Daily Answer Writing Program MTS-01: 24th May, 2021 Syllabus- GS Paper I- History- History (Art & Culture, Ancient, Medieval, Modern & World) & Current Affairs

Q1. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was known as the true mass leader who took Indian freedom struggle to masses before Gandhi. Explain. (150 words, 10 marks)

Introduction Bal Gangadhar Tilak has been conferred the title "Lokmanya" meant "Accepted by the people", is testimony of his influence in the context of Indian freedom struggle. Before Gandhi, Tilak was one of the biggest transitional leaders of , who should be credited for the shift from the phase of "political mendicancy" of the moderates to a phase of mass struggle.

Body: Tilak as true mass leader who took Indian freedom struggle to masses: 1. Stress on Mass Mobilization: Tilak through cultural nationalism drew attention from India's past. He revived Ganesh and Shivaji festival to arouse the masses, to have a wider social base by including people of all sections of the society including the middle class, the workers and the fanners. 2. Swadeshi strategy - Tilak wholeheartedly supported Boycott and swadeshi movement. Though movement started in Bengal against Partition of Bengal, Tilak spread the message of swadeshi to Poona and Bombay, thus expanding the mass base 3. Understanding of Identity of Nation: Tilak took the broader view of serving humanity along with his demand of Swaraj. He tried to burst the myth of western superiority by painting India's past in brighter colours than the British ideologues had. 4. Use of Press - Tilak's emotional writings though his radical newspapers Kesari and Mahratta brought nationalism closer to masses. His articles inspired common masses, evident from the Chapekar brothers act, which was inspired by Tilak's writings and they carried out assassination of Commissioner Rand. 5. System of Government: Tilak envisioned a Maratha type federal government for Independent India, where every religion and race were an equal partner. He added that only such a form of government would be able to safeguard India's freedom. 6. The concept of Swaraj: Tilak gave the slogan, "Swaraj is my Birthright and I will have it". During the early part of the 20th century, though Swaraj was mentioned in silos by some leaders, the true meaning of Swaraj was not clear. It was Lokmanya Tilak who defined Swaraj as "Self-Rule". He wished to end the British rule in true sense. 7. The Home Rule League: Tilak was instrumental in the formation of the Home Rule League and resumed its leadership. His league was focused on Swarajya, education in vernacular medium, formation of linguistic states, to attract the politically marginalized sections and to promote political education and discussion. The idea was Home Rule Movement was instrumental for a smooth transition of the freedom movement into the Gandhian phase.

Conclusion However, though Gandhiji is generally regarded as a mass leader, Tilak was amongst the earliest to understand the strength of mass support. Tilak's legacy was carried over by Gandhiji through his innovative method of satyagraha, which culminated to attaining freedom from exploitative British rule.

Q2. Initially, Indo- Islamic style architecture marked its differences from existing Indian style architecture but later its assimilated features of Indian style architecture. Examine (150 words, 10 marks)

Introduction The Indo-Islamic architecture is the assimilation of Indian and Islamic style of architecture which is also referred to as Indo-Saracenic style. This resulted due to invasion of Muslim rulers in India from saracenic region & in Islam it is forbidden to replicate living forms on any surface so, their architecture focused on arabesque, calligraphy and geometrical patterns on plaster and stone. Some examples are mosques for daily prayers, Jama Masjids, dargahs, tombs, etc

Body Differences with existing Indian architecture: 1. Indian style used columns and beams in their buildings while Indo-Islamic architecture involved arches, domes and minarets e.g. dome and minarets in Red Fort. Arches were used for doors and windows while domes were used in ceilings. 2. Indian style of architecture is referred to as trabeate style which means having horizontal beams and lintels leading to flat roof whereas Islamic style incorporated arcuate style which was hemisphere like structure on top. 3. Walls of Indo-Islamic architecture only had floral designs, calligraphy etc. due to religion while Indian style had human images, images of gods and goddesses etc.

Similarities in the architecture: 1. Indo-Islamic architecture had similarities with Indian style as they had more local influence than other styles • Ex: Toranas (gateways) from local temple traditions, carvings of bell and chain motifs, lintels in mehrabs, and carved panels depicting trees. 2. The reasons for such similarities were: • Material used in the earlier architecture was remnants of the broken architecture employed for construction e.g. the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque in Qutub Complex was made out of remnants of Jain temples. • The labours employed for construction were local masons who were trained for Indian techniques which led to Indian assimilation.

Examples: - Earlier corbelled arch was used in architecture which later developed as true arch. - Concept of laying alternate layers of bricks was obtained from Islamic style. - White marble was first used in Qutub Minar which was used fully in Taj Mahal. - Earlier single domes were used in construction which later on converted to double domes e.g. tomb of Sikandar Lodhi.

Conclusion Indo-Islamic architecture has left a large impact on modern architecture of Indian subcontinent which could still be seen in Muslim architecture being built here. These monuments have created a heritage which is now utilized as mode to promote tourism in India.

Q3. It is said that the Battle of Plassey laid the political foundation stone for the British Empire in India and What were the administrative changes introduced by British after the battle. Discuss (250 words, 15 marks)

Introduction The Battle of Plassey was fought between the British East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal and his close allies, the French troops. The battle was won on June 23, 1757, leading to the consolidation of the British in Bengal and later expanding other territories of India.

Body: Background of Battle of Plassey 1. According to some historians, it was more of skirmishes than a battle & was fought on the banks of the Bhagirathi River near Calcutta and Murshidabad which was the then capital city of Bengal. 2. When Alvardi Khan who was the Nawab of Bengal died in April 1756, his son Siraj-Ud-daula succeeded him. 3. The young Nawab immediately laid siege to Calcutta, capturing it and imprisoning several British officials in June 1756. 4. Robert Clive concluded that the only way to secure the interest of the Company was to replace Siraj with a friendly Nawab. General Mir Jafar was found as a possible replacement.

Significance of battle of Plassey 1. The beginnings of British political sway over India may be traced back to the battle of Plassey in 1757, when the English East India Company’s forces defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. 2. The Company was granted undisputed right to free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. 3. It also received the Zamindari of the 24 Parganas near Calcutta. 4. The new Nawab, Mir Jaffar, was dependent on the British for the maintenance of his position in Bengal. An English army of 6000 troops was maintained in Bengal. 5. The wealth paid to British immediately after Plassey was a sum of £800,000. 6. Mir Jaffar regretted the deal that he struck with British later when he was reduced to a puppet leader only. 7. Prior to 1757 the English trade in Bengal was largely financed through import of bullion from England; but after that year not only bullion import stopped, but bullion was exported from Bengal to China and other parts of India, which gave a competitive advantage to the English Company over its European rivals

Change in the character of the company’s administration: 1. The battle of Plassey was of immense historical importance. It paved way for British mastery of Bengal and eventually the whole of India. 2. It boosted British prestige and at a single stroke raised them to the status of major contender for the Indian Empire. Before the battle, it was only just another European company trading in Bengal. But after Plassey they monopolized trade of Bengal. 3. Plassey had brought about a gradual transformation in the character of the Company. In the context of the then politics, military control was synonymous with political body. Thus, the Company played a role of commercial-cum-military-cum- political body. 4. The rich revenues of Bengal enabled them to organize a strong army and meet the cost of conquest of the rest of the country. 5. Control over Bengal played a decisive role in the Anglo-French struggle where British were finally victorious. 6. The victory of Plassey enabled the Company with its servants to amass untold wealth at the cost of helpless people of Bengal. 7. The conflict at Plassey was also crucial for the East India company’s triumph over its French rivals.

Conclusion Events that occurred after the victory at the Battle of Plassey had changed the British East India Company from a trading company to a central power. Thus, the Battle of Plassey marked the beginning of political supremacy of the English East India Company in India.

Q4. "The of 1859-60 made a significant impact as one of the national liberation movement due to spontaneous peasant resistance and powerful support by intelligentsia". Discuss. (250 words, 15 marks)

Introduction Forceful planting of indigo on farmer's prime land, unfavourable terms and exploitation led to series of peasant uprisings in Bengal from 1839 to 1860 against British planters of the indigo crop. Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 holds a very significant place in our history as it has not only the component of earlier spontaneous peasant resistance but it also included constitutional methods and powerful support by intelligentsia.

Body: The major causes for the indigo revolt of 1859-60 included: 1. The European planters induced Bengali peasants to reserve a part of their land to grow indigo by making small payments as an advance to be adjusted against final payment at the time of delivery. 2. When taking produce to the planter's factory, people were cheated by dealers who used distorted scales. The value of the produce was calculated at rates far below market price. 3. For all practical purposes a debt bondage developed in the planter dominated areas, being handed down from father to son. 4. The planters intimidated the peasants through kidnappings, illegal confinements, flogging, attacks on women etc.

Spontaneous peasant reaction: 1. All this resulted in spontaneous peasant reaction in 1859-60 when led by Digambar Biswas and Bishnu Biswas of . 2. Initially, the peasants tried to get redressal through peaceful means. They sent numerous petitions to the authorities and organized peaceful demonstrations. Their anger exploded in September 1859 when they asserted their right not to grow indigo under duress and resisted the physical pressure of the planters and their lathiyals backed by the police and the courts. 3. Methods like social boycott of the agents of planters were carried out for the first time. 4. The peasants refused to take advances and enter into contracts, pledged not to sow indigo. 5. Peasants organized a counter force against the planters' attacks and physically resisted them. 6. When planters also tried methods like evictions and enhanced rents the ryots replied by going on a rent strike by refusing to pay the enhanced rents and by physically resisting the attempts to evict them.

But it was not only the spontaneity of peasant reaction but also the powerful support by intelligentsia that they got and use of constitutional methods, that sets Indigo rebellion apart:

Support by intelligentsia: - The Bengali intelligentsia played a significant role by supporting the peasants' cause through newspaper campaigns, organization of mass meetings, preparing memoranda on peasants' grievances and supporting them in legal battles. - published in 1860 a play called Neel Darpan, which depicted the atrocities of the indigo planters and gave necessary exposure to the issue. - Press particularly The Hindu Patriot and Somprakash took the issue of indigo cultivators on a regular basis. - Even British Indian Association extended its support to the cause. - A British James Long translated the play Neel Darpan into English. The planters who were treated as villains in the play sued long for libel and he had to pay Rs.1000 as compensation and serve a month in prison. - Peasants also took the planters to courts and fought to establish themselves as occupancy Ryots.

Due to the combination of above said efforts, the Government appointed an indigo commission to inquire into the problem of indigo cultivation. Based on its recommendations, the Government issued a notification in 1860 that the ryots could not be compelled to grow indigo and that it would ensure that all disputes were settled by legal means. By the end of 1860, indigo cultivation was literally washed away from Bengal since the planters closed their factories and left for good.

Conclusion Thus, indigo revolt of 1859 holds important place in our history as for first time spontaneous peasant reaction received popular support from intelligentsia and they used constitutional means but also it got the success. It put peasant issues on centre stage and also impacted many later movements in Bengal.