Chat with us on WhatsApp
SST (History) Chapter : " NATIONALISM IN INDIA "
Nationalism in India emerged as a response to colonial rule. Different sections of society participated in the freedom struggle, contributing in unique ways. The movement was marked by mass participation, non-violent protests, and occasional violent outbreaks.
The First World War and Nationalism
Impact of the First World War: The war increased taxes, forced recruitment, and caused inflation in India, leading to widespread discontent. It created economic hardships, which fueled anti-British sentiments.
Economic and Political Effects: War-time inflation, forced labor (recruitment), and rationing of goods led to resentment. The global wave of decolonization also affected the Indian freedom movement.
The Idea of Satyagraha
Mahatma Gandhi's Philosophy of Satyagraha: Satyagraha was a method of non-violent resistance and truth-seeking that involved passive resistance. Gandhi first applied this method in South Africa and later in India.
Satyagraha Movements in India:
1. Champaran (1917): Movement in Bihar for indigo farmers against oppressive plantation systems.
2. Kheda (1918): In Gujarat, for farmers affected by crop failure and plague, leading to tax suspension.
3. Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918): For cotton mill workers’ rights in Gujarat.
The Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh
Rowlatt Act (1919): This act allowed the British to arrest and detain individuals without trial, leading to widespread anger.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919): General Dyer ordered open fire on an unarmed crowd in Amritsar, killing hundreds. This incident intensified the nationalistic fervor.
Nagpur Session : It refers to the special session of the Indian National Congress (INC) held in December 1920 in Nagpur. This session was significant because it marked the formal adoption of Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation movement as the official strategy of the Congress in the struggle for India's independence from British rule. Key decisions included the commitment to boycott British goods, institutions, and elections, promoting swadeshi (use of Indian-made goods), and encouraging peaceful non-cooperation.
The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)
The movement sought to achieve Swaraj by refusing to cooperate with the British government. It included boycotting British goods, schools, courts, and titles.
End of Non-Cooperation Movement: The movement was suspended in 1922 after violent incidents, like the Chauri Chaura incident, where a police station was set on fire.
Khilafat Movement: This was started by Indian Muslims to protest the disbandment of the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I. Gandhi saw it as an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims.
Simon Commission : It was a group of seven British Members of Parliament sent to India in 1928 to review the functioning of the Indian constitutional system and suggest reforms. The commission, headed by Sir John Simon, was widely opposed in India because it did not include any Indian members. This exclusion led to protests and the famous slogan, "Simon, go back!". The Simon Commission's recommendations eventually led to the Government of India Act 1935, but its rejection by Indian leaders fueled further demand for complete independence.
In Lahore Session it was declared that in 26 January 1930 people will took Independence Day Pledge for Poorna Swaraj.
The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)
It involved mass protests, non-payment of taxes, and refusal to obey British laws. The British responded with brutal repression, imprisoning thousands of protesters, including Gandhi.
Salt March/Dandi March (1930): Gandhi’s famous 240-mile march to break the salt law symbolized defiance of British authority.
The Role of Different Social Groups
1. Rich Peasantry: Led protests demanding reduced revenue, but withdrew when their demands were not met.
2. Poor Peasantry: Took part in the movement but did not gain any economic relief.
3. Business Classes: Supported the movement hoping for freedom to expand trade, but later became disillusioned.
4. Women: Many women, inspired by Gandhi, participated in protests, marches, and the picketing of foreign goods.
The Quit India Movement (1942)
Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement during World War II, asking the British to leave India. This was the most intense phase of the freedom struggle. The British arrested top Congress leaders, and the movement became leaderless for a while, leading to mass uprisings.
Communalism and Partition
The growing divide between Hindus and Muslims, fueled by British policies of ‘divide and rule’, eventually led to the partition of India in 1947.
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Which act was passed to suppress the nationalist movement?
a) Rowlatt Act
b) Pitt’s India Act
c) Regulating Act
d) Indian Councils Act
Answer: a) Rowlatt Act
2. In which year did the Jallianwala Bagh massacre take place?
a) 1919
b) 1920
c) 1930
d) 1942
Answer: a) 1919
3. Who led the Salt March?
a) Jawaharlal Nehru
b) Subhash Chandra Bose
c) Mahatma Gandhi
d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Answer: c) Mahatma Gandhi
4. Which of the following was a feature of the Rowlatt Act?
a) Allowed Indians to form independent political parties
b) Gave the government powers to imprison anyone without a trial
c) Allowed freedom of speech and assembly
d) Allowed women to vote in national elections
Answer: b) Gave the government powers to imprison anyone without a trial
5. Which movement did Mahatma Gandhi start in 1930?
a) Non-Cooperation Movement
b)Quit India Movement
c) Civil Disobedience Movement
d) Khilafat Movement
Answer: c) Civil Disobedience Movement
6. Who among the following was NOT associated with the Khilafat Movement?
a) Mohammad Ali
b) Shaukat Ali
c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
d) Mahatma Gandhi
Answer: c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
B. Fill in the Blanks (FIB)
1. The ____________ Movement was started by Indian Muslims to protest the disbandment of the Caliphate.
Answer: Khilafat
2. The famous slogan of the Quit India Movement was ____________.
Answer: Do or Die
3. The ____________ incident led to the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Answer: Chauri Chaura
4. The ____________ Act allowed the British government to imprison people without trial.
Answer: Rowlatt
5. The Non-Cooperation Movement was called off by Gandhi after the ____________ incident. Answer: Chauri Chaura
6. The term ____________ refers to the idea of self-rule and independence.
Answer: Swaraj
C. True/False
1. The Civil Disobedience Movement began with the Dandi March. Answer: True
2. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in 1922. Answer: False (It occurred in 1919)
3. The Quit India Movement was started during World War I. Answer: False (It was started during World War II)
4. The Simon Commission was welcomed by all Indian leaders.
Answer: False (It was widely opposed because it lacked Indian representation)
5. The Dandi March was part of the Quit India Movement.
Answer: False (It was part of the Civil Disobedience Movement)
6. The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched in 1930.
Answer: True
D. Very Short Questions
1. What was the objective of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer: The objective was to attain Swaraj by boycotting British institutions and goods.
2. Who led the Dandi March?
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi led the Dandi March.
3. What was the main objective of the Khilafat Movement?
Answer: The objective was to protest the British disbandment of the Ottoman Caliphate and restore the spiritual leadership of Muslims.
4. What event led to the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer: The Chauri Chaura incident, where a violent mob set a police station on fire, led Gandhi to suspend the movement.
E. Short Questions
1. Why was the Simon Commission boycotted by Indians?
Answer: The Simon Commission was boycotted because it had no Indian members, and Indians felt they were not being represented.
2. What was the impact of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on the national movement?
Answer: The massacre shocked the nation and led to widespread anger, strengthening the resolve of many Indians to fight for independence.
3. What was the significance of the Lahore Session of Congress in 1929?
Answer: The Lahore Session, held under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, is significant because it declared Purna Swaraj (complete independence) as the goal of the Indian National Congress. On 26th January 1930, the first Independence Day was celebrated, leading to the eventual launch of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
4. Why was the Rowlatt Act opposed by Indians?
Answer: The Rowlatt Act was opposed because it gave the British government authoritarian powers to detain any individual without trial, which was seen as a direct assault on civil liberties and freedom. It also symbolized the lack of trust the British had in the Indian population, leading to widespread protests.
F. Long Questions
1. Explain in detail the reasons for the launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement by Gandhi.
Answer: The Non-Cooperation Movement, initiated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, was a direct response to the oppressive colonial rule and specific events that deeply affected Indian sentiments.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919): The horrific massacre in Amritsar, where hundreds of unarmed civilians were killed under General Dyer’s orders, triggered widespread outrage. Gandhi and other leaders were shocked by the brutality and saw it as a clear sign of the British government’s disregard for Indian lives.
Rowlatt Act (1919): This act authorized the British to imprison anyone without trial, leading to a crackdown on civil liberties. The act was passed despite strong opposition from Indian leaders, leading to a massive protest movement.
Khilafat Issue: Following World War I, the Ottoman Caliphate was dismantled, causing outrage among Indian Muslims. Gandhi saw an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims by supporting the Khilafat Movement, which sought to restore the Caliphate. By combining the Khilafat cause with the larger national struggle, Gandhi hoped to build a more unified resistance against the British.
Call for Swaraj: Gandhi believed that self-rule or Swaraj was the only way to address India’s grievances. He argued that cooperation with the British only perpetuated exploitation and subjugation. By promoting the idea of non-cooperation, Gandhi urged Indians to reject British goods, schools, courts, and government services, encouraging a boycott of foreign goods and the revival of local industries.
Non-Violent Resistance: Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence or Satyagraha was central to the movement. He believed that mass civil disobedience, if carried out peacefully, could paralyze British rule without resorting to violence. His call for boycotting British institutions, resigning from government jobs, and promoting indigenous products like khadi was aimed at weakening British control over India.
Conclusion: Despite the ultimate suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri Chaura incident, the movement marked the beginning of mass participation in the freedom struggle. It instilled a sense of national pride and self-confidence among Indians, paving the way for future movements like the Civil Disobedience and Quit India Movements.
2. Discuss the factors that led to the emergence of the Civil Disobedience Movement. What were its main features?
Answer: The Civil Disobedience Movement, initiated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, was a milestone in India’s fight for independence. Several factors contributed to its emergence, and it had some defining characteristics:
Failure of the Simon Commission (1927): The Simon Commission, appointed by the British to look into Indian constitutional reforms, faced intense opposition because it had no Indian members. This united the Indian population in their demand for self-rule. The commission’s failure to address Indian concerns intensified the call for independence.
The Impact of the Great Depression (1929): The global economic crisis worsened the economic conditions in India. Indian agricultural prices fell drastically, and the peasants were unable to pay revenue. This created widespread discontent against British economic policies, leading many to support the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Lahore Session of Congress (1929): At this session, the Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, declared Purna Swaraj (complete independence) as their goal. The resolution set the stage for a mass civil disobedience campaign aimed at challenging British rule.
Gandhi’s Salt March (1930): The Civil Disobedience Movement began with Gandhi’s famous Salt March, a 240-mile journey to Dandi on the coast of Gujarat, where he made salt illegally to protest the British salt monopoly. The salt law was symbolic of British control over even the most basic necessities of life. The march inspired mass participation and civil disobedience across the country, with thousands of Indians breaking the salt laws.
Boycott of British Goods and Institutions: One of the key features of the movement was the mass boycott of British goods and institutions. Indians refused to buy foreign products, particularly cloth, and started using khadi (home-spun cloth). Schools, colleges, and courts run by the British were boycotted, and taxes were refused.
Mass Participation: Different social groups, including peasants, tribals, women, and business communities, joined the movement. While peasants protested high land revenue and unjust taxes, women came out in large numbers to join protests and demonstrations. Tribals revolted against British forest policies, and the business community supported the movement to protect Indian industries from British competition.
Repression by the British: The British government responded with severe repression. Tens of thousands of Indians, including Gandhi, were arrested. Protests were brutally suppressed, and many demonstrators were injured or killed. Despite this, the movement continued, showing the resilience and determination of the Indian population.
Conclusion: The Civil Disobedience Movement was significant because it brought ordinary Indians into the struggle for independence. It was the first time that people from different sections of society united on a large scale to challenge British rule. Though it did not achieve complete independence, it weakened British control and laid the foundation for future struggles, culminating in the Quit India Movement of 1942 and eventual independence in 1947.
3. Write short note on three freedom fighters of indian national movement.
Answer. Here are brief notes on Bhagat Singh, Khudiram Bose, and Ashfaqulla Khan, three prominent figures in India's freedom struggle :
A. Bhagat Singh (1907–1931): Bhagat Singh was a revolutionary socialist and one of the most influential freedom fighters in India's independence movement. He gained prominence after his involvement in the killing of British police officer John Saunders in 1928 to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. Bhagat Singh, along with Batukeshwar Dutt, also threw non-lethal bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly in 1929 to protest against repressive laws. His courage, dedication, and martyrdom at the age of 23 made him a symbol of youth rebellion and patriotism.
B. Khudiram Bose (1889–1908): Khudiram Bose was one of the youngest revolutionaries in India's freedom struggle. At just 18 years old, he was sentenced to death by the British for his involvement in the Muzaffarpur Conspiracy, where he attempted to assassinate a British judge, Douglas Kingsford, by throwing a bomb. Though the plan failed, Khudiram's sacrifice became a source of inspiration for many young Indians, and his bravery left an indelible mark on the freedom movement.
C. Ashfaqulla Khan(1900–1927): Ashfaqulla Khan was a key member of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), a revolutionary organization aimed at overthrowing British rule through armed struggle. He was involved in the famous Kakori Train Robbery of 1925, which was an attempt to fund the revolutionary activities by looting government money. Ashfaqulla Khan was arrested, tried, and hanged in 1927. His close friendship with fellow revolutionary Ram Prasad Bismil exemplified Hindu-Muslim unity in the fight for India's independence.
