UNIT II - NATIONALISM IN INDIA SOLUTIONS
A. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q.1. What were the factors that favoured the rise of Indian Nationalism?
Ans: The factors that favoured the rise of Indian nationalism were as follows:
(i) The British had brought about a political unification of the various Kingdoms, principalities and territories in the Indian Sub-continent.
(ii) A uniform system of administration was introduced over the British ruled territories under the jurisdiction of the common British law.
(iii) Modern technologies like railways, telegraphy, postal system, roads and motor transport had made the mobility of people possible.
(iv) There was inter-dependent internal trade, leading to the creation of the national market –which facilitated an economic exploitation of India as a whole.
(v) The socio-religious reform movements of the 19th century evolved a national consciousness. It led to an intellectual and cultural renaissance which created a national vision for the future.
(vi) The spread of western education led to the emergence of a modern intelligentsia. They provided the leadership for the radical nationalist activities.
Q.2. What were the major characteristics of the Indian National Movement?
Ans: The major characteristics of the Indian National Movement were as follows:
(i) The Indian national movement was based on the principles of democracy, civil liberties and secularism. It popularized the democratic ideas and institutions.
(ii) The movement stood for liberty and fundamental rights. It always fought for the freedom of expression particularly the freedom of the press.
(iii) The movement stood for social and economic justice of the people, the removal of poverty and upliftment of the backward people.
(iv) The movement was always against communalism, caste, creed or race. It had a strong
secularist foundation.
(v) The Indian national movement was always anti imperialistic.
Q.3. What were the landmarks of the Indian National movement (1885-1934)?
Ans; The landmarks of the Indian National Movement (1885-1934) were as follows:
(i) The foundation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 was the first concrete step of the movement. It provided democratic forum of nationalist minded intellectuals and middle class for discussion and debates on social, economic and administrative issues.
(ii) The partition of Bengal in 1905 by Lord Curzon aroused a strong anti-British sentiment in many parts of India. It led to the Swadeshi Movement.
(iii) There was a Non-Violent Movement against the notorious Rowlatt Act of 1919 under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.
(iv) In January, 1921, Mahatma Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in support of the Khilafat Movement and Swaraj for India. The movement came to an end after the Chauri-Chaura incident on 5th February, 1922.
(v) On 6th April, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi launched the Civil Disobedience Movement at Dandi by breaking the Salt Law of the British Government. The movement was formally withdrawn in April, 1934.
Q.4. When was the Indian National Congress founded? What were its objectives?
Ans: The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885.
Its objectives were:
(i) To provide a democratic forum of nationalist minded intellectuals and middle class for discussion and debates on social, economic and administrative issues.
(ii) To become an all India organisation of the patriotic Indians.
(iii) To influence the educated class and arouse the national consciousness.
(iv) To guide the Indian National Movement.
Q.5. What were the British motives in the Partition of Bengal in 1905?
Ans: The British motives in the Partition of Bengal in 1905:
(i) According to the British, the partition was done for administrative convenience.
(ii) Bengal was too vast to administer properly. So, the British Government divided Bengal into two parts namely East Bengal and West Bengal.
(iii) But the real motive of the British was to suppress the rising wave of nationalism by separating Hindu and Muslim in Bengal.
(iv) It was an attempt to apply ‘Divide and Rule’ policy.
(v) It was an anti-Congress political move engineered by Lord Curzon.
Q.6. Explain the concept of Satyagraha of Mahatma Gandhi.
Ans: The concept of Satyagraha of Mahatma Gandhi:-
(i) The idea of Satyagraha was based on the power of truth and the need to search for truth.
(ii) Gandhi stated that if the cause was true, if the struggle was against injustice, then physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor.
(iii) A Satyagrahi could win the battle through non-violence. People including the oppressor had to be persuaded to the truth instead of being forced to accept the truth through the use of violence.
(iv) Satyagraha is pure soul force but not physical force. A Satyagrahi does not inflict pain on the adversary and in the use of Satyagraha, there is no ill will whatever.
(v) He believed that Satyagraha could unite all Indians.
Q.7. Give an account of the Khilafat-Non Cooperation movement.
Ans: (i) On the persuasion of Gandhi, the Nagpur session of Congress held in November, 1920 adopted the non-cooperation programme in the support of Khilafat Movement.
(ii) The Khilafat Non Co-operation Movement was started in January, 1921. The movement was participated by various social groups.
(iii) Middle class people participated in towns and cities. Thousands of students left the government controlled schools and colleges. The teachers resigned and lawyers gave up the legal practices. The peasants, the tribals and the plantation workers also took part in the movement.
(iv) Gandhi announced that a civil disobedient movement would be launched if the government did not lift the ban on civil liberties and release the political prisoners.
(v) But before the movement could be launched a violent incident happened at Chauri Chaura in Gorakpur District of Utter Pradesh on 5thFebruary, 1922 where protesters attacked the police station and set fire to it. Hearing this news, Gandhi decided to suspend the movement on 12th February, 1922.
Q.8. Explain how the Civil Disobedience Movement was organised.
Ans: (i) The Lahore session of 1929 authorised the Congress Working Committee to launch a Civil Disobedience movement and in February, 1930, the working committee invested Gandhi with full powers to start the movement at a time and place of his choice.
(ii) Gandhi decided to start the movement by disobeying Salt Act. Accompanied by 78 members of Sabarmati Ashram, Gandhi marched over 240 miles to reach Dandi to break the salt law.
(iii) He also announced the action plan for the movement. It included boycott of school, colleges, law courts, foreign cloths, picketing of liquor shops, refusal to pay taxes and resigning from the government services etc.
(iv) On 6th April, 1930, Gandhi inaugurated the civil disobedience movement by picking
up a handful of salt from the Dandi sea beach.
(v) The Government repression was brutal. Peaceful Satyagrahis were beaten and about 1,00,000 people were arrested and imprisoned. The movement was finally withdrawn in April, 1934.
B. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q.1. How was the Indian National Congress Split in 1907?
Ans: (i) The Indian National Congress was split into two factions called the Moderates and Extremists in 1907 due to differences in opinion among the members.
(ii) The Moderates were believers in constitutional means under the law.
(iii) The Extremists believed in adoption of militant action.
Q.2. Give a brief account of the Satyagraha movements against the Rowlatt Act in 1919.
Ans: (i) Gandhiji launched a nationwide Satyagraha against the notorious Rowlatt Act of 1919
with a Hartal on 6th April, 1919.
(ii) Rallies were organised in various cities and there were strikes in railway workshops and closure of shops. Soon, British started to arrest local leaders in Amritsar and Gandhi was prohibited from entering Delhi.
(iii) On April 13, 1919, General Dyer opened fire on the crowd gathered in the ground of Jalianwalla Bagh killing hundreds of innocent peasants. Gandhiji called off the movement after this incident.
Q.3. What were the circumstances that led to the Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre?
Ans: Martial law was imposed in Punjab as a result of a nationwide Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act, 1919, On April 13, 1919, a crowd of Villagers gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwalla Bagh. They were unaware of the martial law imposed in the city. Taking advantage of the Martial law, General Dyer opened fire on the crowd, killing hundreds of innocent people. This incident was known as the Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre.
Q.4. Why did Gandhiji withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Ans: During the Non Cooperation Movement, a large group of volunteers picketed against the liquor sale and rise in food price. A crowd gathered at the police station as the police thrashed the leader of the volunteers. The police fired at them and at this, the angry crowd attacked the police station and set fire to it in which many policemen were burnt to death. This violent incident happened at Chauri Chaura in Gorakpur District of U.P on 5th February, 1922. As the movement was turning violent, Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non Cooperation Movement on 12th February, 1922.
Q.5. What were the objectives of the Khilafat Movement?
Ans: After the defeat of Ottoman Turkey, there were rumours that a harsh treaty was going to be imposed on the Ottoman Emperor who was the spiritual head of the Islamic world (Khilafat). To defend the Khilafat’s temporal powers, a Khilafat committee was formed in Bombay in March 1919. After the consultation with Gandhiji, the Khilafat movement was launched under the leadership of two brothers, Muhammad Ali and Soukat Ali.
Q.6. Give a brief account of the Salt Satyagraha.
Ans: Salt was a common item of food used by everybody, Gandhiji condemned the tax on salt as the most inhuman poll tax. He decided to launch the civil disobedience movement by disobeying the Salt Act. Accompanied by 78 members of the Sabramati Ashram, Gandhiji marched over 240 miles to Dandi and broke the salt law by picking up a handful of salt from the Dandi Sea beach on 6th April, 1930. Soon, Salt Satyagraha spread all over the country. But many peaceful salt Satyagrahis were beaten, arrested and imprisoned.
Q.7. What was the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931?
Ans: Gandhi-Irwin pact of 1931 was an agreement signed between Mahatma Gandhi and the Viceroy Lord Irwin on the 5th March, 1931. According to this pact, Gandhi suspended the Civil Disobedience Movement and he consented to participate in a Round Table Conference to be held in London. The Government agreed to release the political prisoners and concede the right to make salt for consumptions.
C. VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q.1. Who was the first president of Indian National Congress?
Ans: Wyomesh Chandra Banerjee.
Q.2. Who were the Revolutionary Terrorists?
Ans: The Revolutionary Terrorists were those youth who used revolutionary terrorism against the British Government.
Q.3. What is meant by Swadeshi?
Ans; Swadeshi means the boycott of foreign goods and use of indigenous goods.
Q.4. What is meant by Swaraj?
Ans: Swaraj means self-governance or independence.
Q.5. What is meant by Gadhar?
Ans: Gadhar means Revolution.
Q.6. When did the Dandi March occur?
Ans: In March,1930.
Q.7. When and where did the Congress declare “Purna Swaraj” as the final political objective?
Ans: On 31st December, 1929 at the Lahore Session of Congress.
Q.8. What is meant by Purna Swaraj?
Ans: Complete independence.
Q.9. To which tribe does Birsa belong?
Ans: Birsa belonged to the Munda Tribe in the Chhotanagpur Plateau area.
Q.10. Who gave the title of “Rani” to Gaindinliu?
Ans: Jawaharlal Nehru
Q.11. When was the title of “Sardar” given to Vallabhai Patel?
Ans: In 1928 after the success of the Bardoli Satyagraha
EXTRA QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q.1. What is the Supreme Dharma according to Mahatma Gandhi?
Ans: According to Mahatma Gandhi, Non-Violence is the Supreme Dharma.
Q.2. Give one reason why the Lahore session of the Congress was a significant Landmark.
Ans: It was at the Lahore session of Congress that the historic resolution on the “Purna Swaraj” (Complete Independence) was adopted on 31st December, 1929.
Q.3. Name the Indian woman who attended the Second Round Table conference in London as a Woman representative of India.
Ans: Sarojini Naidu
Q.4. In which year did the second Nupilan occur?
Ans: On 12th December, 1939
Q.5. What was the nature of the traditional land system of tribal people?
Ans: Community, Clan or Chief's ownership of land.
Q.6. What were the two streams of the Indian National Movement?
Ans: (i) The main stream was the Indian National Congress which guided the movement.
(ii) The side stream consisted of different movements involving the peasants, workers and other social groups.
Q.7. Name any two Kishan Sabhas formed in the provinces of British India.
Ans: (i) UP Kishan Sabha.
(ii) Awadh Kishan Sabha.
Q.8. Name any two major tribal movements in colonial India.
Ans: (i) The Santhal Revolt (1855)
(ii) Birsa Revolt (1895-1901)
Q.9. What were the causes of the peasant movements during the British rule in India?
Ans: (i) The peasants were exploited by the British land laws.
(ii) They were also exploited by the Zamindars, revenue officials and money lenders.
Q.10. How did Gaidinliu come to be known as Rani Gaidinliu?
Ans: Gaidinlui was the leader of the Zeliangrong Movement against the British. In 1932, she was arrested and imprisoned for life. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru came to know about the exploits of Gaidinliu. He called her the Rani and hence, Gaidinliu came to be known as Rani Gaidinliu.
Q.11. “The first world war created a new Economic and Political situation in India.” Justify the statement.
Ans: (i) There was a huge increase in the defence expenditure which was met by war loans and
increasing taxes.
(ii) Prices increased and there was extreme hardship on the common people.
(iii) There was forced recruitment to the army.
Q.12. Why did Mahatma Gandhi support the Khilafat Issue?
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi planned a more broad based movement against the Rowlatt act of 1919. The Khilafat Issue provided an opportunity to bring the Muslims under the umbrella of the National Movement.
Q.13. State the cause of the First Nupilan of 1904.
Ans: Imposition of Lallup system.
Q.14. State the cause of the second Nupilan of 1939.
Ans: (i) The Government of Manipur was exporting rice to the neighbouring province of Assam
in spite of a bad harvest in 1939.
(ii) The Government gave monopoly of milling the paddy to some Marwari merchants of Imphal.
(iii) The Market Women of Khwairamband protested to stop the export of Rice.
IMPORTANT MAP WORK QUESTIONS
On the outline map of India provided , mark the location of the following places.
Q.1. The place where the first session of INC was held in 1885
Ans: Bombay
Q.2. The place where Gandhiji launched a successful Satyagraha Movement of Indigo Plantation Workers in 1917
Ans: Champaran
Q.3. The place where Gandhiji launched a successful Satyagraha Movement of Peasants in 1917
Ans: Kheda.
Q.4. The place where Jallian Walla Bagh Massacre occurred in April, 1919
Ans: Amritsar.
Q.5. The Place, with name, where a Khilafat committee was formed in March, 1919
Ans: Bombay.
Q.6. The place where the Session of Congress was held in September, 1920 which decided the launching of a Non Cooperation Movement
Ans: Calcutta.
Q.7. The place where a violent incident occurred on 5th February, 1922 which led to the suspension of the Non Cooperation Movement
Ans: Chauri Chaura
Q.8. The place where Gandhi broke the Salt Law
Ans: Dandi
Q.9. The place where the first All India Kishan Congress was established in 1936
Ans: Lucknow.
Q.10. The place where Vallabhai Patel organised a successful Satyagraha Movement of Peasants in 1928
Ans: Bardoli.
Q.11. The place where U. Tirot Singh revolted against the British
Ans: Khasi Hills, Meghalaya.
