NATIONALISM IN INDIA
Q1.Explain why the growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to anti-colonial
movements? OR How would you account for the growth of national consciousness
in India in the 1st half of the 20th cent? OR “In India, as in Vietnam and many other
colonies, the growth of modern nationalism is intimately connected to the anti-
colonial movement” Explain.
A1. The growth of national consciousness is linked to anti colonial movements:
1.People began discovering their unity in the process of their struggle with
colonialism.
2.The sense of being oppressed under colonialism provided a shared bond b/w
people.
3.It brought different communities together to take part in the struggle against the
colonizers.
4.Although each class and group felt the effect of colonialism differently, and their
ideas of freedom were not always the same, but leaders eg Gandhi in India, tried to
unite these groups within one movement.
Q2.Explain how the 1st World War helped in the growth of the National movement
in India. OR Analyse the implications of the 1st World War on the economic &
political situation of India.
A2.
1.INCREASE IN DEFENCE EXPENDITURE: It was financed by war loans and
also by increasing taxes, raising custom duties, introducing income tax.
2.INCREASE IN PRICES: Prices doubled b/w 1913 and 1918 which lead to extreme
hardship for the common people.
3.FORCED RECRUITMENT: There was discontentment in the rural areas as
villages were called upon to supply soldiers. This made people in rural areas angry.
4.CROP FAILURE: In 1918-1919 and 1920-1921 crops failed in many parts of
India, resulting in acute food shortage.
5.INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC: According to the census of 1921, 12-13 million people
died due to famine and epidemic.
Q3.What is meant by Satyagraha? OR Describe the new method of mass agitation
by Gandhiji. OR “Satyagraha is active resistance and not passive resistance”
Explain.
A3.This was a form of struggle which Gandhiji adopted against Apartheid( racial
discrimination) in South Africa.
1.The idea of Satyagraha emphasized the power of truth and the need to search for
truth. A satyagrahi does not inflict pain on his adversary.
2.It suggested that if the cause was true, if the struggle was against injustice, then
physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor. He does not want his
destruction.
3.A Satyagrahi could win the battle through non-violence, without being aggressive.
His soul burns the flame of love.
, 4.People had to be persuaded to see the truth. They cannot be forced to accept the
truth through the use of violence.
5.Gandhi believed that this dharma of non-violence could unite all Indians.
Q4.Which Satyagraha movements were organized by Gandhiji in 1917 and 1918?
OR Describe the early experiments on satyagraha initiated by Gandhiji on local
issues b/w the years 1917-1918. OR Why are Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad
important in the Indian National Movement?
1.In 1917, he traveled to Champaran, Bihar, to fight for the planters who were
forced to grow indigo instead of food crops.
2.In 1917, he organized a satyagraha to support the peasants of Kheda district in
Gujrat, demanding that the revenue collection had to be relaxed. Due to crop failure
and epidemic, farmers were unable to pay the revenue.
3.In 1918, he organized a satyagraha in Ahmedabad for the cotton mill workers.
Q5.What was the Rowlatt Act? Why were the Indians outraged by this Act? What
was Gandhiji’s response to the Act or how was this Act opposed by the people in
India?
A5.
1.The Rowlatt Act was hurriedly passed through the Imperial Legislative Council
even though the Indian members opposed it.
2. The Indians were outraged by this act as it gave the government enormous
powers to repress political activities.
3.According to this Act, the government could detain political prisoners for 2yrs
without any trial.
4.This led to widespread discontentment among Indians. Gandhiji’s response was to
start a non-violence civil disobedience movement against it, which would start with
a hartal on 6th April. The people opposed in the following way:
1.Rallies were organized in various cities.
2.Workers went on strike in railway shops.
3.Shops were closed down.
Q6.What was the reason for the Martial law in Amritsar? Explain the measures
taken by the British to repress the movement started against the Rowlatt Act.
A6.The government was alarmed by the non-violence civil disobedience which was
started by Gandhiji against the Rowlatt Act. The British administration took
repressive measures:
1.Local leaders in Amritsar were put in prison.
2.Gandhiji was barred from entering Delhi.
3.On 10th April, the police in Amritsar fired upon a peaceful procession.
4.The people were provoked and they attacked banks, post offices and railway
stations. So Martial Law was imposed and General Dyer took command.
Q7.Write a report on the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. OR Describe the events
leading to the Jallianwala Bagh incident. (take points 3 and 4 from ans 6 and add to
ans 7)
A7.
1.On 13th April, a crowd of villagers who had come to Amritsar to attend a fair,
gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh.
Q1.Explain why the growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to anti-colonial
movements? OR How would you account for the growth of national consciousness
in India in the 1st half of the 20th cent? OR “In India, as in Vietnam and many other
colonies, the growth of modern nationalism is intimately connected to the anti-
colonial movement” Explain.
A1. The growth of national consciousness is linked to anti colonial movements:
1.People began discovering their unity in the process of their struggle with
colonialism.
2.The sense of being oppressed under colonialism provided a shared bond b/w
people.
3.It brought different communities together to take part in the struggle against the
colonizers.
4.Although each class and group felt the effect of colonialism differently, and their
ideas of freedom were not always the same, but leaders eg Gandhi in India, tried to
unite these groups within one movement.
Q2.Explain how the 1st World War helped in the growth of the National movement
in India. OR Analyse the implications of the 1st World War on the economic &
political situation of India.
A2.
1.INCREASE IN DEFENCE EXPENDITURE: It was financed by war loans and
also by increasing taxes, raising custom duties, introducing income tax.
2.INCREASE IN PRICES: Prices doubled b/w 1913 and 1918 which lead to extreme
hardship for the common people.
3.FORCED RECRUITMENT: There was discontentment in the rural areas as
villages were called upon to supply soldiers. This made people in rural areas angry.
4.CROP FAILURE: In 1918-1919 and 1920-1921 crops failed in many parts of
India, resulting in acute food shortage.
5.INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC: According to the census of 1921, 12-13 million people
died due to famine and epidemic.
Q3.What is meant by Satyagraha? OR Describe the new method of mass agitation
by Gandhiji. OR “Satyagraha is active resistance and not passive resistance”
Explain.
A3.This was a form of struggle which Gandhiji adopted against Apartheid( racial
discrimination) in South Africa.
1.The idea of Satyagraha emphasized the power of truth and the need to search for
truth. A satyagrahi does not inflict pain on his adversary.
2.It suggested that if the cause was true, if the struggle was against injustice, then
physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor. He does not want his
destruction.
3.A Satyagrahi could win the battle through non-violence, without being aggressive.
His soul burns the flame of love.
, 4.People had to be persuaded to see the truth. They cannot be forced to accept the
truth through the use of violence.
5.Gandhi believed that this dharma of non-violence could unite all Indians.
Q4.Which Satyagraha movements were organized by Gandhiji in 1917 and 1918?
OR Describe the early experiments on satyagraha initiated by Gandhiji on local
issues b/w the years 1917-1918. OR Why are Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad
important in the Indian National Movement?
1.In 1917, he traveled to Champaran, Bihar, to fight for the planters who were
forced to grow indigo instead of food crops.
2.In 1917, he organized a satyagraha to support the peasants of Kheda district in
Gujrat, demanding that the revenue collection had to be relaxed. Due to crop failure
and epidemic, farmers were unable to pay the revenue.
3.In 1918, he organized a satyagraha in Ahmedabad for the cotton mill workers.
Q5.What was the Rowlatt Act? Why were the Indians outraged by this Act? What
was Gandhiji’s response to the Act or how was this Act opposed by the people in
India?
A5.
1.The Rowlatt Act was hurriedly passed through the Imperial Legislative Council
even though the Indian members opposed it.
2. The Indians were outraged by this act as it gave the government enormous
powers to repress political activities.
3.According to this Act, the government could detain political prisoners for 2yrs
without any trial.
4.This led to widespread discontentment among Indians. Gandhiji’s response was to
start a non-violence civil disobedience movement against it, which would start with
a hartal on 6th April. The people opposed in the following way:
1.Rallies were organized in various cities.
2.Workers went on strike in railway shops.
3.Shops were closed down.
Q6.What was the reason for the Martial law in Amritsar? Explain the measures
taken by the British to repress the movement started against the Rowlatt Act.
A6.The government was alarmed by the non-violence civil disobedience which was
started by Gandhiji against the Rowlatt Act. The British administration took
repressive measures:
1.Local leaders in Amritsar were put in prison.
2.Gandhiji was barred from entering Delhi.
3.On 10th April, the police in Amritsar fired upon a peaceful procession.
4.The people were provoked and they attacked banks, post offices and railway
stations. So Martial Law was imposed and General Dyer took command.
Q7.Write a report on the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. OR Describe the events
leading to the Jallianwala Bagh incident. (take points 3 and 4 from ans 6 and add to
ans 7)
A7.
1.On 13th April, a crowd of villagers who had come to Amritsar to attend a fair,
gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh.
