UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 46

This question tests desher katha and swadeshi nationalism. The key concept is: Desher Katha by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar criticized colonial economic exploitation and the psychological effects of colonial rule and became associated with Swadeshi mobilisation. It helped inspire popular nationalist expression, including street performances and songs. The term 'desh' in this context was not narrowly confined to Bengal in the way the third statement claims. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option A. Option A — 1 and 2 only: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because Desher Katha by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar criticized colonial economic exploitation and the psychological effects of colonial rule and became associated with Swadeshi mobilisation. It helped inspire popular nationalist expression, including street performances and songs. The term 'desh' in this context was not narrowly confined to Bengal in the way the third statement claims. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option B — 2 and 3 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Desher Katha by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar criticized colonial economic exploitation and the psychological effects of colonial rule and became associated with Swadeshi mobilisation. It helped inspire popular nationalist expression, including street performances and songs. The term 'desh' in this context was not narrowly confined to Bengal in the way the third statement claims. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option C — 1 and 3 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Desher Katha by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar criticized colonial economic exploitation and the psychological effects of colonial rule and became associated with Swadeshi mobilisation. It helped inspire popular nationalist expression, including street performances and songs. The term 'desh' in this context was not narrowly confined to Bengal in the way the third statement claims. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — 1,2 and 3: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Desher Katha by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar criticized colonial economic exploitation and the psychological effects of colonial rule and became associated with Swadeshi mobilisation. It helped inspire popular nationalist expression, including street performances and songs. The term 'desh' in this context was not narrowly confined to Bengal in the way the third statement claims. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option A is the verified answer.