UPSC Prelims 2021 - General Studies (Paper I)

Explanation

Bhavabhuti was a famous Indian dramatist, poet and scholar during 8th century. He wrote Mahaviracharita (depicting the early life of Rama), Malatimadhava (the romance of Malati and Madhava) and Uttararamacharita (depicts Rama’s coronation, the abandonment of Sita and their reunion). Hastimalla was a Jain poet in the court of the Solanki rulers, and the author of Purvapurana. Kshemeshwara was the court poet of Mahipala of Kannauj, and the author of Dasavatar Charita.

Explanation

In 1918, Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State and Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy, introduced constitutional reforms, known as the Montagu-Chelmsford (or Mont- Ford) Reforms, or the Government of India Act of 1919. The Act introduced reforms at the Central as well as Provincial levels. Key provision: (1) Provincial Government-Introduction of Dyarchy: (a) Executive: Dyarchy, i.e., the rule of two executive councillors and popular ministers was introduced. The governor was to be the executive head of the province. t Subjects were divided into two lists: “reserved” which included subjects such as law and order, finance, land revenue, irrigation, etc. and “transferred” subjects such as education, health, local government, industry, agriculture, excise, etc. t The “reserved” subjects were to be administered by the governor through his executive council of bureaucrats and the “transferred” subjects were to be administered by ministers nominated from among the elected members of the legislative council. (b) Legislature: The Provincial Legislative Councils were further expanded and 70% of the members were to be elected. t The system of communal and class electorates was further consolidated. t Women were also given the right to vote. t The Governor could veto bills and issue ordinances. (2) Central Government- Still Without Responsible Government: (a) Executive: The Governor-General was to be the chief executive authority. t In the Viceroy’s Executive Council of 8, three were to be Indians. t The Governor-General could restore cuts in grants, certify bills rejected by the Central Legislature, summon, prorogue, dissolve the Chambers and issue ordinances. (b) Legislature: A bicameral arrangement was introduced. The Council of State had a tenure of 5 years while the Central Legislative Assembly had a tenure of 3 years. The Secretary of State would control affairs relating to the Government of India. The Government of India Act, 1935 extended the principle of communal representation by providing separate electorates for depressed classes (scheduled castes), women and workers. Key provision: The establishment of an All India federation consisting of provinces and princely states as units. (1) Division of powers in terms of three lists Federal list, provincial list and the concurrent list but the Residuary powers were given to the Viceroy. (2) It abolished dyarchy in the provinces and introduced ‘provincial autonomy’. (3) It provided for the adoption of dyarchy at the centre.

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement at the Mumbai session of the All-India Congress Committee on 8th August, 1942. Gandhiji gave the call “Do or Die” at the Gowalia Tank Maidan, now August Kranti Maidan. The immediate cause for the movement was the collapse of Cripps Mission. Quit India movement: After the failure of the Cripps Mission, Gandhiji gave the call “Do or Die”’ in his speech delivered at the Gowalia Tank Maidan. The Quit India resolution stated the provisions of the movement as: z z An immediate end to British rule over India. z z Declaration of the commitment of free India to defend itself against all kinds of imperialism and fascism. z z Formation of a provisional government of India after British withdrawal. z z Sanctioning a Civil Disobedience Movement against the British rule.

Explanation

(Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi) Mahatma Gandhi is associated with “Songs from Prison”, a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English.

Explanation

The Mughals in India had an elaborate administrative setup. The emperor was the head of the central administration, aided by different officials like Mir Bakshi, Diwan etc. The empire was divided into provinces called subas, each being looked after by a military officer called the Chief Shiqdar. Each suba was divided into sarkar. Each Sarkar was divided into smaller units called Parganas. The correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size is Paragana-Sarkar-Suba.