02-Nationalism In India

 

NATIONALISM IN INDIA

CHAPTER-02                                                                               History-10th

 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS AND TERMS

1. Boycot : The refusal to deal and associate with people or participate in activities or buy and use things; usually a form of protest.
2. Picket: A form of demonstration or protest by which people block the entrance to a shop, factory or office.
3. Begar: A kind of labour get done by forcibly and without any payment.
4. Nationalism: Patriotism, a feeling of collective belonging to one’s nation; sharing common feelings of identity.
5. Nation-states: A state having common territory and inhabited by people sharing common languages, race, culture etc.
6. Martial Law: Law of military government. When martial laws are imposed, ordinary laws are suspended.
7. Stayagraha: A method of agitation and protest, based on truth and non-violence. This was first introduced by Gandhiji in Indian national movement.
8. Forced Recruitment: In colonies people were often compelled to join the army and fight war on behalf of the colonial rulers.
9. Khadi: Handspun handloom material.
10. Dominion Status: Status enjoyed by other dominions of British Commonwealth such as Australia or Canada.
11. Rowlatt Act: A law or tool of repression passed by the British Government on 18th March, 1919.
12. Dandi: A place in the western coast of India in Gujarat where Gandhiji broke the Salt Law in course of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
13. Civil Liberties: Rights and freedom enjoyed by a citizen.
14. Individual Satyagraha: Launched by Gandhiji in 1940. Selected individuals broke the laws of making anti-war speeches in public and offered themselves for arrest.

 

TEXT BOOK QUESTIONS (SOLVED)

Write in brief

1. 1. Explain :

(a) Why growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to an anti-colonial movement ?

Ans. The growth of nationalism in the colonies like India, Vietnam, etc. is linked to an anti-colonial movement. This is because of the fact that the colonial people began discovering their unity in the process of their struggle with colonialism. The colonial powers also exploit the people of their colonies so much that all sections of the society decide to throw off the foreign rule. The growing anger against the colonial government brought various groups and classes into a common struggle for freedom. The sense of being oppressed under colonialism provided a shared bond that tied many different groups together against foreign rule.

(b) How the First World War helped in the growth of the National movement in India?

Ans. The First World War created many problems for the Indians especially in the economic field, which ultimately led to the growth of National movement in India by number of ways as :

1. The First World War led to huge increase in the defence expenditure. So the British government increased the taxes, custom duties, etc. All such measures greatly resented the people an they thought of liberating their country from foreign rule.
2. The forced recruitment rural areas created and upheaval in the Indian society resulting in a widespread anger among the people against the British rule.
3. Through the war years, prices of almost every article was increased double which caused economic hardships to the common people an naturally, they were drawn towards the national Movement.

(c) Why Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act?

Ans. The Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act passed by the British government in 1919, because this act has been passed hurriedly through the Imperial Legislature council despite the united opposition and criticism of the Indian members. It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.

(d) Why did Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-cooperation Movement?

Ans. Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-cooperation Movement in February 1922, A.D. He felt that the movement was turning violent in many places and Satyagraha’s needed to be properly trained before they could be ready for mass struggles. He also realized that if the movement was allowed to become violent then the government would also follow the policy of repression and let loose the reign of terror in which thousands of people would be killed mercilessly.

2. 2. What is meant by idea of Satyagraha?

Ans. The Satyagraha was a novel method of truth and non-violence which Gandhiji adopted in his struggle against racial regime of South Africa and the unjust actions of the British Government in India. The idea of Satyagraha emphasised the power of truth and the need to search for truth. It suggested that if the cause was true, if the struggle was against injustice, then physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor. It presents that if your cause is just and true, you are bound to succeed in the end without resorting to violent means. By this struggle, truth was bound to ultimately triumph.

3. 3. Write a newspaper report on :

• The Jallianwala Bagh massacre
• The Simon Commission.

Ans. (a) The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre:

• On 13 April, 1919, General Dyer blocked the exit points from the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh where a large crowd had gathered—some to protest against the British government’s repressive measures, others to attend the annual Baisakhi fair.
• Dyer’s objective was to “produce a moral effect” and terrorise satyagrahis.
• Hundreds of innocent people including women and children were killed on tis day in the indiscriminate firing by British soldiers.
• This led to large scale strikes, clashes with police and attacks on government buildings by the enraged Indian people.

(b) The Simon Commission

• It arrived in India in 1928 and faced protest slogans of “Go Back Simon”.
• It was because this body was to suggest constitutional changes in Indian governance, but it did not have any Indian members.
• The Congress and the Muslim League jointly demonstrated against it. Lord Irwin announced a vague “dominion status” for India to quell the movement, leading to a Round Table Conference in October, 1929.

4. 4. Compare the images of Bharat Mata in this chapter with the image of Germania in Chapter1 ?

Ans. In the 19th century allegories (symbols) were used by the artists to represent a nation or a country.

(i) Germania : In Germany, Germania became the symbol of the German nation. In visual representation, she is shown as wearing a crown of oak leaves as German oaks stands for heroism.

(ii) Bharat Mata : In identity of India is virtually associated with the image of Bharat Mata. Different authors have shown the Bharat Mata in the female figure which were quite different to each other. For instance, Rabindranath Tagore painted Bharat Mata as an ascetic figure. She is calm, composed, divine and spiritual. In another figure, she is shown with a trishul, standing beside a lion and an elephant and both symbols of power and authority.

DISCUSS

1. 1. List all the different social groups which joined the Non-cooperation movement of 1921. Then choose any three and write about their hopes and struggles to show why they joined the movement.

Ans. The social groups joined the non-cooperation movement of 1921 are as :

• Middle Class people in the towns and cities.
• Peasants in the rural areas.
• Tribal people, and
• Plantation workers.

Each social group participated in this movement with its own specific aspiration and responded the call of Swaraj differently. Let us choose three groups and write about their hopes and struggles to join the movement as follows :

• The middle class people in the towns and cities took part in this movement, because they felt that if the foreign goods were boycotted, the sale of their textiles and the handicrafts or handlooms would go up.
• The peasants in the countryside also stood to gain by this movement. They had taken part in this movement because they hoped that by doing so, they would be saved from both the oppressive landlords and high reserve taxes of the colonial government.
• The plantation workers also stood to gain by this movement. They had taken part in this agitation with the hope that they would get the right to move freely in and outside the confined space of the plantation.

2. 2. Discuss the Salt March to make clear why it was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism ?

Ans. Gandhiji launched his Civil Disobedience Movement with his famous Dandi March on March 12, 1930. Gandhiji marched on foot to a small village Dandi on the western coast of Gujarat. He was accompanied by 78 followers. He reached Dandi on April 6, 1930, and there he broke the salt laws. The Salt March or Dandi March proven an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism as following ways:

• To break any British law was surely a step against colonialism. Especially, when a salt law was broken, it had a far wider repercussion on the whole structure of colonialism. Because salt was something which was casually taken by the rich and the poor alike and it was one of the essential items of food. The tax on salt and the monopoly was seen as an oppressive act of the government.
• The Salt march marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement. People were now asked not only to refuse cooperation with the British but also to break colonial laws. Thousands in different parts of the country broke the salt laws and manufactured salt and demonstrated in front of government salt factories.
• Gandhiji’s manufacturing of salt by boiling seas water is ceremonially violation of law. Now peasants refused to pay revenue and chowkidari taxes, and in many places forest people violated forest laws going into Reserved Forests to collect wood and graze cattle.

3. 3. Imagine you are a woman participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Explain what the experience meant to your life ?

Ans. As a woman participant in the Civil Disobedience Movement, I would be much thrilled that I had a chance to meet Mahatma Gandhi, especially in his Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi. I was then in Dandi on 6th April, 1930, when Gandhiji manufactured salt by boiling water. I as very much pained when Gandhiji along with many of his followers were taken prisoners. My blood boiled to see all this and I vowed to give myself to the task of liberating my country from foreign rule. After that, I discarded wearing foreign clothes and began to wear khadi saris. I took part in the many demonstrations against the British rule. I was also taken prison along with other women volunteers at two times. That time had gone but still those days of the Civil Disobedience Movement and fresh in my mind. I still feel proud that I had contributed a lot to the national movement.

4. 4. Why did Political Leaders differ sharply over the question of separate electorates?

Ans. The different political leaders differed sharply over the question of separate electorates because of the following reasons :

• The congress leaders opposed the policy of the British Government in instigating different people in demanding separate electorates. They knew well that was all the mischief of the British Government who encouraged different people ask for separate electorates because such a policy would prolong their stay in India. The Congress leaders were one an all in favour of joint electorates.
• The Muslim leaders like Mohammad Iqbal and Mr. Jinnah asked for separate electorates to safeguard the political interests of the Muslims.
• The leader of the depressed classes, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, also asked for separate electorates because in the joint electorates, he feared the dominance of the caste Hindu in the elections.
• Gandhiji believed that separate electorates which show down the process of national integration and weaken the national struggle for independence.

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT QUESTIONS WITH THEIR ANSWERS

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. 1. Why did various classes and groups of Indians participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement? Discuss.

Ans. The various classes and groups of Indians participate in Civil Disobedience Movement and they meant Swaraj differently. In the countryside, rich peasants communities like the Pal of Gujarat and the jats of Uttar Pradesh, were active in the movement. These rich peasants became enthuastic supporters of the Civil Disobedience Movement. They organised their communities to participate in the boycott programmes.  For them the fight for Swaraj was a struggle against high revenues. The poor peasants joined the movement because, they wanted the unpaid rent to the landlords to be remitted. As the depression continued and cash incomes dwindled, the small tenants found it difficult to pay their rent.

The Business class and industrialists wanted protection against imports of foreign goods and attacked colonial control over the Indian economy and supported the Civil Disobedience Movement. They gave financial assistance and refused to buy or sell imported goods. 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.

There was a large scale participation of women in the Civil Disobedience Movement. During Gandhiji’s Slat March thousands of women came out of their homes to listen to him. They participated in protest marches, manufactured salt and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops. Moved by Gandhiji’s call, they began to see service to the nation as a sacred duty of women.

2. 2. Examine the factors responsible for the growth of national consciousness in the later half of the 19th century?

Ans. The factors responsible for the growth of national consciousness in the later half of the 19th century are as follows:

1. Economic Exploitation of the people : The British rule had led the economic exploitation of the people. The economic exploitation of the people continued unabated. The result was unemployment, poverty and famines all around in the country. This horrible stage of affairs prompted the people to get rid of foreign domination.
2. Administrative and Economic Unification of the country : The administrative and economic unification of the country brought by the British rule acted as a great unifying forces. The common laws and common grievances of the people brought them closer to each other.
3. Role of Press : Press is a powerful medium for mass awakening. Prominent newspaper like the Amrit Bazar Patrika, The Kesari, The Hindu, The Advocate, The Tribute, etc. largely aroused the national consciousness among the people.
4. Racial Arrogance of the Rulers : The adoption of the feeling of racial superiority by the British rulers made them openly insult the Indians. Such a thing was promptly resented by the Indians and they got ready to face the arrogant English people with their full force.
5. Unjust Action of Lord Lytton : The reactionary administration of Lord Lytton aroused discontent among the Indian people by passing the Vernacular Press Act and the Arms Act, etc.
6. Impact of Education : After the introduction of modern education, the Indians through education and European literature became aware about the nation, democracy, equality, etc. which ultimately changed the mindset of the educated Indians against the foreign rule.
7. 3. How did cultural processes help in creating a sense of collective belongingness in India? Explain.

Ans. Nationalism spreads when people of different regions and communities begin to develop a sense of collective belongingness. This sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united struggles. but these were also a variety of cultural processes which contribute in creating a sense of collective belonging in India are as :

• The identity of a nation is more often symbolised in a figure or image. Here the identity of India came to be visually associated with the image of Bharat Mata. Such an identity went a long way in the growth of nationalism.
• Certain songs and hymns like ‘Vande Matram’ dedicated to the motherland also help in creating the sense of collective responsibility and nationalism in India.
• Indian folk songs and folk tales sung by blads who toured round the villages also helped in creating a sense of collective belongingness and nationalism.
• Rediscovery of India’s past also went a long way in creating a sense of collective belonging in India.
• The development and designing of a national flag like the tricolour flag and carrying it during the demonstrations against the British also went a long way in creating a sense of collective belongingness ad nationalism.

4. 4. How did the First World War help in the growth of the National Movement in India?

Ans. The First World War was a great event in world history. It created many problems for the Indians particularly in the economic field, which ultimately led to the growth of National Movement in India in a number of ways :

1. The First World War led to a huge increase in the defence expenditure. So the British Government increased the taxes, custom duties and introduced the income tax. All such measures which created a great economic problems for the people, they were greatly resented by them and they thought of liberating their country from the foreign rule.
2. Again throughout the war years, price of almost every article was increased which caused much economic hardships to the common people and naturally they were drawn towards nationalist movement.
3. The forced recruitment in rural areas created an upheaval in the Indian society resulting in a widespread anger among the people because their agricultural activities were disrupted and hunger and death began to take a heavy toll of their lives.
4. This war was between England and Germany and their partners but India was also made a party of this war without consulting the people. This thing greatly resented by the people.
5. 5. What was Khilafat and Non-cooperation Movements?

Ans. The Khilafat Movement : The Khilafat Movement was started by the Muslims all over the world to protest against the injustice done to Turkish Sultan by Britain and its allies who had partition the Turkish empire. The Muslims considered the Turkish Sultan as their Khalifa (the religious leader). A Khilafat committee was formed and country wide agitation was organised. The All India Khilafat conference held at Delhi in Nov. 1919 decided to withdrawn cooperation from the government if their demands were not met. The Indian leaders looked up on the Khilafat Movement as a golden opportunity for Hindu- Muslim unity. Early 1920, Gandhiji announced that he would lead a movement of Noncooperation if the terms of peace with Turkey did not satisfy the Indian Muslims. The all party conference held at Allahabad in June 1920 approved a programme of boycott. The Khilafat committee launched a non-cooperation passed a resolution that no Muslim should serve in the British Indian Army or offices. In September, Ali Brothers were arrested for sedition. The main leaders of the Khilafat Movement were Mohammad Ali and Shoukat Ali popularly known as Ali Brothers.

Non-cooperation Movement : The Non-Cooperation Movement was started by the Congress to support the Khilafat Movement in 1920 A.D. and to protest against atrocities on the people of Punjab. Gandhiji made an appeal to the people not give any sort of cooperation to the government. Later on this turned into mass movement. At Chauri Chaura, a village in U.P., the people set fire to the police station in 192 A.D. resulting in the death of 22 policemen. When Gandhiji heard this news he called off this movement in 1922. Motilal Nehru, Gnadhiji and C.R. Dass were main leaders of Non-cooperation movement.

6. 6. What is the importance of the non-cooperation Movement? How did this mark a new stage in the Indian National Movement?

Ans. Although the Khilafat and the Non-cooperation movements could not achieve their aims yet they had their own importance in the history of the freedom movement in India. They marked a new stage in the Indian National Movement. The following arguments support this:

1. They made the Congress Movement a mass movement for the first time. These movements gave rise to the sentiments of nationalism on a wider scale. When thousands and thousands of people walked together shoulder to shoulder, resisted the British for months, the National Movement naturally became quite wider in its scope.
2. They inspired the people with new confidence in their power to fight to freedom. The people realised the strength of their unity and cooperation and learn the lessons in self-confidence and self-reliance.
3. By these movements, the national movement was also changed into a revolutionary movement and the Congress became a revolutionary organisation.
4. 7. Why did the Indian National Congress change its goal from Swaraj to complete independence (Purna Swaraj)?

Ans. The Indian National Congress change its goal from Swaraj to complete independence due to the following reasons:

1. Overwhelming Poverty of India : India had been rendered so poor by the English that the Indian leaders no longer could see the plight of their countrymen. Such a situation forced many to get rid of the foreign rule and get complete independence for India. Mer ‘Swaraj’ would not achieve anything.
2. Dismay at the composition and working of the Simon Commission : The Simon Commission sent by the British Government in India for constitutional reforms had no Indian member. Moreover, it did not hold hopes of anything remotely the ‘Swaraj’. All the injustice was greatly resented by the Indians.
3. Anger over the Brutal killing of Lala Lajpat Rai : Lala Lajpat Rai was great nationalist leader of India. While leading a demonstration against the Simon Commission at Lahore. He was lathi-charged so brutally that he soon died. His death sent a wave of anger throughout the country. As such, Congress at its Lahore session held in 1929, declared ‘Purna Swaraj’ or complete independence as the goal of the National Movement.
4. Rise of the Revolutionary Movement : The death of Lala Lajpat Rai was greatly resented by the Indian youth who took over the revolutionary methods to turn out the British from India. The rise of revolutionary movements influenced greatly the policies of the Indian National Congress and it adopted its goal from Swaraj to complete independence.
5. 8. Discuss the role of the revolutionaries in India’s freedom struggle?

OR

What methods were adopted by the revolutionaries to achieve their aims?

Ans. The failure of the first non-coperation Movement (1920-22) caused despair among the Indian youth. They felt that freedom could not be gained in a begging bowl it had fought for. In 1924, the Hindustan Republic Association was formed with a view to organize a armed uprising. But most of the youths were asserted and put on trial in Kakori conspiracy case. In this case 17 of them sentenced to long imprisonments, four were transported for life and four including Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqullah were hanged. In 1928 A.D., Chander Shekhar Azad took the leadership of this party in his own hands and changed its name to ‘Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.’

When Lala Lajpat Rai died of fatal lathi blows which he received while leading a demonstration against the Simon commission, the Indian youth felt infuriated. Bhagat Singh, Azad and Raj Guru savard the account by shooting down a senior English Police officer. In 1928 A.D., on April 8, Bhagat Singh ad Batukeshwar Dutt threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly to protest against the passage of the Public Safety Bill. Their aim was not to hurt anyone but to show the public protest against the bill. Bhagat Singh and B.K. Dutt deliberately allowed themselves to be arrested as they wanted to use the court as a forum for revolutionary propaganda.

When Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Raj Guru were hanged to death on March 23, 1931 A.D. it spread strong waves of anger among the people who had demanding the death sentence of these youths to be changed into life imprisonment. In the same way Chander Shekhar Azad died a martyr’s death in February 1931 A.D. in the Alfred Park of Allahabad. This park was later known as Azad Park, Surya Sen was hanged in 1933 A.D. In the same way Khudi Ram Bose and several revolutionaries kissed the hangmen’s rope. But by their martyrdom, it paved the way for the freedom of their country.

9. 9. Give an account of the Quit India Movement?

Ans. In 1942 A.D. Japan also joined the Second World War against England and soon it came very near to the borders of India. As India was under the denomination of the English, the various political leaders of India including Mahatma Gandhi feel that the presence of the English in India would naturally unite Japan to attack India. The Japanese attack could only be wared off if the English Quitted India. Consequently in May, 1942 A.D., Mahatma Gandhi started Quit India Movement and asked the English to Quit India and leave them alone.

As soon as Mahatma Gandhi started the Quit India Movement, a large number of Indians joined hand with him. Such a movement was bound to hit the interests of the English and to hinder their war preparations as they arrested various Congress leaders including mahatma Gandhi and declared the Congress party as illegal. This was too much for Indians and they rose in a open rebellion. Riots broke out at various places and the people set fire to many police stations and destroyed the post offices, railway stations an government buildings. The government too followed a very harsh policy and tried to suppress the agitation with an iron hand. Mass assets were made and thousands of Indians became targets of the British bullets.

10. 10. What was the impact of the Quit India Movement on the struggle of Freedom?

Ans. No doubt, the government tried to crush this movement at any cost and committed many atrocities on the people, but public also retaliated with same force. They rose in a open rebellion. They set fire many police stations and destroyed many post offices, railway stations and government buildings. According to Dr. Ishwari Prasad all this was manifestation of public faith and courage. Thus the Quit India Movement filled the Indians with faith and courage to throw out the foreign rule.

11. 11. Prove by giving examples that the Policy of Non-violence adopted by Gandhiji was mainly instrumental in achieving Indian independence?

Ans. Many people believed that the policy of non-violence adopted by Gandhiji was mainly instrumental in achieving Indian independence. They gave the following arguments and cited the following examples in support of their views :

(1) Non violence infused Bravery and Confidence among the people : The whole of Gandhiji’s philosophy is based on non-violence. He never believed that nonviolence was a weapon of the weak and the cowards. He maintained that it is the lack of power that makes a person coward as he hits others out of fear. But a nonviolent person armed with moral strength can walk even on a sword’s edge.

(2) Non-violence made the national Movement as Mass Movement : By his policy of non-violence or ‘Ahimsa’ Mahatma Gandhi inspired thousands of his unarmed country men to move ahead even in the force of police supervisor i.e., lathi charge, firing, arrests, etc.

(3) British Repressive Measures became ineffective in the face of non-violence : The greater was the repression, the stronger was the will of the people to oppose any unjust action or law of the British Government. Even the mightiest power of the world i.e., Great Britain could do nothing against the non-violent masses.

(4) Non-violence gave strength to every struggle started for the Liberation of the country: Whether it was the Satyagraha movement (1919), the non-cooperation Movement (1920-22), the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34) or the Quit India Movement (1942), the policy of non-violence gave strength to every movement for the liberation of the country.

12. 12. In what ways was the British rule detrimental to the interests of almost of all sections of Indian Society?

Ans. The British rule was detrimental to the interests of almost all sections of the Indian society — the educated class, the Indian artisans and craftsmen, the Indian peasants, the Capital class, the Zamindars and the Merchants in the following ways :

(1) The Educated Class : The handful or the educated Indians soon came to know the true nature of the British administrative and the haughty behaviour of the British officers.

(2) The Indian Artisans and Craftsmen : They saw that the English had completely crushed their small industries and crafts in order to promote their selfish interests. They were left on the brink of unemployment and starvation.

(3) The Indian Peasants : Because of the British policies, the peasants had been reduced to utter poverty. They were overburdened with heavy taxes.

(4) The Capital Class : The Indian Capitalists noticed that all privileges were reserved for the British Capitalists and their own voice was like a cry in the wilderness. Then they began to regard the Britishers as their dead enemies.

(5) The Zamindars : The zamindars also noticed that the British for whom they collected more and more revenue had no hesitation in putting their properties to auction in case of minor delay of revenue.

(6) The Merchants : The trading classes were without exception, against the British because the foreign trade was controlled and dominated by the British traders.

13. 13. When was the Muslim League formed ? Describe briefly the policies of the Muslim League from 1906-1940 ? When was the formation of a separate state of Pakistan adopted as the main aim of the Muslim League?

Ans. The Muslim League was formed on 30th December 1906. It was formed as a result of the encouragement given by Governor-general Minto at Shimla to a Muslim delegation led by Agha Khan, the head of Muslim Sect. and Nawab Salimullah of Decca.

The objectives of the Muslim League were :

1. To promote among the Muslims of India feeling of loyalty to British government in the beginning and later on turned hostile to the British govt.
2. To protect and advance the political rights and interests of the Muslims of India and respectfully represent their interests and aspirations to the government.
3. To prevent the rise of any feelings of hostility among the Indian Muslims towards other communities without prejudice to the other objects to the league.
4. To demand the British government to change (reverse) their earlier anti-Muslim policy.

In 1913 Mohammad Ali jinnah joined the Muslim League in addition to being a member of the Congress. At the Lucknow session held in 1916. The Muslim League and the Congress were united. According to Lucknow Pact, they were to make joint efforts for reforms in the Legislative Councils and Viceroy’s Executive Council. The Lucknow Pact was the result of Jinnah’s efforts.

The Montague-Chelmsord Reforms which became the Government of India Act, 1919 were condemned both by the Congress and The Muslim League. But the Non-cooperation movement which was called off in 1922, was followed by communal tensions and communal riots. The Muslim League disagreed with the certain demands of the Congress because of their discriminating policy towards the Muslims. The Muslim League cut itself from the Congress in the 1920s and started pursuing separate demands.

During 1906-1932 certain events happened that forced the Muslim League to change its policy when Khilafat and Non-cooperation movements were suspended, horrible communal riots broke out in different parts of the country. This gave a set back to Hindu- Muslim unity. On 16th August 1932, MacDonald gave his decision which is known as Communal Award and this was an open effort to promote and support two nation theory.

The utterances of the Hindu Mahasabha leaders also instigated the Muslim to ask for their own separate state. On 23, 1940, the Muslim League session at Lahore demanded a separate state Pakistan for the Muslims.

14. 14. Describe briefly the role played by Gandhiji in the struggle for freedom?

Ans. The real name of Gandhiji was Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi. he was born on 2nd October 1869 A.D. at Porbandar (Gujarat). After returned to India, when the first World War broke out, Gandhiji appealed to the Indian people to give full support to the British and cooperated with them. He wanted to win the goodwill and heart of the British. When he joined the freedom struggle it became nationalist and it became a mass movement between the years 1920-1935. It was due to the dedicated services of Gandhiji who came into prominence at this time and became the leader of the nationalist movement. His nonviolent policy brought the Indians into the mass movement.

Gandhiji made social reforms a part of the programme of the nationalist movement. He campaigned against untouchability, propagated cottage industries and Hindu-Muslim unity. He adopted Non-cooperation programme in 1920, Civil Disobedience Movement I 1930 and Quit India Movement in 1942. Under his leadership the people of India marched towards independence on 15th August 1947., India became independent, on January 30^th 1948 A.D. Gandhiji fell a victim to ‘Nathu Ram’ bullet shot and breathed his last. The Indians cannot forget the services of Gandhiji, Indians call him the “Father of the nation.”

15. 15. Describe the role played by Jawahar Lal Nehru in the Indian struggle for freedom?

Ans. Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14th November 1889 at Allahabad. His education began at home. he was sent to England in 1905, A.D. After completing his higher studies he returned to India in 1912, as a barrister and started his practice. Soon he began to take part in the politics. He met Gandhiji in 1916 and was highly impressed by Gandhiji.

He was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress at its Lahore session in 1929. He became a strong critic of the British government. In 1946, when Interim government was established at the centre, he was elected as its Vice- President. When Lord Mountbatten arrive in India with the ‘cabinet mission’ proposal. Nehru was to accept the idea of partition . Since 15th August 1947 till his death on 27th may, 1964 he acted as the Prime Minister of India.

16. 16. Describe the role played by Mohammad Ali Jinnah in freedom struggle of India?

Ans. Mohammad Ali Jinnah was architect was the architect of Pakistan. he was greater leader of the Muslim League. The Muslims called him the ‘Kayeed -e-Azam’. Mohammad Ali Jinnah was born on December 25, 1876 in Karachi. He got his early education in Karachi. He went to England in 1892 for higher education. He passed Bar-itlaw in only two years. He returned to India in 1897. He started working as a lawyer and very soon he became an eminent lawyer of Bombay.

In 1906 he became the private secretary of Dadabhai Naroji and began to take part in politics in 1909. He was elected to Emperial Legislative Council. In 1912, M.A. Jinnah joined the Muslim League. He was asked by the nationalists to do so to bring the policy of the league into line with the progressive and national aims of the Congress and G.K. Gokhale said, “He was the ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity.” he was able lawyer and in 1914 was sent to England to represent the views of the Indian Nationalist movement over a bill regarding political reforms in India, More significant was the unity between the Congress ant the Muslim League achieved at Lucknow in 1916. This part as the Congress- Muslim League united programme was called an important achievement. In 1917, he took active part in Home Rule League. He resigned form Emperial Legislative Council in protest against the Rowlatt Act in 1919.

The Muslim League out itself off from the Congress in the twenties. The Muslim League disagreed with certain demands of the Congress because of their discriminating policy towards the Muslims. M.A. Jinnah started pursuing its separate demand. In 1940, at Lahore session of the Muslim League, the demand for a separate state of Pakistan was made, under the able leadership of Jinnah, Muslims get it in 1947 and Mohammad Ali Jinnah became the founder of Pakistan.

17. 17. Why did various classes and groups of Indian participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement ?

Ans. Following are the contributions of various social groups in the Civil Disobedience Movement :

1. Rich peasants were very hard dhit by the trade depression and falling prices. As the government refused to reduce revenue demands, they in great numbers participated in the boycott programmes. For them, the fight for Swaraj was a struggle against high revenues.
2. The women participated in protest marches manufactured salt and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops and also went to jail.
3. Merchants and industrialists supported this movement. They reacted against colonial policies that restricted their business activities. They wanted protection against imports of foreign goods.
4. The industrial working class did not participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement in large numbers except in Nagpur. They selectively adopte some of the ideas of Gandhian programme, like boycott of foreign goods, as part of their own movements against low wages and poor working conditions.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. 1. Write a short note on the heritage which the nationalists movement was bequeathed to us?

Ans. Our nationalist movement has been indeed very rich. It has given us our heritage over which we can feel proud of. The nationalist movement was a movement belonging to all shades of people and to all creeds. It has taught us to get united irrespective of our different religions and different castes it has taught us to be national. It made us bold enough to fight any imperialist country. The nationalist movement has been inspired by the values of democracy and socialism. It taught us to fight against exploitation, injustice and oppression. It gave us idea of our nation India which ha to be sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic and republican.

2. 2. What is the importance of the Karachi session of the Congress in 1931 A.D.?

Ans. In 1931, the forty-fifth session of the Congress was held at Karachi under the Presidentship of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. in this session sone important decisions were taken by the congress. This session of the congress approved the Gandhi-Irwin pact signed between Gandhiji and the Viceroy Lord Irwin. It also passed a resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic policy and laid down policy of the nationalist movement on social and economic problems facing the country. The resolution on economic policy favoured nationalisation of certain industries and promotion of Indian industries. The resolution also for schemes for the welfare of workers and peasants was also passed in this session of the Congress.

3. 3. What was the Impact of Simon Commission on the Political Conditions of India?

Ans. The Simon Commission was a great impact on the Indian political life, not because of its recommendations but because of the political fervour it generated. It helped in generating the climate for a political revolution aimed at securing freedom for India. The death of Lala Lajpat Rai further added to its significance. The Civil Disobedience movement was another event which began as a protest against this commission. It was on the basis of this report that the Act of 1935 was passed.

4. 4. What were the results of the Rediscovery of India’s Past?

Ans. There is no denying fact that the rediscovery of India’s past gave the Indians a sense of self-confidence and self-respect. They realised that they are in no way inferior to the west. Such a feelings unculcated the feeling of nationalism among them. There are certain critics who, however say that false pride in one’s past gave rise to the spirit of superiority and inferiority and which ultimately led to the rise of communalism in India.

5. 5. Explain any three reasons for the lukeworm response of some Muslim organisations to the Civil Disobedience Movement?

Ans. The three reasons for the lukeworm response of some Muslim Organisations to the Civil Disobedience Movement were the following :

• In the mid 1920, after the decline of the Non-cooperation and Khilafat Movement. The Congress came to be more clearly associated with Hindu religious groups like Hindu Mahasabha as such many Muslim organisations showed lukewarm response to the Civil Disobedience movement.
• At many places, Hindu-Muslim riots took place which alienated some of the Muslim organisations from participating in a common movement.
• Many Muslim leaders and intellectuals expressed their concern about the status of the Muslims as a minority group in India. They felt in such a position their culture and identity would be submerged under the dominance of the Hindu majority.

6. 6. What part did the Indian National Army play in the Nationalist Movement?

Ans. The Indian National Army as organised by Subhash Chandra Bose in 1940 A.D. to conduct a military campaign against the British fro the Liberation of India. It was formed by enrolling the Indian soldiers and officers captured by the Japanese in 1945 A.D.

The British imprisoned many officers and soldiers of the Indian National Army (INA) but they were set free by the British government because of protest demonstrations held throughout the country.

7. 7. How did the Plantation workers understand the idea of Swaraj? Explain.

Ans. The Plantation workers interpreted the term ‘Swaraj’ in their own way. They imagined it to be a time when all their troubles and sufferings would end. Some explantation workers felt that ‘Swaraj’ brought by Mahatma Gandhi would enable them to get land in their own villages. For some others ‘Swaraj’ mean freedom to move freely in and out of the confined space in which they were placed. Now, they would be free to leave the tea garden in Assam, and visit their own relatives and children.

8. 8. When and why was the Cripps Mission sent to India ? Point out any two main defects responsible for its failure.

Ans. The Cripps Mission was sent to India in March 1942 under the chairmanship of Sir Stafford Cripps to win the cooperation of the Indian people in the Second World War. In fact, the position of the British in 1942 had become very precarious because of Hitler’s attacks so they wanted to enlist the cooperation of the Indians. But Cripps talks failed because of the following defects :

• He rejected the Congress proposal for the formation of a national government during the war.
• He was not prepared to give any assurance of granting independence to India even after the war.

As such proposals were rejected both by the Congress and the Muslim League.

9. 9. What were the reasons for launching the Civil Disobedience Movement?

Ans. The Civil Disobedience Movement was started by Mahatma Gandhi in March 1930. The following were reasons of starting it :

• All other methods of meetings, forwarding resolutions to the Government, peaceful demonstrations, hartals, etc.
• The British had promised time and again that they would responsible government to the people but what they actually gave as nothing but a farce.
• The British Government did not accept the eleven points which Gandhiji had sent to the Viceroy in his letter on 2nd March, 1930.
• The idea of the complete independence could never be achieved without a challenging the British government tooth and nail.

10. 10. Explain the circumstances in which Non-cooperation movement gradually slow down in cities.

Ans. The circumstances of gradually slowdown of the Non-cooperation in cities were as :

• The boycott of foreign goods, especially made cloth posed a great problem. The mill made foreign cloth was cheaper and refined as compared to khadi cloth which was rough and quite costly.
• The boycott of British institutions, schools and colleges etc. posed another problem. The alternate Indian institutions had to as yet set up which could be used in place of British ones. So teachers and students began trickling up back to government schools and colleges.
• Likewise other professionals like lawyers joined government courts, clerks, their offices and accountants their banks and other institutions. Lastly the withdrawal of the non-cooperation movement by Congress in 1922 sounded the death knell of this movement.

11. 11. What do you know about the Partition of Bengal?

Ans. The partition of Bengal was proposed by the then Governor-General of India Lord Curzon in 1905. He said that the Bengal was a large province with a population of eight crore and an area of about tow lakh sq. miles. It was very difficult to administer such a large provincial government. SO lord Curzon partitioned Bengal on 7th August, 1905 A.D. This partition was regarded a move to disunity among the Indians. The nationalist argued partition was made to weaken the Bengali influence in the Nationalist movement. The people of the country started anti partition movement and finally the partition proposal was dropped in 1911.

12. 12. What do you know about the Lucknow Pact?

Ans. The Lucknow pact of 1916 has a great importance. It united the Congress and the Muslim League on a common platform against the foreign domination. The Lucknow Pact was the result of the efforts of Mohammad Ali Jinnah . He tried his best to bring the Hindu and Muslim together. The Congress and the All India Muslim League sand their old differences and put up common political demand before the British government. The two organisations passed the same resolution, put forward a joint scheme of political reforms based on separate electorates to confer self-government on India at an early date. The Lucknow pact was an important step towards Hindu-Muslim unity.

13. 13. What do you understand by the term “Nation” and “Nationalism”?

Ans. Nation means the people who reside in particular territory/state having definite boundaries and who live under the same political , social and economic system. Nationalism was born after the close of the Middle Ages. It is result of new social and economic forces that put an end to an unpopular foreign rule and revalue a new political system based on democracy and justice. The essential features of nationalism are uniformity of laws and same political, social, economic system for the people inhabiting the state and sharing the common aspirations. Nationalism is a feeling of commonness among the people, sharing common history and culture living in a given territory.

14. 14. What were the characteristics of the communal parties of India?

Ans. The communal parties were not interested in the freedom of the country. They were mostly interested in getting concessions for their communities. The leaders of the communal parties demanded special previliges for their respective communities in the provinces where they were in a minority. Some of the characteristics common to all communal parties in India were :

• They based their activities on the interests to their communities and not on those of the whole nation.
• They had no concern with the problems of common people, such as poverty, social reforms and equality.
• They were interested in the rights and previliges of their communities and were opposed to political reforms.

15. 15. How did Gandhiji being the masses into the Nationalist Movement?

Ans. Gandhiji’s simple saintly life and his style of convincing the masses by speaking in the local languages familiar to them made him extremely popular as a leader. His policy of non-violent Satyagraha brought millions into struggle like Champaran Satyagraha brought the peasants into the struggle. His new methods of agitation like hartals, boycott, civil disobedience, non-payment of taxes, etc. appealed to the masses. He launched three powerful mass movements — Non-cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement. They influenced millions of Indians belonging to all sections of society to show bravery, self-confidence and to take up revolutionary passive resistance against the British rule. He was the first Indian nationalist leader who identified his life and his manner of living with that of that of a common man.

16. 16. When as the Gandhi-Irwin Pact signed ? Mention any of its provisions?

Ans. When the Civil Disobedience Movement was its peak, the British government in 1930 called the First Round Table Conference in London to solve the Constitutional deadlock in India because the Indian National Congress did not take part in it so nothing tangible came out of it. The British government was then forced to adopt a conciliatory policy towards the Congress. Soon a pact was signed in 1931 between Mahatma Gandhi, the Congress leader and the Viceroy Lord Irwin. This Pact is known as Gandhi-Irwin Pact. As a result of this pact, Mahatma Gandhi postponed the Civil Disobedience Movement and agreed to attend the second round table conference and British government released all the prisoners arrested during he Civile Disobedience Movement.

17. 17. Write a short note on the Poona Pact?

Ans. In 1930, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar organised the Dalits under the banner of the depressed classes association. B.R. Ambedkar demanded separate electorate for dalits. The British government had acceded to the demand for separate electorate for the dalits. Gnadhiji however felt alarmed at the situation. He knew that political separation of the dalits would make the task of their social integration still more difficult. Gandhiji resorted to a fast into death. Ultimately, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Gandhiji entered into a pact at Poona in September 1932, is called Poona Pact. As per terms of the agreement certain castes were listed as scheduled castes and there were provided reservation in the provincial and Central Legislature Councils.

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. 1. What you know about the Civil Disobedience Movement?

Ans. Civil Disobedience movement means disobey the laws which are against the welfare of the people. In April, 1930, Gandhiji violated the ‘salt laws’ by preparing salt at Dandi (Gujarat) and thus was launched the Civil Disobedience Movement.

2. 2. Why was the Non-cooperation Movement called off in 1922?

Ans. In 192, after a violent incident at Chaura-chauri in Uttar Pradesh, where twenty tow policemen were burnt alive by a violent mob. So Gandhiji called off this movement.

3. 3. When and why was Khilafat movement launched in India?

Ans. After the First World War allies decided to disband the office of the Khalifa of Turkey. It annoyed the Muslims in India. They stared an agitation known as the Khilafat Movement under the leadership of Ali brothers in 1920.

4. 4. Who made the demand for creation of Muslim India?

Ans. Sir Mohammad Iqbal in 1930 on behalf of the Indian Muslims. He made demand for creation of a Muslim India within India and justified the demand for various reasons. Thus Iqbal had provided philosophical basis for the demand and the creation of Pakistan in years to come.

5. 5. What did the slogan of ‘Swaraj’ means?

Ans. The Swaraj means the government of the representatives of the people, but it was to be under the British rule. Under Swaraj, the Viceroy was to be appointed by the ruler of the England and the Prime Minister was to be chosen from among the members elected by the people. It did not mean complete freedom from all foreign control.

6. 6. Who were moderates of the Indian National Congress?

Ans. The Leaders of the Congress in early twenty years are called moderates. The early leaders of the Indian National Congress were called moderates on the policies, they adopted in their struggle against the British like petitions, deputations, annual resolutions and prayers.

7. 7. What is meant by complete independence (Poorna Swaraj)?

Ans. The complete independence on Poorna Swaraj means the establishment of democratic government, free from all foreign control. Under it the government was to run by the members elected by the people. They were responsible to the people.

8. 8. Why did Kisan Sabhas were formed?

Ans. Kisan Sabhas were formed in different parts of the country to register protest against the oppression to the landlords and the atrocities being committed by British rulers.

vvv

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

 

1. Which Indian city is associated with Jallianwala Bagh tragedy ?

(a) Agra                                                                (b) Kanpur

(c) Amritsar                                                          (d) Delhi

Ans. (c) Amritsar.

2. The Non-cooperation Movement was called off because of :

(a) Arrest of Congress leaders                              (b) Pressure from British rulers

(c) Illness of Mahatma Gandhi                             (d) None of the above.

Ans. (d) None of the above.

3. The resolution for Purna Swaraj was adopted at what session of the Congress ?

(a) At Lahore session                                           (b) At Bombay session

(c) At Karachi session                                          (d) At Delhi session

Ans. (a) At Lahore session, 1929.

4. Keda Satyagraha was associated with :

(a) Plantation workers                                          (b) Industrial workers

(c) Peasants                                                          (d) Indigo growers

Ans. (c) Peasants.

5. Who was went to England in 1914, represent Congress views regarding political reforms in India ?

(a) Nehru                                                              (b) Naroji

(c) Gandhi                                                                        (d) Jinnah

Ans. (d) Jinnah.

6. Who was the first President of Indian National Congress

(a) A.O. Hume                                                     (b) Gandhiji

(c) S.N. Benerjee                                                  (d) Lajpat Rai

Ans. (c) S.N. Benerjee.

7. Which person is known as the ‘Frontier Gandhi’ ?

(a) Feroz Gandhi                                                  (b) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan

(c) Nehru                                                              (d) S.C. Bose

Ans. (b) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.

8. In 1913, the Muslim League adopted for India the goal of :

(a) Partition                                                          (b) Pakistan

(c) Self-government                                              (d) Sovereign-government

Ans. (c) Self-government.

9. The Muslim League was founded in 1906 A.D. under the leadership of :

(a) Agha Khan                                                      (b) Sir Mohammad Iqbal

(c) Nawab Salimullah                                           (d) M.A. Jinnah

Ans. (c) Nawab Salimullah.

10. The military governor of Punjab at the time of Jallianwala Bagh tragedy was :

(a) General Dyer                                                  (b) Lord Dalhousie

(c) William Bentick                                              (d) None of the above

Ans. (a) General Dyer.

11. Champaran Satyagraha related to :

(a) Mining                                                            (b) Forestry

(c) Indigo cultivation                                            (d) Jute mills

Ans. (c) Indigo cultivation .

12. When was the Indian National Congress formed ?

(a) In 1882                                                                       (b) In 1884

(c) In 1885                                                                       (d) In 1883

Ans. (c) In 1885.

13. Which one of the following was not a moderate leader ?

(a) B.C. Pal                                                           (b) Dadabhai Naroji

(c) Surendranath Benerjee                                                (d) G.K. Gokahale

Ans. (a) B.C. Pal.

14. Who founded Indian National Army

(a) Jawahar Lal Nehru                                          (b) Subhash Chandra Bose

(c) Mahatma Gandhi                                             (d) Sardar Bhagat Singh

Ans. (b) Subhash Chandra Bose.

15. Name the leader who sacrificed his life while boycotting the Simon

commission ?

(a) Raj Guru                                                         (b) Sukhdev

(c) B.K. Dutt                                                         (d) Lala Lajpat Rai

Ans. (d) Lala Lajpat Rai.

16. Which one of the following was an extremist leader ?

(a) S.N. Benerjee                                                  (b) Ferozshah Mehta

(c) G.K. Gokhale                                                  (d) B.G. Tilak

Ans. (d) B.G. Tilak.

17. Who said these words, “political rights will have to be fought for” ?

(a) Gopal Krishna Gokhale                                  (b) Lala Lajpat Rai

(c) Moti Lal Nehru                                                (d) Balgangadhar Tilak

Ans. (d) Balgangadhar Tilak

vvv