Comprehension Passage

Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer for each question:

The Indian National Congress, like all historical phenomena, defies simplistic narratives. Founded in 1885 as a platform for "constitutional agitation" rather than outright rebellion, the Congress's trajectory was shaped by internal ideological battles, external pressures, and evolving leadership. Early moderates like Dadabhai Naoroji focused on exposing economic exploitation and demanding greater representation. The Surat Split of 1907, triggered by differences on cooperating with the Raj, saw the rise of "extremists" like Tilak and Ghosh, who championed Swadeshi and Boycott movements. Gandhi's arrival in 1915 introduced another paradigm shift: non-violent civil disobedience with mass mobilization. Yet, despite evolving tactics, the Congress retained a core commitment to "Swaraj," an ambiguous term encompassing varying degrees of self-rule. This ambiguity allowed diverse factions - moderates, extremists, Gandhians, socialists - to find temporary cohesion while harboring divergent visions for India's future. Analyzing the Congress through the lens of its annual sessions reveals this intricate interplay of continuity and change. The Bombay session of 1885, presided over by W.C. Bonnerjee, saw moderation reign supreme, but the Calcutta session of 1906, under Dadabhai Naoroji, adopted the controversial boycott resolution, hinting at internal fissures. Conversely, the Lucknow Pact of 1916, forged during Gandhi's ascendance, displayed unity by forging an alliance with Muslim League, despite underlying ideological tensions.

The passage invites us to interpret the Indian National Congress as

1
A monolith with a fixed ideology throughout its history.
2
 A static platform serving primarily as a mouthpiece for British interests.
3
A dynamic entity shaped by internal debates and evolving strategies.
4
A revolutionary movement solely reliant on armed resistance against the Raj.

Sponsored

hivanix.in

Visit

This quiz is brought to you by hivanix.in

🌐 Web App Development

Quick Navigation