Question 96 from UPSC CSE 2020 - MODERN INDIA

Question

With reference to the book 'Desher Kather' written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements:
1. It warned against the Colonial State's hypnotic conquest of the mind.
2. It inspired the performance of Swadeshi street plays and folk songs.
3. The use of 'desh' by Deuskar was in the specific context of the region of Bengal.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 and 2 only

Strategy: Focus on the connection between 'Desher Katha' and the Swadeshi movement:

*   Statement 1 is supported, as the book warned about colonial psychological domination.
*   Statement 2 is correct due to its direct impact on Swadeshi plays and songs.
*   Statement 3 is incorrect; Deuskar used 'desh' to refer to the larger nation (Bharat/India), not solely Bengal, as supported by contemporary interpretations.

Key Info: ## Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar and 'Desher Katha'

Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar (1869-1912) was a Marathi intellectual and nationalist active in Bengal. His book 'Desher Katha', published in 1904, was a landmark work articulating colonial exploitation, particularly its psychological and economic impacts. The book was vital in preparing Bengal for the Swadeshi movement, selling rapidly and inspiring younger activists.

The colonial government banned 'Desher Katha' in 1910, recognizing it as a subversive text. Its warning against "hypnotic conquest of the mind" highlighted subtle colonial cultural dominance. This work became a significant inspiration for Swadeshi street plays and folk cultural expressions, shaping public consciousness and anti-colonial mobilization.

Deuskar also popularized the economic ideas of Dadabhai Naoroji and Mahadev Govind Ranade, making them accessible to the masses in a vernacular idiom. Crucially, Deuskar used 'desh' to refer to 'nation' (Bharat or India) rather than solely Bengal, a point corroborated by contemporary sources. This broader interpretation was significant amidst debates on nationhood and region in early nationalist discourse.

Bengal was a center for political awakening, and the Swadeshi movement (1905-08) was an assertive anti-partition agitation promoting indigenous production and consumption. 'Desher Katha' is considered an important text of the freedom struggle, integrating economic critique with cultural awakening.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 1 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3