Synonyms
More meanings
Tip: select a single word for meaning & synonyms.
Select multiple words normally to copy text.
Mahatma Gandhi and National Movement: ICSE Class 10 History
Get notes, summary, questions and answers, MCQs, extras, and PDFs of Chapter 6 “Mahatma Gandhi and National Movement” which is part of ICSE Class 10 History (Total History). However, the notes should only be treated as references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments
Summary
The chapter discusses Mahatma Gandhi’s significant role in India’s struggle for independence, focusing on the period from 1915 to 1947. Gandhi, born in 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat, became a key figure in the Indian National Movement after his return from South Africa in 1915. In South Africa, Gandhi experienced racial discrimination, which led him to develop the method of Satyagraha, a form of nonviolent resistance.
Upon his return to India, Gandhi became involved in several major movements. His first major success was in Champaran, Bihar, where he led the indigo farmers in their fight against oppressive European planters. This was followed by similar successful movements in Ahmedabad and Kheda, Gujarat, where he supported mill workers and peasants.
The Non-Cooperation Movement, launched in 1920, was a direct response to events like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the Khilafat issue, and the Rowlatt Act. Gandhi urged Indians to boycott British institutions and goods, promoting the use of Swadeshi (local goods) and Khadi (hand-spun cloth). The movement saw widespread participation, but was called off by Gandhi in 1922 following the violent incident at Chauri Chaura, where a police station was burned down by protesters, resulting in the death of 22 policemen.
The chapter also covers the Civil Disobedience Movement, beginning with the famous Dandi March in 1930, where Gandhi protested the British salt tax. This movement was marked by mass civil disobedience and nonviolent protests, but like the Non-Cooperation Movement, it was eventually suspended due to growing violence.
Throughout these movements, Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence and mass participation became central to the Indian independence struggle. His efforts also fostered Hindu-Muslim unity and promoted social reforms, including the removal of untouchability. The chapter emphasizes Gandhi’s influence on the Indian National Congress, transforming it into a mass movement that played a crucial role in India’s journey to independence.
Textbook (Total History) solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Arrange the following historical events in the chronological order of their occurrence.
(i) Non-Cooperation Movement
(ii) Civil Disobedience Movement
(iii) Chauri-Chaura Incident
A. (i), (ii), (iii)
B. (i), (iii), (ii)
C. (ii), (i), (iii)
D. (iii), (ii), (i)
Answer: B. (i), (iii), (ii)
2. Champaran, the site of Gandhi’s first experiment in Satyagraha, is located in:
A. Bihar
B. Kerala
C. Gujarat
D. Punjab
Answer: A. Bihar
3. Complete the given analogy. Mahatma Gandhi: ….?….:: Dadabhai Naoroji: Indian Association.
A. All India Congress
B. Civil Disobedience Movement
C. Indian National Congress
D. Natal Indian Congress
Answer: D. Natal Indian Congress
4. What was the key objective of Gandhiji’s Champaran Movement?
A. The security of rights of harijans
B. Civil Disobedience Movement
C. Maintaining the unity of society
D. Solving the problem of the indigo workers
Answer: D. Solving the problem of the indigo workers
5. Which of the following statements are correct?
(i) Kheda Satyagraha was Gandhiji’s experiment with Satyagraha
(ii) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the gift of the Kheda Satyagraha to the country
(iii) The government issued secret instructions for recovering revenue from the peasants.
A. (i) only
B. (i) and (ii) only
C. All of the above
D. None of the above
Answer: B. (i) and (ii) only
6. In which of the following movements did Mahatma Gandhi make the first use of Hunger Strike as a weapon?
A. Non-Cooperation Movement
B. Rowlatt Satyagraha
C. Ahmedabad Strike
D. Bardoli Satyagraha
Answer: C. Ahmedabad Strike
7. Khilafat Movement was organised to protest against the injustice done to
A. Persia
B. Turkey
C. Arabia
D. Egypt
Answer: B. Turkey
8. The issue on which the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930 was launched was
A. equal employment opportunities for Indians
B. the proposed execution of Bhagat Singh
C. salt monopoly exercised by the British Government
D. complete freedom.
Answer: C. salt monopoly exercised by the British Government
9. Which of the following was the achieved milestone of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
A. It stopped the injustice done to the Caliph
B. Indians obtained some political rights
C. The Hindus and the Muslims came closer in political pursuit
D. It avenged Punjab atrocities.
Answer: C. The Hindus and the Muslims came closer in political pursuit
10. From the given list identify the recommendations of the Simon Commission.
A. Creation of ‘new provinces’ on a linguistic basis.
B. Dyarchy should be abolished and there should be complete autonomy in the provinces.
C. The Government should include representatives from the civil services.
D. Communal Representation should be replaced with equal representation irrespective of religion.
Answer: B. Dyarchy should be abolished and there should be complete autonomy in the provinces.
11. Gandhiji began the Civil Disobedience Movement by breaking the Salt Laws. What did this signify?
A. Boycott of British goods
B. Defiance of British laws
C. Strikes by mill workers
D. Non-payment of British taxes
Answer: B. Defiance of British laws
12. Which of the following summarises the significance of the Second Round Table Conference held at London?
(i) It was attended by Gandhiji as the sole representative of the Congress.
(ii) The conference was deadlocked on the issue of separate electorates.
(iii) The British agreed to concede to the immediate grant of dominion status.
A. (i) and (ii)
B. (ii) and (iii)
C. (i) and (iii)
D. (ii) and (iii)
Answer: A. (i) and (ii)
Select the correct relationship
1. (A) Mahatma Gandhi started a non-violent civil disobedience movement in South Africa.
(B) He formed the Indian Congress to protest against the discriminating treatment meted out to the Indians there.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi initiated the non-violent civil disobedience movement in response to the discriminatory treatment Indians faced in South Africa. To organize and lead this movement, he formed the Indian Congress, which served as a platform for rallying support and challenging the racial injustices through non-violent means.
2. (A) The indigo cultivators of Champaran, Bihar were greatly exploited by European planters.
(B) They were bound by law to grow indigo on half of their land and sell it to the British planters at prices fixed by them.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation: The exploitation of indigo cultivators in Champaran, Bihar, was primarily due to the oppressive laws imposed by European planters. These laws forced farmers to grow indigo on a significant portion of their land and sell it at prices set by the British planters, leading to severe economic hardship and exploitation.
3. (A) Gandhiji led the mill-workers of Ahmedabad in a strike against the mill-owners for not paying higher wages to the workers.
(B) The peasants at Kheda in Gujarat refused to pay the land revenue because of crop failure.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other
Explanation: The two statements refer to different events and issues. Gandhiji led the Ahmedabad mill strike to secure higher wages for workers, while the refusal to pay land revenue in Kheda was due to crop failures. These events are separate and do not have a cause-and-effect relationship.
4. (A) In 1920, Gandhiji started the Non-Cooperation Movement.
(B) Gandhiji believed non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as cooperation with good.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation: Gandhiji’s belief that non-cooperation with evil is as important as cooperation with good was the ideological foundation for the Non-Cooperation Movement. This movement was a practical application of his philosophy, where he encouraged Indians to withdraw their support from the British government, which he saw as an evil force.
5. (A) Rabindranath Tagore expressed the pain and anger of the country by renouncing the knighthood conferred on him by the British in 1919.
(B) Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood in protest against the Partition of Bengal.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (c) (A) is true but (B) is false
Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood in 1919 as a protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, not the Partition of Bengal. The massacre deeply shocked Tagore, leading him to reject the honor conferred by the British. The Partition of Bengal occurred in 1905 and was not the reason for his action in 1919.
Short Answer Questions
1. Which period of Indian history is known as the Gandhian era and why?
Answer: The period from 1919 to 1948 is known as the Gandhian era in Indian history because Mahatma Gandhi completely dominated the Indian National Movement during this time.
2. Define Satyagraha. How does it differ from Passive Resistance?
Answer: Satyagraha is a moral force born of truth and non-violence. It means to be fearless, truthful, and peaceful, suffering willingly while refusing to submit to what is wrong. It differs from Passive Resistance because Passive Resistance does not exclude the use of physical force to achieve one’s end, whereas Satyagraha excludes the use of violence.
3. How did Gandhiji involve Indian masses in the National Movement?
Answer: Gandhiji involved Indian masses in the National Movement by launching movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Quit India Movement, which mobilised people across different sections of society, including peasants, workers, students, teachers, and women.
4. Why did Gandhiji launch satyagraha at Ahmedabad in 1918? What was the outcome of Gandhiji’s satyagraha at Ahmedabad?
Answer: Gandhiji launched satyagraha at Ahmedabad in 1918 to support the mill-workers who were on strike against the mill-owners for not paying higher wages. The outcome was that the mill-owners, afraid of the consequences of Gandhiji’s fast, agreed on the fourth day of the fast to give a 35 percent increase in wages.
5. What was the Rowlatt Act of 1919? What was Gandhiji’s reaction to the Rowlatt Act of 1919?
Answer: The Rowlatt Act of 1919 authorised the government to imprison any person without trial and convict him in a court. Gandhiji’s reaction was to start Satyagraha as a challenge to the government, marking the first all-India struggle against the British government.
6. Name the leaders of the Khilafat Movement which was launched in India to champion the cause of the Caliph of Turkey. How did the Khilafat Movement come to an end?
Answer: The leaders of the Khilafat Movement were the Ali Brothers—Mohammed Ali and Shaukat Ali, Maulana Azad, Hakim Ajmal Khan, and Hasrat Mohani. The Khilafat Movement came to an end because the objectives of the movement were largely achieved when the Turkish Sultan was deprived of all his political authority.
7. Name three events which disillusioned Gandhiji and turned him into a non-cooperator from a cooperator with the British government.
Answer: The three events which disillusioned Gandhiji were the Khilafat wrongs, the passing of the Rowlatt Act, and the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy.
8. What were the steps taken by the people as a part of the Khilafat Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer: The steps taken by the people as part of the Khilafat Non-Cooperation Movement included resigning from government services, picketing shops selling foreign goods, boycotting schools and colleges, holding hartals and demonstrations, and refusing to join the police and armed forces.
9. Name the three components of the constructive programme adopted by Gandhiji after the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Answer: The three components of the constructive programme adopted by Gandhiji after the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement were:
- Removal of untouchability
- Hindu-Muslim unity
- The popularisation of Swadeshi and Khadi
10. Why was the Simon Commission boycotted everywhere in India? Name the national leader who succumbed to the lathi charge during the protest movement against the Simon Commission.
Answer: The Simon Commission was boycotted everywhere in India because it had no Indian member, which was seen as a violation of the principle of self-determination and a deliberate insult to the self-respect of the Indians. The national leader who succumbed to the lathi charge during the protest movement against the Simon Commission was Lala Lajpat Rai.
11. Why is the Congress Session held at Lahore in 1929 significant in India’s Freedom Movement?
Answer: The Congress Session held at Lahore in 1929 is significant because it passed the resolution declaring Poorna Swaraj (complete independence) as the objective of the Congress. This session also marked the time when Jawaharlal Nehru was made the President of the Congress, and on the midnight of December 31, 1929, Nehru led a procession to the banks of the river Ravi and hoisted the tricolour flag, proclaiming that it was “a crime against man and God to submit any longer to British rule.”
12. What did the programme of Civil Disobedience Movement consist of?
Answer: The programme of the Civil Disobedience Movement consisted of:
- Defiance of Salt Laws
- Boycott of liquor
- Boycott of foreign cloth and British goods of all kinds
- Non-payment of taxes and revenues
13. Why did Mahatma Gandhi start his historic march to Dandi?
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi started his historic march to Dandi to protest against the British monopoly on salt, which was a law that affected all sections of society, especially the poor. By picking up some salt left by the seawaves at Dandi, Gandhiji deliberately broke the Salt Law to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement, marking a significant step in the struggle for Indian independence.
14. Who took the leadership of the Civil Disobedience Movement in the extreme north-western part of the country? What was he popularly known as and what was the name of the organisation formed by him?
Answer: Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan took the leadership of the Civil Disobedience Movement in the extreme north-western part of the country. He was popularly known as “The Frontier Gandhi” and he formed the organisation called Khudai Khidmatgars (Servants of God), also known popularly as Red Shirts.
15. Mention any two terms (provisions) of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
Answer: Two terms (provisions) of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact were:
- The government agreed to withdraw all ordinances and end prosecutions.
- The government agreed to release all political prisoners, except those guilty of violence.
16. Which law was defied by Gandhiji’s Dandi March? Why was this law selected to be defied?
Answer: The Salt Law was defied by Gandhiji’s Dandi March. This law was selected to be defied because the salt-tax affected all sections of society, especially the poor, making it a symbolically powerful law to challenge as part of the broader struggle against British rule.
17. Why did the Congress decide to resume the Civil Disobedience Movement in January 1932?
Answer: The Congress decided to resume the Civil Disobedience Movement in January 1932 because of the failure of the talks at the Second Round Table Conference and the British government’s refusal to grant any significant concessions or independence. The Great Depression of the 1930s had also hit the farmers in India hard, further intensifying the need for renewed resistance against British rule.
Structured Questions
1. Gandhiji introduced new ideas in politics and adopted new methods to give a new direction to the political movement. In this context, answer the following questions:
(a) What was Gandhiji’s doctrine of Satyagraha?
Answer: To Gandhiji, satyagraha was a moral force born of truth and non-violence. It meant to be fearless, truthful as well as peaceful, suffering willingly while refusing to submit to what is wrong. But even while resisting evil, it would not involve hatred towards the evil-doer. Gandhiji’s Satyagraha Movement was directed against the British system of exploitation and not the British people individually or collectively. Gandhiji made a distinction between Satyagraha and passive resistance. Passive resistance does not exclude the use of physical force for the purpose of gaining one’s end, whereas Satyagraha excludes the use of violence.
(b) Explain briefly Gandhiji’s Social Ideals.
Answer: Gandhiji believed in Swadeshi, which means producing necessary items in one’s own country and using them for one’s use without being dependent on imported goods. He believed that the use of Swadeshi goods would make India self-sufficient and eliminate dependence on imported goods. Gandhiji emphasized manual labour and the use of the Charkha and Khadi. He also believed in the importance of mass movements and saw the Indian masses as key participants in the freedom struggle. Gandhiji’s methods aimed at promoting unity among Hindus and Muslims, the removal of untouchability, and the upliftment of women.
(c) Which mass struggle was launched by him on non-violent lines in 1920? Explain in brief the programmes of such a campaign.
Answer: The mass struggle launched by Gandhiji on non-violent lines in 1920 was the Non-Cooperation Movement. The movement included the following programmes:
- Boycott programmes: Boycott of government schools, colleges, and courts; boycott of foreign goods; boycott of elections to be held for the Councils as suggested by the reforms of 1919; resignation from nominated seats in local bodies; surrender of titles and honorary offices; refusal to attend government functions.
- Swadeshi programmes: Popularisation of Swadeshi and Khadi by reviving hand-spinning and hand-weaving; establishment of national schools and colleges and private arbitration courts known as panchayats all over India; development of unity between Hindus and Muslims; removal of untouchability and other measures for Harijan welfare; emancipation and upliftment of women.
2. The Simon Commission was appointed in November 1927 by the British Government. Subsequently, the Civil Disobedience Movement began. In this context answer the following questions:
(a) Why was the Simon Commission appointed by the British Government? Why did the Congress boycott the Commission?
Answer: The Simon Commission was appointed by the British Government to investigate the need for further constitutional reforms in India. The Congress boycotted the Commission because it had no Indian member, which was seen as a violation of the principle of self-determination and a deliberate insult to the self-respect of the Indians.
(b) The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched by Gandhiji with his famous Dandi March. Mention the significance of this historic event.
Answer: The Dandi March marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement. Gandhiji began the historic march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi on 12th March 1930 and violated the Salt Law at Dandi by picking up some salt left by the seawaves on the morning of 6th April 1930. The significance of this event lies in the fact that it was a direct action against the British monopoly on salt, which affected all sections of society, especially the poor. This act of defiance sparked a nationwide movement and symbolized the Indian resolve to break free from British rule.
(c) Why did Gandhiji suspend Civil Disobedience Movement in 1931 and later in 1934 call it off?
Answer: Gandhiji suspended the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1931 following the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, where the British Government agreed to release political prisoners and conceded the right to make salt for consumption, among other concessions. Gandhiji later called off the movement in 1934 because the movement had gradually lost its force due to severe repression by the British Government, including mass arrests, the declaration of Congress as illegal, and the fanning of communalism. Gandhiji withdrew from active politics for a year after calling off the movement.
3. Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:
“General Dyer’s action at Jallianwala Bagh appears to have been entirely indefensible. He acted after open disorder had ceased in the city for two days; he gave no warning on the spot, but began firing within 30 seconds (of arriving); and he was responsible for grave and unnecessary slaughter. His plea is that he wanted to produce sufficient moral effect throughout the Punjab. Such was not his duty and the effect he has really produced is to create, not only in the Punjab, but throughout India, a bitterness that will take years to eradicate.” -Lovat Fraser (1871-1926) British journalist
(a) The action of General Dyer mentioned in this article led to the launch of which movement? State briefly the other causes of the movement.
Answer: The action of General Dyer at Jallianwala Bagh led to the launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement. Other causes of the movement include the Khilafat wrongs, the passing of the Rowlatt Act, and the general disillusionment with British rule following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. These events convinced Gandhiji and many others that cooperation with the British was no longer possible.
(b) What was the impact of this movement on the Indian National Movement?
Answer: The impact of the Non-Cooperation Movement on the Indian National Movement was significant:
- It was the first time that the Indian national movement acquired a real mass base with the participation of different sections of Indian society such as peasants, workers, students, teachers, and women.
- It generated a desire for freedom and inspired people to challenge colonial rule.
- The Congress transformed from a deliberative assembly into an organisation for action, becoming the leader of the masses in their national struggle.
- It fostered Hindu-Muslim unity, promoted social reforms, and spread nationalism to every part of the country.
(c) What led to the withdrawal of this movement? What was Gandhiji’s view about the withdrawal?
Answer: The Non-Cooperation Movement was withdrawn by Gandhiji after the Chauri Chaura incident on February 5, 1922, where a violent mob set a police station on fire, killing 22 policemen. Gandhiji, a believer in non-violence, was greatly shocked by the incident and felt that the movement was veering off the non-violent path. He believed that if the movement continued, it would no longer be a non-violent struggle. Gandhiji assured Jawaharlal Nehru that “the cause will prosper by this retreat,” and although the suspension was criticized, it was respected due to Gandhiji’s personal influence.
Picture Study
1. Study the picture given here and answer the following questions:
(a) What was symbolised by the Charkha and Khadi in the National Movement?
Answer: Charkha symbolised self-reliance and Swadeshi, which encouraged Indians to spin their own cloth and boycott British goods. Khadi represented economic independence and was a symbol of resistance against British rule.
(b) What is meant by Swadeshi? Why did Gandhiji lay emphasis on Swadeshi?
Answer: Swadeshi means producing necessary items in one’s own country and using them for one’s use without being dependent on imported goods. Gandhiji laid emphasis on Swadeshi to make India self-sufficient and to reduce dependency on British goods, thereby weakening the economic foundation of British rule in India.
(c) State how was the concept of Swadeshi promoted during the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Answer: The concept of Swadeshi was promoted during the Non-Cooperation Movement by boycotting British goods, encouraging the use of Indian-made goods, reviving hand-spinning and weaving, and promoting Khadi as a symbol of economic independence and national unity.
2. In 1930 Mahatma Gandhi’s demands were rejected by the British, as a result of which he launched the Civil Disobedience Movement. In this context, explain the following:
(a) Name the famous march undertaken by Gandhiji. Where did he begin this march? State two of its features.
Answer: The famous march undertaken by Gandhiji was the Dandi March. He began this march from Sabarmati Ashram. Two features of the march were:
- It was a 240-mile march to the coastal village of Dandi to break the salt law as a direct action against British monopoly on salt production.
- The march mobilised a large number of people and drew international attention to India’s struggle for independence.
(b) How was this Movement different from the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer: The Civil Disobedience Movement was different from the Non-Cooperation Movement in that it involved the active defiance of British laws, such as the refusal to pay taxes and the illegal production of salt, whereas the Non-Cooperation Movement focused on boycotting British institutions and goods without breaking the law.
(c) Explain briefly how did Mahatma Gandhi try to promote Hindu-Muslim unity from the Rowlatt Satyagraha to the Third Round Table conference.
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi tried to promote Hindu-Muslim unity by supporting the Khilafat Movement, which aimed to protect the rights of Muslims. He encouraged both communities to work together during the Rowlatt Satyagraha and Non-Cooperation Movement, and continued to advocate for unity in the discussions leading up to and during the Third Round Table Conference, emphasising that India’s independence movement was for all Indians regardless of religion.
Thinking Skills
1. Suppose you recently visited Jallianwala Bagh Memorial in Amritsar. While you were there, you could visualise what might have happened on that unfortunate day on April 13, 1919. Describe the scene of the tragedy as visualised by you.
Answer: As I stood at the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial in Amritsar, the weight of history pressed heavily upon me. The air seemed thick with the echoes of the past, and I could almost see the large, peaceful crowd that had gathered on that fateful day, April 13, 1919. They had come to protest against the arrest of their beloved leaders, Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlu and Dr. Satya Pal. The atmosphere must have been charged with hope and determination. But this hope turned into horror as General Dyer, the ruthless military Commander of Amritsar, surrounded the Bagh with his troops. The once peaceful garden, enclosed on three sides by tall buildings, became a death trap as Dyer blocked the only exit. Without warning, he ordered his soldiers to open fire on the unarmed crowd. The sudden crackle of gunfire must have been deafening, the panic in the crowd palpable. People tried to flee, but there was nowhere to go. The soldiers continued to shoot, their guns aimed at the mass of bodies, until their ammunition was spent. The ground must have been littered with the fallen—about one thousand souls lost in a senseless massacre. Many more were wounded, their cries filling the air, mingling with the smoke and the dust. The Bagh, once a place of gathering and community, was transformed into a graveyard. The nation’s conscience was deeply shaken by the massacre of innocent people, and the pain of that day lingers still, a somber reminder of the brutality of colonial rule.
2. Do you think that the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930 marked the entry of women on the Indian political scene? Did it have any effect on the position of women?
Answer: Yes, the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930 undeniably marked a significant entry of women onto the Indian political scene. Prior to this movement, the political arena had largely been dominated by men, but the Civil Disobedience Movement shattered these barriers. Women, who had been confined to their homes and domestic roles, were now stepping out onto the streets, joining protests, picketing shops that sold foreign goods, and participating in the Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi. Figures like Sarojini Naidu, Kamala Nehru, and countless unnamed women became symbols of courage and determination. The movement not only brought women into active political participation but also changed the societal perception of women’s roles. They were no longer seen merely as caretakers of the household but as equal partners in the struggle for independence. The participation of women in the Civil Disobedience Movement infused a new energy into the freedom struggle, inspiring future generations to continue the fight for both national freedom and gender equality.
3. How did the Civil Disobedience Movement create a sense of collective belonging that resulted in the spread of nationalism?
Answer: The Civil Disobedience Movement was not just a political struggle; it was a mass awakening that united the diverse populace of India under a single banner of nationalism. This movement succeeded in breaking down social and regional barriers, bringing together people from various walks of life—merchants, shopkeepers, peasants, tribals, workers, students, and even children. The movement’s inclusive nature created a sense of collective belonging that transcended caste, religion, and class. The simple act of defying the British salt laws resonated deeply with people across the country, symbolizing their shared oppression and their shared desire for freedom. The movement also popularised new methods of communication and propaganda, such as Prabhat Pheris, where men and women would gather early in the morning to sing patriotic songs as they marched through towns and villages. Handwritten Patrikas, or news-sheets, were distributed widely, spreading the message of resistance and unity. Even children were organized into groups like the Vanara Sena, while girls formed their own Manjari Sena, or cat army, demonstrating that the struggle for freedom was a cause for all, regardless of age. This widespread participation and the use of symbolic actions like the Salt March created a powerful sense of national identity. The collective efforts of millions fostered a feeling of shared destiny, which became the bedrock of the Indian nationalist movement, propelling it forward with renewed vigor and determination.
Extra/additional MCQs
1. How many people were killed by the influenza pandemic in India between 1918 and 1920?
A. 5 million
B. 10 million
C. 18 million
D. 20 million
Answer: C. 18 million
Q. In which year did Mahatma Gandhi return to India after his stay in South Africa?
A. 1915
B. 1917
C. 1913
D. 1919
Answer: A. 1915
Q. In which Indian district was Mahatma Gandhi born?
A. Rajkot
B. Champaran
C. Kathiawad
D. Porbandar
Answer: D. Porbandar
Q. What position did Mahatma Gandhi’s father hold?
A. Governor
B. Diwan of Rajkot State
C. British official
D. Judge
Answer: B. Diwan of Rajkot State
Q. What was Mahatma Gandhi’s first significant Satyagraha in India?
A. Ahmedabad Satyagraha
B. Kheda Satyagraha
C. Champaran Satyagraha
D. Salt March
Answer: C. Champaran Satyagraha
Q. In which year did the Champaran Satyagraha take place?
A. 1918
B. 1919
C. 1915
D. 1917
Answer: D. 1917
Q. What system were the indigo cultivators of Champaran forced to adhere to?
A. Zamindari system
B. Tinkathia system
C. Ryotwari system
D. Mahalwari system
Answer: B. Tinkathia system
Q. What was the main reason behind the Kheda Satyagraha in 1918?
A. Discrimination against workers
B. High land revenue demand
C. Indigo cultivation
D. Salt tax
Answer: B. High land revenue demand
Q. What technique did Mahatma Gandhi evolve during his struggle in South Africa?
A. Passive resistance
B. Satyagraha
C. Civil disobedience
D. Non-cooperation
Answer: B. Satyagraha
Q. Which organisation did Mahatma Gandhi form during his stay in South Africa?
A. Indian National Congress
B. Natal Indian Congress
C. Khilafat Movement
D. Swaraj Party
Answer: B. Natal Indian Congress
Q. When was the Jallianwala Bagh massacre carried out?
A. April 13, 1918
B. April 13, 1919
C. April 13, 1920
D. April 13, 1921
Answer: B. April 13, 1919
Q. Which act authorized the British government to imprison any person without trial in India?
A. Sedition Act
B. Rowlatt Act
C. Indian Penal Code
D. Defence of India Act
Answer: B. Rowlatt Act
Q. What did Rabindranath Tagore renounce in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre?
A. His title of Sir
B. His Nobel Prize
C. His British citizenship
D. His membership in the Congress
Answer: A. His title of Sir
Q. Who were the two leaders whose arrest led to the Jallianwala Bagh gathering?
A. Gandhi and Nehru
B. Saifuddin Kitchlu and Satya Pal
C. Bhagat Singh and Rajguru
D. Subhas Chandra Bose and Sardar Patel
Answer: B. Saifuddin Kitchlu and Satya Pal
Q. What was the primary objective of the Khilafat Movement?
A. To end British rule in India
B. To restore the Caliph’s authority in Turkey
C. To promote Hindu-Muslim unity
D. To achieve independence for Indian Muslims
Answer: B. To restore the Caliph’s authority in Turkey
Q. What was one of the main objectives of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
A. To demand complete independence from Britain
B. To attain self-government within or outside the British Empire
C. To boycott the Indian National Congress
D. To end the First World War
Answer: B. To attain self-government within or outside the British Empire
Q. Who was elected as the President of the All-India Khilafat Conference in November 1919?
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Maulana Azad
C. Shaukat Ali
D. Mohammed Ali
Answer: A. Mahatma Gandhi
Q. What did the Rowlatt Act suspend that caused widespread outrage in India?
A. Freedom of speech
B. Right of Habeas Corpus
C. Right to vote
D. Freedom of religion
Answer: B. Right of Habeas Corpus
Q. Which of the following was a significant feature of the Rowlatt Satyagraha?
A. Complete independence from Britain
B. Hindu-Muslim unity
C. Formation of a new government
D. Partition of Bengal
Answer: B. Hindu-Muslim unity
Q. Who among the following was a prominent leader of the Khilafat Movement?
A. Sardar Patel
B. Maulana Azad
C. Rajendra Prasad
D. Motilal Nehru
Answer: B. Maulana Azad
Q. Which session of the Congress ratified the resolution to adopt the Non-Cooperation Movement?
A. Delhi Session, 1921
B. Nagpur Session, 1920
C. Lahore Session, 1929
D. Bombay Session, 1918
Answer: B. Nagpur Session, 1920
Q. What significant step did Gandhiji take as part of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
A. Establishing the Indian National Army
B. Returning medals awarded for his work
C. Starting the Civil Disobedience Movement
D. Forming the Indian National Congress
Answer: B. Returning medals awarded for his work
Q. On what date was the Non-Cooperation Movement abruptly called off?
A. February 5, 1922
B. February 12, 1922
C. March 10, 1922
D. January 26, 1929
Answer: B. February 12, 1922
Q. What event directly caused Gandhi to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement?
A. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
B. Chauri Chaura Incident
C. Arrest of all Congress leaders
D. Arrival of the Simon Commission
Answer: B. Chauri Chaura Incident
Q. How many policemen were killed in the Chauri Chaura incident?
A. 10
B. 15
C. 22
D. 30
Answer: C. 22
Q. On what date did the Chauri Chaura incident take place?
A. February 5, 1922
B. February 12, 1922
C. March 10, 1922
D. January 26, 1929
Answer: A. February 5, 1922
Q. When was Gandhi arrested for propagating sedition?
A. February 5, 1922
B. February 12, 1922
C. March 10, 1922
D. January 26, 1929
Answer: C. March 10, 1922
Q. How long was Gandhi sentenced to imprisonment in 1922?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 6 years
D. 10 years
Answer: C. 6 years
Q. Which session of the Congress declared Poorna Swaraj as the goal of the National Movement?
A. Calcutta Session, 1927
B. Lahore Session, 1929
C. Madras Session, 1927
D. Nagpur Session, 1920
Answer: B. Lahore Session, 1929
Q. Who was the chairman of the committee that produced the Nehru Report in 1928?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Motilal Nehru
C. Subhas Chandra Bose
D. Lala Lajpat Rai
Answer: B. Motilal Nehru
Q. What major Indian leader was grievously injured during a protest against the Simon Commission in Lahore?
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Subhas Chandra Bose
D. Lala Lajpat Rai
Answer: D. Lala Lajpat Rai
Q. When did the Congress first decide to observe January 26 as the ‘Day of Independence’?
A. 1920
B. 1927
C. 1929
D. 1930
Answer: D. 1930
Q. What was the significance of January 26, 1950, in Indian history?
A. India gained independence
B. The Constitution of India came into effect
C. The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched
D. The Simon Commission was boycotted
Answer: B. The Constitution of India came into effect
Q. Which event is considered a ‘national calamity’ by Subhas Chandra Bose?
A. Chauri Chaura Incident
B. Gandhi’s withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement
C. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
D. Arrest of all Congress leaders
Answer: B. Gandhi’s withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement
Q. Which movement marked the transformation of the Indian National Congress into an organisation for mass action?
A. Non-Cooperation Movement
B. Civil Disobedience Movement
C. Quit India Movement
D. Swadeshi Movement
Answer: A. Non-Cooperation Movement
Q. The Simon Commission, appointed in 1927, was controversial because:
A. It recommended immediate independence for India
B. It had no Indian members
C. It supported the demands of Indian leaders
D. It aimed to abolish the British Raj
Answer: B. It had no Indian members
Q. When did Jawaharlal Nehru hoist the tricolour flag at the banks of the Ravi in Lahore?
A. January 26, 1929
B. February 12, 1922
C. March 10, 1922
D. December 31, 1929
Answer: D. December 31, 1929
Q. What was the main goal of the Civil Disobedience Movement, launched by Gandhi in 1930?
A. To attain Swaraj within the British Empire
B. To paralyse the administration by breaking specific rules
C. To cooperate with British reforms
D. To negotiate dominion status for India
Answer: B. To paralyse the administration by breaking specific rules
Q. When did the Congress Working Committee meet to vest powers in Gandhiji to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement?
A. January 1930
B. February 1930
C. March 1930
D. April 1930
Answer: B. February 1930
Q. What action did Gandhiji take after the British government did not respond to his Eleven Point Ultimatum?
A. Boycott of foreign goods
B. Non-Cooperation Movement
C. Dandi March
D. Round Table Conference
Answer: C. Dandi March
Q. On which date did Mahatma Gandhi begin the Dandi March?
A. March 6
B. March 12
C. April 6
D. April 12
Answer: B. March 12
Q. What law did Gandhiji violate on 6 April 1930 at Dandi?
A. Salt Law
B. Forest Law
C. Revenue Law
D. Press Law
Answer: A. Salt Law
Q. Which of the following was not a part of the Civil Disobedience Movement’s programme?
A. Defiance of Salt Laws
B. Boycott of foreign cloth
C. Refusal to attend Round Table Conferences
D. Non-payment of taxes
Answer: C. Refusal to attend Round Table Conferences
Q. Who led the Khudai Khidmatgars, also known as Red Shirts, during the Civil Disobedience Movement?
A. Rani Gaidilieu
B. Thakur Chandra Singh
C. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
D. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar
Answer: C. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Q. What action did the Garhwal troops take in Peshawar during the Civil Disobedience Movement?
A. Joined the protest
B. Refused to open fire on demonstrators
C. Supported the British government
D. Organized a hartal
Answer: B. Refused to open fire on demonstrators
Q. Which significant event marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement?
A. Gandhi-Irwin Pact
B. Simon Commission Report
C. Breaking the Salt Law
D. First Round Table Conference
Answer: C. Breaking the Salt Law
Q. When was the First Round Table Conference held?
A. November 1930 – January 1931
B. September 1930 – December 1930
C. November 1931 – January 1932
D. December 1932 – March 1933
Answer: A. November 1930 – January 1931
Q. What was the result of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact signed in March 1931?
A. Continuation of the Civil Disobedience Movement
B. Gandhiji agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference
C. Immediate grant of dominion status to India
D. End of British monopoly on salt
Answer: B. Gandhiji agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference
Q. What was the main issue that led to a deadlock during the Second Round Table Conference?
A. Grant of dominion status
B. Separate electorates for minorities
C. Immediate independence for India
D. Gandhi-Irwin Pact terms
Answer: B. Separate electorates for minorities
Q. Who announced the Communal Award, which led to Gandhi’s fast in protest?
A. Lord Irwin
B. Ramsay MacDonald
C. Viceroy Willingdon
D. Tej Bahadur Sapru
Answer: B. Ramsay MacDonald
Q. What was the result of the Poona Pact signed on 24 September 1932?
A. Separate electorates for Muslims
B. Reservation of seats for Depressed Classes in general electorate
C. End of the Civil Disobedience Movement
D. Continuation of British rule
Answer: B. Reservation of seats for Depressed Classes in general electorate
Q. When was Gandhiji arrested after the renewal of the Civil Disobedience Movement?
A. January 1931
B. January 1932
C. March 1931
D. April 1932
Answer: B. January 1932
Q. In what year did Congress call off the Civil Disobedience Movement?
A. 1930
B. 1932
C. 1933
D. 1934
Answer: D. 1934
Q. When did the Government of India withdraw the ban on the Congress during the Civil Disobedience Movement?
A. June 1934
B. April 1929
C. March 1931
D. August 1935
Answer: A. June 1934
Q. Which Act introduced the principle of Provincial Autonomy in India?
A. Government of India Act, 1919
B. Indian Independence Act, 1947
C. Government of India Act, 1935
D. Rowlatt Act, 1919
Answer: C. Government of India Act, 1935
Q. Who was appointed as Independent India’s first Law Minister?
A. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar
D. C. Rajagopalachari
Answer: C. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar
Q. In which year did Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar receive his PhD in Economics?
A. 1927
B. 1921
C. 1915
D. 1930
Answer: A. 1927
Q. Which event marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement?
A. Dandi March
B. Quit India Movement
C. Chauri-Chaura incident
D. Jallianwala Bagh massacre
Answer: A. Dandi March
Q. What was the major cause for the boycott of the Simon Commission?
A. Lack of Indians in the Commission
B. Demand for Poorna Swaraj
C. Gandhi-Irwin Pact
D. Round Table Conferences
Answer: A. Lack of Indians in the Commission
Q. What significant event took place on April 13, 1919, related to the Non-Cooperation Movement?
A. Chauri-Chaura incident
B. Gandhi-Irwin Pact
C. Jallianwala Bagh massacre
D. Simon Commission boycott
Answer: C. Jallianwala Bagh massacre
Q. When was Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar born?
A. January 12, 1901
B. April 14, 1891
C. December 25, 1899
D. October 2, 1869
Answer: B. April 14, 1891
Q. Which movement popularized the use of Prabhat Pheris and handwritten Patrikas?
A. Non-Cooperation Movement
B. Swadeshi Movement
C. Civil Disobedience Movement
D. Quit India Movement
Answer: C. Civil Disobedience Movement
Q. Which session of the Congress passed the Poorna Swaraj resolution?
A. Karachi Session, 1931
B. Lahore Session, 1929
C. Bombay Session, 1942
D. Calcutta Session, 1928
Answer: B. Lahore Session, 1929
Q. On what date did the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh occur?
A. April 13, 1919
B. March 12, 1930
C. June 14, 1917
D. August 15, 1947
Answer: A. April 13, 1919
73. Who was the leader of the Harijan Sevak Sangh during the Civil Disobedience Movement?
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Ghanshyam Das Birla
D. Sardar Patel
Answer: C. Ghanshyam Das Birla
Extra/additional questions and answers
1. When did Mahatma Gandhi return to India from South Africa?
Answer: January 1915.
Q. Where was Mahatma Gandhi born?
Answer: Porbandar, Gujarat.
Q. What was the significant result of the Champaran Satyagraha?
Answer: It gave indigo cultivators some relief.
Q. What does the term “Satyagraha” mean?
Answer: It means truth and non-violent resistance.
Q. In which year did the Ahmedabad Satyagraha take place?
Answer: 1918.
Q. What was the outcome of the Ahmedabad Satyagraha?
Answer: Mill workers received a 35% increase in wages.
Q. What was Gandhiji’s profession before becoming a leader in the Indian independence movement?
Answer: He was a lawyer.
Q. Who became Gandhiji’s follower during the Kheda Satyagraha?
Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Q. Which two words make up the term “Satyagraha”?
Answer: Satya (truth) and Agraha (insistence).
Q. When was the Chauri Chaura incident?
Answer: February 5, 1922.
Q. How many policemen were killed in the Chauri Chaura incident?
Answer: 22 policemen.
Q. Who criticized the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement as a “national calamity”?
Answer: Subhas Chandra Bose.
Q. When was Gandhiji arrested for propagating sedition?
Answer: March 10, 1922.
Q. How long was Gandhiji sentenced to imprisonment for sedition?
Answer: Six years.
Q. What was the main goal of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer: To attain Swaraj.
Q. When was the Simon Commission appointed?
Answer: November 1927.
Q. Who was the chairman of the Simon Commission?
Answer: Sir John Simon.
Q. Who presided over the Madras session of Congress in 1927?
Answer: Dr. Ansari.
Q. What was the Nehru Report’s main proposal for India?
Answer: Dominion Status for India.
Q. When was the Poorna Swaraj resolution passed?
Answer: December 31, 1929.
Q. Who was the president of Congress during the Lahore session of 1929?
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru.
Q. What day was decided to be observed as Independence Day every year before 1947?
Answer: January 26.
Q. Where did Gandhiji begin the historic Dandi March?
Answer: Sabarmati Ashram.
Q. What law did Gandhiji violate at Dandi?
Answer: The Salt Law.
Q. Which movement marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement?
Answer: Dandi March.
Q. What was the main tax targeted by Gandhiji in the Civil Disobedience Movement?
Answer: Salt-tax.
Q. Who led the Khudai Khidmatgars in the North-West Frontier Province?
Answer: Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.
Q. What was another name for the Khudai Khidmatgars?
Answer: Red Shirts.
Q. When was the First Round Table Conference held?
Answer: November 12, 1930 to January 19, 1931.
Q. Who signed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact on behalf of the British government?
Answer: Lord Irwin.
Q. What was one of the key outcomes of the Poona Pact?
Answer: Reservation of seats for the depressed classes.
Q. What was India’s first Law Minister?
Answer: Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar.
Q. Which session of the Congress passed the Poorna Swaraj resolution?
Answer: Lahore Session, 1929.
Q. What were the main causes of hardships for the common people in India during and after the First World War?
Answer: The hardships for the common people in India during and after the First World War were largely due to the enormous increase in defence expenditure, which was maintained through war loans and increased taxes. The common man faced increased custom duties and income tax, and the prices of goods doubled between 1913 and 1918. Additionally, crop failures in 1918-19 and 1920-21 caused acute food shortages, and the influenza pandemic between 1918 and 1920 further increased the problems for the masses, killing about 18 million people in India.
Q. How did Mahatma Gandhi’s experience in South Africa influence his approach to the Indian independence movement?
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi’s experience in South Africa greatly influenced his approach to the Indian independence movement. During his time in South Africa, he faced racial discrimination and injustice, which deeply impacted him. He led a non-violent civil disobedience movement in South Africa against the discriminatory treatment of Indians, which led to the repeal of many unjust acts by the South African government. This experience helped Gandhi to evolve the technique of Satyagraha, or non-violent resistance, which became a cornerstone of his leadership in the Indian independence movement. The success of his struggle in South Africa reinforced his belief in the power of truth and non-violence.
Q. What were the methods used by Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle?
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi used several methods during the freedom struggle:
- Satyagraha: A form of non-violent resistance rooted in truth and non-violence, aimed at resisting evil without hatred.
- Doctrine of Non-Violence (Ahimsa): Advocated for avoiding harm to others in thought, word, or deed, and viewed non-violence as an active and positive force.
- Swadeshi: Promoted the use of goods produced in India to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on imported goods. This included the emphasis on manual labor, particularly through the use of the charkha (spinning wheel) and khadi (handspun cloth).
- Mass Movement: Gandhi believed in the active participation of the Indian masses in the freedom struggle, which was built upon his experience of leading diverse groups in South Africa.
Q. What were the key impacts of the Non-Cooperation Movement on the Indian National Congress?
Answer: The Non-Cooperation Movement transformed the Indian National Congress from a deliberative assembly into an organization for action. It became the organizer and leader of the masses in their national struggle, making it a force to reckon with. The movement also popularized the goal of Swaraj, and although it failed to achieve immediate independence, it strengthened the Congress’s position as the central entity in the fight for Indian self-rule.
Q. How did the Simon Commission lead to unity among different political groups in India?
Answer: The Simon Commission, appointed in 1927 with no Indian members, was seen as an insult to India’s self-respect, leading to widespread discontent. This united various political groups, including the Congress, the Muslim League, and the Hindu Mahasabha, in their opposition to the Commission. The Commission’s arrival in Bombay on February 3, 1928, was met with an All India Hartal and widespread protests, symbolizing the unity among different factions in the country.
Q. What changes were made to the Congress organization during the Nagpur session in 1920?
Answer: During the Nagpur session of Congress in December 1920, changes were made to the Constitution of the Congress to make it more inclusive and effective. Provincial Congress Committees were reorganized on a linguistic basis. The Congress was now led by a Working Committee of 15 members, including the President and the secretaries. The membership fee was reduced to four annas per year to enable the rural and urban poor to become its members, helping the Congress reach down to the village level.
Q. What were the primary recommendations of the Simon Commission?
Answer: The Simon Commission recommended several changes, including the abolition of dyarchy and the introduction of complete autonomy in the Provinces, with the Governor retaining overriding powers in certain matters like internal security. It also suggested enlarging Provincial Legislative Councils, forming a federal government at the Centre, continuing communal representation, and maintaining British control over the military and judiciary. These recommendations were widely criticized for not addressing Indian aspirations for self-rule.
Q. What were the key programmes of the Civil Disobedience Movement initiated by Gandhiji in 1930?
Answer: The key programmes of the Civil Disobedience Movement included the defiance of the Salt Laws, the boycott of liquor, the boycott of foreign cloth and British goods, and the non-payment of taxes and land-revenue. This movement was more comprehensive than the Non-Cooperation Movement, involving not only non-cooperation but also direct violation of specific laws and taxes, aiming to disrupt the functioning of the British administration in India.
Q. How did the Civil Disobedience Movement impact the different regions and communities across India?
Answer: The Civil Disobedience Movement rapidly spread across India, leading to the violation of salt laws nationwide and the defiance of forest laws in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and the Central Provinces. In Eastern India, people refused to pay the rural chaukidari tax. The movement reached the North-West Frontier Province, where it was led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. It also inspired the Manipuris in the east and young leaders like Rani Gaidilieu in Nagaland. The movement was marked by mass strikes, demonstrations, and the setting up of parallel governments in several places.
Q. What were the terms agreed upon in the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931?
Answer: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931 included several key terms: the government agreed to withdraw all ordinances and end prosecutions, release all political prisoners except those guilty of violence, permit peaceful picketing of liquor and foreign cloth shops, restore the confiscated properties of satyagrahis, and allow the free collection or manufacture of salt near the seacoast. In return, the Congress agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement, participate in the Second Round Table Conference, and not press for an investigation into police excesses.
Q. What was the significance of the Poona Pact signed between Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and the Congress in 1932?
Answer: The Poona Pact of 1932 was significant because it resolved the issue of separate electorates for the depressed classes, which had been proposed in the Communal Award by British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. Instead of separate electorates, the pact provided for the reservation of seats for the depressed classes within the general electorate, ensuring that their interests would be represented without segregating them from the broader political process. As a result of the pact, the depressed classes received 148 seats in the legislature, up from the 71 seats originally proposed.
Q. What were the key features of Gandhiji’s Satyagraha movement? How did it differ from passive resistance?
Answer: Gandhiji’s Satyagraha movement was characterized by its emphasis on truth (Satya) and non-violent resistance (Ahimsa). It was a moral force that sought to confront injustice without resorting to violence. Key features of Satyagraha included:
- Insistence on Truth: Satyagraha was rooted in the belief that truth is paramount and must be upheld at all costs.
- Non-Violence: Unlike passive resistance, Satyagraha strictly excluded the use of physical force, even for self-defense or achieving one’s goals. It sought to win over the oppressor through suffering and moral persuasion.
- Fearlessness and Courage: Practitioners of Satyagraha were expected to be fearless and endure suffering willingly while resisting what they believed to be wrong.
- Distinction from Passive Resistance: While passive resistance might include the use of physical force to achieve objectives, Satyagraha was fundamentally different in its exclusion of all forms of violence. It was an active force for good, driven by a sense of duty and compassion.
Q. What were the circumstances that led Gandhiji to suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922?
Answer: The suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 was triggered by the tragic incident at Chauri Chaura on February 5, 1922. A procession of about 3,000 peasants, protesting against the police brutality, set a police station on fire, resulting in the death of 22 policemen. Gandhiji, a staunch believer in non-violence or “Ahimsa,” was deeply shocked by this violent incident and decided to suspend the movement on February 12, 1922. This decision was criticized by leaders like Motilal Nehru and Lala Lajpat Rai, but Gandhiji believed that continuing the movement would lead to more violence, compromising the principles of non-violent struggle.
Q. What were the primary demands of the Non-Cooperation Movement? Why did it fail to achieve them?
Answer: The Non-Cooperation Movement had three primary demands: obtaining Swaraj (self-rule), securing an apology from the British government for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and addressing the Khilafat issue concerning the caliphate in Turkey. Despite widespread participation and creating significant pressure on the British administration, the movement failed to achieve these objectives. The movement was prematurely suspended by Gandhiji following the violent incident at Chauri Chaura in 1922, which deviated from the non-violent principles that the movement was based upon. Additionally, the British government did not concede to the demands, resulting in the movement’s inability to secure its immediate goals.
Q. What were the main objectives of the Civil Disobedience Movement? How did it differ from the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer: The Civil Disobedience Movement, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, aimed to paralyze the British administration by breaking specific laws and regulations, as opposed to the Non-Cooperation Movement, which focused on non-cooperation with the government to bring its functioning to a standstill. The primary objectives of the Civil Disobedience Movement included the defiance of unjust laws, particularly the salt tax, and the assertion of the Indian people’s right to self-rule (Swaraj). It was a direct response to the British government’s refusal to grant India Dominion Status and the exclusion of Indians from the Simon Commission. The movement began with the symbolic Dandi March and represented a more assertive and confrontational approach compared to the earlier Non-Cooperation Movement.
Q. Describe the Dandi March and explain its significance in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Answer: The Dandi March was a pivotal event in the Civil Disobedience Movement, initiated by Mahatma Gandhi on 12 March 1930. It involved a 240-mile march from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi in Gujarat. The march lasted 24 days, during which Gandhi was accompanied by a growing number of followers. On 6 April 1930, Gandhi reached Dandi and deliberately violated the British-imposed salt laws by picking up salt from the seashore. This act of civil disobedience was significant because it directly challenged British authority and highlighted the unjust nature of colonial laws, particularly the salt tax, which affected all Indians, especially the poor. The Dandi March marked the beginning of a widespread non-violent resistance movement across India, inspiring similar acts of defiance against the British government.
52. What were the main features of the Civil Disobedience Movement that differentiated it from the earlier Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer: The Civil Disobedience Movement, initiated in 1930, differed from the earlier Non-Cooperation Movement in several key aspects. While the Non-Cooperation Movement focused on withdrawing support from British institutions and goods, the Civil Disobedience Movement involved direct defiance of British laws. The key features of the Civil Disobedience Movement included the non-payment of taxes and land revenue, violation of various colonial laws such as the salt laws, and boycotting British goods and services. Additionally, the movement involved mass participation in hartals (strikes), demonstrations, and the setting up of parallel governments in various regions. This movement was more radical and widespread than the Non-Cooperation Movement, involving a larger section of the Indian population, including peasants, tribals, merchants, and workers, who actively participated in the struggle for independence.
