Nationalism in India Notes for Class 10 Social Science
Following are Nationalism in India Notes for Class 10 Social Science. These revision notes have been prepared by expert teachers of Class 10 Social Science as per the latest NCERT, CBSE, KVS books released for the current academic year. Students should go through Chapter 2 Nationalism in India concepts and notes as these will help you to revise all important topics and help you to score more marks. We have provided Class 10 Social Science notes for all chapters in your book. You can access it all free and download Pdf.
Chapter 2 Nationalism in India Notes Class 10 Social Science
Key Concepts:
- Mahatma Gandhi and the idea of Satyagraha – The power of Truth & the need to search for truth -Mental strength is more powerful than physical force to win the heart of the oppressor. Novel idea of Satyagraha was first time implemented in South Africa.
- In India the first was at Champaran in 1916 – to inspire plantation workers to struggle against oppressive plantation system. In 1917 Satyagraha at Kheda -to support peasants
- In 1918 Satyagraha at Ahmedabad – Among the cotton mill workers.
- “Hind Swaraj“- the famous book written by Mahatma Gandhi, which emphasised non-cooperation to British rule in India
- The First World War, Khilafat and Non Cooperation
- On 13th April1919 Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre – Amritsar in Punjab
- The First World War- its effects.
- Huge increases in defenses expenditure. Custom duties were raised; Income tax was introduced. There was forced recruitments in rural areas, spread of epidemics
- The Rowlatt Act of 1919: It gave the British government enormous power to repress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.
- Non-cooperation programme was adopted at Nagpur in Dec.1920.
- The peasant movement in Awadh demanded reduction of revenue, abolition of beggar Baba Ramachandra.
- Inland Emigration Act of 1859: Under this act plantation worker were not permitted to leave the tea gardens without permission.
- Alluri Sitaram Raju led the tribal revolt of Guden Hills of Andhra
- Pradesh Khilafat agitation- led by Muhammad Ali & Shaukat Ali.
- Chauri Chaura incident – Violence – withdrawal of Non – Cooperation movement -1922
- Swaraj Party was founded by C.R. Das and Moti Lal Nehru for return to council Politics.
- Simon Commission 1928 and boycott.
- Lahore Congress session and demand for Purna Swaraj in 1929.
- Dandi march and the beginning of civil Disobedience movement
- Salt was something consumed by the rich and the poor alike, and it was one of the most essential items of food- salt considered a more effective weapon for protest against Britishers.
- Government ‘s repressive policy- Gandhi Irwin Pact and failure of round table conference Re-launching of movement.
- Who participated in the movement?
The rich peasant communities, the poor peasantry, business class, the industrial workers in Nagpur and a large scale participation of women took active part in the movement. - Limits of the movement-less participation by untouchables – Ambedkar for separate electorate and Poona pact of 1932, luke warm response by some Muslim Political Organization
- Provisions of Poona pact of 1932- Signed between Dr.Ambedkar & Gandhiji- It gave depressed classes reserved seats in central provincial councils but they were to be voted by the general electorate.
- The sense of collective belonging- This sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united struggles role of folklore and songs- the image of Bharath Mata- Nationalism through icons or symbols of representation of History. The first image was created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay & painted by Abanindra Nath Tagore.
OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS
Question. Why did General Dyer order to open fire on a peaceful demonstration at Jallianwala Bagh? Choose from the given options.
(a) He wanted to show his power.
(b) Firing was ordered because it was an unruly crowd.
(c) Because his object, as he declared later, was to ‘produce a moral effect’ to create fear in the minds of ‘satyagrahis’.
(d) He ordered to fire because he noticed a sudden unrest in the crowd.
Answer : (c) Because his object, as he declared later, was to ‘produce a moral effect’ to create fear in the minds of ‘satyagrahis’.
Question. Due to the effect of the Non-Cooperation movement on the plantation workers in Assam, they:
(a) left the plantations and headed home.
(b) went on strike.
(c) destroyed the plantations.
(d) None of these
Answer : (a) left the plantations and headed home.
Question. Which one of the following Viceroys announced a vague offer of dominion status for India in October 1929?
(a) Lord Mount batten
(b) Lord Dalhousie
(c) Lord Irwin
(d) None of these
Answer : (c) Lord Irwin
Question. Why did Gandhiji organise Satyagraha in 1917 in Kheda district of Gujarat?
(a) To support the plantation workers
(b) To protest against high revenue demand
(c) To support the mill workers to fulfil their demand
(d) To demand loans for the farmers
Answer : (b) To protest against high revenue demand
Question. Why was Satyagraha organised in Champaran ?
(a) To oppose the British laws
(b) To oppose the plantation system
(c) To support indigo cultivators
(d) To protest against the oppression of the mill workers
Answer : (c) To support indigo cultivators
Question. Who formed the ‘Swaraj Party’ within the Congress?
(a) Jawahar Lai Nehru and Motilal Nehru
(b) Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Jawahar Lal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose
(d) C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru
Answer : (d) C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru
Question. Who founded the ‘Depressed Classes Association’ in 1930?
(a) Alluri Sitaram Raju
(b) C.R. Das
(c) M.R. Jayakar
(d) Dr B.R. Ambedkar
Answer : (d) Dr B.R. Ambedkar
Question. Why was the Simon Commission sent to India?
(a) To look into the Indian constitutional matter and suggest reform
(b) To choose members of Indian Council
(c) To settle disputes between the government and the Congress leaders
(d) To set up a government organisation
Answer : (a) To look into the Indian constitutional matter and suggest reform
Question. In which of the following Indian National Congress sessions was the demand of‘Purna Swaraj’ formalised in December 1929?
(a) Madras Session
(b) Lahore Session
(c) Calcutta Session
(d) Nagpur Session
Answer : (b) Lahore Session
Question. When did the Jallianwalla Bagh incident take place?
(a) On 13 April 1919
(b) On 15 August 1919
(c) On 27 October 1919
(d) On 10 March 1919
Answer : (a) On 13 April 1919
Question. Why was Alluri Sitarama Raju well known?
(a) He led the militant movement of tribal peasants in Andhra Pradesh.
(b) He led a peasant movement in Avadh.
(c) He led a satyagraha movement in Bardoli.
(d) He set up an organisation for the upliftment of the dalits.
Answer : (a) He led the militant movement of tribal peasants in Andhra Pradesh.
Question. The Non-cooperation Khilafat Movement began in
(a) January 1921
(b) February 1922
(c) December 1929
(d) April 1919
Answer : (a) January 1921
Question. Which of the following was the reason for calling off the Non- cooperation Movement by Gandhiji?
(a) Pressure from the British Government
(b) Second Round Table Conference
(c) Gandhiji’s arrest
(d) Chauri-Chaura incident
Answer : (d) Chauri-Chaura incident
Question. What kind of movement was launched by the tribal peasants of Gudem Hills in Andhra Pradesh?
(a) Satyagraha Movement
(b) Militant Guerrilla Movement
(c) Non-Violent Movement
(d) None of the above
Answer : (b) Militant Guerrilla Movement
Question. Who were the ‘Sanatanis’?
(a) Saints
(b) Dalits
(c) Labours
(d) High-caste Hindus
Answer : (d) High-caste Hindus
Question. Who founded the ‘Depressed Classes Association’ in 1930?
(a) Alluri Sitaram Raju
(b) C.R. Das
(c) M.R. Jayakar
(d) Dr B.R. Ambedkar
Answer : (d) Dr B.R. Ambedkar
Question. Who among the following two leaders led the Khilafat Movement?
(a) Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali
(b) Gandhiji and Sardar Patel
(c) Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Abul Kalam Azad
(d) Abul Kalam Azad and Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer : (a) Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali
Question. Why did Gandhiji withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement?
(a) Gandhiji realised that people were losing interest in the movement.
(b) Gandhiji felt that the movement was turning violent in many places.
(c) Some Congress leaders wanted to participate in elections to Provincial Councils.
(d) Some Congress leaders wanted more radical mass agitations.
Answer : (b) Gandhiji felt that the movement was turning violent in many places.
Question. Match the columns. Find out the correct option
(a) 1(d), 2(a), 3(b), 4(c)
(b) 1(c), 2(b), 3(d), 4(a)
(c) 1(a), 2(d), 3(c), 4(b)
(d) 1(c), 2(d), 3(a), 4(b)
Answer : (a) 1(d), 2(a), 3(b), 4(c)
Assertion Reason Questions
Question. Assertion (a): It was declared that 26th January, 1930 would be celebrated as the Independence Day when people were to take a pledge to struggle for Complete Independence.
Reason (R): Mahatma Gandhi had to find a way to relate his abstract idea of freedom to more concrete issues of everyday life.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false and R is true.
Answer : (b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
Question. Assertion Gandhiji’s idea of ‘Satyagraha’ emphasised the power of truth and the need to search for truth.
Reason Gandhiji believed that a Satyagrahi could win the battle by appealing to the conscience of the oppressor.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false and R is true.
Answer : (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question. Assertion (a): Mahatma Gandhi decided to launch Civil Disobedience Movement by violating Salt Law.
Reason (R): Salt was used by the poor people.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false and R is true.
Answer : (c) A is true but R is false.
PICTURE BASED QUESTIONS
Question. Which of the following event is related to this Image
(a) Non Co operation Movement
(b) Civil Disobedience Movement
(c) Jallianwalabagh Massacre
(d) Kheda satyagraha
Answer : (c) Jallianwalabagh Massacre
Question. Who portrayed this image of Bharat mata?
(a) Gandhiji
(b) Abindranath Tagore
(c) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
(d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer : (b) Abindranath Tagore
Question. Which of the following event was related this image of Gandhiji?
(a) Dandi march
(b) Non-cooperation movement
(c) Champaran Satyagraha
(d) Kheda satyagraha
Answer : (a) Dandi march
VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Question. How was Rowlatt Act opposed by the people in India? Explain with examples.
Answer : The demand to abolish the salt tax was included in the demands because salt was something consumed by the rich and the poor alike and it was one of the most essential item of food.
Question. What was the Rowlatt Act?
Answer : Rowlatt Act was passed in 1919 by Imperial Legislative Council. It gave the government enormous powers to suppress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.
Question. How had the First World War created a new economic situation in India? Explain with three examples.
Answer : The First World War created a dramatically new economic situation in India:
(i) Manchester imports into India declined as the British mills were busy with war production to meet the needs of the army paving the way for the Indian mills to supply for the huge home market.
(ii) As the war prolonged, Indian factories were called upon to supply war needs. As a result new factories were set up, new workers were employed and everyone was made to work longer hours.
Question. What was the main reason to withdraw the Non-cooperation Movement?
Answer : Mahatma Gandhi called off the Non-cooperation Movement as the movement had turned violent in many places. The Chauri Chaura incident in 1922 turned into a violent dash and 22 policemen were killed. Gandhiji felt satyagrahis were not ready for mass struggles.
SHORT ANSWERS TYPE QUESTIONS
Question. What were the decisions of the Lahore Congress session of 1929?
Ans. In December 1929 under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru the Lahore Congress formalized the demand of Purna Swaraj‘ or complete independence. It was declared that 26 th January 1930 would be celebrated as the Independence day when people were to take a pledge to struggle for independence-Decided to launch Civil Disobedience movement.
Question. When did Simon commission come to India? Why was it boycotted?
Ans. Simon reached Indian in 1928. It was boycott because
– It did not have any single Indian
– It did not talk about Swaraj.
Question. How did the First World War help in the growth of nationalist movement in India?
Ans. War created a new political and economic situation. It led to an increase in expenditure. The war led to a price rise and hardship for common people. War led to forced recruitment of people. Acute Shortage of food led to famine and misery. Indians began to realize that they were drawn in a war unnecessarily. This feeling united Indians against the British.
Question. “The Civil Disobedience Movement was different from the Non-Cooperation Movement”. Support the statement with examples.
Answer : The Civil Disobedience Movement was different from the Non-Cooperation Movement in the following ways:
Non-Cooperation Movement:
• It aimed to attain Swaraj.
• The people were asked not to cooperate with the government.
• Foreign goods and foreign cloth were boycotted. In many places merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods or finance foreign traders.
• Students left the government owned schools and colleges and lawyers gave up legal practices.
Civil Disobedience Movement:
• It aimed to attain poorna swaraj
• People were asked not only to refuse cooperation with the British but also to break colonial laws.
• The countrymen broke the salt law by manufacturing salt by boiling sea water at Dandi.
• Peasants refused to pay revenue and chaukidari tax.
• Village officials resigned from their jobs. Forest people violated forest rules and laws.
Question. Briefly explain Dandi March.
Answer : Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the Nation. He sent letter to Viceroy Irwin in which the most stirring was demand to abolish salt tax. When Irwin refused to accept these demands, Gandhi started the salt march accompanied by 78 of his trusted volunteers, marched 240 miles from Sabarmati ashram to Dandi. On his way he told the importance of Swaraj to people and asked to defy British. On 6th April he reached Dandi violated the law, manufacturing salt by boiling sea water. It marked the beginning of civil disobedience movement.
Question. Explain the effects of ‘worldwide economic depression’ on India, towards late 1920s.
Answer : In 19th century, colonial India had become an exporter of agricultural goods and an importer of manufactures.
The worldwide economic depression immediately affected Indian trade. India’s exports and imports nearly halved between 1928 and 1934. As international prices crashed, prices in India also plunged. Peasants producing for the world market were worst hit. Though agricultural prices fell, the colonial government refused to reduce revenue demands. Peasant’s indebtedness increased. For example, Jute producers of Bengal.
Question. Why did Mahatma Gandhi relaunch the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1932? Explain.
Answer : • Mahatma Gandhi entered into a pact with Irwin on 5 March, 1931.
• By this Gandhi-Irwin Pact, Gandhiji committed to participate in a Round Table Conference in London and the government agreed to release the political prisoners.
• In December 1931, Gandhiji went to London for the conference, but the negotiations broke down and he returned disappointed.
• Back in India, he discovered that the government had begun a new cycle of repressive measures.
• Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru were both in jail and the Congress had been declared illegal.
• A series of measures had been imposed to prevent meetings, demonstrations and boycotts.
• Thus, with great apprehension Gandhiji relaunched the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Question. How was Lahore Congress of 1929 important?
Answer : 1.It formalized the demand for ‘Purna Swaraj’ or full independence to India.
2. It declared 26 Jan.1930 would be celebrated as Independence Day.
3. It decided to launch Civil Disobedience Movement.
Question. Explain the role of women in Civil Disobedience Movement.
Answer : During Gandhiji’s salt march, thousands of women came out and listen to him. They participated in protest march, manufactured salt and picketed foreign cloth. Many went to jail. They considered serving nation as their sacred duty.
Question. How did the plantation workers understand the idea of ‘Swaraj’? Explain.
Answer : For the plantation workers of Assam, “Swaraj” meant freedom to move freely in and out of the confined space in which they all were enclosed and also to be able to keep the link with their native village intact. Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, plantation workers were not allowed to leave their tea gardens without permission, which they were rarely given. They believed that Gandhi Raj is going to come and they will get a piece of land in their own village. When they heard of the Non-cooperation Movement, thousands of workers defied authorities, left the plantations and headed home.
Question. Explain any three effects of the Non-cooperation Movement on the economy of India.
Answer : The economic sphere was affected by the Non-cooperation Movement:
Foreign goods were boycotted, liquor shops were picketed and foreign cloth was burnt. The import of foreign cloth halved between 1921-1922. Its value dropped from ₹ 102 crore to ₹ 57 crore.
• Many merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods or finance foreign trade.
• People began discarding imported clothes and wearing Indian ones.
• The production of Indian textile mills and handlooms went up. Use of khadi was popularized.
Question. Why Non-Cooperation? What was the method used in the Movement?
Ans. Gandhi in his famous book Hind Swaraj, declared that the British continue to rule with the Cooperation of the Indians – If we withdraw our Co-operation then their rule would end. It began with surrender of Titles, boycott of civil services, army, police, courts and legislative councils, schools and foreign goods Swadeshi, Boycott & National education.
Question. What were the conditions of the Gandhi Irwin pact?
Ans. Mahatma Gandhi signed the pact with Lord Irwin on 5th March, 1931
– Gandhi agreed to participate in the 2 nd Round table conference in England
– Government agreed to release all the political prisoners.
Question. Why did non-cooperation movement slowdown in cities?
Ans. Khadi cloth was more expensive for the poor-No alternative Indian Institution to accommodate Indians. Students and teachers began going back to Govt. Schools and lawyer joined courts.
Question. Who were the leaders of Khilafat Movement? Why was it started?
Ans. Ali brothers – Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali. The defeat of Ottoman Turkey in 1st world war
– Harsh peace treaty was going to be imposed on Ottoman emperor
– To defend this, a Khilafat Committee was formed
– to undo the wrong done to Turkey
– Joined with non-cooperation movement
LONG ANSWERS TYPE QUESTIONS
Question. Describe the Dandi March of Gandhiji.
Ans. Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the Nation. He sent letter to Viceroy Irwin in which the most stirring was demand to abolish salt tax. When Irwin refused, Gandhi started the salt march accompanied by 78 of his trusted volunteers, marched 240 miles from Sabarmati ashram to Dandi. On his way he told the importance of Swaraj to people and asked to defy British. On 6th April he reached Dandi violated the law, manufacturing salt by boiling sea water. It marked the beginning of civil disobedience movement.
Question. Who was Alluri Sitaram Raju? Explain his role in inspiring the rebels with Gandhijis ideas?
Ans. Alluri Sitaram Raju was a tribal leader in the Guden hills of Andhra Pradesh. He started a militant Guerilla Movement in the early 1920s. The tribal people were enraged by the British policy, but when the government began forcing them to contribute beggar for road building, the hill people revolted. Raju inspired the hill people. He talked on the greatness of Mahatma Gandhi. Inspired by Gandhijis Non Cooperation Movement he persuaded people to wear Khadi and give up drinking. But at the same time he did not believe in Nonviolence, he thought that India could be liberated only by the use of force.
Question. How did the ‘Non-Cooperation Movement’ spread in cities across the country? Explain its effects on the economic front.
Answer : In the cities, the Non-Cooperation Movement started with middle class participation.
Thousands of students left government-controlled schools and colleges. Headmasters and teachers resigned and lawyers gave up their legal practices.
The Council elections were boycotted in most provinces except Madras, where the Justice Party, the party of the non-Brahmans, feet that entering the council was one way of gaining power.
Foreign goods and foreign clothes were boycotted. Traders and merchants also refused to trade in foreign goods.
The economic sphere was affected by the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Foreign goods were boycotted, liquor shops were picketed and foreign cloth was burnt. The import of foreign cloth halved between 1921-1922. Its value dropped from ₹ 102 crores to ₹ 57 crores.
Many merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods or finance foreign trade.
People began discarding imported clothes and wearing Indian ones.
The production of Indian textile mills and handlooms went up. Use of khadi was popularised.
Question. How did the Civil Disobedience Movement come into force in various parts of the country? Explain with examples.
Answer : Civil Disobedience Movement came into force in various parts of the country:
(i) Gandhiji 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, the rich Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Uttar Pradesh were active in the movement. As rich communities were very hard hit by the trade depression and falling prices, they became enthusiastic supporters of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
(iv) Merchants and industrialists supported the movement by giving financial assistance and also by refusing to buy and sell the imported goods.
(v) There was a large scale participation of women in this movement. They participated in the protest march, broke the salt law, picketed the shops selling foreign goods and liquor and many went to jail.
Question. How did different social groups participate in Civil Disobedience Movement? Explain with examples.
Answer : (i) Rich peasant communities, like the Patidars of Gujarat and the Jats of Uttar Pradesh, became active in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Being producers of commercial crops, they were hard hit by trade-depression and falling prices.
For them fight for Swaraj was a struggle against high revenues.
(ii) Small tenants had been cultivating rented land of landlords. They were not interested in the lowering of the revenue demand.
They wanted unpaid rent to be remitted. But their demand was not supported by Congress. So their participation in this movement was limited.
They often joined the radical movements led by the socialists and communists.
(iii) Business class reacted against colonial policies that restricted business activities. They wanted protection against import of foreign goods and wanted a rupee-sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports. Industrialists formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920.They formed the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.They became the enthusiastic supporters of civil disobedience movement. They boycotted buying and selling of foreign goods and organised fund for Congress.
(iv) 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. But in spite of that, some workers did participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement, selectively adopting some of the ideas of the Gandhian programme, as part of their own movements against low wages and poor working conditions.. But the Congress was reluctant to include workers’ demands as part of its programme of struggle. It felt that this would alienate industrialists and divide the anti-imperial forces.
(v) Another important feature of the Civil Disobedience Movement was large-scale participation of women.
They participated in protest marches, manufactured salt and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops. Many women went to jail.
These women came from high-caste families in urban areas and rich peasant households in rural areas.
Question. “Dalit participation was limited in the Civil Disobedience Movement”. Examine the statement.
Answer : The abstract concept of ‘Swaraf did not move the nation’s ‘untouchables’, who from around the 1930s had begun to call themselves dalit or oppressed.
The Congress had ignored the dalits, for the fear of offending the Sanatanis, the conservative high caste Hindus.
Gandhiji persuaded upper castes to change their minds. He himself cleaned toilets to dignify the work of the bhangi. He called the untouchables, Harijans, organized satyagraha to secure them entry into temples and access to public wells, tanks and schools.
The dalit leaders were keen on a different political solution. Political empowerment, they believed would resolve the problems of their social disability. They began demanding reserved seats in educational institutions and a separate electorate that would choose dalit members for the Legislative Council. But their demand was not supported by Congress so Dalits didn’t participate the Civil Disobedience Movement in large numbers.
Question. Who was Alluri Sitaram Raju? Explain his role in inspiring the rebels with Gandhiji’s ideas.
Answer : Alluri Sitaram Raju was the tribal leader of the peasants in Andhra Pradesh. He claimed that he had a variety of special powers.
He inspired the rebels with Gandhiji’s ideas in the following ways:
Raju inspired them by talking of the greatness of Mahatma Gandhi.
He said that he was inspired by the Non-cooperation Movement.
He persuaded people to wear khadi and to give up drinking.
But he asserted that India could be liberated only with the use of force.
(i) Jallianwala Bagh Incident. On 13th April 1919, a crowd of villagers who had come to attend a Baisakhi fair, gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh. Being from outside the city, many were not aware of the martial law that had been imposed as a repressive measure.
(ii) Some people had also gathered to protest against the government’s repressive measures.
(iii) General Dyer with his British troops entered the park and closed the only exit point without giving any warning to the assembled people and ordered the troops to fire at the crowds, killing hundreds. This brutal act of General Dyer provoked unparalleled indignation.
(iv) As the news of JallianwalaBagh spread, crowds took to the streets in many North Indian towns. There were hartals, clashes and attacks on government buildings.
(v) The government replied with further brutalities. The people of Punjab were made to crawl on the streets and salute to all ‘Sahibs’. Some were put in open cages and flogged.
Question. Describe the role of the peasants in Awadh in the Non-cooperation Movement.
Answer : Role of the peasants in Awadh in the Non-cooperation Movement:
• In Awadh, the peasants’ movement was led by Baba Ramchandra—a Sanyasi who had earlier worked in Fiji as indentured labourer.
• The movement was against taluqdars and landlords who demanded high rents from the peasants. Peasants had to do ‘begar and work at landlords’ farms without any payment. As tenants, they had no security of tenure and could be evicted without any notice.
• The peasants’ movement demanded reduction of revenue, abolition of begar and social boycott of these landlords.
• In many places Nai-Dhobi bandits were organized to deprive landlords of the services of even washer men and barbers.
• In 1920, Jawahar Lai Nehru began talking to the villagers and formed ‘Oudh Kisan Sabha’. Within a month 300 branches had been setup in the villages.
• As the movement spread in 1921, and it became a part of the Non Cooperation movement. They adopted violent methods. The houses of taluqdars and merchants were attacked, bazaars were looted and grain hoards were taken over.
Question. Describe the main features of the ‘Salt March’.
Or
How did the Salt March become an effective tool of resistance against colonialism? Explain.
Answer : Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation.
On 31st January, 1930 he sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands, one of which was the demand to abolish Salt Tax.
Salt was one of the most essential food items consumed by the rich and poor alike and a tax on it was considered an oppression on the people by the British Government.
Mahatma Gandhi’s letter was an ultimatum and if his demands were not fulfilled by March 11, he had threatened to launch a civil disobedience campaign.
So, Mahatma Gandhi started his famous Salt March accompanied by 78 of his trusted volunteers. The march was over 240 miles, from Gandhiji’s ashram in Sabarmati to the Gujarati coastal town of Dandi.
The volunteers walked for 24 days, about 10 miles a day. Thousands came to hear Mahatma Gandhi wherever he stopped, and he told them what he meant by Swaraj and urged them to peacefully defy the British.
On 6th April, he reached Dandi, and ceremonially violated the law, manufacturing salt by boiling sea water. This marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Question. Explain any five features of Civil Disobedience Movement.
Answer : Non-fulfilment of demands made by Gandhiji on behalf of all the members of the Congress led to the launching of the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930.
Gandhiji’s ‘Dandi March’ marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement. Gandhiji started his march with 78 volunteers from his ashram at Sabarmati to the Gujarat coastal town of Dandi. On 6th April, Gandhiji reached Dandi and ceremonially violated the law, manufacturing salt by boiling sea water.
Features of Civil Disobedience Movement:
People were now asked not only to refuse cooperation with the British but also to break colonial laws.
Foreign cloth was boycotted and people were asked to picket liquor shops.
Peasants were asked not to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes.
Students, lawyers and village officials were asked not to attend English medium schools, colleges, courts and offices.
Question. “This sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united struggles role of folklore, songs, icons & images ”Analyse the statement.
Ans. In late 19th century, Indian Nationalist began recording folk tales sung by bards and toured village to gather. The tales they believed gave true picture of traditional culture that was damaged by outside forces. It was essential to preserve this folk tradition in order to discover the National Identity. It restored a sense o f pride in one‘s past.
During Swadeshi Movement, a tricolor flag was designed representing eight provinces through eight lotuses and a crescent moon symbolizing Hindu-Muslim unity. Later Gandhi developed tricolor flag (Red, Green and White) with a spinning wheel at center representing self-help. Carrying the flag became a symbol of defiance.
This image Bharath Mata was first created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. In 1870 he wrote Vande Mataram a hymn to the mother land. Abanindranath Tagore in his painting portrayed Bharath Mata as calm, ascetic figure, composed, divine and spiritual.
Source Based Questions
Question. Read the following passage and answer the following questions
‘It is said of “passive resistance” that it is the weapon of the weak, but the power which is the subject of this article can be used only by the strong. This power is not passive resistance; indeed it calls for intense activity. The movement in South Africa was not passive but active …
Satyagraha is not physical force. A satyagraha does not inflict pain on the adversary; he does not seek hi destruction … In the use of satyagraha, there is no ill-will whatever.
‘Satyagraha is pure soul-force. Truth is the very substance of the soul. That is why this force is called satyagraha. The soul is informed with knowledge. In it burns the flame of love. … Nonviolence is the supreme dharma ‘It is certain that India cannot rival Britain or Europe in force of arms. The British worship the war-god and they can all of them become, as they are becoming, bearers of arms. The hundreds of millions in India can never carry arms. They have made the religion of non-violence their own …’
(i) Whose words are given above?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Ambedkar
(c) C R Das
(d) Gandhiji
Answer : (d) Gandhiji
(ii) Satyagraha is a passive resistance of weak.
(a) True
(b) False
Answer : False
(iii) satyagraha is based on
(a) Truth
(b) Non violence
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of the above
Answer : (c) Both (a) and (b)
(iv) Satyagraha is based on ———-
(a) Violence
(b) Non violence
Answer : Non violence
Question. Read the following passage and answer the following questions
Not all social groups were moved by the abstract concept of swaraj. One such group was the nation’s ‘untouchables’, who from around the 1930s had begun to call themselves dalit or oppressed. For long the Congress had ignored the dalits, for fear of offending the sanatanis, the conservative high-caste Hindus. But Mahatma Gandhi that swaraj would not come for a hundred years if untouchability was not eliminated. He called the ‘untouchables’ harijan,or the children of God, organised satyagraha to secure them entry into temples, and access to public wells, tanks, roads and schools. He himself cleaned toilets to dignify the work of the bhangi (the sweepers), and persuaded upper castes to change their heart and give up ‘the sin of untouchability’. But many dalit leaders were keen on a different political solution to the problems of the community.
They began organising themselves, demanding reserved seats in educational institutions, and a separate electorate that would choose dalit members for legislative councils. Political empowerment, they believed, would resolve the problems of their social disabilities. Dalit participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement was therefore limited, particularly in the Maharashtra and Nagpur region where their organisation was quite strong. Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who organised the dalits into the Depressed Classes Association in 1930, clashed with Mahatma Gandhi at the second Round Table Conference by demanding separate electorates for dalits.
(i) _________________ called untouchables as harijans.
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Gandhiji
(c) B R Ambedkar
(d) None of the above
Answer : (b) Gandhiji
(ii) Who was the founder of Depressed class association?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Gandhiji
(c) B R Ambedkar
(d) None of the above
Answer : (c) B R Ambedkar
(iii) Gandhiji and Ambedkar clashed over the question of Separate electorate in the ___________
(a) First Round Table Conference
(b) Second Round Table Conference
(c) Third Round Table Conference
(d) Fourth Round Table Conference
Answer : (b) Second Round Table Conference
(iv) Which among the following statement is wrong?
(a) Gandhiji organised satyagraha to secure the harijans the right to enter temples
(b) Gandhinji cleaned the toilets to dignify the work of bhangis
(c) Congress supported the demands of untouchables.
(d) Ambedkar demanded for separate electorate for dalits
Answer : (c) Congress supported the demands of untouchables.