UPSC Prelims 2020 Q27: Modern History – Gandhian Mass Movements (1915 - 1942)
Gandhi - Irwin Pact included which of the following?
1. Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference
2. Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement
3. Acceptance of Gandhiji’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses
4. Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation
Gandhi-Irwin Pact (5 March 1931)
| Item | In the pact? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Invitation to Congress for the Round Table Conference | Yes | Congress agreed to attend the Second RTC (Gandhi was its sole representative) |
| 2. Withdrawal of Civil Disobedience ordinances | Yes | Ordinances issued to crush the movement were withdrawn |
| 3. Enquiry into police excesses | No | Irwin refused Gandhi's demand for an enquiry |
| 4. Release only of prisoners not charged with violence | Yes | Non-violent political prisoners were freed; those charged with violence were not |
Other terms: Congress suspended the Civil Disobedience Movement, coastal villagers could make salt for their own use, and confiscated lands not yet sold were returned.
Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The pact also withdrew the ordinances and released non-violent prisoners.
- (b) CORRECT. The pact invited Congress to the RTC, withdrew ordinances and freed non-violent prisoners.
- (c) Incorrect. Irwin rejected the demand for an enquiry into police excesses.
- (d) Incorrect. It includes the rejected police enquiry and leaves out the RTC invitation.
Key point
Gandhi-Irwin Pact 1931: CDM suspended; Congress to attend the Second RTC; ordinances withdrawn; non-violent prisoners freed; no police enquiry.
Remember
Gandhi-Irwin: RTC yes, ordinances withdrawn, non-violent prisoners freed, no enquiry.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Gandhi won his demand for an enquiry into police excesses; Irwin refused.
- Thinking all prisoners were released; those charged with violence (like Bhagat Singh) were not.
- Forgetting the pact led to Congress joining the Second Round Table Conference.
Exam tip
Remember what Gandhi did not get: a police enquiry and clemency for Bhagat Singh and his comrades.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra — India's Struggle for Independence, Ch 21 (Civil Disobedience)
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History III, Ch 13 (Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement)