Question Answers Class 12 Chapter 6 History Maharashtra Board

Indian Struggle against Colonialism

Exercise

Q.1 (A) Choose the correct alternative and rewrite the statement.

1. The region of Nanded had become a stronghold of Hansaji Naik.
(a) Satara (b) Nanded (c) Pune (d) Nagpur
Correct Statement: The region of Nanded had become a stronghold of Hansaji Naik.

2. The British plant owners in Bihar were pressing the local farmers to grow only indigo.
(a) indigo (b) tea (c) coffee (d) sugarcane
Correct Statement: The British plant owners in Bihar were pressing the local farmers to grow only indigo.

3. The first session of the Indian National Congress was presided by Vyomeshchandra Banerjee.
(a) Dwarkanath Tagore (b) Vyomeshchandra Banerjee (c) Dadabhai Nauroji (d) Surendranath Banerjee
Correct Statement: The first session of the Indian National Congress was presided by Vyomeshchandra Banerjee.

(B) Find the incorrect pair from group ‘B’, and write the corrected one.

Answer:
Incorrect Pair: Kunwar Singh – Lucknow
Corrected Pair: Kunwar Singh – West Bihar
Explanation: According to the document, Kunwar Singh led the uprising in West Bihar, not Lucknow. The other pairs are correct: Nanasaheb Peshwa led the uprising in Kanpur, Queen Lakshmibai in Jhansi, and Chimasaheb was associated with the uprising in Kolhapur.

Q.2 Write names of historical places/persons/events.

1. The region of the regime of the parallel government established in 1942: Satara
Explanation: The document mentions that Krantisinha Nana Patil established a parallel government (Pratisarkar) in the Satara district of Maharashtra during the Quit India Movement in 1942.

2. The islands conquered by Azad Hind Sena from the British in 1943: Andaman and Nicobar
Explanation: The document states that Subhash Chandra Bose, leading the Azad Hind Sena, conquered the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from the British at the end of 1943.

Q.3 Write short notes.

1. The Extremists
The Extremists were a faction within the Indian National Congress who believed that independence from British rule should be the primary goal, prioritizing political freedom over social reforms. Led by figures like Lokmanya Tilak, they argued that reclaiming the nation from foreign control was essential before addressing internal reforms. Unlike the Moderates, who sought gradual reforms through appeals to the British government, the Extremists advocated for direct action, including Swadeshi and Boycott movements. Their radical stance led to tensions with the Moderates, culminating in the split of the Congress at the Surat session in 1907. The Extremists’ insistence on self-rule inspired revolutionary activities and strengthened the independence movement.

2. Azad Hind Sena
The Azad Hind Sena, or Indian National Army (INA), was formed to fight British colonial rule during World War II. Initially organized by Rasbihari Bose with Indian soldiers captured by Japan, it was later led by Subhash Chandra Bose. In 1943, Bose established the Azad Hind Sarkar in Singapore and reorganized the Sena to liberate India. The Sena conquered the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1943 and fought in regions like Arakan and Assam’s borders in 1944. Despite facing adverse conditions and failing to capture Imphal, the Sena’s slogan, “Give me your blood! I shall give you independence!” galvanized Indian patriotism and weakened British morale.

3. Prati Sarkar
Prati Sarkar refers to the parallel governments established during the Quit India Movement of 1942 in regions like Satara, Midnapur, Balia, and Bhagalpur. In Satara, Krantisinha Nana Patil led a parallel government that took over administrative tasks such as revenue collection, maintaining law and order, and resolving disputes. These governments symbolized the Indian people’s defiance against British rule, temporarily uprooting colonial governance in some areas. The Prati Sarkar demonstrated the strength of grassroots resistance and the determination of ordinary citizens to challenge British authority, contributing to the weakening of colonial rule.

Q.4 Answer the following questions in detail.

1. Lieutenant Outram was successful in crushing the revolt of the Bhils by the end of 1822.
The Bhil revolt in Khandesh, led by leaders like Godaji, Mahipa, and Hariya Bhil, was a response to British control established by the East India Company in 1818. The Bhils, united in regions like Satpuda, Satmala, and Ajintha, revolted against British policies that disrupted their way of life. Lieutenant Outram played a key role in suppressing this revolt by adopting a dual strategy. Initially, he used military force to crush the uprising, notably defeating Hariya Bhil’s revolt by 1822. Additionally, Outram employed conciliatory measures to weaken Bhil resistance, such as granting amnesty, providing land grants, agricultural loans, and recruiting Bhils into the British army. By staying among the Bhils and winning their confidence, he integrated them into mainstream urban life, effectively ending their opposition. This combination of repression and pacification ensured the British successfully quelled the Bhil revolt by the end of 1822.

2. Ravindranath gave up his title (Sir).
Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood (title of “Sir”) in protest against the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab. On that day, General Dyer ordered British troops to open fire on a peaceful gathering of thousands celebrating the Baisakhi festival at Jallianwala Bagh, killing around 400 innocent people and injuring thousands. The brutal massacre shocked the nation and sparked widespread outrage. Tagore, a prominent poet and nationalist, condemned the British government’s actions as inhumane and a violation of justice. In a symbolic act of defiance, he relinquished his knighthood, conferred by the British in 1915, to express solidarity with the Indian people and protest the colonial government’s repressive policies. His action inspired others and intensified the national movement against British rule.

Q.5 State your Opinion.

1. The rise of colonialism was the result of the spreading of European trade.
I agree with this statement to a significant extent. The spread of European trade, particularly from the 16th century, was a primary driver of colonialism. European powers like the British, Dutch, and Portuguese sought new trade routes and markets for their goods, leading to the establishment of trading posts in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The British East India Company, for instance, initially came to India for trade but gradually expanded its control over territories, as seen in Khandesh by 1818. The pursuit of economic dominance through trade led to political and military interventions, as European nations annexed territories to secure resources like indigo and cotton and to monopolize markets. However, colonialism was also fueled by other factors, such as the desire for strategic dominance, missionary zeal, and technological superiority. Thus, while European trade was a catalyst, colonialism resulted from a combination of economic, political, and cultural ambitions.

2. According to Swatantryaveer Savarkar, the Independence War of 1857 was the First War of Independence.
I support Swatantryaveer Savarkar’s view that the 1857 uprising was the First War of Independence. The revolt, sparked by the discontent of Indian soldiers and fueled by political, social, religious, and economic grievances, was a widespread, coordinated effort to overthrow British rule. Leaders like Nanasaheb Peshwa, Rani Lakshmibai, Tatya Tope, and Kunwar Singh united diverse groups across Delhi, Kanpur, Jhansi, and Bihar, demonstrating a shared national consciousness. The reinstatement of Bahadur Shah as the emperor symbolized a collective aspiration for self-rule. Unlike earlier localized revolts, such as those by the Bhils or Paiks, the 1857 uprising had a broader scope and inspired future independence movements. Savarkar’s book, 1857 – The First War of Independence, rightly emphasizes its significance as a unified struggle, despite its ultimate failure, laying the foundation for later nationalist efforts like the Indian National Congress.