NATIONALISM IN INDIA

IMPORTANT TERMS/PERSONALITIES
1. Satyagraha: It means holding on to truth or truth force. It was a non-violent struggle
introduced by Gandhiji in the Indian National Movement. It persuades the opponent to
understand the truth.
2. Champaran Movement [1916]: It was a movement of workers in the indigo
plantations of the Champaran district of Bihar. It was against the oppressive plantation
system.
3. Kheda Movement[1917]: Crop failure and plague epidemic made the life of the
farmers miserable in the Kheda district of Gujarat. So, they started a movement under
Gandhijis leadership with the demand for a reduction in land revenue.
4. Mill workers Movement: Low wages and poor working conditions forced the mill
workers of Ahmedabad to start a movement under Gandhijis leadership in 1918.
5. Rowlatt Act[1919]: This Act gave the government the power to imprison any person
without any trial for a period of two years.
6. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: On 13 April 1919, a public meeting was organized at
Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to protest against the arrests of national leaders. Many
villagers who came to attend a fair were also present in the park. General Dyer reached
the meeting place along with the British troops. He ordered the troops to fire. The firing
lasted for nearly 10 minutes. More than thousand people were killed and many were
wounded. This incident is called Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
7. Khilafat Movement: It was a movement organized by Muhammad Ali and Shaukat
Ali [Ali brothers] in order to protest against the injustice done to Turkey by Britain after
the First World War. The Turkish Sultan had the title of Caliph. The muslims considered
him as their spiritual leader. So, many muslims joined this movement.
8. Swaraj: It is a system in which the real political powers are in the hands of the elected
representatives of the people. At the same time India will continue to be a part of the
British Empire. It is similar to the Dominion status.
9. Poorna Swaraj: It means complete freedom. India will cut all relations with the
British and become a sovereign Democratic republic.
10. Hind Swaraj: It is a famous book written by Gandhiji. Gandhiji put forward the idea
of Non-Co-operation in this book.
11. Nagpur Congress: The Congress session was held at Nagpur in 1920. The Congress
adopted Non Co-operation programme in this session.
12. Justice Party: It was a party of non Brahmins of Madras. It decided not to boycott
council elections during the period of the Non Co-operation Movement.
13. Baba Ramchadra: He led a peasants movement in Awadh against Talukdars and
Landlords. He demanded reduction of rent, abolition of Begar and the boycott of
landlords. In October 1920, he formed Oudh Kisan Sabha with the help of Nehru.
14. Nai-dhobi bandh: The villagers of Awadh decided to boycott the landlords. So, they
started Nai-dhobi bandh. The landlords were denied the services of barbers and

washermen.
15. Alluri Sitaram Raju: He led a movement of the tribal people in the Gudem hills of
Andhra Pradesh. Many people considered him as an incarnation of God. They believed
that he had many special powers. He supported Gandhiji and asked his followers to wear
khadi and stop drinking. But, he organized an armed struggle against the British.
16. Swatantra Bharat: It was a slogan raised by the tribals during the Non-Cooperation Movement.
17. Simon Commission: It was a statutory commission set up by the British under Sir
John Simon. It was asked to study the constitutional system in India and suggest changes.
18. Round Table Conference: Round Table conferences were held in London to discuss
constitutional reforms in India. British officers and some Indians attended these
conferences. The congress attended only the second conference.
19. Salt Tax: Production of salt was the monopoly of the British government. Heavy tax
was imposed on salt by the government.
20. Salt March [Salt Satyagraha]: Gandhiji decided to inaugurate the Civil
Disobedience Movement by breaking the salt law. Gandhiji and 78 of his followers
started a march on foot from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi [Dandi March]. On 6 April
1919, they reached Dandi. Gandhiji prepared salt by using sea water, broke the salt law
and inaugurated the Movement.
21. Abdul Ghaffar Khan: He is popularly known as Frontier Gandhi. He was the main
leader of the National Movement in the North West Frontier Province. He organized the
tribal people [Pushtons] for Indias freedom struggle.
22.Gandhi-Irwin Pact: It was signed between Gandhiji and Lord Irwin on 5 March
1931. Gandhiji agreed to call off the Civil Disobedience Movement. He also agreed to
attend the Second Round Table Conference. Irwin promised to release the political
prisoners.
23. B.R. AMBEDKAR: He was the main leader of the Dalit Movement. He started the
Depressed Classes Association in 1930. He demanded separate electorates for the Dalits.
He fought against untouchability. Later, he served as the Chairman of the Drafting
Committee of the Constitution.
24. Separate Electorates: It is a system in which the members of a particular social
group will elect its own separate representative to the legislature. The other people of the
area will elect another representative.
25. Poona Pact: It was signed between Gandhiji and Ambedkar in September 1932.
Gandhiji brought an end to his fast. He accepted the demand for reservation of seats for
dalits in the legislatures. Ambedkar agreed to give up the demand for separate electorates.
26. Hindu Maha Sabha: It was a Hindu communal orgnisation. It demanded special
rights for the Hindus.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1.How did the First World War help in the growth of National Movement in India?
OR

What was the impact of the First World War on India?

OR
Examine the new economic and political situations created by the First World War
in India?
First World War made the life of the Indians highly miserable
a. Heavy taxes were imposed on the people to meet the war expenditure. Customs duty
and Income tax were in introduced.
b. Prices of essential goods doubled during the war period. Common people faced the
shortage of food and the other essential goods.
c. Indians were recruited in to the army by force.
d. Famines and influenza epidemic killed many people. No action was taken by the
government.
2. Name the three satyagraha Movements organized by Gandhiji soon after
returning to India
Champaran Movement, Kheda Movement and Ahmedabad Mill Workers Movement.
3.Why were the Indians outraged by the Rowlatt Act?
Or
Why did the Indians oppose the Rowlatt Act?
Rowlatt Act was a black law.
(i) It gave the government the power to imprison any person without any trial. So, it was
against human rights.
(ii) It could be used to destroy the Indian National Movement.
4.Explain the movement against the Rowlatt Act [Rowlatt Satyagraha].
Gandhiji organized a non violent satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act. A hartal was
organized on 6 April 1919. Rallies were conducted. Shops were closed down. Workers
conducted strike. Transport and communication systems came to a standstill. These
protests led to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
5. Why did Ghandhiji decide to launch the Non-co operation Movement in 1920?
OR
Examine the developments which led to the launching of Non-co operation
Movement in 1920.
Following are the developments which led to the Non co operation Movement(i) First World War added to the misery of the Indian people. Heavy taxes, high prices,
famines and epidemics made peoples life miserable.
(ii) Rowlatt Act invited large scale protests throughout the country.
(iii) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and the injustice done to Punjab made Indians angry.
(iv) Muslims became unhappy due to the ill treatment of Turkey. They started Khilafat

Movement.
(v) The Congress session at Nagpur (1920) adopted Gandhijis the idea of Non-co
operation.
6. Why did some leaders of the Congress oppose the idea of a Non-co operation
Movement?
Some leaders opposed the Non-co operation Movement because(i)They did not want to boycott the council elections.
(ii) They thought that the movement would become violent.
7. Write a short note on the Non Co Operation Movement.
Non co operation was launched under Gandhijis leadership in 1920.
(i) It aimed at protesting against the injustices done to Punjab and Turkey and to attain
Swaraj.
(ii) Educated middle class led the movement in towns and cities. Educational institutions,
Law courts and foreign goods were boycotted.
(iii) Peasants organized movements against Talukdars and Landlords in villages under the
leadership of Baba Ramchandra.
(iv) Tribal people started an armed struggle in the Gudem hills of Andhra Pradesh under
the leadership of Alluri Sitaram Raju.
(v) Workers in the plantations of Assam started a struggle to get the right to free
movement.
(vi) Chauri-Chaura incident forced Gandhiji to call off the Movement.
8. Examine the main features of the Non Co operation movement in towns and
cities.
Educated middle class led the movement in towns and cities.
Educational institutions, law courts and the council elections were boycotted.
Foreign clothes and other goods were burnt in bonfires. People began to use Khadi
clothes.
Government Servants resigned their jobs. Liquor shops were picketed.
9. Why did the Non Co Operation movement gradually slow down in towns and
cities?
Non co operation Movement slowed down in towns and cities because(i) Khadi clothes were very costly. The poor were not able to buy them.
(ii) Indians boycotted British institutions like law courts and educational institutions. But
alternative institutions did not come up. So people had to stop boycott.
10.Examine the main features of the Non-Co operation Movement in the country
side [villages].
Peasants and tribal people organized movements in the villages.

(i) In Awadh, a peasants movement was organized by Baba Ramchandra. It was against
landlords and talukdars. Reduction of rent and the abolition of begar were their main
demands. They formed the Oudh Kisan Sabha.
(ii) In the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh, tribals started a movement under the
leadership of Alluri Sitaram Raju. Tribals wanted to get back their traditional rights over
forests.
(iii) The methods followed by the tribals and peasants were against the Gandhian method
of non violence. They followed violent methods of struggle.
11. How were the peasants and tribals movements in the country side against the
Gandhian methods of Non-co operation?
Gandhiji wanted a non violent mass movement. He was against violence. The peasants
and tribals organized armed struggle. They attacked the landlords and talukdars. They
also attacked police stations and killed English officers.
12. Examine the main features of the Non-co operation Movement in the
plantations.
Workers in the plantations of Assam demanded the right to move freely in and out of the
estates. They opposed the Inland Emigration Act of 1859 which took away the right to
free movement. When they heard about the Non-co operation movement, they moved to
their villages. They thought that the Gandhi Raj was coming and everyone would be
given land in their villages. However, they were caught and brought back.
13. How did different groups of people interpret the idea of Swaraj?
(i)Spread of education and a share in the administration of the country was swaraj for the
middle class.
(ii)Reduction in land revenue was swaraj for farmers. Reduction of rent was swaraj for
landless peasants.
(iii)Tribals wanted to get back their traditional rights over forests. They wanted to use
forests for animal rearing, fruits collection ,firewood collection and shifting cultivation.
IV)Freedom to visit their native places and free movement in and out of plantations was
Swaraj for the plantation workers.
14. Explain the incident which forced Gandhiji to call off the Non-Co operation
Movement. OR
Why did Gandhiji decide to withdraw the Non Co operation Movement?
Gandhiji withdrew the Non Co operation Movement because:
(i)The movement became violent in some places. In february 1922, in Chauri chaura
(Uttar Pradesh) people turned violent and set fire to a police station. Twenty two police
men were killed in this incident. Gandhiji was against violence.
(ii)The movement slowed down in urban areas.
(i) He thought that it was necessary to train the people in non violent satyagraha.
15. Examine the significance of the Non-Co operation Movement.
OR

Evaluate the major contributions of the Non-Co operation Movement.

(i)Non Co operation movement was a large scale mass movement. It attracted common
people from all social groups.
(ii)Non Co operation Movement and Khilafat Movement went together. So, they
promoted Hindu-Muslim unity.
(iii)Peasants and tribals movements became a part of the Indian National Movement.
(iv)It was a non violent movement. So, it popularised the Gandhian idea of Non violent
satyagraha.
16. Why did the Indians oppose the Simon Commission?
OR
Why did the Congress decide to boycott the Simon Commission?
Indians opposed the Simon Commission because:
(i)All the members of the commission were English men. There was no Indian in it.
(ii)It did not provide any hope of Swaraj to Indians.
17.Explain the Movement against the Simon Commission.(or)
How did the Indians oppose the Simon Commission?
The Indians welcomed the Simon Commission with the slogan Go Back Simon. The
Congress and the Muslim League organized demonstrations and meetings against the
Commission. Anti Simon Committees were formed in different parts of India. Members
of the legislative Councils did not co operate with the Commission.
18. Examine the significance of the Lahore Session (1929) of the Indian National
Congress.
OR
Mention the important decisions taken at the Lahore Congress of 1929.
The Congress session was held at Lahore in 1929 under the Presidentship of Jawaharlal
Nehru. Following decision were taken:
(i)The Congress declared Poorna Swaraj as its aim.
(ii)It was decided to celebrate 26 January every year as Independence Day.
(iii)It was decided to start the Civil Disobedience Movement to win Poorna Swaraj.
19. Examine the different strands within the Non-co operation Movement.
OR
List the Social groups which joined the Non-Co operation Movement.Choose any
three and write about their struggles and hopes to show why they joined the
movement.
(i)Right to participate in the administration of the country was Swaraj for the educated
middle class. They demanded government jobs and a government of Indians.
(ii)Freedom from the exploitation of landlords and talukdars was swaraj for the peasants.

Reduction in tax, end of begar and the security of tenure were their demands.
(iii)Tribals wanted to get back their traditional rights over forests. They wanted to use
forests for animal rearing, fruits collection firewood collection and shifting cultivation.
(iv)Freedom to visit their native places and free movement in and out of plantations was
Swaraj for the plantation worker.
20. Why did Gandhiji oppose the Salt Law?
The government imposed heavy tax on salt. Moreover, the production of salt was the
monopoly of the government. So the price of salt was very high. Therefore, Gandhiji
opposed the salt law.
21. Why did the Congress decide to launch the Civil Disobedience.
OR
What were the developments that led to the launching of the Civil Disobedience
Movement?
(i)Indians launched a powerful struggle against the Simon Commission. The government
resorted to repression.
(ii)Great Depression made the life of the people highly miserable.
(iii)Lahore Conspiracy case and Meerut Conspiracy case created discontent among the
Indians.
(iv)Lahore Congress of 1929 declared Poorna Swaraj as its aim and decided to launch the
Civil Disobedience Movement.
(v)Gandhiji inaugurated the movement by breaking the Salt Law at Dandi.
22. Examine the main features of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
(i)Gandhiji led a march on foot from Sabarmati to Dandi. He broke the Salt Law at Dandi
and inaugurated the Movement.
(ii)People broke salt law in many places. Foreign goods were boycotted. Liquor shops
were picketed. Government servants resigned their jobs. Forest laws were broken. People
refused to pay taxes. Leaders were arrested. Workers attacked government offices.
(iii)Gandhiji called off the movement on 5 March 1931 under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. He
agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference.
(iv) was restarted when Gandhiji returned from London. It was finally called off in 1934.
23. When was the Civil Disobedience Movement started? How was it different from
the Non Co operation Movement?
The Civil Disobedience Movement was started on 6 April 1930.
(i) People refused to co operate with the government during the Non Co operation
Movement. People broke the laws during the Civil Disobedience Movement.
(ii)Muslims participated in large numbers in the Non Co operation Movement. Muslim
participation was less in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
(iii)No tax campaign was not there in Non Co operation Movement. People refused to

pay taxes in Civil Disobedience Movement.

24. What were the aims of the Civil Disobedience Movement? How far was the
Congress successful in its objectives?
Aims:
(I)Achieve the aim of Poorna Swaraj.
(ii)Show the real strength of the Indians. However, the Movement did not achieve
success. It had to be called off under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Many leaders and workers
were in prison. It was restarted, but lost its momentum and came to an end.
25. Why was the Civil Disobedience Movement called off?
Civil Disobedience Movement was called off under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. (Note:
Explain the Gandhi-Irwin Pact)
26. What were the ideals of the different social groups that participated in the Civil
Disobedience Movement? OR
Why did various classes and groups of Indians participate in the Civil Disobedience
Movement?
(i)Rich Peasants - Depression and fall in prices affected them badly. They demanded
reduction in land revenue. Swaraj meant reduction of taxes for them.
(ii)Poor Peasants - Depression affected them badly. They demanded reduction in rent.
Swaraj meant reduction of rent for them.
(iii)Business classes They demanded protection against the import of foreign goods.
They wanted a Rupee-Sterling exchange rate that would discourage import. They formed
the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920. They also formed the Federation
of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries. They gave financial help to the
movement and refused to sell the foreign goods.
(iv)Industrial Workers They were poorly paid. Conditions of work were miserable.
Swaraj meant better wages and working conditions for them. Railway workers and
dockyard workers conducted strike. Workers in mines wore Gandhi Caps and took part in
rallies.
27. Examine the role of women in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Women participated in large numbers in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
(i)During the salt march of Gandhiji thousands of women came to listen to him.
(ii)They took part in protest marches, produced salt and picketed foreign cloth and liquor
shops.
(iii)In urban areas, upper class women and in rural areas rich women participated in the
movement.
(iv)The Congress was not willing to give high positions to women.
28. Why did the poor peasants and the Industrial workers keep themselves away
from the Congress?
Congress was very close to the rich peasants and landlords. So, it did not support the

demands of the poor peasants. Industrialists and big merchants were very active in the
Congress. So, it did not support the demands of the workers. So, the poor peasants and
workers kept themselves away from the Congress. They joined the Communist and
Socialists parties.
29. Examine the significance of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
OR
Evaluate the main contributions of the Civil Disobedience.
(i)The Civil Disobedience Movement was the first struggle to win Poorna Swaraj or
Complete Independence.
(ii)It was based on non violent Satyagraha. Gandhian ideas were widely followed.
(iii)Women participated in large numbers in this movement.
(iv)It was a real mass movement. Different social groups participated.
(v)It was an open challenge to the British rule. The people openly disobeyed laws.
30. What were the main limitations (drawbacks or short comings) of the Civil
Disobedience Movement?
(i)Dalits did not participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement, because the Congress
did not give importance to their demands.
(ii)Many Muslims did not participate in it. They thought that the Congress was moving
close to the Hindu Maha Sabha.
(iii)Communal riots occurred in many places. Disunity between Hindus and Muslims
started.
(i)Industrial workers participation was minimum.
31. Discuss the role of Dalits in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Many upper caste Hindus were active in the Congress. So, the Congress did not give
importance to the demands of the dalits. The dalits organized themselves. They demanded
separate electorates for them. So, dalits participation was less in the movement.
32. What was Mahatma Gandhis attitude towards dalits? OR
Examine the efforts made by Gandhiji for the upliftment of dalits?
(i)Gandhiji was against untouchability. He said that Swaraj would not come for 100
years, if untouchability was not abolished.
(ii)He called the untouchables Harijans or sons of Gods.
(iii)He organized Satyagraha to get temple entry and access to public wells, tanks, roads
and schools for dalits.
(iv)He cleaned harijan colonies and in his ashram there was no caste feelings.
(v)He asked the upper caste Hindus to give up the inhuman practice of untouchability.
33. Why did Dr. Ambedkar and Gandhiji clash in the Second Round Table
Conference?
Dr. Ambedkar demanded separate electorates for the dalits. He thought that a share in

political power would help in their upliftment. Gandhiji opposed separate electorates. He
thought that it would create disunity. So, they clashed in the conference.
34. Why did some Muslim Organisations keep away from the Civil Disobedience
Movement?
After the calling of the Non Co operation Movement, many Muslims kept themselves
away from the congress. They thought that the Congress was moving close to the Hindu
Maha Sabha. Communal riots occurred in many places. Muslim League demanded
separate electorates for the Muslims. An All Party Conference was held in 1928 to settle
the disputes. It ended in failure. Muslims feared that they would be treated badly in a
Hindu majority India.
35. Examine the cultural factors and identities which created a sense of collective
belonging among the people of India.
OR
Describe the cultural process through which nationalism captured peoples
imagination.
(i)Image of Bharat Mata: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay created the image of Bharat
Mata. AbanindranathTagore painted the image of Bharat Mata. Devotion to her became a
proof of Nationalism.
(ii)Vande Mataram: It was a prayer to Bharat Mata written by Bankim Chndra. Vande
Mataram became the war cry of the Indians.
(iii)Folkore: Efforts were made to collect folk songs and legends. They gave a true
picture of the Indian Culture.
(iv)Rediscovery of Indias past: Studies were conducted on Indian history, languages,
science and culture. These studies created National pride among the Indians.
36. How did the image of Bharat Mata come in to existence? How did this image
help in the growth of Nationalism?
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay created the image of Bharat Mata. Abanindranath
Tagore painted her image. Bharat Mata looked like a Sanyasini. She is calm, divine and
spiritual. Devotion of her became a proof of Nationalism.
37. Compare the image of Bharat Mata in this chapter with the image of Germania
in chapter 1.
Bharat Mata looks like a Sanyasini. She is calm, spiritual and divine. Germania is shown
as a heroic figure. She is a symbol of strength. She is ready to fight.
38. Mention the efforts made by the Indians to revive the Indian folklore. How did
this revival help in the growth of Nationalism?
Nationalists toured the villages to collect the folk songs and legends. Rabindranath
Tagore collected a number of folk songs and legends. In Madras, Natesa Sastri published
a four volume collection of tamil folk tales (The Folklore of Southern India). The folk
songs and legends gave a true picture of Indian culture. They showed there all thoughts
and characteristics of Indians. They created National Pride among the people.

39. Ideas of Nationalism also developed through a movement to revive Indian

folklore Explain.
(Refer answer to Q. No. 37)
40. How was the flag used to promote the spirit of Nationalism among the Indians?
During the Swadeshi Movement a tricolor flag (red, green and yellow) was developed. It
had 8 lotuses representing the 8 provinces of the British India. It also had crescent moon
which represented Hindus and Muslims. In 1921, Gandhiji designed the Swaraj flag. It
was also a tricolor flag (red, green and white). It had a spinning wheel which represent
the Gandhian idea of Self Help. The flag became a symbol of the Nation. It created the
feeling of oneness. The people carried flag in protest marches and rallies.
41. Give a short account of the Rediscovery of Indias Past. OR
Explain the steps taken by the Indians for the reinterpretation of the Indian History.
The British considered Indians backward and primitive. They said that the Indians were
not capable of ruling themselves. In the 19th century, some educated Indians started the
efforts of rediscover Indias great achievements. They rediscovered the achievements
made by the Indians in art, architecture, science, mathematics, religion, culture, law,
philosophy, crafts and trade. Knowledge about the great achievements of Indians created
national pride, self confidence and patriotism among the Indians.
42. Why did the political leaders differ sharply over the question of separate
electorates?
(i)Gandhiji and the Congress believed that separate electorates would create disunity
among the people and weaken the National Movement.
(ii)Muslim League led by Jinnah demanded separate electorates for the Muslims. They
argued that in a Hindu majority country Muslims would not get political power, if
separate electorate was no introduced.
(iii)Ambedkar and the other dalit leaders demanded separate electorates for the dalits
because they thought that a share in political power would help in their upliftment.
43. What were the negative effects of the efforts made to create nationalism among
the Indians?
Steps were taken to glorify the past of India which belong to the Hindu community. The
images and symbols used to create nationalism were taken from the Hindu religion. This
created doubts and fear in the minds of the other religious people.
44. Why is the growth of nationalism in the colonies linked to anti colonial
movement?
Colonial rule created troubles and problems for different sections of the society. All of
them were exploited and treated badly. So the different social groups gave up their
differences and stood united against the common enemy. This created Nationalism.
45 Enumerate the factors which helped in the birth of Indian Nationalism.
(i) Political unification of the country, destruction of Indias old social and economic
systems, beginning of modern trade and industry and the emergence of new social classes
laid the basis of nationalism.

(ii) Economic exploitation of India made the life of the people miserable. This
encouraged them to fight together against common enemy.
(iii)Modern education and the spread of new ideas created nationalism.
(iv)Social reform movements, anti British revolts and the Rediscovery of Indias past
helped in the growth of Nationalism.
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