UPSC Prelims 2013 Q80: Modern History – Early Nationalism & Indian National Congress (1885 - 1915)
Annie Besant was
1. Responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement
2. The founder of the Theosophical Society
3. Once the President of the Indian National Congress
Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Annie Besant
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement | Correct | She founded her Home Rule League in September 1916; Tilak founded his in April 1916 |
| 2. The founder of the Theosophical Society | Incorrect | It was founded in New York in 1875 by Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott; Besant became its President in 1907 |
| 3. Once the President of the Indian National Congress | Correct | Calcutta session, 1917; the first woman President |
More about her:
| Work | Detail |
|---|---|
| Education | Founded the Central Hindu College, Banaras (1898), the seed of Banaras Hindu University |
| Papers | New India and Commonweal |
| Headquarters | Theosophical Society at Adyar, Madras |
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. She was also once the President of the Congress.
- (b) Incorrect. She did not found the Theosophical Society.
- (c) CORRECT. She started the Home Rule Movement and was Congress President in 1917.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false; Blavatsky and Olcott founded the Society.
Key point
Annie Besant: Home Rule League (1916), Congress President (1917, first woman), President of the Theosophical Society (1907) but not its founder.
Remember
Besant: Home Rule + Congress President; not founder of Theosophy.
Common mistakes
- Calling her the founder of the Theosophical Society.
- Forgetting that Tilak also started a Home Rule League.
- Confusing her with Sarojini Naidu, the first Indian woman President (1925).
Exam tip
Theosophical Society: founded 1875 by Blavatsky and Olcott; Besant joined later.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra — India's Struggle for Independence, Ch 13 (The Home Rule Movement and its Fallout)
- Spectrum — A Brief History of Modern India (Home Rule League Movement)