Q. Dalhousie the founder of Modern India

Q. In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate. (10m | 200 words)
Can be solved using any one of these:

(TNT) Tamilnadu Textbook History Class 12, Chapter 6.
Spectrum: A brief history of Modern India, Rajiv Ahir. In the last part of the book under Ready reference data section.
Krishna Reddy: Indian History. Chapter 15 British Expansion.
Old NCERT Class 12 (Bipin Chandra, History of Modern India) chapter on The structure of government and economic policies.

First let’s collect the points, then we compress:

Transformed the map of India

Annexed	Punjab, Lower Burma, Central Provinces and Oudh.
Applied Doctrine of Lapse	Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur

Dalhousie did it for following reasons:

Strategic: Imperial defense, ending the misrule of Princes to win goodwill of people.
Commercial: source of raw material, new market manufactured goods

Anyhow, Dalhousie increased the extent of British India. His territorial acquisition transformed the map of India. Had he not acquired these territories then many more Hyderabad, Jamnagar and Kashmir like crisis would have happened in those areas, immediately after freedom.

Administrative reforms @District and State level

Dalhousie was laying down the seeds of district administration / IAS under his “Non-regulation system”. Observe: After annexing Punjab, Dalhousie did following

Organized Punjab province into small districts.
Each district under control of an Administrative officer called “Deputy Commissioner”.
Combined Revenue and Judicial departments.
The laws and procedure were simplified in accordance with the custom of the people.
The overall administration of Punjab in the hands of a Chief Commissioner.

Thus, Dalhousie had started molding the provinces into a modern centralized states.

Railways

Dalhousie introduced railways in India, with three fold objectives:

Commercial- exploitation of raw material from interior parts of India
Administrative- maintaining connectivity with all regions.
Defense- for quickly transporting troops from one location to another, during rebellions.

1853	Bombay to thane
1854	Calcutta to the Raniganj coal-fields
1856	Madras to Arakkonam

Communication

Dalhousie = father of Post + telegraph because:

Telegraph	1853: First telegraph line from Calcutta to Agra. Overall, Dalhousie laid more than 4000 miles long telegraph line connecting Peshawar, Bombay, Madras, Calcutta and many other parts of India.
Postal	Founded modern postal system in India. Introduced postal stamps for the first time. Reduced the postal rates. Uniform postal charge throughout India (half anna), irrespective of the distance between two places.

Education

1854: Charles Woods prepared a dispatch on educational system in India.
He recommended following

government should assume responsibility of spreading education to masses
hierarchy of educational institutes
1. Primary schools @Villages (Vernacular medium)
2. High schools and an affiliated college @district (English medium)
3. Universities @presidency towns of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. (English medium)
Stress on female education, vocational education and teachers’ training.
Education should be secular in nature.
Grant-in-aids to private educational institutions.

Dalhousie fully accepted the views of Charles Wood and took steps to carry out the new scheme.

Public Works Department

Before Dalhousie, the job of the Public Works Department was done by the Military Board.
But Dalhousie created a separate Public Works Department and allotted more funds for cutting canals and roads- and thus, laid foundation of the Engineering service in India.
Completed Upper Ganges Canal.
Constructed many bridges.

Others

Passed the Widow remarriage act (1856)
Dalhousie shifted the headquarters of Bengal Artillery from Calcutta to Meerut.
Simla was made the permanent headquarters of the army.

–but this is ~500 words. Have to compress—

Answer Keypoints

Q. In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate. (10m | 200 words)
During his term, Dalhousie increased the extent of British India to Punjab, Oudh, Satara, Jhansi and other parts of India. His territorial acquisition transformed the map of India. He was not only a conqueror but also a great administrator.

He started molding the medieval provinces into modern centralized states- with his “non-regulation system”. Punjab was divided into smaller district supervised by Deputy Commissioners, who were in turn supervised by a Chief Commissioner.
Introduced railways in India for commercial, strategic and Administrative purpose.
Introduced postal stamps, uniform charges and modern Postal System.
Laid more than 4000 miles of telegraph line.
Created separate Public Works department, allotted more funds for roads-canal construction.
Implemented Woods Dispatch, assumed the responsibility of educating the masses, created hierarchy of educational institutes from primary schools at villages, high schools and collages at district level and universities in presidency towns.

The Modern India stands on the pillars of state-district administration, Rail-Post-Telecom infrastructure and three tier education system. Dalhousie directly involved in all of them, hence aptly called the founder of Modern India.
~180 words.

Q. Maulana Azad

Q. Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-independent India. (10m | 200 words)
Can be easily assembled from any of the following sources:

Spectrum’s freedom fighter book: Page 251-252
PIB news release in November 2013 for his 125^th Anniversary.

Let’s directly frame the answer:
During freedom struggle:

Ran Al Hilal and Al Balagh weeklies.
Head of Khilafat Committee
Supported Gandhi during Non-cooperation movement
presided over congress sessions
Arrested during Quit India movement.
Negotiated with British Cabinet mission for India’s independence.
Opposed two-nation theory of Jinnah. Advocated Hindu-Muslim unity.
Wrote a book “India Wins freedom”, to give firsthand account of the events.

Post-independence:

Member of Constitution assembly
First Union minister of education, later held portfolios of Natural resources and scientific research.
Pivotal role in foundation of IIT, UGC, AICTE, CSIR, Sahitya Academy, Lalit Kala Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy and many other educational and scientific research laboratories in India.
For his service to the nation, he was posthumously awarded country’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.

~130 words, but when you elaborate the statements and expand the abbreviations, it automatically covers the remaining gap of 70 words.

Q. Foreigners in Freedom struggle

Q. Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom. (10m | 200words)
In most of the books, this answer is not available directly. (Except Annie Besant part)
The Quickest reference source I can think of, is Spectrum’s freedom fighter book. (Gandhi Nehru Tagore and other eminent personalities of Modern India.)
first let’s gather the points:

AO Hume	Debatable because he did not make India his ‘homeland’. He had left India in 1894 and died in London (1912).
David Hare	Doesn’t count because he is related to introduction of western education, rationalism and liberal thinking. Besides he died in 1842, before the mutiny of 1857.
Henry Vivian Derozio	Doesn’t count, because he’s not foreigner. He was an Anglo-Indian born in Calcutta.
William Jones	Doesn’t count because he died in 1746, way before even the first struggle of independence (1857). Besides his main interest was translation of Sanskrit scripts.

Anyways, let’s check the foreigners who contributed in Freedom struggle:

Annie Besant

Irish woman, came to India as a part of Theosophical society.
Central Hindu School @Benaras, later became Benaras Hindu university
Surat Split had weakened the Congress, Gandhi was yet to come. During this time Besant’s political entry provided the much needed momentum to freedom struggle.
Demanded self-rule for India, without waiting for the end of WW1.
Setup a Home rule league in 1915.
Spread her ideas through New India and Commonweal
Moved the congress resolution against Jaliawalla massacre.
Also served as President of Congress session
She and Gandhi had difference of opinion on Montague- chelmsford reforms, Non-cooperation movement and boycott of foreign goods. In the last 10 years of her life, Ms. Beasant quit active politics and freedom struggle altogether.

Charles Freer “Dinbandhu” Andrews

English missionary philanthropist.
Extended his wholehearted support to the freedom struggle and criticized the British for their unjust and racial policies.
Took part in political and social movements launched by Indian leaders.
championed the rights of labourers, railway workers and cotton weavers
actively worked with BR Ambedkar for Harijan demands, campaigned against untouchability
Gandhi gave the title of “Dinbandhu” for his compassion for poor.
Advocated the rights of Indian settler in South Africa, East Africa, West Indies, Fiji and the English colonies in other parts of the world.
used his influence in England to arouse public opinion against colonial exploitation.
Even negotiated with the government in England for Gandhi’s release from prison.

Foreigners who played role in India's Freedom struggle

Miraben (Madelein Slade)

From aristocratic English family.
Influenced by Gandhian philosophy, joined Sabarmati Ashram, took part in Gandhi’s socio-political campaigns.
toured throughout India to promote Khadi and Satyagraha
Wrote many articles in Young India, Harijan, The Stateman, Times of India and Hindustan Times.
Major role in setting up Seva gram near Wardha.
Accompanied Gandhi to Round table conference in London.
During WW2, asked Orissa people to oppose Japanese invasion non-violently.
Placed under detention during Quit India movement.

Satyanand Stokes

Not given in any books but TheHindu ran a story on him (August 2013).

Samuel Evans Stokes Jr. was scion of a Wealthy American family. Came to India to work in a leaper home in Himachal.
fought relentlessly against labour exploitation in the Shimla hills
Only American to attend Congress session in Nagpur (1920)
Only foreigner to sign Congress manifesto in 1921 that called upon Indians to give up government service and join the freedom movement.
Arrested on charges of Sedition, jailed for six months.
Died in ’46 in Shimla.

Sarala Ben

-Originally Katherine Mary Heilaman, disciple of Gandhi.
Social worker, setup ashram in Uttarakhand, helped the families of political prisoners.

Margaret Elizabeth Noble (Sister Nivedita)

From Ireland. Joined Swami Vivekananda’s Ramakrishna Mission.
Criticized the racial policies of the British, helped during Bengal famine and plague epidemics, worked for upliftment of Women.

Mira Alphonse (Mother)

French woman, associated of Shri Aurobindo,
role in setting up Auroville town near Pondicherry.
Motivated Annie Beasant, Nalini Sengupta and many other women to fight for India.

Nalini Sengupta

Born in Cambridge to Fredrick and Edith Grey. Came to India after marrying Jatindra Mohan Sengupta.
Actively participated in boycott and non-cooperation movements, arrested several times.
President of Indian National Congress- notable achievement for a woman from Britain.
Elected unopposed to Bengal legislative assembly.

Verrier Elwin

British by birth, came to India in ’27. associated with Seva Sangh of Puna.
On Gandhi’s advice, worked for tribal upliftment, setup Gond Seva Mandal.

More names can be dug through google, but in a real life scenario, an aspirant cannot afford to do Ph.D on every topic. So let’s just assemble the answer from the information available so far.
– ~650 words. Have to compress –

Answer keypoints

Q. Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom. (10m | 200words)
[Side note: since this is an ‘analyse’ question, multiple answers and interpretations possible.]
While many Americans and Europeans empathized with India’s struggle for Independence, few of them came to India and actively participated. Notable are: Annie Beasant, Katherine Heilaman (Sarala ben), Mira Alphonse (Mother), Madelin Slade (Miraben), Nalini Sengupta CF, “Dinbandhu” Andrews, Satyanand Stokes and Verrier Alvin.
Overall their role can be summarized as following:

Most of them came to India with primary aim of social service. But their hearts were moved by the brutal exploitation of the British-raj, hence joined India’s struggle for Independence.
None advocated revolutionary terrorism or violent methods.
Almost all associated with Congress. Annie Beasant and Nalini Sengupta even presided over the Congress sessions despite their foreign nationality.
Most of them not imprisoned for long time, because they were white.
focused on different areas:
- Religion: Sister Nivedita, Mother Mira Alphonse
- Education and culture: Beasant
- Social work: Nalini Sengupta, Miraben, Sarla ben
- Labor rights: Dinbandhu, Satyananda Stoke
- Tribal rights: V.Alvin
Some closely associated with Gandhi-Miraben, Sarlaben and Dinbandhu.
Some influenced by Gandhi – V.Alvin, N.Sengupta, Satyanand Stokes.
Some even had differences with Gandhi- Annie Besant.

But all of them fought against the tyranny of British Imperialism and helped India attain her independence.
~200 words.

Q. Women in Freedom Struggle

Q. Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. (10 marks | 200 words)
Answer can be assembled from any of the following sources:

Spectrum Freedom fighters (Gandhi Nehru Tagore and Other personalities)
Spectrum Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir
Bipin Chandra: India’s struggle for Independence. Points scattered throughout the book.
Krishna Reddy. Chapter Gandhi and his thoughts: subtopic “Role of women in nationalist movement”.

NCERT, TN Textbook, GS Manual= hardly useful because their content is too small/ too generic/ too scattered to serve the purpose. Anyways, first let’s make a table of notable women freedom fighters, to see a pattern / trend.
Abbreviations used in following table:

R=rich, M=middle class, P=poor, “?”=not mentioned in book, and I did not bother googling (Because in real life preparation, a candidate wouldn’t have that much time to do Ph.D on everything.)
NV=non-violent. R=Revolutionary / violent methods.

Aruna Asaf Ali	M	NV	Breaking the social conventions, married to a Muslim Congressman Asaf Ali. Went to prison during CDM and Individual Satyagraha. Hoisted tricolor @Gowalia tank after Maulana Azad’s arrest. Editor of ‘Inquilab’ a monthly journal of Congress
Begum Safia Abdul Wajid	R	NV	Rich Muslim Family, Post graduate from Allahabad Univ. Lost government lecturer job because of her participation in Quit India movement.
Durgabai Deshmukh	M	NV	Middle class family, initially couldn’t afford education but graduated from Andhra. Studied law, practiced in Madras High court. Jailed for salt satyagraha Andhra Mahila sabha for welfare of women.
Jyotirmoyee Ganguli	?	NV	left Government job during civil disobedience movement. took part in the British demonstrations Demanded the release of jailed INA soldiers. Killed by the British during a procession.
Kasturba	?	NV	Took part in all the programs of Gandhi, jailed during Quit India movement and died in Poona jail two years later.
Madam Bhikaiji Cama		NV	herself influenced by Dadabhai Naoroji, she Inspired Indian youth in UK, ran newsletter “Bande Mataram” and organization “free India society”. Unfurled first national flag of India in Germany.
Matangini Hajra	P	NV	born in a poor peasant family of Bengal- exploited by both Zamindars and the British. Dandi March, campaigned for non-payment of Chowkidari tax- arrested. During Quit India movement, planned an Attack on police station but killed while hoisting the national flag.
Nehru	R	NV	Jawaharlal’s mom: Swarup Rani Nehru, provided moral support and fought for freedom struggle. His sister Vijay Laxmi Pandit: jailed thrice during CDM Wife Kamala Nehru: participated in CDM and No-tax campaign.
Rajkumari Amrita Kaur	R	NV	Royal family from Punjab Grad. from England, influenced by Gandhi Jailed for quit India movement
Rehana Tyabjee	R	NV	Affluent family, her father was a Judge. influenced by Gandhi, joined Sabarmati Ashram, NCM, opposed Untouchability + child marriage President of Youth congress Jailed for QIM First muslim lady to sing Vandemataram in Congress session
Sarojini Naidu	?	NV	Graduated from London one of the first women to participate in Freedom struggle under mentorship of G.K.Gokhale later participated in all programs of Gandhi, including Dandi March served as President of Indian national congress. Even her daughter Padmaja Naidu, 21, was arrested for Quit India movement.
Cpt. Laxmi Sahgal	?	R	young medical student Became Captain of all-woman Rani of Jhansi regiment of the Indian National Army (INA) under Subhash Chandra Bose. Led the troops in Burma during WW2, but caught by the British army.
Kalpana Dutt Joshi	?	R	Revolutionary from Bengal. part of Surya Sen’s Chittagong republication army. Caught and transported for life, later released.
Nanibala devi	?	R	Brahmin family. Widowed @the tender age of 16 Joined Jugandhar party, associated with revolutionary movements. Arrested for transporting weapons and ammunition was the first and only woman to be tortured by the police under Regulation III of 1818 Calcutta jail’s first woman prisoner.
Preetilata Waddedar	?	R	Part of Chittagaong revolutionaries of Surya Sen. Organized attacks on British establishments in Bengal. Consumed Postassium cyanide to evade detention and interrogation.
Rani Gaidinliu	?	R	Naga Tribal, who organized rebellion to overthrow British from Manipur. Jailed for 14 years, freed after independence. Given title “Rani of Nagas”

~1000 words. Even more can be gathered if we refer each book word by word and dig google. But in real life preparation, that is impractical. So let’s just try to assemble an answer from the data gathered so far.

Key points- Women in Freedom struggle

Q. Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. (10 marks | 200 words)
[Side note: Since this is a “Discuss” question, multiple answers possible.]
For the first struggle in 1857 to the last struggle in 1942, Women have played an instrumental role in India’s struggle for independence.

Women were not mere foot-soldiers, they provided leadership and direction as well. Be it Sarojini Naidu in Salt March, Vijaya Laxmi in CDM, Kasturba in QIM, Madam Bhikaiji Cama among Indians in UK, Rehana Tyabjee as President of Youth Congress, Captain Laxmi Sahgal in INA or Rani Gidinliu during Manipur rebellion.
Kalpana Dutt, Nanibala Devi and Preetilata Waddedar even joined revolutionary movements, disregarding the threat of police brutality, deportation and death. Many like Jyotirmoyee Ganguli even left government jobs to boycott the British oppression.
Matangini Hajra, Durgabai Deshmukh and many others from poor and middle class families participated. Begum Safia Wajid, Rehana Tyabjee and Rajkumari Amrita Kaur and many other from affluent Muslim families and royal lineage came out.

From liberal homes to conservative families, urban centers to rural hamlets, Hindu and Muslim, single and married, young and old, mothers and daughters, wives and sisters- all women came forward to help India attain its independence.
~210 words.

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Freedom Struggle Indian History Mains-2013 Questions and Model Answer