Question

Which of the following statements is/are true?

(I) Early nationalists were criticised for their 'political mendicancy' because they used prayers and petitions to ask for constitutional reform.

(II) Although mass participation was not encouraged by early nationalists, their actions did lead to greater political awareness.

(III) Early nationalists were only concerned with political reform, and paid little attention to the social sphere.

• A. Only (I) and (II) are true.
• B. Only (I) and (III) are true.
• C. Only (II) and (III) are true.
• D. All are true.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Only (I) and (II) are true.

The methods of early nationalists were criticised as 'political mendicancy', since they were seen to be 'begging' the British for change through prayers and petitions. Another criticism levelled against them was that they did not encourage mass participation. However, their words and actions did lead to the spread of ideas of nationalism, democracy, and secularism. Many of them also worked for social reform, and denounced practices like child marriage.