Nationalism in India
Short Questions
1. What does the term “satyagraha” mean?
Answer: Satyagraha means the insistence on truth and non-violent resistance against injustice.
2. Who led the peasants of Awadh in their movement against landlords?
Answer: Baba Ramchandra, a sanyasi, led the peasants of Awadh.
3. Which Act of 1919 allowed detention without trial?
Answer: The Rowlatt Act of 1919.
4. Where did the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre take place?
Answer: It took place at Jallianwalla Bagh in Amritsar on 13 April 1919.
5. Who were the two brothers who led the Khilafat Movement?
Answer: Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali.
6. In which year was the Non-Cooperation Movement launched?
Answer: January 1921.
7. Which book did Gandhiji write in 1909 explaining his views on Swaraj?
Answer: Hind Swaraj.
8. Name the place where Gandhiji started the Salt March.
Answer: From Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in Gujarat.
9. What was the main demand of the Salt March?
Answer: Abolition of the salt tax and government monopoly on salt production.
10. Who led the tribal revolt in Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh?
Answer: Alluri Sitaram Raju.
11. Name the pact signed between Gandhiji and Lord Irwin in 1931.
Answer: The Gandhi–Irwin Pact.
12. Which political party was formed by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru?
Answer: The Swaraj Party.
13. What was the demand of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at the Second Round Table Conference?
Answer: Separate electorates for the Depressed Classes (Dalits).
14. Which image came to symbolize India as a mother figure?
Answer: The image of Bharat Mata.
15. When was the Quit India Movement launched?
Answer: 8 August 1942.
Long Questions
1. Explain how the First World War helped in the growth of the National Movement in India.
Answer: The war created huge economic and political hardships in India. Taxes were raised, prices doubled, and villagers were forcibly recruited as soldiers. These conditions increased public anger and strengthened anti-colonial feelings.
2. Describe the main features of Gandhiji’s idea of satyagraha.
Answer: Satyagraha emphasised truth, non-violence and appealing to the oppressor’s conscience rather than using force. It aimed to unite all Indians in a moral struggle against injustice.
3. Why were Indians outraged by the Rowlatt Act?
Answer: The Act allowed the government to detain political prisoners without trial for two years, curbing civil liberties. Indians saw it as a repressive “Black Act” and protested nationwide.
4. Explain the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre and its impact on Indian politics.
Answer: On 13 April 1919 General Dyer’s troops fired on an unarmed crowd at Jallianwalla Bagh, killing hundreds. The brutality shocked the nation, deepened anti-British feelings, and marked a turning point in the freedom struggle.
5. Why did Gandhiji decide to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922?
Answer: The movement had begun turning violent, as at Chauri Chaura where a mob killed policemen. Gandhi felt satyagrahis were not yet disciplined for mass struggle and withdrew it to prevent further violence.
6. Discuss the role of the Khilafat issue in bringing Hindus and Muslims together.
Answer: After World War I harsh terms on Turkey angered Muslims. Gandhi supported the Khilafat cause to unite Muslims and Hindus in a joint Non-Cooperation Movement for swaraj.
7. How did the Salt March become a powerful symbol of resistance against colonialism?
Answer: Salt was consumed by everyone and taxed by the British. Gandhi’s march to Dandi in 1930 turned salt into a unifying issue, inspiring thousands to break colonial laws and join the Civil Disobedience Movement.
8. Describe the participation of peasants in the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Answer: Peasants in Awadh demanded lower rents, abolition of begar, and social boycott of landlords. They linked their local struggles to Gandhi’s call for swaraj, though sometimes their actions went beyond Congress control.
9. Why did business classes support the Civil Disobedience Movement at first?
Answer: Indian merchants and industrialists opposed colonial restrictions and wanted protection from foreign imports. They funded the movement, hoping swaraj would let trade and industry flourish.
10. Explain the role of women in the national movement during the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Answer: Thousands of women from both cities and villages joined marches, made salt, picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops, and went to jail. They saw service to the nation as a sacred duty, although Congress still limited their leadership roles.
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