Q200. Which English newspaper, edited by Sri Aurobindo, was described as almost unique in its influence in preparing the people for revolution?
[OSSC CGLRE 2025 Mains (held 8 July 2026)]
(A) Kesari
(B) Bande Mataram
(C) Hindu Patriot
(D) Bombay Chronicle
Answer: (B) Bande Mataram
Explanation: Bande Mataram began in Calcutta in 1906 under Bipin Chandra Pal. Sri Aurobindo subsequently became a leading editorial voice. The English-language newspaper advanced militant nationalism, self-rule and resistance to colonial authority through political commentary rather than the constitutional appeals favoured by Moderates.
Q199. The split between Moderates and Extremists in the Indian National Congress took place at the 1907 session held at:
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (19 June 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Bombay
(B) Lahore
(C) Calcutta
(D) Surat
Answer: (D) Surat
Explanation: The Surat session in December 1907 witnessed an organizational rupture between the two groups. Disagreements over the leadership and the methods of Swadeshi agitation intensified. The Moderates retained control of the organization, while assertive nationalists operated outside its framework for several years.
Q198. Who among the following was an Indian nationalist, writer, orator, social reformer and one-third of the ‘Lal Bal Pal’ triumvirate?
[DSSSB Court Attendant (5 June 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Vishnu Chandra Pal
(B) Ramesh Chandra Pal
(C) Bipin Chandra Pal
(D) Ravindra Chandra Pal
Answer: (C) Bipin Chandra Pal
Explanation: Bipin Chandra Pal represented Bengal in the Lal–Bal–Pal leadership, alongside Lala Lajpat Rai of Punjab and Tilak of Maharashtra. He championed boycott, national education and self-reliance in the Swadeshi years, also spreading his ideas through speeches and nationalist journalism.
Q197. Why did Bal Gangadhar Tilak oppose the Age of Consent Bill (1891)?
[DSSSB MTS (9 May 2026, Shift 3)]
(A) It supported British education
(B) It interfered in social customs
(C) It reduced economic rights
(D) It increased taxes on Indians
Answer: (B) It interfered in social customs
Explanation: Tilak opposed colonial interference in Indian religious and social customs, while reformers supported protecting young girls through legislation. The Age of Consent Act raised the relevant age from ten to twelve. His position reflected debates over social reform and the legitimacy of imperial lawmaking.
Q196. Which of the following methods was preferred by extremist leaders to achieve their demands?
[DSSSB MTS (9 May 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Seeking reforms through dialogue
(B) Submitting petitions to authorities
(C) Appealing to British conscience
(D) Open agitation and mass pressure
Answer: (D) Open agitation and mass pressure
Explanation: Extremist nationalists emphasized public mobilization, boycott, self-reliance and direct political pressure instead of relying solely on petitions or appeals to imperial justice. Their methods broadened participation in the freedom struggle, especially around the Swadeshi agitation against Bengal’s partition in 1905.
Q195. What was the fundamental change introduced by the Extremist leaders in Indian nationalism?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (9 May 2026, Shift 3)]
(A) Emphasis on gradual constitutional reforms
(B) Support for cooperative political dialogue
(C) Promotion of Western education
(D) Articulation of Swaraj with radical methods
Answer: (D) Articulation of Swaraj with radical methods
Explanation: Leaders of the Extremist phase placed Swaraj at the centre of political demands and favoured more assertive action. Boycott, Swadeshi, national education and passive resistance were intended to build self-confidence and public involvement beyond the limited constitutional lobbying of early Congress Moderates.
Q194. What is the significance of Integral Yoga in Sri Aurobindo’s thought?
[UP PGT History (9 May 2026)]
(A) It rejects spirituality and centres material progress
(B) It confines practice to ritual observance
(C) It integrates spiritual realization with action to transform consciousness and collective life
(D) It insists on renouncing worldly life completely
Answer: (C) It integrates spiritual realization with action to transform consciousness and collective life
Explanation: Sri Aurobindo developed Integral Yoga after moving away from active political leadership. He proposed transformation of the whole human being and life through spiritual evolution. It did not demand a simple retreat from action, but envisaged higher consciousness expressed in individual and collective living.
Q193. How did Aurobindo Ghosh contribute to the extremist phase of the Indian national movement?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (8 May 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Promoting petitions and legislative reforms
(B) Linking passive resistance and boycott with spiritual nationalism
(C) Organising revolution around socialist trade unions
(D) Leading agrarian tax-reduction campaigns
Answer: (B) Linking passive resistance and boycott with spiritual nationalism
Explanation: Aurobindo advocated passive resistance and boycott during the anti-partition movement and defended the demand for complete national self-rule. Through Bande Mataram and other writings he connected patriotism with a deeper spiritual conception of the nation, distinguishing his politics from petition-based moderation.
Q192. Which extremist leader authored the famous work Gita Rahasya?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (7 May 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Bipin Chandra Pal
(B) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(C) Aurobindo Ghose
(D) Lala Lajpat Rai
Answer: (B) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Explanation: Tilak wrote Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Rahasya while imprisoned at Mandalay following his 1908 sedition conviction. Its interpretation emphasizes the Bhagavad Gita’s teaching of selfless action, or Karma Yoga. The Marathi original appeared in 1915 and became an influential nationalist-era work.
Q191. Which contribution is correctly associated with Lala Lajpat Rai during the freedom struggle?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (7 May 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Leading anti-Simon Commission protests and suffering fatal injuries
(B) Commanding volunteers on the Salt March
(C) Leading the Bardoli Satyagraha
(D) Drafting the Nehru Report
Answer: (A) Leading anti-Simon Commission protests and suffering fatal injuries
Explanation: Lajpat Rai led a demonstration against the all-British Simon Commission in Lahore in October 1928. He suffered injuries following a police lathi charge and died in November. His death provoked national outrage and became an enduring symbol of resistance to colonial repression.