This is an old article- updated with two new notes: Rudrama Devi’s Chandupatla inscription and John Lang’s India connection.
- Rudrama Devi & Chandupatla Inscription
- John Lang, the Lawyer of Laxmibai (1816-1864)
- Hazrat Mahal: 135th Anniversary
- Stree Shakti Puraskar
- Women in Freedom Struggle of India
- Mock Questions
Rudrama Devi & Chandupatla Inscription
Why in News? 2014, November was her 725th Anniversary.
1236-1240 | Razia Sultan, the daughter of Iltumish, became the first and only woman rule Delhi’s throne. |
1259-1289 | Rudrama Devi, the first Hindu female ruler of Andhra-Telangana region. |
- Rudrama devi belonged to Kakatiya dynasty, Capital- Warangal, ran several irrigation and welfare programs and defended her empire from attacks of Chola and Yadav kings.
- Telangana’s Chadupatla village inscription says she died on 27th November 1289 in a battle. So 2014 marks her 725th Death Anniversary.
John Lang, the Lawyer of Laxmibai (1816-1864)
Why in news? Because Modi gifted something to Australian PM in 2014, November.
John Lang was the first native novelist of Australia. Notable novels: Will he marry her?, My friend’s wife, Forger’s Wife, Secret Police, Too clever by half.
1842 | Came to India, learned Hindi language and ran “The Moffusilite” newspaper. Lang published articles against East India company, was jailed for libel. |
---|---|
1854 | Governor General Lord Dalhousie annexed Jhansi, under doctrine of Lapse- after the King of Jhasi died, leaving Manikarnika Tambe (Laxmibai) and his adopted son Damodar Rao behind. |
- After Anglo-Sikh wars, East India company did not pay money to one contractor Joti Ram, who had supplied them war-provisions.Ā John Lang fought his case, and won a hefty compensation from East India company.
- Impressed with his legal acumen, Rani Laxmibai asked John Lang to get Jhansi’s annexation removed.
- John Lang prepared a petition against the East India company. But British government discarded it in a week. [perhaps to settle the score of earlier defeat in that contractor case and his Anti-British newspaper articles.]
1857 | Rani fought and died during Sepoy mutiny |
---|---|
1864 | John Lang died and buried in Mussoorie. |
2014 | Modi gifted Lang’s petition against East India Company, to Australian PM Tony Abbott, to help examiners frame MCQs on this topic. |
Hazrat Mahal: 135th Anniversary
Hazrat Mahal = 135th Anniversary, hence she automatically becomes important for UPSC Mains 2014. Just like Maulana Azad in Mains-2013
Q.Write a note about the contribution of Begam Hazrat Mahal in India’s struggle for Independence. (200 words)
1856 under Doctrine of Lapse, Lord Dalhousie exiled the Nawab wajid Ali shah of Awadh to Calcutta. His wife, Begum Hazrat Mahal took the charge of the state, and played a prominent role in the mutiny of 1857
- Provided Leadership to rebels of Lucknow, and fought in the name of her minor son Birjis Qadr.
- In the war of Alambaug, herself fought against British troops.
- Assisted Nana Saheb in Kanpur.
- Lord Dalhousie asked the help of Nepalās Rana Jang Bahadur and offered areas of Gorakhpur and Awadh in return. Begum countered Dalhousieās move by offering the Rana three more province of Awadh apart from Gorakhpur.
- Assisted Maulvi Ahmedullah (Danka Shah) against attack on Shahjahanpur (Firozabad) and defeated Henry Lawrence.
- British again attacked great force, she was defeated but escaped to Nepal.
- British offered pension to her if she gave up her claim on throne for his son. But Begam denied and chose to live in Nepal, where she died in 1879.
Begum Hazrat Mahal fought with great fervor, showed exceptional courage and organisational skills. She had ability to unite people from different class and provided an instrumental leadership during Indiaās first struggle for independence.
~200 words.
Stree Shakti Puraskar
Every year, Women and child Development Ministry gives Stree-Shakti Purarskars. Winners not *that* important but the historic women associated with them= important for MCQ. Where they belong to, what time era they lived in?
WHEN | WHERE | WHO | WHAT |
---|---|---|---|
100-300 | TN | Kannagi |
|
1259-1289 | Andhra | Rani Rudramma |
|
1598-1674 | MH | Mata Jijabai |
|
1725-1795 | MP | Rani Ahlyabai Holkar |
|
1828-1858 | UP | Rani Laxmibai | we already know why she is famous |
1915-1993 | Manipur | Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang. |
|
Women in Freedom Struggle
Abbreviations used in following table:
- R=rich, M=middle class, P=poor, ā?ā=not mentioned in book, and I did not bother googling (Because in real life preparation, a candidate wouldnāt have that much time to do Ph.D on everything.)
- NV=non-violent. R=Revolutionary / violent methods.
Aruna Asaf Ali | M | NV |
|
---|---|---|---|
Begum Safia Abdul Wajid | R | NV |
|
Durgabai Deshmukh | M | NV |
|
Jyotirmoyee Ganguli | ? | NV |
|
Kasturba | ? | NV |
|
Madam Bhikaiji Cama | NV |
|
|
Matangini Hajra | P | NV |
|
Nehru | R | NV |
|
Rajkumari Amrita Kaur | R | NV |
|
Rehana Tyabjee | R | NV |
|
Sarojini Naidu | ? | NV |
|
Cpt. Laxmi Sahgal | ? | R |
|
Kalpana Dutt Joshi | ? | R |
|
Nanibala devi | ? | R |
|
Preetilata Waddedar | ? | R |
|
Rani Gaidinliu | ? | R |
|
Mock Questions
[columnize]
Q1. Which of the following statements are correct?
- Rudramma Devi was a contemporary of Rani Laxmibai.
- Rudramma Devi had signed a treaty with the French, for protection against the British.
- Both A and B
- Neither A nor B
Q2. Chadupatla inscription is located at ____ and mentions the ____.
- Andhra Pradesh, Thervada Buddhism
- Telangana, Conquests of Chera Kings.
- Andhra Pradesh, Conquests of Chola Kings
- Telangana, Heroic death of Rudramma Devi.
Q3. Rudramma Devi belonged to ___ dynasty and her capital was located at ___.
- Chera, Thiruvanthapuram
- Chola, Hampi
- Pandya, Madurai
- Kakatiya, Warangal
Q4.Which of the following were actual queens?
- Kannagi
- Rani Rudrama
- Rani Gaidinliu
Answer choices
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 1 and 3
- None of them
Q5.Which of the following did not participate in India’s struggle for independence?
- Rani Ahalyabai Holkar
- Rani Rudrama
- Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang
Answer choices
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 1 and 3
- All of them participated
Q6.Consider following statements about John Lang
- He was the founder of Theosophical society’s Missouri chapter.
- He was the editor of Annie Besantās newspaper āCommonwealā while she was in jail.
- He was the legal counsel of Begum Hazrat Mahal and Rani Laxmibai.
Correct statements are:
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 1 and 3
- None of them
Q7. John Lang was born in ____ and died in ____.
- Australia, Mussoorie
- Mussoorie, Australia
- America, Australia
- Australia, Britain
Q8. Correct Pair
- Rani Rudramma: Kerala
- Rani Ahlyabai Holkar: Maharashtra
- Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang: Assam
- None of Above
Q9. Correct Chronology: (1) Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang; (2) Rani Ahlyabai Holkar; (3) Mata Jijabai; (4) Rani Rudramma
- 1234
- 2143
- 2134
- 4321
[/columnize]
Mains General Studies Paper-1: Answer following in 200 words each
- Q. Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. (Mains-2013)
- Critically evaluate the contribution of Begum Hazrat Mahal and Rani Laxmibai in India’s struggle for Independence.
Visit Mrunal.org/HISTORY for entire Archive of History-Culture related articles published so far.
rajiv gandhi protein lelo yojana ..lol. lol .lol… mrunal ur sense of humour is truly amazing which actually makes the reading of these imp article even more enjoying…
rajiv gandhi protein lelo yojna… lolva… :D
thanku sir for this great work……your writing sense makes every aticle easy to remember..
what will be expected cut off -ias pre 2014 also post a brief analysis of papers
how was gs 1 comerative to last year’paper.
UPSC (General Dong) have played a strategic role again today, CSAT paper have completely dropped Desigion making segemnet, unexpected changes even in paper one history segements !
sir plz write article on pol.sci. optional paper for western thoughts
does any one here have joined synergy or vajiram or gs score test series.
I have joined vision both pre n mains so can’t afford any other test series.
we can exchange or share cost
bro, get the xerox of the rest after the series is over before a month or two of prelims. don’t waste thousands.
What is the answer of 6th one?
Options for question #4 are wrong.only Rani Rudramma was a queen.
1. D
2. D
3. D
4. D
5. A
6. D
7. A
8. D
9. D
@Mrunal : Small correction, Dalhousie annexed Awadh based on “Good Governance” not on Doctrine of Lapse.Please change it. Surely it will be expected in upcoming Mains.Please change.
all mcq except 5 and 7 are d
for both 5 and 7 answer is A
Mrunal Sir ,
By Mistake You have posted Ahilya Bai Holkar in MP. As she was from Maharashta.
Thanks