Nationalism In India
(d) Gandhiji felt the movement was turning violent in many places such as Chauri Chaura incident. He felt that satyagrahis needed to be properly trained before they would be ready for mass struggles. Thus, Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Answer
a) On 13th April 1919, the infamous Jallianwalla Bagh incident took place in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh. A large crowd gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. Some people were present to protest against the British government’s repressive measures while others were there to attend the annual Baishakhi Fair. Being from outside the city, many villagers were unaware of the martial
law that had been imposed. Suddenly, a British military officer, General Dyer came, blocked the exit points from the Bagh and opened fire upon the innocent citizens. Hundreds of innocent people including women and children were killed and wounded due to firing by the British soldiers.
b) The Simon Commission was constituted by the Tory Government in Britain, under Sir John Simon. The objective of the Commission was to look into the functioning of the constitutional system in India and suggest some constitutional changes. But nationalists in India opposed the Commission because it had not a single Indian member. Therefore, when the Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928, it was greeted with the slogan “Go Back Simon”. All parties, including Congress and the Muslim league, participated in the demonstrations.
4. Compare the images of Bharat Mata in this chapter with the image of Germania in Chapter 1.
Answer
→ The peasants took part in the movement because they hoped they would be saved from the oppressive landlords, high taxes taken by the colonial government.
→ Plantation workers took part in the agitation hoping they would get the right to move freely in and outside the plantations and get land in their own villages.
2. Discuss the Salt March to make clear why it was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism.
Answer
Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation as it was consumed by rich and poor alike. He declared that the tax on salt and the government monopoly over its production was the most oppressive face of British rule. Gandhiji sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands. The most stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax. Irwin was unwilling to negotiate, so Gandhiji started Salt march with 78 volunteers. He reached Dandi, violated law and made salt. This March developed the feeling of nationalism, people in different parts of the country broke the salt law and manufactured salt and demonstrated in front of government salt factories. Thus, Salt March was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism.
3. Imagine you are a woman participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Explain what the experience meant to your life.
Answer
I participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement which was called by Gandhiji. I participated in protest marches, manufactured salt, and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops and went to jail. I really see these services to the nation as a sacred duty of women. From the very start, I was sure that British had to leave our country and I saw this as a proud moment as I took part in this activity.
4. Why did political leaders differ sharply over the question of separate electorates?
Answer
Many dalit leaders were keen on a different political solution to the problems of the community. They began organising themselves, demanding a separate electorate that would choose dalit members for legislative councils. They believed political empowerment would resolve the problems of their social disabilities. Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who organised the dalits into the Depressed Classes Association in 1930, clashed with Mahatma Gandhi at the second Round Table Conference by demanding separate electorates for dalits. Gandhiji believed that separate electorates for dalits would slow down the process of their integration into society.
After the decline of the Non-Cooperation-Khilafat Movement, many Muslim leaders and intellectuals expressed their concern about the status of Muslims as a minority within India. They feared that the culture and identity of minorities would be submerged under the domination of Hindu majority
Summary of the Chapter Nationalism In India
1. India’s First Freedom Struggle took place in 1857. In 1870 Bankim Chandra composed Vande Matram. In 1885, Congress was formed in Mumbai. W.C. Banerjee chaired the first meeting of Congress.
2. In 1905, Lord Curzon proposed the division of Bengal. In 1905, Abanindra Nath Tagore made a Portrait of Bharat Mata. In 1906, Aaga Khan and Nawab Salimullah established Muslim League.
3. In 1907, Congress was divided into extremists and moderate. In 1911, Delhi Durbar was organized. Bengal Division was abolished in Delhi Durbar.
4. In Delhi Durbar capital was transferred from (Calcutta) Kolkatta to Delhi. In 1914, First World War started. In 1915, Mahatama Gandhi returned to India.
5. In 1916, Mahatma Gandhi started Champaran Satyagrah in Protest of Indigo plantation. In 1917, Mahatma Gandhi organized Satyagrah for farmers in Kheda Gujarat. In 1918, Mahatma Gandhi started Satyagrah for Craftsman of Cotton Textile mill Gujarat.
6. 1918, the first World War ended. The British Government turned down the demand of Self-rule of Indian. In 1919, British Government gave Rawlatt Act.
7. On 13 April 1919, Jallianwala Bagh massacre took Place in Punjab. In 1919, the Khilafat movement was started by Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali. In 1920, Mahatama Gandhi started noncooperation movement.
8. In 1922, Mahatma Gandhi withdrew the non-cooperation movement after the violence took place at Chauri-chaura. on August 9, 1925 revolutionaries in Kakori looted the train carrying English treasure. In 1928, Simon Commission came to India. Lala Lajpart Rai was killed while protesting.
2. In 1905, Lord Curzon proposed the division of Bengal. In 1905, Abanindra Nath Tagore made a Portrait of Bharat Mata. In 1906, Aaga Khan and Nawab Salimullah established Muslim League.
3. In 1907, Congress was divided into extremists and moderate. In 1911, Delhi Durbar was organized. Bengal Division was abolished in Delhi Durbar.
4. In Delhi Durbar capital was transferred from (Calcutta) Kolkatta to Delhi. In 1914, First World War started. In 1915, Mahatama Gandhi returned to India.
5. In 1916, Mahatma Gandhi started Champaran Satyagrah in Protest of Indigo plantation. In 1917, Mahatma Gandhi organized Satyagrah for farmers in Kheda Gujarat. In 1918, Mahatma Gandhi started Satyagrah for Craftsman of Cotton Textile mill Gujarat.
6. 1918, the first World War ended. The British Government turned down the demand of Self-rule of Indian. In 1919, British Government gave Rawlatt Act.
7. On 13 April 1919, Jallianwala Bagh massacre took Place in Punjab. In 1919, the Khilafat movement was started by Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali. In 1920, Mahatama Gandhi started noncooperation movement.
8. In 1922, Mahatma Gandhi withdrew the non-cooperation movement after the violence took place at Chauri-chaura. on August 9, 1925 revolutionaries in Kakori looted the train carrying English treasure. In 1928, Simon Commission came to India. Lala Lajpart Rai was killed while protesting.
9. on April 8, 1929 Bhagat singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw a bomb in the assembly. on 12 March 1930, Mahatma Gandhi started the march from Sabarmati to Dandi. on 6 April 1930, Mahatma Gandhi broke the Salt Law and started Civil-disobedience Movement at Dandi.
10. In 1930, Dr. Ambedkar organized Scheduled caste into depressed Classes Association. On 23rd March 1931, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru was hanged. In 1931 Gandhi-Irwin pact was signed and Civil disobedience movement was suspended.
11. In 1931, Mahatma Gandhi participated in Second round table conference but did not get expected success. In 1932, Poona Pact was signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar. In 1933, Choudhary Rahmat Ali first coined the idea of Pakistan.
12. In 1935, Indian Government Act was passed and regional government was formed. 1939 World war II was started. In 1940, A resolution was passed by Muslim League for separate homeland for Muslims named Pakistan.
13. In 1942, the Quit India movement was started by Mahatma Gandhi. He gave the slogan Do or Die. IN 1945, USA dropped nuclear Bomb on Japan and Second World War was ended. In 1946, Cabinet Mission came to India with the proposal of constituent assembly.
10. In 1930, Dr. Ambedkar organized Scheduled caste into depressed Classes Association. On 23rd March 1931, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru was hanged. In 1931 Gandhi-Irwin pact was signed and Civil disobedience movement was suspended.
11. In 1931, Mahatma Gandhi participated in Second round table conference but did not get expected success. In 1932, Poona Pact was signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar. In 1933, Choudhary Rahmat Ali first coined the idea of Pakistan.
12. In 1935, Indian Government Act was passed and regional government was formed. 1939 World war II was started. In 1940, A resolution was passed by Muslim League for separate homeland for Muslims named Pakistan.
13. In 1942, the Quit India movement was started by Mahatma Gandhi. He gave the slogan Do or Die. IN 1945, USA dropped nuclear Bomb on Japan and Second World War was ended. In 1946, Cabinet Mission came to India with the proposal of constituent assembly.
The First World War, Khilafat and Non Cooperation
War and its effects: Huge increase in defences expenditure which was financed by war loans and increasing taxes. Through the years the prices increased doubling between 1913- 1918 leading to extreme hardship forthe common people.
Gandhiji and Satyagraha: Champaran in Bihar (1917) Kheda in Gujarat (1918). In 1919 nationwide Satyagraha against the proposed Rowlett Actwas launched by Gandhi. 13th April and Jallianwalla Bagh massacre world war I and Khilafat issued, At the Congress session t Nagpur in Dec 1920, a compromise was worked out and Non-cooperation programme was adopted. Movements in towns, Rebellion in country side
Towards civil Disobedience
Swaraj Party was founded by CR Das and Moti Lal Nehru for return to council Politics.
Simon commission and boycott
Lahore congress and demand for purna swaraj
Dandi march and the civil Disobedience movements
Governments repressive policy
Gandhi Irwin Pact and failure of round table conference.
Re-launching of movements.
Who participated in the movements
The rich peasant communities the poor peasantry the industrial workers in Nagpur and a large scale participation of women took active part in the movement.
The sense of collective belonging
This sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united struggles role of folklore and songs. 2. Identity of India and Bharat Mata.
Q. What were the limitations of Civil Disobedience Movement ? Explain in detail.
Answer :
●the Congress ignored the dalits and depressed classes in order to please the high caste Hindus hence the participation of the depressed class was Limited
●the Congress was associated with the Hindu related Nationalist groups so the Muslim participation was less
●there was distrust between the communities alienated by the Congress large section of Muslim did not respond to civil disobedience movement
●the rich peasants were disappointed when the civil disobedience movement was called off in 1931 without the revenue rates being revised
●the Congress was closer to unsupported the business class due to which the industrial working class did not participate in the movement
Q.Why growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to an anti-colonial movement.
Colonisation affected people’s freedom, and nationalist sentiments surged during the process of struggle against imperial domination. The sense of oppression and exploitation became a common bond for people from different walks of life, and this resulted in the growth of nationalist ideals. Thus, growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to anti-colonial movements.
Q.How the First World War helped in the growth of the National Movement in India.
During the First World War, the British army conducted forced recruitment from rural areas in India. To finance the defence expenditure, high custom duties and income taxes were imposed. Also, during 1918-19 and 1920-21, crops failed in many parts of India, thereby resulting in acute food shortages. All this caused extensive anger and opposition against the British colonial rule, and the national movement of India headed towards a stronger, more definitive direction.
Q.Why Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act.
The Rowlatt Act was passed hurriedly through the Imperial Legislative Council despite opposition from Indian members. It gave the government autocratic powers to repress political activities besides allowing it to detain political prisoners without a trial, for two years. The Indian were outraged by this act as it was clearly undemocratic and oppressive, and hurt national sentiments and dignity.
Q. Why Gandhi ji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Gandhi ji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement due to various incidents of violence perpetrated by the masses, especially the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922 where the people clashed with the police, setting a police-station on fire. Gandhi ji felt that the people were not yet ready for a mass struggle, and that satyagrahis needed to be properly trained for non-violent demonstrations.
Q.What is meant by the idea of satyagraha?
The idea of satyagraha implies a unique method of mass agitation that emphasises the power of truth, and the need to search for truth. It upholds the belief that if the cause is true and the fight is against injustice, then there is no need for physical force or coercion against the oppressor. Satyagraha is synonymous with non-violent agitation, where an appeal is made to the oppressor’s conscience to search for justice. Gandhi ji believed that this dharma of non-violence could be the cause of national unity and harmony.
Q.Write a newspaper report on The Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre—facts—on 13 April,1919, General Dyer blocked the exit points from the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh where a large crowd had gathered—some to protest against the British government’s repressive measures, others to attend the annual Baisakhi fair. Dyer’s objective was to “produce a moral effect” and terrorise satyagrahis. Hundreds of innocent people including women and children were killed on this day in the indiscriminate firing by British soldiers. This led to large scale strikes, clashes with police and attacks on government buildings by the enraged Indian people.
Q.Write a newspaper report on The Simon Commission.
The Simon Commission—facts—it arrived in India in 1928 and faced protest slogans of “Go Back Simon”. It was because this body was to suggest constitutional changes in Indian governance, but it did not have any Indian members. The Congress and the Muslim League jointly demonstrated against it. Lord Irwin announced a vague “dominion status” for India to quell the movement, leading to a Round Table Conference in October, 1929.
Q.Compare the images of Bharat Mata in this chapter with the image of Germania in Chapter 1.
The image of Bharat Mata as painted by Abanindranath Tagore shows her as bestowing learning, food and clothing. She bears aesthetic quality as denoted by the mala held by her. This is similar to the image of Germania as painted by Philip Veit, where she holds a sword, but looks more feminine. The other painting of Bharat Mata is more manly in its representation. In it, she is shown as bearing power and authority as denoted by the lion and elephant beside her. The latter image is more akin to the image of Germania by Lorenz Clasen, where she wields a sword and shield, and looks ready to fight.
Q.List all the different social groups which joined the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921. Then choose any three and write about their hopes and struggles to show why they joined the movement.
The different social groups that joined the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921 were the urban middle class comprising lawyers, teachers and headmasters, students, peasants, tribals and workers. Peasants, tribals and workers joined the movement from the countryside. They did so with hopes of self-emancipation. Peasants rebelled against talukdars and landlords who demanded high rents and also forced them to do begar or free labour. Tribal peasants revolted against the enclosure of large forest tracts by the British government, which left them devoid of a livelihood as well as traditional rights. Plantation workers, on the other hand, desired freedom to move about and retain links with the villages they came from. All three believed that Gandhi Raj would come with the Non-Cooperation Movement, and this would mark an end to their sorrows. Hence, they joined the anti-colonial struggle.
Q.Discuss the Salt March to make clear why it was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism.
The Salt March was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism because it was done in revolt against a commodity—salt, used by the rich and the poor alike. The tax on salt, and the government monopoly over its production was a severely oppressive administrative move. The Salt March was effective also because Gandhi ji met a large number of commoners during the march and he taught them the true meaning of swaraj and non-violence. By peacefully defying a law and making salt against government orders, Gandhi ji set forth an example to the whole nation of how the oppressor could be confronted in a non-violent manner. This also led to the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930.
Q.Imagine you are a woman participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Explain what the experience meant to your life.
A woman participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement—facts—salt manufactured; foreign cloth boycotted; liquor shops picketed; peaceful satyagrahis attacked, including women and children; brutal repression, many women went to jail as well; mostly from high castes and rich families; saw national service as a sacred duty.
Q.Why did political leaders differ sharply over the question of separate electorates?
Political leaders differed sharply over the question of separate electorates because of differences in opinion. While those supporting the cause of minorities and the dalits believed that only political empowerment would resolve their social backwardness, others like Gandhi ji thought that separate electorates would further slowdown the process of their integration into society. Also, it was feared that the system of separate electorates would gradually divide the country into numerous fragments because every community or class would then ask for separate representations.
Multiple Choice Questions – MCQ
1. When was the Rowlatt Act Passed?
a). 1912
b). 1914
c). 1919
d). 1920
2. Where did Mahatma Gandhi launch the rst Satyagrah in India?
a). Champaran
b). Kheda
c). Delhi
d). Calcutta
3 Who was the founder of “Depressed Classes Association”?
a). Baba Ram Chander
b). Bhim Rao Ambedkar
c). Jawahar lal Nehru
d), Shaukat Ali
4. After which of the following event, Mahatma Gandhi abruptly withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement?
a). Jaliawalan Bagh Masscare
b). Rowllat Act
c). Chauri-Chaura
d). Dandi March
5. Who is the author of book “Discovery of India’?
a). Jawahar Lal Nehru
b). Bhim Rao Ambedkar
c). Mahatama Gandhi
d). Baba Ramchander
a). 1912
b). 1914
c). 1919
d). 1920
2. Where did Mahatma Gandhi launch the rst Satyagrah in India?
a). Champaran
b). Kheda
c). Delhi
d). Calcutta
3 Who was the founder of “Depressed Classes Association”?
a). Baba Ram Chander
b). Bhim Rao Ambedkar
c). Jawahar lal Nehru
d), Shaukat Ali
4. After which of the following event, Mahatma Gandhi abruptly withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement?
a). Jaliawalan Bagh Masscare
b). Rowllat Act
c). Chauri-Chaura
d). Dandi March
5. Who is the author of book “Discovery of India’?
a). Jawahar Lal Nehru
b). Bhim Rao Ambedkar
c). Mahatama Gandhi
d). Baba Ramchander
Answers Of MCQ
1. 1919
2. Champaran
3. Bhim Rao Ambedkar
4. Chauri-Chaura
5. Jawahar Lal Nehru
2. Champaran
3. Bhim Rao Ambedkar
4. Chauri-Chaura
5. Jawahar Lal Nehru
Fill In The Blanks.
1. In……………………………….Session congress demanded complete Independence.
2. First president of Indian National Congress Was…………….
3. Muslim league was formed in ………………..
4. In 1919 Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali started ………………movement in India.
5. In……………………………Civil Disobedience Movement was withdrawn.
2. First president of Indian National Congress Was…………….
3. Muslim league was formed in ………………..
4. In 1919 Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali started ………………movement in India.
5. In……………………………Civil Disobedience Movement was withdrawn.
Fill In The Blanks – Answers
1. 1929, Lahore.
2. W.C Banerjee.
3. 1906.
4. Khilafat Movement.
5. 1931
2. W.C Banerjee.
3. 1906.
4. Khilafat Movement.
5. 1931
One Mark Questions
1. Who created the first image of Bharat Mata?
2. What do you mean by the word Satyagrah?
3. Who composed the song Vande Mataram?
4. When was the second round table conference held?
5. Who Started the Awadh Kisan Sabha?
6. What do you understand by the word Swadeshi?
7. Where was the Indian National Congress formed?
8. Why did the British government curtail the freedom of Press after 1857?
9. In Madras who published massive four volume collection of Tamil folk tales?
10. why was Rowlatt act called as an oppressive legislation?
2. What do you mean by the word Satyagrah?
3. Who composed the song Vande Mataram?
4. When was the second round table conference held?
5. Who Started the Awadh Kisan Sabha?
6. What do you understand by the word Swadeshi?
7. Where was the Indian National Congress formed?
8. Why did the British government curtail the freedom of Press after 1857?
9. In Madras who published massive four volume collection of Tamil folk tales?
10. why was Rowlatt act called as an oppressive legislation?
Answers Of 1 Mark Questions
1. Abindra nath Tagore
2. Emphasis on the power of Truth.
3. Bankim Chandra
4. 1931
5. Baba Ramchandra
6. Focus on product which was prepared in own country.
7. Mumbai
8. To curb the Arousing spirit of Nationalism.
9. The Folklore of Southern India
10. Under this act political prisoners could be kept in jail for two years without trial.
2. Emphasis on the power of Truth.
3. Bankim Chandra
4. 1931
5. Baba Ramchandra
6. Focus on product which was prepared in own country.
7. Mumbai
8. To curb the Arousing spirit of Nationalism.
9. The Folklore of Southern India
10. Under this act political prisoners could be kept in jail for two years without trial.
Write in Brief
1. Explain:
(a) Why growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to an anti-colonial movement.
(b) How the First World War helped in the growth of the National Movement in India.
(c) Why Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act.
(d) Why Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Answer
(a) The sense of being oppressed under colonialism provided a shared bond that tied many different groups together. People began discovering their unity in the process of their struggle with colonialism. The movements of freedom struggle were joined by the masses to free themselves from foreign exploitation. Thus, the growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to anti-colonial movements.
1. Explain:
(a) Why growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to an anti-colonial movement.
(b) How the First World War helped in the growth of the National Movement in India.
(c) Why Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act.
(d) Why Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Answer
(a) The sense of being oppressed under colonialism provided a shared bond that tied many different groups together. People began discovering their unity in the process of their struggle with colonialism. The movements of freedom struggle were joined by the masses to free themselves from foreign exploitation. Thus, the growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to anti-colonial movements.
(b) During the First World War, to finance the defence expenditure, customs duties were raised and income tax introduced. The forced recruitment in rural areas caused widespread anger. In 1918-19 and 1920-21, crops failed in many parts of India which resulted in acute shortages of food. Also, there was an influenza epidemic. The hardships of people did not ended after the war. Thus, they united under leaders to find a new way of struggle.
(c) The Rowlatt Act was hurriedly passed through the Imperial Legislative Council despite the united opposition of the Indian members. It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years. This was an unjust and oppressive law for Indians. Thus, Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act.
2. What is meant by the idea Satyagraha?
Answer
Satyagraha was a novel method of mass agitation. The idea of ‘Satyagraha’ emphasized the power of truth and the need to search for truth. It suggested that if the cause was true, if the struggle was against injustice, then physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor. A satyagrahi could win the battle through non-violence without seeking vengeance or being aggressive.
Answer
Satyagraha was a novel method of mass agitation. The idea of ‘Satyagraha’ emphasized the power of truth and the need to search for truth. It suggested that if the cause was true, if the struggle was against injustice, then physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor. A satyagrahi could win the battle through non-violence without seeking vengeance or being aggressive.
3. Write a newspaper report on:
(a) The Jallianwala Bagh massacre
(b) The Simon Commission
Answer
a) On 13th April 1919, the infamous Jallianwalla Bagh incident took place in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh. A large crowd gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. Some people were present to protest against the British government’s repressive measures while others were there to attend the annual Baishakhi Fair. Being from outside the city, many villagers were unaware of the martial
law that had been imposed. Suddenly, a British military officer, General Dyer came, blocked the exit points from the Bagh and opened fire upon the innocent citizens. Hundreds of innocent people including women and children were killed and wounded due to firing by the British soldiers.
b) The Simon Commission was constituted by the Tory Government in Britain, under Sir John Simon. The objective of the Commission was to look into the functioning of the constitutional system in India and suggest some constitutional changes. But nationalists in India opposed the Commission because it had not a single Indian member. Therefore, when the Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928, it was greeted with the slogan “Go Back Simon”. All parties, including Congress and the Muslim league, participated in the demonstrations.
4. Compare the images of Bharat Mata in this chapter with the image of Germania in Chapter 1.
Answer
→ The image of Germania was the symbol of German nation whereas the image of Bharat Mata was the symbol of Indian nation.
→ Both images inspired nationalists who worked very hard to unify their respective countries and to attain a liberal nation.
→ The image of Bharat Mata painted by Abanindranath Tagore is bestowed with learning, food, clothing and some ascetic quality also. Another painting of Bharat Mata in which we find Mata holding Trishul and standing beside a lion and an elephant – symbols of power and authority. Germania as a female figure is standing against a background of the tricolour fabric of the national flag. She is wearing a crown of oak leaves, as the German oak stands for heroism.
Discuss
1. List all the different social groups which joined the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921. Then choose any three and write about their hopes and struggles to show why they joined the movement.
Answer
The different social groups that joined the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921 were the urban middle class comprising lawyers, students, teachers and headmasters, peasants, tribals and workers.
→ The middle class joined the movement because the boycott of foreign goods would make the sale of their textiles and handlooms go up.→ Both images inspired nationalists who worked very hard to unify their respective countries and to attain a liberal nation.
→ The image of Bharat Mata painted by Abanindranath Tagore is bestowed with learning, food, clothing and some ascetic quality also. Another painting of Bharat Mata in which we find Mata holding Trishul and standing beside a lion and an elephant – symbols of power and authority. Germania as a female figure is standing against a background of the tricolour fabric of the national flag. She is wearing a crown of oak leaves, as the German oak stands for heroism.
Discuss
1. List all the different social groups which joined the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921. Then choose any three and write about their hopes and struggles to show why they joined the movement.
Answer
The different social groups that joined the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921 were the urban middle class comprising lawyers, students, teachers and headmasters, peasants, tribals and workers.
→ The peasants took part in the movement because they hoped they would be saved from the oppressive landlords, high taxes taken by the colonial government.
→ Plantation workers took part in the agitation hoping they would get the right to move freely in and outside the plantations and get land in their own villages.
2. Discuss the Salt March to make clear why it was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism.
Answer
Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation as it was consumed by rich and poor alike. He declared that the tax on salt and the government monopoly over its production was the most oppressive face of British rule. Gandhiji sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands. The most stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax. Irwin was unwilling to negotiate, so Gandhiji started Salt march with 78 volunteers. He reached Dandi, violated law and made salt. This March developed the feeling of nationalism, people in different parts of the country broke the salt law and manufactured salt and demonstrated in front of government salt factories. Thus, Salt March was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism.
3. Imagine you are a woman participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Explain what the experience meant to your life.
Answer
I participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement which was called by Gandhiji. I participated in protest marches, manufactured salt, and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops and went to jail. I really see these services to the nation as a sacred duty of women. From the very start, I was sure that British had to leave our country and I saw this as a proud moment as I took part in this activity.
4. Why did political leaders differ sharply over the question of separate electorates?
Answer
Many dalit leaders were keen on a different political solution to the problems of the community. They began organising themselves, demanding a separate electorate that would choose dalit members for legislative councils. They believed political empowerment would resolve the problems of their social disabilities. Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who organised the dalits into the Depressed Classes Association in 1930, clashed with Mahatma Gandhi at the second Round Table Conference by demanding separate electorates for dalits. Gandhiji believed that separate electorates for dalits would slow down the process of their integration into society.
After the decline of the Non-Cooperation-Khilafat Movement, many Muslim leaders and intellectuals expressed their concern about the status of Muslims as a minority within India. They feared that the culture and identity of minorities would be submerged under the domination of Hindu majority
Write in Brief:
1.Explain:
a.Why the growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to an anti-colonial movement.
Answer:
- People began discovering their unity in the process of their struggle with colonialism.
- The sense of being oppressed under colonialism provided a shared bond that tied many different groups together.
- But each class and group felt the effects of colonialism differently, their experiences were varied and their notions of freedom were not always the same. The Congress under Mahatma Gandhi tried to forge these groups together within one movement. But the unity did not emerge without conflict
b. How the First World War helped in the growth of the National Movement in India.
Answer:
War created a new political and economic situation.
- Led to a huge increase in defence expenditure which was financed by war loans and increasing taxes: custom duties were increased and income tax introduced.
- Forced recruitment in villages caused widespread anger.
- Crops failed, this resulted in an acute shortage of food.
- 12 to 13 million people died due to famines and epidemics.
c. Why Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act.
Answer:
- Rowlatt Act was introduced in 1919.
- This act was hurriedly passed through the Imperial Legislative Council, although it was completely opposed by Indian members.
- It had given the Government enormous powers to repress political activities.
- It allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.
d. Why Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Answer:
In February 1922, Mahatma Gandhi decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement. He felt the movement was turning violent in many places and satyagrahis needed to be properly trained before they would be ready for mass struggles.
2. What is meant by the idea of satyagraha?
Answer:
The idea of satyagraha emphasised the power of truth and the need to search for truth. It suggested that if the cause was true, if the struggle was against injustice, then the physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor. Without seeking vengeance or being aggressive, a satyagrahi could win the battle through nonviolence. This could be done by appealing to the conscience of the oppressor. People – including the oppressors – had to be persuaded to see the truth, instead of being forced to accept truth through the use of violence. By this struggle, the truth was bound to ultimately triumph. Mahatma Gandhi believed that this dharma of non-violence could unite all Indians.
3. Write a newspaper report on
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre
Answer:
On 13 April, the infamous Jallianwalla Bagh incident took place. On that day a large crowd was gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwalla Bagh. Some came to protest against the government’s new repressive measures. Others had come to attend the annual Baisakhi fair. Being from outside the city, many villagers were unaware of the martial law that had been imposed. Dyer entered the area, blocked the exit points, and opened fire on the crowd, killing hundreds. His objective, as he declared later, was to ‘produce a moral effect’, in the minds of Satyagrahis. A feeling of terror and awe.
The Simon Commission
Answer:
When the Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928, it was greeted with the slogan ‘Go back, Simon’. All parties, including the Congress and the Muslim League, participated in the demonstrations. In an effort to win them over, the viceroy, Lord Irwin, announced in October 1929, a vague offer of ‘dominion status’ for India in an unspecified future, and a Round Table Conference to discuss a future constitution. This did not satisfy the Congress leaders.
4. Compare the images of Bharat Mata in this chapter with the image of Germania in Chapter 1.
Answer:
Germania:
- Symbol of Germany
- The image was painted by Philip Veit in 1848.
- Carrying a sword in one hand and flag in another hand
- Germania is wearing a crown of oak leaves, as the German oak stands for heroism.
Bharat Mata:
- Symbol of India
- Painted by Rabindranath Tagore in 1905
- Bharat is standing with a Trishul, standing beside a lion and elephant, symbols of power and authority.
Discuss
1. List all the different social groups which joined the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921. Then choose any three and write about their hopes and struggles to show why they joined the movement.
Answer:
Below is the list of different social groups who joined the Non-Cooperation Movement and their struggles.
Middle-Class participation in cities:-
Thousands of students left government-controlled schools and colleges, headmasters and teachers resigned and lawyers gave up their legal practices. The council elections were boycotted in most provinces except Madras, where the Justice Party, the party of the non-Brahmans, felt that entering the council was one way of gaining some power – something that usually only Brahmans had access to. The effects of non-cooperation on the economic front were more dramatic. Foreign goods were boycotted, liquor shops were picketed and foreign cloth was burnt in huge bonfires. The import of foreign cloth halved between 1921 and 1922, its value dropping from Rs 102 crore to Rs 57 crore. In many places, merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods or finance foreign trade. As the boycott movement spread and people began discarding imported clothes and wearing only Indian ones, production of Indian textile mills and handlooms went up. But this movement in the cities gradually slowed down for a variety of reasons. Khadi cloth was often more expensive than mass-produced mill cloth and poor people could not afford to buy it. Similarly, the boycott of British institutions posed a problem. For the movement to be successful, alternative Indian institutions had to be set up so that they could be used in place of the British ones. These were slow to come up. So students and teachers began trickling back to government schools and lawyers joined back work in government courts.
Peasants and Tribals:-
In Awadh, peasants were led by Baba Ramchandra – a sanyasi who had earlier been to Fiji as an indentured labourer. The movement here was against talukdars and landlords who demanded exorbitantly high rents and a variety of other cesses from peasants. Peasants had to do begar and work at landlords’ farms without any payment. As tenants they had no security of tenure, being regularly evicted so that they could acquire no right over the leased land. The peasant movement demanded reduction of revenue, the abolition of begar and social boycott of oppressive landlords. In many places ‘nai-dhobi bandhs’ were organised by panchayats to deprive landlords of the services of barbers and washermen.
Tribal peasants interpreted the message of Mahatma Gandhi and the idea of swaraj in yet another way. In the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh, for instance, a militant guerrilla movement spread in the early 1920s – not a form of struggle that the Congress could approve. In other forest regions, the colonial government had closed large forest areas, preventing people from entering the forests to graze their cattle or to collect fuelwood and fruits. This enraged the hill people. Not only were their livelihoods affected but they felt that their traditional rights were being denied. When the government began forcing them to contribute begar for road building, the hill people revolted.
Workers in the Plantations:-
Workers too had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi and the notion of swaraj. For plantation workers in Assam, freedom meant the right to move freely in and out of the confined space in which they were enclosed and it meant retaining a link with the village from which they had come. Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, plantation workers were not permitted to leave the tea gardens without permission, and in fact, they were rarely given such permission. When they heard of the Non-Cooperation Movement, thousands of workers defied the authorities, left the plantations and headed home. They believed that Gandhi Raj was coming and everyone would be given land in their own villages. They, however, never reached their destination. Stranded on the way by a railway and steamer strike, they were caught by the police and brutally beaten up.
2. Discuss the Salt March to make clear why it was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism.
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation. On 31 January 1930, he sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands. Some of these were of general interest; others were specific demands of different classes, from industrialists to peasants. The idea was to make the demands wide-ranging so that all classes within Indian society could identify with them and everyone could be brought together in a united campaign. The most stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax. Salt was something consumed by the rich and the poor alike, and it was one of the most essential items of food. The tax on salt and the government monopoly over its production, Mahatma Gandhi declared, revealed the most oppressive face of British rule.
Mahatma Gandhi started his famous salt march accompanied by 78 of his trusted volunteers. The march was over 240 miles, from Gandhiji’s ashram in Sabarmati to the Gujarati coastal town of Dandi. The volunteers walked for 24 days, about 10 miles a day. Thousands came to hear Mahatma Gandhi wherever he stopped, and he told them what he meant by Swaraj and urged them to peacefully defy the British. On 6 April he reached Dandi, and ceremonially violated the law, manufacturing salt by boiling seawater.
Thousands in different parts of the country broke the salt law, manufactured salt and demonstrated in front of government salt factories. As the movement spread, the foreign cloth was boycotted, and liquor shops were picketed. Peasants refused to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes, village officials resigned, and in many places, forest people violated forest laws – going into Reserved Forests to collect wood and graze cattle.
3. Imagine you are a woman participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Explain what the experience meant to your life.
Answer:
Students are advised to put themselves in the shoes of women and share the experience.
4. Why did political leaders differ sharply over the question of separate electorates?
Answer:
Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who organised the Dalits into the Depressed Classes Association in 1930, clashed with Mahatma Gandhi at the second Round Table Conference by demanding separate electorates for Dalits. When the British government conceded Ambedkar’s demand, Gandhiji began a fast unto death. He believed that separate electorates for Dalits would slow down the process of their integration into society. Ambedkar ultimately accepted Gandhiji’s position and the result was the Poona Pact of September 1932.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, one of the leaders of the Muslim League, was willing to give up the demand for separate electorates if Muslims were assured reserved seats in the Central Assembly and representation in proportion to population in the Muslim-dominated provinces (Bengal and Punjab). Negotiations over the question of representation continued but all hope of resolving the issue at the All Parties Conference in 1928 disappeared when M.R. Jayakar of the Hindu Mahasabha strongly opposed efforts at compromise.
Nationalism in India Summary
Chapter 2 of NCERT Social Science History textbook – Indian and the Contemporary World-II is titled as ‘ Nationalism in India.’ The anti-colonial movement gave to rise to the feeling of Nationalism in India. The rule of oppression under British suffocated the people and there came the wave of revolts and struggles that Indian went through to free themselves from the clutches of colonisers. How different groups reacted to this feeling of Nationalism will be discussed in the chapter.
The students will also get to know about the following topics:
- The First World War, Khilafat and Non-Cooperation
- The Idea of Satyagraha
- The Rowlatt Act
- Why Non-cooperation?
- Differing Strands within the Movement
- The Movement in the Towns
- Rebellion in the Countryside
- Swaraj in the Plantations
- Towards Civil Disobedience
- The Salt March and the Civil Disobedience Movement
- How Participants saw the Movement
- The Limits of Civil Disobedience
- The Sense of Collective Belonging
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