UPSC Prelims 2010 Q119: Modern History – Gandhian Mass Movements (1915 - 1942)
Consider the following statements:
1. The “Bombay Manifesto” signed in 1936 openly opposed the preaching of socialist ideals.
2. It evoked support from a large section of business community from all across India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation
Checking two claims about the "Bombay Manifesto" (1936)
The Bombay Manifesto was a significant business-community response to Congress's ideological direction.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Openly opposed the preaching of socialist ideals | Correct | The manifesto was issued by business leaders alarmed at the Congress's increasingly socialist rhetoric (associated with leaders like Nehru), explicitly opposing it |
| 2. Evoked support from a large section of business community across India | Correct | The manifesto was signed/endorsed by numerous prominent industrialists from across India, reflecting broad business-community backing |
Bombay Manifesto, 1936:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who signed | Prominent industrialists/businessmen |
| Target concern | Congress's socialist ideological turn |
| Significance | Reflected business community anxiety over economic policy direction |
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 2 (broad business support) is also correct, so '1 only' is incomplete.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 (opposing socialist ideals) is also correct, so '2 only' is incomplete.
- (c) CORRECT. Both the manifesto's opposition to socialist preaching and its broad business-community support are accurate.
- (d) Incorrect. Since both statements are accurate, 'neither' is wrong.
Key point
The 1936 Bombay Manifesto openly opposed Congress's socialist ideals AND evoked support from a large section of the Indian business community — both statements are accurate.
Remember
Bombay Manifesto, 1936: opposed Congress's socialist ideals and drew support from a large section of India's business community.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the manifesto's opposition to socialism was only a narrow, isolated business reaction, missing its broad support base.
- Not connecting the manifesto to the specific Congress ideological context (Nehru's socialist leanings) it was reacting against.
- Treating one of the two statements as automatically false without separate verification.
Exam tip
Bombay Manifesto (1936) = business-community pushback against Congress's socialist turn, with wide industrialist support.
Sources
- NCERT — Modern Indian History, business community and nationalist politics in the 1930s
- Bombay Manifesto (1936), signed by Purshotamdas Thakurdas, J. R. D. Tata, G. D. Birla and others