NATIONALISM IN INDIA

1. Why growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to an anti-colonial movement?

 Nationalism is a feeling that combines all the people of the nation into a single unit.
 It is a powerful sentiment that binds people together in a common bond beyond their
communal, lingual, caste or religious differences.
 In all the colonies of the world, the imperialist power exploited the people socially,
religiously, economically and politically.
 Colonization 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.
 People started uniting against the colonialism which strengthened sense of nationalism
further. Thus, growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to anti-colonial movements.

2. 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 defense 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. Accompanied with epidemics it accounted for 12 to 13 million deaths.
All this caused extensive anger and opposition against the British colonial rule.
 The war had given rise to many social and economic problems. The Montague- Chelmsford
Reforms of 1919 could not satisfy the aspirations of the Indians.
 There arose a general discontent among the Indian masses against the British rule.

3. Why Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act.

 The Indians helped the British Government during the WWI. They were hopeful that after
the war, the government would give them many rights.
 However, the government did not do anything and therefore; there was immense discontent
among the people.
 To cope with the situation, they passed the Rowlatt Act 1919.Imperial Legislative council
passed the Rowlatt Act against opposition of Indians.
 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.
 Rallies were organized in various cities, workers went on strike in railway workshops and
shops were closed down.
4. Why Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement?
 Gandhiji had declared that the non-cooperation movement will be a non-violent one.
 He 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.
 Gandhiji felt that the people were not yet ready for a mass struggle, and that satyagrahis
needed to be properly trained for non-violent demonstrations.

5. What is meant by the idea of Satyagraha?

 Satyagraha was a novel method of mass agitation in a non-violent way.
 The idea of Satyagraha emphasized upon the power of truth and the need to search for
truth.
 It suggested that if the cause was true and if the struggle was against injustice, then
physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor.
 Through non-violent methods a Satyagraha could appeal the conscience of the oppressor by
the power of truth.
 Gandhiji firmly believed that the truth was bound to be ultimately triumph.

6. Write a short note on Jallianwala Bagh.

 On 13th April 1919, a large crowd had gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh –
some to protest against the British government‟s repressive measures, others to attend the
annual Baishakhi Fair.
 These people were unaware of the imposition of Martial Law in the city. General Dyer, the
Commander, blocked the exit points from the Bagh and opened fire upon the innocent
citizens.
 Dyer‟s intention was to produce a „moral effect‟ and terrorize satyagrahis. Hundreds of
innocent people including women and children were killed and wounded due to this
indiscriminate firing by the British soldiers,
 This incident angered masses of India ultimately led to nation-wide outrage. Jallianwala Bagh
incident was the most brutal incident in the History of India.
 7. Write a short note on Simon Commission.
Or
“Simon Commission was greeted with slogan „Go back Simon‟ at arrival in India.” Justify
 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.
Thus it brought a sense of unity in Indians for the moment.
 The Simon commission recommendations formed the basis of the Act of 1935.

8. Compare the images of Bharat Mata in this with the images of Germania.
Bharat Mata Germania
The image of Bharat Mata was the symbol of The image of Germania was the symbol of
Indian nation. German nation.
The image of Bharat Mata was painted by The image of Germania was painted by Philip
Abindranath Tagore in year 1905. Veit in 1848.

Portrayed as an ascetic figure. She is calm, Germania is shown as a brave and courageous
composed, divine and spiritual. lady who is protecting her nation.

A motherly figure dispensing learning food and

clothing. The garland in one hand emphasis her
Asiatic quality.
Another image of Bharat Mata is shown with a
trishul standing beside a lion and an elephant-
both symbols of power and authority.
Germania is shown carrying sword in one hand
and a flag in another hand.
Germania was shown standing against a
background where beams of sunlight shine
through the national flag. Germania is wearing
a crown of oak leaves, as the German oak
stands for heroism

9. 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.
 Middle class people:
 Teachers and students: Thousands of students left government-controlled schools and
college students in large member joined the movement. Headmasters and teachers
resigned from the colleges established by the government.
  Merchants and traders: Merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods or
finance foreign trade. They joined the movement because the boycott of foreign goods
would make the sale of their textiles and handlooms go up.
 Lawyers: Lawyers gave up their legal practice.

 Countryside peasants:
 Though the people in the country side interpreted the idea of Swaraj in their own way
but they participated in the movement on large scale.
 In Awadh, peasants were led by Baba Ramchandra, a sanyasi. The movement here was
against talukdars and landlords who demanded high rents from peasants, and a number of
other cesses.
 Peasants demanded reduction of revenue, abolition of beggar and social boycott of
oppressive landlords. As the movement spread in 1921, the houses of talukdars and
merchants were attacked, bazaars were looted and grain hoards were taken over.
 In several places, local leaders told peasants that Gandhiji had declared that no taxes
were to be paid and land was to be redistributed among the poor

 Tribal peasants:
 Most of the tribal people were dependent on forest for their livelihood but under the
new forest policy, government had put many restrictions on the people like.
 Closing large forest area for the tribal people.
 Forcing the local people to contribute beggar.
 Preventing people to enter forest to graze their cattle, or to collect fuel wood and
fruits.

 Plantation workers in Assam:

 For plantation workers in Assam, freedom meant the right to move freely in and out of
the confined space in which they were enclosed.
 It also 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.
 When they heard of the Non-Cooperation Movement, thousands of workers defied the
authorities, left plantations and head home.
 They believed that Gandhi Raj was coming and everyone would be given land in their own
villages.
10. Discuss the Salt March to make clear why it was an effective symbol of resistance
against colonialism.
 Gandhiji thought the salt 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.
 By breaking the salt law India showed their intention of non-cooperation and to break the
oppressive colonial laws.
 The Salt March was effective also because Gandhiji 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.
 Gandhiji 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.

11. Imagine you are a woman participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Explain
what the experience meant to your life.
 I was very happy to participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement because I understood
that I have to serve the nation in whatever capacity I could.
 I had heard Gandhiji speaking and asking us to participate in this movement. Inspired by
him, I also offered Satyagraha. Picketed liquor shops and shops selling foreign cloth and
also courted arrest.
 I felt empowered by these activities and felt that women also can help the men actively in
the ultimate goal of achieving independence from the British.
 I felt very proud to be the part of the movement but also I felt that the participation of
women was taken by many Indians as symbolic.

12. Discuss various stages of the Non Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi.
Following are the various stages of the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma
Gandhi:
 At the initial phase, the non-cooperation movement began with the surrender of the titles
and honors given by the British government.
 The boycott of civil services, courts and congressional assemblies, foreign goods and schools,
was the second stage.
 In the third stage, it was assumed that if the government practiced repression, a complete
civil disobedience campaign would be launched by the nationalist leaders.
13. Why did political leaders differ sharply over the question of separate electorates for
Muslims and the Dalits?
Or
What was the limitation of the Civil Disobedience Movement ?
 Dalit began organizing themselves, demanding reserved seats in educational institutions, and
a separate electorate. Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who organized 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.
 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar ultimately accepted Gandhiji‟s proposal and the result was the Poona
Pact of September 1932.
 After the decline of the Non-Cooperation-Khilafat Movement, large section of Muslims felt
alienated from the Congress. 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.

14. How did a variety of cultural processes play an important role in the making of
nationalism in India? Explain with examples.
OR
How did people belonging to different communities, regions or language groups develop a
sense of collective belonging?
 This sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united struggle and
growing anger among people against the colonial government.
 But there were also a variety of cultural processes through which nationalism captured
people imagination.
 The identity of the nation symbolized in a figure or image of Bharat Mata created through
literature, songs painting etc.
 A movement to revive Indian folklore to enhance nationalist sentiments.
 Role of icons and symbols in unifying people and inspiring in them a feeling of nationalism.
 Creating a feeling of nationalism was through reinterpretation of history.

15. Who had designed the 'Swaraj Flag' in 1921? Explain the main features
OR
Which flag did Gandhiji design in 1921? Mention its special features.
 In 1921, Gandhiji had designed the Swaraj flag.
 It was a tricolor (red, green and white) flag and had a spinning wheel in the centre
representing the Gandhian ideal of self-help.
 Carrying the flag, holding it aloft, during marches became a symbol of defiance.
16. "Dalit participation was limited in the Civil Disobedience Movement". Examine the
statement.
 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who organized 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.
 Gandhiji believed that separate electorates for Dalits would slow down the process of their
integration into the society.
 Dr. Ambedkar ultimately accepted Gandhiji's position and the result was the Poona Pact of
September 1932.
 It gave the Depressed Classes (later to be known as the Schedule Castes) reserved seats in
Provincial and Central Legislative Councils, but they were to be voted in by the general
electorate.

17. Explain with examples the role of industrialists in the freedom struggle of India.
 The Civil Disobedience Movement of the 1930s saw considerable participation from the
business classes, led by industrialists such as Purshottamdas Thakurdas and G.D. Birla.
 They reacted against various policies of the British that obstructed their expansion. They
wanted protection against imports of foreign goods and a rupee-sterling foreign exchange
ratio that would discourage imports.
 In organizing their business interests, they formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial
Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries
(FICCI) in 1927.
 They gave financial assistance to the Civil Disobedience Movement and refused to buy or
sell imported goods.
 Most of the industrialists saw the colonial policies of restricting business activity as
oppressive and wanted them to be removed so that trade and industry could flourish, thus,
contributing to the growth of Indian economy.

18. What type of flag was designed during the „Swadeshi Movement‟ in Bengal?
Explain its main features.
 During the "Swadeshi Movement" in Bengal the flag designed was a Tricolour Flag. The two
features of the flag were :
 The color of the flag was-Red, Green, and Yellow.
 It had eight lotuses representing eight provinces in British India.
 It had a crescent moon representing Hindus and Muslims.
19. How did the Civil Disobedience Movement come into force in various parts of the
country? Explain with examples.
Or
Why did the different social groups join the Civil disobedience movement? Explain.
The reasons for the participation of various social classes and groups in Civil Disobedience
Movement are as follows:
 Rich peasants- rich peasant communities like patidars of Gujrat & the jats of Uttar Pradesh
joined the movement because, being producers of commercial crops they were hard hit by the
trade depression and falling prices. Due to the refusal of the government to reduce the
revenue demand made them fight against high revenues.
 Poor peasants- joined the movement because they found it difficult to pay rent. They wanted
the unpaid rent to the landlord to be remitted.
 Business class- they reacted against colonial policies that restricted activities because they
were keen on expanding their business and for this they wanted protection against imports of
foreign goods. They thought that Swaraj would cancel colonial restrictions and trade would
flourish without restrictions. They formed FICCI.
 Industrial working class- they did not participate in large numbers except in the Nagpur
region. Some workers did participate in, selectively adopting some of the Gandhian
programme, like boycott of foreign goods, as a part of their own movements against low
wages and poor working conditions.
 Women- there were large scale participation of women in the movement. They participated in
protest marches, manufactured salt, and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops. Many went
to jail.

20. Why did Mahatma Gandhi relaunch the Civil Disobedience Movement with great
apprehension? Explain.
 In December 1931 Gandhiji went to London for the Round Table Conference, but the
negotiations broke down and he returned disappointed.
 In India, he discovered that the government had begun a new cycle of repression.
 Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Jawahar Lal Nehru were both in jail.
 The Congress had been declared illegal.
 A series of measures had been imposed to prevent meetings, demonstrations and boycotts.

21. Describe the main features of 'Poona Pact'.

 The Poona Pact (September 1932) gave Depressed Classes (later to be known as Scheduled
Caste) reserved seats in provincial and central legislative councils.
 They were to be voted in by, the general electorate.
 Act came into force due to Gandhiji's fast unto death.
 Ambedkar ultimately accepted Gandhiji's stand.
22. Explain any five factors which gave rise to the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930.
 Worldwide economic depression : As a result of worldwide economic depression, agricultural
prices began to fall in India. The demand for agricultural goods declined and export
decreased. The peasants could not sell their harvest and it became difficult for them to pay
their revenues.
 Simon Commission : In 1928, Simon Commission was constituted to look into the functioning
of constitutional system in India and suggest reforms. However, as no Indian member was
appointed, it was opposed by all political parties by holding demonstrations.
 Announcement of Lord Irwin in October, 1929 : Lord Irwin announced in October, 1929 that
‘ dominion status’ would be granted to India in an unspecified future and a Round Table
Conference to discuss a future constitution would take place.
 Declaration at the Lahore Congress Session, 1929 : At the Lahore Congress session under
the President ship of Jawaharlal Nehru, resolution for ‘ Purna Swaraj’ i.e., total
independence for India was passed.
 Salt Law: Gandhiji was authorised to start a movement for the achievement of ‘ Purna
Swaraj’ . Thus ‘ Salt March’ was started.

23. How did the Salt March become an effective tool of resistance against colonialism?
Explain.
Or
Explain brief the „Dandi March‟.
 Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol.
 Gandhiji sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands. The most stirring of all was
the demand to abolish the salt tax.
 Salt was the most essential item of foods and was consumed by rich and poor alike.
 Irwin was unwilling to negotiate, so Gandhiji started Salt march with 78 volunteers. (On 6th
April) 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.

24. Explain the issue behind the Khilafat Movement.

 The Khilafat movement (1919–1924) initiated by Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali was a mass
movement against the reduction of temporal powers of Caliph after defeat of Ottoman-
Turkey in the First World War.
 To defend Khalifa‟s temporal powers, Khilafat Committee was formed in 1919 as he was
considered as the spiritual head of Muslims.
 Gandhiji supported it because he saw it as an opportunity to bring Muslims under the
umbrella of a unified National Movement.
25. "The Civil Disobedience Movement was different from the Non Cooperation Movement."
Support the statement with examples.
OR
How was the Civil Disobedience Movement different from the Non-Cooperation Movement?
State any three points of difference.
 Non- Cooperation Movement:
 The people were asked not to cooperate with the government.
 Foreign goods were boycotted.
 Liquor shops were picketed.
 Foreign clothes were burnt in heaps.
 In many places, merchants and traders refused to trade on foreign goods or finance
foreign traders.
 Students left the government-owned schools and college.
 Lawyers gave up legal practices.

 Civil Disobedience Movement:

 People were asked to break colonial laws.
 The countrymen broke the salt law.
 Peasant refused to pay revenue and Chaukidari tax.
 Village officials resigned from their jobs.
 Forest people violated forest rules and laws.

26. Describe the development which led to the launching of Non-Cooperation Movement.
 Mahatma Gandhi successfully organized Satyagraha movements in various places.
 In 1916, he traveled to Champaran in Bihar to inspire the peasants to struggle against the
oppressive plantation system.
 Then 1917, he organized a Satyagraha to support the peasants of the Kheda district of
Gujarat.
 1918 he went to Ahmedabad to organize a Satyagraha movement amongst cotton mill
workers.
 In 1919, he decided to launch a nationwide Satyagraha against the proposed Rowlatt Act.
 Rallies were organized in various places.
 At the Calcutta session of the Congress in September 1920, he convinced other leaders of
the need to start a non-cooperation movement in support of Khilafat as well as for Swaraj.
 NATIONALISM IN INDIA – TIMELINE

DATES EVENTS

January 1915 Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa

Gandhiji travelled to Champaran to inspire peasants against the

1916
oppressive plantation system.

1917 Gandhiji organised Satyagraha in Kheda district of Gujarat.

Gandhiji went to Ahmedabad to organise Satyagraha among cotton mill

1918
workers.

1919 Gandhiji launched satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act

13 April 1919 Jallianwala Bagh incident

March 1919 Khilafat Committee formed

September 1920 Gandhiji convinced Congress for a non-cooperation movement

December 1920 Non-Cooperation program was adopted by Congress in Nagpur

January 1921 Non-Cooperation-Khilafat Movement began

October 1920 Oudh Kisan Sabha

6 January 1921 Police firing at peasants in Rae Bareli

1920 The militant guerrilla movement spread in Gudem Hills, Andhra Pradesh

1922 Chauri Chaura violence

11 February 1922 Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement

1928 “Go Back Simon” movement

Nov 1930 – Jan 1931 First Round Table Conference

Sept-Dec 1931 Second Round Table Conference

Nov – Dec 1932 Third Round Table Conference

December 1929 The “Purna Swaraj” was formalized

 Declared to be celebrated as the Independence Day, but got very little
26 January 1930
attention

31 January 1930 Gandhiji sent a letter of Viceroy Irwin stating 11 demands

Salt March or Dandi March or Dandi Satyagraha or Civil Disobedience

12 March 1930
Movement started

6 April 1930 Salt March ended

April 1930 Abdul Ghaffar Khan got arrested

May 1930 Mahatma Gandhi got arrested

5 March 1931 Gandhi-Irwin Pact

23 March 1931 Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were sentenced to death

December 1931 Gandhiji went to London for a conference but returned disappointed

Poona Pact, Poona pact signed between Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and

26 September 1932
Mahatma Gandhi

Jan 1932 Civil Disobedience Movement re-launched

1920 Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress

1927 Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI)

1906 Muslim League established

1928 Death of Lala Lajpat Rai

1935 The government of India Act

8 August 1942 Quit India movement launched