Q.(a) Examine the reasons and outcomes of the Salt Satyagraha. (4+4=8)
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Salt Laws Resistance — From Intuition to Precision
Imagine you are told that you cannot pick a handful of salt from your own kitchen without paying a tax to the government. Worse, the government has declared that only it can make salt, and if you try to make it yourself — even from seawater on your own coast — you are breaking the law. That is exactly what the British Salt Laws did in colonial India.
Salt is not a luxury. In a hot country like India, it is essential for survival — to replace what you lose through sweat, to preserve food, to cook. By taxing salt and banning its local production, the British government placed a burden on every single Indian, rich or poor. This was not just an economic tax; it was a daily reminder of subjugation.
The Intuition: Why Salt Became a Symbol
The Salt Laws were a perfect target for protest because they were universal and unjust. Every Indian felt them. The poor peasant could not afford the taxed salt; the coastal villager could not collect natural salt from the shore. By breaking these laws openly, a protestor could show that the law itself was immoral — not the people who disobeyed it.
Mahatma Gandhi chose salt because it was the one thing that connected every Indian, across caste, class, and region. If you could mobilise people around salt, you could mobilise the nation.
The Precise Statement
Salt Laws Resistance refers to the deliberate, non-violent violation of the British Salt Laws — specifically the ban on Indians manufacturing or possessing salt without paying a heavy tax — as a form of civil disobedience. The most famous instance was the Dandi March (March–April 1930), led by Gandhi, who walked 240 miles to the coast and made salt from seawater, openly breaking the law.
The key legal provisions were:
| Law | What it said |
|---|---|
| Salt Act of 1882 | Prohibited Indians from collecting or manufacturing salt; only government-licensed salt could be sold |
| Salt Tax | A heavy tax on every pound of salt, making it unaffordable for the poor |
| Monopoly | The British government held a complete monopoly on salt production and distribution |
The resistance was not about salt alone. It was a test of the legitimacy of British rule. If the law was unjust, Gandhi argued, it was a moral duty to break it — and to accept the punishment willingly. This was the core of satyagraha (truth-force).
What Actually Happened
On 12 March 1930, Gandhi and 78 followers set out from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi. They walked for 24 days, covering 240 miles. Thousands joined along the way. On 6 April 1930, Gandhi picked up a lump of natural salt from the beach — a symbolic act of defiance.
This triggered a nationwide wave of salt law violations. People made salt openly, sold it on streets, and courted arrest. Over 60,000 Indians were jailed in the following months. The British responded with brutal lathi charges (police beatings), but the movement did not stop. …
Part (b)Concept understanding — Colonial Rule
Colonial Rule: A First Look
Let's build this from the ground up — no prior knowledge needed.
The Intuition: What Does "Colonial" Mean?
Imagine a powerful country decides to take control of a distant land and its people. The powerful country (called the colonizer) doesn't just visit — it stays, makes rules, extracts resources, and changes how the local people live. That's the core of colonial rule.
Think of it like this:
- Your house = the colonized land (e.g., India, Nigeria, Indonesia)
- A stranger = the colonizer (e.g., Britain, France, Portugal)
- The stranger locks your doors, takes your food, tells you what to do, and sends the valuables home — all while claiming it's for your own good.
That's the intuitive picture: rule by an external power over a territory and its people, without their consent, for the colonizer's benefit.
The Precise Statement
Colonial rule is a system of political, economic, and cultural domination by one nation (the colonizer) over another territory and its people (the colonized), where the colonizer:
- Exercises sovereign authority (makes laws, controls administration)
- Exploits resources (land, minerals, labour, trade)
- Imposes its own institutions (language, education, religion, legal systems)
- Denies self-governance to the colonized population
Key Features (Exam-Ready)
| Feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| Political control | Colonizer appoints governors, passes laws, controls police/military |
| Economic exploitation | Raw materials flow to colonizer; manufactured goods sold back at high prices |
| Cultural imposition | Colonizer's language, education, religion replace local traditions |
| Racial hierarchy | Colonizers seen as "superior"; locals treated as subjects, not citizens |
| Permanent settlement | Colonizers often bring their own people to live in the colony |
Why Did Colonial Rule Happen?
Three main drivers (remember the 3 E's):
- Economic — Need for raw materials (cotton, rubber, tea, gold) and new markets
- Expansion — Competition between European powers for global dominance
- Ethnocentrism — Belief that colonizers were "civilizing" "backward" peoples (the "White Man's Burden")
A Concrete Example: British Rule in India (1858–1947)
- Political: British Parliament made laws for India; Viceroy ruled with absolute power
- Economic: India exported raw cotton to Britain, imported British cloth — destroying local textile industries
- Cultural: English became the language of education and administration; British legal system replaced local courts …
Part (a)
Reasons for the Salt Satyagraha:
- Congress had declared Purna Swaraj (complete independence) at Lahore in December 1929 and needed a concrete mass movement to pursue it.
- Gandhi's eleven demands (including abolition of the salt tax) were rejected by Viceroy Irwin.
- The salt tax was a universal, everyday grievance symbolising colonial exploitation; the Great Depression had worsened distress.
Outcomes of the Salt Satyagraha:
- The Dandi March (12 March–6 April 1930) broke the salt law and sparked nationwide civil disobedience.
- Mass arrests (about 60,000), large-scale women's participation, and boycotts of foreign cloth and liquor. …
Part (a): The Salt Satyagraha arose from the Purna Swaraj goal and the rejected eleven demands, attacking the universal salt tax; through the Dandi March it became an all-India non-violent mass movement that won global attention and led to the Gandhi–Irwin Pact.
Part (b): The Quit India Movement was caused by the failed Cripps Mission, wartime hardship and fear of Japanese invasion; from the 8 August 1942 "Do or Die" call it became a leaderless mass upsurge with parallel governments and underground activity, crushed by harsh repression.
Part (a) — Salt Satyagraha
Reasons (causes).
- The Purna Swaraj resolution. At its Lahore session (December 1929) the Congress declared complete independence as its goal and needed a mass campaign to advance it; 26 January 1930 was observed as Independence Day.
- Rejection of the eleven demands. In early 1930 Gandhi placed eleven demands before Viceroy Irwin, including the abolition of the salt tax; their rejection cleared the way for civil disobedience.
- The salt tax as a universal grievance. Salt was used by everyone but was a state monopoly and taxed, hitting the poor hardest — a perfect, relatable symbol of colonial exploitation, especially amid Depression-era distress.
Outcomes.
- The Dandi March. From 12 March to 6 April 1930, Gandhi marched about 240 miles to Dandi and made salt from the sea, breaking the law and igniting the Civil Disobedience Movement nationwide.
- Mass, all-India participation. People made salt, boycotted foreign cloth and liquor, and withheld taxes across regions (Tamil Nadu, Malabar, the North-West Frontier); women joined in large numbers and about 60,000 were arrested, including Gandhi. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 21 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set 61/2/11 markMCQQ.Who amongst the following was the head of the 'Advisory Committee' of the Constituent Assembly ? (A) B.R. Ambedkar (B) Jawaharlal Nehru (C) Sardar Patel (D) Rajendra Prasad
›Reveal solutionSolution
Sardar Patel headed the Advisory Committee of the Constituent Assembly, which dealt with fundamental rights, minorities, and tribal areas. The correct option is (C).
The Constituent Assembly of India, formed in 1946, was tasked with the monumental responsibility of drafting the Constitution for an independent India. To manage this complex and extensive work efficiently, the Assembly established numerous committees. These committees were broadly categorised into major committees and minor committees, each assigned specific areas of constitutional development.
The formation of these committees was a pragmatic approach to ensure that diverse perspectives were considered, expert opinions were integrated, and the drafting process was streamlined. Each committee had a specific mandate, and its chairman played a crucial role in guiding its deliberations and presenting its recommendations to the larger Assembly.
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Understanding the Advisory Committee: The Advisory Committee was one of the eight major committees of the Constituent Assembly. Its primary role was to report on fundamental rights, minorities, and tribal and excluded areas. These were critical aspects for a newly independent nation, ensuring justice, equality, and protection for all sections of society. The committee was further divided into sub-committees to delve deeper into these specific areas.
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Identifying the Chairman: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was appointed as the head of this crucial Advisory Committee. His leadership was instrumental in shaping the provisions related to fundamental rights and the rights of minorities, which are cornerstones of the Indian Constitution.
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Roles of Other Key Figures:
- (A) B.R. Ambedkar: He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, arguably the most important committee, responsible for preparing the draft Constitution. …
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- CBSE 2026Set 61/3/11 markMCQQ.Match Column A with Column B regarding important Committees of the Constituent Assembly and its Presidents and choose the correct option : Column A (Committee) | Column B (President) a. Rules of Procedures Committee | i. J.B. Kripalani b. Union Power Committee | ii. Vallabhbhai Patel c. Provincial Constitution Committee | iii. Jawaharlal Nehru d. Flag Committee | iv. Rajendra Prasad Options : (A) a-iv, b-iii, c-ii, d-i (B) a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv (C) a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii (D) a-iv, b-i, c-ii, d-iii
›Reveal solutionSolution
The Constituent Assembly formed several specialized committees to draft different aspects of the Constitution; matching them with their presidents requires knowing the key figures who chaired the Rules of Procedures, Union Powers, Provincial Constitution, and Flag Committees.
The Constituent Assembly, which convened in December 1946, was not a monolithic body that drafted the Constitution in plenary sessions alone. It recognized early on that the mammoth task of framing a constitution for a diverse, newly independent nation required division of labor. Consequently, the Assembly set up a series of committees, each tasked with examining a specific domain—ranging from fundamental rights to the distribution of powers between the Union and the provinces, from procedural rules to symbolic questions like the national flag. Each committee was headed by a prominent leader, and understanding who chaired which committee reveals the Assembly's internal organization and the trust placed in different leaders.
The Rules of Procedures Committee was responsible for laying down the procedural framework within which the Assembly would conduct its business—how debates would be organized, how votes would be taken, and so on. This committee was chaired by Rajendra Prasad, who was also the President of the Constituent Assembly itself. His dual role underscored his central position in guiding the Assembly's functioning.
The Union Powers Committee dealt with the critical question of what powers the Union (central) government would hold, especially in relation to the provinces. This was a politically sensitive task, requiring a leader with administrative experience and a firm grasp of federal structures. Jawaharlal Nehru, who would become India's first Prime Minister, chaired this committee, reflecting his vision for a strong, unified India.
The Provincial Constitution Committee focused on the constitutional arrangements for the provinces—their powers, their relationship with the Union, and their internal governance. This committee was headed by Vallabhbhai Patel, the "Iron Man of India," whose role in integrating the princely states and his deep understanding of India's federal complexities made him the natural choice. …
- CBSE 2026Set 61/3/11 markMCQQ.Fill in the blank with the appropriate word from the options given below : The Deccan Riots Commission produced a report that was presented to the _________ Parliament in 1878. (A) Spanish (B) Italian (C) French (D) British
›Reveal solutionSolution
The Deccan Riots Commission's report was presented to the British Parliament in 1878, reflecting the colonial administration's concern over agrarian unrest in the Bombay Presidency.
The Deccan Riots of 1875 were a watershed moment in the agrarian history of colonial India. Peasants in the Deccan region of the Bombay Presidency rose in revolt against moneylenders, attacking their homes and burning debt records. The violence was not random — it was a direct response to decades of exploitation under a revenue system that had pushed cultivators into chronic indebtedness.
The colonial government, alarmed by the scale and intensity of the uprising, appointed the Deccan Riots Commission to investigate the causes. The Commission conducted extensive inquiries, recording testimonies from peasants, moneylenders, and officials. What emerged was a damning picture: the Ryotwari system, which demanded cash revenue payments, had forced peasants to borrow at exorbitant rates. When harvests failed or prices fell, they were trapped in a cycle of debt. Moneylenders, often outsiders to the village economy, used legal mechanisms introduced by the British — courts, mortgage laws, land transfer rights — to seize peasant land. …
- CBSE 2025Set 61/1/11 markMCQQ.Which one of the following pair is correctly matched ? List-I (Name of Important Committees of Constituent Assembly) - List-II (Name of President) (A) Flag Committee - H.C. Mookerjee (B) Union Power Committee - Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (C) Rules of Procedure Committee - S. Varadachariar (D) States Committee - J.B. Kripalani
›Reveal solutionSolution
The question asks which committee-president pair from the Constituent Assembly is correctly matched. The correct pair is Union Power Committee – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, making option (B) the answer.
The Constituent Assembly of India, which drafted the Constitution between 1946 and 1949, set up several committees to handle specific tasks. Each committee had a chairman (often called its President). This question tests your recall of who chaired which committee — a common topic in Indian polity exams.
Let’s go through each option one by one.
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Option (A): Flag Committee – H.C. Mookerjee
The Flag Committee was indeed formed to design the national flag. Its chairman was Dr. Rajendra Prasad, not H.C. Mookerjee. H.C. Mookerjee chaired the Minorities Sub-Committee. So this pair is incorrect.
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Option (B): Union Power Committee – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
The Union Power Committee dealt with the distribution of powers between the Union and the states. Its chairman was Jawaharlal Nehru, who was also the Prime Minister at the time. This is a well-known fact. This pair is correct.
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Option (C): Rules of Procedure Committee – S. Varadachariar
The Rules of Procedure Committee was chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who was the permanent Chairman of the Constituent Assembly. S. Varadachariar was a member of the Assembly but not the chairman of this committee. So this is incorrect. …
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- CBSE 2025Set 61/1/11 markMCQQ.Identify the member of the Constituent Assembly with the help of the following information : - He was the President of the Constituent Assembly. - He was the first President of the Independent India. (A) Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (B) Zakir Hussain (C) V.V. Giri (D) Rajendra Prasad
›Reveal solutionSolution
The individual who served as both the President of the Constituent Assembly and the first President of independent India was Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
The question asks us to identify a prominent figure in Indian history based on two key roles: President of the Constituent Assembly and the first President of independent India. Understanding these roles and the individuals who held them is fundamental to Indian polity and history. The Constituent Assembly was responsible for drafting the Constitution, a foundational task, while the President of India is the head of state, representing the nation. Identifying the person who held both these pivotal positions requires recalling specific historical facts about India's transition to independence and its early republican years.
Here is a step-by-step analysis:
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Analyzing the first clue: "He was the President of the Constituent Assembly."
The Constituent Assembly of India was formed in 1946 to draft the Constitution of India. Its first meeting was held on December 9, 1946, with Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha as the temporary President. However, on December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly. He presided over its proceedings until the Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and continued until the Assembly ceased to exist in 1950.
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Analyzing the second clue: "He was the first President of the Independent India."
After the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first President of the Republic of India. He served two full terms, from 1950 to 1962, making him the longest-serving President of India.
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Combining the information:
Both clues consistently point to the same individual: Dr. Rajendra Prasad. He held the crucial position of President of the body that drafted India's Constitution and then went on to become the first head of state of the newly independent nation.
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Evaluating the given options: …
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- CBSE 2025Set 61/2/11 markMCQQ.Fill in the blank with the suitable option given below : The Revolt of 1857 marked the end of the ______ dynasty in India. (A) Maratha (B) Rajput (C) Scindhia (D) Mughal
›Reveal solutionSolution
The Revolt of 1857 directly led to the British Crown taking over India from the East India Company, and it also marked the final end of the Mughal dynasty, which had been a symbolic authority in Delhi. The correct answer is (D) Mughal.
The question asks which dynasty ended with the Revolt of 1857. This is not about a random political change — it’s about the last major traditional power centre that the British formally abolished after the revolt.
The Mughal Empire had been in decline for over a century. By 1857, the Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was a figurehead living in Delhi, with no real military or administrative power. The British had allowed the Mughal dynasty to continue as a ceremonial presence, but the revolt changed that.
When the sepoys of Meerut marched to Delhi in May 1857, they declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as the symbolic leader of the rebellion. This was a direct challenge to British authority. After the British recaptured Delhi in September 1857, they put the emperor on trial for treason. He was exiled to Rangoon (now Yangon, Myanmar), where he died in 1862. The British then formally abolished the Mughal dynasty.
Let’s look at the other options to see why they are wrong:
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Maratha dynasty: The Maratha Empire had already ended in 1818 with the defeat of the Peshwa in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. The Maratha princely states (like Satara, Kolhapur, etc.) continued under British suzerainty, but the imperial Maratha line was gone long before 1857.
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Rajput dynasty: Rajput rulers were not a single dynasty. Many Rajput princely states (like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur) remained loyal to the British during the revolt and continued to exist as princely states until 1947. No Rajput dynasty ended in 1857. …
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- CBSE 2025Set 61/2/11 markMCQQ.How was the Constituent Assembly influenced by public opinion ? Choose the correct option. I. People aired their views outside the Parliament House. II. People gave their reactions through the press. III. The members of Constituent Assembly used to discuss with the public. IV. Public expressed their views in the Constituent Assembly. Options : (A) I, III & IV (B) II, III & IV (C) I, IV & II (D) I, II & III
›Reveal solutionSolution
The Constituent Assembly was influenced by public opinion through demonstrations outside Parliament, press reactions, and members' discussions with citizens — statements I, II, and III are correct. The answer is (D).
The Constituent Assembly that drafted India's Constitution (1946–1950) was not a closed chamber divorced from the people. Though its members were indirectly elected, the framers were acutely aware that they were writing a charter for a newly independent nation, and they actively sought and responded to public sentiment through multiple channels.
Understanding how this influence worked requires recognizing the difference between formal participation (the public directly addressing the Assembly) and informal channels (demonstrations, media, and dialogue). The Assembly had no provision for ordinary citizens to speak on its floor, but it was deeply permeable to public pressure through other means.
Let's examine each statement:
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Statement I: People aired their views outside the Parliament House
This is correct. Public demonstrations, protests, and gatherings outside the Assembly were common. Citizens and groups would organize to express support or opposition to specific provisions — for instance, debates over language policy, reservations, and minority rights saw significant public mobilization. The Assembly members were aware of and influenced by these visible expressions of popular will.
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Statement II: People gave their reactions through the press
This is correct. The Indian press in the late 1940s was vibrant and politically engaged. Newspapers published editorials, letters, and reports on the Assembly's proceedings. Members read these reactions, and the press served as a critical feedback mechanism. Dr. Ambedkar and other leaders often referenced public discourse in newspapers during debates, showing that media opinion shaped deliberations.
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Statement III: The members of Constituent Assembly used to discuss with the public …
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- CBSE 2025Set 61/2/11 markMCQQ.Identify the person from the given information : 1. He was the head of Advisory Committee of the Constituent Assembly. 2. He was against the separate electorate. 3. He was the first home minister of free India. Options : (A) Gobind Ballabh Pant (B) R.V. Dhulekar (C) Vallabhbhai Patel (D) Pandit Nehru
›Reveal solutionSolution
The person who headed the Constituent Assembly's Advisory Committee, opposed separate electorates, and became India's first Home Minister was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The correct option is (C).
The Concept: Connecting the Clues
This question tests your knowledge of the key figures in India's Constituent Assembly and the early years of independence. Each clue points to a specific role that only one person held simultaneously. The trick is to not just recognise one fact, but to see how all three overlap.
Let's break down why each clue points to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
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Head of the Advisory Committee of the Constituent Assembly.
The Constituent Assembly set up several committees to draft different parts of the Constitution. The Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities, and Tribal and Excluded Areas was one of the most important. It was chaired by Vallabhbhai Patel. This committee dealt with the contentious issue of minority rights and safeguards.
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Against the separate electorate.
A "separate electorate" means that only members of a particular community (e.g., Muslims or Sikhs) can vote for candidates from that same community. This system was introduced by the British to divide Indians. Patel was a staunch nationalist who believed in a unified Indian identity. He argued forcefully in the Constituent Assembly against separate electorates for any community, including Muslims and Sikhs, seeing it as a threat to national unity. He successfully pushed for a system of joint electorates with reserved seats instead.
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First Home Minister of free India.
When India became independent in 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru became the Prime Minister. Vallabhbhai Patel was appointed as the first Deputy Prime Minister and also the first Minister of Home Affairs (Home Minister). In this role, he was responsible for the integration of the princely states into the Indian Union and for maintaining internal security.
Watch outA common mistake is to confuse the "Advisory Committee" with the "Drafting Committee." The Drafting Committee was chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The Advisory Committee was a different, equally crucial body chaired by Patel. Also, while Nehru was the first PM, he was not the first Home Minister.
Step-by-Step Reasoning …
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- CBSE 2025Set 61/4/11 markMCQQ.Which of the following pairs of Committees and their Presidents is correct regarding the Constituent Assembly ? (Committees) / (Presidents) (A) Advisory Committee - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (B) Flag Committee - N.G. Ranga (C) Steering Committee - J.B. Kripalani (D) Supreme Court Committee - Jawaharlal Nehru
›Reveal solutionSolution
The correct pair is (A) Advisory Committee – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The other options have incorrect presidents: Flag Committee was chaired by J.B. Kripalani, Steering Committee by K.M. Munshi, and there was no separate Supreme Court Committee in the Constituent Assembly.
The Constituent Assembly of India (1946–1950) set up numerous committees to draft the Constitution efficiently. Each committee had a specific mandate, and its president (or chairman) was usually a prominent leader. This question tests your recall of these assignments — a common exam topic in Indian Polity.
Let’s examine each option carefully.
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Option (A): Advisory Committee – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
The Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities, and Tribal and Excluded Areas was indeed chaired by Sardar Patel. This committee dealt with the most contentious issues — minority rights, safeguards for backward classes, and the shape of fundamental rights. Patel’s leadership was crucial in forging consensus. This pair is correct.
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Option (B): Flag Committee – N.G. Ranga
The Flag Committee was actually chaired by J.B. Kripalani, not N.G. Ranga. Kripalani presented the design of the national flag (the tricolour with Ashoka Chakra) to the Assembly on 22 July 1947. N.G. Ranga was a prominent peasant leader but did not chair this committee. So this is incorrect.
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Option (C): Steering Committee – J.B. Kripalani
The Steering Committee of the Constituent Assembly was chaired by K.M. Munshi, not J.B. Kripalani. Kripalani was the president of the Flag Committee and also served as the Interim President of the Congress, but the Steering Committee’s work — coordinating the Assembly’s business — was handled by Munshi. Hence, incorrect.
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Option (D): Supreme Court Committee – Jawaharlal Nehru …
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- CBSE 2025Set 61/4/11 markMCQQ.Who amongst the following women was a member of the Constituent Assembly from Bombay ? (A) Kamala Nehru (B) Hansa Mehta (C) Purnima Banerji (D) Vijayalakshmi Pandit
›Reveal solutionSolution
Hansa Mehta was the woman member of the Constituent Assembly from Bombay.
The Constituent Assembly of India, which drafted our Constitution between 1946 and 1949, had fifteen remarkable women among its members. These women came from different regions and backgrounds, and each brought a distinct voice to the debates. Among them, the representative from Bombay was Hansa Mehta.
Hansa Mehta was not just a member of the Constituent Assembly; she was a prominent social reformer, educator, and a fierce advocate for women's rights. She had already made her mark as a leader in the freedom struggle and as a member of the Bombay Legislative Council. In the Constituent Assembly, she played a crucial role in shaping the language of fundamental rights, particularly in ensuring that the guarantee of equality applied to both men and women. It was largely due to her insistence that the phrase "all persons" replaced "all men" in the draft articles on equality.
NoteHansa Mehta also represented India at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and was instrumental in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. …
- CBSE 2024Set 61/1/11 markMCQQ.Fill in the blank with the appropriate word from the given options: The legislature elected under the Government of India Act, 1935 operated within the framework of _________. (A) Indian National Congress (B) Muslim League (C) Colonial Rule (D) Constituent Assembly
›Reveal solutionSolution
The Government of India Act, 1935 was a British colonial law, so the legislature it created operated under Colonial Rule — not under any Indian political party or assembly. The correct answer is (C).
The question asks about the framework within which the legislature elected under the Government of India Act, 1935 functioned. The key is to understand what that Act was: a law passed by the British Parliament to govern India. It was not a product of Indian political parties or a constituent assembly. The legislature it created — provincial assemblies and a federal structure — was designed to operate under the ultimate authority of the British Crown and Parliament. That is the definition of colonial rule.
Let’s examine each option:
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Option (A): Indian National Congress — The Congress was a political party that participated in the elections under the 1935 Act and formed governments in several provinces. But the framework itself was not the Congress; the Congress operated within the framework of the Act. So this is incorrect.
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Option (B): Muslim League — Same logic as above. The League was another party that contested elections and later demanded Pakistan. It did not create or define the constitutional framework. …
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- CBSE 2024Set 61/2/11 markMCQQ.Who among the following belonged to the group of 'Moderates' of the Indian National Congress ? (A) Bal Gangadhar Tilak (B) Lala Lajpat Rai (C) Bipin Chandra Pal (D) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
›Reveal solutionSolution
Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a prominent leader of the 'Moderates' faction within the Indian National Congress, advocating for constitutional methods and gradual reforms, while the other options represent the 'Extremist' faction. The correct option is (D).
The Indian National Congress, in its early decades, saw the emergence of two distinct ideological groups: the Moderates and the Extremists. Understanding their core philosophies, methods, and key leaders is crucial for comprehending the evolution of India's freedom struggle. This division wasn't just about personalities; it reflected fundamental differences in how they viewed British rule, the pace of reform, and the strategies to achieve self-governance.
The Moderates, active roughly from 1885 to 1905, believed in the benevolence of British rule and sought reforms through constitutional means. They aimed for self-government within the British Empire, advocating for greater Indian representation in legislative councils, administrative reforms, and economic relief. Their methods included petitions, prayers, protests, and sending delegations to Britain. They believed in gradual progress and reasoned persuasion.
In contrast, the Extremists, who gained prominence after 1905, grew disillusioned with the slow pace of reforms and the perceived ineffectiveness of Moderate methods. They believed that Swaraj (self-rule) was a birthright and advocated for more assertive methods like Swadeshi (boycott of foreign goods), boycott of British institutions, national education, and passive resistance. They had less faith in British justice and aimed for complete self-rule, though the exact definition of 'Swaraj' varied among them.
- Analyze the options based on their political ideology:
- (A) Bal Gangadhar Tilak: He was a towering figure among the Extremists. Known for his slogan "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!", Tilak advocated for direct action and mass mobilization. He was a key member of the 'Lal-Bal-Pal' trio.
- (B) Lala Lajpat Rai: Often called the "Lion of Punjab," Lala Lajpat Rai was another prominent Extremist leader. He championed the Swadeshi movement and was a strong proponent of self-reliance and assertive nationalism. He was also part of the 'Lal-Bal-Pal' trio.
- (C) Bipin Chandra Pal: A fiery orator and journalist from Bengal, Bipin Chandra Pal completed the 'Lal-Bal-Pal' trio of Extremist leaders. He advocated for Swadeshi, boycott, and national education as tools to achieve Swaraj. …
- Analyze the options based on their political ideology:
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