The myth is that the Indian National Congress was started by A.O. Hume and others under the official direction, guidance, and advice of no less a person than Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy, to provide a safe, mild, peaceful, and constitutional outlet or safety-valve for the rising discontent among the masses, which was inevitably leading towards a popular and violent revolution. Consequently, the revolutionary potential was nipped in the bud. Most writers accept the core of the myth, that a violent revolution was on the cards at the time and was avoided only by the foundations of the congress. All of them agree that the manner of its birth affected the basic character and future work of the congress in a crucial manner.

The colonial rulers, according to the safety valve thesis, were trying to use congress as:

• a constitutional outlet for the mass discontent against the authorities

• an instrument for the spread of British culture in India

• an instrument to expand the Indian market for the products of British industries

• an agency for social change in India

The author describes the safety-valve thesis as a myth because:

• evidence is insufficient to establish the validity of the thesis.

• the author has concluded that in the light of available materials the thesis does not hold ground

• the congress was a nationalist organization right from the start.

• the violent anti-colonial movements did not come to an end with the foundation of the congress.

The myth is that the Indian National Congress was started by A.O. Hume and others under the official direction, guidance, and advice of no less a person than Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy, to provide a safe, mild, peaceful, and constitutional outlet or safety-valve for the rising discontent among the masses, which was inevitably leading towards a popular and violent revolution. Consequently, the revolutionary potential was nipped in the bud. Most writers accept the core of the myth, that a violent revolution was on the cards at the time and was avoided only by the foundations of the congress. All of them agree that the manner of its birth affected the basic character and future work of the congress in a crucial manner.

The core of the safety-valve thesis rests on the assumption that:

• a violent anti-colonial revolution was bound to occur unless a constitutional platform like the congress was founded.

• the congress would assist the British in administering the colony.

• the congress leaders would constitute the colonial elite

• congress as a party would assist the colonial rulers to implement political and social reforms.

List I (Ruler)

1. Ashoka
2. Samudragupta
3. Kanishka
4. Harshavardhana

List II (Important Battle)

1. Against several rulers of Northern and Southern India
2. Kalinga war
3. Battle of Pundravardhana
4. Against the Chinese and the Parthians

List III (Dynasty)

1. Kushana
2. Maurya
3. Pushpavati
4. Gupta

List III (Significant Work)

1. Writer and poet, patron of Northern and of learning besides a Southern India empire builder
2. Political conquest, patron of learning
3. Holding the 4th Buddhist Council and patron of learning
4. Spread of Dharma, ahimsa and the Parthians and welfare activities

• List I - A

  List II - 1

  List III - II

  List IV - iv

• List I - A

  List II - 2

  List III - II

  List IV - iv

• List I - B

  List II - 1

  List III - IV

  List IV - iii

• List I - B

  List II - 2

  List III - IV

  List IV - iii

List I (Ruler)

1. Ashoka
2. Samudragupta
3. Kanishka
4. Harshavardhana

List II (Important Battle)

1. Against several rulers of Northern and Southern India
2. Kalinga war
3. Battle of Pundravardhana
4. Against the Chinese and the Parthians

List III (Dynasty)

1. Kushana
2. Maurya
3. Pushpavati
4. Gupta

List III (Significant Work)

1. Writer and poet, patron of Northern and of learning besides a Southern India empire builder
2. Political conquest, patron of learning
3. Holding the 4th Buddhist Council and patron of learning
4. Spread of Dharma, ahimsa and the Parthians and welfare activities

• List I - C

  List II - 4

  List III -I

  List IV - iii

• List I - D

  List II - 3

  List III -III

  List IV - i

• List I - C

  List II - 4

  List III - I

  List IV - i

• List I - D

  List II - 3

  List III -III

  List IV - ii

List I (Ruler)

1. Ashoka
2. Samudragupta
3. Kanishka
4. Harshavardhana

List II (Important Battle)

1. Against several rulers of Northern and Southern India
2. Kalinga war
3. Battle of Pundravardhana
4. Against the Chinese and the Parthians

List III (Dynasty)

1. Kushana
2. Maurya
3. Pushpavati
4. Gupta

List III (Significant Work)

1. Writer and poet, patron of Northern and of learning besides a Southern India empire builder
2. Political conquest, patron of learning
3. Holding the 4th Buddhist Council and patron of learning
4. Spread of Dharma, ahimsa and the Parthians and welfare activities

• List I - B

  List II - 1

  List III -III

  List IV - i

• List I - C

  List II - 4

  List III - IV

  List IV - ii

• List I - B

  List II - 1

  List III -IV

  List IV - ii

• List I - C

  List II - 4

  List III - III

  List IV - i

List I (Ruler)

1. Ashoka
2. Samudragupta
3. Kanishka
4. Harshavardhana

List II (Important Battle)

1. Against several rulers of Northern and Southern India
2. Kalinga war
3. Battle of Pundravardhana
4. Against the Chinese and the Parthians

List III (Dynasty)

1. Kushana
2. Maurya
3. Pushpavati
4. Gupta

List III (Significant Work)

1. Writer and poet, patron of Northern and of learning besides a Southern India empire builder
2. Political conquest, patron of learning
3. Holding the 4th Buddhist Council and patron of learning
4. Spread of Dharma, ahimsa and the Parthians and welfare activities

• List I - A

  List II - 1

  List III -II

  List IV - iii

• List I - D

  List II - 3

  List III -III

  List IV - ii

• List I - A

  List II - 1

  List III -II

  List IV - iii

• List I - D

  List II - 3

  List III -III

  List IV - i

208.

Which among the following statements are correct with regard to the Portuguese in India?

1. They had the monopoly over the Eastern trade in the 16th Century
2. They possessed Bombay in the beginning
3. They had trading settlements at Cochin, Diu, and Daman
4. The Mughals denied them any trading concessions

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

• 1, 2 and 3

• 2, 3 and 4

• 1, 2 and 4

• 1 and 3 only