Indian Struggle against Colonialism
Short Questions
1. Who led the Bhil revolt against the British in Khandesh around 1818?
Answer: Godaji and Mahipa, nephews of Trimbakji Dengale.
2. What was the name of the armed revolt led by Bakshi Jagbandhu in Odisha?
Answer: Revolt of the Paiks.
3. Who was the leader of the Ramoshi community revolt in Satara?
Answer: Chitursingh.
4. What policy did Lord Dalhousie use to annex princely states?
Answer: Doctrine of Lapse.
5. Who was the nominal leader of the 1857 uprising in Delhi?
Answer: Bahadur Shah.
6. What was the name of the organization founded by Dwarkanath Tagore in 1837?
Answer: Land Holders Association.
7. Who presided over the first session of the Indian National Congress in 1885?
Answer: Vyomeshchandra Banerjee.
8. What was the name of the secret organization founded by the Savarkar brothers in 1899?
Answer: Mitra Mela (later renamed Abhinav Bharat).
9. What was the main slogan of Subhash Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind Sena?
Answer: “Tum Muze Khoon Do! Main Tumhe Azadi Dunga!”
10. Who established the Prati Sarkar in Satara during the Quit India Movement?
Answer: Krantisinha Nana Patil.
Long Questions
1. Why did the Bhils revolt against the British in Khandesh before 1857?
Answer: The Bhils revolted because the British East India Company took control of Khandesh in 1818, disrupting their way of life. Under leaders like Godaji and Mahipa, they united to fight British rule. The British blocked their supplies and used force, leading to the revolt’s failure.
2. What was the significance of Umaji Naik’s charter against the British?
Answer: Umaji Naik’s charter called for killing British officials and looting their treasury to weaken their rule. It urged Indians, including soldiers, to join the fight for independence. This bold declaration inspired resistance against British oppression.
3. How did the Doctrine of Lapse contribute to the 1857 uprising?
Answer: Lord Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse annexed princely states like Satara and Jhansi if rulers had no heirs. This angered Indian rulers and soldiers, who lost jobs, fueling discontent that led to the 1857 uprising.
4. What were the main reasons for the discontent of Indian soldiers in 1857?
Answer: Indian soldiers were unhappy due to cuts in allowances, forced sea travel, and humiliation during parades. The use of cow and pig fat-smeared cartridges for Enfield rifles offended their religious beliefs, sparking the revolt.
5. Why was the founding of the Indian National Congress in 1885 important?
Answer: The Indian National Congress, founded in 1885, united people from all over India to demand political reforms. It passed resolutions for Indian representation and better administration, laying the foundation for the independence movement.
6. What was the difference between the Moderates and Extremists in the Congress?
Answer: Moderates, like Gopal Krishna Gokhale, wanted gradual reforms through appeals to the British. Extremists, like Lokmanya Tilak, demanded immediate independence, believing the British would not respond to requests. This led to a split in 1907.
7. How did Vasudev Balwant Phadke contribute to the armed revolutionary movement?
Answer: Vasudev Balwant Phadke planned an armed revolt in Maharashtra to weaken British rule. He aimed to remove fear of the British from people’s minds. His efforts inspired later revolutionaries despite being crushed.
8. What was the impact of the Jalianwala Bagh Massacre in 1919?
Answer: The Jalianwala Bagh Massacre, where General Dyer killed hundreds of unarmed Indians, caused widespread anger. It strengthened the independence movement, and leaders like Rabindranath Tagore protested by giving up British titles.
9. How did Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi Salt March challenge British rule?
Answer: Gandhi’s Dandi Salt March in 1930 protested the British salt tax by breaking the law through collecting salt. It inspired millions to join the non-violent resistance, weakening British authority and promoting Swadeshi.
10. What was the role of the Quit India Movement in India’s freedom struggle?
Answer: The Quit India Movement of 1942, led by Gandhi, demanded that the British leave India immediately. Despite arrests of leaders, people’s resistance, like the Prati Sarkar in Satara, showed strong opposition, hastening India’s independence.
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