Question 87 from UPSC CSE 2021 - Modern History

Question

With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali to English here.

Strategy: - Recall Madanapalle's unique historical association.
- Eliminate incorrect options: National Flag design, Quit India Movement, Theosophical Society headquarters.
- Identify the correct event: Rabindranath Tagore's translation of the National Anthem.
- Select the option corresponding to this event.

Key Info: **Madanapalle and the National Anthem**
-   **Location:** A town in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
-   **Tagore's Visit:** In February 1919, Rabindranath Tagore stayed at the Theosophical College.
-   **The Translation:** During his stay, he translated his Bengali poem 'Jana Gana Mana' into English as 'The Morning Song of India'.
-   **Music Composition:** Margaret Cousins, the college's then-vice principal, set the music for this English version.

**Anthem and Related Historical Facts**
-   **Original Composition:** 'Jana Gana Mana' was composed in 1911 and adopted as the National Anthem on January 24, 1950.
-   **Theosophical Society:** Its headquarters is in Adyar, Chennai, not Madanapalle.
-   **National Flag:** Designed by Pingali Venkayya in Machilipatnam.
-   **Quit India Movement:** Pattabhi Sitaramaiah was a participant in the independence movement but was not specifically connected to this movement in Madanapalle.

Answer

Option A: Pingali Venkayya designed the tricolour Indian National Flag here.

Answer

Option B: Pattabhi Sitaramaiah led the Quit India Movement of Andhra region from here.

Answer

Option D: Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott set up headquarters of Theosophical Society first here.