Question map
Consider the following statements : Statement-I : 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day. Statement-II : It was in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was launched on the same day. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1.
Statement-I is correct: The Government of India officially declared August 7th as National Handloom Day in 2015. The objective is to generate awareness about the importance of the handloom industry and its contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.
Statement-II is correct: On August 7, 1905, the Swadeshi Movement was formally proclaimed at a massive meeting held in the Calcutta Town Hall. This movement emphasized the boycott of foreign goods and the promotion of indigenous products, particularly hand-spun khadi and handloom textiles.
Relationship: Statement-II provides the historical rationale for Statement-I. The date was specifically chosen to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement, which championed self-reliance and the revival of domestic Indian weaves. Therefore, Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'History meets Current Affairs' crossover. The date (7th Aug) is a standard static fact in Spectrum/NCERT, while the 'Day' is a recurring government observance. The strategy is simple: whenever the Govt celebrates a specific date, always ask 'Why this date?'—the answer is usually a historical milestone.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Was 7 August declared as India's National Handloom Day?
- Statement 2: Was the Swadeshi Movement in India launched in 1905?
- Statement 3: Was the Swadeshi Movement in India launched on 7 August 1905?
- Statement 4: Was India's National Handloom Day declared on 7 August to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905?
- Official statement in the Rajya Sabha announcing the Government of India decision to designate 7th August as National Handloom Day.
- Specifies that the first National Handloom Day was celebrated on 7th August, 2015.
- Explicitly states the Government of India declared 7th August as National Handloom Day in 2015.
- Connects the chosen date to the Swadeshi Movement launched on 7th August 1905, explaining the date's significance.
- Affirms that National Handloom Day is celebrated every year on 7th of August.
- Notes the first official Handloom Day was inaugurated on 7th August, 2015 in Chennai.
States India historically had an important handloom sector, implying handloom is a plausible subject for a commemorative/awareness day.
A student could use this as a reason the government might establish a 'National Handloom Day' and then check official notifications or ministry websites for the exact date.
Shows the Government of India formally designates specific days (e.g., Constitution Day on November 26) to promote values or causes.
A student could infer that if a 'National Handloom Day' exists, it would similarly be created by government declaration and therefore verifiable via official gazette or press release.
Provides an example list of nationally observed dates/holidays, demonstrating that such lists enumerate many thematic observances and their calendar dates.
A student could compare this kind of authoritative list to a current government or NCERT list to see whether 'National Handloom Day' (and its date) is included.
- Explicitly states the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement was formally announced in July 1905 and came into force in October 1905.
- Connects the movement's start directly to the Partition of Bengal, identifying 1905 as the launch year.
- Provides the movement's overall timeframe as 1905–1911, anchoring its beginning in 1905.
- Describes core elements (boycott, constructive programme) associated with the 1905 phase.
- States the idea of the Swadeshi movement was first conceptualized during 1905, linking the inception to that year.
- Distinguishes this 1905 conceptualization from the later Gandhian revival in the 1920s, reinforcing 1905 as an origin point.
- Explicitly states the Anti-Partition Movement was initiated on 7 August 1905.
- Describes a massive Town Hall demonstration on that day and delegates dispersing to spread the movement, implying a formal launch.
- Describes the inauguration of the movement in Bengal as opening a new chapter in Indian nationalism.
- Notes rapid spread of Swadeshi and boycott to other provinces, supporting the idea of a formally inaugurated movement.
- States that the Swadeshi Movement had its genesis in the anti-partition movement, linking the Swadeshi launch to anti-partition actions.
- Provides contextual support that the anti-partition initiation date corresponds to the start of Swadeshi activity.
- Official Rajya Sabha statement says the Government designated 7th August as National Handloom Day in recognition of the Swadeshi Movement.
- The passage explicitly links the launch date of the Swadeshi Movement (7 August 1905) to the choice of 7 August for National Handloom Day and notes the first celebration in 2015.
- MyGov campaign text states the Swadeshi Movement was launched on 7th August 1905 and connected this movement to handloom weavers.
- It notes the Government's action in 2015 linking the Swadeshi Movement's date to National Handloom Day.
- The article states the Government of India declared 7th August as National Handloom Day in 2015.
- It explains the choice of date: On 7th August 1905 the Swadeshi Movement was formally launched, providing the historical reason for the date.
This snippet states that on 7 August 1905 at a Town Hall meeting in Calcutta a formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement was made (presented as a textbook fact/MCQ item).
A student could take this specific date and check government/official National Handloom Day sources to see if 7 August was chosen to match that 1905 proclamation.
This source says the Swadeshi movement was 'formally announced in July 1905' (gives a nearby but different timing for formal announcement).
Compare the July 1905 vs 7 August 1905 claims by consulting primary/official accounts of the 1905 Bengal meetings to resolve which date is the canonical 'launch' being commemorated.
Describes activities after the proclamation and notes October 16, 1905 as the date the partition came into force (establishes multiple important 1905 dates tied to Swadeshi events).
Use these multiple 1905 reference points (proclamation events and partition enforcement) to judge whether 7 August is a plausible commemorative date for a later declaration like National Handloom Day.
States the Swadeshi Movement had its genesis in the anti-partition movement (links the movement's origin to a specific cause and timeline in 1905).
A student could trace which specific 1905 event (proclamation, anti-partition protests, partition enforcement) governments commonly commemorate to see if handloom day aligns with the proclamation date.
Notes 16 October 1905 was observed as a day of national mourning when the partition took effect (highlights official observances tied to the partition rather than to an August proclamation).
Check whether official commemorations more often mark the partition's enforcement date (16 Oct) versus the alleged 7 Aug proclamation when linking National Handloom Day to the Swadeshi Movement.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. The date '7 August 1905' is explicitly bolded in standard texts like Spectrum (Chapter: Era of Militant Nationalism) and Old NCERT Bipan Chandra.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: 'Commemorative History'. Linking modern Government observances (Days/Jayantis) back to their specific historical origin points.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize these Date-History links: Jan 9 (Pravasi Bharatiya Divas → Gandhi's return 1915); Jan 23 (Parakram Diwas → Bose's birth); Aug 14 (Partition Horrors Remembrance Day); Oct 31 (National Unity Day → Patel); Nov 15 (Janjatiya Gaurav Divas → Birsa Munda); Nov 26 (Constitution Day → Adoption 1949).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not study 'Important Days' as a rote list. Reverse-engineer them. If the PM tweets about 'National Space Day' on Aug 23, immediately note that it commemorates the Chandrayaan-3 landing. Context is the key to memory.
The question concerns an official commemorative date, so familiarity with major national observances and their exact dates is directly relevant.
UPSC often tests precise dates and origins of national observances; mastering these dates aids in polity and modern history questions about national identity and commemorations. This links constitutional milestones with public memory and ceremonial practice.
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: Secularism > Name of the holiday Date according to > p. 126
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 33: Challenges Before the New-born Nation > First Day of Independent India > p. 590
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > ENACTMENTOFTHE CONSTITUTION > p. 16
Knowing when the Constituent Assembly adopted the flag, anthem, and signed the Constitution clarifies the timeline of formal national symbols and commemorations.
High-yield for polity and modern history: questions frequently ask about the enactment of the Constitution, roles of the Assembly, and origins of national symbols. Mastery helps answer date- and event-based questions on constitutional history.
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 35: Making of the Constitution for India > Constituent Assembly > p. 618
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > ENACTMENTOFTHE CONSTITUTION > p. 16
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 1: THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND > CHAP. 1] > p. 11
The rationale for a National Handloom Day is rooted in the historical prominence and subsequent decline of handloom products and artisans.
Relevant across economic history, social policy, and cultural heritage topics in UPSC. Knowing the handloom sector's pre-colonial strength and the impact of colonial policies supports answers on Swadeshi, livelihood policy, and craft promotion.
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Rise of Nationalism in India > b) Laissez Faire Policy and De-industrialization: Impact on Indian Artisans > p. 2
- Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 14: Nationalist Movement 1905—1918 > The Anti-Partition Movement or the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement > p. 241
The Swadeshi Movement began as a reaction to the 1905 Partition of Bengal.
High-yield because identifying immediate catalysts (like partition) explains why major movements started and helps link causes to policy responses. Mastering this links political decisions to mass mobilization, Congress factionalism, and regional spread—useful for causation and continuity-change questions.
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement > p. 280
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement > p. 261
- Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 14: Nationalist Movement 1905—1918 > All-India Aspect of the Movement > p. 243
The movement is dated to start in 1905 and continued through subsequent phases up to around 1911.
Chronological clarity is essential for UPSC: it situates the Swadeshi phase within the Era of Militant Nationalism and contrasts it with later Gandhian movements. Knowing precise years enables accurate answers on timelines, phase-wise analysis, and linkages to key leaders/events.
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement > p. 280
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Rise of Extremism and Swadeshi Movement > Introduction > p. 16
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Rise of Extremism and Swadeshi Movement > Evolution of the idea of Swadeshi > p. 20
Core tactics of the movement were boycott of foreign goods and promotion of indigenous industries and institutions.
Understanding methods is frequently tested—helps explain economic and social consequences (rise of swadeshi industries, cultural nationalism) and aids in essays/short answers on strategies of nationalist movements and their impacts.
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Rise of Extremism and Swadeshi Movement > Introduction > p. 16
- Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 14: Nationalist Movement 1905—1918 > The Swadeshi and Bovcott > p. 242
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Rise of Extremism and Swadeshi Movement > b) V.O.C. and Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (SSNC) > p. 24
The Swadeshi campaign began as a direct reaction to the partition of Bengal and is described as having its genesis in the anti-partition movement.
High-yield for chronology and causation questions: linking a policy (partition of Bengal) to the political response (Swadeshi). Helps answer questions on causes of mass movements and continuity in nationalist strategies.
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement > p. 261
- Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 14: Nationalist Movement 1905—1918 > The Anti-Partition Movement or the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement > p. 241
The 'Twin Date' of Swadeshi: While Aug 7, 1905 was the formal proclamation (Town Hall), Oct 16, 1905 was the day Partition came into force (Day of Mourning/Raksha Bandhan). UPSC loves swapping these two dates in statements.
The 'Commemorative Logic' Rule: If Statement I mentions a specific 'National Day' and Statement II provides a historical event on the *exact same date*, and both statements are factually true, Option A (Correct Explanation) is 99% likely. Governments do not choose dates randomly; they are almost always commemorative.
Mains GS-1 (History) ↔ GS-3 (Economy): The Swadeshi movement's focus on 'indigenous industry' is the direct historical ancestor of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Vocal for Local'. Use this continuity in Mains answers to show historical depth.