History Chapter - 3 Nationalism in India
Previous Knowledge based Questions:
1. What is Nationalism?
Ans. Nationalism refers to the feeling of oneness and common consciousness that emerges when people
living in a common territory share the same historical, political and cultural background, have the same
cultural values and consider themselves as one nation.
2. Who is known as the 'Father of Our Nation'?
Ans. Mahatma Gandhi
3. What was Gandhiji's ideology?
Ans. He believed in Satyagraha and non-violence.
4. Name the important movements launched by Mahatma Gandhi.
Ans. Non-cooperation Movement
Civil Disobedience Movement
Quit India Movement
QUESTION ANSWER :
Unit 1
Q1. What was the impact of the First World War on India?
Ans. The War created a new economic and political situation :
It led to a huge increase in defence expenditure which was financed by war loans and increasing
taxes, customs duties were raised, and income tax introduced.
Through the war years, prices increased doubling between 1913 and 1918 - leading to extreme
hardships for the common people.
Villagers were called upon to supply soldiers, and the forced recruitment in rural areas caused
widespread anger.
Q2. What was Satyagraha? Explain some of the Satyagrahas launched by Gandhiji.
Ans. Satyagraha was a non-violent method of mass agitation against the oppressor. The method
suggested that if the cause was true, if the struggle was against injustice, there is no need for physical
force to fight the oppressor.
, Gandhiji used the Satyagraha technique successfully against injustice in South Africa.
In 1916, he launched the Satyagraha to inspire the indigo farmers of Champaran to raise their
voice against the oppresive policies of the British and the Government had to pass an Act for the
welfare of the peasants of Champaran in 1918 A.D.
He started the Kheda Satyagraha in which Gandhiji asked the people not to pay the taxes due to
the failure of crops and plague epidemic. Ultimately, the Government had to bow, and the
payment of taxes was deferred to the next year.
Again in 1918 A.D., Gandhiji intervened in the Mill Workers' Strike at Ahmedabad, and helped
them to get their pay raised, for which he had started a fast unto death.
Q3. What was Rowlatt Act? Explain the reactions of Indian people against the Rowlatt Act passed
through the Imperial Legislative Council in 1919.
Ans. Rowlatt Act was an oppressive act introduced by the British government in 1919. It gave the
government enormous powers to repress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners
without trail for two years.
Reaction of Indian people:
Mahatma Gandhi's reaction : Mahatma Gandhi wanted non violent Civil Disobedience
Movement against the unjust law which would start with a hartal on 6th April.
Rallies and strikes : Rallies were organised in various cities, workers went on strike in railway
workshops, and shops closed down.
Damage to public property: On 10th April, the police in Amritsar fired upon a peaceful
procession, provoking widespread attacks on banks, post offices and railway stations.
Meeting at Jallianwale Bagh: On 13th April a large crowd gathered in the enclosed ground of
Jallianwalla Bagh. To protest against the government's new repressive measures.
United struggle : Rowlatt Act had a deep and long lasting impact on the people. Both Hindu and
Muslim realised a need for united struggle.
Q4. What happened on 13 April 1919 in Amritsar? What was General Dyer's motive behind it?
On 13 April 1919, a large crowd gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar.
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 object, as he declared later, was to produce a moral effect, to create in the minds of Satyagrahis a
feeling of terror and awe.
Q5. Why did Mahatma Gandhi called off the Rowlatt Satyagraha?
As the news of Jallianwalla Bagh spread, crowds took to the streets in many north Indian towns.
Previous Knowledge based Questions:
1. What is Nationalism?
Ans. Nationalism refers to the feeling of oneness and common consciousness that emerges when people
living in a common territory share the same historical, political and cultural background, have the same
cultural values and consider themselves as one nation.
2. Who is known as the 'Father of Our Nation'?
Ans. Mahatma Gandhi
3. What was Gandhiji's ideology?
Ans. He believed in Satyagraha and non-violence.
4. Name the important movements launched by Mahatma Gandhi.
Ans. Non-cooperation Movement
Civil Disobedience Movement
Quit India Movement
QUESTION ANSWER :
Unit 1
Q1. What was the impact of the First World War on India?
Ans. The War created a new economic and political situation :
It led to a huge increase in defence expenditure which was financed by war loans and increasing
taxes, customs duties were raised, and income tax introduced.
Through the war years, prices increased doubling between 1913 and 1918 - leading to extreme
hardships for the common people.
Villagers were called upon to supply soldiers, and the forced recruitment in rural areas caused
widespread anger.
Q2. What was Satyagraha? Explain some of the Satyagrahas launched by Gandhiji.
Ans. Satyagraha was a non-violent method of mass agitation against the oppressor. The method
suggested that if the cause was true, if the struggle was against injustice, there is no need for physical
force to fight the oppressor.
, Gandhiji used the Satyagraha technique successfully against injustice in South Africa.
In 1916, he launched the Satyagraha to inspire the indigo farmers of Champaran to raise their
voice against the oppresive policies of the British and the Government had to pass an Act for the
welfare of the peasants of Champaran in 1918 A.D.
He started the Kheda Satyagraha in which Gandhiji asked the people not to pay the taxes due to
the failure of crops and plague epidemic. Ultimately, the Government had to bow, and the
payment of taxes was deferred to the next year.
Again in 1918 A.D., Gandhiji intervened in the Mill Workers' Strike at Ahmedabad, and helped
them to get their pay raised, for which he had started a fast unto death.
Q3. What was Rowlatt Act? Explain the reactions of Indian people against the Rowlatt Act passed
through the Imperial Legislative Council in 1919.
Ans. Rowlatt Act was an oppressive act introduced by the British government in 1919. It gave the
government enormous powers to repress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners
without trail for two years.
Reaction of Indian people:
Mahatma Gandhi's reaction : Mahatma Gandhi wanted non violent Civil Disobedience
Movement against the unjust law which would start with a hartal on 6th April.
Rallies and strikes : Rallies were organised in various cities, workers went on strike in railway
workshops, and shops closed down.
Damage to public property: On 10th April, the police in Amritsar fired upon a peaceful
procession, provoking widespread attacks on banks, post offices and railway stations.
Meeting at Jallianwale Bagh: On 13th April a large crowd gathered in the enclosed ground of
Jallianwalla Bagh. To protest against the government's new repressive measures.
United struggle : Rowlatt Act had a deep and long lasting impact on the people. Both Hindu and
Muslim realised a need for united struggle.
Q4. What happened on 13 April 1919 in Amritsar? What was General Dyer's motive behind it?
On 13 April 1919, a large crowd gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar.
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 object, as he declared later, was to produce a moral effect, to create in the minds of Satyagrahis a
feeling of terror and awe.
Q5. Why did Mahatma Gandhi called off the Rowlatt Satyagraha?
As the news of Jallianwalla Bagh spread, crowds took to the streets in many north Indian towns.
