Mahatma Gandhi through Contemporary Eyes: NBSE Class 12 History notes

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Get summary, textual answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF to NBSE Class 12 (Arts) History (Themes in Indian History) chapter 11 “Mahatma Gandhi through Contemporary Eyes”. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.

Introduction

Mahatma Gandhi, often referred to as the “Father of the Indian Nation,” played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence. Born in 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat, Gandhi grew up in a deeply religious household, which laid the foundation for his spiritual beliefs. His ideologies were influenced by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Jainism, the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, David Thoreau, and Leo Tolstoy. Gandhi’s commitment to truth, non-violence, and Satyagraha as a means of political change set him apart as a leader. He advocated for democracy, upliftment of the marginalized Harijans, social reforms, and Hindu-Muslim unity. A proponent of Swadeshi, Gandhi emphasized the importance of using indigenous products, promoting Khadi, and using the charkha as a symbol of self-reliance. His unwavering dedication to these principles and his ability to mobilize the masses made him an instrumental figure in India’s fight for freedom.

Exercise/textual questions and answers

Very Short Answer Type Questions

1. What did Bhagavad Gita teach Gandhiji?

Answer: The Bhagavad Gita teaches that one must remain unconcerned with the outcome of one’s actions and perform one’s duty with devotion.

2. When did Gandhiji start his first Satyagraha in India?

Answer: Gandhiji started his first Satyagraha in India in Champaran in 1917.

3. What was the object of Gandhiji’s Salt March?

Answer: The object of Gandhiji’s Salt March was to break the salt law.

4. What did the poet Rabindranath Tagore call Gandhiji?

Answer: Rabindranath Tagore called Gandhiji ‘Mahatma’.

5. Where did Gandhiji establish his first ashram in India?

Answer: Gandhiji established his first ashram in India at Sabarmati near Ahmedabad in 1915.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. What led Gandhiji to resume Civil Disobedience Movement in 1932?

Answer: The Congress called upon the nation to resume the Civil Disobedience Movement due to the policy of repression by Lord Willington, which included mass arrests, police violence, property confiscation, and press censorship. The movement was officially suspended in May 1934 due to its gradual decay.

2. How did Mahatma Gandhi seek to identify with the common people?

Answer: Gandhiji visited villages across the country, dressed like a common villager, and spoke in the common Indian language, making the villagers politically conscious and transforming the Congress into a popular movement.

3. What was Communal Award?

Answer: The Communal Award, announced by British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, provided separate representation for minorities like Muslims, Indian Christians, and Europeans, and reserved seats for groups like Zamindars, Universities, and Women. It also separated Scheduled Castes from Hindus and gave more seats to Sikhs and Europeans in proportion to their population​.

4. Why was the Charkha chosen as a symbol of nationalism?

Answer: Gandhiji promoted Swadeshi and urged followers to wear Khadi. He made the charkha a symbol of the national movement and led the boycott of foreign goods​.

5. Briefly describe the reasons for Quit India Movement.

Answer: The Quit India Movement was launched after the failure of the Cripps Mission, leading to widespread anger. The government responded with arrests and violence, but the movement, driven by younger activists and socialists, declared “Independent governments” in some districts before being suppressed​.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. Explain how Non-Cooperation Movement made Gandhiji a national leader.

Answer: Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the Congress started the Non-Cooperation Movement against the British Government. It aimed to support the Khilafat Movement and to compel the government to compensate for the atrocities committed at Jallianwala Bagh and during martial law in Punjab.

To achieve the goal of Swaraj, the following programmes were adopted:

• Boycott of elections under the Government of India Act, 1919.
• Boycott of government schools and colleges.
• Boycott of law courts.
• Boycott of foreign goods.
• Surrender of titles and honorary offices.
• Refusal to attend government Darbars.

The constructive side of the programme included:

• Establishment of national schools and colleges.
• Use of private arbitration courts instead of government courts.
• Use of Swadeshi cloth on a large scale.
• Revival of hand-spinning and hand-weaving.
• Removal of untouchability.

The movement captured the imagination of the people from the start. The nation rose as one. Many distinguished lawyers like C.R. Das, Pandit Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lajpat Rai, Vitthalbhai Patel, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad gave up their practice to join the movement. Prominent Muslim leaders like the Ali Brothers, Dr. Ansari, and Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad came forward as non-cooperators. Many students left government schools and colleges. National educational institutions like Gujarat Vidyapith, Bihar Vidyapith, Bengal National University, Jamia Millia of Delhi, and the National College of Lahore were started. Swadeshi cloth became popular, and the Takla and Charkha appeared in every home as symbols of the movement. Liquor and foreign cloth shops were often picketed.

The Non-Cooperation Movement brought common people into the political struggle, creating a spirit of self-confidence and self-reliance. This movement helped Gandhiji emerge as a national leader by uniting diverse sections of the Indian population against British rule and solidifying his reputation as the foremost leader of the Indian independence movement.

2. Analyse the circumstances favouring the adoption of Non-Cooperation movement by Gandhiji.

Answer: Several circumstances favoured the adoption of the Non-Cooperation Movement by Gandhiji:

• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: The brutal killing of hundreds of unarmed Indians by British forces in April 1919 at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, created widespread anger and resentment against British rule.
• Rowlatt Act: The enactment of the Rowlatt Act in 1919, which allowed the British government to imprison any person suspected of terrorism without trial, further inflamed Indian public opinion. It was seen as a direct attack on civil liberties.
• Khilafat Movement: The Khilafat Movement aimed to protect the Ottoman Caliphate, which had significant emotional and religious significance for Indian Muslims. Gandhiji saw an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims against British rule by supporting the Khilafat cause.
• Failure of Constitutional Reforms: The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919, which aimed to introduce limited self-government, were deemed inadequate by many Indians, as they did not meet the aspirations for complete self-rule.
• Economic Hardships: Post-World War I economic hardships, including inflation, heavy taxation, and widespread unemployment, caused great distress among Indians. The British policies were seen as exploitative, leading to increased dissatisfaction.
• Growing Nationalist Sentiment: The Indian National Congress, under the influence of leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant, had already mobilised a strong nationalist sentiment. Gandhiji’s leadership further galvanised this sentiment into a mass movement.
• Gandhiji’s Rising Influence: Gandhiji’s successful application of non-violent resistance (Satyagraha) in South Africa and his emerging influence in Indian politics positioned him as a unifying figure capable of leading a nationwide movement.

3. “In the history of nationalism Gandhiji is often identified with the making of a nation.” Describe his role in the freedom struggle of India.

Answer: We have many instances in the history of nationalism when a single individual is identified with the mapping of a nation. For instance, we associate Garibaldi with the unification of Italy, George Washington with the American war of Independence and Ho Chi-Minh with the struggle to free Vietnam from colonial rule. In the same way, Mahatma Gandhi is regarded as the “Father” of the Indian Nation.

Mahatma Gandhi, or Bapuji, was born on October 2, 1869, at Porbandar in Kathiawar, Gujarat. His early life was marked by ordinary academic ability, and he was married to Kasturba at 13. He went to England for higher education in 1887, becoming a barrister and practicing law in Porbandar and Bombay. Gandhi’s turning point came in South Africa, where he witnessed and fought against the harsh treatment of Indian immigrants, organizing a movement that led to the removal of many restrictions on them.

Gandhi returned to India in 1915 during the First World War and was influenced by political leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and the principles of Jainism, the Bible, and the Gita. His ideology included Truth and Non-violence, Satyagraha, a relationship between ends and means, democracy, upliftment of Harijans, social reforms, Swadeshi, Khadi, and Hindu-Muslim unity.

Gandhi’s role in India’s freedom struggle began with local experiments in Satyagraha, such as the Champaran Satyagraha (1917), supporting Ahmedabad mill workers (1918), and the Kheda struggle (1918). His leadership extended to national movements such as the Rowlatt Act agitation (1919), the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), and the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1931). The Dandi March in 1930 was a significant act of civil disobedience against the salt tax.

Gandhi’s political activities included the Quit India Movement (1942-1944), which called for an end to British rule, and his efforts in communal harmony and negotiations leading up to India’s independence. His influence and leadership were pivotal in unifying the Indian population and steering the country towards independence in 1947.

4. How did the Salt March of 1930 mark a critical important stage in the progress of the anti-imperialist struggle in India? Explain.

Answer: The Salt March of 1930 was a significant event in India’s anti-imperialist struggle for several reasons:

• Mass Mobilization: The Salt March brought Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress to the forefront of the freedom struggle, mobilizing a vast number of Indians across different regions and social strata. The act of marching and making salt symbolized defiance against British laws and rallied widespread support.
• International Attention: The event was widely publicized by European and American press, bringing global attention to India’s plight under British rule. This international recognition put pressure on the British government and garnered sympathy for the Indian cause.
• Involvement of Women: For the first time on a large scale, women actively participated in the movement. Leaders like Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay encouraged women to join the Salt March, breaking the salt and liquor laws alongside their male counterparts.
• Realization of British Vulnerability: The British government realized the extent of Indian resistance and the potential for widespread non-violent non-cooperation. The Salt March demonstrated that the Indian people could challenge British authority effectively and persistently.
• Strengthening the National Movement: The Salt March united various segments of Indian society, fostering a sense of national solidarity and purpose. It reinforced the importance of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience as powerful tools against colonial rule.

These aspects of the Salt March highlighted its critical role in advancing the anti-imperialist struggle in India, making it a pivotal moment in the quest for independence.

5. Describe the sources from which we can reconstruct the political career of Gandhiji and the history of nationalist movement.

Answer: One important source is contemporary newspapers published in English and different Indian languages such as Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Hindi, etc. These newspapers represented what Indians thought of Gandhiji. They were published by those who had their own political opinions and world views, which shaped the opinion of ordinary Indians. However, the accounts published in London newspapers were different from the reports published in Indian national newspapers and magazines.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When was the announcement of Poorna Swaraj made?

A. 1927
B. 1928
C. 1929
D. 1930

Answer: C. 1929

2. Whom did Gandhiji inform priorly about his ‘Salt March’?

A. Lord Ripon
B. Lord Cunningham
C. Lord Irwin
D. Lord Lytton

Answer: C. Lord Irwin

3. When did Gandhiji begin his ‘Salt March’?

A. 6 March, 1929
B. 12 March, 1930
C. 15 March, 1930
D. 15 March, 1931

Answer: B. 12 March, 1930

4. When was the First Round Table Conference held?

A. November 1930
B. December 1930
C. January 1931
D. January 1930

Answer: A. November 1930

5. The worth mentioning feature of the Salt March was:

A. Due to it, Mahatma Gandhi became famous.
B. It was the first national movement where women participated equally.
C. This march made the Britishers realise that their colonial rule would soon come to an end.
D. All the above

Answer: D. All the above

Competency-Based Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Consider the following events:

1. Cabinet Mission
2. Cripps Mission
3. Khilafat Movement
4. Pakistan Resolution

The correct chronological order of these events is:

A. 4, 3, 2, 1
B. 4, 3, 1, 2
C. 3, 4, 1, 2
D. 3, 4, 2, 1

Answer: C. 3, 4, 1, 2

2. The worth mentioning feature of the Salt March was:

A. Due to it, Mahatma Gandhi became famous.
B. It was the first national movement where women participated equally.
C. This march made the Britishers realise that their colonial rule would soon come to an end.
D. All the above

Answer: D. All the above

3. Which of the following is incorrect regarding the Quit India Movement?

A. This movement began in 1945.
B. Gandhiji was arrested as soon as the movement began.
C. Independent government was established in many districts like Satara in the west and Medinipur in the east.
D. Britishers adopted very strict policy towards the movement.

Answer: A. This movement began in 1945

4. Match the column A with column B:

Column A	Column B
(i) Labour Movement in Ahmedabad	(A) 1928
(ii) Khilafat Movement	(B) 1931
(iii) Farmer’s Movement in Bardoli	(C) 1918
(iv) Second Round table Conference	(D) 1921

Options:
A. (i) (D), (ii) (C), (iii) (A), (iv) (B)
B. (i) (A), (ii) (B), (iii) (C), (iv) (D)
C. (i) (B), (ii) (C), (iii) (D), (iv) (A)
D. (i) (C), (ii) (D), (iii) (A), (iv) (B)

Answer: D. (i) (C), (ii) (D), (iii) (A), (iv) (B)

5. Which of the following options is correct?

A. Gandhiji started Quit India Mission in 1930.
B. Gandhiji gave his first speech in Champaran.
C. Gandhiji worked as a radical nationalist leader.
D. Gandhi considered G.K. Gokhale as his political mentor.

Answer: D. Gandhi considered G.K. Gokhale as his political mentor

Case-based Questions

1. Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the questions that follow:

On 5 April 1930, Mahatma Gandhi spoke at Dandi:

When I left Sabarmati with my companions for this seaside hamlet of Dandi, I was not certain in my mind that we would be allowed to reach this place. Even while I was at Sabarmati there was a rumour that I might be arrested. I had thought that the Government might perhaps let my party come as far as Dandi, but not me certainly. If someone says that this betrays imperfect faith on my part, I shall not deny the charge. That I have reached here is in no small measure due to the power of peace and non-violence: that power is universally felt. The Government may, if it wishes, congratulate itself on acting as it has done, for it could have arrested every one of us. In saying that it did not have the courage to arrest this army of peace, we praise it. It felt ashamed to arrest such an army. He is a civilised man who feels ashamed to do anything which his neighbours would disapprove. The Government deserves to be congratulated on not arresting us, even if it desisted only from fear of world opinion. Tomorrow we shall break the salt tax law. Whether the Government will tolerate that is a different question. It may not tolerate it, but it deserves congratulation for the patience and forbearance it has displayed in regard to this party. … What if I and all the eminent leaders in Gujarat and in the rest of the country are arrested? This movement is based on the faith that when a whole nation is roused and on the march no leader is necessary.

a) The Dandi March started from:

(i) Delhi (ii) Meerut (iii) Ahmadabad (iv) Bardoli

Answer: (iii) Ahmadabad

b) Why was Gandhiji certain that he would not be allowed to reach Dandi?

(i) British might arrest him on the way (ii) British might impose the Rowlatt Act on him (iii) The British deport him back to South Africa (iv) All of the above

Answer: (i) British might arrest him on the way

c) Choose the correct option.

Assertion(A): Gandhi made Salt a symbol of Protest.
Reason(R): Salt was used by Hindus and Muslims, it was used by rich and poor and the rate of tax was very high on salt.

(i) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A (ii) Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A (iii) A is incorrect but R is correct (iv) R is incorrect but A is correct

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

d) Consider the following statements:

(a) Gandhi declared on 5th April that on 6th April he will break the salt law (b) He chose 6th April, because on this day Poorna Swarajya resolution was passed.
Choose the correct option:

(i) Only (a) is correct (ii) Only (b) is correct (iii) Both (a) and (b) are correct (iv) Neither (a) nor (b) is correct

Answer: (i) Only (a) is correct

2. Read the following case carefully and answer the questions that follow:

On 5 April 1930, Mahatma Gandhi spoke at Dandi:

When I left Sabarmati with my companions for this seaside hamlet of Dandi, I was not certain in my mind that we would be allowed to reach this place. Even while I was at Sabarmati there was a rumour that I might be arrested. I had thought that the Government might perhaps let my party come as far as Dandi, but not me certainly. If someone says that this betrays imperfect faith on my part, I shall not deny the charge. That I have reached here is in no small measure due to the power of peace and non-violence: that power is universally felt. The Government may, if it wishes, congratulate itself on acting as it has done, for it could have arrested every one of us. In saying that it did not have the courage to arrest this army of peace, we praise it. It felt ashamed to arrest such an army. He is a civilised man who feels ashamed to do anything which his neighbours would disapprove. The Government deserves to be congratulated on not arresting us, even if it desisted only from fear of world opinion. Tomorrow we shall break the salt tax law. Whether the Government will tolerate that is a different question. It may not tolerate it, but it deserves congratulation for the patience and forbearance it has displayed in regard to this party. … What if I and all the eminent leaders in Gujarat and in the rest of the country are arrested? This movement is based on the faith that when a whole nation is roused and on the march no leader is necessary.

(i) What were the apprehensions of Mahatma Gandhi when he started his Dandi March?

Answer: When I left Sabarmati with my companions for this seaside hamlet of Dandi, I was not certain in my mind that we would be allowed to reach this place. Even while I was at Sabarmati there was a rumour that I might be arrested. I had thought that the Government might perhaps let my party come as far as Dandi, but not me certainly.

(ii) Why did Gandhiji say that the Government deserved to be congratulated?

Answer: The Government may, if it wishes, congratulate itself on acting as it has done, for it could have arrested every one of us. In saying that it did not have the courage to arrest this army of peace, we praise it. It felt ashamed to arrest such an army. He is a civilised man who feels ashamed to do anything which his neighbours would disapprove.

(iii) Why was the salt march significant?

Answer: Tomorrow we shall break the salt tax law. Whether the Government will tolerate that is a different question. It may not tolerate it, but it deserves congratulation for the patience and forbearance it has displayed in regard to this party.

Extra/additional questions and answers

1. When and where was Mahatma Gandhi born?  

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2nd October, 1869, at Porbandar of Kathiawar in Gujarat.

2. Who was considered as Gandhiji’s “political Guru”?  

Answer: Gopal Krishna Gokhale was considered as Gandhiji’s “political Guru”.

3. What does Satyagraha mean in Gandhiji’s ideology?  

Answer: In Gandhiji’s ideology, Satyagraha means self-suffering and not to hurt the opponent. It brings about a change in the heart of the opponent and awakens their soul.

4. What were some of the social reforms that Mahatma Gandhi preached against?  

Answer: Gandhiji preached against drinking, exploitation of women, dowry system, and child marriage as part of his social reforms.

5. Describe Gandhiji’s belief in democracy.  

Answer: Gandhiji was in favor of representative democracy. He wanted the state authority to be based on the consent of the people. He believed that both the communities, Hindus and Muslims, should work together for the success of the national movement and to bring peace and prosperity to the country.

6. Explain the significance of Swadeshi, Khadi, and Charkha in Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology.  

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi preached and practiced Swadeshi, which means using goods made in one’s own country. He asked his followers to wear Khadi, a handspun and handwoven cloth. The charkha, or spinning wheel, became a symbol of the national movement under Gandhiji’s guidance. He led the movement for the boycott of foreign goods and encouraged his followers to picket shops selling foreign-made goods.

Q. Discuss Gandhiji’s efforts towards the upliftment of Harijans and his fight against untouchability.  

Answer: Gandhiji was severely opposed to the practice of untouchability. He worked untiringly for the upliftment of the Harijans, or members of the lowest castes. He lived among them in their colonies, sat and ate with them, and interacted with them as equals. Gandhiji’s fight against untouchability aimed to eradicate this age-old social evil and promote the spirit of equality and brotherhood among all sections of society. His efforts laid the foundation for the upliftment of marginalized communities in India and contributed to social reform and justice.

Q. Describe the various influences on Gandhiji’s ideology and how they shaped his approach to social and political issues.  

Answer: Gandhiji’s ideology was shaped by a diverse range of influences:

• Gopal Krishna Gokhale: Gandhiji’s “political Guru” who influenced his political ideas.
• Jainism: Gandhiji learned his faith in non-violence from this religion.
• The Bible: It taught him not to hurt anyone’s heart, to love, and to do good to others.
• Bhagavad Gita: It taught him to render selfless service.
• David Thoreau: From Thoreau, Gandhiji borrowed the idea of civil disobedience.
• Leo Tolstoy: He provided Gandhiji with the idea of solving problems with love.

These diverse influences shaped Gandhiji’s approach to social and political issues by emphasizing truth, non-violence, self-suffering, love, and selfless service. His belief in the relationship between ends and

Q. What incident in South Africa had a profound influence on shaping Gandhiji’s political career?  

Answer: The incident that had a profound influence on shaping Gandhiji’s political career was when he was thrown out of a first-class railway compartment along with his luggage at Maritzburg by a white man with the help of local police, despite having a valid ticket.

Q. What movement did Gandhiji organize against the humiliating law in South Africa?  

Answer: Gandhiji organized a mighty movement against the humiliating law in South Africa based on the policy of non-violence and civil disobedience.

Q. What was the title of the book Gandhiji published in 1909?  

Answer: Hind Swaraj.

Q. When did Gandhiji return to India after his stay in Africa?  

Answer: Gandhiji returned to India in 1915.

Q. What was the name of the ashram established by Gandhiji near Ahmedabad in 1915?  

Answer: Satyagraha Ashram.

Q. Describe the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917.  

Answer: The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was initiated by Gandhiji in the Champaran district of Bihar to improve the condition of peasants who cultivated indigo. The European indigo planters exploited the peasants and committed atrocities upon them. Gandhiji, along with a group of Congress workers, went to Champaran, defied the British officers’ orders, and started Satyagraha. Ultimately, the government officers withdrew their orders, and Gandhiji formed a committee to look into the grievances of the peasants. This was Gandhiji’s first successful attempt at civil disobedience.

Q. What was the outcome of Gandhiji’s support for the mill workers of Ahmedabad in 1918?  

Answer: As a result of Gandhiji’s support and hunger strike, the mill owners had to submit to the demands of the workers to increase their wages by 35 percent.

Q. Explain the Kheda struggle and its significance.  

Answer: The Kheda struggle took place in the Kheda district of Gujarat, where crops failed and famine conditions threatened. Many cultivators were unable to pay their taxes. Gandhiji drafted a petition asking for the suspension of revenue collection, but the government rejected it. Gandhiji advised the sufferers and their sympathizers not to pay taxes and not to sell their land, thus preventing permanent impoverishment or ruin. The struggle gained nationwide attention, and people sent money to Gandhiji to help the fight. However, the peasants began losing nerve under the threat of the officials and the seizure of their cattle and goods. Gandhiji and his followers removed the crops themselves from a field attacked by the government, leading to their arrest and imprisonment. The struggle eventually ended with an agreed compromise. The Kheda struggle was significant because it was a great step in awakening the Indian masses to a sense of their rights and their ability to get their demands accepted by the government.

Q. What were the Defence of India rules and why did the government want to implement them again after the war?  

Answer: The Defence of India rules were in operation during the war, giving arbitrary powers to the Government, such as arrest without reason and imprisonment without trial. After the war ended in 1919, the government wanted to implement these powers again to suppress the growing revolutionary movement in the country.

Q. Who headed the committee that investigated the growth of revolutionary activities and recommended the Rowlatt Bills?  

Answer: Mr. Justice Rowlatt headed the committee.

Q. What were the main provisions of the Rowlatt Act?  

Answer: The Rowlatt Act allowed the government to arrest and try political leaders by special tribunals. It granted the power to arrest any person without giving any reason, search any place without a warrant, and imprison anyone without trial. The judges were empowered to try political cases without a jury.

Q. What was Mahatma Gandhi’s opinion on the Rowlatt Act?  

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi considered the Rowlatt Act as a striking demonstration of the civil services trying to retain its grip on the people’s necks and saw the bills as an open challenge to them.

Q. How did the Indian public respond to the Rowlatt Act?  

Answer: The Rowlatt Act was met with great discontent by every section of Indian public opinion. Consequently, national leaders started an intense agitation throughout the country against the Act, led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who introduced the technique of Satyagraha.

Q. What event took place on April 13, 1919, at Jallianwala Bagh?  

Answer: On April 13, 1919, about 20,000 people assembled for a peaceful general meeting at Jallianwala Bagh to protest against the arrest of their leaders. Brigadier General Dyer arrived with 500 troops and ordered them to open fire without warning, killing around 400 people and wounding nearly 1200. This tragedy is known as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

Q. How did the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre affect the relationship between the British Government and the Indian public?  

Answer: The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre created a wave of horror and anger across the country. Prominent figures like Rabindranath Tagore surrendered their British titles in protest, and Mahatma Gandhi lost faith in the goodwill of the British Government. The tragedy and the subsequent declaration of Martial Law widened the gulf between the government and the national leaders, and the determination of the Indian people to fight against the British rule became stronger.

Q. What was the Khilafat Movement and how did Mahatma Gandhi contribute to it?  

Answer: The Khilafat Movement was a powerful politico-religious movement started by Indian Muslims in response to the Allies’ decision to disband the office of the Caliph (Khalifat) after the First World War, which was seen as an insult to their religious beliefs. The movement was led by Ali Brothers (Maulana Mohammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali), and supported by Muslim theologians. Mahatma Gandhi saw an opportunity in the movement to establish cordial relations between Muslims and Hindus, leading to an alliance between the Congress and the Muslim League. Gandhi provided a large measure of sympathy and support to the movement and was recognized as the leader of both Hindus and Muslims.

Q. What were the two primary aims of the Non-Cooperation Movement?  

Answer: The Non-Cooperation Movement aimed to (a) support the Khilafat Movement, and (b) compel the government to compensate for the atrocities committed by it on the people at Jallianwala Bagh and during the martial law in the Punjab.

Q. List the six boycott programs adopted by the Non-Cooperation Movement.  

Answer: The following six boycott programs were adopted by the Non-Cooperation Movement:

• Boycott of the elections under the Government of India Act, 1919.
• Boycott of government schools and colleges.
• Boycott of the law courts.
• Boycott of foreign goods.
• Surrender of titles and honorary offices.
• Refusal to attend government Darbars.

Q. Describe the constructive side of the Non-Cooperation Movement.  

Answer: The constructive side of the Non-Cooperation Movement consisted of: (a) Establishment of national schools and colleges. (b) The use of private arbitration courts in the place of government courts for litigation, etc. (c) Use of Swadeshi cloth on a large scale. (d) Revival of hand-spinning and hand-weaving. (e) The removal of untouchability.

Q. What incident led to the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement, and why did Gandhiji suspend the movement?  

Answer: The incident that led to the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement was an angry mob attacking and burning a police station at Chauri Chaura, a village in the Gorakhpur district of U.P., in which 22 policemen were killed. Gandhiji suspended the movement because he believed that the Indian people were not yet ready to wage a non-violent struggle, as evidenced by the violent incident.

Q. What was the Swarajist Party, and what did it aim to achieve?  

Answer: The Swarajist Party was a new party formed by Congress leaders, under the leadership of C.R. Das and Pandit Moti Lal Nehru, in response to the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement by Gandhiji in 1922. It aimed to capture seats in the legislatures to prove their strength with the common people, and work within the system to bring about change.

Q. What did Gandhiji do after retiring from active politics in 1922?  

Answer: After retiring from active politics in 1922, Gandhiji spent the next three years working on the upliftment of Indian villages by popularizing hand-spinning with the charkha as a remedy for poverty and striving to remove the evil of untouchability among Hindus. This was called his constructive program.

Q. What was the significance of Gandhiji’s tours in Indian villages?  

Answer: Gandhiji’s tours in Indian villages were significant because they made the villagers, who formed 90% of India’s population, more politically conscious than ever before. He moved from village to village, dressed like a common villager and spoke to them in the common Indian language. These tours helped change the demand for national government from the level of middle-class agitation and made the Congress a popular movement that could not be resisted by the government.

Q. Why did Gandhiji resume his political activities in 1927?  

Answer: Gandhiji resumed his political activities in 1927 because he realized that due to the slow progress of constitutional development, the country was on the verge of plunging into a movement for violence.

Q. What was the goal declared by the Congress in the Lahore Session of December 1929?  

Answer: The goal declared by the Congress in the Lahore Session of December 1929 was full independence or Poorna Swaraj.

Q. What was the Civil Disobedience Movement, and how did Gandhiji lead it?  

Answer: The Civil Disobedience Movement was a campaign of non-violent resistance launched by the Congress to pressure the British government to grant self-government or dominion status to India. The people were asked to defy the laws and orders of the government without resorting to violence. Gandhiji led this movement by adopting a new and effective method to fight the government. On March 11, 1930, Gandhiji, along with 79 selected followers, started the Dandi March from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, a village on the sea coast of Gujarat, with the objective of disobeying the salt laws by picking up lumps of natural salt on the Dandi Coast. This act signaled the beginning of a countrywide wave of civil disobedience, with violations of laws, non-payment of taxes, boycotts of foreign products, mass strikes, and demonstrations shaking the whole country.

Q. What were the three reasons for which the Salt March is notable?  

Answer: The Salt March is notable for three reasons:

• It brought Mahatma Gandhi to world attention as the event was widely published by European and American press.
• It was the first nationalist movement in which women in large numbers took active part, with leaders like Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay joining the march and breaking the salt and liquor laws.
• It made the British realize that their rule in India would not last very long and that they would have to give some powers to Indians, as the march demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance and mass participation.

Q. What were the contents of Gandhiji’s Eleven Point Demand?  

Answer: Gandhiji’s Eleven Point Demand included total prohibition, reduction of land revenue by 50 per cent, abolition of salt tax, reduction of military expenditure, protective tariff on foreign cloth, discharge of political prisoners, and more.

Q. What was the purpose of the First Round Table Conference and why did the Congress refuse to send any representative to the conference?  

Answer: The purpose of the First Round Table Conference was for Indian leaders and spokesmen of the British Government to express their views on the Simon Commission report. The Congress refused to send any representative because they opposed the Simon Commission, which did not include any Indian members.

Q. What is the Gandhi-Irwin Pact and what were its main terms?  

Answer: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, also known as the Delhi Pact, was an agreement reached between Lord Irwin and Mahatma Gandhi in March 1931. The main terms of the pact were:

• The government agreed to release all political prisoners, except those convicted of violent crimes.
• In return, the Congress agreed to suspend the civil disobedience movement and participate in the Second Round Table Conference.

Q. Why did the Second Round Table Conference break down?  

Answer: The Second Round Table Conference broke down because the British Government refused to accept Mahatma Gandhi’s demand for immediate grant of Dominion status, which was the basic demand for India’s freedom.

Q. What was the Communal Award and what were its main provisions?  

Answer: The Communal Award was a scheme of minority representation announced by British Prime Minister Ramsay Macdonald. The main provisions of the Communal Award were:

• Separate representation for Muslims, Indian Christians, and Europeans.
• Separate constituencies for Zamindars, Universities, Merchants, Industrialists, Women, etc., with reserved seats.
• Separate seats for untouchables, separating Scheduled Castes from Hindus.
• Representation for Hindus in the North-Western Frontier Province and increased seats for Sikhs in Punjab and Europeans in Bengal.

Q. Describe the Poona Pact and its main terms.  

Answer: The Poona Pact was an agreement reached between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar in response to the Communal Award. The main terms of the Poona Pact were:

• Seats would be reserved for the Scheduled Castes.
• The election of Scheduled Caste representatives would be through the general electorate.
• A panel of names chosen by the Scheduled Castes in a primary election would be used for the elections.

Q. What happened during the Third Round Table Conference?  

Answer: During the Third Round Table Conference, the Congress did not participate and only loyalists to the British Government and Communal leaders took part. The conference confirmed the decisions taken in the previous two conferences.

Q. What led to the resumption of the Civil Disobedience Movement, and what were the consequences?  

Answer: The resumption of the Civil Disobedience Movement was prompted by the failure of the Second Round Table Conference and the subsequent Communal Award. The Congress called upon the nation to resume the movement. As a result, Lord Willington, the new Governor General, launched a policy of repression to crush the Congress. Gandhiji and other prominent Congress leaders were arrested, and the party was declared an illegal body. Police committed innumerable atrocities on freedom fighters, arresting over 1,20,000 persons. Lathi charges, physical beatings, confiscation of property, and collective fines were frequently used by the government. National newspapers were placed under censorship, and eventually, the Civil Disobedience Movement began to show signs of decay. The Congress officially suspended the movement in May, 1934, and Gandhiji and other leaders were released.

Q. What was the Government of India Act 1935 and how was it received by the Indian leaders?  

Answer: The Government of India Act 1935 was a law passed by the British Government, which served as the constitution of India until it was replaced by the Constitution of Independent India in 1950. Indian leaders severely condemned the Act, with Mr. Jinnah, leader of the Muslim League, calling it thoroughly rotten, fundamentally bad, and totally unacceptable, and Jawahar Lal Nehru stating that the Act gave a machine with strong brakes but with no engine.

Q. What happened in the provincial elections of 1937 according to the provisions of the Government of India Act 1935?  

Answer: According to the provisions of the Government of India Act 1935, elections were held in all eleven provinces in 1937. The Congress won thumping majorities in seven out of eleven provinces, formed ministries in July 1937 in seven provinces, and later formed coalition governments in two others. Only Punjab and Bengal had non-Congress ministries.

Q. Describe the events that led to the resignation of the Congress ministries in October 1939.  

Answer: In September 1939, two years after the Congress ministries were formed, the Second World War broke out. Gandhiji and Jawahar Lal Nehru strongly criticized Hitler and his Nazi party, promising Congress support to the British in the war effort if, in return, they promised to grant independence once the war came to an end. The British turned down the offer, and in protest, the Congress ministries resigned in October 1939.

Q. Explain the concept of Individual Satyagrahas and its role during 1940-1941.  

Answer: Individual Satyagrahas was a concept proposed by Gandhiji during 1940-1941 as the best course of action for the people of India to protest against the British government. According to this programme, men and women of India were to protest individually against dragging India into the war and the government’s attack on the right of speech. They were to disassociate themselves from the war effort publicly and court arrest.

Q. What was the Lahore session of the Muslim League in 1940 and its outcome?  

Answer: The Lahore session of the Muslim League took place on 23 March 1940, during which a resolution was passed demanding the partition of the country and the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims, called Pakistan. In his speech at this session, Mr. Jinnah demanded that Muslims, being a nation according to any definition of a nation, must have their homeland, their territory, and a state.

Q. Describe the Cripps Mission of 1942 and its outcome.  

Answer: In the spring of 1942, Prime Minister Winston Churchill sent one of his ministers, Sir Stafford Cripps, to India to try to forge a compromise with Gandhiji and other Indian political leaders. The aim was to gain Indian support in the war effort against the Axis powers. However, talks broke down after the Congress insisted that if it was to help the British defend India, the Viceroy had first to appoint an Indian as the Defence Member in his Executive Council. This led to the failure of the Cripps Mission.

Q. Explain the Quit India Movement (1942-1944) and its impact on the Indian freedom struggle.  

Answer: The Quit India Movement was launched by Gandhiji in response to the failure of the Cripps Mission, as a mass struggle on non-violent lines under his leadership. Before the Congress could start the movement, the British Government swiftly arrested Gandhiji and other Congress leaders on 9 August. Younger activists then organized demonstrations and hartals in factories, schools, and colleges throughout the country. Prominent socialist members of the Congress, like Jayaprakash Narain and Ram Manohar Lohia, were active in the underground resistance. In some districts, such as Satara in the west and Midnapur in the east, “independent governments” were proclaimed. The movement took the form of a violent outbreak, and while the government succeeded in crushing it, it took more than a year to suppress the rebellion.

The Quit India Movement was genuinely a mass movement that involved hundreds of thousands of ordinary people, particularly energizing the youth, who left their colleges in large numbers to go to jails. This movement brought the nationalist feelings among the youth to such a stage that the day was not far off when the British would have to quit India. However, during this period, Jinnah and his colleagues patiently expanded their influence, and the Muslim League increased its presence in the Punjab and Sindh, provinces in which it had previously had scarce following.

Q. When did Lord Mountbatten become the Governor General of India?  

Answer: Lord Mountbatten was appointed the Governor General of India in February 1947.

Q. Where was Mahatma Gandhi on the day of India’s independence, August 15, 1947?  

Answer: Gandhiji was in Calcutta (Kolkata) on August 15, 1947.

Q. Who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, and when did it happen?  

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathu Ram Godse, a Brahmin from Pune and the editor of an extremist Hindu newspaper, on January 30, 1948.

Q. Describe Mahatma Gandhi’s efforts to bring peace to Bengal after independence.  

Answer: After India gained independence, Mahatma Gandhi worked tirelessly to bring peace to Bengal. He visited hospitals and refugee camps, providing solace to the distressed people. He also made fervent appeals to the Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims to forget their past differences, not dwell on their sufferings, and extend the right hand of fellowship to each other, promoting peace and unity.

Q. Explain the Congress’s stance on the rights of minorities in India after independence.  

Answer: The Congress, on Gandhiji and Nehru’s initiative, passed a resolution on the rights of minorities. Despite being forced to accept the partition of India, the Congress maintained its belief that India is a land of many religions and races. The party was committed to building a democratic secular state where all citizens, regardless of their religion, enjoyed full rights and equal protection under the state. The Congress also assured minorities that it would continue to protect their citizen rights against aggression to the best of its ability.

Q. Discuss Mahatma Gandhi’s activities and fast in Delhi in January 1948 to bring about communal harmony.  

Answer: In January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was in Delhi, where he undertook a fast to bring about communal harmony amid the ongoing communal riots. While in Delhi, his meetings were disrupted by refugees who objected to readings from the Quran or shouted slogans, questioning why he did not speak of the sufferings of Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan. Despite these disruptions, Gandhiji continued to be concerned about the minority community in Pakistan and wished to help them. He believed he could not visit Pakistan until he could guarantee full redress to the Muslims in Delhi. Throughout his time in Delhi, Gandhi remained committed to his efforts to promote peace and unity among the different communities.

Q. Describe Mahatma Gandhi’s last days and the reaction to his assassination, both nationally and internationally.  

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi spent his last days working for peace and unity in a divided India. He was not present in the capital during the celebrations of independence on August 15, 1947, and marked the event with a 24-hour fast. He worked tirelessly to bring peace to Bengal and Delhi, even undertaking a fast in Delhi in January 1948 to promote communal harmony.

On January 30, 1948, Gandhiji was fatally shot by Nathu Ram Godse, a Hindu extremist who considered Gandhi an “appeaser of Muslims.” The assassination cast a gloom over the country , and people from various political backgrounds in India paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. International figures such as George Orwell and Albert Einstein also offered moving tributes to the fallen leader. Gandhi’s death was a profound loss for India and the world, as he had devoted his life to the struggle for freedom, unity, and peace among the diverse communities in India. Despite the tragic end to his life, Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings and vision continue to inspire generations, highlighting the importance of nonviolence, tolerance, and unity in an increasingly divided world.

Q. What were the main elements of Gandhiji’s political creed and philosophy of life?  

Answer: Gandhiji’s political creed and philosophy of life aimed to bring a transformation in human society by substituting violence or coercion with the supremacy of self-suffering love. He dreamt of a non-violent society, stressing peace, modesty, gentleness, philanthropy, and a sense of devout respect for the religious views of others. Gandhiji incorporated truth, non-violence, chastity, and social justice, drawing from the age-old wisdom of Asia.

Q. What was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s criticism of Gandhiji?  

Answer: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar condemned Gandhiji for terming the Dalit or depressed community as Harijanas or “Children of God”. He interpreted it as implying that Dalits were socially immature, with privileged class Indians playing a paternalistic role. Ambedkar argued that this undermined Dalit political rights.

Q. What were the criticisms of Hindu Mahasabha leaders and Muslim League leaders against Gandhiji?  

Answer: Hindu Mahasabha leaders like Vir Savarkar and his allies criticized Gandhiji for politically appeasing Muslims while turning a blind eye to their atrocities against Hindus and allowing the creation of Pakistan, despite Gandhiji’s public declaration against partition. Muslim League leaders condemned Gandhiji for undermining Muslim political rights.

Q. What criticisms did Marxist academicians like Ayesha Jalal and economists such as Jagdish Bhagwati have against Gandhiji?  

Answer: Marxist academicians like Ayesha Jalal blamed Gandhiji and Congress for being unwilling to share power with Muslims, thus hastening partition. Economists like Jagdish Bhagwati criticized Gandhiji’s ideas of Swadeshi, trusteeship, and Ramrajya, as they believed these concepts were not economically sound.

Q. What was Indologist Koenraad Elst’s argument against Gandhiji’s theory of non-violence?  

Answer: Koenraad Elst argued that Gandhiji’s theory of non-violence achieved only a few token concessions from the British and that it was the British fear of violence (along with depletion due to the after-effects of World War II) rather than non-violence that led to Indian independence.

Q. What are some of the glowing tributes paid to Gandhiji by Indian and world leaders?  

Answer:

• Martin Luther King: “From my background, I gained my regulating Christian ideals. From Gandhi, I learned operational technique.”
• Will Durant: Gandhiji educated his people and aroused them to various evils in society, preparing them for freedom.
• Albert Einstein: “Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon the earth.”
• Romain Rolland: Gandhiji raised up millions of his fellowmen and inaugurated the most powerful movement in human politics in nearly two thousand years.
• Sir Stafford Cripps: “There has been no great spiritual leader in the world in our own times.”
• Lord Halifax: “Few men in history have been able to deeply influence the thought of their generation through personal character and example.”

Q. According to Dr. Rajinder Prasad, what was Mahatma Gandhi’s greatest contribution?  

Answer: According to Dr. Rajinder Prasad, Mahatma Gandhi’s greatest contribution was his unique method of fighting wrongs, which he prescribed and employed for organizing the masses of India
politically and making them self-conscious on a scale they had never been before.

Q. What was Gandhiji’s view on the partition of India?  

Answer: Gandhiji was opposed to the concept of partition as it contradicted his vision of unity.

Q. What was the controversy surrounding Gandhiji’s use of the word ‘Kaffir’?  

Answer: Some writers have interpreted Gandhiji’s use of the word ‘Kaffir’ as offensive to Black South Africans, particularly because it is considered a derogatory term today. However, during Gandhiji’s time, the term had a different connotation than its present-day usage.

Q. What was Dr. Radhakrishnan’s opinion about Gandhiji?  

Answer: Dr. Radhakrishnan considered Gandhiji a great teacher who lived by example and influenced the lives of others.

Q. What did Gandhiji refuse to do in relation to the hanging of Shahid Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, and Sardar Udham Singh?  

Answer: Gandhiji refused to protest against the hanging of Shahid Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, and Sardar Udham Singh.

71. How did Gandhiji’s teachings influence the Indian struggle for independence?  

Answer: Gandhiji’s teachings had a significant impact on the Indian struggle for independence. His philosophy of non-violence and peaceful resistance attracted millions of Indians to join the freedom movement. He taught Indians the importance of self-reliance and self-sufficiency, which led to widespread support for the Swadeshi movement. Gandhiji’s emphasis on truth, social justice, and religious tolerance helped create a sense of unity among the diverse Indian population. Although Indians did not fully adopt Gandhian non-violence in all aspects, his teachings served as a guiding force for the independence movement, challenging the British Empire’s authority and eventually leading to India’s freedom.

Extra/additional MCQs

1. When was Mahatma Gandhi born?

A. 1867 B. 1869 C. 1871 D. 1873

Answer: B. 1869

2. In which Indian state was Mahatma Gandhi born?

A. Maharashtra B. Karnataka C. Gujarat D. Rajasthan

Answer: C. Gujarat

3. What was the name of Mahatma Gandhi’s wife?

A. Anandi B. Kasturba C. Putli Bai D. Savitri

Answer: B. Kasturba

4. Which country did Mahatma Gandhi go to for higher education?

A. United States B. France C. Germany D. England

Answer: D. England

5. In which country did Mahatma Gandhi start a movement against the government’s atrocities?

A. India B. England C. South Africa D. United States

Answer: C. South Africa

Q. Who was Mahatma Gandhi’s political Guru?

A. Bal Gangadhar Tilak B. Gopal Krishna Gokhale C. Jawaharlal Nehru D. Vallabhbhai Patel

Answer: B. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Q. Which religious text taught Mahatma Gandhi to render selfless service?

A. Bible B. Quran C. Bhagavad Gita D. Jain Agamas

Answer: C. Bhagavad Gita

Q. From whom did Mahatma Gandhi borrow the idea of civil disobedience?

A. David Thoreau B. John Stuart Mill C. Karl Marx D. Leo Tolstoy

Answer: A. David Thoreau

Q. What does Satyagraha mean in Gandhiji’s ideology?

A. Civil disobedience B. Self-suffering C. Non-cooperation D. Passive resistance

Answer: B. Self-suffering

Q. Which cloth did Mahatma Gandhi promote as a part of Swadeshi movement?

A. Silk B. Cotton C. Khadi D. Wool

Answer: C. Khadi

Q. In which year did Gandhiji’s first great period of his political career begin?

A. 1893 B. 1894 C. 1909 D. 1915

Answer: A. 1893

Q. Which city was Gandhiji traveling to when he faced discrimination in a first-class railway compartment?

A. Durban B. Maritzburg C. Pretoria D. Ahmedabad

Answer: C. Pretoria

Q. What organization did Gandhiji establish in South Africa in 1894?

A. Indian National Congress B. Satyagraha Ashram C. Natal Indian Congress D. All India Congress

Answer: C. Natal Indian Congress

Q. In which year did the South African Government repeal most of the humiliating acts?

A. 1909 B. 1910 C. 1914 D. 1915

Answer: C. 1914

Q. Who advised Gandhiji to tour India for a year after his return from South Africa?

A. Jawaharlal Nehru B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak C. Gopal Krishna Gokhale D. Sardar Patel

Answer: C. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Q. In which district did the Champaran Satyagraha take place?

A. Kheda B. Ahmedabad C. Champaran D. Pune

Answer: C. Champaran

Q. What percentage increase in wages did the mill workers of Ahmedabad demand?

A. 25% B. 30% C. 35% D. 40%

Answer: C. 35%

Q. Which crop was cultivated by the peasants in the Champaran Satyagraha?

A. Wheat B. Cotton C. Indigo D. Rice

Answer: C. Indigo

Q. Which district was affected by the Kheda struggle?

A. Champaran B. Kheda C. Ahmedabad D. Amritsar

Answer: B. Kheda

Q. What method did Gandhiji use to get the demands of the Ahmedabad mill workers accepted?

A. Hunger strike B. Non-cooperation C. Boycott D. Civil disobedience

Answer: A. Hunger strike

Q. Who was the chairman of the committee that recommended the Rowlatt Bills?

A. Mahatma Gandhi B. Pandit Moti Lal Nehru C. Mr. Justice Rowlatt D. Ali Brothers

Answer: C. Mr. Justice Rowlatt

Q. What power did the Rowlatt Act grant to judges in political cases?

A. Jury trials B. Public hearings C. No jury D. Unlimited appeals

Answer: C. No jury

Q. What day did Mahatma Gandhi declare as Satyagraha day?

A. 5th April, 1919 B. 6th April, 1919 C. 7th April, 1919 D. 8th April, 1919

Answer: B. 6th April, 1919

Q. Which city experienced the most serious disturbance related to the Rowlatt Act protests?

A. Delhi B. Ahmedabad C. Amritsar D. Mumbai

Answer: C. Amritsar

Q. Who was the Governor of Punjab during the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?

A. Lord Irwin B. Michael O’ Dwyer C. Lord Reading D. Lord Chelmsford

Answer: B. Michael O’ Dwyer

Q. How many people were killed in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?

A. 200 B. 300 C. 400 D. 500

Answer: C. 400

Q. What title did Rabindranath Tagore surrender as a protest against the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?

A. Sir B. Lord C. Baron D. Duke

Answer: A. Sir

Q. What was the main issue that led to the Khilafat Movement?

A. Rowlatt Act B. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre C. Disbanding the office of the Caliph D. British colonization

Answer: C. Disbanding the office of the Caliph

Q. Who were the leaders of the Khilafat Movement?

A. Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Moti Lal Nehru B. Ali Brothers C. Maulana Azad and Maulana Shaukat Ali D. Rabindranath Tagore and Lord Chelmsford

Answer: B. Ali Brothers

Q. Which two political organizations formed an alliance due to Mahatma Gandhi’s involvement in the Khilafat Movement?

A. Indian National Congress and British Parliament B. Congress and the Muslim League C. Swaraj Party and the Khilafat Committee D. Hindu Mahasabha and the All India Muslim League

Answer: B. Congress and the Muslim League

Q. Under which Act did Gandhiji oppose the contest of elections in India?

A. Government of India Act, 1909 B. Government of India Act, 1919 C. Government of India Act, 1935 D. Indian Independence Act, 1947

Answer: B. Government of India Act, 1919

Q. Which movement did the Non-Cooperation Movement aim to support?

A. Civil Disobedience Movement B. Swadeshi Movement C. Khilafat Movement D. Quit India Movement

Answer: C. Khilafat Movement

Q. Which symbol became popular during the Non-Cooperation Movement?

A. Takla B. Charkha C. Swadeshi cloth D. Both A and B

Answer: D. Both A and B

Q. Who headed the Non-Cooperation Movement in Punjab?

A. Lala Lajpat Rai B. C.R. Das C. Motilal Nehru D. Vallabh Bhai Patel

Answer: A. Lala Lajpat Rai

Q. Which incident led to the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement?

A. Bardoli Satyagraha B. Chauri Chaura C. Salt March D. Simon Commission

Answer: B. Chauri Chaura

Q. Who founded the Swarajist Party?

A. Subhash Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru B. Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal C. C.R. Das and Pandit Motilal Nehru D. Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Answer: C. C.R. Das and Pandit Motilal Nehru

Q. In which year were the elections held where the Swarajists won a dominant position?

A. 1921 B. 1922 C. 1923 D. 1924

Answer: C. 1923

Q. Who abolished the office of Khalifa?

A. Mustafa Kamal Pasha B. Sultan of Turkey C. Lord Reading D. Mahatma Gandhi

Answer: A. Mustafa Kamal Pasha

Q. What was the charge against Mahatma Gandhi when he was arrested and sentenced to six years imprisonment?

A. Conspiracy B. Sedition C. Civil disobedience D. Inciting violence

Answer: B. Sedition

Q. Which Act did the Swarajist Party succeed in getting repealed?

A. Rowlatt Act B. Pitt’s India Act C. Vernacular Press Act D. Indian Councils Act

Answer: A. Rowlatt Act

Q. What did Gandhiji popularize in Indian villages during his constructive program?

A. Hand-weaving B. Hand-spinning C. Farming techniques D. Education

Answer: B. Hand-spinning

Q. What percentage of India’s population lived in villages during Gandhiji’s time?

A. 60% B. 70% C. 80% D. 90%

Answer: D. 90%

Q. In which year did Gandhiji resume his political activities?

A. 1925 B. 1926 C. 1927 D. 1928

Answer: C. 1927

Q. What was the goal declared by the Congress in the Lahore Session?

A. Dominion status B. Provincial autonomy C. Poorna Swaraj D. Constitutional reforms

Answer: C. Poorna Swaraj

Q. Which law did Gandhiji intend to disregard in the Civil Disobedience Movement?

A. Land revenue law B. Salt law C. Liquor law D. Tax law

Answer: B. Salt law

Q. From which location did Gandhiji start the Dandi March?

A. Lahore B. Amritsar C. Sabarmati Ashram D. Dandi

Answer: C. Sabarmati Ashram

Q. What was the distance of the Dandi March?

A. 240 kms B. 280 kms C. 320 kms D. 360 kms

Answer: C. 320 kms

Q. On which date did Gandhiji violate the salt laws at Dandi?

A. April 4, 1930 B. April 5, 1930 C. April 6, 1930 D. April 7, 1930

Answer: C. April 6, 1930

Q. Who was known as the Frontier Gandhi?

A. Jawaharlal Nehru B. Sardar Patel C. Subhash Chandra Bose D. Abdul Ghaffar Khan

Answer: D. Abdul Ghaffar Khan

Q.0 Which socialist activist urged Gandhiji to allow women to join the Salt March?

A. Sarojini Naidu B. Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay C. Annie Besant D. Aruna Asaf Ali

Answer: B. Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay

Q. What report did the Simon Commission submit in mid-1930 A.D.?

A. Government of India Act B. Communal Award C. Poona Pact D. Simon Commission report

Answer: D. Simon Commission report

Q. What was the agreement between Lord Irwin and Mahatma Gandhi in March 1931 called?

A. Simon Commission B. Gandhi-Irwin Pact C. Poona Pact D. Communal Award

Answer: B. Gandhi-Irwin Pact

Q. In which year did Mahatma Gandhi attend the Second Round Table Conference?

A. 1930 B. 1931 C. 1932 D. 1933

Answer: B. 1931

Q. Which demand did Mahatma Gandhi make at the Second Round Table Conference?

A. Separate electorates B. Dominion status C. Swaraj D. Communal representation

Answer: B. Dominion status

Q. Who announced the Communal Award?

A. Lord Irwin B. Mahatma Gandhi C. Dr. Ambedkar D. Ramsay Macdonald

Answer: D. Ramsay Macdonald

Q. Which two leaders reached an agreement known as the Poona Pact?

A. Gandhi and Irwin B. Gandhi and Ambedkar C. Ambedkar and Irwin D. Gandhi and Macdonald

Answer: B. Gandhi and Ambedkar

Q. When was the Third Round Table Conference held?

A. November 1931 B. November 1932 C. December 1932 D. March 1933

Answer: B. November 1932

Q. What was published by the British Government in March 1933, based on the decisions taken at the Round Table Conferences?

A. Poona Pact B. Simon Commission report C. White paper D. Government of India Act

Answer: C. White paper

Q. What was the name of the bill passed in the British Parliament based on the joint parliamentary committee’s report?

A. Poona Pact B. Communal Award C. White paper D. Government of India Act 1935

Answer: D. Government of India Act 1935

Q. In which month and year did the Congress officially suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement?

A. May 1933 B. May 1934 C. September 1931 D. March 1931

Answer: B. May 1934

Q. What was the purpose of the Government of India Act 1935?

A. Independence of India B. Serve as the constitution of India C. Establish the Muslim League D. Formation of Congress ministries

Answer: B. Serve as the constitution of India

Q. How many provinces held elections in 1937?

A. Nine B. Ten C. Eleven D. Twelve

Answer: C. Eleven

Q. Which two provinces had non-Congress ministries after the 1937 elections?

A. Punjab and Bengal B. Bihar and Orissa C. Madras and Bombay D. United Provinces and Central Provinces

Answer: A. Punjab and Bengal

Q. Which event led to the resignation of the Congress ministries in 1939?

A. Cripps Mission B. Second World War C. Lahore Session D. Quit India Movement

Answer: B. Second World War

Q. What was the main demand of the Lahore session of the Muslim League in 1940?

A. Indian Independence B. Creation of Pakistan C. Release of Congress leaders D. Quit India Movement

Answer: B. Creation of Pakistan

Q. Who led the Cripps Mission to India in 1942?

A. Winston Churchill B. Jawahar Lal Nehru C. Sir Stafford Cripps D. Lord Mountbatten

Answer: C. Sir Stafford Cripps

Q. What was the outcome of the Cripps Mission in 1942?

A. Success B. Compromise C. Failure D. Stalemate

Answer: C. Failure

Q. Which movement did Gandhiji launch after the failure of the Cripps Mission?

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

Answer: C. Quit India Movement

Q. In which year was the Quit India Movement launched?

A. 1940 B. 1941 C. 1942 D. 1943

Answer: C. 1942

Q. Which two prominent socialist members of the Congress were active in the underground resistance during the Quit India Movement?

A. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Rajendra Prasad B. Subhas Chandra Bose and C. Rajagopalachari C. Jayaprakash Narain and Ram Manohar Lohia D. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Sarojini Naidu

Answer: C. Jayaprakash Narain and Ram Manohar Lohia

Q. In which year were Gandhiji and Jinnah’s series of meetings held?

A. 1943 B. 1944 C. 1945 D. 1946

Answer: B. 1944

Q. When did the talks at Simla end in failure?

A. 14 June 1944 B. 14 June 1945 C. 14 June 1946 D. 14 June 1947

Answer: B. 14 June 1945

Q. Which government came to power in Britain after the end of the war in 1945?

A. Conservative B. Liberal C. Labour D. Whig

Answer: C. Labour

Q. When was “Direct Action Day” observed by Jinnah?

A. 16 July 1946 B. 16 August 1946 C. 16 September 1946 D. 16 October 1946

Answer: B. 16 August 1946

Q. When was Lord Mountbatten appointed the Governor General of India?

A. January 1947 B. February 1947 C. March 1947 D. April 1947

Answer: B. February 1947

Q. What did Mahatma Gandhi observe on India’s Independence Day in 1947?

A. Public speech B. Flag hoisting C. 24-hour fast D. Prayer meeting

Answer: C. 24-hour fast

Q. In which city was Mahatma Gandhi on August 15, 1947?

A. Delhi B. Mumbai C. Kolkata D. Chennai

Answer: C. Kolkata

Q. What type of state did the Congress envision for India after independence?

A. Theocratic B. Islamic C. Democratic secular D. Hindu

Answer: C. Democratic secular

Q. When was the first assassination attempt on Mahatma Gandhi?

A. 20 January 1948 B. 21 January 1948 C. 22 January 1948 D. 23 January 1948

Answer: A. 20 January 1948

Q.0 What was the profession of Nathu Ram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi?

A. Teacher B. Lawyer C. Newspaper editor D. Doctor

Answer: C. Newspaper editor

Q. What did Gandhiji aim to substitute as the dominant criterion of human life?

A. Violence B. Coercion C. Self-suffering love D. Materialism

Answer: C. Self-suffering love

Q. What type of society did Gandhiji dream of?

A. Violent B. Non-violent C. Materialistic D. Hierarchy-based

Answer: B. Non-violent

Q. Which term did Gandhiji use for the Dalit or depressed community?

A. Untouchables B. Dalits C. Harijanas D. Shudras

Answer: C. Harijanas

Q. What type of political rights did Dr. B.R. Ambedkar argue were undermined by Gandhiji’s term for the Dalit community?

A. Social B. Economic C. Religious D. Dalit

Answer: D. Dalit

Q. Which leader accused Gandhiji of politically appeasing Muslims?

A. Vir Savarkar B. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar C. Ayesha Jalal D. Koenraad Elst

Answer: A. Vir Savarkar

Q. According to Ayesha Jalal, what did Gandhiji and Congress hasten by being unwilling to share power with Muslims?

A. Unity B. Partition C. Prosperity D. Secularism

Answer: B. Partition

Q. What did Jagdish Bhagwati criticize about Gandhiji’s ideas?

A. Swadeshi B. Trusteeship C. Ramrajya D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

Q. What did Koenraad Elst argue led to Indian independence?

A. Non-violence B. British fear of violence C. Gandhiji’s leadership D. Economic factors

Answer: B. British fear of violence

Q. Whose hanging did Gandhiji refuse to protest against?

A. Shahid Bhagat Singh B. Sukhdev C. Rajguru D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

90. What did Dr. Radhakrishnan consider Gandhiji to be?

A. A politician B. A great teacher C. A philosopher D. A religious leader

Answer: B. A great teacher