With reference to the book ‘Desher Katha’ written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements:

1. It warned against the Colonial State’s hypnotic conquest of the mind.

2. It inspired the performance of swadeshi street plays and folk songs.

3. The use of ‘desh’ by Deuskar was in the specific context of the region of Bengal.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

The correct option is 1 and 2 only.

Let us analyze each statement step-by-step to understand why statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect:

Statement 1 is correct:
Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar's book Desher Katha (first published in 1904) warned against the colonial state's "hypnotic conquest of the mind". Deuskar detailed how British rule exerted a psychological hold over the colonized people, making them believe that British hegemony was benevolent and industrialization under colonial administration was beneficial for India, thereby blinding them to the exploitation happening under their noses.

Statement 2 is correct:
The book had an immense impact on the Swadeshi movement. By summarizing complex economic critiques of British rule (such as the drain of wealth) into simple, easily understandable Bengali, it directly inspired nationalist activists, artists, and writers. This led to the creation and performance of swadeshi street plays (jatra), patriotic folk songs, and popular literature to educate and mobilize the masses.

Statement 3 is incorrect:
The term 'desh' in Deuskar's writing was not restricted to the specific context of the region of Bengal. Although written in Bengali, the book addressed the socioeconomic and political subjugation of the entire nation of India. Deuskar used 'desh' in the broader, all-India context to cultivate a collective national consciousness against British imperialism.

Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.