Q1. Gandhiji opposed the untouchability and he wanted
(a) The Harijans to revolt against it
(b) The people of India to give treatment of equality to the untouchables
(c) Untouchability to be declared a crime under law
(d) A social revolution to create a society based on equality
(UPSC Prelims 1980)
Answer: (b) The people of India to give treatment of equality to the untouchables
Explanation: Gandhiji believed in social harmony and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of Harijans. He urged the people of India to treat untouchables with equality, promoting dignity and inclusion.
Q2. Which of the following is not a tenet of Gandhian Socialism
(a) Social justice
(b) Concern for the poor but not hatred for the rich
(c) Equality of opportunities of all
(d) Nationalisation of all means of production and distribution
(UPSC Prelims 1980)
Answer: (d) Nationalisation of all means of production and distribution
Explanation: Gandhian Socialism emphasized decentralization, trusteeship, and moral responsibility, not state control. Hence, nationalisation contradicts the core Gandhian principles.
Q3. The basic education advocated by Gandhiji in Wardha Congress is related with
(a) Compulsory elementary education
(b) Social relevance of education to society
(c) Demand of separate institutions for minorities
(d) Compulsory military training for every student
(UPSC Prelims 1980)
Answer: (b) Social relevance of education to society
Explanation: Gandhiji’s Wardha Scheme emphasized craft-based learning, linking education with productive work, and making it socially relevant and self-sustaining.
Q4. Gandhiji was of the view that
(a) All old traditions should be followed
(b) All old traditions should be discarded
(c) Only scientifically based traditions should be followed
(d) Those traditions should not be followed which are against our moral values
(UPSC Prelims 1980)
Answer: (d) Those traditions should not be followed which are against our moral values
Explanation: Gandhiji believed in ethical reform, advocating that traditions conflicting with moral values should be abandoned, while preserving constructive customs.
Q5. According to Gandhiji non-violence is
(a) A way to attain truth
(b) A way to win political freedom
(c) The only way to realise God
(d) An end in itself
(UPSC Prelims 1981)
Answer: (a) A way to attain truth
Explanation: For Gandhiji, non-violence (Ahimsa) was the means to attain truth (Satya), forming the foundation of his philosophy and political action.
Q6. Who among the following is associated with a film on Mahatma Gandhi
(a) Richard Attenborough
(b) Satyajit Ray
(c) George Baker
(d) None of these
(UPSC Prelims 1982)
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Richard Attenborough, a British filmmaker, directed the acclaimed film “Gandhi”, which won several Academy Awards and brought global attention to Mahatma Gandhi’s life and philosophy.
Q7. The first great experiment of Gandhiji in ‘Satyagraha’ took place in
(a) Dandi
(b) Champaran
(c) South Africa
(d) Bardoli
(UPSC Prelims 1983)
Answer: (c) South Africa
Explanation: Gandhiji’s first major Satyagraha was in South Africa, where he led non-violent resistance against racial discrimination. This experience shaped his philosophy of civil disobedience, later applied in India.
Q8. The following are the events in national movement
I. Champaran Satyagraha
II. Non-Cooperation Movement
III. Quit India Movement
IV. Dandi March
The correct chronological order is
(a) I, II, IV, III
(b) II, I, III, IV
(c) III, II, I, IV
(d) II, III, I, IV
(UPSC Prelims 1983)
Answer: (a) I, II, IV, III
Explanation:
The correct sequence is:
- Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
- Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22)
- Dandi March (1930)
- Quit India Movement (1942)
This order reflects the progression of Gandhian mass movements in India’s freedom struggle.
Q9. Which of the following statements about Mahatma Gandhi is correct in connection with India’s independence ?
(a) He was the happiest man
(b) He was a very disillusioned man
(c) He had full satisfaction about his achievements
(d) He was happy with the formation of Pakistan
(UPSC Prelims 1984)
Answer: (b) He was a very disillusioned man
Explanation: Though India achieved independence, Mahatma Gandhi was deeply disillusioned by the partition of the country and the violence that followed. He had envisioned a united and peaceful India, and the events of 1947 left him saddened and spiritually troubled.
Q10. Which of the following pairs is incorrect ?
(a) Lal, Bal, Pal – Extremist Group
(b) Annie Besant – Home Rule movement
(c) Gandhi – Dandi March
(d) None of these
(UPSC Prelims 1984)
Answer: (d) None of these
Explanation: All the pairs listed are correct associations:
- Lal, Bal, Pal were leaders of the extremist faction in the Indian National Congress
- Annie Besant led the Home Rule Movement
- Gandhi initiated the Dandi March as part of the Salt Satyagraha
Hence, none of the pairs is incorrect.
11. Match the columns:
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| A. "Freedom at Midnight" | 1. Mahatma Gandhi |
| B. "Nineteen Eighty Four" | 2. Sarojini Naidu |
| C. "My Experiments with Truth" | 3. Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre |
| D. "The Song of India" | 4. George Orwell |
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| (b) | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| (c) | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| (d) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Freedom at Midnight was written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre (A–3).
Nineteen Eighty Four was written by George Orwell (B–4).
My Experiments with Truth is the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi (C–1).
The Song of India was written by Sarojini Naidu (D–2).
Hence, the correct matching sequence is 4132.
12. Match the columns:
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| A. Rajendra Prasad | 1. "A Nation in the Making" |
| B. Dilip Mukherjee | 2. "India Divided" |
| C. S. N. Bannerjee | 3. "My Experiments with Truth" |
| D. Mahatma Gandhi | 4. "The Terrorists" |
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| (b) | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| (c) | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| (d) | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Rajendra Prasad authored "India Divided" (A–2).
Dilip Mukherjee wrote "The Terrorists" (B–4).
S. N. Bannerjee authored "A Nation in the Making" (C–1).
Mahatma Gandhi wrote his autobiography "My Experiments with Truth" (D–3).
Hence, the correct matching sequence is 2413.
Q13. Who declared, “Swaraj had ‘stunk in the nostrils’ and that without adequate discipline and restraint on the part of the people the movement had proved to be a ‘Himalayan blunder’.”
(a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(c) Mahatma Gandhi
(d) Subhash Chandra Bose
(UPSC Prelims 1986)
Answer: (c) Mahatma Gandhi
Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi made this statement after the failure of the Non-Cooperation Movement, expressing disappointment over the lack of discipline and calling it a ‘Himalayan blunder’.