UPSC Prelims 2025 Q73: Modern History – Social & Religious Reform Movements
- (a) C. R. Das
- (b) Madan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant
- (c) Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Khwaja Hasan Nizami
- (d) M. A. Jinnah
Answer: (b) Madan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant
Explanation
Chauri Chaura Incident (February 4, 1922) and its Aftermath
The Chauri Chaura incident occurred in Gorakhpur district, United Provinces (now UP).
A crowd of Non-Cooperation Movement protesters burned a police station, killing 22 policemen.
Gandhi suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) immediately after.
Aftermath — The Trial:
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Persons arrested | ~228 persons arrested and tried |
| Charge | Murder, arson (burning the police chowki) |
| Initial sentences | 172 sentenced to death by Sessions Court |
| Legal defence team | Madan Mohan Malaviya + Krishna Kant Malaviya (different individuals) |
Who provided legal defence?
Madan Mohan Malaviya (founder of BHU, prominent Congress leader) organized and led the legal defence effort. He appealed to the Allahabad High Court, which reduced the death sentences significantly.
Result: Death sentences reduced; most accused eventually released.
Why this matters for Congress:
Madan Mohan Malaviya's intervention saved scores of lives. Gandhi's suspension of Non-Cooperation was controversial; Malaviya's legal work was seen as a partial redemption.
Answer: (b) Madan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. C.R. Das (Chitta Ranjan Das) was a prominent lawyer and Congress leader, but he was not specifically associated with the Chauri Chaura legal defence. C.R. Das was more associated with the Swarajist Party (post-NCM).
- (b) CORRECT. Madan Mohan Malaviya (and Krishna Kant) organised the legal defence of the Chauri Chaura accused, successfully reducing death sentences in the Allahabad High Court.
- (c) Incorrect. Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew was a prominent leader from Punjab (Jallianwala Bagh context). Khwaja Hasan Nizami was a Sufi scholar — neither was involved in the Chauri Chaura defence.
- (d) Incorrect. M.A. Jinnah had already distanced from the Congress by the early 1920s and was not involved in the Chauri Chaura legal proceedings.
Key point
Chauri Chaura (1922) = police station burned = 22 police killed = Gandhi suspends NCM. Legal defence: Madan Mohan Malaviya saved ~172 death row accused in Allahabad High Court.
Remember
Madan Mohan Malaviya provided legal defence for Chauri Chaura accused and saved most of the 172 people sentenced to death. Gandhi suspended NCM because of this incident.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Chauri Chaura (1922, UP) with Jallianwala Bagh (1919, Punjab) — different events, different leaders involved.
- Not knowing that 172 people were initially sentenced to death — the scale of the trial is a key fact about this incident.
- Forgetting Madan Mohan Malaviya's role as a legal advocate — he is better known as BHU founder and educationist.
Exam tip
Chauri Chaura sequence: Feb 4, 1922 → police station burned → Gandhi suspends NCM → 228 arrested → 172 sentenced to death → Malaviya appeals to Allahabad HC → sentences reduced. This is a complete story — memorise the chain.
Sources
- NCERT Class X — India and the Contemporary World II (Chapter 2: Nationalism in India)
- Shahid Amin — 'Chauri Chaura 1922: Strands in a Local History' (Historical research)