CBSE Class 10 Social Science History Nationalism In India Assignment

Brief Concepts of the Lesson- Nationalism in India developed in the colonial context. Mahatma Gandhi arrived in India from Africa in 1915. Under his leadership several mass movements were organized.

1. The first world war, Khilafat and Non Cooperation-
1) War and its effects- Huge increase in defenses expenditure which was financed by war loans and increasing taxes. Through the years the prices increased doubling between 1913- 1918 leading to extreme hardship for the common people.
2) Gandhiji and Satyagraha- Champaran in Bihar (1917) Kheda in Gujarat (1918). In 1919 nationwide Satyagraha against the proposed Rowlett Act was launched by Gandhi. 13th April and Jallianwalla Bagh massacre world war I and Khilafat issued, At the Congress session t Nagpur in Dec 1920, a compromise was worked out and Non cooperation programme was adopted. Movements in towns, Rebellion in country side
2) Towards civil Disobedience- (1) Swaraj Party was founded by CR Das and Moti Lal Nehru for return to council Politics.
(2) Simon commission and boycott
(2) Lahore congress and demand for purna swaraj
3) Dandi march and the civil Disobedience movements- (1) Governments repressive policy 2) Gandhi Irwin Pact and failure of round table conference. 3) Re-launching of movements.
4) Who participated in the movements - the rich peasant communities the poor peasantry the industrial workers in Nagpur and a large scale participation of women took active part in the movement.
5) Limits of the movements less participation by untouchables. - Ambedker for separate electorate and Poona pact.
6) The sense of collective belonging- this sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united struggles role of folklore and songs. 2. Identity of India and Bharat Mata.

Introduction

In India, the growth of modern nationalism is connected to the anti-colonial movement. People began discovering their unity in the process of their struggle with colonialism. The sense of being oppressed under colonial power was common to different classes. But each class and group, felt the effect of colonialism differently. The Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi tried to unite these groups together within one movement. But this unity did not emerge without conflict .

2.1 THE FIRST WORLD WAR, KHILAFAT AND NON–COOPERATION

After 1919 national movement spread to new areas, incorporating new social groups, and developing new modes of struggle.
(i) The First World War led to a huge increase in defence expenditure which was financed by war loans and increasing taxes: custom duties were raised and income tax was introduced.
(iii) Villagers were called upon to supply soldiers and the forced recruitment caused widespread anger.
(iv) From 1918 - 1921 crops failed resulting in acute food shortage.
(v) There was an influenza epidemic in which 12 to 13 million people perished.
(vi) People hoped that their hardships would end after the war was over. But that did not happen. At this stage a new leader appeared and suggested a new mode of struggle.

(a) The Idea of Satyagraha :
Mahatma Gandhi introduced the idea of satyagraha which 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. Without seeking vengeance or being aggressive, a satyagrah could win the battle through non-violence. This could be done by appealing to the conscience of the oppressor. People-including the oppressors- had to be persuaded to see the truth, instead of being forced to accept truth through the use of violence. Mahatma Gandhi believed that this dharma of non- violence could unite all Indians.

(i) Gandhiji used the Satyagraha techniques successfully against injustice in South Africa.
(ii) In 1916 he travelled to Champaran in Bihar to inspire the peasants to struggle against the oppressive plantation system.
(iii) In 1917 he organised a satyagraha to support the peasants of the Kheda district of Gujarat, demanding that revenue collection be relaxed.
(iv) In 1918, he went to Ahmedabad to organise a satyagraha movement amongst cotton mill workers.
(b) The Rowlatt Act :
The Rowlatt Act passed through the Imperial Legislative Council gave the government immense powers to repress political activities, and detention of political prisoners without trial for two years. Gandhiji wanted a non-violent civil disobedience against such unjust laws, which started on April 6, 1919 with a hartal.
(i) Rallies were organised in various cities.
(ii) Workers went on strike in railway workshops and shops closed down.
(iii) A panicked British Government came down on the nationalist, leaders were arrested, Gandhiji was barred from entering Delhi.
(iv) On 10 April, the police fired on a peaceful procession in Amritsar provoking widespread attacks on post offices, banks and railway stations.
(v) Martial Law was imposed and General Dyer took command.

Jallianwalla Bagh massacre :
On 13 April 1919 Jallianwalla Bagh massacre took place. A peaceful meeting held at Jallianwalla Bagh was fired upon by General Dyer, after he had blocked all the exit points. Hundreds of innocent people were killed. Dyer wanted to strike terror in the hearts of the people, but it led to strikes, clashes with the police and attacks on government buildings.

Khilafat issue :
(i) The Ottoman Turkish Empire was defeated in the First World War.
(ii) A harsh peace treaty was imposed on the Turkish Emperor - The Khalifa. The Khalifa was considered the spiritual head of the Muslim world and protector of their holy places.
(iii) The Turkish empire was totally dismembered by 1920.

The Khilafat Movement :
(i) Two brothers, Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, Muslim leaders founded a Khilafat committee in March 1919, to defend the Khilafatís rights.
(ii) The anti Rowlatt Satyagraha was limited to cities and towns. Gandhiji wanted to launch a more broad -based movement. This could only be done by bringing Hindus and Muslims together.
He took up the khilafat issue.
(iii) At the Calcutta session of the Congress in September 1920, he convinced other leaders of the need to start a non-cooperation movement in support of Khilafat as well as for swaraj.

(c) Why Non–Cooperation ?
In his famous book Hind Swaraj (1909) Mahatma Gandhi declared that British rule was established in India with the cooperation of Indians, and had survived only because of this cooperation. If Indians refused to cooperate, British rule in India would collapse within a year, and swaraj would come.
Gandhi proposed to begin the movement by asking the people to surrender titles and boycott civil services, army, police courts and legislative councils, schools, and foreign goods. However many congress members were against the boycott of council elections and feared the movement may cause violence. In the congress session at Nagpur in December 1920, a compromise was worked out and the Non-Cooperation programme was adopted.

2.2 DIFFERING STRANDS WITHIN THE MOVEMENT

(a) The Movement in The Towns :
The movement started with participation of middle class in the cities. 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. Foreign goods were boycotted, liquor shops picketed and foreign cloth burnt in huge bonfires. In many places merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods or finance foreign trade. Due to this, demand of Indian textile mills and handlooms went up.

Movement in the cities gradually slowed down :
(i) Khadi cloth was often more expensive than mass-produced mill cloth and poor people could not afford to buy it.
(ii) Boycott of British institutions posed a problem. In the absence of alternative Indian institutions, students and teachers began trickling back to government schools and lawyers joined back work in government courts.

(b) Rebellion in the Country-Side :
(i) It drew into its fold the struggles of peasants and tribals which were developing in different parts of India in the years after the war.
(ii) In Awadh, peasants were led by Baba Ramchandra. The movement here was against talukdars and landlords who demanded from peasants exorbitantly high rents and a variety of other cesses. The peasant movement demanded reduction of revenue, abolition of begar, and social boycott of oppressive landlords. In June 1920, Jawaharlal Nehru began going around the villages in Awadh, talking to the villagers, and trying to understand their grievances. By October, the Oudh Kisan Sabha was set up headed by Jawaharlal Nehru, Baba Ramchandra and a few others. The peasant movement, however, developed in forms that the Congress leadership was unhappy with. In many places local leaders told peasants that Gandhiji had declared that no taxes were to be paid and land was to be redistributed among the poor. The name of the Mahatma was being invoked to sanction all action and aspirations.
(iii) Tribal peasants interpreted the message of Mahatma Gandhi and the idea of swaraj in yet another way. In the Gudem hills of Andhra Pradesh, for instance, a militant guerrilla movement spread in the early 1920s - not a form of struggle that the Congress could approve. Because of the policies of the British not only the livelihoods of the tribals were getting affected, but they felt that their traditional rights were being denied. When the government began forcing them to contribute begar for road building, the hill people revolted under the leadership of Alluri Sitaram Raju whom the rebels proclaimed an incarnation of God. Raju talked of the greatness of Mahatma Gandhi, persuaded people to wear khadi and give up drinking but at the same time he asserted that India could be liberated only by the use of force, not non-violence. Raju was captured and executed in 1924.

(c) Swaraj in the Plantations :
For plantation workers in Assam, freedom meant the right to move freely in and out of the confined space in which they were enclosed, and it meant retaining a link with the village from which they had come. When They heard of the Non-Cooperation Movement, thousands of workers defied the authorities, left the plantations and headed home. They however never reached their destination. Stranded on the way by a railway and steamer strike, they were caught by the police and brutally beaten up.

(d) Outcome :
The visions of these movements were not defined by the Congress programme. People interpreted the term swaraj in their own ways. Yet, when the tribals chanted Gandhiji’s name and raised slogans demanding ‘Swatantra Bharat’, they were also emotionally relating to an all- India agitation, they were identifying with a movement which went beyond the limits of their immediate locality.

2.3 TOWARDS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

(a) Formation of Swaraj Party :
In February 1922, Gandhi decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement He felt the movement was turning violent in many places. With in congress some leaders were by now tired of mass struggles and wanted to participate in election of the provincial councils. They felt that it was important to oppose British policies within the councils, argue for reform and also demonstrate that these councils were not truly democratic. C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru formed the Swaraj Party within the congress to argue for a return to council politics.

(b) Factors which Shaped Indian Politics Towards the late 1920s :
The first was the effect of the worldwide economic depression. Agricultural prices began to fall from 1926 and collapsed after 1930. Peasants found it difficult to sell their harvests and pay their revenue. By 1930, the countryside was in turmoil.
A Statutory Commission under Sir John Simon was established to look into the functioning of the constitutional system in India and suggest changes. The problem was that the commission did not have a single Indian member. They were all British. All parties, including the Congress and the Muslim League 

opposed Simon Commission.
Lala Lajpat Rai was assaulted by the British police during a peaceful demonstration against the SimonCommission . He succumbed to the injuries that were inflicted on him during the demonstration.

Lord Irwin announced in October 1929, a vague offer of Dominion status for India in an unspecified future, and a round table conference to discuss a future constitution. This did not satisfy the congress leaders Jawahar Lal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose became more assertive.
In December 1929, under the presidency of Jawahar Lal Nehru the Lahore congress formalised the demand of Purna Swaraj. It was declared that 26 Jan. 1930, would be celebrated as independence day when people were to take pledge to struggle for complete independence. But the celebration attracted very little attention. So Mahatma Gandhi had to find a way to relate this abstract idea of freedom to more concrete issues of everyday life.

(c) The Salt March and the Civil Disobedience Movement :

Mahatma Gandhi, on 31 January 1930, sent a letter to the Viceroy Lord Irwin, stating eleven demands.
Some of these were of general interest, some were specific demands of different classes, from industrialists to peasants. The most stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax. He made the ìSalt taxî his target and called it the most repressive Act of the British government. Mahatma Gandhiís letter was, in a way, an ultimatum but Irwin was unwilling to negotiate. So, Gandhi started his famous “Salt March” on March 12, 1930 from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, a small coastal village in Gujarat. He started with 78 followers and thousands joined him on his 240 miles route. On 6 April he reached Dandi, and ceremonially violated the law, manufacturing salt by boiling sea water. Salt March marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement, People were now asked not only to refuse cooperation, but also to break colonial laws. Gandhijiís Salt March led to violation of salt law all over the country. It also led to boycott of foreign goods and picketing of liquor shops. Students and women played a significant role in this movement. Peasants refused to pay taxes, forest people broke forest laws and grazed their cattle, collected wood in prohibited forest areas. There was an uprising against the government every where in India.

British Reaction :
Worried by the developments, the colonial government began arresting the Congress leaders one by one. When Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a devout disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, was arrested in April 1930, angry crowds demonstrated in the streets of Peshawar facing armored cars and police firing. Many were killed.
A month later, when Mahatma Gandhi himself was arrested, industrial workers in Sholapur attacked police posts, municipal buildings, law courts and railway stationsñall structures that symbolised British rule. A frightened government responded with a policy of brutal repression. Peaceful satyagrahis were attacked, women and children were beaten, and about 100,000 people were arrested.
Mahatma Gandhi once again decided to call off the movement and entered into a pact with Irwin on 5 March 1931. BY this Gandhi & Irwin Pact, Gandhiji consented to participate in a Round Table Conference in London and the government agreed to release the political prisoners.

(d) How participants saw the movement :
I-In the countryside :
(i) Rich peasant communities-like the Patidars of Gujarat and the Jats of Uttar Pradesh-were active participants. These rich peasants became enthusiastic supporters of the Civil Disobedience Movement. For them the fight for swaraj was a struggle against high revenues. But they were deeply disappointed when the movement was called off in 1931 without the revenue rates being revised. So when the movement was restarted in 1932, many of them refused to participate.

(ii) The poor :
The poorer peasantry were not just interested in the lowering of the revenue demand. They wanted the unpaid rent to the landlord to be remitted. Apprehensive of raising issues that might upset the rich peasants and landlords, the congress was unwilling to support ëno rentí campaigns in most places. So the relationship between the poor peasants and the Congress remained uncertain.

II-The Business Classes :
(i) Indian industrialists and merchants had made huge profits during the First World War. They wanted protection against imports of foreign goods, and a rupee-sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports. They formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries in 1927. The industrialists attacked colonial control over the Indian economy and supported the Civil Disobedience Movement when it was first launched. 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. But after the failure of the Round Table Conference, they were apprehensive of the spread of militant activities, and worried about prolonged disruption of business, as well as of the growing influence of socialism amongst the younger members of the Congress.

(ii) The Industrial Working classes :
The industrial working classes did not participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement in large numbers, some workers did participate, selectively adopting some of the ideas of the Gandhian programme, like boycott of foreign goods, as part of their own movements against low wages and poor working conditions. 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.

(iii) The Role of women :

Important feature of the Civil Disobedience Movement was the large scale participation of women. In urban areas these women were from high-caste families; in rural areas they came from rich peasants households. Increased public role of women did not necessarily mean any radical change in the way the position of women was visualised. Gandhiji was convinced that it was the duty of women to look after home and hearth, be good mothers and good wives. And for a long time the Congress was reluctant to allow women to hold any position of authority within the organisation. It was keen only on their symbolic presence.

2.4 THE LIMITS OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

Not all social groups were moved by the abstract concept of swaraj.
(i) One such group was the Untouchables who now called themselves Dalits or the oppressed, Mahatma Gandhi called the untouchables, harijans and declared that India would not achieve Swarají for hundred years, if untouchability was not totally eliminated. He organised satyagraha to secure
them entry into temples, and access to public wells, tanks, roads and schools.
The Dalits - Wanted a political solution for their problems. They demanded reservation of seats, in educational institutes, separate electorate to choose their own candidates to the legislative councils. They wanted to solve their social problems.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the leader of the Dalits, formed an association in 1930, called the Depressed Classes Association. He clashed with Gandhiji at the Second Round Table Conference by demanding separate electorates for dalits. The British Government accepted Dr. Ambedkar's demand.
Gandhiji began a fast unto death. He believed that the Dalits would never be integrated into society, if they got separate electorates Dr. Ambedkar finally signed a pact with Gandhiji in September 1932, called the Poona Pact. It gave reserved seats in provincial and Central Legislative Councils to the
Depressed Classes. They were to be voted in by the general electorate.
(ii) Muslim political organisations also kept away from Civil Disobedience Movement.
(A) Muslims felt alienated from Congress after the decline of Non-Cooperation - Khilafat Movement.
(B) From mid-1920's the Congress seemed to be more visibly associated with Hindu religions nationalist groups like the Hindu Mahasabha.
(C) There were Hindu-Muslim Clashes and riots in many cities, which further worsened the relations between the two communities.
Attempt was made in 1927 by the Congress and Muslim League to form an alliance. It seemed possible as M.A. Jinnah, one of the leaders of Muslim League, agreed to give up the demand for separate electorates if:
(A) Muslims were assured reserved seats in Central Assembly.
(B) Representation in proportion to population in the Muslim dominated provinces, (Bengal and Punjab).
Negotiations failed in 1928 when M.R. Jayakar of the Hindu Mahasabha strongly opposed efforts at compromise.
So the Civil Disobedience Movement started in an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion between the two communities. Muslims feared that their culture and identity would be submerged under the Hindu majority dominance.

2.5 THE SENSE OF COLLECTIVE BELONGING

The sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united struggles. But there were also a variety of cultural processes through which nationalism captured peopleís imagination.
History and fiction, folklore and songs, popular prints and symbols, all played a part in the making of nationalism.
(a) Image of Bharat Mata :

The identity of India came to visually associated with the image of Bharat Mata. The image was first created by Bankim Chandra Chatatopadhyay. In the 1870s he wrote Vande Matarama as a hymn to the motherland. Later it was included in his novel Anandamath and widely sung during the Swadeshi movement in Bengal. Moved by the Swadeshi movement, Abanindranath Tagore painted his famous image of Bharat Mata. In this painting Bharat Mata is portrayed as a ascetic figure: she is calm, composed, divine and spiritual. Devotion to this mother figure came to be seen as evidence of one’s nationalism.

(b) Revival of Indian Folklore :
In late-nineteenth century India, nationalist began recording folk tales sung by bards and they toured villages to gather folk songs and legends. This was done to promote the traditional culture that had been corrupted and damaged by western forces. It was essential to preserve this folk tradition in order to discover oneís national identity and restore a sense of pride in oneís past. In Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore and in Madras Natesa Sastri made important contributions.

(c) Icons and Symbols :
During the swadeshi movement in Bengal, a tricolour flag was designed. It had eight lotuses representing eight provinces of British India, and a crescent moon, representing Hindus and Muslims. By 1921, Gandhiji had designed the Swaraj Flag.

(d) Reinterpretation of History :
Modern education, in course of time, evoked interest in the correct understanding of India’s past. Attempts were made to rediscover and re-study the past India to enhance the understanding of the present. Laudable efforts were made by many scholars and enlightened Indians in this direction. Much of the new knowledge about India’s past gave a sense of pride to the Indian people and helped in their awakening. Many Indian scholars took up the study of Indian history and culture in a systematic way and the appreciation of India from a specifically Indian point of view began.

2.6 ROLE OF GANDHIJI IN INDIA’S STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE

Perhaps there is no other Indian who made so great a contribution as Mahatma Gandhi to the achievement of independence for India. He dominated the scene of the Indian politics from 1919 to 1947 A.D. So most of the Indian historians have given the name of the Gandhian Era to this period. There is no exaggeration in it. He united all the elements of the Indian National Movement under his banner. Actively participating himself in the struggle for freedom, he guided other leaders as well.
He made the powerful and strong. British Government yield by the use of his peaceful weapon of nonviolence.
He did not made use of any violent means to achieve freedom or independence but employed the peaceful movement of Non Cooperation, Sataygrha, Boycott. Swadeshi, etc. for this purpose.
He laboured hard to keep Hindus and Muslims united so that the British policy of Divide and Rule should not succeed.
He did a lot for the uplift of the Harijans and laboured hard to get them a respectable position in the society.

In fact Gandhiji was always ready to sacrifice his all for the sake of his countrymen and his motherland. For this he had to pass through many risks. He had to bear the lathi blow and had also to go to the jail many a time. Even then he did not gave up his struggle and continued his efforts as a brave soldier. His able leadership and sacrifices ultimately compelled the British to leave India on 15th August, 1947 A.D. It was he who had made the Congress movement a mass movement. Take any of the movements the Non-cooperation Movement, the Satyagraha Movement, the Civil Disobedience Movement, the Quit India Movement, it were the common masses who played the major role and took an active part in the freedom movement of the country. It was he who inspired the people with new confidence in their fight for freedom. The common masses realized the strength of their unity and cooperation and learnt the lessons in self sacrifice and self reliance.

Quit India Movement The Congress working committee , in its ,meeting in Wardha on 14 July 1942, passed the historic ,’Quit India Resolution’ demanding theimmediate transfer og power to Indians and quit India.On 8 August 1942 in Bombay, the All India Congress Committee endorsed the resolution which called for a non violent mass struggle on the widest possible scale through out the country.It was on this occasion that Gandhiji delivered the famous ‘Do or Die’ speech.

Important Dates and Events
YEAR                                                                              EVENTS
Nov. 1913      Mahatma Gandhi led the satyagraha in South Africa, against racist laws that denied rights to non-whites.
Jan. 1915      Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from Africa.
1916             Gandhiji travelled to Champaran in Bihar to help the peasants to struggle against the oppres- sive plantation system.
1917             Gandhiji organised a satyagraha movement in Kheda district of Gujarat to support the peas- ants who were demanding relaxation in revenue collection due to crop failure and plague epidemic.
1918             Gandhiji organised a satyagraha in Ahmedabad in favour of the cotton mill workers.
1918-1919    Distressed UP peasants were organised by Baba Ramchandra. April 1919 Gandhian hartal against Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Jan. 1921             Non-cooperation and Khilafat movement were launched.
Feb. 1922      Chauri-chaura incident. Gandhiji withdrew Non-Cooperation Movement.
May 1924      Alluri Sitarama Raju arrested ending a two-year armed tribal struggle.
1927             Formation of the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
1928             Simon Commission arrived in India.
1929             In October Irwin announced a ëdominion statusí for India; Lahore Congress; Congress adopted the demand for ëPuma Swarají
1930             Gandhiji began Civil Disobedience Movement by breaking salt law at Dandi. 
March 1931    Gandhiji ended Civil Disobedience Movement. Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed.
Dec. 1931      Second Round Table Conference.
1932              Civil Disobedience was re-Iaunched. In September 1932, Poona Pact was signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Very Short Answer Questions

Question :  What were the effects of non cooperation on the economic front?
Answer : Foreign goods were boycotted, Liquor shops picketed and foreign cloth burnt in huge bonfire many traders refused to import foreign cloth the import of foreign cloth reached to half.

Question : Explain the problems faced in unifying people.
Answer : All credits of glorious past were attributed to the Aryans and their contributions therefore it became difficult to bring all communities on a single platform.

Question : Why and how is the identity of a nation symbolized in a Figure?
Answer : It helps create an image with which people can identify the nation.With the growth of nationalism identify of India came to be associated with the image of Bharat Mata. 

Question : Explain any five factors which gave rise to the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930.
Answer : Factors that gave rise to the Civil Disobedience Movement were:
(i) The problem with the Simon Commission. (ii) Irwin's vague offer of Dominion Status for India in an unspecified future. (iii) Salt Law. (iv) Neglect of eleven demands of Gandhiji by the British. (v) Lahore Session of INC (1929). 

Question : What did British do to repress the Rowlatt Satyagrahis?
Answer : The British decided to clamp them down. 

Question : What is the importance of the Lahore Congress Session of 1929?
Answer : The demand of Purna Swaraj or complete independence for India was made in this session.

Question : During the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal, a tri colour flag was designed. It had eight lotuses. What did they represent?
Answer : The eight lotuses represented provinces of British India.

Question : What was the forced recruitment?
Answer : It was a process by which the colonial state forced people, especially the people belonging to rural areas, to join the army.

Question : Name the places where Mahatma Gandhi successfully organised satyagrah movements.
Answer : (i) Champaran in Bihar
(ii) Kheda in Gujarat 

Question : Name the writer of the book "Hind Swaraj".
Answer : Mahatma Gandhi 

Question : What type of flag was designed during the 'Swadeshi Movement' in Bengal? Explain its main features.
Answer : During the Swadeshi movement in Bengal, a tricolour flag (red, green and yellow) was designed. It had eight lotuses representing eight provinces of British India, and a crescent moon, representing Hindus and Muslims.

Short Answer Questions

Question : Which incident marked the beginning of Civil Disobedience Movement? Why did the peasants join the Civil Disobedience Movement? 
Answer : Civil Disobedience Movement: Violation of Salt law by manufacturing salt from sea water by Gandhi marked the beginning of Civil Disobedience Movement. The peasants joined the Civil Disobedience Movement due to the following reasons: (i) Rich peasant (Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Uttar Pradesh) were active in the movement. They 46 CBSE Champion Social Science Class 10 were hard hit by the trade depressions and falling prices. The refusal of the government to reduce the revenue led to widespread resentment. (ii) For the rich peasants, fight for Swaraj was a struggle against high revenue. (iii) Poor peasants wanted the unpaid rent to the landlord be remitted so they joined the Civil Disobedience Movement. 

Question : What were the causes for the gradual slowing down of the Non- co operation movement in the cities?
Answer : (1) Khadi was more expensive than the mill produced cloth and the poor could not afford it.
(2) British institutions were boycotted but the process of establishing Indian institutions was slow so the students and teachers started joining the British institution again. 

Question : Describe the main events leading to civil disobedience.
Answer : 1) World wide economic depression
2) Simon commission was constituted in 1929 and no Indian member was appointed.
3) Lord Irwin announced that Dominion State would be granted to India.
4) At the Lahore congress session resolution for purna swaraj was passed.

Question : What did freedom mean to Plantation workers in Assam?
Answer : 1) Right to move freely in and out of their enclosures.
2) Retaining link with their villages
3) They were not allowed to leave the tea garden without permission which they wanted.

Question. What was the outcome of the Poona pact? How did it benefit the dalits?
Answer: The Poona pact of sept. 1932 gave the depressed classes reserved seat in provincial and central legislative councils but they were to be voted in by the general electorate.

Question. Explain the differences that emerged the congress and the Muslim league on Political issues.
Answer: The important differences were over the question of representation in the future assemblies that were to be elected Muhammad Ali Jinnah of the Muslim league was willing to give up that demand for separate electorates if Muslim were given reserved seats in the central assembly and representation in proportion to population in the Muslim dominated provinces.

Question. How did Mahatma Gandhi organize Satyagraha in various places in India ?
Answer: In 1917 he traveled in champaran ran, Bihar to inspire the peasants to struggle against oppressive plantation system.
2) In 1919 he organized Satyagraha to support peasants of Kheda in Gujarat.
3) In 1918 he went to Ahmedabad to organize this movement amongst cotton mill workers.
4) In 1919 he launched Satyagraha against Rowlatt act.

Question. Explain the factors responsible for the growth of nationalism in the later half of the 19th century.
Answer:
1) Economic exploitation
2) Administrative and economic unification of the country.
3) Western education'
4) Development of Press.

Question : what was the role of women in the civil Disobedience movement?
Answer : 
1) Participated is the salt Satyagraha in large number.
2) They participated in protest marches and also manufactured salt.
3) Many women went to jails
4) In rural areas the women considered service to the nation a sacred duty. 

Question : How did Gandhiji convert the National Movement into a Mass Movement?
Answer : Gandhiji converted the National Movement into a Mass Movement by:
(i) His simple and saintly life and way of convincing the masses.
(ii) His undisputed leadership and magnetic personality.
(iii) His policy of non-violent Satyagraha.
(iv) His programmes of social reforms like fighting against untouchability.
(v) His commitment to Hindu-Muslim unity.  

Question : How did Mahatma Gandhi successfully organize Satyagraha Movement in various places just after arriving India? Explain by giving three examples.
Answer : After arriving in India, Mahatma Gandhi successfully organized Satyagraha Movement in various places:
(i) In 1917, he travelled to Champaran in Bihar to inspire the peasants to struggle against the oppressive plantation of Indigo.
(ii) In 1917, he organized a Satyagrah to support the peasants of the Kheda district of Gujarat who were affected by crop failure and plague epidemic and could not pay the revenue.
(iii) In 1918, Mahatma Gandhi went to Ahmedabad to organize Satyagraha Movement amongst cotton mill workers. 

Question : Critically examine the main aspects of Indian National Movement during the period between 1920 and 1935.
Answer : Following are the main aspects of the Indian National Movement between 1920-1935:
(i) Beginning of Mass Movement after Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
(ii) Addition of Satyagraha to Mass Movement, new methods to protest, boycott, picketing, renunciation of titles, and non-payment of taxes.
(iii) People of different sections and parts shared a common bond of resistance–united in their hatred against the British rule.
(iv) Industrialists led by Purshottamdas, Thakurdas and G. D. Birla criticized colonialism.

Question : Describe the role of merchants and industrialists in the Civil Dsobedience Movement.
Answer : During the First World War, Indian merchants and industrialists had made huge profits and become powerful. Keen on expanding their business, they now reacted against colonial policies that restricted business activities. They wanted protection against imports of foreign goods, and a rupee-sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports. They formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927. Led by industrialists like Purshottamdas Thakurdas and G. D. Birla, the industrialists attacked colonial control over the Indian economy, and supported the Civil Disobedience Movement when it was first launched. 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. But after the failure of the Round Table Conference, business groups were no longer uniformly enthusiastic. They were apprehensive of the spread of militant activities, and worried about prolonged disruption of business, as well as of the growing influence of socialism amongst the younger members of the Congress.

Question : How could Non-Cooperation become a movement? Explain with examples.
Answer : The Non-Cooperation-Khilafat Movement began in January 1921.Various social groups participated in this movement, each with its own specific aspiration. All of them responded to the call of Swaraj, but the term meant different things to different people. The movement started with middle-class participation in the cities. 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, felt that entering the council was one way of gaining some power. Foreign goods were boycotted, liquor shops picketed, and foreign cloth was burnt in huge bonfires. As the boycott movement spread, people began discarding imported clothes wearing only Indian cloth. From the cities, the Non-Cooperation Movement spread to the countryside. It drew into its fold the struggles of peasants and tribals. In Awadh, peasants were led by Baba Ramchandra – the movement here was against talukdars and landlords who demanded from peasants exorbitantly high rents. In the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh, a militant guerrilla movement spread in the early 1920s – though not a form of struggle that the Congress could approve. As the colonial government shut forest areas and began forcing the tribals to contribute begar for road building, the hill people revolted rather violently under the leadership of Alluri Sitaram Raju.

Question : How could Non-Cooperation become a movement? Give your opinion.
Answer : Non-Cooperation became a movement:
(i) It was the view of Gandhiji that the British rule was set in India with the cooperation of Indians.
(ii) If Indians refused cooperation, British rule in India would collapse within a year and Swaraj would come.
(iii) Gandhiji proposed that the movement should unfold in stages.
(iv) In case the government used repression, a full civil disobedience campaign would be launched.
(v) Mahatma Gandhi and Shaukat Ali toured extensively, mobilising popular support of the movement.

Question : How did Non-Cooperation Movement start with participation of middle class people in the cities. Explain its impact on the economic front.
Answer: The non-cooperation movement started with middle-class participation in the cities. 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, felt that entering the council was one way of gaining some power – something that usually only Brahmans had access to.
The effects of non-cooperation on the economic front was dramatic. Foreign goods were boycotted, liquor shops picketed, and foreign cloth burnt in huge bonfires.
The import of foreign cloth halved between 1921 and 1922, its value dropping from Rs 102 crore to Rs 57 crore. In many places merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods or finance foreign trade. As the boycott movement spread, and people began discarding imported clothes and wearing only Indian ones, production of Indian textile mills and handlooms went up. 38. Large number of women participated.

Question : Explain the grievances of the peasants against the government. What steps were taken to organise Peasant Movement to fufill their demands during the colonial rule?
Answer : Reasons of grievances of the peasants against the government were:
(i) The forest laws of the colonial government deprived them of the traditional rights of entering the forest to graze their cattle or to collect fuelwood and fruits.
(ii) High land revenues. (iii) Forced to perform begar. Steps taken to organize Peasant Movement:
(i) Many Kisan Sabhas were organised.
(ii) Guerilla Militant Movement organised.
(iii) Attacked police Stations and attemped to kill British police officials.
(iv) Gandhiji declared that no tax was to be paid.

Question : How was Rowlatt Act opposed by the people in India? Explain with examples.
Answer : (i) Rallies were organized in various cities.
(ii) Workers went on strike in railway workshops.
(iii) Shops were closed down. It was in opposition to the Rowlatt Act and its consequence that the infamous Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place. General Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on the innocent civilians who had gathered from the city of Amritsar and outside to attend a peaceful meeting.

Question : How did the Colonial Government repress the 'Civil Disobedience Movement'? Explain.
Answer : Worried by the developments, the colonial government began arresting the Congress leaders one by one. This led to violent clashes in many places.
When Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a devout disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, was arrested in April 1930, angry crowds demonstrated in the streets of Peshawar, facing armored cars and police firing. Many were killed.
A month later, when Mahatma Gandhi himself was arrested, industrial workers in Sholapur attacked police posts, municipal buildings, lawcourts and railway stations – all structures that symbolized British rule. A frightened government responded with a policy of brutal repression. Peaceful satyagrahis were attacked, women and children were beaten, and about 100,000 people were arrested. 

Question : How did the industrialists relate to the Civil Disobedience Movement? Analyse their role.
Answer : During the First World War, Indian merchants and industrialists had made huge profits and become powerful. Keen on expanding their business, they now reacted against colonial policies that restricted business activities. They wanted protection against imports of foreign goods, and a rupee-sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports.
They formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.
Led by industrialists like Purshottamdas Thakurdas and G. D. Birla, the industrialists attacked colonial control over the Indian economy, and supported the Civil Disobedience Movement when it was first launched.
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. But after the failure of the Round Table Conference, business groups were no longer uniformly enthusiastic. They were apprehensive of the spread of militant activities, and worried about prolonged disruption of business, as well as of the growing influence of socialism amongst the younger members of the Congress.

Question : Explain the limitations of the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’.
Answer : The limits of the Civil Disobedience Movement were-
1. The Congress ignored the dalits and the depressed classes in order to please the high caste Hindus. Hence, the participation of the depressed classes was Limited.
2. The Congress was associated with the Hindu related Nationalist groups. So, the Muslim participation was less.
3. There was distrust between the communities alienated by the Congress. Large sections of Muslims did not respond to the civil disobedience movement.
4. The rich peasants were disappointed when the civil disobedience movement was called off in 1931 without the revenue rates being revised. The participation of the landless peasants was poor.
5. The Congress was closer to and supported the business class due to which the industrial working class did not participate in the movement.

Question : What was the impact of the Rowlatt Act Satyagraha on the political situation in India? Describe.
Answer : 
(i) People organised hartals in cities and railways went on strike.
(ii) Shops were closed down.
(iii) Leaders were arrested.
(iv) At Amritsar, police fired upon a peaceful procession.
(v) Martial law was imposed.

Question : Write about the Rowlatt Act, 1919.
Answer : 
(i) It gave enormous powers to repress political activities.
(ii) Allowed detention of political prisoners without trial.
(iii) It was passed by Imperial Legislative Assembly despite the strong opposition of the India members. 

Question : What were the three proposals regarding Non-Cooperation Movement, as suggested by Mahatma Gandhi?
Answer : Gandhiji proposed that the movement should unfold in stages: 1st Stage - Surrender of titles that the government awarded. 2nd Stage - Boycott of civil services, army, police, courts and legislative, councils, school, and foreign goods. 3rd Stage - Then, in case the government used repression, a full civil disobedience campaign would be launched.

Question : How did women participate in the Civil Dsiobedience Movement? Explain.
Answer : Participation of women in the Civil Disobedience Movement:
(i) Women in large number participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
(ii) During Salt March thousands of women came out of their homes to listen to Gandhiji.
(iii) They participated in protest marches, manufactured salt.
(iv) They picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops.
(v) Many went to jail.
(vi) They began to see service to the nation as a sacred duty of women.

Question : Why did Gandhiji decide to withdraw the 'Non-Cooperation Movement' in February, 1922? Explain any three reasons.
Answer : Withdrawal of Non-Cooperation Movement in February 1922:
(i) Gandhiji felt the movement was turning violent in many places.
(ii) A clash took place at Chauri Chaura in Uttar Pradesh. A group volunteers picketing a liquor shop were beaten up by the police.
(iii) In protest a group of peasants went to the police station, bolted the door and set fire to the police station killing 22 policemen. The incident shocked Gandhiji and he immediately withdrew the movement.

Question : How did the peasants of Awadh use different methods to achieve their goal? Explain with example.
Answer : (i) Peasants of Awadh were led by Baba Ram Chandra, a Sanyasi. The movement was against Talukdars and Landlords.
(ii) The landlords and talukdars demanded exorbitantly high rents and other cess. Peasants had to do begar and work at landlord's farms without any payment.
(iii) As tenants, the farmers had no security of tenure. The peasant movement demanded reduction of revenue, abolition of begar and social boycott of oppressive landlords.
(iv) In many places, nai-dhobi bandhs were organized by panchayats to deprive landlords of the services of barbers and washermen.
(v) Oudh Kisan Sabha was set up headed by Jawaharlal Nehru; Baba Ram Chandra and few others. Within a month, over 300 branches were set up in the villages. The peasants development in forms. In 1921, the houses of Talukdars and Merchants were attacked. Bazaars were looted. Grain hoards were taken over. 

Question : Mention any three efforts made by Gandhiji to get Harijans their rights. 
Answer : Mahatma Gandhi called the ‘untouchables’ Harijans, or ‘the children of God’ and organised Satyagraha to allow Harijans’ entry into temples.
(i) He himself cleaned toilets to dignify the work of the bhangi (the sweepers).
(ii) He fought for their rights to use the public wells, tanks, roads and schools.
(iii) He convinced upper castes to change their hearts and give up ‘the sin of untouchability’. 

Question : What was the Inland Emigration Act of 1859?
                       Or
What was the notion of Swaraj for the plantation workers in Assam?

Answer : (i) Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, the plantation workers were not permitted to leave tea-gardens without permission and, in fact, they were rarely given such permission.
(ii) Thousands of plantation workers defied the authorities that left the plantation and headed home.
(iii) They believed Gandhi Raj was coming and everyone would be given land in their own village.
(iv) They however, never reached their destination.
(v) Stranded on the way by railway and steamer strike they were caught by the police and badly beaten up.

Question : Mention three main proposals with reference to the Non-cooperation Movement as suggested by Mahatma Gandhiji. 
Answer : The three main proposals were:
(i) Boycott of Council elections
(ii) Surrender of titles, honours and honorary posts.
(iii) Boycott of legal practices by the lawyers.
(iv) Boycott of government controlled schools and colleges.
(v) Boycott of British goods including mass-produced mill-cloth. 

Question : What is separate electorate? Why do you think Gandhiji was against the demand of separate electorate by B R Ambedkar? 

Answer :  Separate electorates are usually demanded by minorities who feel it would otherwise be difficult for them to get fair representation in government. Separate electorate for Dalits means that Dalits will choose their separate leader by separate elections for Dalits.

Gandhiji was against the demand of separate electorate of Dr B R Ambedkar because he believes that separate electorates for Dalits would slow down the process of their integration into society consumer movement in India has led to the formation of various organizations locally known as

LONG ANSWER QUERSTIONS 

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 : Why did Gandhiji decide to launch a nationwide Satyagraha against the proposed Rowlatt Act, 1919? How was it organised Explain.
Answer : The Rowlatt Act was passed despite the united opposition of the Indian members of Imperial Legislative Council.
The Act gave the government enormous powers to oppress political agitations.
It had allowed the detention of political prisoners without trial for two years. There was no provision for appeal.
The passing of this Act aroused large scale indignation.
Gandhiji, who had formed a Satyagraha Sabha earlier, called for a countrywide protest against the proposed Rowlatt Act. Throughout the country, 6 April 1919 was observed as a National Humiliation Day. Gandhiji wanted a non-violent Civil Disobedience against such unjust laws. Hartals and rallies were organized in various cities. Workers went on strike in railway workshops. Shops were closed down. The movement was non-violent but proved to be effective.

Question : What were the two types of demands mentioned by Gandhiji in his letter to Viceroy Irwin on 31st January 1930? Why was abolition of ‘salt tax’ most stirring demand? Explain.
Answer : On 31st January, 1930 Gandhiji sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands
Some of the demands were of general interest; others were specific demands of different classes from industrialists to peasants
The most important demand was 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.
Gandhiji’s letter was an ultimatum and if his demands were not fulfilled by March 11, he told that Congress will launch a Civil Disobedience campaign.

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 : Describe the spread of Non-Cooperation Movement in the countryside.
Answer : The Non-cooperation movement spread to the countryside also. It drew into the struggles of peasants and tribes from different parts of India.
(i) In Awadh, the peasants’ movement led by Baba Ramchandra was against talukdars and landlords who demanded extremely high rents and a variety of other cesses from the peasants. Peasants were forced to work in landlords’ farms without any payment (begar). Peasants had no security of tenure, thus being regularly evicted so that they could acquire no right over the leased land. The demands of the peasants were—reduction of revenue, abolition of begar and social boycott of oppressive landlords.
(ii) In the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh a militant guerrilla movement spread in the early 1920s against the closure of forest areas by the colonial government, preventing people from entering the forests to graze their cattle, or to collect fuelwood and fruits. They felt that their traditional rights were being denied.
(iii) For plantation workers in Assam, freedom meant the right to move freely in and out of the confined space in which they were enclosed. It meant retaining a link with the village from which they had come. Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, plantation workers were not permitted to leave tea gardens without permission. In fact the permission was hardly granted. When they heard of the Non¬Cooperation Movement, thousands of workers defied the authorities and left for their homes.

Question : How did cultural processes help in creating a sense of collective belongingness in India? Explain.
Answer : Though nationalism spread through the experience of united struggle but a variety of cultural processes captured the imagination of Indians and promoted a sense of collective belongingness:
(i) Use of figures or images. The identity of India came to be visually associated with the image of Bharat Mata. Devotion to the mother figure came to be seen as an evidence of one’s nationalism.
(ii) Indian folklore. Nationalists started recording and using folklores and tales, which they believed, gave a true picture of traditional culture that had been corrupted and damaged by outside forces. So preservation of these became a way to discover one’s national identity’ and restore a sense of price in one’s past.
(iii) Use of icons and symbols in the form of flags. Carrying the tricolour flag and holding it aloft during marches became a symbol of defiance and promoted a sense of collective belonging.
(iv) Reinterpretation of history. Indians began looking into the past to rediscover the glorious developments in ancient times in the field of art, science, mathematics, religion and culture, etc. This glorious time was followed by a history of decline when India got colonized, as Indian history was miserably written by the colonisers.
All these techniques were used to bring the Indian people together against the common enemy

Question : Evaluate the contribution of folklore, songs, popular prints etc., in shaping the nationalism during freedom struggle.
Answer : 
History and fiction, folklore and songs, popular prints and symbols—all played an important role in creating a sense of collective belonging leading to the growth of nationalism.
1. Image of Bharat Mata:
With the growth of nationalism, the identity of the Indian nation came to be visually associated with the image of Bharat Mata.
Moved by the Swadeshi Movement, Abindranath Tagore painted the famous image of Bharat Mata. The identity of the Indian nation came to be visually associated with this image. She was portrayed as an ascetic figure—calm, composed, divine and spiritual.
Later this image was painted by many other artists which acquired different forms. This image was circulated in popular prints and devotion to this mother figure was seen as a sign of nationalism.
2. Reinterpretation of History:
The glorification of developments in ancient India in the fields of art and architecture, science and mathematics, religion and culture, law and philosophy, craft and trade had also helped in the growth of nationalism.
These nationalist histories encouraged the readers to take pride in India’s great achievement in the past and struggle to change the miserable conditions (cultural and economic decline) of life under the British rule.
3. Indian Folklore:
Idea of nationalism also developed through a movement to revive Indian folklore.
Folk tales were sung by bards in the villages, to give a true picture of traditional culture, which had been damaged by outside forces.
In Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore himself began collecting ballads, nursery rhymes and myths to revive folk culture.
In Madras, Natesa Sastri published a four volume collection of Tamil folk tales, “The Folklore of Southern India”.

Question : Explain any five major problems posed by the First World War in India.
Answer : The outbreak of the First World War had created a new economic and political situation in India:
The increased defence expenditure was financed by war loans and by raising tax rates, custom duties, etc. There was tremendous price rise during the war years. Between 1913 and 1918, the prices had almost doubled. People, particularly common people, were facing extreme hardships.
Forced recruitment in the army caused widespread anger in the villages.
The failure of crops in many parts of India had created food shortages, leading to the added misery of the people.
In addition to this, there was the outbreak of the great influenza epidemic. Millions of people perished due to influenza and starvation.
The nationalist movement grew stronger during the war years. A large number of Muslims were drawn into the anti-British struggle during the war. The defence of the ‘Caliphate’ (Khilafat) became an important question for Muslims. Peasant movements during war period also had helped the nationalist movement to grow stronger.

Question : Explain five points about Gandhiji’s idea of ‘satyagraha’.
Answer : Five points about Gandhiji’s idea of ‘satyagraha’:
According to Gandhiji, satyagraha is not physical force. In the use of satyagraha there should not be any scope of ill-will.
Satyagraha is about soul-force and truth is the very substance of soul and the soul is informed with knowledge.
According to Gandhiji, satyagraha is not the weapon of the weak, instead it can only be used by the strongest of the strong as it totally depends upon mental strength but not on physical strength.
It suggested that if the cause was true, if the struggle was against injustice, then physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor. Without seeking vengeance or being aggressive, a satyagrahi could win the battle through nonviolence.
Non-violence is the supreme dharma which could unite all Indians. Without seeking vengeance or being aggressive, a satyagrahi can win the battle. By this struggle, truth was bound to ultimately triumph
Satyagraha is based on two pillars namely truth and non-violence

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 : 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 : “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 : “Some of the Muslim political organizations in India, were lukewarm in their response to the ‘Civil Disobedient Movement’.” Examine the statement.
Answer : Muslim response was lukewarm to the Civil Disobedience Movement as a large section of Muslims felt alienated from the Congress.
The Congress members were seen as associates of Hindu religious nationalist groups like Hindu Mahasabha.
After the Non-cooperation Movement, relations between Hindus and Muslims worsened as each community organized religious processions, provoking Hindu-Muslim communal clashes and riots.
The important differences were over the question of representation in the future Assemblies that were to be elected.
When Civil Disobedience Movement started, there was an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust between communities. Muslims feared that they would be submerged under the domination of a Hindu majority in Independent India.

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 : 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 briefly about Jallianwala Bagh incident. Explain its impact on the people.
Answer : (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 : 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 : i. Two features A and B are marked in the given political map of India. Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names on the lines marked on the map.

a. The place of Peasants Satyagraha.

b. The place associated with the Civil Disobedience Movement

ii. Locate and Label Madras-the place where the Indian National Congress session held in 1927 with appropriate symbols on the same map given for identification 

Answer :

 

 

 

Question : What were the methods used by peasants of Awadh to achieve their goal? Explain. 

Answer :  In Awadh, Jawaharlal Nehru and Baba Ramchandra started the Oudh Kisan Sabha to overcome the problems of the peasants. The aim was to integrate the peasant movement with the Non-Cooperation Movement. But the Awadh peasants used methods that went against the ideals of the congress.

A. In many places nai-dhobi bandhs were organized by panchayats to deprive landlords of the service of even barbers and washermen.
B. The peasant movement demanded reduction of revenue, abolition of beggar and social boycott of oppressive landlords.
C. Some peasants denied doing beggar-work without at landlords’ farms without any payment.
D. As the movement spread in 1921, the houses of talukdars and merchants were attacked, bazaars were looted.

 

Question : Two items A and B are shown in the given political outline map of India. Identify these items with the help of the following information and write their correct names on the lines marked on the map.
a. The place which is known for Cotton Mill Workers Satyagraha.
b. The place where Congress Session was held in September 1920. On the same political outline map of India, locate and label the following items with appropriate symbols: 

 

Answer :  The correct information has been provided and location and labelling of the given items have also been marked on the map.

a. The place which is known for Cotton Mill Workers Satyagraha is Ahmedabad.
b. The place where Congress Session was held in September 1920 is Calcutta.

 

Long Answer Questions

Question : The Non-Cooperation Movement significantly affected the British economy. Then why did it fail later?
                                                       Or
Describe briefly any three economic effects of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
                                                      Or
What were the factors responsible for gradual slow down of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
                                                      Or
Why did the Non-Cooperation Movement gradually slowdown in the cities? Give three reasons.
Answer : The Non-Cooperation Movement dramatically affected the economy of the British.
(i) The import of foreign cloth halved between 1921 and 1922, its value dropping from Rs. 102 crore to Rs. 57 crore.
(ii) In many places, merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods or finance foreign trade.
(iii) People began discarding imported clothes and started wearing only Indian clothes (Khadi).
(iv) Production of Indian textile mills and handlooms went up.
But this movement gradually slowed down for several reasons.
(i) Khadi cloth was more expensive than mass-produced mill cloth. It was not realistic for the poor Indians to afford it.
(ii) Many elated people had left their jobs to support the Non-Cooperation Movement. But soon the problem of unemployment came before them because of the dearth of Indian institutions. So, students and teachers began turning back to government schools and lawyers joined back work in government courts.
Workers, industrialists, peasants, traders had inferred Gandhiji’s notion of ‘Swaraj’ differently. They started using violence to get their demands fulfilled. Gandhiji never approved violent means to achieve goals. Hence, he got disheartened. 

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 country side, the rich Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Uttar Pradesh were active in the movement.
(iv) As rich peasant communities were very hard hit by the trade depression and falling prices, they became enthusiastic supporters of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
(v) As the depression continued and cash invoice dwindled, the small tenants found it difficult to pay the rent. They wanted the unpaid rent to the landlords to be waived off and thus they joined the movement.
(vi) Merchants and industrialists supported the movement by not giving the financial assistance and refused to buy and sell the imported goods
(vii) The industrial working class of Nagpur region participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). (viii) Railway workers, dock workers, coal mine workers of Chota Nagpur, etc. participated in protest rallies and boycott campaigns.
(ix) Women also participated in large numbers. 

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 Non-Cooperation Movement:
(i) In non-cooperation movement - people were asked not to cooperate with the government.
(ii) Foreign goods were boycotted.
iii) Liquor shops were picketed and Foreign clothes were burnt.
(iv) In many places merchants and traders refused to trade on foreign goods or finance foreign traders.
(v) Students left the government owned schools and colleges.
(vi) Lawyers gave up legal practices. In Civil Disobedience Movement:
(i) People were asked to break colonial laws.
(ii) Gandhiji broke the salt law.
(iii) Peasants refused to pay revenue and Chaukidari tax.
(iv) Government officials resigned from their jobs.
(v) Forest people violated forest rules and laws. 

Question : How did people and the colonial government react to the Civil Disobedience Movement? Explain.
Answer : The Civil Disobedience Movement started in 1930 against the salt law. The people of India and the colonial government reacted to the movement in their own way.
Reaction of the Indian people:
(i) Thousands of Indians in different parts of the country broke the salt law, manufactured salt and demonstrated in front of government salt factories.
(ii) As the movement spread, foreign cloth was boycotted and liquor shops were picketed.
(iii) Peasants refused to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes, village officials resigned, and in many places forest people violated forests laws – going into Reserved forests to collect wood and graze cattle.
Reaction of the government
(i) Worried by the developments, the colonial government began arresting the congress leaders one by one. First of all they arrested Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a devout disciple of Mahatma Gandhi.
(ii) A month later, Gandhiji himself was arrested. This enraged the public. Industrial workers in Sholapur attacked police posts, municipal buildings law courts and railway stations — all structures that symbolised British rule.
(iii) A frightened government responded with policy brutal repression. Peaceful Satyagrahis were attacked, women and children were beaten and thousands of people were arrested.

Question : “Some of the Muslim political organisations in India were lukewarm in their response to the Civil Disobedience Movement.” Examine the statement.
Answer : (i) A large section of Muslims felt alienated from the Congress after the decline of non-cooperation and Khilafat movement.
(ii) From the mid 1920s, the congress came to be visibly associated with openly Hindu religious nationalist groups like the Hindu Mahasabha.
(iii) Hindu-Muslim communal clashes and riots in various cities deepened the distance between the two communities.
(iv) The congress and the Muslim league made efforts to renegotiate an alliance, and in 1927, it appeared that such a unity could be forged.
(v) The important differences were over the question of representation in the future assemblies that were to be elected.
(vi) Mohammad Ali Jinnah was willing to give up the demand for separate decorates, if Muslims were assured reserved seats in the central Assembly and representation in proportion to population in the Muslim dominated provinces. But M.R. Jayalear of the Hindu Mahasabha strongly opposed it.
(vii) So, when the Civil Disobedience Movement started there was an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust between the two communities.
(viii) Alienated from the congress, large section of Muslims could not respond to the call for united struggle.