UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : History, Culture and Social Issues MCQs on Cripps Mission, Panchamasali Lingayats (Week 72)

1. It offered post-war dominion status but with conditions that included the possibility of provinces seceding from a future Indian union.

2. B.R. Ambedkar quipped this mission as a ‘post dated cheque on a bank largely failing’.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— In 1942, the Cripps Mission was dispatched to India, pledging post-war self-determination (dominion status) but with the potential of provinces seceding from a future Indian union, indirectly acknowledging the Muslim League’s desire for Pakistan. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Congress rejected the offer, resulting in a complete collapse in relations between British and Indian leaders. As the war progressed, Japan’s victories in Southeast Asia weakened British reputation even further.

— The Cripps Mission’s only goal was to persuade India to back the British war effort by providing resources, specifically men. It guaranteed India a Dominion status following the war, but it was ambiguous and had no set duration. When the Mission declared that the British would have total control over Indian affairs in the interim, Indian leaders felt duped.

— In early 1942, the Mission led by Sir Stafford Cripps offered what Gandhi described as a ‘post-dated cheque on a bank mainly collapsing’. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

Huiyen Lallong, is an ancient martial art form deeply rooted in the vibrant culture of:

(a) Tripura

(b) Sikkim

(c) Manipur

(d) Kerala

Explanation

— Manu Bhaker achieved history by capturing two medals in a single Olympics edition.

— Bhaker’s remarkable shooting performance comes from a variety of sources. Her practice of Huiyen Lallong, an ancient martial art from Manipur, India, plays an important role.

— This atypical pursuit improves her attention and compliments her shooting abilities. Beyond the range, Bhaker stays fit with equestrianism and regular yoga practice, exhibiting a comprehensive commitment to her physical growth.

— Huiyen Lallong, or Huyen Langlon, is an ancient martial art form deeply rooted in the vibrant culture of Manipur, a state in northeastern India. With a history dating back centuries, it’s not merely a fighting style but a way of life, embodying the region’s warrior spirit and cultural values.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Consider the following provinces:

1. Madras

2. Orissa

3. Sindh

4. Punjab

5. Central provinces

Which of the above provinces have seen Congress’s absolute majority in the 1937 provincial elections?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

(c) 1, 2 and 5 only

(d) 3, 4 and 5 only

Explanation

— Congress performed well in the 1937 provincial elections, which were conducted under the authority of the Government of India Act of 1935.

— It won 711 of 1,585 provincial assembly seats, including outright majorities in five of the 11 provinces (Madras, Bihar, Orissa, Central Provinces, and United Provinces) and a near-majority in Bombay (86 out of 175). Congress ministries were established in each of these provinces. Some time later, the Congress established governments in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Assam.

— Non-Congress governments were created in the remaining three provinces: Sindh, Punjab, and Bengal.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

With reference to the Panchamasali Lingayats, consider the following statements:

1. They are the followers of Basavanna, a 12th century philosopher-saint.

2. The Panchamasali Lingayats constitute the largest population among other Lingayat populations.

3. This community is based in Odisha.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Panchamasali Lingayats, a sub-caste of Karnataka’s major Lingayat clan, have been requesting inclusion in Category 2A of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) for over three years. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— This will allow them to take advantage of the 15% quota in government jobs and college admissions reserved for this group, as opposed to the 5% quota that the Lingayat community now has under group 3B of Karnataka’s OBC quota matrix.

— The Lingayats (officially known as the Hindu sub-caste ‘Veerashaiva Lingayats’) are followers of Basavanna, a 12th-century philosopher-saint who founded a radical anti-caste movement that rejected orthodox ritualistic Hindu practices in favour of a more personal, affective relationship with God, specifically Lord Shiva. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The agriculturalist Panchamasalis are the largest sub-caste, comprising about 70% of the Lingayat population. They claim to number around 85 lakh, accounting for about 14% of Karnataka’s population of approximately six crore. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

Who is the author of “The Great Divide: Britain, India, Pakistan”?

(a) Viceroy Wavell

(b) James Mill

(c) David Gilmour

(d) Henry Vincent Hodson

Explanation

— The Muslim League and the Indian National Congress’s relationship was irreparably damaged by August 1946. Muhammad Ali Jinnah had called for “direct action” on August 16 following the rejection of the Cabinet Mission Plan of May 1946, which had suggested a loose federal framework for post-colonial India.

— According to H V Hodson, who was Viceroy Wavell’s adviser at the time, “on that day, meetings would be held all over the country to explain the League’s resolution [for a separate Muslim state]” (1969). With one major and sad exception, he said, “These meetings and processions passed off… without more than commonplace and limited disturbances.”

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 72)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 71)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 71)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 71)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 71)

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