UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 26
With reference to the book ‘Desher Katha’ written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements:
- It warned against the Colonial State's hypnotic conquest of the mind.
- It inspired the performance of swadeshi street plays and folk songs.
- The use of 'desh' by Deuskar was in the specific context of the region of Bengal.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A (1 and 2 only)
Explanation: Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar’s Desher Katha (1904) criticised colonial economic domination and mental subjugation and inspired Swadeshi mobilisation through songs and theatre; his use of desh was broader than Bengal alone.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Correct - Deuskar warned against colonial psychological domination of Indians.
2. Correct - The book stimulated Swadeshi street plays, patriotic songs and popular protest.
3. Incorrect - “Desh” referred to the wider country, not exclusively the region of Bengal.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Correct-includes all and only valid statements/items 1, 2.
B. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 3 (“Desh” referred to the wider country, not exclusively the region of Bengal); omits correct item 1 (Deuskar warned against colonial psychological domination of Indians).
C. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 3 (“Desh” referred to the wider country, not exclusively the region of Bengal); omits correct item 2 (The book stimulated Swadeshi street plays, patriotic songs and popular protest).
D. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 3 (“Desh” referred to the wider country, not exclusively the region of Bengal).