UPSC Mains 2017 GS1 Q13 — Freedom Struggle
Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian independence since the twenties of the last century. (250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Highlight
- Scope keywords
- new objectivesvision of Indian independencesince the twenties of the last century
- Implicit sub-parts
- What was the 'original' vision of independence prior to 1920 (Moderate vs Extremist) to set a baseline?
- How did the entry of Socialist/Communist ideologies and the Rise of the Left change economic objectives?
- In what ways did the vision expand from mere political autonomy to social liberation (Dalits, Women, Tribal rights)?
- How did the international outlook (Anti-colonialism, Pan-Asianism) become a core objective?
- Why was the shift from 'Dominion Status' to 'Purna Swaraj' (1929) pivotal for the new vision?
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a general history of the freedom movement from 1920-1947 without focusing on specific 'objectives' or 'vision'.
- Failing to mention the Karachi Resolution (1931) which is the most concrete evidence of these 'new objectives'.
- Ignoring the role of the Peasants and Workers movements in shifting the focus from elite politics to mass socio-economic reform.
- Spending too much time on Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement tactics rather than the evolving ideological goals of the movement.
- Dimensions required
- Economic (Socialism, Agrarian reforms)Social (Untouchability, Gender equality)Political (Purna Swaraj, Civil liberties)International (Anti-imperialist solidarity)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 40-50 words to contextualize the shift from constitutionalism to mass struggle. Spend 150 words detailing specific new objectives like economic justice (Karachi session), secularism, and social inclusion. Use the final 50 words to explain how these objectives formed the blueprint for the Indian Constitution's Preamble and Directive Principles.
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