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Nationalism in India: NBSE class 10 social science notes online
Get here the notes/solutions/extras of NBSE Class 10 Social Science Chapter 3 Nationalism in India. However, the study materials should be used only for references and nothing more. The notes can be modified/changed according to needs.
NOTE: This chapter is for Nagaland Board notes. If you are looking for Tripura Board notes, click here
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Summary
In the early 1900s, India was under British rule. The Indian people suffered greatly under the oppressive colonial regime. Taxes were high, famines and diseases were widespread, and the British put heavy restrictions on the people’s freedoms. However, a great leader arose who would unite the Indian people in their struggle for independence – Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi had spent many years in South Africa fighting against racial discrimination. There he developed the idea of satyagraha – non-violent civil disobedience and insistence on truth as a way to resist injustice. When he returned to India in 1915, he began using satyagraha against the British rulers.
Gandhi’s first major victories came through local satyagraha movements. In 1917, he supported peasants in Champaran who were being forced to grow indigo by British planters. Through peaceful protests, the unjust system was dismantled. The next year in Kheda, Gujarat, Gandhi led peasants in successfully refusing to pay revenue taxes after a famine. He also backed a strike by textile workers in Ahmedabad, securing them better wages. These local movements made Gandhi a hero to the common people.
In 1919, the notorious Rowlatt Act gave the British the power to jail Indians without trial for suspected sedition. Gandhi called for a nationwide hartal (strike) in protest. Tragically, British troops fired on civilians in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar, killing hundreds. This fueled wider protests.
In 1920, Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement, urging Indians to non-violently refuse to cooperate with the British until they granted self-rule. Millions of Indians revered Gandhi as their leader and participated through strikes, boycotts of British goods and institutions, and peaceful civil disobedience. However, violence broke out at Chauri Chaura in 1922, leading Gandhi to call off the movement as he stuck firmly to non-violence.
Though temporary, the Non-Cooperation Movement showed the Indian people’s unified resolve for purna swaraj (complete independence). It re-energized Indian nationalism and was a major step towards ending British rule.
Over the next decade, the struggle continued to build. In 1930, Gandhi launched another nationwide satyagraha through the famous Dandi March, where he defied the British salt monopoly by making his own salt. The Salt Satyagraha sparked massive civil disobedience across India.
Though the movements were sometimes suppressed, the desire for freedom could not be crushed. All across India, people interpreted Gandhi’s call for swaraj in their own ways – for peasants it meant ending oppressive landlordism, for workers it was bargaining rights, and for tribes it was protecting their lands and lifestyle.
Revolutionary leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose represented an alternate approach to Gandhi’s non-violence. Bose formed the Indian National Army that fought against the British forces alongside the Japanese during World War II. Though unsuccessful militarily, the INA showed Indians’ willingness to use force for independence if needed.
Finally, under immense pressure from the nationwide freedom movement, the British were forced to make plans to leave India. In 1946, the Cabinet Mission proposed a united Indian federation with significant Muslim autonomy. But with neither Indian leaders nor the British able to reconcile Hindu-Muslim differences, Partition occurred in 1947, creating the new nations of India and Pakistan.
Important dates, years, and events
- 1914-1918: Economic hardships due to World War I.
- 1915: Return of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi to India.
- 1917: Champaran Satyagraha for indigo farmers’ rights.
- 1918: Kheda Satyagraha addressing peasant woes.
- 1918: Ahmedabad mill workers’ strike for fair wages.
- 1919: Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13.
- 1920-1922: Non-Cooperation and Khilafat Movement.
- 1922 February: Chauri Chaura incident leading to the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- 1924 May: Arrest of Alluri Sitarama Raju, ending a two-year tribal struggle.
- 1927: British government announces the Simon Commission.
- 1928: Nationwide protests against Simon Commission; Lala Lajpat Rai’s death.
- 1929 December: Lahore Congress; Resolution for ‘Purna Swaraj’.
- 1930 March: Launch of Civil Disobedience Movement by Gandhi.
- 1931 March: Suspension of Civil Disobedience Movement.
- 1931 September-December: Second Round Table Conference.
- 1932: Civil Disobedience Movement relaunched.
- 1943: Formation of the Indian National Army by Subhas Chandra Bose.
- 1945: INA’s military campaigns in North-East India.
- 1946 March 24: Arrival of Cabinet Mission in India.
- 1946 May 16: Announcement of Cabinet Mission Plan.
- 1947 August 15: India gains independence.
Textual questions and answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Which was the first Satyagraha launched by Gandhiji in India?
(a) Champaran Satyagraha (b) Kheda Satyagraha (c) Ahmedabad Cotton Mill Workers Satyagraha (d) None of these
Answer: (a) Champaran Satyagraha
2. Baba Ramchandra was:
(a) A sanyasi who was earlier an indentured labourer (b) Leader of the peasant revolt in Awadh (c) Founder of the Kishan Sabha of Awadh in October 1920 along with J.L. Nehru (d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above
3. The leader of the peasants in the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh was
(a) Baba Ramchandra (b) Venkata Raju (c) Alluri Sitaram Raju (d) Motilal Nehru
Answer: (c) Alluri Sitaram Raju
4. Read the following statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Choose one of the correct alternatives given below:
Assertion (A): The Kheda campaign was chiefly directed against the government.
Reason (R): The peasants demanded a remission in land revenue due to a severe drought and crop failure.
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A) (b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A) (c) Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false. (d) Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: (a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A)
5. Arrange the following statements in sequential order based on the events that shaped the Non-Cooperation Movement.
I: General Dyer opened fire at a large peaceful crowd in Jallianwala Bagh. II: Economic hardships faced by the people during the First World War. III: The Khilafat Movement IV: Gandhiji launched a nationwide Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act.
(a) IV III II I (b) II I III IV (c) I IV III II (d) I II III IV
Answer: (d) I II III IV
6. Which leader died due to injuries sustained during the above protest?
(a) Sardar Bhagat Singh (b) Lala Lajpat Rai (c) B.C. Pal (d) Motilal Nehru
Answer: (b) Lala Lajpat Rai
7. Consider the statements given below and choose the correct answer.
Statement I: A new constitution was drafted under the leadership of Motilal Nehru in 1928.
Statement II: The Lahore session of the Congress (1929) adopted the resolution of complete independence for India.
(a) Statement I is correct and II is incorrect (b) Statement I is incorrect and II is correct (c) Both Statements I and II are incorrect (d) Both statements I and II are correct.
Answer: (d) Both statements I and II are correct.
Very Short Answer Questions
1. Name the leader of the tribal movement in Andhra Pradesh.
Answer: The leader of the tribal movement in Andhra Pradesh was Alluri Sitaram Raju.
2. Who formed the Swaraj Party?
Answer: The Swaraj Party was formed by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru.
Short Answer Questions
1. What is the significance of the Lahore Session of the Congress held in December 1929?
Answer: The significance of the Lahore Session of the Congress held in December 1929 is highlighted by the adoption of the resolution of complete independence for India as its goal. Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the Indian tricolour flag of Indian independence at midnight on December 31, and it was declared that January 26, 1930, would be celebrated as Independence Day when people were to take the pledge for complete independence.
2. Write any two principles of Satyagraha.
Answer: Satyagraha meant insistence on truth and need to search for truth.
3. When and why was the Inland Emigration Act passed by the British in India?
Answer: The Inland Emigration Act was passed by the British in India in 1859 to restrict the movement of plantation workers, particularly in the tea gardens of Assam, by not allowing them “to go back to their villages without their permission”.
Long Answer Questions
1. Discuss the tribal movement in Andhra Pradesh and its impact on nationalism.
Answer: “The tribals of Gudem Hills in Andhra Pradesh gave their own interpretation to ‘Swaraj’. They started a militant guerrilla movement against the colonial government. Their leader was Alluri Sitaram Raju who claimed he had special powers. He could survive bullet shots, make correct astrological predictions, and could heal people.
The reasons for their uprising were many:
(i) The British administration had ended their isolation and brought them fully under colonialism.
(ii) It made tribal chiefs into Zamindars and introduced a new system of land revenue and taxation of whatever the tribals produced.
(iii) It tried to spread Christianity among the tribals and sent hundreds of Christian missionaries to their areas.
(iv) Colonialism also introduced money lenders, traders, and middlemen into their society.
(v) These middlemen soon took possession of their land and forced many tribes into debt.
(vi) In a very short time, the tribals lost their land and were forced to become agricultural laborers, share-croppers, and rack-rented tenants on their own land.
Raju’s efforts and the participation of the tribals in the national movement emphasized the inclusive nature of the struggle for independence, bringing to light the diverse challenges faced by different communities within India.
2. Describe the main features of the Cabinet Mission Plan.
Answer: The Cabinet Mission Plan envisaged a confederation consisting of three groups of autonomous states vesting the powers of three departments – Defence, external affairs, and communications—in a central government and all the remaining powers with the groups themselves.
Each of the groups was free to have a separate constitution of its own choice, thus giving ample scope for both the leading religious groups, Hindus and Muslims, to live unitedly but at the same time to enjoy complete autonomy in areas where they were in majority.
The plan had two parts, namely a long-term programme and a short-term one. While the former was concerned with the future political setup on a permanent basis, the latter was intended to establish an immediate Indian interim government.
It was proposed in the plan that for this assembly, each province would be assigned a specific number of seats. This number will be proportionate to the population of the province. The total number of seats in the proposed Constituent Assembly was fixed at 389 to be divided as follows: British India 292 seats; Chief Commissioners Provinces 4 seats in the Indian States 93 seats.
3. Discuss the contribution of Subhas Chandra Bose in the freedom struggle.
Answer: Subhas Chandra Bose, popularly known as ‘Netaji’, was a key figure in the Indian freedom struggle, diverging from Gandhi’s non-violent approach. Influenced by leaders like Lokmanya Tilak and Sri Aurobindo, Bose initially joined and led the Congress Party. However, he later formed the Forward Bloc due to ideological differences with Gandhi. During World War II, seizing the British vulnerability, Bose escaped from Calcutta, travelled through Peshawar, Kabul, and Moscow, and eventually reached Germany to seek Hitler’s support. Impressed, Hitler aided Bose in organising the Indian prisoners of war into the Liberation Army.
In 1943, Bose established the Indian National Army (I.N.A.) in Singapore, leading an offensive against the British in northeast India in 1945 with the rallying cry “Delhi Chalo.” Although this campaign was not successful, it underscored the Indian determination for independence. Bose died in a plane crash on August 18, 1945, not living to see India’s independence, but his legacy and the phrase “Jai Hind” continue to inspire, embodying his indomitable spirit in the freedom movement.
Extra MCQs
1. What did the term ‘Swaraj’ symbolize in the context of the Non-Cooperation Khilafat Movement?
A. British governance in India B. Hindu-Muslim unity C. Self-rule or independence D. The partition of India
Answer: C. Self-rule or independence
2. What was a significant outcome of the First World War on India?
A. Decrease in economic problems B. Unity among different nations C. Turning point in the Indian National Movement D. Reduction of taxes
Answer: C. Turning point in the Indian National Movement
3. How did the First World War affect the Indian economy according to the text?
A. Reduced the burden of taxes B. Caused economic prosperity C. Created economic problems D. Increased employment opportunities
Answer: C. Created economic problems
4. What method did Gandhiji use in his fight against the British?
A. Violent protests B. Military confrontations C. Satyagraha D. Diplomatic negotiations
Answer: C. Satyagraha
5. What virtues did Gandhiji exhort the people of India to exercise?
A. Spinning, removal of untouchability, non-consumption of alcohol, Hindu-Muslim unity, equality B. Education, healthcare, economic growth, religious tolerance, peace C. Industrialization, urbanization, technological advancement, secularism D. Democracy, republicanism, nationalism, federalism
Answer: A. Spinning, removal of untouchability, non-consumption of alcohol, Hindu-Muslim unity, equality
6. What does Satyagraha emphasize according to Gandhiji?
A. Insistence on truth and non-violence B. Armed resistance and military strength C. Economic sanctions and boycotts D. Political negotiations and compromises
Answer: A. Insistence on truth and non-violence
7. What was the effect of the First World War on Indian society as mentioned in the text?
A. Improvement in living standards B. Alarming rise in prices and famines C. Increase in agricultural production D. Expansion of educational facilities
Answer: B. Alarming rise in prices and famines
8. What was reported by the Census of 1921 regarding the aftermath of famines and epidemics?
A. No significant change in population B. A decrease in the mortality rate C. More than 13 million people died D. Improvement in public health
Answer: C. More than 13 million people died
9. Which areas did Gandhiji organize Satyagraha movements in?
A. Delhi and Mumbai B. Calcutta and Madras C. Champaran (Bihar) and Kheda in Gujarat D. Pune and Bangalore
Answer: C. Champaran (Bihar) and Kheda in Gujarat
10. Where did the Champaran Satyagraha take place?
A. Gujarat B. Mumbai C. Bihar D. Ahmedabad
Answer: C. Bihar
11. Who accompanied Gandhiji in the Champaran campaign?
A. Bhagat Singh B. Dr. Rajendra Prasad C. Jawaharlal Nehru D. Subhas Chandra Bose
Answer: B. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
12. What was the main objective of the Champaran Satyagraha?
A. To demand independence from British rule B. Non-violent protest against European indigo planters C. To increase wages for cotton mill workers D. To protest against the salt tax
Answer: B. Non-violent protest against European indigo planters
13. What significant action did the government take in response to the Champaran Satyagraha?
A. It dismissed Gandhiji from the country B. It appointed an enquiry committee with Gandhiji as a member C. It increased the taxes on peasants D. It declared martial law in Champaran
Answer: B. It appointed an enquiry committee with Gandhiji as a member
14. What was the outcome of the Champaran Satyagraha?
A. Peasants were freed from special taxes levied by indigo planters B. Gandhiji was arrested and imprisoned C. The European planters left India D. It led to the immediate independence of India
Answer: A. Peasants were freed from special taxes levied by indigo planters
15. What caused the Kheda campaign?
A. A political dispute B. Religious conflict C. Severe drought and crop failure D. A dispute over wages
Answer: C. Severe drought and crop failure
16. What was the government’s stance on land revenue during the Kheda campaign?
A. It reduced the land revenue rates B. It insisted on extracting its land revenue despite crop failure C. It cancelled all land revenue D. It increased the land revenue
Answer: B. It insisted on extracting its land revenue despite crop failure
17. What was the result of the Kheda campaign?
A. The government increased the land revenue further B. The government conceded the demands of the peasants C. The peasants were forced to leave their land D. The campaign had no significant impact
Answer: B. The government conceded the demands of the peasants
18. What was unique about the Ahmedabad Satyagraha?
A. It was directed against British imperialism B. It involved a fast unto death by Gandhiji C. It was a violent protest D. It was solely a student movement
Answer: B. It involved a fast unto death by Gandhiji
19. What was the outcome of the Ahmedabad Satyagraha?
A. The workers’ wages were decreased by 35% B. Gandhiji ended his fast without any success C. The mill-owners agreed to give a 35% hike in wages to workers D. The British government banned all future protests
Answer: C. The mill-owners agreed to give a 35% hike in wages to workers
20. What led Gandhiji to launch a nationwide Satyagraha in 1919?
A. The success of the Non-Cooperation Movement B. The passing of the Rowlatt Act C. The establishment of the British Raj D. The end of World War I
Answer: B. The passing of the Rowlatt Act
21. What event on 10 April led to martial law being imposed in Amritsar?
A. A peaceful protest was violently suppressed by the police B. Gandhiji was arrested C. The Rowlatt Act was passed D. A British official was assassinated
Answer: A. A peaceful protest was violently suppressed by the police
22. Who took command in Amritsar following the imposition of martial law?
A. Gandhiji B. The Ali Brothers C. General Dyer D. The British Prime Minister
Answer: C. General Dyer
23. What tragic event occurred on 13 April in Jallianwala Bagh?
A. Gandhiji called off the Satyagraha B. A peaceful gathering was fired upon, killing thousands C. The Rowlatt Act was repealed D. The Non-Cooperation Movement began
Answer: B. A peaceful gathering was fired upon, killing thousands
24. Who led the Khilafat Movement?
A. Gandhiji and Nehru B. Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali C. The British government D. The people of Turkey
Answer: B. Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali
25. What was the primary concern of the Khilafat Movement?
A. The independence of India B. The treatment of the ruler of Turkey and the control over holy places C. The repeal of the Rowlatt Act D. The promotion of Hindu-Muslim unity
Answer: B. The treatment of the ruler of Turkey and the control over holy places
26. When did the Non-Cooperation Khilafat Movement begin?
A. November 1919 B. June 1920 C. January 1921 D. April 1919
Answer: C. January 1921
27. What was the aim of the Non-Cooperation Khilafat Movement according to Gandhiji?
A. To ensure British rule in India B. To bring Muslims and Hindus together under a united national movement C. To support the British Empire D. To establish the Rowlatt Act
Answer: B. To bring Muslims and Hindus together under a united national movement
28. Where did the Non-Cooperation Movement spread from the cities?
A. To the military B. To educational institutions C. To the countryside D. To the British Parliament
Answer: C. To the countryside
29. Who was the leader of the Peasant Movement in Awadh?
A. Mahatma Gandhi B. Alluri Sitaram Raju C. Baba Ram Chandra D. Pt. Nehru
Answer: C. Baba Ram Chandra
30. What was the main campaign of the Peasant Movement in Awadh against?
A. The high prices of agricultural products B. The British education system C. The atrocities of landlords and Talukdars D. The salt tax imposed by the British
Answer: C. The atrocities of landlords and Talukdars
31. What did Gandhiji urge the peasants to do in Awadh?
A. Pay the full amount of rent B. Pay only 50% of the rent and refuse to do begar C. Leave their lands and migrate to cities D. Take up arms against the landlords
Answer: B. Pay only 50% of the rent and refuse to do begar
32. Which two professions were mentioned as potentially boycotting service to oppressive landlords in Awadh?
A. Teachers and Lawyers B. Nais (Barbers) and Dhobis (Washermen) C. Farmers and Soldiers D. Shopkeepers and Clerks
Answer: B. Nais (Barbers) and Dhobis (Washermen)
33. What was the outcome of Pt. Nehru’s tour in the villages of Awadh in 1920?
A. The implementation of the Rowlatt Act B. The establishment of the Oudh Kisan Sabha with 300 branches within a month C. The beginning of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre D. The launch of the Quit India Movement
Answer: B. The establishment of the Oudh Kisan Sabha with 300 branches within a month
34. What actions did the peasants in Awadh take in 1921?
A. They peacefully protested against the British B. They attacked Zamindars and looted bazaars C. They began to pay full rent to the landlords D. They enlisted in the British army
Answer: B. They attacked Zamindars and looted bazaars
35. What did “Swaraj” mean to the peasants in Awadh?
A. Adoption of Western education B. Freedom from the oppression of landlords C. The right to bear arms D. The establishment of a democratic government
Answer: B. Freedom from the oppression of landlords
36. Who led the Tribal Movement in Andhra Pradesh?
A. Mahatma Gandhi B. Baba Ram Chandra C. Alluri Sitaram Raju D. Pt. Nehru
Answer: C. Alluri Sitaram Raju
37. What type of movement did the tribals of Gudem Hills start?
A. A peaceful non-cooperation movement B. A militant guerrilla movement C. A political party D. A religious movement
Answer: B. A militant guerrilla movement
38. What were the reasons for the tribal uprisings against British colonialism?
A. The introduction of democratic elections B. The improvement of healthcare and education C. The end of their isolation and introduction of land revenue, taxation, and Christianity D. The enhancement of tribal chiefs’ powers
Answer: C. The end of their isolation and introduction of land revenue, taxation, and Christianity
39. How did colonialism impact the tribal chiefs?
A. They were given more autonomy B. They were turned into Zamindars C. They were expelled from their lands D. They were educated in British institutions
Answer: B. They were turned into Zamindars
40. What role did Christian missionaries play in the tribal areas?
A. They provided medical care B. They spread Christianity C. They taught tribal languages D. They promoted tribal cultures
Answer: B. They spread Christianity
41. How did colonialism affect the tribals’ relationship with the forest?
A. It enhanced their rights to forest lands B. It banned their forest lands and restricted the use of forest products C. It promoted wildlife conservation D. It increased their land holdings
Answer: B. It banned their forest lands and restricted the use of forest products
42. What was the outcome for tribals who lost their lands due to colonialism?
A. They became industrial workers B. They were relocated to urban areas C. They became agricultural labourers, share-croppers, and rack-rented tenants D. They were educated in British schools
Answer: C. They became agricultural labourers, share-croppers, and rack-rented tenants
43. What did the Gudem rebels aim to achieve through their guerrilla warfare?
A. To enforce British laws B. To win Swaraj C. To promote Christianity D. To establish a new tribal chiefdom
Answer: B. To win Swaraj
44. What happened to Alluri Sitaram Raju in 1924?
A. He was elected as a tribal chief B. He was honored by the British C. He was captured and executed D. He became a member of the Indian National Congress
Answer: C. He was captured and executed
45. For plantation workers in Assam, what did Swaraj mean?
A. The right to freedom of movement B. The right to vote C. The right to own land D. The right to British citizenship
Answer: A. The right to freedom of movement
46. Why were plantation workers unable to return to their villages during the Non-Cooperation Movement?
A. They were prohibited by the Inland Emigration Act of 1859 B. They were satisfied with their jobs C. They had no means of transportation D. They were afraid of losing their employment
Answer: A. They were prohibited by the Inland Emigration Act of 1859
47. What event led to the abrupt end of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922?
A. The Simon Commission report B. The Lahore Session of the Congress C. The Chauri Chaura incident D. The drafting of the Nehru Report
Answer: C. The Chauri Chaura incident
48. What action did Gandhiji take after the Chauri Chaura incident?
A. He called for a nationwide strike B. He suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement C. He initiated the Civil Disobedience Movement D. He resigned from the Congress
Answer: B. He suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement
49. Which leaders criticized Gandhiji’s decision to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement?
A. Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Bose B. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev C. Sardar Patel, Rajendra Prasad D. M.K. Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave
Answer: A. Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Bose
50. What was the first attempt at an all-India mass struggle against the British?
A. The Salt March B. The Quit India Movement C. The Non-Cooperation Movement D. The Civil Disobedience Movement
Answer: C. The Non-Cooperation Movement
51. What did the Non-Cooperation Movement demonstrate about the Indian populace?
A. Their reluctance to oppose British rule B. Their ability to face repression and suffering for freedom C. Their support for British economic policies D. Their indifference to political movements
Answer: B. Their ability to face repression and suffering for freedom
52. What was the reaction in India to the all-White Simon Commission?
A. Unanimous acceptance B. Mild protest C. Unanimous and immediate boycott D. Indifference
Answer: C. Unanimous and immediate boycott
53. Who presided over the Congress session that decided to boycott the Simon Commission?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru B. Mahatma Gandhi C. Dr. M.A. Ansari D. Motilal Nehru
Answer: C. Dr. M.A. Ansari
54. What was the outcome of Lala Lajpat Rai leading an anti-Simon Commission demonstration?
A. He was elected president of the Congress B. He was arrested by the British C. He was brutally assaulted and later succumbed to injuries D. He successfully negotiated with the British
Answer: C. He was brutally assaulted and later succumbed to injuries
55. What did the Nehru Report propose?
A. Immediate independence for India B. A constitution for India on the lines of self-governing dominions within the British Empire C. The continuation of British rule with Indian advisors D. The partition of India into two separate states
Answer: B. A constitution for India on the lines of self-governing dominions within the British Empire
56. When was the resolution of complete independence for India adopted by the Congress?
A. 26 January 1930 B. 31 December 1929 C. During the Lahore Session of the Congress in December 1929 D. At the Madras session in 1927
Answer: C. During the Lahore Session of the Congress in December 1929
57. When was the Civil Disobedience Movement started by Gandhiji?
A. 6 April 1930 B. 12 March 1930 C. March 1931 D. 1932
Answer: B. 12 March 1930
58. What event marked the culmination of the Dandi March?
A. Gandhiji’s arrest B. Gandhiji picked up a handful of salt at Dandi C. The signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact D. The start of the Second World War
Answer: B. Gandhiji picked up a handful of salt at Dandi
59. What did the Gandhi-Irwin Pact lead to in March 1931?
A. The continuation of the movement B. The relaunch of the movement in 1932 C. The suspension of the movement D. Independence for India
Answer: C. The suspension of the movement
60. Who was Subhas Chandra Bose popularly known as?
A. Mahatma B. Lokmanya C. Netaji D. Gandhi
Answer: C. Netaji
61. With which leaders’ methods did Netaji disagree, leading to his departure from the Congress Party?
A. Lokmanya Tilak B. Sri Aurobindo C. Gandhiji D. Nehru
Answer: C. Gandhiji
62. What did Netaji form after leaving the Congress Party?
A. The INA B. The BJP C. The Forward Bloc D. The Muslim League
Answer: C. The Forward Bloc
63. How did Netaji leave India during World War II?
A. By plane B. Dressed as a Pathan C. By ship D. Through a tunnel
Answer: B. Dressed as a Pathan
64. Where did Netaji form the Indian National Army (INA)?
A. Germany B. Russia C. Singapore D. Japan
Answer: C. Singapore
65. What was Netaji’s battle cry with the INA?
A. Vande Mataram B. Inquilab Zindabad C. Delhi Chalo D. Jai Hind
Answer: C. Delhi Chalo
66. When did Subhas Chandra Bose die?
A. 1943 B. 1945 C. 1947 D. 1948
Answer: B. 1945
67. When did the Cabinet Mission arrive in New Delhi?
A. March 24, 1946 B. May 16, 1946 C. March 24, 1947 D. May 16, 1947
Answer: A. March 24, 1946
68. What was the main objective of the Cabinet Mission?
A. To partition India B. To lay out the details of a constitution C. To initiate a machinery for constitution-making by Indians D. To establish British rule permanently
Answer: C. To initiate a machinery for constitution-making by Indians
69. Why did the Cabinet Mission reject the idea of election based on adult franchise for forming the proposed constitution-making machinery?
A. It was considered unfair B. It was preferred by the Congress C. It would have led to unacceptable delay D. It was supported by the Muslim League
Answer: C. It would have led to unacceptable delay
70. Which two major parties did the Cabinet Mission fail to reconcile?
A. Congress and BJP B. Congress and Muslim League C. Muslim League and Sikh League D. Congress and Sikh League
Answer: B. Congress and Muslim League
71. What did the Cabinet Mission Plan reject?
A. The formation of the Indian National Congress B. The demand for a fully sovereign Pakistan C. The idea of a central government with full powers D. Adult franchise for elections
Answer: B. The demand for a fully sovereign Pakistan
72. What autonomy did the Cabinet Mission Plan envisage for groups of states?
A. Autonomy in defence only B. Autonomy in all areas except defence, external affairs, and communications C. Full sovereignty D. No autonomy
Answer: B. Autonomy in all areas except defence, external affairs, and communications
73. How many groups of autonomous states did the Cabinet Mission Plan propose?
A. Two B. Three C. Four D. Five
Answer: B. Three
74. What was the purpose of the short-term programme in the Cabinet Mission Plan?
A. To partition India B. To establish a British advisory council C. To establish an immediate Indian Interim Government D. To conduct elections based on adult franchise
Answer: C. To establish an immediate Indian Interim Government
75. How many total seats were fixed for the Constituent Assembly according to the Cabinet Mission Plan?
A. 292 B. 389 C. 93 D. 4
Answer: B. 389
76. Which voting system was proposed for electing representatives of the British Indian Provinces?
A. First-past-the-post B. Single transferable vote C. Proportional representation D. Direct ballot
Answer: B. Single transferable vote
77. What was the first task of the Constituent Assembly after its preliminary meeting?
A. To divide into three sections based on provinces B. To elect a Chairman and other officers C. To set up an Advisory Committee D. To draft the Union Constitution
Answer: B. To elect a Chairman and other officers
78. How many sections were the provincial representatives divided into for settling their constitutions?
A. Two B. Three C. Four D. Five
Answer: B. Three
79. What did Section C of the provincial representatives comprise?
A. Madras and Bombay B. Punjab and Sind C. Assam and Bengal D. Bihar and Orissa
Answer: C. Assam and Bengal
80. What was the primary concern of the Advisory Committee to be set up by the Constituent Assembly?
A. To manage foreign relations B. On Rights of Citizens, Minorities, and Tribal and Excluded Areas C. To decide on the division of provinces D. To allocate seats to different communities
Answer: B. On Rights of Citizens, Minorities, and Tribal and Excluded Areas
81. What was the ultimate stance of the Congress regarding the Constituent Assembly?
A. They boycotted it B. They accepted it C. They proposed amendments to it D. They rejected it
Answer: B. They accepted it
82. How did the Muslim League initially respond to the proposals of the Cabinet Mission Plan?
A. They accepted all proposals B. They objected to some proposals C. They fully supported the Congress D. They demanded immediate partition
Answer: B. They objected to some proposals
Extra questions and answers
1. Who emerged as a new leader on the Indian national scene during the period after the First World War?
Answer: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi emerged as a new leader on the Indian national scene during the period after the First World War.
2. How did the First World War create economic problems for the people of India?
Answer: The First World War created economic problems for the people of India by increasing taxes, custom duties, and a higher income tax. There was an alarming rise in prices between 1914 and 1918, causing great hardships, especially in rural areas where people were forced into the armed forces, and famines and epidemics between 1918-1921 worsened their misery.
3. Describe the impact of the First World War on India, both economically and politically.
Answer: Economically, the First World War burdened the people of India with increased taxes, custom duties, and a higher income tax, alongside an alarming rise in prices from 1914 to 1918, causing significant hardships. Rural communities faced compulsion into the armed forces, and the subsequent famines in 1918-19 and 1920-21, followed by epidemics, exacerbated the suffering, with over 13 million deaths reported by the 1921 Census. Politically, the war gave a substantial shock to imperialism in India, igniting a desire for freedom among Indians and prompting a new generation of nationalists to seek methods to overthrow British rule, marking a turning point in the history of the Indian National Movement.
4. What novel method of mass agitation did Gandhi introduce?
Answer: Gandhi introduced ‘Satyagraha’ as a novel method of mass agitation.
5. What were the five virtues Gandhiji exhorted the people of India to exercise?
Answer: Gandhiji exhorted the people of India to exercise five virtues: (i) spinning, (ii) removal of untouchability, (iii) non-consumption of alcohol, (iv) Hindu-Muslim unity, and (v) equality.
6. Explain the principles and goals of Satyagraha as described by Gandhi.
Answer: Satyagraha, as described by Gandhi, was based on the principle of non-violent, non-cooperation against a government perceived as oppressive and unjust. It aimed to turn individual movements into a mass movement for the improvement of Indian society and the Congress organisation. Satyagraha emphasized the insistence on truth and the search for truth, advocating that if a cause was just, physical force was unnecessary to fight injustice. A Satyagrahi, relying on moral force backed with truth, could win any battle without resorting to violence. Gandhi believed non-violence would unite India, using the moral force of truth to defeat oppressors and fight injustice peacefully.
7. What was the main aim of the Champaran Satyagraha?
Answer: The main aim of the Champaran Satyagraha was a non-violent, non-cooperation protest against the unjust European indigo planters to free the peasants from special taxes.
8. Describe the outcome of the Kheda Campaign.
Answer: The outcome of the Kheda Campaign was that after a large number of peasants offered Satyagraha and were imprisoned, the government had to concede to the demands of the peasants, acknowledging their right to remission of land revenue due to crop failure.
9. Explain the significance of the Ahmedabad, Champaran, and Kaira movements in establishing Gandhiji as a national leader.
Answer: The Ahmedabad, Champaran, and Kaira movements significantly established Gandhiji as the leader of the masses by demonstrating his ability to mobilize and unite people for a common cause. In Champaran, he rallied peasants against European indigo planters, leading to the abolition of special taxes. The Kaira (Kheda) campaign against the government’s refusal for land revenue remission due to drought resulted in the government conceding to peasant demands. In Ahmedabad, Gandhiji’s fast unto death for the cotton mill workers’ rights led to a 35% wage hike. These movements not only showed Gandhiji’s effective leadership and strategic use of Satyagraha but also enlightened the educated class about the political power of peasant mass action, marking a shift in the Indian independence movement towards inclusive, mass-based activism.
10. What triggered the nationwide Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act in 1919?
Answer: The trigger for the nationwide Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act in 1919 was the police firing upon a peaceful procession in Amritsar on 10 April, which provoked widespread attacks on banks, post offices, and railway stations.
11. What was the immediate cause and outcome of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?
Answer: The immediate cause of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre was General Dyer blocking the exit points of the Jallianwala Bagh and opening fire on a crowd of villagers, killing thousands. The outcome was a significant escalation in Indian nationalistic fervor and a stark demonstration of British imperial cruelty.
12. Discuss the connection between the Khilafat Movement and the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Answer: The Khilafat Movement, led by the Ali Brothers in protest against the treatment given to the ruler of Turkey and the dismemberment of the Turkish Empire, found a strong ally in Gandhiji, who was invited to a Khilafat Conference in November 1919. Gandhiji saw this as an opportunity to bridge Hindu-Muslim divides and strengthen the national movement against British rule. He suggested a programme of non-violent non-cooperation, which was adopted by the Khilafat Committee in June 1920. Gandhiji led this movement, which began in January 1921, marking a significant moment in Indian history where the cause of Indian independence and the support for the Muslim Khilafat cause were united under a single banner of non-cooperation against British rule. This collaboration aimed to achieve Swaraj, although the term meant different things to different people, signifying a broad spectrum of aspirations within the movement.
13. Who was the leader of the Peasant Movement in Awadh?
Answer: The leader of the Peasant Movement in Awadh was Baba Ram Chandra.
14. What did Gandhiji urge the peasants in Awadh to do against the oppressive landlords?
Answer: Gandhiji urged the peasants in Awadh to pay only 50% of the rent, refuse to do ‘begar’, and start a social boycott of the oppressive landlords by having Nais (Barbers) and Dhobis (Washermen) refuse to serve them.
15. Describe the causes and outcomes of the Tribal Movement in Andhra Pradesh.
Answer: The Tribal Movement in Andhra Pradesh, led by Alluri Sitaram Raju, was sparked by several causes: the British administration’s end to tribal isolation, the transformation of tribal chiefs into Zamindars, the introduction of new systems of land revenue and taxation, attempts to spread Christianity, the introduction of money lenders, traders, and middlemen leading to land possession and debt among tribals, changes in their relationship with the forest including restrictions on land use and forest products, and forced ‘begar’. The outcome was a militant guerrilla movement against colonial government, with attacks on British officials and police stations, aimed at winning Swaraj. Despite Raju’s execution in 1924, he remains a tribal hero.
16. What was Swaraj interpreted to mean by the peasants in Awadh?
Answer: Swaraj for the peasants in Awadh meant freedom from the oppression of the landlords.
17. How did the Non-Cooperation Movement spread to the countryside, and what was its impact there?
Answer: The Non-Cooperation Movement spread to the countryside, leading to major peasant and tribal movements in Awadh and Andhra Pradesh, respectively. Peasants and tribals joined the struggle, interpreting Swaraj as freedom from various forms of oppression, leading to actions against landlords, talukdars, and colonial authorities.
18. Explain the significance of Pt. Nehru’s tour of the villages of Awadh in 1920 and the establishment of the Oudh Kisan Sabha.
Answer: In June 1920, Pt. Nehru’s tour of the villages of Awadh was significant as it aimed to understand the grievances of the peasants deeply affected by the oppressive practices of landlords and talukdars. Following this tour, the establishment of the Oudh Kisan Sabha in October 1920 marked a pivotal moment in organizing peasant struggles within the broader framework of the Non-Cooperation Movement. The Sabha’s rapid growth, with 300 branches within a month, demonstrated the widespread peasant dissatisfaction and the effectiveness of collective action in mobilizing against colonial and feudal oppression, making the peasant struggle an integral part of the national freedom movement.
19. Who was Alluri Sitaram Raju, and what was he known for?
Answer: Alluri Sitaram Raju was the leader of the Tribal Movement in Andhra Pradesh, known for claiming special powers, leading a militant guerrilla movement against colonial government, and becoming a tribal hero.
20. What were the main reasons behind the uprising of tribals in the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh?
Answer:
- The British administration ended the isolation of the tribals in the Gudem Hills, bringing them fully under colonial rule.
- Tribal chiefs were transformed into Zamindars by the colonial government, integrating them into the colonial administrative framework.
- A new system of land revenue and taxation was introduced, applying financial pressures on the tribal communities by taxing whatever they produced.
- Efforts were made to spread Christianity among the tribals, with hundreds of Christian missionaries sent to their areas, aiming to change their religious and cultural practices.
- The introduction of money lenders, traders, and middlemen into tribal society led to significant socio-economic changes. These new entrants often took possession of tribal lands and forced many tribals into debt.
- In a very short time, the tribals lost their lands and were compelled to become agricultural labourers, share-croppers, and rack-rented tenants on their own lands. This represented a dramatic shift from their previous communal land cultivation practices.
- Colonialism also fundamentally altered the tribals’ relationship with the forest. Tribals, who had depended on the forest for food, fuel, and cattle-feed and practiced shifting cultivation, found their access to forest lands and products severely restricted by colonial laws.
- Revenue agents imposed ‘begar’ (unpaid labor) on the tribals and practiced extortion, exacerbating the exploitation and oppression experienced by the tribal communities.
- The intensity of oppression varied across regions, but the nature of change was consistent, disrupting the old agrarian order and leading to broad-based uprisings involving thousands of tribals.
21. What did Swaraj mean for the plantation workers in Assam?
Answer: For the plantation workers in Assam, Swaraj meant the right to freedom of movement.
22. How did the British restrict the movement of plantation workers in Assam?
Answer: By the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, the British restricted the movement of plantation workers in Assam by not allowing them to go back to their villages without their permission, which was very rarely given.
23. Describe the impact of the Non-Cooperation Movement on the plantation workers in Assam and the subsequent actions taken by the authorities.
Answer: The Non-Cooperation Movement led plantation workers in Assam to leave the plantations in thousands, believing they were free to go back to their villages where they would be given land. However, their dream was never realized as they were first stranded by railway and steamer strikes. Then, the police caught them and subjected them to brutal beatings. This sequence of events illustrates the harsh realities faced by the workers in their quest for freedom and the oppressive measures employed by the authorities to curb their attempts at achieving Swaraj.
24. What was the outcome of the Chauri Chaura incident?
Answer: The outcome of the Chauri Chaura incident was the abrupt end of the Non-Cooperation Movement in February 1922.
25. Why did Gandhiji suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer: Gandhiji suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement because of serious mob violence at Chauri Chaura, where a police station was burnt and a number of policemen were killed. He declared that Swaraj could not be attained through violence.
26. What was the reaction within the Congress to Gandhiji’s decision to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer: Gandhiji’s decision to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement faced severe criticism within the Congress itself. Leaders like Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Bose, and many others voiced their utter surprise and anger. They could not understand why the whole country had to pay the price for the violence of some people in a village, indicating significant internal disagreement over the movement’s cessation.
27. What was the purpose of the Simon Commission?
Answer: The purpose of the Simon Commission was to recommend whether India was ready for self-government.
28. How did the Indian public respond to the Simon Commission?
Answer: The Indian public responded to the Simon Commission with unanimous and immediate rejection, considering it an insult to India as it had no Indian member to decide India’s future. A call for boycott was given by the Hindu Mahasabha, the Muslim League, and the Congress.
29. Describe the events and significance of the Lahore Session of the Congress in 1929.
Answer: At the Lahore Session of the Congress (29-31 December 1929), the Congress adopted the resolution of complete independence for India as its goal. Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the Indian tricolour, flag of Indian independence, on the midnight of 31 December. It was declared that 26 January 1930 would be celebrated as the Independence Day when people were to take the pledge for complete independence. This session marked a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for freedom, setting a clear objective for the national movement and galvanizing support across the country for the cause of complete independence.
30. When was the Civil Disobedience Movement started by Gandhiji?
Answer: The Civil Disobedience Movement was started by Gandhiji on 12 March, 1930.
31. What significant act did Gandhiji perform on 6 April, 1930?
Answer: On 6 April, 1930, Gandhiji picked up a handful of salt at Dandi and broke the salt law.
32. What was the outcome of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in March 1931?
Answer: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact of March 1931 led to the suspension of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
33. What was Subhas Chandra Bose’s popular title?
Answer: Subhas Chandra Bose was popularly known as ‘Netaji’.
34. Who did not agree with Gandhiji’s methods of achieving Independence?
Answer: Netaji (Subhas Chandra Bose) did not agree with Gandhiji’s methods of achieving Independence through non-violence.
35. What actions followed the violation of salt laws during the Civil Disobedience Movement?
Answer: Following the violation of salt laws, defiance of forest laws in several regions, refusal to pay taxes, and land revenue were actions that took place during the Civil Disobedience Movement.
36. How did Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose contribute to the Indian freedom struggle?
Answer: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose contributed to the Indian freedom struggle by breaking off from the Congress Party to form the Forward Bloc, escaping detention, approaching Hitler for support, organizing the Indian prisoners of war to form the Liberation Army, forming the I.N.A. in Singapore in 1943, and inspiring his army with the battle cry ‘Delhi Chalo’.
37. Describe the Civil Disobedience Movement’s progression and its temporary suspension in 1931.
Answer: The Civil Disobedience Movement, initiated by Gandhiji on 12 March, 1930 with the Dandi March, culminated on 6 April, 1930 when he broke the salt law by picking up a handful of salt at Dandi. The movement then spread across India, involving violations of salt laws, defiance of forest laws, and refusal to pay taxes and land revenue. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact in March 1931 led to the movement’s suspension, although it was relaunched in 1932. This movement marked a significant phase in India’s quest for independence by showcasing widespread civil disobedience and non-violent protest against British rule.
38. Analyze the role of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in India’s freedom movement and his approach towards achieving independence.
Answer: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose played a pivotal role in India’s freedom movement by challenging the prevailing non-violent approach championed by Gandhiji. Influenced by Lokmanya Tilak and Sri Aurobindo, Bose advocated for a more assertive stance against British rule. His political journey included leadership positions within the Congress Party, from which he eventually distanced himself due to ideological differences, leading to the formation of the Forward Bloc. Bose’s revolutionary activities resulted in multiple imprisonments, but he strategically used World War II as an opportunity to escape and seek international support for India’s independence. His encounters with Hitler and subsequent leadership of the I.N.A. in Singapore highlighted his commitment to freeing India through armed struggle. The INA’s efforts, especially the ‘Delhi Chalo’ campaign, underscored the Indian populace’s determination for independence. Despite not witnessing India’s independence, Bose’s legacy endures through his inspirational slogan “JAI HIND” and his contribution to the freedom movement.
39. When did the Cabinet Mission arrive in New Delhi?
Answer: The Cabinet Mission arrived in New Delhi on March 24, 1946.
40. What was the main objective of the Cabinet Mission?
Answer: The main objective of the Cabinet Mission was not to lay out the details of a constitution for India but to set in motion a machinery whereby a constitution could be settled by Indians for Indians.
41. Why was the method of election based on adult franchise not chosen by the Cabinet Mission?
Answer: The method of election based on adult franchise was not chosen by the Cabinet Mission because it would have led to ‘wholly unacceptable delay’ in the formulation of the new constitution.
42. On what date were the proposals of the Cabinet Mission Plan announced?
Answer: The proposals of the Cabinet Mission Plan were announced on the 16th May, 1946.
43. What did the Cabinet Mission Plan reject?
Answer: The Cabinet Mission Plan rejected the demand of the All India Muslim League for the partition of the country and establishment of a fully sovereign Pakistan.
44. What was the proposed structure of the Confederation according to the Cabinet Mission Plan?
Answer: The Cabinet Mission Plan envisaged a confederation consisting of three groups of autonomous states, vesting the powers of three departments – Defence, External Affairs, and Communications in a Central Government, with all remaining powers with the groups themselves. Each group was free to have a separate constitution of its own choice.
45. How many seats were allocated to the proposed Constituent Assembly and their distribution according to the Cabinet Mission Plan?
Answer: The total number of seats in the proposed Constituent Assembly was fixed at 389, divided as under: British India 292 seats, Chief Commissioners Provinces 4 seats, and the Indian States 93 seats.
46. Describe the process and structure proposed by the Cabinet Mission Plan for the formation of the Constituent Assembly and the future governance of India.
Answer: The Cabinet Mission Plan proposed a detailed procedure for the formation of a Constituent Assembly and the future governance structure of India. It aimed to create a confederation of three groups of autonomous states with a central government holding powers over Defence, External Affairs, and Communications, while other powers remained with the groups. For the Constituent Assembly, each province was to be assigned a specific number of seats proportional to its population, totaling 389 seats. The British Indian Provinces were to elect their representatives using the single transferable vote system. The plan outlined the division of these representatives into three sections based on geographical regions, with each group tasked with settling the constitutions for its constituent provinces and deciding on the establishment and scope of a group constitution. Following this, representatives from the three sections and the Indian States were to reassemble to draft the Union Constitution. This structure was designed to provide autonomy to regions while maintaining a unified framework for the central government, reflecting an attempt to accommodate the diverse demands of India’s political landscape at the time.
47. Analyze the challenges and outcomes faced by the Cabinet Mission Plan in its attempt to reconcile the Congress and the Muslim League.
Answer: The Cabinet Mission Plan faced significant challenges in its attempt to reconcile the divergent demands of the Congress and the Muslim League, culminating in a complex proposal that ultimately failed to achieve unanimous acceptance. Despite prolonged negotiations and the proposal of a novel confederation structure aimed at balancing autonomy with unity, the plan’s rejection of Pakistan’s partition and its intricate governance model led to objections from both parties. The Congress and the Muslim League disagreed on several aspects of the plan, particularly on the nature of the central authority and the allocation of powers between the central and regional governments. The Congress decided to accept the Constituent Assembly, albeit with reservations, while the Muslim League initially protested against the plan but later contested the elections, indicating a tactical shift rather than a full endorsement. This response highlighted the deep-seated political and ideological rifts that the Mission struggled to bridge, leading to a continuation of political strife and laying the groundwork for the eventual partition of India.
Correction.. Short answer question III Qs. 5 answer is incorrect.. the act was passed on 1859 not 1829!
Thank you for pointing out the mistake. It has been corrected.
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