Indian National Movement: NBSE class 9 social science chapter 4

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Get notes, questions, solutions, textual answers, pdf, extras, for Chapter 4: Indian National Movement, which is a part of the social science class 9 syllabus of students studying under the Nagaland Board of School Education. However, these notes should be used only for references and additions/modifications should be made as per the requirements.

Introduction

It is ironic that the establishment of British rule in India gave birth to nationalism in India. First and foremost, India was unified politically for the first time under the British. A uniform legal system, uniform currency, and a uniform system of administration made Indians think of India as one nation. The spread and imposition of western education, and the use of English as a common language produced unity of thought, feelings, and ideas. There was a rediscovery of India’s glorious past that revived pride and self-respect among the Indians.

The modern means of communication, the role of the press and literature, and the works of the reformers contributed greatly to the growth of nationalism. Above all, was the realisation that the British were exploiting India’s economic resources for their own benefit. They were not paying any heed to education, health, sanitation, irrigation, and industry. The British followed a policy of discrimination against Indians in their own country. More Englishmen were in the legislative assemblies and civil services. Last, but not least, was the racial arrogance and racial discrimination practised by the British. They established exclusive clubs for English, they tried to strangle the press with various acts (Press Act of 1878 and the Arms Act of 1878). An English offender could not be tried in the court of an Indian judge. All these factors led to a reawakening in India and nationalism became a huge mass movement for complete independence.

Textual questions and answers

Choose the correct answer

1. The first session of the Congress was held in:

A. Calcutta, 1886
B. Bombay, 1885
C. Surat, 1887
D. Bombay, 1889

Answer: B. Bombay, 1885

2. “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it” was a slogan given by:

A. Gandhiji
B. Bipin Chandra Pal
C. Subhash Chandra Bose
D. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Answer: D. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak

3. When was Bengal partitioned?

A. 1905
B. 1907
C. 1906
D. 1911

Answer: A. 1905

4. The famous ‘Dandi March’ of Gandhiji began on:

A. 12 April, 1930
B. 22 April, 1930
C. 1 April, 1930
D. None of the above

Answer: C. 1 April, 1930

5. The slogan “Do or Die” was given to the nation by:

A. Bhagat Singh
B. V.D. Savarkar
C. Mahatma Gandhi
D. Rash Behari Bose

Answer: C. Mahatma Gandhi

6. There are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark your answer as per the codes provided below.

Assertion (A): The violence at Chauri Chaura prompted Gandhiji to call-off the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Reason (R): Mahatma Gandhi realised that the nation was not yet prepared for a peaceful and disciplined mass movement.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
C. (A) is correct but (R) is wrong
D. (A) is wrong but (R) is correct

Answer: A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

7. What was the contribution of the above personality in the national movement?

A. He was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi
B. He played a pivotal role in founding the Indian National Congress
C. He took an active part in the Non-Cooperation Movement
D. As a Viceroy, he partitioned Bengal

Answer: B. He played a pivotal role in founding the Indian National Congress

8. Arrange the following statements in sequential order based on the events.

I. General Dyer opened fire at the large crowd gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwalla Bagh.
II. “Forced recruitment” carried out by the British government and the economic hardships faced by the people during the first world war.
III. The defeat of the Ottoman Emperor of Turkey led to the formation of the Khilafat movement.
IV. Gandhji launched a nationwide satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act.

A. (IV), (III), (II), (I)
B. (II), (I), (III), (IV)
C. (I), (IV), (III), (II)
D. (I), (II), (III), (IV)

Answer: D. (I), (II), (III), (IV)

Very short answer type questions

1. Who was the first President of Indian National Congress?

Answer: Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee was the first President of the Indian National Congress.

2. Why did the leaders of the Indian National Congress want the association with Britain in the beginning and not separation?

Answer: They believed that if public opinion was created and organised and popular demands presented to the authorities through petitions, meetings, resolutions and speeches, the authorities would concede these demands gradually. They had full faith in the good intentions of the British Government.

3. Name the Viceroy who divided Bengal into two provinces. What was his real motive?

Answer: Lord Curzon was the Viceroy who divided Bengal into two provinces. His real motive was to divide the Hindu-Bengali and make them minorities in both provinces so as to weaken the nationalist movement led by Congress.

4. Mention two acts of Bal Gangadhar Tilak to inculcate self-confidence and national pride among the Indian people.

Answer: The two acts of Bal Gangadhar Tilak to inculcate self-confidence and national pride among the Indian people are:
I. He raised the slogan, “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it.”
II. He revived Ganapati and Shivaji festivals in Maharashtra to arouse national feelings.

5. When did Gandhiji enter Indian politics and what were the two new weapons he used in the struggle for independence?

Answer: Gandhiji entered Indian politics in the year 1915. His two weapons were non-violence and Satyagraha.

6. Mention two aims of the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Answer: The aims of this movement were to redress the wrongs done to Punjab and Turkey and to achieve the aim of Swaraj.

Short answer type questions

1. Describe the main contributions of the following leaders :

(a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(b) Lala Lajpat Rai
(c) Bipin Chandra Pal

Answer: (a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak laid great stress on the sufferings and sacrifices of the people. He raised the slogan, “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it.” He was active in Congress from 1890. He revived the Ganapati and Shivaji festivals in Maharashtra to arouse national feelings. He infused new life into Indian politics and built confidence in the people to fight political tyranny.

(b) Lala Lajpat Rai believed in direct action and agitated in Punjab for reform in agriculture. He started a newspaper ‘Young India’ and was the President of Congress. He inspired the Punjabis with a new national spirit and made them bold and patriotic. He was a great social reformer and educationist. He opened orphanages and hospitals. He was an active worker of the Arya Samaj and opposed the policy of the Early Nationalists.

(c) Bipin Chandra Pal was born in Bangladesh in 1858. He joined the Chennai Congress and made a powerful speech against Arms Act. He was a wonderful orator who spoke for swadeshi and boycott and started a journal called “New India.” He wanted India to take sterner measures against the British and was charged with supporting Aurobindo Ghose. Bipin Chandra Pal stood for complete freedom.

2. How did the people of Bengal react to the Partition of Bengal?

Answer: Lord Curzon’s highly unpopular measure of partitioning the state of Bengal led to an Assertive/Radical Nationalist movement. It was led by three ‘Bal, Pal, and Lal’. The movement was called Swadeshi and Boycott movement. “Swadeshi” means “of one’s own country.” The Swadeshi and Boycott movements spread to almost all parts of the country. The national movement thus became a mass movement.

3. How did the National Movement become a mass movement after 1919? [HOTS]

Answer: To protest against the arrests of Gandhiji and two prominent Congress leaders, a large crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919. General Dyer, with his troops, entered the park, and without giving any warning, he ordered his troops to fire. Dyer left 1000 dead and more than 2000 wounded. It sent a wave of anger and shock throughout the country. This prompted Gandhiji and the Congress to launch the Non-Cooperation Movement and people. Thus, the National Movement become a mass movement after 1919.

4. What were the main aims of the Muslim League?

Answer: The main aims of the Muslim League were:

a) To promote, among the Muslims of India, feelings of loyalty to the British Government and to remove any misconception that may arise due to the intentions of the Government with regard to Indian Muslims.
b) To protect and advance the political rights of the Muslims in India and respectfully represent their needs and aspirations to the Government.
c) To prevent the rise among the Muslims of India of any feeling of hostility towards other communities without prejudice to the aforesaid object of the league.

5. ‘Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation.’ Explain.

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation. On January 31, 1930, he sent a letter to Lord Irwin, the Viceroy, stating eleven demands. The most important demand was to abolish the salt tax. Lord Irwin refused any sort of negotiation. So Gandhiji began the Dandi March. Civil Disobedience began with Gandhiji breaking the Salt Law. He had started with only a few followers, but thousands of men and women joined him as he marched forward. His ‘Dandi March ‘aroused the whole nation.

Long answer type questions

1. Discuss the impact and significance of the Boycott and Swadeshi Movement.

Answer: The partition of Bengal created widespread dissatisfaction and discontent all over the country. This indignation all over the country created a turbulent atmosphere and led to the Boycott and Swadeshi Movements. “Swadeshi” means “of one’s own country.” It aimed at the promotion of indigenous industries and the boycott of British goods. The movements spread to almost all parts of the country. Shops selling foreign goods were picketed. Students also played an important part in the movement. The national movement became a mass movement. The movement gave a stimulus to the growth of indigenous industries and crafts. Swadeshi factories came into existence everywhere.

2. Which factors contributed to the awakening of national consciousness among the Indian people? [HOTS]

Answer: The factors that contributed to the awakening of national consciousness among the Indian people were:

i. India was unified politically for the first time under the British. A uniform legal system, uniform currency, and a uniform system of administration made Indians think of India as one nation.
ii. The spread and imposition of western education, and the use of English as a common language produced unity of thought, feelings, and ideas.
iii. There was a rediscovery of India’s glorious past that revived pride and self-respect among the Indians.
iv. The modern means of communication, the role of the press and literature, and the works of the reformers contributed greatly to the growth of nationalism.
v. Above all was the realisation that the British were exploiting India’s economic resources for their own benefit.
vi. The British followed a policy of discrimination against the Indians in their own country. More Englishmen were in the legislative assemblies and civil services.

3. Give an estimate of Gandhiji’s role in India’s struggle for freedom.

Answer: After a successful and significant political career in South Africa, Gandhiji returned to India in January 1915. Gandhiji contributed immensely to the freedom struggle of India and gave it a new direction with his entry into Indian politics. He spearheaded the Indian National Movement with new ideas that resonated with the masses. He was a staunch believer in non-violence. Gandhiji understood the importance of unity among the Indians for the freedom struggle to become a success. Therefore, he took up various social initiatives to unite the people, like his campaign against untouchability. At the beginning of his political career in India, he organised a number of Satyagrahas and later spearheaded massive movements like the Non-Cooperation, which planned to wreck the government in the country by not co-operating with it anymore, the Civil Disobedience Movement, and the Quit India Movement.

All these impacted significantly on the British government in India. He was able to unite the whole country and went to jail several times. It is safe to say that though everyone contributed equally to the freedom struggle, it was Gandhiji who kept the country together.

4. Describe the main features of the Quit India Movement.

Answer: The main features of the Quit India Movement are:

i) It authorised Gandhiji to launch the Quit India Movement against the British on non-violent lines and on the widest possible scale. Gandhiji raised the slogan ‘Do or Die.’
ii) A large number of congressmen were also put behind bars. The people were leaderless, unorganised, unprepared, and undirected. So the movement took a violent turn.
iii) The movement became a popular upsurge, and the whole country rose to overthrow British Rule. It was the last mass uprising against British rule in India.
iv) There was much tension, the government was alarmed and became nervous. It adopted a repressive policy to suppress the movement.
v) By using repressive measures, the government succeeded in crushing the movement within a few weeks.
vi) The revolt was short-lived but very intensive. About 10,000 people died in the firing and about 70,000 were put behind the bars.

Extra MCQs

1: Who played a pivotal role as a retired Englishman in the founding of the Indian National Congress in 1885?

A. Lord Dufferin
B. W.C. Bonnerjee
C. Allan Octavian Hume
D. Dadabhai Naoroji

Answer: C. Allan Octavian Hume

2: The slogan “Freedom is my birth right and I shall have it” is attributed to which nationalist leader?

A. Lala Lajpat Rai
B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C. Bipin Chandra Pal
D. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Answer: B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

3: The first session of the Indian National Congress in December 1885 was held in which city?

A. Calcutta
B. Delhi
C. Madras
D. Bombay

Answer: D. Bombay

4: The partition of which state in 1905 led to the rise of the Swadeshi and Boycott movement?

A. Punjab
B. Bengal
C. Maharashtra
D. Madras Presidency

Answer: B. Bengal

5: Who was the first President of the Indian National Congress?

A. Allan Octavian Hume
B. Dadabhai Naoroji
C. Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee
D. Badruddin Tyabji

Answer: C. Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee

6: The Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, where General Dyer ordered troops to fire on a crowd, occurred in which year?

A. 1917
B. 1918
C. 1919
D. 1920

Answer: C. 1919

7: The trio of assertive nationalist leaders popularly known as “Bal, Pal and Lal” included Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and who else?

A. Lala Hardayal
B. Lala Lajpat Rai
C. Motilal Nehru
D. Madan Mohan Malaviya

Answer: B. Lala Lajpat Rai

8: The Muslim League was formed in which year?

A. 1905
B. 1906
C. 1907
D. 1909

Answer: B. 1906

9: Mahatma Gandhi launched the Dandi March in 1930 to protest against the British monopoly on what commodity?

A. Cotton
B. Indigo
C. Salt
D. Tea

Answer: C. Salt

10: The Chauri Chaura incident, which involved an attack on a police station, led Mahatma Gandhi to suspend which major movement?

A. Quit India Movement
B. Civil Disobedience Movement
C. Swadeshi Movement
D. Non-Cooperation Movement

Answer: D. Non-Cooperation Movement

11: The resolution for ‘Poorna Swaraj’ or Complete Independence was passed at the Congress session held in which city in 1929?

A. Bombay
B. Calcutta
C. Lahore
D. Nagpur

Answer: C. Lahore

12: The revolutionary organization ‘Abhinava Bharata’ was founded by whom?

A. Bhagat Singh
B. Chandra Shekhar Azad
C. V.D. Savarkar
D. Ras Behari Bose

Answer: C. V.D. Savarkar

13: The slogan ‘Do or Die’ was given by Mahatma Gandhi during which movement?

A. Non-Cooperation Movement
B. Civil Disobedience Movement
C. Khilafat Movement
D. Quit India Movement

Answer: D. Quit India Movement

14: Bal Gangadhar Tilak published his writings in which Marathi newspaper?

A. Mahratta
B. Young India
C. Kesari
D. New India

Answer: C. Kesari

15: In what year did Mahatma Gandhi return to India from South Africa?

A. 1905
B. 1910
C. 1915
D. 1917

Answer: C. 1915

16: (I) The British partitioned Bengal in 1905.
(II) The Boycott and Swadeshi Movements were launched as a response.

A. I is a contradiction of II.
B. II is independent of I.
C. I is the cause for II.
D. II is the cause for I.

Answer: C. I is the cause for II.

17: (I) The Moderates believed in constitutional agitation through petitions, meetings, and resolutions.
(II) They had full faith in the good intentions of the British Government.

A. I is a contradiction of II.
B. II is the underlying reason for the approach described in I.
C. I and II are unrelated statements.
D. I is the result of II.

Answer: B. II is the underlying reason for the approach described in I.

18: (I) A violent incident occurred at Chauri Chaura where a police station was burnt.
(II) Mahatma Gandhi, a staunch believer in non-violence, suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement.

A. I is an example of II.
B. II is independent of I.
C. I is the direct cause for the action in II.
D. I is a contradiction of II.

Answer: C. I is the direct cause for the action in II.

19: (I) The Assertive Nationalists wanted to achieve ‘Swaraj’ by the force of their own strength.
(II) The Moderates wanted reforms within the British Government.

A. I is the cause for II.
B. I and II represent contrasting political ideologies.
C. II is an example of I.
D. I and II are identical in their goals.

Answer: B. I and II represent contrasting political ideologies.

20: (I) The British Government passed the Rowlatt Act.
(II) Mahatma Gandhi launched a nationwide satyagraha in protest.

A. I is the result of II.
B. I is independent of II.
C. I is a contradiction of II.
D. II is a direct response to I.

Answer: D. II is a direct response to I.

21: (I) A.O. Hume wanted the Indian National Congress to be an outlet or ‘safety valve’ for Indian discontent.
(II) He wanted to prevent the outbreak of a popular revolt.

A. I is a contradiction of II.
B. I is independent of II.
C. II explains the motive behind I.
D. I is an example of II.

Answer: C. II explains the motive behind I.

22: (I) The Cripps Mission of 1942 failed to solve the constitutional problem of India.
(II) The Quit India Movement was launched later that year.

A. I was a contributing factor leading to II.
B. II was the cause of I.
C. I and II are unrelated events.
D. I is a contradiction of II.

Answer: A. I was a contributing factor leading to II.

23: (I) Bal Gangadhar Tilak revived Ganapati and Shivaji festivals in Maharashtra.
(II) He aimed to arouse national feelings among the people.

A. I is the result of II.
B. II is the purpose of the action described in I.
C. I and II are contradictory statements.
D. I and II are independent of each other.

Answer: B. II is the purpose of the action described in I.

24: Arrange the following events in the correct chronological order:

(i) Formation of the Muslim League
(ii) Partition of Bengal
(iii) The Surat Split in Congress
(iv) Founding of the Indian National Congress

A. (iv) → (ii) → (i) → (iii)
B. (i) → (ii) → (iv) → (iii)
C. (iv) → (i) → (ii) → (iii)
D. (ii) → (iv) → (i) → (iii)

Answer: A. (iv) → (ii) → (i) → (iii)

25: Select the option that lists Mahatma Gandhi’s early satyagraha movements in their correct order.

(i) Satyagraha for peasants of Kheda
(ii) Satyagraha for cotton mill workers in Ahmedabad
(iii) Return to India from South Africa
(iv) Satyagraha for indigo peasants in Champaran

A. (iii) → (iv) → (ii) → (i)
B. (iii) → (i) → (iv) → (ii)
C. (i) → (iii) → (ii) → (iv)
D. (iii) → (ii) → (i) → (iv)

Answer: A. (iii) → (iv) → (ii) → (i)

26: Arrange these major national movements in the correct sequence of their launch:

(i) Civil Disobedience Movement
(ii) Quit India Movement
(iii) Non-Cooperation Movement
(iv) Swadeshi and Boycott Movement

A. (iv) → (iii) → (i) → (ii)
B. (iii) → (iv) → (ii) → (i)
C. (iv) → (i) → (iii) → (ii)
D. (i) → (iii) → (iv) → (ii)

Answer: A. (iv) → (iii) → (i) → (ii)

27: Consider the following events related to the freedom struggle. Choose the correct chronological order.

(i) The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
(ii) The Dandi March
(iii) The Chauri Chaura Incident
(iv) The Lahore Congress Session declaring ‘Poorna Swaraj’

A. (i) → (iii) → (iv) → (ii)
B. (i) → (iv) → (iii) → (ii)
C. (iii) → (i) → (ii) → (iv)
D. (iv) → (i) → (iii) → (ii)

Answer: A. (i) → (iii) → (iv) → (ii)

28: Arrange the following events in the order they occurred:

(i) Jinnah joins the Muslim League
(ii) First World War begins
(iii) Morley-Minto Reforms are introduced
(iv) The Lucknow Pact is signed

A. (iii) → (i) → (ii) → (iv)
B. (i) → (iii) → (iv) → (ii)
C. (iii) → (ii) → (i) → (iv)
D. (ii) → (i) → (iii) → (iv)

Answer: A. (iii) → (i) → (ii) → (iv)

29: Select the option that lists the phases of the Indian National Movement in the correct order.

(i) Gandhian Era
(ii) Assertive or Radical Nationalist phase
(iii) Moderate phase

A. (iii) → (ii) → (i)
B. (ii) → (iii) → (i)
C. (i) → (ii) → (iii)
D. (iii) → (i) → (ii)

Answer: A. (iii) → (ii) → (i)

Extra questions and answers

1. Who was Allan Octavian Hume?

Answer: Allan Octavian Hume was a retired Englishman and a member of the Indian Civil Service.

2. Who was the Viceroy of India when the Indian National Congress was founded?

Answer: The Viceroy of India when the Indian National Congress was founded was Lord Dufferin.

3. Name two Indian leaders who supported the formation of the Congress.

Answer: Two Indian leaders who supported the formation of the Congress were Dadabhai Naoroji and Pherozeshah Mehta.

4. Where was the first session of the Indian National Congress held?

Answer: The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay in December 1885.

5. Who was the first president of the Indian National Congress?

Answer: The first president of the Indian National Congress was Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee.

6. Name two prominent Moderates or Early Nationalists.

Answer: Two prominent Moderates or Early Nationalists were W.C. Bonnerjee and Dadabhai Naoroji.

7. Who were popularly known as “Bal, Pal and Lal”?

Answer: “Bal, Pal and Lal” referred to the three leaders of the Assertive/Radical Nationalist movement: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai.

8. What was the slogan raised by Bal Gangadhar Tilak?

Answer: The slogan raised by Bal Gangadhar Tilak was, “Freedom is my birth right and I shall have it.”

9. What was the name of Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Marathi paper?

Answer: The name of Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Marathi paper was Kesari.

10. Why was Tilak imprisoned in 1897?

Answer: In 1897, Tilak was imprisoned for 18 months for his writings in his Marathi paper Kesari.

11. Which festivals did Tilak revive to arouse national feelings?

Answer: Tilak revived the Ganapati and Shivaji festivals in Maharashtra to arouse national feelings.

12. What society did Lala Lajpat Rai set up for the welfare of the downtrodden?

Answer: Lala Lajpat Rai set up the ‘Servants of the people Society’ for the welfare of the downtrodden.

13. How did Lala Lajpat Rai die in 1928?

Answer: Lala Lajpat Rai died in 1928 as a result of lathi blows he received while leading a protest movement against the Simon Commission.

14. What title was given to Lala Lajpat Rai?

Answer: The title given to Lala Lajpat Rai was ‘Punjab Kesari’.

15. When did Bal Gangadhar Tilak start the Home Rule Movement?

Answer: Bal Gangadhar Tilak started the Home Rule Movement in 1916.

16. What were the three phases of the Indian National Movement?

Answer: The Indian National Movement is divided into three phases: the Moderate phase (1885-1905); the Assertive or Radical Nationalist phase (1905-1919); and the Gandhian Era (1919-1947).

17. What did the Moderates believe in achieving political progress?

Answer: The Moderates believed in constitutional agitation and slow, orderly political progress. They believed that if public opinion was created and organised and popular demands were presented to the authorities through petitions, meetings, resolutions, and speeches, the authorities would concede these demands gradually.

18. What does the term “Swadeshi” mean?

Answer: The term “Swadeshi” means “of one’s own country.”

19. When did ‘Swaraj’ first become the aim of the Congress?

Answer: At the Calcutta Session of the Congress in 1906, ‘Swaraj’ became the aim of the Congress for the first time.

20. Who led the Swadeshi movement in Punjab?

Answer: Lala Lajpat Rai and Sardar Ajit Singh led the Swadeshi movement in the Punjab.

21. Who were the leaders of the Swadeshi movement in Delhi and Madras?

Answer: Syed Haidar Raza was the leader of the Swadeshi movement in Delhi and Chidambaram Pillai was the leader in Madras.

22. What was the Surat Split of 1907?

Answer: The Surat Split occurred in 1907 when the Moderates and the Assertive Nationalists came into open conflict at the 23rd session of the Congress in Surat. The Moderates wanted to modify the resolutions on Swadeshi and Boycott, while the Assertive Nationalists were offended by this. The Moderates did not want the movement to be intensified, leading to a split where the Assertive Nationalists had no place in the Congress. This split lasted until 1916.

23. Who founded the secret society ‘Abhinava Bharata’?

Answer: V.D. Savarkar founded the secret society ‘Abhinava Bharata’.

24. Name two revolutionary groups formed in Bengal.

Answer: Two revolutionary groups formed in Bengal were “Anushilan Samiti” and “Jugantar Dal”.

25. Who were Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki?

Answer: On April 30, 1908, Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki threw a bomb at a carriage they believed was occupied by an unpopular English judge. The bomb unfortunately killed an English lady and her daughter. Prafulla Chaki shot himself dead, while Khudiram Bose was tried and hanged on August 11, 1908.

26. What was the ‘Ghadar Party’?

Answer: The ‘Ghadar Party’, meaning mutiny, was the most prominent among the revolutionary movements organised outside India. These movements collected money for revolutionaries in India, tried to smuggle arms, and incited soldiers to rebel in India, as well as in Burma and Singapore.

27. When was the Muslim League formed?

Answer: The Muslim League was formed on 30th December, 1906.

28. Who led the Muslim delegation to Viceroy Lord Minto in 1906?

Answer: A Muslim delegation led by His Highness, the then Agha Khan, met the Viceroy Lord Minto in 1906.

29. Who founded the newspaper ‘Al Hilal’?

Answer: In 1912, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad founded the newspaper ‘Al Hilal’.

30. When did Mohammad Ali Jinnah join the Muslim League?

Answer: Mohammad Ali Jinnah joined the Muslim League in 1913.

31. When and where was Mahatma Gandhi born?

Answer: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, at Porbandar, in Kathiawar in Gujarat.

32. Why did Gandhiji go to South Africa?

Answer: After completing his law studies and practicing first in Rajkot and then in Bombay, Gandhiji went to South Africa and started practising there.

33. When did Gandhiji return to India from South Africa?

Answer: Gandhiji returned to India from South Africa in January 1915.

34. What was the Champaran satyagraha of 1917 about?

Answer: The Champaran satyagraha of 1917 was organised by Gandhiji on behalf of the oppressed indigo peasants.

35. What was the Kheda satyagraha of 1917 about?

Answer: The Kheda satyagraha of 1917 was organised by Gandhiji on behalf of the peasants of the Kheda district of Gujarat. These peasants, affected by crop failure and an epidemic, had been demanding exemption from revenue payment.

36. What was Gandhiji’s greatest social achievement?

Answer: Gandhiji’s greatest social achievement was his campaign against ‘Untouchability’.

37. What name did Gandhiji give to the untouchables?

Answer: Gandhiji gave the untouchables the new name Harijans.

38. What became the symbol of the Congress flag, as promoted by Gandhiji?

Answer: The charkha, or the spinning wheel, which Gandhiji promoted, became the symbol of the Congress flag.

39. When did the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy occur?

Answer: The Jallianwala Bagh tragedy occurred on April 13, 1919.

40. Who ordered the firing on the crowd at Jallianwala Bagh?

Answer: General Dyer ordered the firing on the crowd at Jallianwala Bagh.

41. What were the main aims of the Non-Cooperation Movement?

Answer: The main aims of the Non-Cooperation Movement were to redress the wrongs done to Punjab and Turkey and to achieve the aim of Swaraj.

42. What was the Chauri Chaura incident?

Answer: The Chauri Chaura incident occurred at a village in the Gorakhpur district of U.P. The police opened fire on a peaceful procession of peasants, which angered the demonstrators. They then attacked and burnt a police station, leading to the death of about 22 policemen.

43. What was the ‘Poorna Swaraj’ resolution?

Answer: The ‘Poorna Swaraj’ resolution was a resolution passed by the Congress declaring ‘Poorna Swaraj’ or Complete Independence as its goal.

44. When was the ‘Poorna Swaraj’ resolution passed?

Answer: The ‘Poorna Swaraj’ resolution was passed at the Congress Session held at Lahore in 1929.

45. Who founded the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association?

Answer: The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association was founded by Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, and Sukh Dev, along with others.

46. Who threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly in 1929?

Answer: On April 8, 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw a bomb at Government benches in the Central Legislative Assembly.

47. Why did Gandhiji choose salt as a symbol for the Civil Disobedience Movement?

Answer: Gandhiji chose salt as a powerful symbol that could unite the nation. The tax on salt and the government monopoly over its production revealed the most exploitative facet of British rule.

48. When did the Dandi March begin?

Answer: The Dandi March began on March 13, 1930, when Gandhiji started from Sabarmati Ashram on foot for Dandi.

49. What was the Gandhi-Irwin Pact?

Answer: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was an agreement under which the Civil Disobedience Movement was called off. The Government promised to release all political prisoners and withdraw all pending cases against political workers. People living close to the sea were allowed to manufacture salt without being taxed, and Gandhiji agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference in London.

50. What was the Cripps Mission of 1942?

Answer: The Cripps Mission of March 1942 failed to solve the constitutional problem of India. It led to discontent, dissatisfaction, and anger, and filled the Indian people with distrust and hostility towards the British. The failure of the Mission deprived the leaders of the opportunity to cooperate fully in war efforts.

51. What slogan did Gandhiji give during the Quit India Movement?

Answer: During the Quit India Movement, Gandhiji raised the slogan ‘Do or Die’.

52. What is Satyagraha?

Answer: Satyagraha is the non-violent method of fighting against imperialism, used by Gandhiji.

53. What does ‘Swaraj’ mean?

Answer: ‘Swaraj’ means Self-Government.

54. What was the Khilafat Movement?

Answer: The Khilafat Movement was a movement in support of the Khilafat of Turkey, started by the Ali brothers.

55. What is a Hartal?

Answer: A Hartal is the suspension of all work as a protest against injustice.

56. Describe the circumstances leading to the founding of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

Answer: The Indian National Congress was founded in December 1885. The first step was taken by a retired Englishman, Mr. Allan Octavian Hume, a member of the Indian Civil Service, with the blessings of the Viceroy, Lord Dufferin. Hume called for an association to be formed for the moral, social, and political regeneration of the Indians, which was supported by many Indian leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, and Badruddin Tyabji. Hume wanted this organisation to be an outlet for the discontentment among the Indians to prevent the outbreak of a popular revolt.

57. What was A.O. Hume’s ‘safety valve’ theory regarding the formation of the Congress?

Answer: A.O. Hume wanted the Indian National Congress to be an outlet, or a ‘safety valve’, for the discontentment among the Indians. He wanted to prevent the outbreak of a popular revolt.

58. What were the main objectives of the Indian National Congress at its inception?

Answer: The main aims of the Congress were:

• To promote friendly relations between nationalists and political workers in various parts of the country.
• To develop feelings of unity.
• To formulate popular demands and place them before the Government.
• To train and organise public opinion in the country.

59. Who were the Assertive Nationalists? What did they want for India?

Answer: Assertive Nationalists were those members of the Congress who wanted to achieve Swaraj through mass movements or by force of their own strength. They believed that mass action alone could lead to swaraj or independence and pressed for direct political action by the masses. The Assertive Nationalists wanted ‘Swaraj’ or full independence for India.

60. What were Lala Lajpat Rai’s contributions to the national movement and social reform?

Answer: Lala Lajpat Rai inspired the Punjabis with a new national spirit and made them bold and patriotic. He led a protest movement against the Simon Commission, during which he received lathi blows that led to his death in 1928. He was also a great social reformer and educationist who opened orphanages and hospitals. He set up the ‘Servants of the people Society’ for the welfare of the downtrodden and was an active worker of the Arya Samaj.

61. How did Bal Gangadhar Tilak use festivals and his newspaper to promote nationalism?

Answer: Bal Gangadhar Tilak was imprisoned for 18 months for his writings in his Marathi paper Kesari. He also revived Ganapati and Shivaji festivals in Maharashtra to arouse national feelings among the people.

62. What were the main differences between the methods of the Moderates and the Assertive Nationalists?

Answer: The main differences were:

• The Moderates had full faith in the good intentions of the British Government, while the Assertive/Radical Nationalists had no faith in them.
• The Moderates wanted reforms within the British Government, whereas the Assertive/Radical Nationalists wanted ‘Swaraj’ or full independence.
• Moderates used constitutional means, while the Assertive/Radical Nationalists wanted to achieve their aims by force of their own strength.
• The Moderates were led by educated intellectuals. The Assertive/Radical Nationalists made great sacrifices and drew masses into the struggle, mobilising the young in the National Movement.

63. What led to the Partition of Bengal in 1905? How was the state divided?

Answer: Lord Curzon’s highly unpopular measure of partitioning the state of Bengal in 1905 led to widespread dissatisfaction and discontent all over the country.

Bengal was divided into two provinces:

• Eastern Bengal was joined with Assam. It had a population of 31 million, dominated by Bengali Muslims.
• Western Bengal was joined with Bihar and Orissa. It had a population of 54 million, dominated by a non-Bengali population.
  In both provinces, Bengali Hindus became a minority, which the Bengalis considered a big blow to their culture and literature.

64. What were the aims of the Swadeshi and Boycott movements? How did people participate?

Answer: “Swadeshi” means “of one’s own country,” and its aim was the promotion of indigenous industries and the boycott of British goods. These movements were powerful weapons directed against British rule.

People participated by picketing shops selling foreign goods. Students played an important part in the movement, and the traditionally home-centred women of the urban middle classes also joined the movement in a big way.

65. Explain the reasons that led to the Surat Split in 1907. What was its immediate consequence?

Answer: The Moderates and the Assertive Nationalists came into open conflict in 1907 at the 23rd session of the Congress in Surat. The Moderates wanted to modify the resolutions passed at the Calcutta session regarding Swadeshi and Boycott, and they did not want the movement to be intensified. The Assertive Nationalists were offended by these moves.

The immediate consequence was that the Assertive Nationalists had no place in the Congress anymore. This split in the Congress lasted till 1916.

66. What were the aims and methods of the early revolutionary groups in India?

Answer: The aim of the early revolutionary groups was to strike terror in the heart of the rulers. They wanted to remove fear from the mind of the public and arouse patriotic feelings in them. Their methods, influenced by Irish nationalists and Russian extremists, included organising assassinations of unpopular British officials.

67. Describe the activities of the revolutionaries outside India, with a focus on the ‘Ghadar Party’.

Answer: Revolutionaries organised movements outside India, in America and Europe. The most prominent among these was the ‘Ghadar Party’, which means mutiny. These movements collected money for the use of revolutionaries in India. They also tried to smuggle arms and incited soldiers to rebel in India, as well as in Burma and Singapore.

68. How did the British policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ lead to the formation of the Muslim League?

Answer: The British had followed a deliberate policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ in India after the Revolt of 1857. With the growth of Nationalism and the rise of the Congress, the British government changed its policy. They branded the Congress as a Hindu Movement and encouraged upper-class Muslims to start their own separate organisations against the Congress. The British openly propagated the idea that India consisted of mutually different and antagonist religions based on communities and took every opportunity to encourage the communalists, which led to the formation of the Muslim League.

69. State the main aims and objectives of the Muslim League as formed in 1906.

Answer: The main aims and objectives of the League were:
(a) To promote, among the Muslims of India, feelings of loyalty to the British Government and to remove any misconception that may arise due to the intentions of the Government with regard to Indian Muslims.
(b) To protect and advance the political rights of the Muslims in India and respectfully represent their needs and aspirations to the Government.
(c) To prevent the rise among the Muslims of India of any feeling of hostility towards other communities without prejudice to the aforesaid object of the league.

70. Describe Gandhiji’s political activities and the principle of non-violent resistance in South Africa.

Answer: In South Africa, Gandhiji was shocked by the conditions of the Indians and the racist and discriminatory policy of the South African Government. He decided to fight against injustice based on the principle of non-violent resistance. He organised the Natal Indian Congress and launched a campaign against the South African Government.

71. What were Gandhiji’s first three satyagraha movements in India after his return?

Answer: Gandhiji’s first three satyagraha movements in India were:

• In 1917, he travelled to Champaran and organised a satyagraha on behalf of the oppressed indigo peasants.
• Also in 1917, he organised another successful satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of the Kheda district of Gujarat, who were demanding exemption from revenue payment due to crop failure and an epidemic.
• In 1918, he went to Ahmedabad to organise a satyagraha movement amongst cotton mill workers.

72. Describe the events of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy on April 13, 1919.

Answer: To protest the arrest of two prominent Congress leaders, Dr Kitchlew and Dr Satya Pal, a large crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919. General Dyer, with his troops, entered the park and closed the only exit. Without giving any warning, he ordered his troops to fire on the peaceful meeting, which included hundreds of women, children, and old men. Dyer left with 1000 dead and more than 2000 wounded lying on the ground.

73. What were the main programmes included in the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1920-22?

Answer: The Non-Cooperation Movement was a programme of peaceful agitation that included:

• Boycott of foreign goods and the use of Swadeshi.
• Surrender of Government posts and titles.
• Boycott of courts by lawyers.
• Boycott of government schools and colleges by students.
• Non-payment of taxes.

74. How did students and lawyers contribute to the Non-Cooperation Movement?

Answer: During the Non-Cooperation Movement, lawyers contributed by boycotting the courts. Students contributed by leaving educational institutions and boycotting government schools and colleges. Following this, a new programme of national education was started with institutions like the Jamia Millia, the Kashi Vidyapeeth, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, and Lahore National College.

75. Explain the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922.

Answer: The peaceful agitation took a violent turn at Chauri Chaura, a village in Gorakhpur (U.P.), when the police opened fire on a peaceful procession of peasants. This angered the demonstrators, who then attacked and burnt a police station, killing about 22 policemen. Mahatma Gandhi, a staunch believer in non-violence, realised that the nation was not yet prepared for a mass movement in a peaceful and disciplined manner. He took upon himself the moral responsibility for the riot and suspended the movement in 1922.

76. What was the significance of the Lahore Congress Session of 1929?

Answer: The Congress Session at Lahore in 1929 was extremely significant. The Congress passed a resolution declaring ‘Poorna Swaraj’ or Complete Independence as its goal. It was decided that 26th January would be observed as Independence Day all over the country. The session also decided to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

77. Describe the activities of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

Answer: The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association was a revolutionary association founded in 1928 by Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, and Sukh Dev. On April 8, 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw a bomb at Government benches in the Central Legislative Assembly, after which they surrendered. Other members were also caught, and Bhagat Singh, Sukh Dev, and Rajguru were hanged. Chandra Shekhar Azad died in an encounter with the police in Allahabad.

78. Describe Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi March. Why was it a significant event?

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi started the Dandi March on March 13, 1930, with a band of 78 followers from Sabarmati Ashram on foot. He marched to Dandi, a small village on the seashore of Gujarat, covering the distance in 24 days. On April 6, 1930, he symbolically made some salt at Dandi to defy the salt tax.

This event was significant because his ‘Dandi March’ aroused the whole nation and marked the start of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

79. How did the British government react to the Civil Disobedience Movement?

Answer: The British government adopted stern measures in reaction to the Civil Disobedience Movement. Gandhiji and Jawaharlal Nehru were arrested. People were lathi-charged, and by the beginning of 1931, 1000 persons were jailed and 67 newspapers had been banned. The Congress was also declared illegal.

80. What were the main terms of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact? Why did the talks at the Second Round Table Conference fail?

Answer: The main terms of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact were that the Civil Disobedience movement was called off. In return, the Government promised to release all political prisoners and withdraw all pending cases against political workers. People living close to the sea were allowed to manufacture salt without being taxed, and Gandhiji agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference in London.

The talks at the Second Round Table Conference failed because Gandhiji demanded complete independence for India, but the British played the game of Divide and Rule, and the talks broke down.

81. What were the main reasons for launching the Quit India Movement in 1942?

Answer: The main reasons for launching the Quit India Movement were:

• The Cripps Mission of March 1942 failed to solve the constitutional problem of India, which led to discontent, dissatisfaction, and anger.
• The war situation worsened in the summer of 1942 with Japan rapidly advancing towards India. Congress leaders believed that to save India from a Japanese attack, it was necessary for the British to withdraw.
• Gandhiji firmly believed that an orderly and peaceful withdrawal of the British could save India from internal anarchy and foreign aggression.

82. How did the people of India react to the arrest of their leaders during the Quit India Movement?

Answer: The news of the arrest of Gandhiji and other Congress leaders spread like a wildfire, and the people started the Quit India Movement all over the country. The movement assumed a violent turn. People observed hartals, took out processions, and organised demonstrations. Public life came to a standstill, and all business was suspended. People became violent and burnt post offices, police stations, and railway stations. They cut off telegraph and telephone lines, blew up bridges, and dug up roads.

83. Describe the repressive measures taken by the British to crush the Quit India Movement.

Answer: The British government adopted a repressive policy to suppress the Quit India Movement. The measures included:

• Thousands of people were imprisoned without trial.
• The undertrials were tortured. Lathi-charge, firing, beating, and flogging became the order of the day.
• Women were insulted and humiliated.
• Children were beaten mercilessly.
• Many villages were looted and burnt, and collective fines were also imposed.

84. Define the terms Moderates and Assertive Nationalists.

Answer: Moderates: Those members of the National Congress who believed in peaceful and constitutional means.
Assertive Nationalists: Those members of the Congress who wanted to achieve Swaraj through mass movements or by force of their own strength.

85. What is the difference between Swadeshi and Boycott?

Answer: Swadeshi means “of one’s own country” and aimed at the promotion of indigenous industries. Boycott means not to buy anything British. Together, they were used as powerful weapons against British rule.

86. Explain the role of A.O. Hume and Lord Dufferin in the formation of the Indian National Congress. What were the stated aims of the organization?

Answer: The first step in the formation of the Indian National Congress was taken by a retired Englishman, Mr. Allan Octavian Hume, a member of the Indian Civil Service. Hume called for an association to be formed for the moral, social, and political regeneration of the Indians. He wanted this organisation to be an outlet, or a safety valve, for the discontentment among the Indians and to prevent the outbreak of a popular revolt. The Indian National Congress also had the blessings of the Viceroy, Lord Dufferin.

The main aims of the Congress were:

• To promote friendly relations between nationalists and political workers in various parts of the country.
• To develop feelings of unity.
• To formulate popular demands and place them before the Government.
• To train and organise public opinion in the country.

87. Compare the ideologies and methods of the Moderates and the Assertive Nationalists. Why did this ideological divide lead to the Surat Split?

Answer: The Moderates believed in constitutional agitation and slow, orderly political progress. They believed that if public opinion was created and organised and popular demands were presented to the authorities through petitions, meetings, resolutions, and speeches, the authorities would concede these demands gradually. In contrast, the Radical Nationalists believed that mass action alone could lead to swaraj or independence. They pressed for political work among the masses and for direct political action.

The differences in their ideologies and methods were:

• The Moderates had full faith in the good intentions of the British Government. The Assertive/Radical Nationalists had no faith in them.
• The Moderates wanted reforms within the British Government. The Assertive/Radical Nationalists wanted ‘Swaraj’ or full independence.
• Moderates used constitutional means; the Assertive/Radical Nationalists wanted to achieve their aims by force of their own strength.
• The Moderates were led by educated intellectuals. The Assertive/Radical Nationalists made great sacrifices and drew masses into the struggle.

This ideological divide led to the Surat Split in 1907 when the Moderates and the Assertive Nationalists came into open conflict. The Moderates wanted to modify the resolutions passed at the Calcutta session regarding Swadeshi and Boycott. The Assertive Nationalists were offended by these moves. The Moderates did not want the movement to be intensified, and the Assertive Nationalists felt they had no place in the Congress any more. This split in the Congress lasted till 1916.

88. Describe the contributions of the trio “Lal, Bal, and Pal” to the Indian National Movement. How did they change the nature of the freedom struggle?

Answer: The trio “Lal, Bal, and Pal” led the Assertive/Radical Nationalist movement that arose after Lord Curzon’s partition of Bengal. They wanted greater participation of Indians in the Government and changed the nature of the freedom struggle by advocating for mass action and direct political work.

Lala Lajpat Rai (Lal) inspired the Punjabis with a new national spirit and made them bold and patriotic. He opposed the policy of the Early Nationalists, stating, “After 20 years of peaceful agitation for bread what we have got is pebbles and stones.” He led the Swadeshi and Boycott movement in Punjab and worked for the uplift of the depressed classes.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Bal) laid great stress on the sufferings and sacrifices of the people. He raised the slogan, “Freedom is my birth right and I shall have it.” He revived Ganapati and Shivaji festivals in Maharashtra to arouse national feelings and used his Marathi paper, Kesari, to write against the government. He popularised the Swadeshi movement in Poona and Bombay.

Bipin Chandra Pal (Pal) stood for complete freedom. He was a wonderful orator who spoke for Swadeshi and boycott. He started the journal New India and did not support Gandhiji’s Non-Cooperation Movement because he wanted India to take sterner measures against the British.

Together, they led the Swadeshi and Boycott movement, which became a mass movement, drawing students, women, and the urban middle classes into the freedom struggle in a big way.

89. Explain the causes and consequences of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. How did this event impact the course of the national movement?

Answer: The primary cause of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy was the widespread protest against the Rowlatt Act passed by the British Government. There were hartals, strikes, and demonstrations across the country. Following a nationwide hartal on April 6, 1919, Gandhiji was arrested. In Punjab, two prominent Congress leaders, Dr. Kitchlew and Dr. Satya Pal, were arrested in Amritsar. To protest against these arrests, a large, peaceful crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919.

The main consequence of this gathering was a brutal massacre. General Dyer, with his troops, entered the park and closed the only exit. Without giving any warning, he ordered his troops to fire on the crowd of unarmed men, women, and children. Dyer left with 1000 dead and more than 2000 wounded lying on the ground.

This event had a major impact on the national movement. Dyer’s act was one of the most brutal in the history of India’s fight for freedom and it shocked even many Englishmen. It sent a wave of anger and shock throughout the country. The tragedy of Jallianwala Bagh was one of the key events that made Gandhiji launch his Non-Cooperation Movement.

90. “The Partition of Bengal in 1905 was a turning point in the history of Indian nationalism.” Elaborate on this statement.

Answer: The Partition of Bengal in 1905 was indeed a turning point as it created widespread dissatisfaction and discontent all over the country. This indignation created a turbulent atmosphere and led to the Boycott and Swadeshi Movements, which transformed the national movement into a mass movement and gave rise to the Assertive/Radical phase of nationalism.

Bengal was divided into two provinces. Eastern Bengal was joined with Assam, and Western Bengal was joined with Bihar and Orissa. Eastern Bengal had a population of 31 million, dominated by Bengali Muslims, while West Bengal had a population of 54 million, dominated by a non-Bengali population. In both provinces, Bengali Hindus became a minority. The Bengalis considered this a big blow to their culture and literature.

In response to the partition, the Swadeshi and Boycott Movements were launched. “Swadeshi” means “of one’s own country,” and it aimed at the promotion of indigenous industries and the boycott of British goods. These were powerful weapons directed against British rule. Lala Lajpat Rai called Swadeshi “the salvation of my country,” and said of the boycott, “It strikes at the prestige of the Government.” For the first time, at the Calcutta Session of the Congress in 1906, ‘Swaraj’ became the aim of the Congress.

The impact of these movements was widespread. They spread to almost all parts of the country, with leaders like Lokmanya Tilak in Poona and Bombay, Lala Lajpat Rai and Sardar Ajit Singh in Punjab, Syed Haidar Raza in Delhi, and Chidambaram Pillai in Madras. Shops selling foreign goods were picketed, and students and women from urban middle classes joined the movement in large numbers. The movement gave a stimulus to the growth of indigenous industries and crafts, leading to the establishment of Swadeshi textiles, soap, and match factories, tanneries, banks, and insurance companies. The influence was also seen in the cultural sphere, with songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore, Rajni Kant Sen, and Syed Abu Mohammad becoming the songs of the Nationalist Movement. This great upsurge turned the National Movement into a Mass Movement.