UPSC Prelims Crash Course 2021

UPSC Prelims Crash Course Overview

• A free 3-month crash course for UPSC Prelims 2021 was offered, starting March 17th and running until June 20th.
• The course offered complete syllabus coverage for IAS (UPSC CSE) Prelims.
• It included 5 high-quality, full-length mock tests.
• Faculties of the course had cleared Prelims and Mains exams multiple times
• It covered both static and dynamic (current affairs) portions focused on the IAS (UPSC CSE) Prelims exam.
• Study material and notes were given on a Telegram channel
• Doubt clearing sessions were held every Sunday.
• CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) was also included in the course.

Faculty Details

• Sourabh Jain was the History Faculty, who had an interview in UPSC 2018 and 2019 and the highest score in prelims: 120
• Mohit Agarwal was the Economics faculty, having interview in UPSC 2018, 2019 and Mains in 2020
• Yashovardhan Mishra taught Geography and environment, having mains in UPSC 2017 and 2019 with Geography optional
• Siddhartha Kumar, the Polity Faculty, with an interview in UPSC 2019 UPSC, Mains in 1014, 2016 and 2017, and Twice over 130+ marks in Prelims
• Rajni Jha was a science and Technology Faculty with 5 years of experience teaching GS for UPSC
• Himanshu Gajendra was the CSAT faculty giving 5 years of experience in teaching CSAT

Beginning of Modern Nationalism in India

• Indian nationalism arose from both colonial policies and as a reaction against them.
• The French Revolution (1789-99) spurred global concepts of nationalism and self-determination.
• The Indian Renaissance helped the growth of modern nationalism and freedom rights
• Modernisation initiated by the British in India was an offshoot
• People realised that colonial rule caused India's economic backwardness.

Factors Contributing to Modern Nationalism

• Political, administrative, and economic unification occurred through a professional civil service, a unified judiciary, and codified laws.
• Regions in India experienced linked economic fates
• Modern transport and communication enabled the exchange of political ideas, mobilization, and organization related to political and economic issues.

Western Thought and Education Influence

• A modern education system was introduced which promoted modern Western ideas.
• Thinkers such as Milton, Shelley, John Stuart Mill, Rousseau, Paine, Spencer, and Voltaire inspired Indians with rational, secular, democratic, and nationalist ideals.
• The English language allowed nationalist leaders from different regions to communicate
• The growing English-educated class formed the middle-class intelligentsia, which became the center point for political unrest.
• The modern education system wasn't the only cause of the National Movement, instead the conflict of interest between British and Indians was the primary reason.
• The English education system helped the country's leaders imbibe western thought and gain leadership in the national movement
• English education later became a barrier to freedom rights

Role of Press and Literature

• There was a large increase in Indian-owned English and vernacular newspapers.
• The press criticised official policies and encouraged unity.
• It spread modern ideas of self-government democracy, civil rights, and industrialisation
• Nationalist leaders from different regions could exchange political ideas.

Rediscovering India's Past

• Max Mueller, R.G. Bhandarkar, R.L. Mitra, and Swami Vivekananda helped to revive an entirely new picture of India's past.
• India had economic and political institutions with thriving trade, arts, culture, and cities.
• Indo-Aryans belonged to a similar group as other European nations
• Nationalists used this rediscovered history to counter colonial claims that India was always subservient to foreign rulers.

Socio-Religious Reform Movements

• Reform movements wanted to eliminate social evils that divided Indian society.
• The effect was to unite different sections of the society.

Global Impact on Contemporary Movements

• National liberation movements in Greece, Italy, and especially Ireland influenced Indian nationalists

Rise of Middle Class Intelligentsia

• British policies gave rise to a new middle class in urban towns.
• Educated and with ties to the ruling class, this class rose came to the forefront of freedom movements
• The leadership for the Indian National Congress was provided by this class, through differing factors of growth and strategy

Reactionary Policies and Racial Arrogance of Rulers

• Racial myths of white superiority led to discrimination and segregation.
• Import duties on British textiles were removed.
• The second war against Afghanistan occurred from 1870-80.
• Lytton reduced the maximum I.C.S. examination age from 21 to 19 years (1876).
• The Delhi Durbar of 1877 coincided with a severe famine.
• The Vernacular Press Act (1878) and the Arms Act (1878) were passed.
• The Ilbert Bill controversy in 1883 occurred during Viceroy Ripon's tenure and was written by Sir Courtenay Pergine Ilbert.

UPSC Question (2013)

• The Ilbert Bill controversy was related to the removal of disqualifications imposed on Indian magistrates regarding the trial of Europeans.

Political Associations Before the Indian National Congress

• Most early 19th century political associations were dominated by wealthy and aristocratic elements with local agendas.
• Through petitions to the British Parliament, most demanded administrative reforms, Indian inclusion, and education.
• Political associations in the late 19th century were more dominated by the educated middle class.

Political Associations in Bengal (1836-1843)

• The Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha was formed in 1836 by Raja Rammohan Roy's associates.
• Aim of the the Zamindari Association, a.k.a. 'Landholders' Society, was safeguarding landlord interests in 1837.
• The rise of organized political activity and constitutional agitation was first marked in 1837
• In 1843, The Bengal British India Society sought the collection and dissemination of information related to the condition of people in British India.

Political Associations in Bengal (1851-1864)

• In 1851, the Landholders' Society and the Bengal British India Society merged together to form the British Indian Association.
• The first committee of the British Indian Association consisted of Raja Radhakanta Deb (President), Raja Kalikrishna Deb (Vice-President), Debendranath Tagore (secretary), and Digambar Mitra (Assistant Secretary).
• The Madras Native Association and Bombay Association were formed in 1852.
• Sayyid Ahmad Khan founded the Scientific Society in 1864.
• Prominent persons in these associations included wealthy and aristocratic elements.

The East India Association

• Dadabhai Naoroji started the East India Association in London (1866) to talk about Indian issues and influence British leaders to promote Indian welfare.

The Indian League

• The Indian League was started in 1875 by Sisir Kumar Ghosh to stimulate nationalism and promote political education.

Dadabhai Naoroji's Accomplishments

• "Grand Old Man of India" who was also an economist
• The London India Society was created in 1865 when he was thrice elected Congress President in 1886, 1893, and 1906.
• He wrote "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India".
• He became the first Indian member of the British Parliament in 1892.
• Naoroji became a member of the royal commission on Indian expenditure in 1895.
• He was a member of Mumbai's Legislative Council during 1885–88.
• He acted as mentor to Gandhi, Tilak, and Gokhale.

The Calcutta Indian Association

• The Indian Association of Calcutta (Indian National Association) superseded the Indian League in 1876.
• Surendranath Banerjea and Ananda Mohan Bose were upset due to the pro-landlord policies of the British Indian Association and the conservatives.
• The Indian Association of Calcutta was the most important of the pre-Congress associations
• It aimed to promote political, intellectual, and material progress for the Indian people.
• It intended to promote national and political opinions by unifying Indians on common grounds

Indian Association of Calcutta Activities

• Protests were held against the reduced age limit in 1877 for ICS candidates
• Demands were placed upon the Imperial and Provincial legislature for civil services exams both in England and India
• The association supported an all-India conference held on December 28-30, 1883, in Calcutta.
• Although not an all-India body, the Association was a forerunner to the Indian National Congress
• The association merged with the Indian National Congress in 1886.

Political Associations in Bombay and Madras

• The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was founded in 1867 by Mahadeo Govind Ranade and others, to work as a link between the government and the people
• By 1885 the Bombay Presidency Association had formed because of Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozshah Mehta and K.T. Telang
• In Madras the Madras Mahajan Sabha was founded in 1884 by M. Viraraghavachari, B. Subramaniya Aiyer and P. Anandacharlu.

UPSC CSE Question (2017)

• Correct matches:
  • Radhakanta Deb was the First President of the British Indian Association
  • Surendranath Banerjee was the Founder of the Indian Association

Foundation of the Indian National Congress (INC)

• A.O. Hume, a former English civil servant, retired
• The first INC session was at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay in December 1885.
• Two sessions of the Indian National Conference had been held in 1883 and 1885, attended by representatives from towns across India.
• The first INC session was attended by 72 delegates
• Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee was the president
• Kadambini Ganguly, the first woman graduate of Calcutta University, spoke at the 1890 Congress session.
• S N Banerjea did not attend the First session of INC because he was busy with the 2nd National Conference in Calcutta
• The INC merged in 1886
• Dada B N presided as president for the INC 2nd session in 1886

Safety Valve Theory

• Extremist leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai supported the 'safety valve' theory.
• In 1879 Wasudeo Balwant Phadke led an armed uprising in MH.
• R.P. Dutt/Marxist claimed the Indian National Congress came out of a conspiracy to stop an uprising in India.
• Bipan Chandra indicated early Congress leaders used Hume as a 'lightning conductor' to unite nationalistic forces.

Aims and Objectives of the Congress

• To establish a democratic, nationalist movement
• To politically educates and politicize people
• To establish headquarters for a movement
• To promote friendly relations with nationalist workers
• To propagate anti-colonial nationalist ideology
• To address grievances concerning governmental policies
• To pursue the development of national unity irrespective of a person's religion, caste, or province
• Cultivate Indian nationhood,

Era of Moderates (1885-1905)

• Prominent individuals included Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozshah Mehta, D.E. Wacha, W.C. Bonnerjea, and S.N. Banerjea.
• Believed in 'liberalism' and 'moderate' politics.

Moderate Approach

• Followed constitutional agitation within the bounds of law
• Wanted slow but steady political progress.
• Hoped the British would treat Indians fairly if they knew the real conditions.
• Worked to create public support and opinion through resolutions, petitions, meetings, etc. hoping the authorities would listen and take small steps forward.
• They followed a two-pronged methodology
• Create strong public opinions and educate people on the basis of consciousness and uniting people from common political questions
• By persuading the British to implement reforms in India along the lines proposed by the nationalists

Moderate Methods Explained

• Used 'prayer and petition', resorting to constitutional agitation if that failed.
• A British committee of the Indian National Congress was founded in London (1889) with India as its publication.
• Dadabhai Naoroji spent a lot of time advocating India's case that British political views were important to India's future.
• Political connections with Britain were in India's interest
• The time was not right for challenging the British rule head-on

Contributions of Moderate Nationalists

• Put forward the "drain theory" to explain British exploitation,
  • Dadabhai Naoroji, R.C. Dutt, Dinshaw Wacha and others
• Transformation of an Indian economy into a colonial economy opposed
• British rule in India caused poverty and economic backwardness

UPSC Question Regarding Nationalists

• Those who are regarded as economic critics of colonialism are: R. C. Dutt, Dadabhai Naoroji, G. Subramania Iyer
• In 1892 the council acted in the form of the Indian Councils Act, which was criticised
• They gave the slogan “No taxation without representation”
• Scope of constitutional demands was widened and freedom of press and civil access were expanded.

Moderate Nationalists' Reforms

• Indianisation of service by G K Gokhale
• India should have separation of judiciary from executive
• Bureaucracy, oppressive judicial system and foreign policy was criticized
• Call for increased expenditure on welfare.
• Better treatment for Indian laborers was demanded.

Evaluation of Early Nationalists

• They created a sense of belonging to India of all Indians: the feeling
• Helped train people in political work
• Spread awareness of modern ideas
• They highlighted the exploitative nature of the British colonization
• The truth that India should be controlled in the best intrest of all Indians was exposed
• Created a base for more mass based nationalist movement
• Could not grow democratic presence with small-based movement and their demands
• As the base was narrow , the role fell passive to them
• Narrow social faith in the masses was Lacked political
• The society was divided into numerous divisions and subdivisions
• Ignorance and Conservative were displayed in thoughts
• To be welded into a nation
• There was no realization that only during the freedom of struggle and political participation could the diverse elements be united together

Government Attitude

• Hostile to the Congress
• The government failed to persuade the Congress to social boundaries
• The Congress was becoming more critical of colonizing tactics
• Nationalists were called “seditious brahmins”, “disloyal babus"
• Dufferin called the Congress “a factory of sedition.”
• 'Divide and rule' was soon adopted
• Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Raja Shiv Prasad Singh of Benaras were tasked with organizing the United Indian Patriotic Association to counter Congress propaganda
• In 1900 Lord Curzon made the statement that congress is weakening and soon will be gone.