Modern History : Revolutionary Nationalism (1907-1917)

Q 3 / 11

UPSC CSE Prelims 2006

Consider the following statements about Madam Bhikaji Cama:

  1. Madam Cama unfurled the National Flag at the International Socialist Conference in Paris in the year 1907.
  2. Madam Cama served as private secretary to Dadabhai Naoroji.
  3. Madam Cama was born to a Parsi.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option

  • Statement 2 is correct. Madam Bhikaji Cama served as the private secretary to Dadabhai Naoroji, the 'Grand Old Man of India', during his stay in Britain. She actively assisted him in his political work and advocacy for Indian self-rule.
  • Statement 3 is correct. Madam Bhikaji Cama was born into a well-to-do Parsi family in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1861. Her birth name was Bhikai Sorab Patel.

Incorrect Options

  • Statement 1 is incorrect. Madam Bhikaji Cama unfurled the first version of the Indian national flag at the International Socialist Congress held in Stuttgart, Germany, on August 22, 1907, not in Paris. This flag, often referred to as the 'Flag of Indian Independence', was a tricolour of green, saffron, and red stripes with 'Vande Mataram' inscribed on it.
  • Option (A) is incorrect because Statement 1 is factually inaccurate regarding the location of the flag unfurling.
  • Option (C) is incorrect because Statement 1 is factually inaccurate.
  • Option (D) is incorrect because Statement 2 is also a correct assertion about Madam Bhikaji Cama.
SOURCEIndia's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra, Chapter 11: The Growth of Militant Nationalism