CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL

STD: VIII SUB: HISTORY/CIVICS

TOPIC: RISE OF INDIAN NATIONALISM
Q1) FILL IN THE BLANKS: (ANSWERS)

1)Nationalism
2) Unification
3) Lord Ripon
4) 21 to 19
5) Indian National Congress

Q2) NAME THE FOLLOWING: (ANSWERS)

1) Lord Lytton
2) Surendra Nath Banerjee
3) Vernacular Press Act
4) A. O. Hume
5) Samachar Darpan
Q3) CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER. (ANSWERS)
1) 1878
2) Lord Ripon
3) Thane
4) Bombay
5) Womesh Chandra Bannerjee
Q4) ANSWE THE FOLLOWING IN BRIEF: (ANSWERS)

ANS-1) Nationalism is a common identity shared by people united by common culture,

history, territory, and aspiration.
ANS-2) European scholars like William jones, alexander Cunningham and James Prinsep
studied Indian history and revealed its rich cultural heritage. They glorified the political,
administrative and cultural achievements of the Indian rulers in the past.
ANS-3) The Vernacular Press Act was passed by the Viceroy’s Council in 1878. The act
prohibited vernacular newspapers from publishing anything against the British
government. Thus, the act curtailed freedom of press and freedom of speech and
expression in India. No criticism of the British and their policies was allowed to be
published.
ANS-4) The Arms Act of 1878 prevented Indians from possessing any arms or weapons
without a proper license issued by the British government. The act was however not
applicable to Europeans.
ANS-5) Almost all sections of the population bore the brunt of the exploitative policies of
the British. The British economic policy in India led to impoverishment of the masses.
India became a supplier of raw materials for the British industries and a market for British
products. British armies in India were maintained at the expense of Indian capital. High tax
rates were imposed all over India. This severe economic exploitation resulted in poverty,
famines and hardships. Resentment among different classes of people grew and they
began to raise their voices against the British rule.

Q6) ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN DETAIL: (ANSWERS)

ANS-1) Introduction of the press helped spread the message of patriotism and modern
political ideas among the people. The Indian press played a notable role in mobilizing
public opinion, organizing political movements and promoting nationalism. Despite
government restrictions, newspapers, like the Indian Mirror, Amrita bazar Patrika, The
Pioneer, The Hindu, The Maratha, Kesari, Bombay Samachar, Samachar Darpan, and
Andbra Prakasika, became powerful instruments of political. Education for the middle
class. They stimulated the growth of national feeling by voicing the grievances of the
people and exposing the failings and deficiencies of the foreign rule.

ANS-2) Lord Lytton was appointed as the viceroy of India in 1876.

He introduced several political and economic policies like abolition of import duties,
Vernacular Press Act, Arms Acts, reduction of age appearing for imperial Civil Service (ICS)
Exam from 21 to 19 which sacrificed Indian interest to British imperial needs. This led to a
wave of anger in the country and gave rise to the agitation against these policies.

ANS-3) In 1880, lord Ripon succeeded lord Lytton as the viceroy of India. Lord Ripon tried
to remove judicial disqualification based on race distinctions through the Ilbert Bill. The
Ilbert bill allowed Indian district magistrates and session judges to try Europeans in
criminal cases. Thus, it sought to give equal power to the Indian members of the judiciary
along with the Europeans. The introduction of the bill led to intense protest by the British
and other Europeans settled in India. The British claimed that even the most educated
Indians were unfit to try Europeans in court. in the end, the bill was amended.

ANS-4) A) The British rule unified the people of India under a common rule and
administration. The centralized government brought about political and administrative
unification. Common laws and common governance began to unite all the Indians under a
common bond.

B) Almost all sections of the population bore the brunt of the exploitative policies of the
British. The British economic policy in India led to impoverishment of the masses. India
became a supplier of raw materials for the British industries and a market for British
products. British armies in India were maintained at the expense of Indian capital. High tax
rates were imposed all over India. This severe economic exploitation resulted in poverty,
famines and hardships.

C) The British considered Indians to be inferior and backward. There was a sense of racial
superiority amongst many Britishers in their dealing with Indians. Indians were kept out of
the exclusive European clubs, park and libraries. Train compartments were reserved for
Europeans. Further, Indians were not allowed to hold important post in the British
administration. This racial arrogance of the British fueled the growing national sentiments,
especially among educated Indians. It made them realize the need of a collective identity
to counter British rule.

ANS-5) Rising nationalist sentiments in India found expression in the formation of the
Indian national congress (INC) in 1885. A.O. Hume, a retired member of the Indian civil
service, took the initiative in this direction. He appealed to the graduates of the Calcutta
University to form an association for the social and political regeneration of Indians. Hume
envisaged the Indian national congress to be a safety valve to curb the growing tide of
nationalism and would not take the British off guard by any revolt, as happened with the
revolt of 1857.

AIMS OF INC- 1) To promote cooperation and friendship among people throughout India

2) To protect and enhance the feeling of unity among all Indians without distinction of
caste, religion and province

3) To consolidate popular opinions concerning society, and present them before the
government through petitions

4) To form, train and organized public opinion

Q6) SNAP SHOT

A) Identify the person in this picture.

ANS- Person in the picture is Sir A.O. Hume
B) He was instrumental in the formation of which organisation?
ANS- A. O. Hume was instrumental in formation of Indian National Congress.

C) What was his main intention behind the creation of the organisation?
ANS- Hume envisaged the Indian national congress to be a safety valve to curb the
growing tide of nationalism and would not take the British off guard by any revolt, as
happened with the revolt of 1857.
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