UPSC Prelims 2001 Q2: Modern History – Revolutionary & Communist Movements
Who among the following organised the famous Chittagong armoury raid?
- (a) Laxmi Sehgal
- (b) Surya Sen
- (c) Batukeshwar Datta
- (d) J. M. Sengupta
Answer: (b) Surya Sen
Explanation
Organiser of the Chittagong armoury raid
| Person | Role |
|---|---|
| Surya Sen ('Masterda') | Organised the Chittagong armoury raid of 18 April 1930 through the Indian Republican Army; hanged in 1934 |
| Batukeshwar Datta | Threw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly with Bhagat Singh in 1929 |
| J. M. Sengupta | Congress leader of Chittagong and mayor of Calcutta; defended revolutionaries |
| Lakshmi Sehgal | Led the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the INA |
Surya Sen, a schoolteacher known as Masterda, led the raid on the Chittagong police and auxiliary armouries in April 1930. Kalpana Dutt and Pritilata Waddedar were among his followers.
Answer: (b) Surya Sen.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Lakshmi Sehgal belongs to the INA story of the 1940s.
- (b) CORRECT. Surya Sen organised the Chittagong armoury raid of 1930.
- (c) Incorrect. Batukeshwar Datta is known for the 1929 Assembly bomb case.
- (d) Incorrect. J. M. Sengupta was a Congress leader, not the organiser of the raid.
Key point
Chittagong 1930: Surya Sen, Indian Republican Army; women revolutionaries Pritilata Waddedar and Kalpana Dutt.
Remember
Chittagong armoury raid, 1930 = Surya Sen (Masterda).
Common mistakes
- Choosing Batukeshwar Datta because he is also a Bengal revolutionary.
- Choosing J. M. Sengupta because he came from Chittagong.
- Mixing up the INA women's regiment with the 1930 revolutionaries.
Exam tip
Link each revolutionary to one event: Surya Sen — Chittagong; Bhagat Singh and B. K. Datta — Assembly bomb.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra et al. — India's Struggle for Independence, chapter on revolutionary terrorism
- NCERT — Themes in Indian History / Spectrum, A Brief History of Modern India, revolutionary activities chapter