Q83 · UPPSC Prelims 2022 · Set B · General Studies

← Q82 Q84 →

Who returned the 'Knighthood' title to the British Government in reaction against Jaianwala Bagh Massacre?

A Md. Ali Jinnah
B Rabindranath Tagore
C Rameshwar Singh
D Shankaran Nair

Correct answer: (b) Rabindranath Tagore

Explanation

  1. A

    Md. Ali Jinnah

    Md. Ali Jinnah claims that the prominent Muslim league leader returned his titles in protest. However, Jinnah resigned from the Imperial Legislative Council instead of returning a Knighthood.

  2. B

    Rabindranath Tagore

    Rabindranath Tagore claims that the Nobel laureate renounced his British Knighthood in profound grief and protest against the brutal Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. This is the correct official key because Tagore wrote a historic letter of protest to the Viceroy expressing his anguish over the massacre.

  3. C

    Rameshwar Singh

    Rameshwar Singh claims that the Maharaja of Darbhanga surrendered his British honors following the tragedy. While he was a prominent loyalist, he did not return the specific Knighthood associated with this event.

  4. D

    Shankaran Nair

    Shankaran Nair claims that the eminent lawyer resigned from the Viceroy's Executive Council in protest. Although he famously resigned over the Punjab atrocities, he was not the one who returned the Knighthood title.

Summary. Official key is (b) Rabindranath Tagore renounced his Knighthood in 1919 in bitter anguish over the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The tragedy deeply shook the conscience of the nation, prompting intellectuals to sever ties with British honors. While other leaders like Shankaran Nair resigned from official councils in protest, Tagore specifically returned his Knighthood. Therefore, option (b) is the correct choice.