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Q79 (IAS/2018) History & Culture › National Movement (1857–1947) › Nationalist organisations Official Key

In 1920, which of the following changed its name to "Swarajya Sabha" ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

In 1920, Gandhi accepted the presidentship of the All India Home Rule League, and changed the organisation's name to Swarajya Sabha.[1] This transformation marked a significant shift in the Indian independence movement as Gandhi's fresh approach to the freedom struggle was gaining momentum. Annie Besant had set up her All-India Home Rule League in September 1916 in Madras[2], and in 1916, two Home Rule Movements were launched in the country: one under Tilak and the other under Besant.[3] However, by 1920, Gandhi's fresh approach to the struggle for freedom was slowly but surely catching the imagination of the people, and the mass movement that was gathering momentum pushed the home rule movement onto the side lines till it petered out.[1] The renaming to Swarajya Sabha reflected this transition under Gandhi's leadership and his emphasis on complete self-rule (Swaraj) rather than just home rule within the British Empire.

Sources
  1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Home Rule League Movement > p. 299
  2. [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Besant's League > p. 297
  3. [3] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Impact of World War I on Indian Freedom Movement > 3.1 All India Home Rule League > p. 33
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Q. In 1920, which of the following changed its name to "Swarajya Sabha" ? [A] All India Home Rule League [B] Hindu Mahasabha [C] South In…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 2.5/10

This is a classic 'Spectrum footnote' question. It rewards the student who reads the *end* of a chapter (Decline of Home Rule League) as carefully as the beginning. It marks the precise moment Gandhi hijacked the existing political machinery to launch Non-Cooperation.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Did the All India Home Rule League change its name to "Swarajya Sabha" in 1920?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Impact of World War I on Indian Freedom Movement > d) Decline of Home Rule Movement > p. 34
Strength: 4/5
“(d) Decline of Home Rule Movement Home Rule Movement declined after Besant accepted the proposed Montagu– Chelmsford Reforms and Tilak went to Britain in September 1918 to pursue the libel case that he had filed against Valentine Chirol, the author of Indian Unrest. The Indian Home Rule League was renamed the Commonwealth of India League and used to lobby British MPs in support of self-government for India within the empire, or dominion status along the lines of Canada and Australia. It was transformed by V.K. Krishna Menon into the India League in 1929.”
Why relevant

Gives a clear example that an Indian 'Home Rule' organisation underwent a formal renaming (Indian Home Rule League → Commonwealth of India League), showing name changes did occur.

How to extend

A student could compare dates and contexts of known renamings to see if a 1920 renaming of the All India Home Rule League is plausible or documented elsewhere.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Impact of World War I on Indian Freedom Movement > 3.1 All India Home Rule League > p. 33
Strength: 3/5
“In 1916, two Home Rule Movements were launched in the country: one under Tilak and the other under Besant with their spheres of activity well demarcated. The twin objectives of the Home Rule League were the establishment of Home Rule for India in British Empire and arousing in the Indian masses a sense of pride for the Motherland.”
Why relevant

Describes the All India Home Rule League as an organised body (two leagues with defined objectives), implying such bodies could be restructured or renamed as leadership and aims shifted.

How to extend

Use this pattern to check whether organisational shifts around 1920 (leadership changes, objective shifts) might have prompted a renaming to 'Swarajya Sabha'.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Home Rule League Movement > p. 295
Strength: 3/5
“This alliance was to be the All India Home Rule League along the lines of the Irish Home Rule League. In the end, however, two Home Rule Leagues were launched—one by Balgangadhar Tilak and the other by Annie Besant, both with the aim of beginning a new trend of aggressive politics.”
Why relevant

Notes that two distinct Home Rule Leagues existed (Tilak's and Besant's), indicating multiple related organisations and possible consolidation or rebranding events.

How to extend

A student could look for evidence of consolidation or rebranding between these leagues around 1920 that could explain a new name like 'Swarajya Sabha'.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Home Rule League Movement > p. 299
Strength: 5/5
“vacillated over her response to the reforms and the techniques of passive resistance. (vi) Tilak had to go abroad (September 1918) in connection with a libel case against Valentine Chirol whose book, Indian Unrest, had featured Tilak as responsible for the agitational politics that had developed in India. With Besant unable to give a positive lead and Tilak away in England, the movement was left leaderless. (vii) Gandhi's fresh approach to the struggle for freedom was slowly but surely catching the imagination of the people, and the mass movement that was gathering momentum pushed the home rule movement onto the side lines till it petered out. [In 1920, Gandhi accepted the presidentship of the All India Home Rule League, and changed the organisation's name to Swarajya Sabha.”
Why relevant

Reports that in 1920 Gandhi accepted the presidency of the All India Home Rule League and (according to this source) changed its name to 'Swarajya Sabha'—an explicit example of a claimed renaming event in that year.

How to extend

Cross-check this specific claim against other contemporary records or histories (newspapers, Congress/Gandhi writings from 1920) to verify the asserted renaming.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Impact of World War I on Indian Freedom Movement > Summary > p. 39
Strength: 3/5
“• The events that took place in the first two decades of the twentieth century, including the outbreak of the First World War, had a major impact on Indian nationalist politics. • The political vacuum created as a result of the split in the Congress paved the way for the rise of Home Rule League by Annie Besant. • The Home Rule Movement of both Tilak and Besant demanded self-governing status for India. • I. Choose the correct answer. • 1. The Home Rule Movement in south India was started by • (a) Tilak (b) Annie Besant • (c) B.P.”
Why relevant

Summarises the rise and significance of the Home Rule League movement, highlighting the political vacuum and leadership changes that could create conditions for renaming.

How to extend

Investigate whether the political vacuum and leadership transitions around 1920 correspond with any formal renaming or reorganisation to a body called 'Swarajya Sabha'.

Statement 2
Did the Hindu Mahasabha change its name to "Swarajya Sabha" in 1920?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Home Rule League Movement > p. 299
Strength: 5/5
“vacillated over her response to the reforms and the techniques of passive resistance. (vi) Tilak had to go abroad (September 1918) in connection with a libel case against Valentine Chirol whose book, Indian Unrest, had featured Tilak as responsible for the agitational politics that had developed in India. With Besant unable to give a positive lead and Tilak away in England, the movement was left leaderless. (vii) Gandhi's fresh approach to the struggle for freedom was slowly but surely catching the imagination of the people, and the mass movement that was gathering momentum pushed the home rule movement onto the side lines till it petered out. [In 1920, Gandhi accepted the presidentship of the All India Home Rule League, and changed the organisation's name to Swarajya Sabha.”
Why relevant

Shows an explicit historical example where an organisation (All India Home Rule League) was renamed 'Swarajya Sabha' in 1920 under Gandhi's leadership.

How to extend

A student could use this to check whether 'Swarajya Sabha' was associated with the Home Rule League/Gandhi rather than the Hindu Mahasabha by comparing leadership, founding dates and known name-changes.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Communalism in Nationalist Politics > 6.3 Emergence of the All India Hindu Mahasabha > p. 76
Strength: 4/5
“In the wake of the formation of the Muslim League and introduction of the Government of India Act of 1909, a move to start a Hindu organization was in the air. In pursuance of the resolution passed at the fifth Punjab Hindu Conference at Ambala and the sixth conference at Ferozepur, the first all-India Conference of Hindus was convened at Haridwar in 1915. The All-India Hindu Mahasabha was started there with headquarters at Dehra Dun. Predominantly urban in character, the Mahasabha was concentrated in the larger trading cities of north India, particularly in Allahabad, Kanpur, Benares, Lucknow and Lahore. In United Province, Bihar the Mahasabha, to a large extent was the creation of the educated middle class leaders who were also activists in the Congress.”
Why relevant

Gives the founding details and identity of the All-India Hindu Mahasabha (founded 1915, headquarters at Dehra Dun), establishing its separate origin and leadership context.

How to extend

One can compare the Mahasabha's founding facts and leadership with those of organisations known to adopt the 'Swarajya Sabha' name to test continuity or a name-change claim.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 24: Post-War National Scenario > Communal Reaction by Majority Community > p. 484
Strength: 3/5
“They argued that Hindus should side with the colonial government in their fight against Muslims. The All-India Hindu Mahasabha held its first session in April 1915 with the Maharaja of Kasim Bazar as president. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was established in 1925. However, Hindu communalism was not a strong force for a long time as the modern secular intelligentsia and middle class among Hindus wielded a greater influence. This was not the case with the Muslims; the Muslim communal elements – landlords, traditional religious leaders and bureaucrats – exercised a lot of influence on the Muslims.”
Why relevant

Notes first session of All-India Hindu Mahasabha in April 1915 and mentions later distinct organisations (e.g., RSS in 1925), indicating separate organisational trajectories.

How to extend

Use this pattern of distinct founding dates/team to judge whether a 1920 name change is plausible for the Mahasabha versus a different body formed/renamed at that time.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > 4.5 Swarajist Party and its Activities > p. 49
Strength: 3/5
“They favoured the continuation of the Gandhian constructive programme of spinning, temperance, Hindu-Muslim unity, removal of untouchability and mobilize rural masses and prepare them for new mass movements. The pro-changers launched the Swarajya party as a part of the Congress. The Swarajya party did reasonably well in the elections to Central Assembly by winning 42 of the 101 seats open for election. With the cooperation of other members they were able to stall many anti-people legislations of the colonial regime, and were successful in exposing the inadequacy of the Act of 1919. But their efforts and enthusiasm petered out as time passed by and consciously or unconsciously they came to be co-opted by the Government as members of several committees constituted by it.”
Why relevant

Mentions 'Swarajya party' (a distinct Congress-related formation) showing that the term 'Swarajya' was used by multiple, different organisations in this period.

How to extend

A student could infer that 'Swarajya' names were used by varied groups and therefore should verify which specific organisation adopted 'Swarajya Sabha' in 1920 rather than assuming it was the Mahasabha.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Communalism in Nationalist Politics > 6.3 Emergence of the All India Hindu Mahasabha > p. 77
Strength: 3/5
“Grounds demonstrated by the Muslims during the Khilafat movement motivated Hindu communalists to imitate them in mobilizing the Hindu masses. The Suddhi movement was not a new phenomenon but assumed new importance in the post-Khilafat period. In an effort to draw Hindus into the boycott of the visit of Prince of Wales in 1921, Swami Shradhananda tried to revive the Mahasabha by organizing cow-protection propaganda. Before the World War I, Britain had promised to safeguard the interests of the Caliph as well as the Kaaba (the holiest seat of Islam). But after Turkey's defeat in the War, they refused to keep their word.”
Why relevant

Describes efforts to revive Hindu Mahasabha activity around 1921 (cow-protection propaganda), indicating the Mahasabha remained an active, distinct entity in the early 1920s.

How to extend

Compare this evidence of ongoing Mahasabha activity with any claimed 1920 organisational renaming — if Mahasabha continued particular activities under the same name, a wholesale name-change is less likely.

Statement 3
Did the South Indian Liberal Federation change its name to "Swarajya Sabha" in 1920?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The name of the newspaper they launched, _Justice_, eclipsed the name of their new federation, which officially came into existence in 1917. Thus was born the Justice Party"
Why this source?
  • States the South Indian Liberal Federation officially came into existence in 1917 and became known as the Justice Party.
  • Shows the organisation's public name was Justice (the newspaper) and that the federation 'Thus was born the Justice Party', contradicting a renaming to 'Swarajya Sabha' in 1920.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"However, despite its narrow social base, the Justice Party won a majority in the elections to the Madras Legislative Council, which was constituted in 1920 under"
Why this source?
  • Refers to the Justice Party being in power and winning a majority in elections to the Madras Legislative Council constituted in 1920.
  • Directly indicates the organisation active in 1920 was called the Justice Party, not 'Swarajya Sabha'.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"a Joint Stock Company has been started under the name of ‘South Indian People’s Association’ for conducting a daily newspaper in English, Tamil and Telugu respectively,"
Why this source?
  • Describes the 1916 founding meeting and formation of associated organisations (South Indian People’s Association) to publish a newspaper and form a political association.
  • Supports the timeline and organisational names around 1916–1917 that led to the Justice Party, with no mention of a renaming to 'Swarajya Sabha' in 1920.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Home Rule League Movement > p. 299
Strength: 5/5
“vacillated over her response to the reforms and the techniques of passive resistance. (vi) Tilak had to go abroad (September 1918) in connection with a libel case against Valentine Chirol whose book, Indian Unrest, had featured Tilak as responsible for the agitational politics that had developed in India. With Besant unable to give a positive lead and Tilak away in England, the movement was left leaderless. (vii) Gandhi's fresh approach to the struggle for freedom was slowly but surely catching the imagination of the people, and the mass movement that was gathering momentum pushed the home rule movement onto the side lines till it petered out. [In 1920, Gandhi accepted the presidentship of the All India Home Rule League, and changed the organisation's name to Swarajya Sabha.”
Why relevant

Reports that in 1920 Gandhi accepted presidency of the All India Home Rule League and changed that organisation's name to 'Swarajya Sabha'—showing a documented instance (and date) of an organisation being renamed to 'Swarajya Sabha' in 1920.

How to extend

A student could use this precedent to ask whether other contemporary organisations (e.g., regional liberal federations) also adopted the 'Swarajya Sabha' name in 1920 or if this renaming was unique to the Home Rule League.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > 4.2 Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms > p. 44
Strength: 3/5
“The scheme, when announced in 1918, came to be criticized throughout India. The Indian National Congress met in a special session at Bombay in August 1918 to discuss the scheme. The congress termed the scheme 'disappointing and unsatisfactory.' The colonial government followed a 'carrot and stick policy.' There was a group of moderate / liberal political leaders who wanted to try and work the reforms. Led by Surendranath Banerjee, they opposed the majority opinion and left the Congress to form their own party which came to be called Indian Liberal Federation.”
Why relevant

Notes the existence of an 'Indian Liberal Federation' formed by moderate/liberal leaders—demonstrates that organisations with 'Liberal Federation' in their name existed around this period.

How to extend

One could check if regional bodies like the South Indian Liberal Federation were organizationally linked to or followed naming patterns of the Indian Liberal Federation and thus might plausibly have renamed themselves.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Rise of Nationalism in India > b) Madras Mahajana Sabha (MMS) > p. 8
Strength: 3/5
“(b) Madras Mahajana Sabha (MMS) After the Madras Native Association became defunct there was no such public organisation in the Madras Presidency. As many educated Indians viewed this situation with dismay, the necessity for a political organization was felt and in May 1884 the Madras Mahajana Sabha was organized. In the inaugural meeting held on 16 May 1884 the prominent participants were: G. Subramaniam, Viraraghavachari, Ananda Charlu, Rangiah, Balaji Rao and Salem Ramaswamy”
Why relevant

Describes regional Madras organisations using the term 'Sabha' (e.g., Madras Mahajana Sabha), showing that 'Sabha' was a common suffix for regional political groups.

How to extend

Combining this naming convention with the 1920 example could suggest it was plausible for a South Indian body to adopt 'Swarajya Sabha' as a name, so a student could look for regional records using 'Swarajya Sabha'.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > 1. Who was the political guru of Gandhiji? > p. 57
Strength: 3/5
“(a) Tilak (b) Gokhale (c) W.C.Bannerjee (d) M.G. Ranade 2. After returning from South Africa Gandhi launched his first successful Satyagraha in (a) Kheda (b) Dandi (c) Champaran (d) Bardoli 3. Why was the Simon Commission boycotted by the Congress? (a) There was no recommendation for bestowing dominion status on India in its report. (b) It did not provide any safeguards for minorities. (c) It had excluded Indians from its fold • 5. What was the name of the party formed by Motilal Nehru and C.R. Das in 1923? • (a) Swaraj Party• (b) Ghadar Party• (c) Swantara Party• (d) Communist Party• 6.”
Why relevant

Mentions the emergence of 'Swaraj'/'Swarajya' political terminology and parties (e.g., Swaraj Party formed 1923), indicating 'Swaraj(a)'-based names were in currency in the early 1920s.

How to extend

A student could use this to argue that adoption of 'Swarajya' in organisation names around 1920–1923 was part of a broader naming trend and search dated sources for such name changes.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 17: Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas, Revolutionary Activities and Other New Forces > Swarajist Activity in Councils > p. 344
Strength: 2/5
“well on the whole. They won 40 seats in the Centre and some seats in Madras but were routed in the United Provinces, the Central Provinces and Punjab. In 1930, the Swarajists finally walked out as a result of the Lahore Congress resolution on purna swaraj and the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.”
Why relevant

Discusses 'Swarajists' and Swarajist activity in councils, showing active usage of the 'Swaraj' label in political movements of the era.

How to extend

A student could survey contemporaneous reports of regional liberal federations to see if they aligned with or adopted the 'Swaraj' label used by these political currents.

Statement 4
Did The Servants of India Society change its name to "Swarajya Sabha" in 1920?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Home Rule League Movement > p. 299
Strength: 5/5
“vacillated over her response to the reforms and the techniques of passive resistance. (vi) Tilak had to go abroad (September 1918) in connection with a libel case against Valentine Chirol whose book, Indian Unrest, had featured Tilak as responsible for the agitational politics that had developed in India. With Besant unable to give a positive lead and Tilak away in England, the movement was left leaderless. (vii) Gandhi's fresh approach to the struggle for freedom was slowly but surely catching the imagination of the people, and the mass movement that was gathering momentum pushed the home rule movement onto the side lines till it petered out. [In 1920, Gandhi accepted the presidentship of the All India Home Rule League, and changed the organisation's name to Swarajya Sabha.”
Why relevant

Reports a 1920 name change to 'Swarajya Sabha' — but explicitly attributes this change to the All India Home Rule League under Gandhi, not to the Servants of India Society.

How to extend

A student could use this to test the claim by checking which organisation actually renamed itself in 1920 (Home Rule League) and comparing organisational identities/timelines to see if Servants of India Society and the Home Rule League were the same.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 9: A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements > The Servants of India Society > p. 216
Strength: 4/5
“Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866-1915), a liberal leader of the Indian National Congress, founded the Servants of India Society in 1905 with the help of M.G. Ranade. The aim of the society was to train national missionaries for the service of India; to promote, by all constitutional means, the true interests of the Indian people; and to prepare a cadre of selfless workers who were to devote their lives to the cause of the country in a religious spirit. In 1911, the Hitavada began to be published to project the views of the society. The society chose to remain aloof from political activities and organisations like the Indian National Congress.”
Why relevant

Describes the Servants of India Society (founded 1905) and states it 'chose to remain aloof from political activities and organisations like the Indian National Congress.'

How to extend

Using the political character implied here, a student could judge the plausibility of a 1920 renaming to an explicitly political-sounding 'Swarajya Sabha' by comparing the Society's apolitical stance with the name's political connotations.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > 4.5 Swarajist Party and its Activities > p. 49
Strength: 3/5
“They favoured the continuation of the Gandhian constructive programme of spinning, temperance, Hindu-Muslim unity, removal of untouchability and mobilize rural masses and prepare them for new mass movements. The pro-changers launched the Swarajya party as a part of the Congress. The Swarajya party did reasonably well in the elections to Central Assembly by winning 42 of the 101 seats open for election. With the cooperation of other members they were able to stall many anti-people legislations of the colonial regime, and were successful in exposing the inadequacy of the Act of 1919. But their efforts and enthusiasm petered out as time passed by and consciously or unconsciously they came to be co-opted by the Government as members of several committees constituted by it.”
Why relevant

Explains the emergence of the Swarajya/Swarajist political formations within Congress and their electoral/legislative activity — showing 'Swarajya' as a label used for political parties/movements.

How to extend

A student could extend this by noting that 'Swarajya' was commonly used by political groups around 1920–22, and therefore check whether the Servants of India Society (an apolitical reform body) adopted such a political name.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 17: Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas, Revolutionary Activities and Other New Forces > Genesis of Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party > p. 341
Strength: 3/5
“to be known as the 'Swarajists', while the other school of thought led by C. Rajagopalachari, Vallabhbhai Patel, Rajendra Prasad and M.A. Ansari came to be known as the 'Nochangers'. The 'No-changers' opposed council entry, advocated concentration on constructive work, and continuation of boycott and non-cooperation, and quiet preparation for resumption of the suspended civil disobedience programme. The differences over the question of council entry between the two schools of thought resulted in the defeat of the Swarajists' proposal of 'ending or mending' the councils at the Gaya session of the Congress (December 1922). C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru resigned from the presidentship and secretaryship respectively of the Congress and announced the formation of Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party or simply Swarajist Party, with C.R.”
Why relevant

Describes formation of the Congress-Khilafat Swarajya (Swarajist) Party in the early 1920s, reinforcing that 'Swarajya' labels were associated with new political parties at that time.

How to extend

A student could use this pattern to hypothesize that a renaming to 'Swarajya Sabha' would more likely be associated with a political organisation active in the Swarajya/Swarajist movement than with a reform society.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 9: A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements > Significance of Reform Movements > p. 237
Strength: 3/5
“On the whole, however, whatever the net outcome of these reform movements, it was out of this struggle that a new society evolved in India. ● Reform Movements: Among Hindus Bengal Raja Rammohan Roy and Brahmo Samaj Debendranath Tagore and Tattvabodhini Sabha Keshub Chandra Sen and Brahmo Samaj of India Prarthana Samaj Derozio and Young Bengal Movement Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Western India Bal Shastri Jambekar Students' Literary and Scientific Societies Paramhansa Mandalis Jyotiba Phule and Satyashodhak Samaj Gopalhari Deshmukh 'Lokahitawadi' Gopal Ganesh Agarkar Servants of India Society Southern India Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Movement Vokkaliga Sangha Justice Movement Self-respect Movement Temple Entry Movement All India • Summary: Ramakrishna Movement and Vivekananda Dayananda Saraswati and Arya Samaj Theosophical Movement • Summary: ● Among Muslims Wahabi/Walliullah Movement Ahmadiyya Movement Syed Ahmed Khan and Aligarh Movement Deoband Movement ● Among Parsis Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha”
Why relevant

Lists the Servants of India Society among socio-cultural reform movements (not under political associations), underscoring its reformist, social character in contrast to the explicitly political usages of 'Swarajya' elsewhere.

How to extend

Combine this classification with the political uses of 'Swarajya' in 1920 to infer that a name change to 'Swarajya Sabha' would be atypical for an organisation placed in the reform movements category.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC tests the *evolutionary links* between organizations. They want to see if you understand how the 'Home Rule' demand linguistically and organizationally morphed into the 'Swaraj' demand under Gandhi.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Verbatim in Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum), Chapter 14 ('Home Rule League Movement').
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The 'Gandhian Takeover' phase (1919-1920). How Gandhi absorbed existing cadres (Home Rule Leagues, Khilafat Committees) into the Congress fold.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: (1) South Indian Liberal Federation (1916) → Justice Party → Dravidar Kazhagam (1944). (2) Indian National Liberal Federation (1919) → Formed by S.N. Banerjee (Moderates) supporting Mont-Ford reforms. (3) Swaraj Party (1923) → C.R. Das & Motilal Nehru. (4) Independence for India League (1928) → Nehru & Bose.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Stop memorizing just the 'Founding Year'. Create a 'Lifecycle Tracker' for major bodies: Birth → Split → Merger/Renaming → Death. The *end* of the Home Rule League is as important as its start.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 All-India Home Rule League — origins and leadership
💡 The insight

Several references describe the founding (1915–16/1916) and leaders (Annie Besant, Tilak) of the Home Rule Leagues, which is essential context for any later organisational changes.

High-yield for questions on early 20th-century nationalist organisations: helps distinguish between multiple Home Rule bodies, their founders, and regional bases; connects to leadership shifts and subsequent movements (e.g., Gandhi's role). Study by mapping founders, dates, regions, and objectives to answer source-based and comparative questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Besant's League > p. 297
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Impact of World War I on Indian Freedom Movement > 3.1 All India Home Rule League > p. 33
  • Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 14: Nationalist Movement 1905—1918 > The Home Rule Leagues > p. 257
🔗 Anchor: "Did the All India Home Rule League change its name to "Swarajya Sabha" in 1920?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Organisational renaming and transformations
💡 The insight

References record name changes and transformations of Home Rule-related organisations (e.g., claim of change to Swarajya Sabha; another reference noting renaming to Commonwealth of India League), making renaming a recurring theme.

Important for source evaluation and chronology questions—UPSC often asks about continuity, transformation, and lineage of political organisations. Master by creating timelines of organisational names, key events and leaders to identify contradictions in sources.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Home Rule League Movement > p. 299
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Impact of World War I on Indian Freedom Movement > d) Decline of Home Rule Movement > p. 34
🔗 Anchor: "Did the All India Home Rule League change its name to "Swarajya Sabha" in 1920?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Gandhi's association with pre-Noncooperation organisations and 'Swaraj' terminology
💡 The insight

One reference links Gandhi to the presidency of the Home Rule League and to renaming it 'Swarajya Sabha'; other references show Gandhi's use of 'Swaraj'.

Helps answer questions on Gandhi's evolving role in nationalist politics and the political vocabulary he popularised (Swaraj/Swarajya). Useful for essay and source-based questions that probe ideological shifts and nomenclature; study Gandhi's interventions and published writings alongside organisational roles.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Home Rule League Movement > p. 299
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 35: Making of the Constitution for India > Background > p. 611
🔗 Anchor: "Did the All India Home Rule League change its name to "Swarajya Sabha" in 1920?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Origins and character of the All-India Hindu Mahasabha
💡 The insight

Several references state the Hindu Mahasabha was founded in 1915 at Haridwar and describe its urban, communal character — important to distinguish it from other organisations.

High-yield for UPSC: knowing founding dates, places and social base helps answer questions on communal organisations and their roles in nationalist politics. It connects to topics on communalism, leaders, and contrasts with other contemporary bodies. Practice by building timelines and comparing organisational aims and bases.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Communalism in Nationalist Politics > 6.3 Emergence of the All India Hindu Mahasabha > p. 76
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 24: Post-War National Scenario > Communal Reaction by Majority Community > p. 484
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Communalism in Nationalist Politics > 6.3 Emergence of the All India Hindu Mahasabha > p. 77
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Hindu Mahasabha change its name to "Swarajya Sabha" in 1920?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Gandhi's role in the All-India Home Rule League → renaming to Swarajya Sabha (1920)
💡 The insight

One reference explicitly states that in 1920 Gandhi accepted presidency of the All India Home Rule League and changed its name to Swarajya Sabha — directly relevant to any claim about the name 'Swarajya Sabha'.

High-yield: clarifies that 'Swarajya Sabha' is associated with Gandhi and the Home Rule League, not the Hindu Mahasabha. Useful for avoiding conflation of organisations in answers. Helps in questions on Gandhi's organisational roles and mass mobilisation strategies.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Home Rule League Movement > p. 299
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Hindu Mahasabha change its name to "Swarajya Sabha" in 1920?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Avoiding conflation of organisations — name changes vs distinct bodies
💡 The insight

The references collectively show separate identities (Hindu Mahasabha founded 1915; Swarajya Sabha name change occurs in the Home Rule League in 1920), highlighting the need to attribute name changes to the correct organisation.

Strategic for UPSC: many questions test precise identification of organisations, leaders and timelines. Mastering this prevents factual errors and supports comparative/analytical answers. Practice by creating parallel timelines of key organisations (Congress, Home Rule League, Hindu Mahasabha, RSS).

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Communalism in Nationalist Politics > 6.3 Emergence of the All India Hindu Mahasabha > p. 76
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Home Rule League Movement > p. 299
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Communalism in Nationalist Politics > 6.3 Emergence of the All India Hindu Mahasabha > p. 77
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Hindu Mahasabha change its name to "Swarajya Sabha" in 1920?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Home Rule League renamed Swarajya Sabha (1920)
💡 The insight

Reference [4] records that in 1920 Gandhi accepted the presidentship of the All India Home Rule League and the organisation's name was changed to Swarajya Sabha.

High-yield for UPSC because many questions test chronology and name-changes of nationalist organisations and Gandhi's institutional roles. Mastering this helps correctly attribute actions (who renamed which body, and when) and avoids conflating different organisations.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Home Rule League Movement > p. 299
🔗 Anchor: "Did the South Indian Liberal Federation change its name to "Swarajya Sabha" in 1..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Indian National Liberal Federation' was founded in 1919 by Surendranath Banerjee. Why? To support the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms when Congress rejected them. It represents the final exit of the Moderates from Congress.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use 'Linguistic Translation' Logic. 'Home Rule' literally translates to 'Swaraj' (Self-Rule). 'League' translates to 'Sabha'. The name change was a literal vernacular translation to appeal to the masses. Options B, C, and D have no semantic link to the term 'Home Rule'.

🔗 Mains Connection

Connects to GS1 Post-Independence Consolidation. The Justice Party (Option C) eventually evolved into the DMK/AIADMK lineage, showing how pre-independence social movements shaped modern regional politics.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

NDA-II · 2008 · Q96 Relevance score: -0.36

Who among the following first used the word ‘Swarajya’?

NDA-II · 2025 · Q79 Relevance score: -0.79

Which of the following statements about the Home Rule League are correct ? 1. Lokamanya Tilak set up the Home Rule League at the Bombay Provincial Conference held at Belgaum in April 1916 2. Annie Besant announced the formation of Home Rule League in September 1916 3. To avoid friction, Tilak's League was to work in Maharashtra (excluding Bombay city), Karnataka, Central Provinces and Berar and Besant's League was given charge of the rest of India Select the answer using the code given below :

CDS-I · 2014 · Q21 Relevance score: -0.83

Consider the following statements : 1. B. G. Tilak founded the Home Rule League in April 1916 in Maharashtra. 2. N. C. Kelkar was not associated with Home Rule Movement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

CDS-II · 2013 · Q96 Relevance score: -1.13

Who among the following first used the word ‘Swarajya’ in its political sense and accepted Hindi as the national language of India ?