Smart Vision

Education and Training

Nationalism in India
1. What was the impact of world war I on India?
Or
WWI created a new political economic situation in India?
1) World War I (1914 – 1918) led to a huge defense expenditure which was financed
by:
(a) War loans and (b) Increasing taxes.
2) Customs duties were raised and income – tax was introduced.
3) Prices doubled between 1913 and 1918, leading to extreme hardship for the
common people.
4) There was forced recruitment in the rural areas causing widespread anger.
5) In 1918-19 and 1920-21, crops failed in many parts of India, causing acute food
shortage.
6) 12 to 13 million people died due to famine influenza epidemics.

2. Explain Gandhiji’s idea of Satyagraha.

1) Satyagraha is a non – violent method of mass agitation. It emphasis (a) power of
truth and (b) need to search for truth.
2) According to it, physical force or violence is not necessary if (a) cause was true
and if (b) the struggle was against injustice.
3) The satyagrahi (a) appeal to the conscience of the oppressors and (b) persuade
them to see the truth.
4) Gandhiji believed that truth was bound to ultimately triumph.
5) He believed that the dharma of non – violence could unite all Indians.

3. Where did Gandhiji first practise satyagraha?

Gandhiji first practised satyagraha (a non – violent method of mass agitation) in South
Africa against the racist regime.

4. Explain the idea of Satyagraha with example.

Satyagraha is a non – violent method of mass agitation. It emphasis (a) power of truth
and (b) need to search for truth.
According to it, physical force or violence is not necessary if (a) cause was true and if
(b) the struggle was against injustice.
The satyagrahi (a) appeal to the conscience of the oppressors and (b) persuade them to
see the truth.
Gandhiji believed that truth was bound to ultimately triumph (win).
He believed that the dharma of non – violence could unite all Indians.
Satyagraha’s were organised in the following places:
Examples:
1) In 1916, Gandhiji inspired the peasants in Champaran in Bihar to struggle against
the oppressive plantation system.
2) In 1917, he organised a satyagraha to support the peasants of Kheda district of
Gujarat.
 They could not pay the revenue due to:
(a) crop failure and (b) plague epidemic

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 They demanded that revenue collection be relaxed.
3) In 1918, Gandhiji went to Ahemdabad organise a satyagraha among the cotton mill
workers.

5. Why did Gandhiji organise a satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act?

Or
Why were the Indians outraged by the Rowlatt Act?
1) After returning to India in 1915, Gandhiji successfully organised satyagraha in
various places. (Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad).
2) So when in 1919, the British government passed the Rowlatt Act, he decided to
launch a satyagraha against this black act.
3) This Act gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities.
4) It allowed detention of political prisoners without trail. For two years.
5) In March 1919, it was hurriedly passed by the Imperial Legislative Council.
Parliament despite united opposition of Indian members.
 Gandhiji wanted non – violent civil disobedience against such unjust laws and
started a hartal (strike) on 6th April.

6. How did people show disapproval towards Rowlatt Act in the beginning.
1) Gandhiji wanted non – violent civil disobedience against the Rowlatt Act (Black
Act). He organised a hartal on 6th April 1919.
2) Rallies were organised in various cities.
3) Workers went on strike in railway workshops.
4) Shops closed down.

7. What were the consequences of the Indians reaction to the Rowlatt Act?
Or
What was its impact on the political situation in India?
1) a) Alarmed by the popular upsurge (more people participating) against the Rowlatt
Act and
b) Scared that the lines of communication such as the railways and telegraphs
would be disrupted, the British administration clamped down on the nationalists.
2) Local leaders were picked up from Amritsar.
3) Mahatma Gandhi was barred from entering Delhi.
4) On 10th April the police in Amritsar fired upon a peaceful procession. This led to
widespread attacks on banks, post offices and railway stations.
5) Martial law was imposed and General Dyer took command .

8. Describe the Jallianwala Bagh incident.

1) On 13th April 1919 a large crowd gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala
Bagh.
2) Some had come to (a) protest against the government’s repressive measures and
some had come to (b) celebrate the annual Baisakhi Fair.
3) Being from out of town, many villagers were unaware that martial law had been
imposed.
4) Dyer blocked the exist points and opened fire on the crowds, killing hundreds.

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5) Dyers object in killing hundred was to
a) Produce a moral effect and to
b) Create in the minds of the satyagrahis, a feeling of terror and awe.

9. Explain people’s reaction (consequences) just after the Jallianwala Baugh

incident.
Or
Why did Gandhiji call off Rowlatt Satyagraha?
1) As news of the Jallianwala Bagh incident spread (a) crowds took to the streets in
many north Indian towns, (b) there were strikes, (c) clashes with the police, (d)
attacks on government buildings.
2) The government responded with brutal repression.
3) It humiliated and terrorised the people in the following ways:
i) Satyagrahis were forced to rub their noses on the ground.
ii) crawl on the streets
iii) do salaam / salute to all sahibs.
iv) people were flogged
v) villages (around Gujranwala in Punjab, now in Pakistan) were bombed.
4) Seeing violence spread, Gandhiji decide to call of the Rowlatt Satyagraha.

10. What were the circumstances which led to Jallianwala Bagh incident?
1) Rowlatt Act was passed by the government despite united opposition by the Indian
members. It gave poers to the police to detain anyone without trial.
2) Gandhiji launched a Rowlatt Satyagraha.
i) Rallies were organised in cities.
ii) Workers in railways workshops went on strike
iii) Shops were closed
iv) British government arrested local leaders from Amritsar.
v) Gandhiji was barred from entering Delhi
3) Martial law – Seeing people’s reaction against the arrest of their leaders,
government imposed martials law and general dyers took command.
4) Events at Jallianwala Bagh – (explain)

11. What was the reaction of the people against the Rowlatt Act?
1) Gandhiji wanted non – violent civil disobedience against the Rowlatt Act (Black
Act). He organised a hartal on 6th April 1919.
Rallies were organised in various cities.
Workers went on strike in railway workshops.
Shops closed down.
2) Peaceful procession in Amritsar
3) Meeting at Jallianwala Bagh to protest.
4) United struggle – Rowlatt Act left a deep impact on the people and made them
struggle unitedly.

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12. Why did Gandhiji feel the need to launch a more broad based movement in
1920?
Or
Why did Gandhiji support the Khilafat movement?
1) In 1919, the satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act was limited to towns and cities.
So, in 1920, Gandhiji felt the need to make the movement more broad – based by
including more and more Indians to fight against unjust laws and oppression by
the British.
2) He wanted to bring Hindus and Muslims together to fight unitedly against the
British in a unified national movement.
 He felt he could get the Muslim support by taking up the Khilafat issue
(defending the Khalifa’s powers)
3) He wanted cooperation from supporters and opponents of the nationalist
movement within the congress.
4) Finally, at the Calcutta session of the congress in September 1920 he convinced
other leaders of the need to start a non – cooperation movement a) in support of
Khilafat as well as for (b) swaraj.

13. Explain the Khilafat movement.

Or
What was the khilafat agitation?
1) Ottoman Turkey was defeated in W.W.I.
2) The Ottoman emperor (called Khalifa) was the spiritual head of Islam. There
were rumours that a harsh peace treaty was going to be imposed on him.
3) Khilafat committee was formed in Bombay on March 1919 to defend the
Khalifa’s temporal powers.
4) Young Muslim leaders like the brothers Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali
discussed with Gandhiji about a united mass action on the issue.
5) At the Calcutta session of the congress in September 1920 he convinced other
leaders of the need to start a non – cooperation movement (a) in support of
Khilafat as well as for (b) swaraj.
6) In January 1921 the non – cooperation Khilafat movement began.

14. Why did Gandhiji launch NCM?

Or
Describe the development which led to launching of NCM?
Explain each of the following:
1) Hardships created by W.W.I
2) 3 Satyagrahas
3) Rowlatt Act – Rowlatt Satyagraha
4) Repressive measure by the British – Martial law
5) Jallianwala Bagh incident
6) More broad – based – support khilafat
7) To get swaraj

15. Who wrote the book Hind Swaraj? What was explained in it?

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1) Gandhiji wrote the book ‘Hind Swaraj’ in 1909.
2) He explained that British rule was established in India with the cooperation of
the Indians.
3) British rule had survived only because of this cooperation.
4) ‘British rule would collapse within a year if Indians refused to cooperate and
swaraj would come.’

16. What were the 3 proposals or stages regarding NCM suggested by Gandhiji?
1) Gandhiji suggested that the non – cooperation movement should unfold in
stages.
2) a) It should start with the surrender of titles awarded by the British.
b) Boycott of civil services, army, legislative councils.
3) In case the government used repression a full civil disobedience campaign
would be launched.
4) Through the summer of 1920, Gandhiji and Shaukat Ali toured India
extensively, mobilising support for the movements.

17. How did non – cooperation become a movement?

Or
‘British rule in India would collapse….’ How did this statement help in starting a
mass movement in India?
1) Gandhiji suggested that the non – cooperation movement should unfold in
stages.
2) a) It should start with the surrender of tiles awarded by the British.
b) Boycott of civil services, army, legislative councils.
3) In case the government used repression a full civil disobedience campaign
would be launched.
4) Through the summer of 1920, Gandhiji and Shaukat Ali toured India
extensively, mobilising support for the movements.
5) At the congress session in Nagpur in December 1920 the non – cooperation
program was adopted.
6) In Jan 1921, NCM – Khilafat movement started.
7) Various social groups participated from towns, cities and rural areas.

18. Within the congress, why were some members not happy with the proposals of
NCM?
1) Some congress members did not want to boycott councils elections of Nov
1920.
2) They thought the movement would become violent.
3) They wanted to oppose government policies by participating in legislative
councils.
4) In Dec. 1920 at Nagpur session a compromise was worked and NCM was
adopted.

19. Explain NCM in towns. What were its consequences on the economic front?
1) NCM started with middle – class participation in cities.

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2) Thousands of students left government schools and colleges.
3) Headmasters and teachers resigned.
4) Lawyers gave up their legal practices.
5) Council elections were boycotted in most provinces, except in Madras, where
the Justice party (party of non – Brahmins) felt that entering the council was one
way of gaining power.

Economic front: (Features of Swadeshi / Boycott movement)

1) Foreign goods were boycotted.
2) Liquor shops were picketed.
3) Foreign cloth was burnt in huge bonfires
 Import of foreign cloth halved between 1921-22, its value dropping from Rs.
102 crores to Rs. 57 crores.
4) Many traders and merchants refused to:
i) Trade in foreign goods or
ii) Finance foreign trade.
5) Production of Indian textile and handloom because people began discarding
imported cloth and wearing only Indian cloth.

20. Why did the NCM slow down?

1) Khadi cloth was more expensive than mass produced mill cloth. Poor people
could not afford to buy it. So they could not boycott mill cloth for too long.
2) Boycott of British institutions (schools, colleges, courts) posed a problem.
Alternatives Indian institutions were needed, to replace the British ones. But
these were slow to come up. So teachers, students and lawyers rejoined British
schools, colleges and courts.
3) NCM slowed down in other regions because different social groups had
different interpretation of swaraj. Some started using violent methods for their
demands. Gandhiji and the congress did not approve or support it.

21. Name the groups of people who participated in Non – coorperation Movement.
1) Middle class in towns and cities.
2) Peasants in Awadh
3) Tribals, particularly in Gudem Hills in Andhra Pradesh.
4) Plantation workers in Assam.

22. Explain the participation of peasants of Awadh in NCM.

1) Reasons / Demands of the peasants:
i) Very high rents and other cesses were demanded by landlords and talukdars
– peasants demanded reduction in it.
ii) Peasants had to do beggar and work at landlord’s farm without any payment.
- Peasants demanded abolition of beggar.
iii) Peasants were regularly evicted from the land by the landlord so that would
not right over the leased land.
- Peasants wanted social boycott of such landlords.

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2) The movement here was led by Baba Ramchandra – a sanyasi who had been to
Fiji as an indentured labourer.
3) Nai – dhobi bandhs were organised to deprive the landlords services of even
barbers and washermen.
4) In June 1920 Jawaharlal Nehru went around Awadh to understand their
problems.
5) In October 1920, Oudh Kissan Sabha was set up by Jawaharlal Nehru, Baba
Ramchandra and others. Within a month, over 300 branches were set up in the
villages of Awadh.

23. What were the consequences / results / implication of the Awadh peasants
struggles?
Or
Why was the Congress not happy with the Awadh peasant struggle?
As the movement in Awadh spread in 1921,
1) Houses of talukdars and merchants were attacked.
2) Bazaars were looted and grain hoards were taken over.
3) In many places, peasants were told by local leaders that Gandhiji had declared
that:
i) No taxes were to be paid.
ii) Land was to be redistributed among the poor.
4) Gandhiji’s name was being taken to Sanction (allow) all actions and desires.
5) As a result the congress was unhappy with Awadh peasants movement.

24. Explain the contribution of tribal peasants in NCM.

Tribal peasants of Gudem Hills in Andhra Pradesh participated.
1) Reasons for the struggle
i) The British had enclosed large parts of the forest. So the tribals were not
allowed to enter the forest to collect fuel wood and fruits or to graze their cattle.
ii) their livelihoods were affected and their traditional rights were denied.
iii) The government forced them to do beggar for road building.
2) It was a militant guerrilla movement.
 It spread in the early 1920s in the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh.
 It was led by Alluri Sitaram Raju who claimed to have special powers.
 Special powers – i) make correct astrological predictions
ii) heal people, iii) survive bullet wounds.
a) He believed in Gandhiji and was inspired by the Non cooperation
Movement.
b) he persuaded people to:
i) wear Khadi ii) give up drinking.
c) He said that India could be liberated only by the use of force, not non –
violence.
 Tribal rebels believed he was an incarnation of God.
3) Raju was captured and executed in 1924 because his rebels:
a) Attacked police stations
b) Tried to kill British officials

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c) Carried on guerrilla warfare.
 Overtime, he became a folk hero.
4) When they raised the slogan ‘Swatantra Bharat’ they were emotionally relating
to an all – India agitation.

25. What was the cause of disagreement between congress led NCM and the
Peasant’s & workers movement?
1) Congress under Gandhiji believed in achieving Swaraj by peaceful means and
non – violence. He believed in Satyagraha and truth.
2) But peasants & workers movement turned violent.
3) As the movement in Awadh spread in 1921,
a) Houses of talukdar and merchants were attacked.
b) Bazaars were looted and grain hoards were taken over.
c) In many places, peasants were told by local leaders that Gandhiji had
declared that:
- no taxes were to be paid.
- land was to be redistributed among the poor.
d) Gandhiji’s name was being taken to Sanction (allow) all actions and desires.
e) As a result, the congress was unhappy with Awadh peasants movement.
4) Raju was captured and executed in 1924 because his rebels:
a) attacked police stations.
b) tried to kill British officials.
c) carried on guerrilla warfare.
- over time, he became a folk hero.

26. Explain swaraj in the plantations. Plantation workers in Assam participated.

1) Reasons for the struggle:
Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859 plantation workers were not permitted
to leave the tea gardens without permission. Permission was rarely given.
 For the plantation workers in Assam, freedom meant:
a) right to move freely in or out of the place in which they were enclosed.
b) retaining a link with the village from which they had come.
2) When they heard of the non – cooperation movement, thousands of workers
i) defied the authorities, ii) left the plantations and iii) headed home.
3) They believed (i) Gandhiji Raj was coming and ii) everyone would be given
land in their own villages.
4) Due to a railway and streamer strike, they were caught by the police and
brutally beaten up.

27. Write the demands of the various groups.

Or
Swaraj meant different things to different NCM people. Explain.
1) Middle class in towns and cities.
The call of swaraj led to boycott of British institutions (schools, colleges, courts,
council elections) and foreign goods.

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2) Peasants in Awadh – Swaraj meant a fight against oppressive landlords and
talukdars. It meant:
a) reduction of high taxes and cesses.
b) abolition of beggar in the landlords farm and house.
c) social boycott of landlors who regularly evicted them from the leased land.
3) Tribals of Gudem Hills Andhra Pradesh – Swaraj meant
i) abolition of beggar for road building which the government forced them to do.
ii) right to safeguard their livelihood and traditional rights.
 They believed in violence to get swaraj.
4) Plantation workers in Assam – swaraj for them meant a fight against harsh laws
like the Inland Emigration Act of 1859. Freedom meant: a) right to move in and
out of the place in which they were enclosed and
b) retaining a link with the village from which they had come.
5) For them, swaraj meant removal of restrictions on business. So that trade and
industry could flourish.

28. Why did Gandhiji call off the NCM?

In February 1922 Gandhiji called off the NCM for the following reasons:
1) The movement was turning violent. At Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur, a peaceful
demonstration in a bazaar turned into a violent clash with the police.
2) Gandhiji felt that the satyagrahis needed to be properly trained before they were
ready for a mass struggle.
3) Within the congress, some leaders were tired of mass struggle and wanted to:
i) participate in provincial council elections
ii) oppose British policies from within the councils.
 Provincial councils were set up under the Government of India Act 1919.
4) In some places, like Gudem Hills in Andhra Pradesh, Alluri Sitaram Raju said
that swaraj could be got only by use of force.

29. Who formed the Swaraj Party? Why was it formed?

1) C. R. Das and Motilal Nehru formed the Swaraj Party, within the Congress, to
argue for a return to council politics.
2) They wanted to:
a) oppose British policies within the councils.
b) argue for reform
c) demonstrate that the councils were not truly democratic.
3) But young leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose wanted (i)
more radical mass agitation and (ii) for full independence.

30. Which 2 factors shaped Indian politics in 1920s.

1) World Wide Economic Depression
2) Simon Commission.

31. Explain the effect of WWED on India.

1) Due to the World Wide Economic Depression, agricultural prices began to fall
from 1926 and collapsed by 1930.

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2) Demand for agricultural goods fell.
3) Exports declined.
4) Peasants found it difficult to a) sell their harvest and b) pay their revenue.
5) So, by 1930 the country side was in turmoil (terrible condition).

32. Why was the Simon Commission formed?

1) Simon Commission was a statutory commission under Sir John Simon. It was
formed by the new Tory government in British.
2) It was formed for the following reasons:
i) Effects of the World Wide Economic Depression were severely felt in India
and nationalist movements had started. Simon Commission was formed in
response to this movement.
ii) to look into the functioning of the constitutional system in India.
iii) to suggest changes.

33. Why was the Simon Commission boycotted and who boycotted it?
1) The Simon Commission was set up to look into the functioning of the
constitutional system in India and suggest changes but it did not have a single
Indian member. They were all British.
2) Simon Commission came to India in 1928. When it arrived it was greeted with
the slogan, ‘Go Back Simon’.
3) All the parties, including the congress and the Muslim League participated in
the demonstration.

34. What offer did Lord Irwin make in Oct 1929?

In October 1929, Lord Irwin made, a
i) vague offer of a ‘dominion status’ for India in an unspecified future, and
ii) a round table conference to discuss a future constitution.

35. Why did Irwin make an offer of dominion status?

1) Simon Commission was opposed by all the parties including the congress and the
Muslim league. They participated in demonstration.
2) Irwin made an offer of ‘dominion status’ in an effort to win them over to get back
their support.

36. Under what circumstances was the demand for Purna swaraj made?
Or
Why is the Lahore session of the congress in 1929 called a historic session?
1) Simon commission was opposed by all the parties including the congress and the
Muslim league. They participated in demonstration.
2) Irwin made an offer of ‘dominion status’ in an effort to win them over to get back
their support.
3) Congress leaders were satisfied with this. (dominion status)
- Radical leaders Jawaharlal Nehru & Subhash Chandra Bose wanted more
changes.
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- Liberal and moderate leaders who wanted a constitutional system under
British dominion lost influence.
4) In December 1929 under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, the Lahore
Congress formalised the demand for ‘Purna Swaraj’ or complete independence
for India.
5) It was declared that 26th January 1930 would be celebrated as Independence Day.

37. What were the two types of demand in Gandhiji’s letter to viceroy Irwin on 31 st
Jan 1930?
1) On 31st January 1930, Gandhiji sent an ultimatum letter to Viceroy Irwin making
eleven demands. The demands were called an ultimatum.
2) The idea was to make the demands wide ranging. So that all classes in India’s
society could identify with them and be brought together to fight the British
unitedly.
3) Some of the demands were of general interest. The most important (stirring) was:
i) abolition of tax on salt and
ii) aboltion of government monopoly over its production.
4) Others were specific demands of different classes. E.g.
i) peasants wanted reduction in revenue.
ii) industrialist wanted protection against import of foreign goods.
5) The letter also stated that if the demands were not met by 11 th March 1930, the
Congress would launch a Civil Disobedience Movement.

38. Explain the main events leading to the salt March and CDM.
1) Due to World Wide Economic depression, agriculture, price and peasants were
unable to pay revenue.
2) British laws and policies were unjust for the Indians. E.g. salt law forest act.
3) Simon Commission which was to bring about constitutional changes, did not have
any Indian representatives.
4) In October 1929, Lord Irwin announced a vague ‘dominion’ status for India in an
unspecified future and a Round Table Conference. This did not satisfy the
congress leaders.
5) In December 1929, the Lahore Congress, under its president Jawaharlal Nehru,
demanded ‘Purna Swaraj’. This attracted very little attention.
6) Gandhiji sent an ultimatum letter on 31st January 1930 to Viceroy Irwin making
eleven demands including abolition of salt tax. But Irwin was unwilling to
negotiate.
7) Hence, on 6th April 1930, Gandhiji broke the salt law by manufacturing salt at
Dandi. This marked the beginning of CDM.

39. Why did Gandhiji perceive salt as a powerful symbol that unities the nation?
Or
How did salt march become an affective tool against colonialism?
1) Salt was an essential item of food that was consumed by the rich and poor alike.
2) The British had imposed (i) a tax on salt and (ii) a monopoly over its production.
This, Gandhiji considered the height of oppression by the British.
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3) Government understood that it was not possible for everyone to understand what
is freedom. So, Gandhiji found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite all
Indians; as it was consumed by everyone.
4) Viceroy Irwin did not fulfil Gandhiji’s demand which included abolition of salt
tax.
5) Hence, he started the salt march and violated the salt law by boiling sea water and
making salt at Dandi.
 This marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
 The Salt March developed a feeling a nationalism among all Indians and led
them to fight united against the British government.

40. Describe Gandhiji’s salt march

1) Gandhiji started the Dandi March when his demands in the ultimatum letter to
lord Irwin were not fulfilled.
2) Started on 12th March 1930from his ashram at Sabarmati to the coastal town of
Dandi with 78 volunteers. They covered the distance of 240 miles in 24 days
walking 10 miles a day.
3) Thousand came to listen to him. Told them: (a) What he meant swaraj, (b) define
peacefully making salt.
4) On 6th April 1930, he broke salt law by boiling sea water.
5) This marked the beginning of CDM. The salt march developed a feeling a
nationalism among all Indians and led them to fight unitedly against the British
government.

41. How did people react to Gandhiji’s call for CDM?

Or
Explain public action during the beginning of CDM.
Or
How did people break colonial laws in CDM?
1) Thousands in different parts of the country
a) broke salt law
b) manufactured salt
c) demonstrated in front of government salt factories.
2) Foreign cloth was boycotted
3) Liquor shops were picketed.
4) Peasants refused to pay (i) revenue and (ii) chowkidari taxes.
5) Village officials resigned.
6) Forest people violated Forest laws by going into forests to collect fire wood and
graze cattle.

42. Explain British reaction to the public action during CDM?

Or
Why did Gandhiji call off CDM?
Or
Why did Gandhiji enter Gandhi – Irwin Pact?

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1) Worried by the public action during CDM, the colonial government started
arresting congress leaders on by one.
2) Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Gandhiji’s disciple was arrested in April 1930. This caused
angry crowds to demonstrate in the Streets of Peshawar – a) they faced armoured
cars and (b) police firing. Many were killed.
3) A month later, Gandhiji was arrested.
4) Industrial workers in Sholapur attacked (i) police posts, (ii) municipal buildings,
(iii) law courts, (iv) railway stations – all that symbolised British rule.
5) Colonial government was frightened and it responded with brutal repression:
a) Peaceful Satyagrahis were attacked.
b) Women and children were beaten.
c) About one lakh people were arrested.
6) As a result, Gandhiji called off the CDM and entered into a pact with Viceroy
Irwin on 5th March 1931. This was called the Gandhi – Irwin pact.

43. Explain the Gandhi – Irwin Pact.

1) The Gandhi – Irwin pact was signed on 5 th March 1931. When Gandhiji called off
the CDM due to a) the arrest of political leaders and b) police brutality.
2) Gandhiji agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference in London (first
one was boycotted) in December 1931.
3) Government agreed to release political prisoners.
4) But negotiations at the R.T.C in London broke down and Gandhiji returned and
relaunched the CDM in 1932.

44. Why did Gandhiji relaunch the CDM?

1) Gandhiji attended the Second Round Table Conference, in London in December
1931. But negotiation broke down and he returned disappointed.
2) Back in India, he discovered that the government had began a new cycle of
repression:
a) Ghaffar Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru were both in jail.
b) Congress had been declared illegal.
c) Many measures were taken to prevent meetings, demonstration & boycotts.
3) Gandhiji relaunched the CDM and it continued for over a year by 1934 it slowed
down (continued till 1934.

45. Define the following:

1) Beggar – Labour that villagers were forced to contribute without any payment.
2) Picket – A form of demonstration or protest by which people block the entrance
to a shop, factory or office.
3) Forced Recruitment – A process by which the colonial state forced people to join
the army.
4) Boycott – Refusal to:
i) deal or associate with people or
ii) participate in activities.
iii) buy or use things.
It is usually a form of protest.
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46. Which social groups participated in the CDM?

The following social groups participated in CDM:
1) Rich peasants
2) Poor peasants
3) Business class – industrialists
4) Industrial workers
5) Women.

47. Explain the participation by the rich peasant communities in the CDM?
1) Rich peasant communities like the Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Uttar Pradesh
produced commercial crops. They were hard hit by the economic depression and
falling prices.
2) They could not pay the government revenue as they did not have any cash
income.
3) When the government refused to reduce the revenue became angry and joined the
civil Disobedience Movement.
4) – they enthusiastically supported CDM.
- They organised their communities.
- At times they forced reluctant members to participate in the boycott
programmes.
- For them, fight for swaraj was a struggle against high revenue.
5) When the movement was called off in 1931 their revenue was not reduced. So,
when CDM restarted in 1932, they did not participate.

48. Explain the participation of POOR PEASANTS in the CDM.

Or
Why was the congress unwilling to support poor peasants?
Or
Relationship between congress & poor peasant was uncertain.
1) Many of the poor peasants were small tenants. They were cultivating land they had
rented from landlords.
As the economic depression continued their cash income became very less –
difficult to pay rent to landlord. So, the poor peasants wanted:
a) not only reduction in revenue but
b) their unpaid rent be remitted.
2) They joined radical movements often led by socialists and communists.
3) The congress was unwilling to support the poor peasants ‘no rent’ campaigns in
most places because it thought that by doing so, it would upset the rich peasants
and landlords.
 So the relationship between poor peasants and congress remained uncertain.

49. What were the demands of the British Class or Industrialists?

(what did swaraj mean to them?)
1) The business class wanted to expand their business but the colonial policies were
restricting their business activities.
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2) They wanted protection against import of foreign goods.
3) A rupee – sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports.

50. Which 2 bodies did the Business Classes form?

1) The Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 (IICC)
2) Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)

51. What did the Business Class (Industrialists) do?

1) They formed two bodies – (write the names)
2) They attacked colonial control over the Indian economy. (G.D. Birla and
Purshottamdas Thakurdas)
3) They gave financial assistance.
4) They refused to buy or sell foreign goods.
5) For them, Swaraj meant removal of restrictions on business. So that trade and
industry could flourish.

52. Why the enthusiasm of the Business Class decrease?

1) After the failure of the Second Round Table Conference, business groups were no
longer uniformly enthusiastic.
2) They were worried about:
i) spread of militant activities.
ii) prolonged disruption of business.
iii) growing influence of socialism among the younger members of the congress.

53. Why did the Industrial working classes not participate in CDM in large
numbers?
1) As the Industrialists came closer to the congress, the workers stayed away from
the civil Disobedience Movement except in the Nagpur region.
2) The Congress was unwilling to include the workers demand in their struggle. It
felt that this would:
i) alienate industrialists and
ii) divide the anti-imperial forces.

54. How did some industrial workers struggle?

1) Some industrialist workers boycotted foreign goods to protest against (i) low
wages and (ii) poor working conditions.
2) There were strikes by (a) railway workers in 1930 and (b) dock workers in 1932.
3) In 1930, thousands of workers in Chota Nagpur tin mines (i) wore Gandhi caps
and (ii) participated in protest rallies and boycott campaigns.
Industrial workers participated in large numbers in Nagpur region.

55. What was women’s contribution to CDM?

1) Women participated on a large scale in Civil Disobedience Movement. During
Gandhiji’s Salt March, thousands came out of their homes to listen to him.
2) i) They participated in protest marches.
ii) Manufacturing Salt and
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iii) Picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops.
3) They saw service to nation as a sacred duty.
4) Many went to jail. In urban areas they were from high caste families. In rural
areas they came from rich peasant households.
5) Criticism – Although Women’s public role increased, it did not radically change
the way women’s position in society was visualised:
a) Gandhiji was convinced that it was the duty of women to their after their home
– to be good mothers and good wives.
b) Congress did not allow women to hold any position of authority within itself
for a long time – it only wanted their symbolic presence.
56. Write the demands of the various classes which participated in CDM.
1) Rich peasants – Rich peasants who grew commercial crops has little cash income
due to the depression. They found it difficult to pay revenue and demanded a
reduction in revenue.
2) Poor peasants – many of them had rented land from landlords for cultivation.
When their cash income went down,
i) they not only demanded reduction in revenue but also wanted
ii) their unpaid rent be remitted.
3) Business Classes – They wanted removal of restrictions on business so that trade
and industry could flourish.
i) They wanted protection against import of foreign goods and
ii) A rupee – sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports.
4) Industrial workers – they did not participate in large numbers except in the
Nagpur region. They demanded (i) better wages and (ii) better working
conditions.
5) Women – they demanded swaraj and saw service to the nation as a sacred duty.
i) They participated in protest marches.
ii) manufactured salt and
iii) picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops.

57. Name the social groups that did not respond to the CDM.
Or
What were the limits of the CDM.
Or
Not all social groups were moved by the abstract idea of swaraj.
1) Dalit leaders
2) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar a depressed classes
3) Muslim political organisations.
(explain)

58. Why did the Dalits not respond to CDM?

Or
Why were the untouchables ignored by the congress?
For long, the Congress had ignored the Dalits for feat of offending the Sanatani’s –
the conservative high – caste Hindus.

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59. What did the Dalits leaders demand?
1) The Dalit leaders demanded reserved seats in educational institutions and
2) A separate electorate that would choose Dalit members for legislative councils.
3) They believed political empowerment would solve the problems of their social
disabilities.
4) Hence, their participation was limited to Maharashtra & Nagpur regions.

60. Mention 3 efforts made by Gandhiji to get untouchables their right.

The untouchables called themselves ‘Dalits’ (which means oppressed). Gandhiji
called them ‘Harijans or Children of God.
1) Gandhiji organised Satyagraha to secure them:
a) entry into temples and access to
b) public wells and tanks
c) roads and
d) schools.
2) He himself cleaned toilets to dignify the work of the ‘bhangi’ (the sweeper)
3) He persuaded the upper caste to change their heart and give up the sin of
untouchability.

61. Why did Gandhiji go on a fast unto death?

1) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar organised the Dalits into depressed classes association
in1930 (Later called Scheduled castes)
2) He demanded a separate electorate for the Dalits at the Second Round Table
Conference.
3) The British government agreed to it but Gandhiji opposed it.
4) Gandhiji believed this would slow down their integration into society and began a
fast unto death.

62. Why was the Poona pact signed? Give its main features.
Or
Explain the background of the Poona pact?
1) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar organised the Dalits into depressed classes association in
1930 (later called Scheduled castes)
2) He demanded a separate electorate for the Dalits at the Second Round Table
conference.
3) The British government agreed to it but Gandhiji opposed it.
4) Gandhiji believed this would slow down their integration into society and began a
fast unto death.
5) The issue was eventually resolved when Dr. Ambedkar accepted Gandhiji’s
position and the result was the Poona pact of September 1932.
6) Under this Pact, the Depressed Classes (Later known as Scheduled Castes) were
i) given reserved seats in provincial and central legislative councils.
ii) but they were to be voted in by a general electorate.

63. What happened at the following congress sessions: i) Sept 1920 ii) Dec 1920, iii)
Dec 1929?
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1) September 1920 – At the Calcutta session of the Congress, Gandhiji convinced
our leader of the need to start a Non cooperation movement in support of Khilafat
and Swaraj. (Our leaders accepted the need to start NCM)
2) December 1920 – At the Nagpur session of congress a compromise was worked
out between the supporters and opponents of NCM, within the Congress. NCM
was now adopted.
3) December 1929 – At the Lahore session of Congress, the demand for ‘Pure
Swaraj’ or complete Independence was formalised under the presidency of
Jawaharlal Nehru.

64. Why were the Muslim political organisations Luke warm in their response to
CDM?
1) After the decline of the NCM Khilafat movement, a large section of Muslims felt
alienated from the congress.
2) Congress became closer to openly Hindu nationalist groups like the Hindu
Maharashtra.
3) Each community organised religious processing with militant fervour (passion).
This led to clashes and riots between the two. Every riot deepened the distance
between them.
4) Many Muslim leaders and intellectuals, e.g. Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Muslim
League – one of the leaders) feared that the culture and identity of the Muslims
would be submerged by the Hindu majority.
5) Jinnah agreed to give up his demand for a separate electorate for the Muslims if
they were assured by the Congree:
i) reserved seats in Central Assemblies and
ii) representation in proportion to population in Muslim dominated provinces
(Bengal and Punjab).
6) At the All Parties Conference in 1928, M. R. Jayakar of Hindu Maharashtra
opposed a compromise with Jinnah. As a result, suspicion & distrust between the
two communities grew. Muslims could not respond to CDM.

65. The years 1927-28 saw the congress and Muslim league make efforts to
renegotiate an alliance. Discuss.
1) The congress and the Muslim League made efforts to renegotiate an alliance. In
1927, it seemed that they could unite.
2) They were having differences over the question of representation in the future
assemblies that were to be elected.
3) Jinnah agreed to give up his demand for a separate electorate for the Muslims, if
they were assured by the congress:
i) reserved seats in central Assemblies and
ii) representation in proportion to population in Muslim dominated provinces
(Bengal and Punjab)
4) At the All Parties Conference in 1928, M. R. Jayakar of the Hindu Maharashtra
opposed a compromise with Jinnah. As a result, suspicion & distrust between the
two communities grew. Muslims could not respond to CDM.

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66. Who was Bhagat Singh?
1) Bhagat Singh was an Indian Revolutionary.
2) Leader of Hindustan Socialist Republic Party (HSRP) along with Jaten Das and
Ajoy Ghosh.
3) Targeted symbols of British power.
i) Threw a bomb in the Legislative Assembly.
ii) Tried to blow up a train in which Lord Irwin was travelling.
4) Tried and Executed at age 23.
5) Raised the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’.
6) ‘Did not wish to glorify the cult of bomb and pistol; but wanted a revolution in
society.
7) ‘Revolution is the inalienable right of mankind. Freedom is the imprescriptible
birth right of all’.

67. Explain the Role of Gandhiji in the nationalist movement.

1) Satyagraha in 1916, 1917, 1918 in….
2) Satyagraha against Rowlatt Act in 1919.
3) United Hindus & Muslims – Khilafat – NCM
4) Started CDM – Broke salt law – many classes all over India participated.
5) Worked for upliftment of Harijans – Untouchables. Poona Pact with DR. B. R.
Ambedkar.

68. Important years.

1916, 1917, 1918 – Local Satyagrahas
1919 – Rowlatt Act
Khilafat Committee
Hartal by Gandhiji (6th April)
Jallianwala Bagh (13th April)
1921 – NCM started (Jan)
1922 – NCM withdrawn – Feb – Chauri Chaura
1924 – A. S. Raju arrested – end of 2yrs armed tribal struggle
1928 – Simon Commission
1929 – Dominion Status – Oct – Lord Irwin
Dec – Purna Swaraj – Lahore congress.
1930 – CDM started – 6th April – salt law violated
A. G. K and Gandhiji arrested.
B. R. Ambedkar forms Depressed Classes Association.
1931 – Gandhiji – Irwin Pact (5th March)
CDM withdraw
Second Round Table Conference (Dec)
1932 – CDM relaunched
Poona Pact – Gandhiji and B. R. Ambedkar
1934 – CDM lost momentum.

69. Explain the contribution of various social groups in the CDM.

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 Nationalism in India
1) Rich peasants – Particularly Jats and Patidars joined CDM to high revenue. They
could not pay it due to trade depression and falling prices of their commercial
crops.
2) Poor peasants – They joined to protest against both high revenue and high rents to
be paid to landlords. Congress was unwilling to support them because they joined
radical movement supported by ‘Socialists &Communists.
3) Business class – they joined CDM as they wanted protection against imports and
foreign goods. Colonial polices restricted their business activities.
4) Women – they participated in a) protest marches (b) manufactured salt, (c)
picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops. Many went to jail. They considered
service to the nation as their sacred duty.
5) Industrial working class – they did not participate in large numbers except in
Nagpur. Some of them went on strikes, e.g. railway and dock workers. Others e.g.
Chota Nagpur mine workers participated in protest rallies and boycott campaigns.

70. Describe any 3 suppressive measures taken by British to Clampdown on nations.

1) Rowlatt Act – Explain
2) Martial law and brutal repression – humiliate and terrorise – explain.
3) Putting nationalists behind bars
a) Rowlatt Satyagraha – Local leaders Amritsar
b) CDM – AGK, Gandhiji.

71. Explain the role of B.R. Ambedkar in uplifting the Dalits.

1) B. R. Ambedkar’s opinion was that only political empowerment would resolve
the problem of social injustice towards the Dalits.
2) He helped them to organise themselves and demanded (a) Reserved seats in
educational institutions and (b) separate electorate that would choose Dalit
members for legislative councils.
3) He formed the depressed classes associations in 1930.
4) He attended the Second Round Table Conference where he clashed with
Gandhiji.
5) He signed the Poona Pact which gave the Depressed Classes reserved seats in (a)
Provincial and (b) Central Legislative Councils.

72. How were figures or images used to spread the feeling of nationalism?
1) Figures or images were used by nationalists with which people could identify a
nation.
2) The identify of India was associated with the image of Bharat Mata. (France with
Marianne and Germany with Germania)
3) Bharat Mata’s image was first created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
 He also wrote ‘VANDE MATARAM’, a hymn to the motherland. This hymn
was included in his novel ‘Anandmath’ and widely sung in Bengal during the
Swadeshi Movement.
4) Abanindranath Tagore painted his famous image of Bharat Mata. She is shown as
calm composed, divine & spiritual.
5) Other artists also painted the image of Bharat Mata. Many prints were circulated.
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6) Nationalism was displayed by devotion to this mother figure.

73. Nationalism was developed through revival of folklore. Explain.

Revival of Folklore.
1) Nationalists began recording folktales sung by bards and toured villages to gather
folksongs and legends.
2) These gave a true picture of traditional culture which had been destroyed by
outsiders.
3) This helped in discovering national identify and pride in the past.
4) In Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore collected ballads, nursery rhymes and myths.
5) In Madras, Natisa Sastri Published a four volume collection of Tamil folk tales,
titled ‘The Folklore of Southern India’. He believed, ‘folklore was the most
trustworthy manifestation of people’s real thoughts and characteristics.

74. How were icons and symbols used to spread the feeling of nationalism?
1) Nationalists started using icons and symbols (flags) in unifying the people and
inspiring in them a feeling of nationalism.
2) Tricolour Flag (Red, Green & Yellow)
i) This flag was designed during the Swadeshi movement in Bengal.
ii) It had eight lotuses, representing eight provinces of British India.
iii) A crescent moon represented Hindus and Muslims.
3) Swaraj Flag (red, green, white)
i) It was also a tricolour and had a spinning wheel at the centre representing
Gandhiji’s idea of ‘self help’.
ii) Carrying a flag and holding it aloft during marches, became a symbol of
defiance.
iii) It was designed by Gandhiji in 1921.

75. How did reinterpretation of history create a feeling of nationalism?

1) The British had portrayed Indians as backward, primitive and incapable of
governing themselves.
2) Nationalists thought this needed to be changed. They felt that Indian history needed
to be thought about differently to install a sense of pride in India’s past.
3) Historians wrote about India’s past glory and achievements, particularly India’s art
and culture, science, mathematics, religion, culture, law, philosophy, trade, crafts.
4) This glorious period was followed by a period of decline during colonial rule.
5) By developing a sense of pride in India’s past, they were able to arouse a feeling of
nationalism.

76. Mention various ways and methods to spread the idea of nationalism in India.
Or
Nationalism spreads when people believe that they are all part of the same
nation. Explain.
1) When people develop a sense of collective belonging, they feel they belong to the
same nation. A sense of unity is developed which binds them together.

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2) Nationalists inspired a feeling a nationalism among the people by using a variety of
cultural processes. E.g.
i) Use of figures a images – The identity of India was associated with
image of Bharat Mata. It was first created by Bankim Chandra and
painted by Rabindranath Tagore. Nationalism was displayed by
devotion to this figure.
ii) Revival of Folklore – Nationalists collected and popularised
folktales. This helped in discovering national identity and pride in
the past – (WRITE ABOUT NATESA SASTRI)
iii) Use of icons and symbols – (a) The Tricolour flag (red, green,
yellow) was designed in Bengal during the Swadesi Movement.
b) Swaraj flag was designed by Gandhiji.
c) Holding a flag aloft during marches was a symbol of defiance.
iv) Reinterpretation of History – historians wrote about India’s past
glory and achievements, particularly India’s art and culture,
science, mathematics, religion, culture, law, philosophy, trade,
crafts. This glorious period was followed by period of decline
during colonial rule. By developing a sense of pride in India’s past,
they were able to arouse a feeling of nationalism.

Questions on Quit India Movement.

1. What was the Quit India Movement?
Quit India Movement, launched in 1942 and led by Gandhiji, was a non – violent
mass struggle through out India, demanding that the British, (i) withdraw completely
from India (Quit India) and (ii) transfer immediately power to Indians.

2. Who passed the resolution for ‘Quit India’ and why?

The All India Congress Working Committee, in its meeting in Wardha on 14 th July
1942, passed the historic ‘Quit India’ resolution.

3. Why was the Quit India resolution called historic?

The All India congress working committee in its meeting in Wardha on 14 July 1942,
passed the historic ‘Quit India’ resolution.
It was historic because:
i) thousands of Indians throughout the country, participated whole –
heartedly, including students, workers and peasants.
ii) It made the British realise that faced by bitter opposition by the
Indians, it would be difficult for them to continue ruling India.

4. Meaning of endorsed – only for you to understand .

Endorsed means to officially approve and ask people to join or take up.

5. What led Gandhiji to launch Quit India Movement?

1) Failure of the Cripps Mission.
2) Effects of WWII created widespread discontent in India. This led Gandhiji to ….

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6. Who endorsed the Quit India Movement and when?
The All India Congress Working Committee endorsed the Quit India Movements 8
August 1942 in Bombay.

7. When did Gandhiji deliver his famous ‘Do or Die’ speech?

The All India Congress Working Committee endorsed the Quit India Movement 8
August 1942 in Bombay. It was on this occasion that Gandhiji delivered the famous
‘Do or Die’ speech.

8. Explain people’s participation in the Quit India Movement.

1) Thousands of Indians across the country whole – heartedly in the Quit India
Movement including students, workers and peasants.
2) i) People observed hartals.
ii) Demonstration and processing took place.
iii) During these, people sand national songs and raised slogans.
iv) The state machinery (British Administration) came to a standstill.
v) Many leaders participated:
 Jay Prakash Narayan
 Aruna Asaf Ali
 Ram Manohar Lohia
Many women participated:
 Matangini Hazra in Bengal
 Rama Devi in Odisha.
 Kanaklata Barua in Assam
The British used much force yet it took more than a year & ….

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