Important questions of Nationalism in India ( Class 10 history)

 Nationalism in India

 Let Us Revise

 Class 10

Q.1. Describe the role of Alluri Sitaram Raju in Andhra Pradesh during 1920s. (Marks 3)

Ans. Role of Alluri Sitaram Raju in the Gudem hills of Andhra Pradesh:

(i) Alluri Sitaram Raju claimed that he had a variety of special powers like making astrological predictions, healing people and surviving bullet shots.

(ii) The rebels proclaimed him as an incarnation of God.

(iii) Raju was inspired by Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement.

(iv) Persuaded people to wear khadi and give up drinking.

(v) But at the same time he asserted that India could be liberated only by the use of force, not non-violence.

(vi) Used guerrilla warfare for achieving swaraj. (To be assessed as whole)

Q2. Explain the three initial movement of Gandhi ji in India. (3Marks)

Ans: 1. Kheda Movement: (1916) : Kheda,Gujarat Gandhi ji Supported peasants here who were demanding to reduce high revenue cost by organising Satyagraha for them and was successful.

2. Champaran Movement ( 1917): In Champaran , Bihar, he had launched a satyagra for the indigo planters who were not interested to cultivate this crop as they didn't have any benefit.

3. Ahemdabad Mill Workers Movement(1918): In Ahemdabad cotton mill workers were asking to increase wages, improved working conditions and to fix working hours. Here also Gandhi ji Supported mill workers for their cause  and it was also a successful movement.

Q.2. Why did Gandhiji decide to launch a nationwide ‘Satyagraha’ against the proposed Rowlatt Act (1919)? How was it opposed? Explain. (Marks 5)

Ans. Gandhi ji decided to launch a nation-wide Satyagraha:

(i) This Act had been hurriedly passed through the Imperial Legislative Council.

(ii) Indian members opposed the Act.

(iii) It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities.

(iv) It allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years. (Any two points to be explained)

It opposed in the following ways: (i) Rallies were organised in various cities.

(ii) Workers went on strike.

(iii) Shops were closed.

(iv) Communication, railway, telegraphs lines were disrupted. (Any other relevant point) (Any three)

Q.3. “British rule in India would have collapsed if Indians had not cooperated.” How did this statement help in starting a mass movement in India against the British rule?

Ans. (i) Mahatma Gandhi declared that British rule was established in India with the cooperation of Indian and if Indians had refused to cooperate, British rule in India would have collapsed within a year.

(ii) He proposed that the movement should unfold in stages.

(iii) It should begin with the surrendering of titles that the government had awarded to the Indians.

(iv) A boycott of civil services, army, police, courts and legislative assemblies, schools and foreign goods would show their non-cooperation to the British empire.

(v) Mahatma Gandhi felt that in case the government used repression, a full civil disobedience campaign would be launched. (Any three)

Q.4. Explain the effects of the First World War on India. Marks 5

OR

How did the ‘First World War’ create new economic and political situations in India? Explain with examples.

OR

Explain any five major problems posed by the First World War in India.

OR

Examine the effects of the First World War on the National Movement of India.

OR

Explain How the First World War helped in the growth of the National Movement in India. [NCERT]

Ans. (i) The war created a new economic and political situation.

(ii) It led to a huge increase in defence expenditure which was financed by war loans.

(iii) To fulfil the loan demands taxes were increased, custom duties were raised. Not only this, a new tax in the form of income tax was also introduced.

(iv) Prices increased, doubling between 1913 and 1918. This hit the common people.

(v) Villagers were asked to supply soldiers and through force recruitment in rural areas.

(vi) During 1918-19, crops failed in many parts of India which created a shortage of food.

(vii) Spread of influenza epidemic and death of 12 to 13 million people. (Any five)

Q.5. Define the term 'Civil Disobedience Movement'. Describe the participation of rich and poor peasant communities in the 'Civil Disobedience Movement'. (Marks 5)

Ans. Civil Disobedience Movement: To disobey the rules of the British Government.

Participation of rich and poor peasants:

(i) In the countryside, rich peasant communities like patidars of Gujarat and Jats of U.P. were active inmovement.

(ii) Rich peasants participated in the movement as a struggle against high revenue demand.

(iii) Rich peasants organized their community to support the Civil Disobedience Movement.

(iv) The poor peasants participated as they wanted their unpaid rent to be remitted. (Any other relevant point)

Detailed Answer: Definition of Civil Disobedience Movement: Civil Disobedience Movement refers to the act by a group of people by refusing to obey laws or pay taxes, as a peaceful way of expressing their disapproval of those laws or taxes and in order to persuade the government to change them. Gandhiji and Martin Luther King both conducted Civil Disobedience Movements in their respective countries to get rid of the exploitation and oppression offered by their colonial rulers.

(i) Rich Peasants: Depression and fall in prices affected them badly. They demanded reduction in land revenue. Swaraj meant reduction of taxes for them. They were disappointed when the movement was called off.

(ii) Poor Peasants: Depression affected them badly. They demanded reduction in rent. Swaraj meant reduction of rent for them. They joined Communist and revolutionary movements.

Q.6. Explain in brief the ‘Dandi March’. (Marks 3)

OR

Describe the main features of the ‘Salt March’.

Ans. (i) Mahatma Gandhi started his famous ‘Salt March’ or ‘Dandi March’ on 11th March, 1930 accompanied by 78 of his trusted volunteers.

(ii) The march was to cover 240 miles from Gandhi’s ashram in Sabarmati to the Gujarati Coastal town of Dandi.

(iii) On 6th April, 1930, he reached Dandi and ceremonially violated the law by manufacturing salt by boiling sea water.

(iv) This marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement. (Any three)

Correct the following statement and rewrite:

Q.7. The import of foreign cloth doubled between 1921 and 1922, its value increasing from ₹ 102 Crore to ₹ 200 Crore.

Ans. The import of foreign cloth halved between 1921 and 1922, its value dropping from ₹102 Crore to ₹57 Crore.

Q.8. In 1928, the Hindustan Socialist Republician Army (HSRA) was founded at a meeting in Ferozeshah Kotla ground in Kolkata.

Ans. In 1928, the Hindustan Socialist Republician Army (HSRA) was founded at a meeting in Ferozeshah Kotla ground in Delhi.

Find the incorrect option:

Q.9. (a) In 1928, Vallabhbhai Patel led the peasant movement in Bardoli, a taluka in Gujarat.

(b) It was against enhancement of land revenue, known as the Civil Disobedience Movement.

(c) This movement was a success under the able leadership of Vallabhbhai Patel.

(d) The struggle was widely publicized and generated immense sympathy in many parts of India.

Ans. The Incorrect option is 

(b): It was against enhancement of land revenue, known as the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Correct answer is: It was against enhancement of land revenue, known as Bardoli Satyagraha.

Q.10. What type of flag was designed during the ‘Swadeshi Movement’ in Bengal? Explain its main features. (Marks 3)

Ans. During the “Swadeshi Movement” in Bengal the flag was designed as a Tricolour Flag.

The two features of the flag were:

(i) The colour of the flag was Red, Green and Yellow.

(ii) It had eight lotuses representing eight provinces in British India.

(iii) It had a crescent moon representing Hindus and Muslims. (Any two)

Q.11. Explain any five factors which gave rise to the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930. Marks 5

Ans. Factors that gave rise to the Civil Disobedience Movement were:

(i) The problem with the Simon Commission.

(ii) Irwin’s vague offer of dominion status for India in an unspecified future.

(iii) Salt Law (iv) Negligence of eleven demands of Gandhiji by the British.

(v) Lahore Session of INC (1929)

Q.12. Explain the attitude of the Indian merchants and the industrialists towards the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’. Marks 5

Ans. The attitude of the Indian merchants and the industrialists towards the Civil Disobedience Movement:

(i) During the First World War, Indian merchants and industrialists had made huge profits and became powerful.

(ii) They wanted protection against imports of foreign goods and a Rupee-Sterling Foreign Exchange ratio that would discourage import.

(iii) To organise business interest they formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress (in 1920) and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries—FICCI ( in 1927).

(iv) They gave financial assistance and refused to buy or sell imported goods.

(v) Most businessmen came to see ‘Swaraj’ as a time when colonial restrictions on business would no longer exist and trade and industry would flourish without constraints.(vi) After the failure of the Round Table Conference business groups were no longer uniformly enthusiastic.

(vii) They were apprehensive of the spread of militant activities and worried about prolonged disruption of business. (Any five)

Q.13. How did the Civil Disobedience Movement come into force in various parts of the country? Explain with examples. Marks 5

Ans. The Civil Disobedience Movement came into force in various parts of the country :

(i) Gandhi led the Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi with his followers starting the Civil Disobedience Movement.

(ii) Thousands in different parts of the country broke the Salt Law, manufactured salt and demonstrated in front of government salt factories.

(iii) In the countryside like the rich Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Uttar Pradesh were active in the movement.

(iv) As rich peasant communities were very hard hit by the trade depression and falling prices, they became enthusiastic supporters of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

(v) As the depression continued and the cash invoice dwindled, the small tenants found it difficult to pay the rent. They wanted the unpaid rent to the landlords to be remitted and thus they joined the movement.

(vi) Merchants and industrialists supported the movement by giving financial assistance and refused to buy and sell the imported goods.

(vii) The industrial working class of Nagpur region participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).

(viii) Railway workers, dock workers, coal mine workers of Chhota Nagpur, etc. participated in protest rallies and boycott campaigns.

(ix) Women also participated in large numbers. (Any five)

Why Gandhiji has taken up khilafat movement?

Answer 

While Rowlatt  satyagragha had been a widespread movement,it was still limited to cities and towns.Mahatma Gandhi now felt the need to launch a more broad -based movement in India.But he was sure that no such movement could be organized without bringing Hidus and Muslims closer together. One  way of doing this, he felt , was to take up the khilafat issue 

The first world War had ended with the defeat of Ottoman Turkey.And there were rumors that a harsh peace treaty was going to be imposed on the Ottoman emperor-the spiritual head of the Islamic world.

To defend the khilafat's temporal powers,a khilafat Committee was formed in Bombay in March 1919.

A young generation of Muslim leaders like Mohamaad Ali.and Shaukat Ali ,began discussion with Gandhi about the possibility  of united mass action on the issue.Gandhi saw this as an opportunity to bring Muslims under  the umbrella of a united national movement .At the Calcutta session of the Congress in September 1920,he convinced oyher leaders of the need to start a non cooperation movement in support of Khilafat as well as for swaraj

Q.14. Read the sources given below and answer the questions that follows:

SOURCE A : Towards Civil Disobedience [NCERT History Ch. 2 Page 38] In February 1922, Mahatma Gandhi decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement. He felt the movement was turning violent in many places and satyagrahis needed to be properly trained before they would be ready for mass struggles. Within the Congress, some leaders were by now tired of mass struggles and wanted to participate in elections to the provincial councils that had been set up by the Government of India Act of 1919. They felt that it was important to oppose British policies within the councils, argue for reform and also demonstrate that these councils were not truly democratic. C. R. Das and Motilal Nehru formed the Swaraj Party within the Congress to argue for a return to council politics. But younger leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose pressed for more radical mass agitation and for full independence.

SOURCE B : The Independence Day Pledge, 26 January, 1930 [NCERT History Ch. 2 Page 39] ‘We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life, so that they may have full opportunities of growth. We believe also that if any government deprives a people of these rights and oppresses them, the people have a further right to alter it or to abolish it. The British Government in India has not only deprived the Indian people of their freedom but has based itself on the exploitation of the masses, and has ruined India economically, politically, culturally, and spiritually. We believe, therefore, that India must sever the British connection and attain Purna Swaraj or Complete Independence.’

SOURCE C : The Salt March and the Civil Disobedience Movement [NCERT History Ch. 2 Page 39] Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation. On 31 January 1930, he sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin starting eleven demands. Some of these were of general interest; others were specific demands of different classes, from industrialists to peasants. The idea was to make the demands wide-ranging, so that all classes within Indian society could identify with them and everyone could be brought together in a united campaign. The most stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax. Salt was something consumed by the rich and the poor alike, and it was one of the most essential items of food. The tax on salt and the government monopoly over its production, Mahatma Gandhi declared, revealed the most oppressive face of British rule. Marks 3

Question : SOURCE A : Towards Civil Disobedience

(i) What was the major reason behind the formation of the Swaraj Party?

SOURCE B : The Independence Day Pledge, 26 January, 1930

(ii) What was the negative impact of the British rule in India?

SOURCE C : The Salt March and the Civil Disobedience Movement

(iii) In Mahatma Gandhi's opinion, what revealed the true oppressive face of the British government?

Ans. (i) C. R. Das and Motilal Nehru formed the Swaraj Party within the Congress to argue for a return to council politics.

(ii) Negative impact of the British rule in India: The British Government in India had not only deprived the Indian people of their freedom but had also based itself on the exploitation of the masses, and had ruined India economically, politically, culturally, and spiritually.

(iii) Salt was something consumed by the rich and the poor alike, and it was one of the most essential items of food. The tax on salt and the government monopoly over its production, Mahatma Gandhi declared, revealed the most oppressive face of British rule.

Q.15. Why was the ‘Salt March’ considered an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism? Explain. Marks 5

Ans. Salt March:

(i) Salt was consumed by all the sections of the society.

(ii) It was the most essential item of food.

(iii) The tax on salt and the government monopoly over production.

(iv) Gandhiji found salt as a powerful symbol that could unite the nation.

(v) On 31st January 1930, he sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin starting eleven demands.

(vi) The idea was to make the demands wide ranging, so that all classes within Indian society could identify with them and everyone could be brought together in a united campaign.

(vii) The most stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax. (Any five)

                              CH:  NATIONALISM IN INDIA

Question 1.

What did the Inland Emigrating Act of 1859 declare?

Answer:

The Act declared that plantation workers would not leave tea gardens without permission.

Question 2.

Why was the Rowlatt Act imposed?

Answer:

The colonial government imposed the Rowlatt Act to repress political activities and detain political prisoners without trial for two years.

Question 3.

The First World War led to a huge increase in defence expenditure. How was this expenditure financed?

Answer:

The huge increase in defence expenditure was financed by war loans and increasing taxes which involved hike in customs duties and introduction of income tax.

Question 4.

What was the Rowlatt Act?

It was one of the most repressive acts which gave the government enormous powers to curb political activities, and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.

Question 5.

What did Gandhiji want before launching a broad-based movement in India?

Answer:

He wanted to bring the Hindus and Muslims close together before launching a broad-based movement in India.

Question 6.

Why did Mahatma Gandhi decide to launch Non-cooperation Movement?

Answer:

Mahatma Gandhi believed that British rule was established in India with the cooperation of Indians, and had survived only because of this cooperation. If Indians refused to cooperate, British rule in India would collapse and swaraj would come. This belief made Gandhiji ready to launch Non-cooperation movement.

Question 7.

When and where was the Non-cooperation programme adopted?

Answer:

The Non-cooperation programme was adopted at the Congress session at Nagpur in December 1920.

Question8.

Why did the production of Indian textile mills and handlooms go up during the Non¬cooperation movement?

Answer:

The Non-cooperation movement was infact a boycott movement in which people started wearing only Indian clothes by discarding imported ones. This gave a boom in the production of Indian textile mills and handlooms.

Question 9.

Who was Baba Ramchandra?

Answer:

Baba Ramchandra was a sanyasi who had earlier been to Fiji as an indentured labourer. He led the Awadh peasants during the Non-cooperation movement.

Question 10.

What were the demands of the Awadh peasants?

Answer:

Their demands included reduction of revenue, abolition of begar and social boycott of oppressive landlords.

Question 11.

Why did panchayats organise nai-dhobi bandhs in many places in Awadh?

Answer:

Panchayats organised such bandhs to deprive landlords of the services of even barbers and washermen.

Question 12.

How did the tribal peasants interpret the idea of swaraj?

Answer:

For them, swaraj meant freedom to enter the forests to graze their cattle, or to collect fuelwood and fruits.

Question 13.

Mention one point of difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Alluri Sitaram Raju.

Answer:

Mahatma Gandhi was a staunch supporter of non-violence. Alluri Sitaram Raju, on the other hand, believed that India could be liberated only by use of force, not non-violence.

Question 14.

When did Mahatma Gandhi decide to call off the Non-cooperation movement? What was his experience?

Answer:

In February 1922, Mahatma Gandhi decided to withdraw the Non-cooperation movement. He felt the movement was turning violent in many places and satyagrahis needed to be properly trained before they would be ready for mass struggle.

Question 15.

Name two radical leaders of India. What did they want?

Answer:

Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose. They wanted more radical mass agitation to gain independence.

Question 16.

What was declared in the Lahore Congress?

Answer:

In the Lahore Congress, it was declared that 26 January 1930, would be celebrated as the Independence Day when people were to take a pledge to struggle for complete independence.

Question 17.

On 31 January 1930, Gandhiji sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands. What was the most stirring of all?

Answer:

The most stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax and the government monopoly over its production.

Question 18.

What did Indian merchants and industrialists do to organise their business interests?

Answer:

They formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.

Question 19.

Why did business groups in India withdraw their support from the Non-cooperation movement after the failure of the Round Table Conference?

Answer:

After the failure of the Round Table Conference, business groups in India became apprehensive of the spread of militant activities and worried about prolonged disruption of business, as well as of the growing influence of socialism amongst the younger members of the Congress.

Question 20.

Why was the Congress reluctant to include workers’ demands as part of its programme of struggle?

Answer:

The Congress felt that this would alienate industrialists and divide the anti-imperial forces.

Question 21.

What was the Poona Pact?

Answer:

The Poona Pact was signed between Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar in September 1932 to resolve the issue of separate electorates for dalits. It gave the depressed classes reserved seats in provincial and central legislative councils, but they were to be voted in by the general electorate.

Question 22.

What was Gandhi-Irwin Pact?

Answer:

Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on 5 March 1931. By this Pact, Gandhiji consented to participate in a Round Table Conference in London and the government agreed to release the political prisoners.

Question 23.

Why was the Congress unwilling to support ‘no rent’ campaigns in most places?

Answer:

The Congress was apprehensive of raising issues that might upset the rich peasants and landlords.

Question 24.

When was the Civil Disobedience Movement re launched?

Answer:

The Civil Disobedience Movement was re launched in 1932.

Question 25.

What was the belief of Natesa Sastri about folklore?

Answer:

He believed that folklore was national literature. It was ‘the most trustworthy manifestation of people’s real thoughts and characteristics’.

Question 26.

Describe the tricolour flag designed during the Swadeshi movement.

Answer:

During the Swadeshi movement in Bengal, a tricolour flag (red, green and yellow) was designed. It has eight lotuses representing eight provinces of British India, and a crescent moon, representing Hindus and Muslims.

Question 27.

What did nationalist histories urge the readers?

Answer:

Nationalist histories urged the readers to take pride in India’s great achievements in the past and struggle to change the miserable conditions of life under British rule.

Question 28.

Describe the Swaraj flag designed by Mahatma Gandhi in 1921.

Answer:

The Swaraj flag designed by Mahatma Gandhi was a tricolour (red, green and white) and had a spinning wheel in the centre representing the Gandhian ideal of self-help.

Question 29.

Name the writer of the book ‘Hind Swaraj’.

Answer:

Mahatma Gandhi.

                    Short Answers Type

Question 1.

Discuss various stages of the Non-cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi.

Answer:

Gandhiji proposed that the movement should unfold in stages-

• It should begin with the surrender of titles that the government awarded.

• Second stage involved a boycott of civil services, army, police, courts and legislative councils, schools, and foreign goods.

• Then, in case the government used repression, a full civil disobedience campaign would be launched.

Question 2.

‘The merchants and industrialists made a significant contribution to the Civil Disobedience Movement’. In the light of the above statement, explain their role in the movement.

OR

How did the industrialists relate to the Civil Disobedience Movement? Analyse their role.

OR

Evaluate the role of business classes in the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’.

Answer:

(i) Indian merchants and industrialists wanted protection against imports of foreign goods, and a rupee-sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports. To organise business interests, they formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.

• (ii) Led by prominent industrialists like Purshottamdas Thakurdas and G.D. Birla, the industrialists attacked colonial control over the Indian economy, and supported the civil disobedience movement when it was first launched.

(iii) They gave financial assistance and refused to buy or sell imported goods. Most businessmen came to see swaraj at a time when colonial restrictions on business would no longer exist and trade and industry would flourish without constraints.

Question 3.

How reinterpretation of history created a sense of collective belongingness among different community of India?

Answer:

(i) By the end of the nineteenth century many Indians began feeling that to instill a sense of pride in the nation Indian history had to be thought about differently.

(ii) The British saw Indians as backward and primitive, incapable of governing themselves. In response, Indians began writing about glorious developments in ancient times when art and architecture, science and mathematics, religion and culture, law and philosophy, crafts and trade had flourished.

(iii) This glorious time, in their view, was followed by a history of decline, when India was colonised. These nationalist histories urged the readers to take pride in India’s great achievements in the past and struggle to change the miserable conditions of life under British rule. Thus, reinterpretation of history created a feeling of nationalism among different community of India.

Question 4.

Why did Mahatma Gandhi decide to launch a nationwide satyagraha against the proposed Rowlatt Act? Explain any three reasons.

Answer:

The Rowlatt Act was passed hurriedly through the Imperial Legislative Council despite the united opposition of the Indian members. The Act gave the government enormous powers t repress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years. The Indians were outraged by these laws as they were clearly undemocratic and oppressive and hurt national sentiments and dignity. Mahatma Gandhi called for a nation-wide protest against the proposed Rowlatt Act in 1919. Rallies were organised in various cities. Workers went on strike in

railway workshops and shops closed down.

Question 5.

“The Congress was reluctant to include the demands of industrial workers in its programme of struggle”. Analyse the reasons.

Answer:

• The industrial working classes did not participate in the civil disobedience movement in large numbers, except in the Nagpur region. As the industrialists came closer to the Congress, workers stayed aloof.

• Some workers who participated in the movement, selectively adopted some of the ideas of the Gandhian programme, like boycott of foreign goods, as part of their own movements against low wages and poor working conditions.

• The Congress was reluctant to include workers’ demands in its programme of struggle as it felt that this would alienate industrialists and divide the anti-imperial forces.

• Question 6.

How could non-cooperation become a movement? Give your opinion.

Answer:

(i) The Non-cooperation Movement was launched by Gandhiji in 1920 and it was unfolded in stages. It began with the surrender of titles awarded by the government, the boycott of civil services, army, police, etc. and foreign goods. Through the summer of 1920 Mahatma Gandhi along with Shaukat Ali toured extensively, mobilising popular support for the movement.

• (ii) Various social groups participated in this movement and gradually it turned into a mass movement. Thousands of students left government-controlled schools and colleges, headmasters, teachers resigned and lawyers gave up their legal practices. Foreign goods were boycotted, liquor shops picketed and foreign cloth burnt in huge bonfire.

(iii) From the cities, the movement spread to the countryside. It drew into its fold the struggle of peasants and tribals which were developing in different parts of India in the years after the war.

Question 7.

Describe the main features of the ‘Poona Pact’.

Answer:

• The Poona Pact was signed between Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar in September 1932 to

resolve the issue of separate electorates for dalits.

• It gave the depressed classes who later came to be known as the scheduled castes, reserved seats in provincial and central legislative councils.

• But they were to be voted in by the general electorate as their demand of separate electorate was not accepted by Mahatma Gandhi in the larger interest of the country.

• Question 8.

How did ‘Salt March’ become an effective tool of resistance against colonialism? Explain.

Answer:

What Mahatma Gandhi meant about satyagraha being active resistance was that it requires a lot of pure soul-force activity. It involves great sacrifices to be made, which can be done only by persons with strong will power. It requires resistance to oppression without using any physical force.

• The idea of satyagraha emphasises the power of truth and the need to search for truth. It suggests that if the cause is true, if the struggle is against injustice, then physical force is not necessary to fight the oppressor. Without being aggressive, a satyagrahi can win the battle through non-violence. This can be done by appealing to the conscience of the oppressor. By this struggle, truth is bound to triumph ultimately.

Question 9.

Describe any three suppressive measures taken by the British administration to clamp down on nationalists.

Answer:

In 1919, Gandhiji launched a nationwide satyagraha against the proposed Rowlatt Act. Rallies were organised in various cities, workers went on strike in railway workshops, and shops closed down. Alarmed by the popular upsurge, and scared that lines of communication such as the railways and telegraph would be disrupted, the British administration decided to clamp down on nationalists. It took several repressive methods. Some of them were

• Local leaders were picked up from Amritsar, and Mahatma Gandhi was barred from entering Delhi.

• Martial law was imposed and General Dyer took the command. He entered the Jallianwala Bagh area where a large crowd had gathered to protest against the Rowlatt Act and opened fire on them, killing hundreds.

• As the news of Jallianwala Bagh massacre spread, crowds took to the streets in many north Indian towns. The government responded with brutal repression. Satyagrahis were forced to rub their noses on the ground, crawl on the streets, and do salaam (salute) to all sahibs.

Question 12.

Why did the Non-cooperation Movement gradually slow down in the cities? Explain.

Answer:

The Non-cooperation Movement gradually slowed down in the cities due to the following reasons-

• Khadi cloth was often more expensive than mass-produced mill cloth and poor people could not afford to buy it. It became difficult for them to boycott mill cloth for a long time.

• The boycott of British institutions posed a problem. For the movement to be successful, alternative Indian institutions had to be set up so that they could be used in place of the British ones. But these came up gradually.

• Therefore, students and teachers who had left government schools to participate in Gandhi’s Non-cooperation Movement, began coming back to schools and lawyers joined back in government courts.

Question 13.

Describe the role of merchants and industrialists in the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Answer:

(i) Indian merchants and industrialists wanted protection against imports of foreign goods, and a rupee-sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports. To organise business interests, they formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.

(ii) Led by prominent industrialists like Purshottamdas Thakurdas and G.D. Birla, the industrialists attacked colonial control over the Indian economy, and supported the civil disobedience movement when it was first launched.

(iii) They gave financial assistance and refused to buy or sell imported goods. Most businessmen came to see swaraj at a time when colonial restrictions on business would no longer exist and trade and industry would flourish without constraints.

Question 14.

Describe the main features of the Salt March.

Answer:

What Mahatma Gandhi meant about satyagraha being active resistance was that it requires a lot of pure soul-force activity. It involves great sacrifices to be made, which can be done only by persons with strong will power. It requires resistance to oppression without using any physical force. The idea of satyagraha emphasises the power of truth and the need to search for truth. It suggests that if the cause is true, if the struggle is against injustice, then physical force is not necessary to fight the oppressor. Without being aggressive, a satyagrahi can win the battle through non-violence. This can be done by appealing to the conscience of the oppressor. By this struggle, truth is bound to triumph ultimately.

Question 15.

How had the First World War created a new economic situation in India? Explain with three examples.

Answer:

• The First World War created a new economic situation by leading to a huge expenditure in defence which was to be financed by increasing taxes and raising customs duties.

• Crops failed in many parts of India, resulting in acute shortages of food.

• This was accompanied by an influenza epidemic. According to the census of 1921, 12 to 13 million people perished as a result of famines and epidemic.

Question 16.

How was Rowlatt Act opposed by the people in India? Explain with examples.

Answer:

• Rallies were organised in various cities, workers went on strike in railway workshops, and shops closed down.

• Banks, post offices and railway stations were attacked.

• People in Amritsar gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh to protest against the government’s new repressive measures.

• Question 17.

Which were the two types of demands mentioned by Gandhiji in his letter to Viceroy Irwin on 31st January 1930? Why was abolition of salt tax most stirring demand? Explain.

Answer:

On 31st January 1930, Gandhiji sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands. Some of these were of general interest, others were specific demands of different classes, from industrialists to peasants. The idea was to make the demands wide-ranging, so that all classes within Indian society could identify with them and everyone could be brought together in a united campaign.

• The most stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax. Salt was something consumed by the rich and the poor alike, and it was one of the most essential items of food. The tax on salt and the government monopoly over its production, Mahatma Gandhi declared, revealed the most oppressive face of British rule.

Question 18.

Mention three problems faced by the Awadh peasants.

Answer:

In Awadh, talukdars and landlords exploited the poor peasants in a variety of ways-

• They demanded from peasants exorbitantly high rents at variety of other cesses.

• Peasants had to do begar and work at landlord’s farms without any payment.

• As tenants they had no security of tenure, being regularly evicted so that they could acquire no right over the leased land.

Question 19.

How did the rich peasants and women take part in Civil Disobedience Movement? (Imp)

Answer:

(i) Rich peasant communities like the patidars of Gujarat and the Jats of Uttar Pradesh were the active supporters of the Civil Disobedience Movement. They organised their communities, and at times forced reluctant members, to participate in the boycott programmes. For them, the fight for swaraj was a struggle against high revenues.

(ii) Women participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement in a large number. During Gandhi’s salt march, thousands of women came out of their homes to listen to him. They took part in protest marches, manufactured salt, and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops. Many went to jail. They moved by Gandhiji’s call and saw service to the nation as a sacred duty.

Question 20.

How did the tribals of the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh interpret swaraj?

OR

Enlist some of the features of the Gudem rebellion of Andhra Pradesh.

Answer:

(i) The tribals of the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh interpreted the idea of swaraj in a quite different way. Here, the tribals started a militant guerrilla movement in the early 1920s against the colonial government.

(ii) As in other forest regions, the colonial government had closed large forest areas, preventing people from entering the forests to graze their cattle, or to collect fuel-wood and fruits. This enraged the hill people. Not only were their livelihoods affected but they felt that their traditional rights were being denied.

(iii) When the government began forcing them to contribute begar for road building, the hill people revolted under the leadership of Alluri Sitaram Raju.

(iv) They attacked police stations, attempted to kill British officials and carried on guerilla warfare for achieving swaraj. For them, swaraj meant freedom of entering the forests to graze their cattle, etc.

Question 22.

Who was Alluri Sitaram Raju? Explain his role in inspiring the rebels with Gandhiji’s ideas.

Answer:

Alluri Sitaram Raju was the leader of the Gudem tribals of Andhra Pradesh. He claimed that he had a variety of special powers – he could make correct astrological predictions and heal people, and he could survive even bullets shots. The Gudem rebels were greatly inspired by him.

They proclaimed that he was an incarnation of God. Raju talked of the greatness of Mahatma Gandhi, and persuaded people to wear khadi and give up drinking during the Non-cooperation Movement. But he differed from Gandhiji at one point. He believed that India could be liberated only by the use of force, not non-violence. The colonial government was watching his activities with suspicion. It captured him and executed him in 1924. Over time he became a folk hero.

                            Long Answers Type

Question 1.

How did people belonging to different communities, regions or language groups develop a sense of collective belonging?

OR

“Nationalism spreads when people begin to believe that they are all part of the same nation.” Support the statement.

Answer:

(i) The sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united struggles and growing anger among people against the colonial government.

But there were also a variety of cultural processes through which nationalism captured people’s imagination. History and fiction, folklore and songs, popular prints and symbols, all played a part in the making of nationalism.

(ii) The identity of the nation is often symbolised in a figure or image. This helps create an image with which people can identify the nation. It was in the twentieth century, with the growth of nationalism, that the identity of India came to be associated with the image of Bharat Mata, first created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Then Abanindranath Tagore painted the image of Bharat Mata during the swadeshi movement. In his painting Bharat Mata is portrayed as an ascetic figure. She is calm, composed, divine and spiritual. In subsequent years, the image of Bharat Mata acquired many different forms, painted by different artists. Devotion to this mother figure came to be seen as evidence to one’s nationalism.

(iii) Movement to revive Indian folklore also enhanced nationalist sentiments. In late-nineteenth century India, nationalists began recording folk tales sung by bards and they toured villages to gather folk songs and legends. These tales gave a true picture of traditional culture that had been corrupted and damaged by outside forces. It was essential to preserve this folk tradition in order to discover one’s national identity and restore a sense of pride in one’s past.

(iv) Icons and symbols played an important role in unifying people and inspiring in them a feeling of nationalism. During the swadeshi movement in Bengal, a tricolour flag having red, green and yellow colours was designed. It had eight lotuses representing eight provinces of British India, and a crescent moon, representing Hindus and Muslims. By 1921, Gandhiji designed the Swaraj flag having red, green and white colours and a spinning wheel in the centre, representing the Gandhian ideal of self-help. Carrying the flag, holding it aloft, during marches became a symbol of defiance.

(v) Feeling of nationalism was also created through reinterpretation of history. The British saw Indians as backward and primitive, incapable of governing themselves. In response, Indians began looking into the past to discover India’s great achievements. They wrote about the glorious developments in ancient times when art and architecture, science and mathematics, religion and culture, law and philosophy, crafts and trade had flourished. This glorious time was followed by a history of decline, when India was colonised. These nationalist histories urged the readers to take pride in India’s great achievements in the past and struggle to change the miserable conditions of life under the British rule.

Question 2.

Categorise and discuss the different urban sentiments which joined the Non-cooperation Movement.

Answer:

(a) The growth of nationalism in the colonies including India is intimately connected to the anti-colonial movement. People in colonies discover their unity in the process of their struggle with colonialism. The sense of being oppressed under colonialism provides a shared bond that ties many different groups together.

(b) The First World War created a new economic and political situation. It led to a huge increase in defence expenditure which was financed by war loans and increasing taxes. Customs duties were raised and income tax introduced.

Through the war years prices increased leading to extreme hardship for the common people. Villages were called upon to supply soldiers and the forced recruitment in rural areas angered the common mass.

In 1918-19 and 1920-21, crops failed in many parts of India resulting in acute shortages of food. This was accompanied by an influenza epidemic. Millions of people died as a result of famines and the epidemic.

People hoped that their hardships would end after the war was over. But that did not happen. All this caused widespread anger and opposition against the British colonial rule and the national movement in India took a stronger turn.

(c) The Rowlatt Act was passed hurriedly through the Imperial Legislative Council despite the united opposition of the Indian members. The Act gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.

The Indians were outraged by these laws as they were clearly undemocratic and oppressive and hurt national sentiments and dignity. Mahatma Gandhi called for a nation-wide protest against the proposed Rowlatt Act in 1919. Rallies were organised in various cities. Workers went on strike in railway workshops and shops closed down.

(d) Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-cooperation Movement because it was turning violent. Various incidents of violence perpetrated by the masses, especially the Chauri Chaura incident that took place in 1922 in Gorakhpur.

Here, a peaceful demonstration in a bazaar turned into a violent clash with the police and the angry mob set police-station on fire in which several police were killed. Hearing of the incident, Mahatma Gandhi called a halt to this movement. He felt that people were not yet ready for a mass struggle, and the satyagra his needed to be properly trained for non-violent demonstrations.

Question 3.

Explain the attitude of the Indian merchants and the industrialists towards the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Answer:

When the movement was first launched Indian merchants and industrialists supported it very enthusiastically. But when it was re-launched, all their enthusiasm had vanished. The failure of the Round Table Conference disappointed business groups. They were apprehensive of the spread of militant activities, and worried about prolonged disruption of business, as well as of the growing influence of socialism amongst the younger members of the Congress.

(i) Indian merchants and industrialists wanted protection against imports of foreign goods, and a rupee-sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports. To organise business interests, they formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.

(ii) Led by prominent industrialists like Purshottamdas Thakurdas and G.D. Birla, the industrialists attacked colonial control over the Indian economy, and supported the civil disobedience movement when it was first launched.

(iii) They gave financial assistance and refused to buy or sell imported goods. Most businessmen came to see swaraj at a time when colonial restrictions on business would no longer exist and trade and industry would flourish without constraints.

Question 4.

Describe the incident and impact of the Jallianwala Bagh.

Answer:

On 13th April 1919, a large crowd gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh. Some came to protest against the government’s new repressive measures. Others had come to attend the annual Baisakhi fair. Being from outside the city, many villagers were unaware of the martial law that had been imposed.

General Dyer entered the area, blocked the exit points, and opened fire on the crowd, killing hundreds of innocent people. Dyer’s main intention was to ‘produce a moral effect’ and terrorise the satyagrahis. The indiscriminate firing by the British soldiers led to nation-wide outrage. There were strikes, clashes with the police and attacks on government buildings. The Jallianwala Bagh incident was the most brutal incident in the history of India, The government responded with brutal repression seeking to humiliate and terrorise people, satyagrahis were forced to rub their noses on the grounds, crawl on the streets, and do salciam (salute) to all sahibs.

Impact of the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre- The Jallianwala Bagh massacre was the most brutal incident in the history of India. It reflected the government’s ruthless attitude towards the colonised people. It filled hatred in the hearts of the Indians. They were not ready to accept such a heinous crime. They showed their disapproval by surrendering titles that the government had awarded. They also boycotted civil services, army, police, courts and legislative councils, schools, and foreign goods.

Question 5.

How could non-cooperation become a movement? Explain with examples.

Answer:

Gandhi’s non-cooperation could become a movement due to its gradual spread in various parts of the country.

(i) In cities, middle-class people participated in the movement. Thousands of students left government controlled schools and colleges, headmasters and teachers resigned, and lawyers gave up their legal practices.

(ii) People in large number boycotted foreign goods, picketed liquor shops and burnt foreign cloth in huge bonfires. In many places, merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods or finance foreign trade. People began discarding imported clothes and wearing only Indian ones with the spread of the boycott movement.

(iii) From the cities, the Non-cooperation Movement spread to the countryside. In Awadh, peasants were led by Baba Ramchandra. Being fed up with the atrocities of the talukdars and landlords, these peasants demanded reduction of revenue, abolition of begar, and social boycott of the zamindars.

In many places, nai dhobi bandhs were organised by panchayats to deprive landlords of the services of even barbers and washermen. In October 1920, the Oudh Kisan Sabha was set up and within a month, over 300 branches had been set up in the villages around the region. So, when the Non-cooperation Movement began the following year, the Congress integrated the Awadh peasant struggle into the wider struggle.

(iv) Tribal peasants also played an important role in making the non-cooperation a mass movement. They were already frustrated with the colonial government’s callous attitude. In such a situation when the government began forcing them to contribute begar for road building, they revolted under the leadership of Alluri Sitaram Raju. He persuaded people to wear khadi and give up drinking.

(v) The Non-cooperation Movement also inspired the planation workers of Assam. These workers wanted freedom to move freely in and out of the confined space in which they were enclosed. So, when they heard of the movement, they defied the authorities, left the plantations and headed home. They believed that Gandhi Raj was coming and everyone would be given land in their own villages.

Questions for Practice (2 Marks)

Q1. Explain the idea of Satyagraha.

Q2. Why was the Inland Emigration Act of 1859 troublesome for plantation workers.

Q3.. Who formed Khilafat Committee and why?

Q4.When and why the Non cooperation movement was called off by Gandhi ji?

Q5. What was the Rowllat Act ? Why it was opposed by Indians.?

Q6.The congress was reluctant to include the demands of Industrial Workers in its programme of struggle.Analyse the reason.

Q7. Why did Gandhi ji support the Khilafat issue? 

Q8.Why did Gandhi ji choose Salt as a means of Satyagraha?

Q9. What was the reason behind clash between Gandhi ji and Dr. Ambedkar? How did it resolve?

Q10.How the tricolour flag designed during Swadeshi movement in Bengal was different from the flag designed by  Gandhiji in 1921?

Questions for Practice (3 Marks)

Q1. Explain the three initial movement of Gandhi ji in India.

Q2. Describe the three Economic effects of First world war.

Q3. Explain the effects of Non cooperation movement on the economic front.

Q4. How did non cooperation movement unfold in stages? Why did it slow down in cities?

Q5. Describe the main features of the civil disobedience movement of 1930.

Q6. Why did Gandhi ji launch the civil disobedience movement. Explain three reasons. 

Q7. What was Bardoli Satyagraha. Explain

Q8. Explain the incident of Jallianwala Bagh Massare.

Q9. How did women participate in Civil Disobedience movement? Why was congress reluctant to allow women to hold any position of authority within the organisation?

Q10. Explain the measures taken by Gandhi ji to eliminate the problem of untouchability.

Q11. Write a short note on Poona Pact. 

Q12. Simon Commission was greeted with the slogan ' Simon Go Back' . Support the statement with suitable arguments.

Q13. Describe the spread of Non Cooperation Movement in Countryside/ Peasants movement in Awadh.

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