceptable.

🌾 Deccan Riots of 1875

The Deccan Riots of 1875 were a series of peasant disturbances in the Deccan region of western India, particularly in the districts of Poona (Pune) and Ahmednagar in the Bombay Presidency. The immediate cause was the severe indebtedness of peasants and their resentment against moneylenders, known as Mahajans, who charged high interest rates and used legal documents and court procedures to recover debts and secure control over peasants’ property.

The disturbances began in May 1875 at Supa, a village in Poona district. Peasants attacked moneylenders’ houses and shops, destroyed debt bonds and account books, and tried to cancel or weaken their debt obligations. Although high land revenue and wider economic difficulties contributed to rural distress, the immediate target of the uprising was the moneylenders and the exploitative credit system.

🎯 Major Causes of the Deccan Riots

• High interest rates: Mahajans charged high rates of interest, making it difficult for peasants to repay loans.
• Indebtedness: Farmers frequently borrowed money to pay land revenue, meet household expenses and purchase agricultural inputs.
• Legal exploitation: Moneylenders used debt bonds, mortgage documents and court proceedings to recover loans and sometimes take possession of land or other property.
• Commercialisation of agriculture: The growing importance of cash crops and market fluctuations increased the financial risks faced by cultivators.
• Economic distress: Poor harvests, price fluctuations and the burden of revenue payments made repayment more difficult.
• Social resentment: Peasants increasingly viewed moneylenders as symbols of economic exploitation and loss of control over their property.

📍 Course of the Revolt

📜 Deccan Agriculturists’ Relief Act, 1879

Following the riots, the colonial government examined the conditions of indebted cultivators. The Deccan Agriculturists’ Relief Act, 1879 was passed to provide certain legal protections to agriculturists against exploitative debt recovery practices. It aimed to give relief to indebted peasants through provisions relating to debt settlement and legal procedures. However, it did not eliminate rural indebtedness or the structural problems of colonial agrarian relations.

📊 Important Terms and Concepts

🧠 Additional Exam-Oriented Facts

• Year: 1875.
• Region: Deccan region of the Bombay Presidency, especially Poona and Ahmednagar districts.
• Beginning: Supa village, in May 1875.
• Main target: Moneylenders and their debt records.
• Immediate cause: Peasant indebtedness and resentment against high interest rates and exploitative moneylending practices.
• Important legislation: Deccan Agriculturists’ Relief Act, 1879.
• Historical distinction: The Deccan Riots were directed mainly against moneylenders, whereas the Indigo Rebellion was directed against oppressive indigo planters and forced cultivation.
• Broader significance: The riots exposed the vulnerability of peasants under colonial revenue policies, commercialisation of agriculture and exploitative credit arrangements.

🔍 Deccan Riots and Other Peasant Movements

Quick Revision: Deccan Riots → 1875 → Supa village, Poona → Peasant indebtedness → High interest rates charged by Mahajans → Deccan Agriculturists’ Relief Act, 1879.

✔️ Final Answer: (B) High interest rates charged by Mahajans

📚 Rajani Palme Dutt and the Indian National Congress

Rajani Palme Dutt (1896–1974) was a British Marxist historian, journalist and political theorist of Indian origin. He is particularly known for his influential book India Today (1940), in which he analysed the nature of British imperialism, Indian nationalism and the role of different political classes in the freedom movement.

The political grouping referred to in the statement is the Indian National Congress (INC). Dutt’s Marxist interpretation examined the Congress’s dual relationship with British imperialism: it led important movements against colonial rule, but its leadership also pursued constitutional negotiations and compromises with the British government at different stages.

🏛️ The Congress: Struggle and Constitutional Cooperation

The Congress played a central role in the national movement, but its methods and political approach changed over time. Its history included mass movements, constitutional demands, negotiations and periods of compromise.

🧠 Important Facts about Rajani Palme Dutt

• Full name: Rajani Palme Dutt, commonly known as R. Palme Dutt.
• Major work: India Today, published in 1940.
• Ideological approach: Marxist interpretation of colonialism, nationalism and class relations.
• Historical significance: His writings critically examined the relationship between Indian political leadership, the Indian bourgeoisie and British imperialism.
• Exam point: The statement reflects a Marxist critique of the Indian National Congress, rather than a description of the Communist Party of India or the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.

Quick Revision: Rajani Palme Dutt → Marxist historian → India Today (1940) → critical analysis of Indian nationalism → statement refers to the Indian National Congress.

✔️ Final Answer: (A) The Indian National Congress

📰 Nationalist Newspapers in Colonial India

The Times of India was not generally identified as a nationalist newspaper associated with the Indian freedom movement in the same way as The Hindu, Bengalee and The Mahratta. It originated as The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce in 1838 and was renamed The Times of India in 1861. During the colonial period, it was commonly associated with an establishment-oriented and British commercial readership, although its editorial positions varied over time.

📖 Important Nationalist Newspapers and Their Editors

🗞️ The Times of India: Historical Background

• 1838: It began publication as The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce.
• 1861: It adopted the name The Times of India.
• Colonial context: It initially catered substantially to the British and European commercial community in India.
• Exam distinction: The newspaper’s historical identity should be distinguished from explicitly nationalist publications such as Kesari, The Mahratta and Bengalee.

🧠 Journalism and the National Movement

Newspapers were important instruments of political education during British rule. They criticised colonial economic policies, exposed administrative injustice, spread political ideas and connected people across regions. The colonial government frequently used press regulations and prosecutions to restrict nationalist journalism.

Quick Revision: The Hindu → G. Subramania Iyer; Bengalee → Surendranath Banerjea; The Mahratta → Bal Gangadhar Tilak; Times of India → originated as Bombay Times (1838), renamed in 1861.

✔️ Final Answer: (D) The Times of India

🏛️ Social and Religious Reform Movements in Modern India

The correct combination is Option (B). The question connects five important reformist institutions, publications or movements with their associated personalities. These organisations and publications contributed to social reform, religious reform, anti-caste mobilisation and political awareness in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century India.

📊 Correct Matching: Organisation / Publication and Personality

📌 Important Reform Movements and Their Objectives

1. Prarthana Samaj (1867)

• Founded by Atmaram Pandurang in Bombay in 1867.
• Promoted monotheism and a reformist approach to religion.
• Supported widow remarriage, female education and the removal of caste-based restrictions.
• Important associated reformer: Mahadev Govind Ranade.

2. Young India

• Young India was an English-language journal edited by Mahatma Gandhi.
• It was used to communicate ideas concerning non-violence, Satyagraha, Swaraj and national unity.
• Gandhi also edited the Gujarati journal Navajivan.
• Exam distinction: Young India was a publication, not a social reform organisation.

3. Lokhitvadi

• Gopal Hari Deshmukh was popularly known by the pen name Lokhitvadi.
• He wrote a series of reformist essays known as Shatapatre (Hundred Letters).
• He criticised social evils, caste discrimination, blind customs and superstition.
• His writings encouraged rational thinking and social progress.

4. Satyashodhak Samaj (1873)

• Founded by Jyotirao Phule in Maharashtra in 1873.
• Its central objective was to challenge caste oppression and social inequality.
• It advocated education and social rights for women and oppressed communities.
• Savitribai Phule played a major role in the educational and social reform movement associated with Jyotirao Phule.

5. Rehnumai Mazdayasan Sabha (1851)

• Established in Bombay in 1851 by progressive members of the Parsi community.
• Naoroji Furdonji was among its important founders and reformers.
• It sought to reform Parsi religious and social practices through education and rational discussion.
• Dadabhai Naoroji and other Parsi reformers were also associated with the wider reform environment of the period.

🧠 Important Chronology for Competitive Exams

Quick Revision: Prarthana Samaj → Atmaram Pandurang; Young India → Mahatma Gandhi; Lokhitvadi → Gopal Hari Deshmukh; Satyashodhak Samaj → Jyotirao Phule; Rehnumai Mazdayasan Sabha → Naoroji Furdonji.

✔️ Final Answer: (B) Atmaram Pandurang, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Gopal Hari Deshmukh, Jyotiba Phule, Naoroji Furdonji

📰 Editors of Important Nationalist Newspapers

The correct combination is Option (D). The newspapers listed in the question played important roles in spreading political awareness, criticising colonial policies and developing nationalist public opinion. Their editors used journalism as a powerful instrument of political communication during British rule.

📊 Correct Matching of Newspapers and Editors

📚 Additional Facts about Important Newspapers

1. The Hindu

• Started on 20 September 1878 in Madras (now Chennai).
• It was founded by a group of educated Indians, including G. Subramania Iyer and M. Veeraraghavachariar.
• Initially, it was started as a weekly newspaper.
• It became an influential voice in public affairs and nationalist political debate.

2. Kesari and The Mahratta

• Both newspapers were launched in 1881 by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and his associates.
• Kesari was published in Marathi, while The Mahratta was published in English.
• They helped spread nationalist ideas and criticised British administrative policies.
• Tilak used journalism to mobilise public opinion and encourage political participation.

3. Bengalee

• Associated with Surendranath Banerjea.
• It became an important platform for expressing Indian political demands.
• It contributed to public discussion on colonial administration and national rights.

4. Sudharak

• Associated with Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
• It reflected reformist and moderate political ideas.
• Gokhale also founded the Servants of India Society in 1905.

🧠 Other Important Newspapers for Competitive Exams

Quick Revision: The Hindu → G. Subramania Iyer; Kesari → Bal Gangadhar Tilak; Bengalee → Surendranath Banerjea; Hindustani → Ganga Prasad Varma; Sudharak → Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

✔️ Final Answer: (D) G. Subramania Iyer, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Surendra Nath Banerjea, Ganga Prasad Varma, Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Bal Gangadhar Tilak and the Title ‘Lokmanya’

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856–1920) was a prominent Indian nationalist leader, journalist, educationist and political thinker. He became popularly known as ‘Lokmanya Tilak’, meaning ‘a person respected and accepted by the people’. The title reflected his growing popularity and public acceptance as a leader of the Indian national movement.

According to the official BPSC answer key, Option (E) is correct. The question asks when Tilak came to be known as Lokmanya, but none of the given events can be conclusively identified as the specific occasion on which the title originated. His public activities, journalism and political leadership contributed to his popularity over time.

📌 Why Option (D) Is Not the Official Answer

Bal Gangadhar Tilak popularised public celebrations of the Ganpati and Shivaji festivals. These activities helped mobilise people and spread nationalist consciousness. However, it is historically inaccurate to state that the title ‘Lokmanya’ was specifically conferred on him when he started these festivals. The festivals contributed to his public influence, but they do not establish a definite date or occasion for the origin of the title.

🎉 Important Public Festivals Associated with Tilak

1. Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav (1893)

• Tilak popularised the public celebration of Ganesh Utsav in Maharashtra in 1893.
• The festival provided a common public platform for people from different social groups.
• It helped promote social unity, cultural awareness and nationalist mobilisation.
• Public gatherings also provided opportunities to discuss political and social issues during colonial rule.

2. Shivaji Festival (1896)

• Tilak promoted public celebrations of the Shivaji festival from 1896.
• The festival commemorated Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha kingdom.
• Shivaji was presented as a symbol of courage, self-rule and resistance to oppression.
• The festival connected historical pride with contemporary nationalist aspirations.

📰 Tilak’s Journalism and Political Activities

⚖️ Rand Murder Case and Tilak

In 1897, plague commissioner W.C. Rand and Lieutenant Ayerst were assassinated in Pune by the Chapekar brothers. The colonial government considered Tilak’s writings in Kesari to have encouraged anti-government sentiment. He was prosecuted for sedition and sentenced to imprisonment in 1897. However, Tilak was not convicted of murdering Rand. The assassination and Tilak’s sedition trial were related historical developments, but they were not the same legal case.

📖 Meaning of ‘Lokmanya’

• Lok: People or public.
• Manya: Respected, accepted or honoured.
• Lokmanya: A person respected and accepted by the people.
• The title reflected Tilak’s growing public influence and his contribution to the national movement.
• His famous slogan was: ‘Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.’

🧠 Important Timeline

Exam-Oriented Conclusion: The Ganpati and Shivaji festivals helped increase Tilak’s popularity, but the exact origin of the title ‘Lokmanya’ cannot be established from the events listed in the question. Therefore, according to the official BPSC answer key, Option (E) is the correct answer.

✔️ Final Answer: (E) None of the above/More than one of the above

🇮🇳 Bhagat Singh and the Central Legislative Assembly Bombing

Bhagat Singh was 21 years and about 6 months old when he, along with Batukeshwar Dutt, threw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi on 8 April 1929. Bhagat Singh was born on 28 September 1907. Therefore, he was a little more than 21 years old, making option (B) correct.

📅 Important Dates and Events

💣 Why Were Bombs Thrown in the Assembly?

The bombing was a protest against repressive colonial legislation, particularly the Public Safety Bill and the Trade Disputes Bill. The revolutionaries intended to make their protest heard rather than cause mass casualties. The bombs were deliberately of relatively low intensity and were thrown in a manner intended to avoid killing people. After the incident, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt did not escape; they surrendered and used the subsequent trial to publicise their revolutionary ideas.

📢 Important Slogans and Organisations

• Inquilab Zindabad: The slogan means “Long Live the Revolution.” It was popularised by revolutionaries such as Bhagat Singh and his comrades; it was originally coined by Maulana Hasrat Mohani.
• Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA): A revolutionary organisation that advocated the establishment of a socialist republic in India.
• Naujawan Bharat Sabha: A youth organisation founded in Lahore in 1926 to mobilise young people against colonial rule.
• Central Legislative Assembly: The lower chamber of the central legislature under British rule, located in Delhi at the time of the bombing.

⚖️ Related Revolutionary Events

• Kakori Conspiracy (1925): Revolutionary activists looted a train carrying government treasury funds near Kakori in Uttar Pradesh.
• Saunders’ assassination (1928): Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and their associates were involved in the killing of British police officer John Saunders at Lahore. It was carried out to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai following a police lathi-charge.
• Lahore Conspiracy Case: The case led to the execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on 23 March 1931.
• Shaheed Diwas: 23 March is observed in India as Martyrs’ Day in memory of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

Quick Revision: Bhagat Singh → Born 28 September 1907 → Assembly bombing 8 April 1929 → Age approximately 21 years and 6 months → Executed 23 March 1931.

✔️ Final Answer: (B) A little more than 21 years

🕊️ Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and Rowlatt Satyagraha

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place on 13 April 1919 in Amritsar, Punjab, in the atmosphere of protests against the Rowlatt Act, 1919. These protests formed part of Mahatma Gandhi’s Rowlatt Satyagraha, launched against the repressive provisions of the Act. Therefore, option (B) is correct.

⚖️ What Was the Rowlatt Act?

The Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919, popularly known as the Rowlatt Act, was based on the recommendations of the Rowlatt Committee, chaired by Justice Sidney Rowlatt. It empowered the colonial government to take stringent measures against suspected revolutionary activities, including detention without ordinary trial safeguards. Indian leaders strongly opposed the Act because it curtailed civil liberties and continued wartime repressive powers even after the First World War.

📅 Sequence of Important Events in 1919

🔴 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Key Facts

• Date: 13 April 1919, the day of Baisakhi.
• Location: Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab.
• British officer responsible: Brigadier-General Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, commonly known as General Dyer.
• Lieutenant Governor of Punjab: Michael O’Dwyer, who supported the repressive policy in Punjab.
• Victims: A large gathering of people, including peaceful protesters and visitors attending the Baisakhi fair.
• Official death figure: The British government’s Hunter Committee recorded 379 deaths. Other estimates have been higher, and the exact number remains disputed.
• Rabindranath Tagore: Renounced his knighthood in protest against the massacre.
• Mahatma Gandhi: The massacre and the subsequent events contributed to his growing opposition to British rule.

📚 Hunter Committee and Its Significance

The British Indian Government appointed the Disorders Inquiry Committee, commonly called the Hunter Committee, in October 1919. It investigated the disturbances in Punjab, including the firing at Jallianwala Bagh. The committee criticised General Dyer’s action, although its findings did not satisfy many Indian leaders. The incident became a turning point in the national movement and further weakened Indian confidence in British justice.

🧠 Distinguish These Gandhian Movements

Quick Revision: Rowlatt Act → 1919 → Rowlatt Satyagraha → Nationwide hartal on 6 April 1919 → Jallianwala Bagh Massacre on 13 April 1919 → General Dyer → Tagore renounced knighthood.

✔️ Final Answer: (B) Rowlatt Satyagraha

⚔️ Veer Kunwar Singh and the Revolt of 1857

Kunwar Singh joined the rebellion of 1857 when the rebel soldiers from Danapur reached the Arrah region on 26 July 1857. He became one of the most important leaders of the uprising in Bihar. He belonged to the Ujjainiya Rajput ruling family of Jagdishpur, in present-day Bhojpur district of Bihar. Therefore, option (A) Arrah is the correct answer in the context of this question.

📍 Arrah, Danapur and Jagdishpur: Understand the Connection

• Danapur: Indian soldiers stationed at Danapur Cantonment revolted on 25 July 1857 and moved towards Jagdishpur.
• Arrah: Kunwar Singh joined the rebel forces as they reached the Arrah area on 26 July 1857. The siege of the British position at Arrah became a major episode of the Bihar revolt.
• Jagdishpur: It was Kunwar Singh’s ancestral estate and principal centre of operations. He organised resistance against the British from this region.
• Shahabad: The larger historical district in which Jagdishpur and Arrah were located; much of the rebellion in this area came under Kunwar Singh’s leadership.

📅 Important Events in Kunwar Singh’s Campaign

🛡️ Important Facts about Kunwar Singh

• Popular title: Veer Kunwar Singh.
• Birthplace / estate: Jagdishpur, in present-day Bhojpur district, Bihar.
• Age during the Revolt of 1857: Traditionally described as approximately 80 years old.
• Role: He was the principal organiser of the revolt against British rule in Bihar.
• Military strategy: He used local support, mobility and guerrilla-style tactics to challenge British forces.
• Amar Singh: His brother Amar Singh continued resistance after Kunwar Singh’s death.
• Legacy: Kunwar Singh is remembered as one of the most prominent regional leaders of the Revolt of 1857.

📚 Other Important Leaders of the Revolt of 1857

Quick Revision: Kunwar Singh → Bihar → Jagdishpur estate → joined rebel forces near Arrah on 26 July 1857 → major victory near Jagdishpur on 23 April 1858 → died on 26 April 1858.

✔️ Final Answer: (A) Arrah

🌳 Tribal Rebellions against British Rule in India

According to the official answer key, option (E) is correct. The question, however, is broadly worded: tribal resistance against British rule occurred in several parts of the Indian subcontinent, and the term “territory” does not identify a particular uprising, tribe or period. It is therefore important to study the major tribal movements and their geographical locations rather than assume that tribal rebellion was limited to one region.

📍 Important Tribal Movements and Their Regions

🌿 Major Tribal Movements: Exam-Oriented Facts

1. Santhal Hul (1855–56)

• It was led by the brothers Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, along with Chand and Bhairav.
• The rebellion was directed against exploitation by moneylenders, zamindars, revenue officials and the colonial administration.
• The uprising centred on the Damin-i-Koh region, which later became closely associated with the Santhal Pargana area.
• 30 June is remembered as Hul Diwas in connection with the Santhal uprising.

2. Kol Rebellion (1831–32)

• It took place mainly in the Chotanagpur region.
• The movement involved tribal communities such as the Ho, Munda and Oraon, among others.
• Land alienation, exploitation by outsiders and changes in traditional rights were major causes.

3. Munda Ulgulan (1899–1900)

• It was led by Birsa Munda, who is popularly remembered as Dharti Aba.
• The movement opposed exploitation by landlords, moneylenders and colonial authorities, as well as interference in traditional land rights.
• Its central demand included the restoration of the traditional Munda land system and the assertion of community rights.
• 15 November, Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, is observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in India.

4. Rampa Rebellion (1922–24)

• It was led by Alluri Sitarama Raju in the tribal areas of the present-day Andhra Pradesh region.
• Forest regulations, restrictions on shifting cultivation and colonial control over tribal life contributed to the rebellion.
• It is also known as the Manyam Rebellion.

📊 Why Did Tribal Communities Revolt?

• Land alienation: Traditional tribal lands were transferred to landlords, moneylenders and outsiders.
• Forest restrictions: Colonial forest laws restricted access to forests and affected customary rights.
• Exploitation: Moneylenders, contractors, landlords and officials often imposed unfair economic conditions.
• Forced labour: Practices such as begar and other forms of compulsory labour caused resentment.
• Interference in traditional systems: Colonial administration weakened customary institutions and community-based authority.
• Loss of livelihood: Changes in land, forest and revenue policies threatened traditional occupations and subsistence.

🧠 Important Constitutional and Modern Connections

• Article 46: Directs the State to promote the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections.
• Article 244: Provides for the administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.
• Fifth Schedule: Deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in states other than the areas covered by the Sixth Schedule.
• Sixth Schedule: Provides for Autonomous District Councils in specified tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
• PESA Act, 1996: Extends provisions of Part IX of the Constitution relating to Panchayats to Scheduled Areas, with special safeguards.
• Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognises and vests forest rights in eligible forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers, subject to the Act.
• Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: Observed on 15 November to commemorate the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.

Quick Revision: Santhal Hul → 1855–56 → Sidhu and Kanhu; Kol Rebellion → 1831–32 → Chotanagpur; Munda Ulgulan → 1899–1900 → Birsa Munda; Rampa Rebellion → 1922–24 → Alluri Sitarama Raju. The official answer to this broadly worded question is (E).

✔️ Final Answer: (E) None of the above/More than one of the above

📜 Sachchidananda Sinha and His Criticism of British Rule

The statement “So always with the assent and often to the dictates of the Chamber of Commerce, the Government of India is carried on, and this is the White Man’s Burden” is attributed to Sachchidananda Sinha. He criticised the colonial administration for functioning in the interests of British commercial and economic groups rather than the welfare of the Indian people. Therefore, option (C) is correct.

👤 Who Was Sachchidananda Sinha?

Sachchidananda Sinha (1871–1950) was an Indian lawyer, journalist, educationist and political leader from Bihar. He was an important constitutional thinker and a prominent voice in the political life of colonial India. He is especially remembered for serving as the temporary Chairman of the Constituent Assembly of India at its first meeting on 9 December 1946.

🏛️ Important Facts about Sachchidananda Sinha

• Birth: 10 November 1871, in Arrah (Ara), Bihar.
• Profession: Lawyer, journalist, educationist and public figure.
• Political association: Associated with the Indian National Congress and constitutional politics.
• Legislative role: Served in legislative institutions during British rule, including the Imperial Legislative Council.
• Journalism: Associated with publications such as The Indian Nation and Hindustan Review.
• Constituent Assembly: Served as its temporary Chairman at the inaugural meeting on 9 December 1946.
• Death: 6 March 1950.

📖 What Does “White Man’s Burden” Mean?

The phrase “White Man’s Burden” became widely known through Rudyard Kipling’s poem published in 1899. It expressed the imperialist claim that European powers had a supposed responsibility to govern and civilise non-European peoples. In practice, this idea was used to justify colonial expansion and imperial domination.

Sachchidananda Sinha used the expression critically. His statement highlighted the contradiction between the British claim of governing India for its welfare and the actual influence of British commercial interests over Indian administration. The reference to the Chamber of Commerce points to the economic and commercial interests that influenced colonial policymaking.

📊 Important Terms Related to the Statement

🇮🇳 Other Important Bihar Personalities in the National Movement

• Dr Rajendra Prasad: First President of independent India and an important leader of the freedom movement.
• Anugrah Narayan Sinha: A prominent freedom fighter and leader from Bihar, often remembered as Bihar Vibhuti.
• Maulana Mazharul Haque: A freedom fighter from Bihar who supported the national movement and Hindu-Muslim unity.
• Swami Sahajanand Saraswati: A major peasant leader who founded the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha in 1929.
• Kunwar Singh: A leading figure in the Revolt of 1857 in Bihar.

🧠 Constituent Assembly: Important Revision Facts

• First meeting: 9 December 1946.
• Temporary Chairman: Sachchidananda Sinha.
• Permanent President: Dr Rajendra Prasad, elected on 11 December 1946.
• Constitutional Adviser: B. N. Rau.
• Drafting Committee Chairman: Dr B. R. Ambedkar, appointed on 29 August 1947.
• Constitution adopted: 26 November 1949.
• Constitution came into force: 26 January 1950.

Quick Revision: Sachchidananda Sinha → Bihar → Lawyer and journalist → Critic of colonial economic interests → Temporary Chairman of the Constituent Assembly on 9 December 1946.

✔️ Final Answer: (C) Sachchidananda Sinha

🌾 Champaran Satyagraha (1917): Gandhi’s First Satyagraha in India

The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was Mahatma Gandhi’s first major Satyagraha in India after his return from South Africa in January 1915. It was launched in the Champaran district of Bihar against the exploitation of indigo cultivators by European planters. Gandhi’s intervention helped secure relief for the peasants and established Satyagraha as an important method of India’s national movement. Therefore, option (C) is correct.

🌱 What Was the Tinkathia System?

Under the Tinkathia system, peasants were compelled to cultivate indigo on three-twentieths (3/20) of their land, equivalent to 15 per cent of their holdings. European planters exercised considerable control over cultivators and imposed oppressive conditions. The system became a major source of economic exploitation and rural discontent in Champaran.

• Main issue: Forced indigo cultivation and exploitation of peasants.
• Important peasant leader: Raj Kumar Shukla, who persuaded Gandhi to visit Champaran.
• Other local leaders: Dr Rajendra Prasad, Brajkishore Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha and others assisted the movement.
• Gandhi’s method: Non-violent resistance, investigation of peasant grievances and civil disobedience.
• Outcome: The Champaran Agrarian Act, 1918, helped bring an end to the oppressive Tinkathia system.

📅 Important Events of Champaran Satyagraha

📚 Gandhi’s Early Satyagrahas in India

🧠 Further Exam-Oriented Facts

• Raj Kumar Shukla: A Champaran peasant who persistently requested Gandhi to visit the region.
• Dr Rajendra Prasad: Later became the first President of independent India and was associated with the Champaran movement.
• J. B. Kripalani: Assisted Gandhi during the Champaran campaign and was associated with the educational and organisational work there.
• Gandhi’s first experiment in India: Champaran demonstrated the effectiveness of non-violent mass mobilisation in addressing local grievances.
• Important distinction: The Ahmedabad Mill Strike and Kheda Satyagraha also took place in 1918, after Champaran.

Quick Revision: First major Satyagraha in India → Champaran → 1917 → Bihar → Indigo cultivators → Tinkathia system → Raj Kumar Shukla → Champaran Agrarian Act, 1918.

✔️ Final Answer: (C) Champaran

🚫 Non-Cooperation Movement and the Boycott of Liquor

The correct answer is Bihar. During the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22), Gandhi and Congress volunteers encouraged people to boycott intoxicating drinks and picket liquor shops. This reduced government income from excise duties on liquor. In response, the Government of Bihar and Orissa circulated a list of famous historical personalities who were known to enjoy alcoholic drinks, apparently to counter the anti-liquor campaign and persuade people that drinking was not socially unacceptable.

📜 Why Was Liquor Boycotted?

The boycott of liquor was part of the wider programme of moral, social and political reform associated with the Non-Cooperation Movement. Gandhi regarded the consumption of intoxicating substances as harmful to individuals, families and society. Volunteers organised peaceful picketing outside liquor shops and urged people not to purchase alcohol.

• Social objective: To discourage alcoholism and reduce its harmful effects on families and communities.
• Economic objective: To reduce colonial government revenue from liquor excise.
• Political objective: To withdraw public cooperation from institutions and economic activities associated with colonial rule.
• Method: Peaceful persuasion, public meetings, social awareness and picketing of liquor shops.

🍷 The Unusual Government Response

According to the historical account discussed in Bipan Chandra’s India’s Struggle for Independence, the Government of Bihar and Orissa compiled and circulated a list of famous personalities who enjoyed liquor. The list reportedly included:

This episode illustrates how seriously the colonial administration viewed the decline in liquor revenue. The government’s attempt to use famous historical figures as examples was intended to weaken the moral argument behind the boycott. The incident is also a memorable example of the economic pressure created by popular participation in the Non-Cooperation Movement.

📊 Important Features of the Non-Cooperation Movement

• Launch: The movement was formally launched in 1920 under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership.
• Congress approval: The programme was approved at the Calcutta Special Session in September 1920 and ratified at the Nagpur Session in December 1920.
• Boycott: Government schools, colleges, law courts, foreign cloth, titles and certain colonial institutions were boycotted.
• Khadi: Promotion of indigenous hand-spun and hand-woven cloth became an important part of the movement.
• Liquor shops: Peaceful picketing was organised to discourage the sale and consumption of intoxicating drinks.
• Withdrawal: Gandhi suspended the movement in February 1922 after the Chauri Chaura incident in which a police station was set on fire and policemen were killed.

📅 Important Chronology

🧠 Further Exam-Oriented Facts

• Excise duty: A tax imposed on specified goods produced or consumed within a country; colonial governments earned substantial revenue from liquor excise.
• Chauri Chaura: The violent incident of 5 February 1922 became the immediate reason for Gandhi’s decision to suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Tilak Swaraj Fund: Launched in 1921 to finance the national movement; it was associated with the target of raising one crore rupees.
• Vijayawada Session: The All-India Congress Committee meeting in March 1921 stressed collection of funds, enrolment of members and distribution of charkhas.
• Historical name: At the time of the Non-Cooperation Movement, Bihar and Orissa were administered as a single province under British India. Odisha became a separate province on 1 April 1936.

Quick Revision: Non-Cooperation Movement → 1920–22 → boycott of liquor → decline in excise revenue → Government of Bihar and Orissa circulated a list of famous historical drinkers → Moses, Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, Shakespeare, Gladstone, Tennyson and Bismarck.

✔️ Final Answer: (B) Bihar

🧂 Salt Satyagraha in Bihar and the Chowkidari Tax

During the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34), people in Bihar participated in the Salt Satyagraha by making or selling salt in defiance of the British salt laws. In addition to breaking the salt law, people in several areas of Bihar also protested against the Chowkidari tax. Therefore, option (A) is correct.

🧂 What Was the Chowkidari Tax?

The Chowkidari tax was a village-level levy associated with the maintenance and payment of village watchmen, known as chowkidars. It was imposed on rural communities under colonial administration. In Bihar, the tax became a focus of protest because peasants regarded it as an additional financial burden and a symbol of colonial control over village life.

• Purpose: To finance the village watchman system.
• Collection: The tax was collected from rural residents under the applicable colonial arrangements.
• Nature of protest: Refusal to pay the tax became one of the forms of civil disobedience in Bihar.
• Wider significance: The campaign connected the national struggle against the salt tax with local grievances against colonial revenue demands.

📅 Salt Satyagraha: National Background

The Salt Satyagraha was an important part of Gandhi’s Civil Disobedience Movement. Gandhi selected salt as an issue because it was used by everyone, rich or poor, and the British monopoly and taxation affected the entire population.

🌾 Bihar’s Participation in Civil Disobedience

• Salt law violation: People participated in the production and distribution of salt in defiance of colonial restrictions.
• Chowkidari tax refusal: In several areas, peasants and villagers opposed the payment of the village watchman tax.
• Rural mobilisation: Local leaders and Congress workers organised meetings, demonstrations and campaigns among peasants.
• National connection: The local tax protests linked the Civil Disobedience Movement with the economic difficulties faced by rural communities.
• Gandhian method: The movement emphasised non-violent resistance, public mobilisation and deliberate violation of unjust laws.

📊 Distinguish Important Taxes and Revenue Terms

🧠 Further Exam-Oriented Facts

• Dandi March: Also known as the Salt March, it covered approximately 240 miles (about 390 km) from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in Gujarat.
• Salt as a symbol: Salt was chosen because it was an essential commodity consumed by all sections of society.
• Civil Disobedience: It involved the deliberate and non-violent violation of selected colonial laws.
• Gandhi-Irwin Pact: It was signed on 5 March 1931 and led to the temporary suspension of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Difference from Non-Cooperation: The Non-Cooperation Movement began in 1920, whereas the Civil Disobedience Movement began in 1930 with the Salt Satyagraha.

Quick Revision: Salt Satyagraha → 1930 → Civil Disobedience Movement → Dandi March → 6 April 1930 → Salt law broken; Bihar → opposition to Chowkidari tax.

✔️ Final Answer: (A) Chowkidari

🏛️ Bihar Congress Ministry Resignation (February 1938)

The elected Congress ministry in Bihar resigned on 15 February 1938 because of a dispute with the Governor and the British authorities over the release of political prisoners. The Congress ministry wanted the remaining prisoners considered political to be released, whereas the Governor insisted on examining individual cases and refused an immediate, unconditional release of all the remaining prisoners. Therefore, option (D) is correct.

📜 Background: Government of India Act, 1935

The Government of India Act, 1935 introduced provincial autonomy and provided for elected provincial legislatures. Elections were held in 1936–37, and the Indian National Congress formed ministries in several provinces in 1937. In Bihar, the Congress ministry was headed by Shri Krishna Sinha, with Anugrah Narayan Sinha as an important minister and political colleague.

• Provincial elections: Held in 1936–37 under the Government of India Act, 1935.
• Congress ministries: Congress formed ministries in six provinces in 1937, including Bihar.
• Bihar ministry: Shri Krishna Sinha headed the first Congress ministry in Bihar.
• Political prisoners: Their release was an important demand in the Congress programme and election commitments.

⚖️ Why Did the Resignation Take Place?

After taking office in July 1937, Congress ministries sought the release of people imprisoned for offences considered politically motivated. The Governors agreed to release a number of prisoners after reviewing individual cases. However, the Bihar ministry wanted the remaining political prisoners to be released without further delay. The Governor and the Governor-General opposed the proposed blanket release, particularly where prisoners had been convicted of serious acts of violence.

On 15 February 1938, the Congress ministries in Bihar and the United Provinces resigned in protest. The dispute was subsequently resolved through an understanding with the Governors, and the ministries resumed office. Thus, the resignation was temporary and was directly connected with the issue of political prisoners.

📅 Important Chronology

🧠 Important Personalities and Institutions

• Shri Krishna Sinha: Head of the first Congress ministry in Bihar and popularly known as Bihar Kesari.
• Anugrah Narayan Sinha: Senior Congress leader and an important member of the Bihar ministry; popularly remembered as Bihar Vibhuti.
• Governor: The provincial Governor exercised special powers under the Government of India Act, 1935, and was not fully responsible to the elected provincial legislature.
• Governor-General: The Governor-General was involved in the dispute because the colonial constitutional framework gave him special responsibilities regarding public order and administration.

📌 Do Not Confuse the Two Resignations

Quick Revision: Bihar Congress ministry → Shri Krishna Sinha → Resigned on 15 February 1938 → Demand for release of political prisoners → Resumed office after an understanding with the Governor.

✔️ Final Answer: (D) For the release of political prisoners

🌾 Bihar Kisan Sabha and the Peasant Movement

The correct answer is (E) More than one of the above, because all four personalities were associated with the Bihar Kisan Sabha and the wider peasant movement in Bihar. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was its principal founder and leader, while Karyanand Sharma, Rahul Sankrityayan and Yadunandan Sharma were among the important activists and organisers associated with peasant mobilisation.

🚩 Formation of the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha

The Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS) was established in 1929 under the leadership of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati. It was formed at the time of the annual peasant gathering associated with the Sonepur fair. The organisation sought to unite peasants and address issues such as landlord exploitation, excessive rents, illegal levies and the insecurity of tenants.

• Founder / principal leader: Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.
• Year of formation: 1929.
• Organisation: Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha.
• Major objective: Organisation of peasants and protection of their economic and land-related rights.
• Important issues: Zamindari exploitation, rent demands, illegal cesses, eviction and the Bakasht land question.

👥 Four Personalities Mentioned in the Question

🌱 Who Was Swami Sahajanand Saraswati?

Swami Sahajanand Saraswati (1889–1950) was one of the most influential peasant leaders in modern Indian history. He worked to organise peasants against exploitation by zamindars and other powerful interests. His activities in Bihar helped develop a strong and organised peasant movement.

• Birth: 22 February 1889, in the Ghazipur region of present-day Uttar Pradesh.
• Major organisation: Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha, established in 1929.
• All India Kisan Sabha: Played a leading role in its formation in 1936.
• First president of AIKS: Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was elected its first president at the Lucknow conference in April 1936.
• Famous slogan: “Jo ann-vastra upjaye, ab so bhookha na mar paye” — expressing the demand that those who produce food and clothing should not remain hungry.
• Major work: Mera Jeevan Sangharsh, his autobiography, is an important source for understanding his political and peasant activities.

📚 Important Peasant Organisations and Movements

🌾 Important Agrarian Issues in Bihar

• Zamindari system: Intermediary landlords exercised control over land and collected rent from cultivators.
• Bakasht land: Land that had been cultivated by tenants but was claimed or resumed by zamindars, leading to disputes and peasant mobilisation.
• Illegal cesses: Peasants opposed additional levies and unauthorised collections imposed by landlords.
• Rent and eviction: Excessive rent demands and the threat of eviction were major sources of rural discontent.
• Peasant organisation: Kisan Sabhas provided a platform for collective action, meetings, protests and demands for agrarian reform.

🧠 Further Exam-Oriented Facts

• Swami Sahajanand Saraswati: Known as a major organiser of the peasant movement in Bihar and a leading figure in the All India Kisan Sabha.
• Rahul Sankrityayan: Also known as Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan; he was a renowned writer, traveller and scholar who participated in social and peasant movements.
• Karyanand Sharma: Associated with organised peasant struggles in Bihar, including campaigns relating to agrarian rights.
• Yadunandan Sharma: Worked among peasants and became an important organiser in the Bihar Kisan Sabha movement.
• All India Kisan Sabha: Its establishment in 1936 marked an important step in the organisation of peasant movements at the national level.

Quick Revision: Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha → 1929 → Swami Sahajanand Saraswati → Sonepur fair; Karyanand Sharma, Rahul Sankrityayan and Yadunandan Sharma were also associated → all four options are correct personalities → Answer (E).

✔️ Final Answer: (E) None of the above/More than one of the above

📐 Longest Pole in a Rectangular Room

The longest straight pole that can be placed inside a rectangular room is equal to the space diagonal of the cuboid. It is calculated using the three-dimensional Pythagorean theorem.

Step-by-Step Solution

Given:

• Length (l) = 12 m
• Breadth (b) = 9 m
• Height (h) = 8 m

Formula:

Space diagonal of a cuboid:

\(d=\sqrt{l^2+b^2+h^2}\)

Putting the values:

\(d=\sqrt{12^2+9^2+8^2}\)

\(=\sqrt{144+81+64}\)

\(=\sqrt{289}\)

\(=\boxed{17\text{ m}}\)

Therefore, the maximum possible length of the pole is 17 meters.

📊 Important Formulas Related to a Cuboid

🧠 Exam-Oriented Concepts

• Diagonal of a rectangle: \(d=\sqrt{l^2+b^2}\).
• Space diagonal: It joins two opposite vertices of a cuboid through its interior.
• Longest straight object: In a rectangular room, the maximum straight length is its space diagonal, not the sum of its length, breadth and height.
• Perfect squares: Remember common squares such as \(12^2=144\), \(9^2=81\), \(8^2=64\) and \(17^2=289\).

Quick Revision: Longest pole in a cuboid = Space diagonal = \(\sqrt{l^2+b^2+h^2}\). For dimensions 12 m, 9 m and 8 m, the answer is 17 m.

✔️ Final Answer: (C) 17 meters

🚆 Train Crossing a Bridge

When a train completely crosses a bridge, it must cover a distance equal to the sum of the length of the train and the length of the bridge. The train is considered to have crossed the bridge only when its rear end also passes the far end of the bridge.

Step-by-Step Solution

Given:

• Length of train = 150 m
• Length of bridge = 250 m
• Speed of train = 144 km/hr

Step 1: Calculate the total distance.

Total distance = 150 + 250 = 400 m

Step 2: Convert speed from km/hr into m/s.

\(144\times\frac{5}{18}=40\text{ m/s}\)

Step 3: Apply the time formula.

\(\text{Time}=\frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Speed}}\)

\(=\frac{400}{40}=10\text{ seconds}\)

Therefore, the train will completely cross the bridge in 10 seconds.

📊 Important Train-Speed Formulas

⚡ Speed Conversion Shortcuts

• To convert km/hr into m/s, multiply by \(\frac{5}{18}\).
• To convert m/s into km/hr, multiply by \(\frac{18}{5}\).
• 144 km/hr = 40 m/s.
• 72 km/hr = 20 m/s.
• 36 km/hr = 10 m/s.

🧠 Important Exam Point

The direction of movement (north in this question) does not affect the crossing time. Only the total distance and the speed matter. Do not use only the bridge length (250 m), because the entire train must pass the bridge.

Quick Revision: Crossing time = (Train length + Bridge length) ÷ Speed in m/s = \(400÷40=\) 10 seconds.

✔️ Final Answer: (D) 10 seconds

🔢 Prime Numbers Between 1 and 50

A prime number is a natural number greater than 1 that has exactly two distinct positive factors: 1 and the number itself. Therefore, 1 is neither a prime number nor a composite number.

List of Prime Numbers

The prime numbers between 1 and 50 are:

2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47

Counting these numbers gives:

\(\boxed{15\text{ prime numbers}}\)

📊 Prime Numbers Grouped by Range

🧠 Important Facts About Prime Numbers

• Smallest prime number: 2.
• Only even prime number: 2. Every other even natural number greater than 2 is composite.
• Smallest composite number: 4.
• Number 1: It has only one positive factor, so it is neither prime nor composite.
• Co-prime numbers: Two numbers are co-prime if their HCF is 1; both numbers do not need to be prime. For example, 8 and 15.
• Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic: Every integer greater than 1 can be expressed uniquely as a product of prime numbers, apart from the order of the factors.

⚡ Quick Method: Checking Whether a Number Is Prime

To test whether a number is prime, it is sufficient to check divisibility by prime numbers not exceeding its square root. For example, to test 47, since \(\sqrt{47}\) is approximately 6.86, check divisibility by 2, 3 and 5. None divides 47 exactly; therefore, 47 is prime.

Quick Revision: Prime numbers from 1 to 50 = 4 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 15.

✔️ Final Answer: (B) 15

📘 Step-by-Step Mathematical Solution

Given:

\(x=-\dfrac{2}{3}\)

We have to find:

\(9x^2-3x-11\)

Solution:

Step 1: Substitute the value of x.

\(=9\times\left(-\dfrac{2}{3}\right)^2-3\times\left(-\dfrac{2}{3}\right)-11\)

Step 2: Apply the laws of signs and powers.

\(=9\times\dfrac{(-2)\times(-2)}{3\times3}+\dfrac{(-3)\times(-2)}{3}-11\)

\(=9\times\dfrac{4}{9}+\dfrac{6}{3}-11\)

Step 3: Cancel the common factors.

\(=\dfrac{9}{1}\times\dfrac{4}{9}+\dfrac{6}{3}-11\)

\(=4+2-11\)

Step 4: Simplify.

\(=6-11\)

\(=\boxed{-5}\)

Therefore, the required value is –5.

📌 Important Mathematical Rules

• Square of a negative fraction: \(\left(-\dfrac{a}{b}\right)^2=\dfrac{a^2}{b^2}\).
• Multiplication of signs: \((-)\times(-)=(+)\).
• Cancellation: Common factors in the numerator and denominator can be cancelled.
• Order of operations: Powers are evaluated before multiplication, division, addition and subtraction.

✔️ Final Answer: (C) –5

📊 Set Theory: Candidates Taking Both Subjects

This question is based on the inclusion-exclusion principle. Since every candidate took Hindi, History or both, the union of the two groups represents the entire population of candidates.

Step-by-Step Solution

Given:

• Total candidates = 3000
• Candidates taking Hindi = 66%
• Candidates taking History = 59%
• Every candidate took at least one of the two subjects.

Step 1: Apply the inclusion-exclusion formula.

\(n(H\cup R)=n(H)+n(R)-n(H\cap R)\)

Here, H represents Hindi and R represents History.

Since everyone took at least one subject, the percentage taking Hindi or History is 100%.

\(100=66+59-\text{Both}\)

\(\text{Both}=125-100=25\%\)

Step 2: Calculate 25% of the total candidates.

\(=\frac{25}{100}\times3000\)

\(=25\times30\)

\(=\boxed{750}\)

Therefore, 750 candidates took both Hindi and History.

📘 Alternative Method: Using Individual Groups

Number of candidates taking Hindi:

\(=\frac{66}{100}\times3000=1980\)

Number of candidates taking History:

\(=\frac{59}{100}\times3000=1770\)

Using the inclusion-exclusion principle:

Both = 1980 + 1770 − 3000

\(=\boxed{750}\)

📊 Distribution of Candidates

🧠 Important Formulas for Set Theory

• Two sets: \(n(A\cup B)=n(A)+n(B)-n(A\cap B)\).
• Only A: \(n(A)-n(A\cap B)\).
• Only B: \(n(B)-n(A\cap B)\).
• Neither A nor B: \(N-n(A\cup B)\).
• At least one: The number in \(A\cup B\).
• Both: The number in \(A\cap B\).

⚠️ Important Exam Point

When the question says that every candidate took at least one of the two subjects, the percentage taking either subject is 100%. The percentages 66% and 59% add up to 125%; the extra 25% represents candidates counted in both groups. This is why the intersection must be subtracted once.

Quick Revision: Both = Hindi % + History % − 100% = 66 + 59 − 100 = 25%; 25% of 3000 = 750 candidates.

✔️ Final Answer: (B) 750

📘 Simplification Using Square Roots

Given:

\(x=\sqrt{\dfrac{0.00001225}{0.00005329}}\)

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Remove the decimal places by multiplying both numerator and denominator by 100000000.

\(x=\sqrt{\dfrac{1225}{5329}}\)

Step 2: Express both numbers as perfect squares.

\(1225=35\times35=35^2\)

\(5329=73\times73=73^2\)

Therefore,

\(x=\sqrt{\dfrac{35^2}{73^2}}\)

Step 3: Apply the square-root property.

\(x=\dfrac{\sqrt{35^2}}{\sqrt{73^2}}\)

\(x=\dfrac{35}{73}\)

\(\boxed{x=\dfrac{35}{73}}\)

Hence, the required value of x is \(\dfrac{35}{73}\).

🧠 Important Mathematical Concepts

• Square-root property: \(\sqrt{\dfrac{a}{b}}=\dfrac{\sqrt a}{\sqrt b}\), for \(a\geq0\) and \(b>0\).
• Perfect squares: \(35^2=1225\) and \(73^2=5329\).
• Decimal conversion: Multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same non-zero number does not change the value of a fraction.
• Principal square root: The symbol \(\sqrt{\phantom{x}}\) represents the non-negative square root. Therefore, the answer is positive.

📊 Quick Revision Table

Quick Revision: Convert the decimal fraction into integers, identify perfect squares, and then take their square roots.

✔️ Final Answer: (A) \(\dfrac{35}{73}\)

📘 Algebraic Relations and Reciprocal Expressions

Given:

\(x+\dfrac{1}{y}=1\) … (i)

\(y+\dfrac{1}{z}=1\) … (ii)

We have to find:

\(z+\dfrac{1}{x}=?\)

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: From equation (i),

\(x+\dfrac{1}{y}=1\)

\(x=1-\dfrac{1}{y}\)

\(x=\dfrac{y-1}{y}\) … (iii)

Step 2: From equation (ii),

\(y+\dfrac{1}{z}=1\)

\(y=1-\dfrac{1}{z}\)

\(y=\dfrac{z-1}{z}\) … (iv)

Step 3: Substitute the value of y from equation (iv) into equation (iii).

\(x=\dfrac{\dfrac{z-1}{z}-1}{\dfrac{z-1}{z}}\)

\(x=\dfrac{\dfrac{z-1-z}{z}}{\dfrac{z-1}{z}}\)

\(x=\dfrac{-\dfrac{1}{z}}{\dfrac{z-1}{z}}\)

\(x=-\dfrac{1}{z-1}\)

\(x=\dfrac{1}{1-z}\)

Step 4: Take the reciprocal of x.

\(\dfrac{1}{x}=1-z\)

Step 5: Calculate the required expression.

\(z+\dfrac{1}{x}=z+(1-z)\)

\(=z+1-z\)

\(=\boxed{1}\)

Hence, the required value is 1.

🧠 Important Algebraic Concepts

• Reciprocal: The reciprocal of a non-zero number \(a\) is \(\dfrac{1}{a}\).
• Fraction subtraction: \(1-\dfrac{1}{y}=\dfrac{y-1}{y}\).
• Division of fractions: \(\dfrac{a}{b}\div\dfrac{c}{d}=\dfrac{a}{b}\times\dfrac{d}{c}\), provided the denominators and divisor are non-zero.
• Cancellation: The same non-zero factor in the numerator and denominator can be cancelled.
• Domain restriction: Since the original expression contains reciprocals, \(x\), \(y\) and \(z\) must be non-zero. The given relations also exclude \(z=1\).

📌 Alternative Short Method

From the given relations,

\(x=1-\dfrac{1}{y}\)

and

\(y=1-\dfrac{1}{z}\)

Substituting the second relation into the first gives:

\(x=\dfrac{1}{1-z}\)

Therefore,

\(z+\dfrac{1}{x}=z+(1-z)=1\)

✔️ Final Answer: (B) 1

📘 Average (Arithmetic Mean)

Given:

• Number of sisters = 4
• Average age of 4 sisters = 7 years
• Increase in average after including the mother = 6 years

We have to find: The age of the mother.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Calculate the total age of the four sisters.

Formula:

\(\text{Average}=\dfrac{\text{Sum of observations}}{\text{Number of observations}}\)

Therefore,

\(7=\dfrac{\text{Total age of 4 sisters}}{4}\)

\(\text{Total age of 4 sisters}=7\times4\)

\(=28\text{ years}\)

Step 2: Calculate the new average after including the mother.

Increase in average = 6 years.

\(\text{New average}=7+6=13\text{ years}\)

Step 3: Calculate the combined age of the four sisters and their mother.

Now, the total number of persons = 4 + 1 = 5.

\(\text{Combined age}=13\times5\)

\(=65\text{ years}\)

Step 4: Calculate the mother’s age.

\(\text{Mother’s age}=65-28\)

\(=\boxed{37\text{ years}}\)

Hence, the age of the mother is 37 years.

📊 Calculation Summary

🧠 Important Facts About Average

• Average: Average = Sum of all observations ÷ Number of observations.
• Total sum: Sum of observations = Average × Number of observations.
• Effect of adding a new observation: When a new value is added, the new total is calculated by multiplying the new average by the new number of observations.
• Age problems: In ordinary age-average questions, the total age changes according to the passage of time, while the difference in ages between two individuals remains constant.

Quick Revision: Four sisters’ total age = 28 years; new average = 13 years; total age of five persons = 65 years; mother’s age = 65 − 28 = 37 years.

✔️ Final Answer: (C) 37 years

📘 Laws of Exponents (Indices)

Given:

\(3^{x+8}=27^{2x+1}\)

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Express 27 as a power of 3.

\(27=3^3\)

Therefore,

\(3^{x+8}=(3^3)^{2x+1}\)

Step 2: Apply the power-of-a-power rule.

According to the law of exponents:

\((a^m)^n=a^{mn}\)

Therefore,

\(3^{x+8}=3^{3(2x+1)}\)

\(3^{x+8}=3^{6x+3}\)

Step 3: Equate the exponents.

Since the bases are equal and \(3\neq1\),

\(x+8=6x+3\)

\(8-3=6x-x\)

\(5=5x\)

Step 4: Calculate the value of x.

\(x=\dfrac{5}{5}\)

\(\boxed{x=1}\)

Hence, the required value of x is 1.

🧠 Important Laws of Exponents

📌 Important Powers for Competitive Exams

• \(2^3=8\)
• \(3^3=27\)
• \(4^3=64\)
• \(5^3=125\)
• \(10^3=1000\)

Quick Revision: Convert both sides to the same base, apply the exponent rules, equate the powers and solve the resulting linear equation.

✔️ Final Answer: (B) 1

📘 Summation Notation (Sigma Notation)

Given:

\(S=\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^{10}\left(2n+\dfrac{1}{2}\right)\)

The symbol \(\sum\) (capital Greek letter Sigma) represents the sum of a sequence of terms. Here, n starts from 1 and ends at 10.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Expand the summation.

\(S=\left(2\times1+\dfrac{1}{2}\right)+\left(2\times2+\dfrac{1}{2}\right)+\cdots+\left(2\times10+\dfrac{1}{2}\right)\)

Step 2: Separate the two parts of the summation.

\(S=2\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^{10}n+\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^{10}\dfrac{1}{2}\)

Step 3: Apply the sum of the first n natural numbers formula.

\(\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^{N}n=\dfrac{N(N+1)}{2}\)

For N = 10,

\(\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^{10}n=\dfrac{10(10+1)}{2}\)

\(=\dfrac{10\times11}{2}=55\)

Step 4: Calculate the sum of the constant terms.

Since \(\dfrac{1}{2}\) is repeated 10 times,

\(\displaystyle\sum_{n=1}^{10}\dfrac{1}{2}=10\times\dfrac{1}{2}=5\)

Step 5: Calculate the final value.

\(S=2\times55+5\)

\(=110+5\)

\(\boxed{S=115}\)

Hence, the required value of S is 115.

📊 Important Summation Formulas

🧠 Further Exam-Oriented Facts

• Sigma notation: It is a compact way of representing the sum of several terms.
• Lower limit: The number below \(\sum\) indicates the starting value of the index.
• Upper limit: The number above \(\sum\) indicates the final value of the index.
• Constant summation: A constant added n times is equal to n multiplied by that constant.
• Arithmetic progression: The sequence \(2,4,6,\ldots,20\) is an arithmetic progression with first term 2 and common difference 2.

Quick Revision: \(S=2(1+2+\cdots+10)+10\times\dfrac{1}{2}=2(55)+5=115\).

✔️ Final Answer: (D) 115