UPSC Prelims 2013 · Question 30 of 99
UPSC Prelims 2013 question on Annie Besant
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2013
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectModern History
- TopicIndian National Movement
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeStatement
Annie Besant was:
1. Responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement
2. The founder of the Theosophical Society
3. Once the President of the Indian National Congress
Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.
Show answer
Answer: C. 1 and 3 only
Verdict
Correct Answer: 1 and 3 only
Analysis
According to the official UPSC Answer Key for Prelims 2013, the correct option is 1 and 3 only.
This question tests Annie Besant’s role in India’s freedom movement and Theosophical movement. She started a Home Rule League and became Congress President, but she did not found the Theosophical Society.
Statement by statement
1. Responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement — Correct
Annie Besant launched her Home Rule League in 1916.
It aimed at achieving self-government for India within the British Empire through constitutional methods.
Tilak also started a separate Home Rule League in the same year.
2. Founder of the Theosophical Society — Incorrect
The Theosophical Society was founded in New York in 1875 by H.P. Blavatsky and H.S. Olcott.
Annie Besant joined it later and became its President in 1907.
Do not confuse popularising an organization in India with founding it.
3. Once the President of the Indian National Congress — Correct
Annie Besant became President of the Indian National Congress in 1917.
She presided over the Calcutta Session.
She was the first woman President of the Indian National Congress.
Extra UPSC info
* Annie Besant edited New India and Commonweal.
* She founded the Central Hindu College at Varanasi in 1898, which later became part of Banaras Hindu University.
* The Theosophical Society’s headquarters in India was at Adyar, Madras.
* Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress in 1925.
* Tilak’s Home Rule League mainly worked in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Central Provinces.
* Besant’s Home Rule League covered most other parts of India.
How to crack it
Annie Besant started a Home Rule League and became Congress President, but she was not the founder of the Theosophical Society.