UPSC Prelims 2018 Q11: Modern History – Key Personalities & Ideologies
- (a) Aurobindo Ghosh
- (b) Bipin Chandra Pal
- (c) Lala Lajpat Rai
- (d) Motilal Nehru
Answer: (c) Lala Lajpat Rai
Explanation
Identity Test - Biographer of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji and Shrikrishna
| Clue | Match |
|---|---|
| Wrote biographies of Mazzini and Garibaldi (Italian nationalists) | Signature interest of Lala Lajpat Rai in translating European nationalism into Indian idiom |
| Wrote on Shivaji and Shrikrishna | Also by Lala Lajpat Rai, blending Hindu revivalism with nationalism |
| Stayed in America for some time | Lajpat Rai founded Indian Home Rule League of America in New York (1917) and edited 'Young India' from there |
| Elected to the Central Legislative Assembly | Lajpat Rai was elected to the Central Assembly in 1926 (Swaraj Party) |
Checking the options:
| Option | Match? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Aurobindo Ghosh | NO | Left politics for spirituality in 1910; associated with Pondicherry Ashram, not America. |
| (b) Bipin Chandra Pal | NO | Part of Lal-Bal-Pal, but did not write these biographies or stay in America. |
| (c) Lala Lajpat Rai | YES | Fits ALL four clues - biographies, US stay, Central Assembly membership. |
| (d) Motilal Nehru | NO | Congress President twice, Nehru Report author; no America stay, no such biographies. |
Answer: (c) Lala Lajpat Rai.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Aurobindo Ghosh withdrew from active politics in 1910 to spiritual life in Pondicherry; he did not stay in America or write these biographies.
- (b) Incorrect. Bipin Chandra Pal was a firebrand of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio but did not author these specific biographies or spend time in America.
- (c) CORRECT. Lala Lajpat Rai wrote all four biographies, ran the Indian Home Rule League of America (1917), and was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly (1926).
- (d) Incorrect. Motilal Nehru authored the Nehru Report (1928) but is not associated with these biographies or an American sojourn.
Key point
Lala Lajpat Rai = 'Punjab Kesari', Lal-Bal-Pal, wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji, Shrikrishna, ran Indian Home Rule League of America (1917), member Central Assembly (1926), died from lathi injuries during Simon Commission protest (1928).
Remember
Lala Lajpat Rai was deeply inspired by Italian nationalists and wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji and Shrikrishna to communicate the idea of nationalism to Indian readers. He stayed in the United States from 1914 to 1919, founded the Indian Home Rule League of America, and after returning was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly. He died in 1928 from injuries sustained protesting the Simon Commission.
Common mistakes
- Mistaking any Lal-Bal-Pal member for the biographer - only Lajpat Rai wrote these European-nationalist biographies.
- Confusing Lajpat Rai's American work with M.N. Roy's or Har Dayal's Ghadar activities on the US West Coast.
- Forgetting that Lajpat Rai was ALSO elected to the Central Legislative Assembly - highlighting his return to constitutional politics after 1920.
Exam tip
Lajpat Rai identifiers: Biographies of Mazzini/Garibaldi (Italian influence); US stay 1914-1919; Home Rule League of America; Central Assembly 1926; martyrdom during Simon Commission protest 1928.
Sources
- NCERT Class 8 - Our Pasts III (Making of the National Movement)
- Bipan Chandra - India's Struggle for Independence (Chapter 15)