UPSC Prelims 2005·GS1·history·modern history

What was Komagata Maru?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. AA political party based in Taiwan
  2. BPeasant communist leader of China
  3. CA naval ship on voyage to CanadaCorrect
  4. DA Chinese village where Mao Tse Tung began his long march

Explanation

The Komagata Maru was a Japanese steamship chartered by Gurdit Singh in 1914 to carry 376 passengers, mostly Sikhs from Punjab, to Canada. The goal was to challenge Canada's restrictive immigration laws, specifically the continuous journey regulation. Upon reaching Vancouver, the ship was denied entry, and after a two-month standoff, it was forced to return to India. On its arrival at Budge Budge near Calcutta, a conflict with the British police led to the death of 20 passengers. This incident became a significant turning point in the Indian independence movement, as it highlighted racial discrimination and fueled the activities of the Ghadar Party.
history: What was Komagata Maru?

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