Q. Which one of the following organised the first all-India agitations in 1877–78 on the issue of civil services?
(a) Poona Sarvajanik Sabha
(b) Indian Association
(c) Chennai Mahajan Sabha
(d) Mumbai Presidency Association
Ans: (b) Indian Association
Explanation:
The correct option is (b) Indian Association.
The Indian Association, founded by Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose in 1876, organized the first all-India agitations in 1877-78 on the issue of civil services.
The Indian Association was a political organization formed in Calcutta (now Kolkata) with the aim of advocating for the interests of Indians and promoting political awareness and reforms. It played a significant role in mobilizing public opinion and organizing protests against various British policies.
In 1877, the Indian Association led the first all-India agitations against the decision of the British government to conduct the Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination only in London, which posed a significant disadvantage for Indian aspirants. The association organized protests and agitations across different parts of India to demand the decentralization of the ICS examination and the establishment of examination centers in India.
Therefore, the correct answer is (b) Indian Association as the organization that organized the first all-India agitations in 1877-78 on the issue of civil services.