Sources Of History

Exercise

Q. 1. A. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

Among the historical sources _______ sources are based on Modern technology.

A. Written

B. Oral

C. Material

D. Audio-visual

Answer : (a) Is the answer because Audio visual service provides web streaming, video
conferencing and live broadcast services with the help of technology.

(a) is not the answer because hand-written records don’t have any of technology

(b) is not the answer because oral sources are only partially attributed to modern
technology

(c) is not the answer because Material objects are the items with physical stuff. They
are mainly shaped or produced by human action. For example, a coin is the product of
human action.

Q. 1. B. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

The _______ is a museum in Pune which gives information about the history of
Mahatma Gandhi.

A. Aga Khan Palace

B. Sabarmati Ashram

C. Cellular Jail

D. Lakshmi Vilas Palace

Answer : (a) is the answer because Aga Khan Palace is built in respect of Gandhi and
his philosophy by Agha Khan III. He donated this Aga Khan Palace for India. It was
made for paying respect to all the freedom fighters in 1969.
(b) Is not the answer because Sabarmati ashram is one of the many residences of
Mahatma Gandhi

(c) Is not the answer because cellular jail is the colonial prison in Andaman and Nicobar
islands.

(d) Is not the answer because Lakshmi Vilas Palace is in Vadodara, Gujarat, India,
constructed by the Gaekwad, a prominent Maratha family, who ruled the Baroda State.

Q. 1. C. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

A unique discovery of modern technology in the 20th century is ________

A. Powada

B. Photograph

C. Interviews

D. Films

Answer : Photography was invented in 1839 and the concept and application of
interviews came in 1921. Films began to be a part of human life by the end of 19th
century (1890) and at the beginning of the 20th century.

Q. 2. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

During the British period, newspapers also acted as a source of social

reformation.

Answer : Newspaper can be defined as “a printed means of conveying current

information”. It is the proud institution of the society and its basic function is to provide
info-edu-tainment (information, education, and entertainment).

The British period was marked by severe government control and censorship. If some
newspapers print any news against the government then the strict penalty was given.
- Therefore, in the late 18th and early 19th century, no reputed journalist or newspaper
emerged. The newspapers acted as the source of social reformation:

• Newspapers initiated clear journalistic practices and covered the problems of local
people and their lives.

• Social reformers and political leaders had started contributing to the field of journalism

• Journalism was all about to make common man understand the social, religious,
administrative situation of India under the British rule.
• Awareness and against Customs and practices like Sati, untouchability, infanticide etc
were given through newspapers.

Notable newspapers and social reformers

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy recognized the power of newspapers and started a Bengali
newspaper ‘Sambad Kaumudi’ in 1822

• Fardaonji Murzban in 1822 started ‘Bombay Samachar’, he was a pioneer of the

Vernacular Press in Bombay

• C.Y. Chintamani, N. C. Kelkar, Ferozeshah Mehta also started newspapers.

Q. 2. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

(Audio Visual Recordings are considered the most trustworthy source for the
study of Modern Indian History.

Answer : Audio literally means “hearing” and “visual” means that which is found by
seeing and hearing. Audio Visual Aids are also called instructional material which
makes the knowledge clear to us. They are considered as the most trustworthy for the
following reasons:

• Make learning situations as real as possible

For example, in the case of studying the history of Indian freedom struggle, it becomes
more real when the (available) video clips of freedom fighters are shown.

• Give us firsthand knowledge through the organs of hearing and seeing.

It is proven that we remember that we see or hear than what we read. Seeing and
hearing are the basic steps of experiencing. Therefore history, which is the study of
events and incidents, can be studied easily.

• To make the learning experience more concrete and effective

Seeing videos or listening to talks helps in more effective learning. The visual
experience of Gandhiji’s Dandi march or the documentary about the 1857 revolt is more
concrete than mere classroom lectures.

• More realistic and dynamic

The way the learner experience the history of India becomes dynamic because of the
enriched information and data which can be included in a single audio or video file.
Q. 3. A. Write short notes.

Photographs

Answer : Photography is the communication without letters. The intentions of

photographs vary according to situations. It has different roles in different period of time.
It takes up great responsibility in society during the time of social emergencies.

Aims of photography

• Visual interpretations.

• Creation of visual art

• Meditation to oneself

• Record an event

• Make viewers aware about a social situation (eg: photojournalism)

copy some beauty (nature, skill etc)

chase perfection

Q. 3. B. Write short notes.

Museums and History

Answer : By definition, “The museum as an institution that tells the story of the man to
the world over and how humanity has survived in its environment over the years”.

• They are agents of change and development and future research

• They mirror events in society within a period of time in history

• They are instruments of progress as they preserve actions and events in history

• The museums target teachers, adults, the youth, and women's organizations through
popular forum discussions

• They help in promotion and a better understanding of its heritage

• Its agenda is targeting national growth, development and general liberation

• They work as material sources of study which helps in detailed learning.

Q. 3. C. Write short notes.

Audio sources

Answer : Audio sources are captured sound on a recording medium for preservation
and reproduction. Audio sources have reached to its digital era in the current
period. Audio sources are components that playback audio. It has a very important role
in the field of education, information, entertainment, and research. Audio sources can
be made intentionally and unintentionally. Sound recording and its reproduction are very
important and useful in studying history.

Sound recording and reproduction are defined as “an electrical, mechanical, electronic,
or digital inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing,
instrumental music, or sound effects”. Audio sources help in:

• A better understanding of the subjects

• A detailed revision of the topic

• Intentional and unintentional audio sources serve their purpose according to the need
of the study.

• In case of repeated study, audio sources allow us to be hands-free in most part of the
time.

Q. 4. Complete the following diagram.

Answer : Material sources

1) BOOKS

2) MONUMENTS

3) MUSEUMS

4) BUILDINGS

5) CLOTHES
6) TRANSPORT

7) GOODS AND PRODUCTS

8) CITIES AND NEIGHBOURHOOD

9) CURRENCY

Project

Q. 1. Collect the photographs related to Indian Freedom movement with the help
of internet.

Answer : A) QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT 1942

B) THE SCENE AFTER THE REVOLT OF 1857

C) GANDHIJI
D) GANDHIJI IN ONE OF THE FREEDOM MARCHES

E) NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE

F) GANDHIJI AND NETAJI

G) THE CHORI-CHAURA INCIDENT-1922

H) SWADESHI MOVEMENT 1905

I) DANDI MARCH 1930

J) “SIMON GO BACK” AGITATION OF 1928

K) INDIANS BEING BEATEN UP BY THE BRITISH DURING A PROTEST

Q. 2. Gather information about the important leaders of Indian freedom movement
and their biographies and read aloud.

Answer : Independent India is the contribution of thousands and thousands of

nameless freedom fighters and famous Indians like Gandhiji, Nehru, Patel etc.

1) MAHATMA GANDHI

• Mahatma Gandhi’s father, Karamchand Gandhi, was as a chief minister in Porbandar

and other states in western India. His mother, Putlibai, was a totally religious woman
who fasted regularly.

• At the age of 13, Mahatma Gandhi wed Kasturba Makanji, a merchant’s daughter, in
an arranged marriage.

• Mahatma Gandhi was the primary leader of India’s independence movement.

• He was the leader of India’s non-violent independence movement against British rule.

• Gandhi studied law and organized boycotts against British institutions in peaceful
forms of civil disobedience.
• Gandhi grew up worshiping the Hindu god Vishnu. He also followed Jainism. He
believed in non-violence, fasting, meditation, and vegetarianism.

• “The religious spirit within me became a living force,” he wrote about religion.

• In 1915 Gandhi founded an ashram in Ahmedabad, India, that was open to all castes.

• He was called ‘Mahatma’ or the ‘great saint’.

• In 1888, 18-year-old Gandhi went to London, England, to study law.

• In 1906, Gandhi organized his first mass civil-disobedience campaign, which he called
“Satyagraha” (“truth and firmness”).

• After years of protests, the government imprisoned hundreds of Indians in 1913,

including Gandhi.

• In 1930, Gandhi returned to active politics to protest Britain’s Salt Acts. It is called as
salt satyagraha

• Violence between Hindus and Muslims flared after independence and made bad effect
on August 15, 1947. The religious hatred increased.

• Gandhiji was assassinated by Hindutva Terrorist Nathuram Godse.

2) JAWAHARLAL NEHRU

• Motilal Nehru (1861–1931), a wealthy barrister who belonged to the Kashmiri Pandit
community was Nehru’s father. He served twice as President of the Indian National
Congress. His mother, Swaruprani Thussu (1868–1938), belonged to a well-known
Kashmiri Brahmin family, settled in Lahore.

• He did education in England and later studied law at Trinity College, Cambridge.

• On returning to India in 1912, he practiced law and got married to Kamala Kaul. They
had one daughter – Indira Gandhi.

• Nehru joined the Indian National Congress in 1919

• By 1927, Nehru became an influential voice in advocating the call for complete
independence from the British Empire.

• During the 1920s and 1930s, he actively participated in the civil disobedience
campaigns and was jailed on several occasions.

• In 1942, Nehru followed Gandhi’s ‘Quit India Movement’.

• On the Independence Day, that is on August 15th, 1947, Nehru became India’s first
Prime Minister.

• On the eve of India’s independence, Nehru gave a speech to Congress and the nation
– known as “Tryst with Destiny”

• Nehru died in 1964.

3) B. R. AMBEDKAR

• Ambedkar was born in a poverty-stricken family in Madhya Pradesh. He was the 14th
child of Ramji Sakpal who was a Subedar (officer) in the British Indian Army.

• His family was ranked as a Mahar (Dalit) ‘untouchable’ caste.

• In 1897, he became the only ‘untouchable’ to be enrolled in Bombay high school.

• In 1907, he became the first ‘untouchable’ to enter an affiliated college of the

University of Bombay.

• In 1906, he was arranged to be married to a nine-year-old girl, Ramabai.

• He is called as “Babasaheb”

• He specialized in law, economics and political science, and made contributions to

Indian economic thought.

• In 1918, he became Professor of Political Economy at the Sydenham College in

Bombay. He also went on to serve as a lawyer
• He was appointed Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee. He was also
appointed first Law Minister.

• Ambedkar prepared a constitution which sheltered a wide range of civil liberties for
both the poor and women.

• His making of the Indian constitution placed a large emphasis on equal rights and the
overcoming of discrimination.

• He was critical of the caste aspect of Hinduism and frequently talked about his desire
to leave his religion

3) BHAGAT SINGH

• His family was politically active

• He was an atheist and socialist in life.

•He said, “My life has been dedicated to the noblest cause, that of the freedom of the
country. Therefore, there is no rest or worldly desire that can lure me now. ”

• Born a Sikh he became influenced by Marxist and Anarchist philosophies and was
dedicated to the attainment of independence for India, through violence if necessary.

• From a very young age, nationalism had taken its seed in Bhagat Singh’s ethics.

• He grew up to value nationalism and desire a British-free independent India.

• Singh was a leader of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

• He was executed in 1931 for his part in killing a British officer.

4) BAL GANGADHAR TILAK

• He was one of the prime architects of modern India and the strongest advocates of
Swaraj or Self Rule for India.

• His famous declaration is “Swaraj is my birth right, and I shall have it”

• He belonged to a middle-class Chitpavan Brahmin family in Ratnagiri, a small coastal

town in south-western Maharashtra.

• He received his law degree in 1879.

• As one among India's first generation of youths who received a modern, college
education, Tilak strongly criticized the educational system followed by the British in
India.

• Tilak founded two newspapers ‘Kesari’ in Marathi and ‘Mahratta’ in English.

• Gangadhar Tilak joined the Indian National Congress in 1890.

• Because of the fundamental difference in outlook, Tilak and his supporters came to be
known as the extremist wing of Indian National Congress Party.

• During 1908-1914, Bal Gangadhar Tilak spent had to undergo six years of painstaking
imprisonment in Mandalay Jail, Burma.

• Tilak founded the All India Home Rule League in 1916

• Tilak was so disappointed by the brutal incident of Jalianwala Bagh massacre that his
health started diminishing.

• In mid-July 1920, his condition worsened and on August 1, he passed away.

These are the biographic information about a few prominent leaders who fought for our
independence.
 Europe And India

Exercise

Q. 1. A. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options

In 1453 the city of ______ was conquered by Ottoman Turks.

A. Venice

B. Constantinople
C. Rome
D. Paris

Answer : • Constantinople was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire on 29th May
1453.

• Constantinople was dominated by the Ottoman Army, under the leadership of Ottoman
Sultan Mehmed II

• This conquest made Ottomans an Empire and one of the most powerful empires.

• After that, the Eastern Roman Empire fell and lasted.

Q. 1. B. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options

The Industrial Revolution began in______.

A. England

B. France
C. Italy
D. Portugal

Answer : • The dominant industry of the Industrial Revolution was textiles.

• It was huge in terms of employment, the value of output and capital invested.

• Many of the modern production methods were also used in this industry.

• The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain

• Many of the technological advancement also were of British origin.

Q. 1. C. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options

______ tried to put restrictions on the illegal trade of the British.

A. Siraj-Ud-Daulah
B. Mir Kasim
C. Mir Jafar
D. Shah Alam

Answer : • The British imposed heavy duties on Indian goods entering Calcutta which
was under their control.

• Siraj-Ud-Daulah seized the English factory at Kasimbazar, marched on to Calcutta,

and occupied Fort William on 20 June 1756.

• Later battle on the field of Plassey occurred, about 30 km from Murshidabad, on 23

June 1757.

• The historic battle of Plassey was a battle only in name. In all, 29 Britishers died and
Nawab lost nearly 500.

Q. 2. A. Explain the following concepts.

Colonialism

Answer : By definition, “Colonialism is the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial

political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it
economically”.

The important features of colonialism are:

• The dominant country or a nation takes control of other recessive (weaker) lands,
regions, or territories outside of its borders (boundaries of the country) by making those
other lands, regions, or territories into a colony.

• The more powerful, a richer country takes dominance of the smaller, less powerful
(recessive) region or territory.

• The words "colonialism" and "imperialism" are used with the same meaning.

• In the period between the 1700s and 1800s, the powerful European countries like
Britain, France, Spain, and the Netherlands) established colonies in the continents of
Africa, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean.

• Dominant countries use colonialism to get more land or wealth for their people to live
in.

• The local people living in the less powerful land or territories were usually moved away
by using force and fighting from armies.
• To protect these people who belong dominant countries from the local residents (who
have lost their land and shelter) colonial nations set up a military fort or colonial police
system.

• colonialism is also practiced by dominant countries to get more land so that they can
use the land for farming, trees (wood), coal, metals etc.

• Colonial countries (dominant countries) make colonies for getting land to create a local
government or military fort.

• Colonialism also helps dominant countries to get workers from the poorer country to
work in factories or farms.

• The workers in the recessive countries have forced the people from the poorer
countries to work as slaves.

• India was the recessive country and the colony of the Britishers for 190 years.

Q. 2. B. Explain the following concepts.

Imperialism

Answer : By definition, “Imperialism is a policy of extending a country's power and

influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means”.

• The Age of New Imperialism began in the 1870s in Europe.

• Imperialism in the sixteenth to the early nineteenth century is now termed Old
Imperialism

• European states established vast empires mainly in Africa, but also in Asia and the
Middle East.

• European nations followed a violent expansion policy that was stimulated by economic
needs that were created by the Industrial Revolution

• The age of imperialism is from 1870 to 1914.

• A foreign country (dominant country) can also exert a great deal of economic influence
on the recessive country.

• One of the most widespread forms of imperialism was colonization.

• Most notable example of American imperialism in this age was the annexation of
Hawaii Islands in 1898. The United States gained possession and control of all ports,
buildings, harbors, military equipment, and public properties that had formerly belonged
to the Government of the Hawaiian Islands.

Q. 2. C. Explain the following concepts.

Age of Renaissance

Answer : The Renaissance is a period from the 14th to the 17th century, considered
the bridge between the Middle Ages and Modern history. The main characteristics of
the renaissance are:

• It started as a cultural movement in Italy in the Late Medieval period and later spread
to the rest of Europe

• Renaissance means rebirth. (French: “Rebirth”). It was like a rebirth of art, sculpture,
paintings, perspectives etc.

• This period in European civilization can be characterized by a surge of interest in

Classical scholarship and values.

• The Renaissance also witnessed the discovery and exploration of new continents

• The Renaissance was a cultural movement that initially began in Florence, Italy, but
later spread throughout Europe.

• It started around 1350 and ended around 1600.

• During the Renaissance, people experienced changes in art, learning, and many other
things

CAUSES OF RENAISSANCE

• Rise of academicians

• Reintroduction of traditional Works

• The discovery of the Printing Press

• Support of Rulers, Popes, and Nobles

• The social movement

• Trade and success

• New Wealth and the Black Death

• Peace and War

Q. 2. D. Explain the following concepts.

Capitalism

Answer : By definition, “an economic and political system in which a country's trade and
industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state” is called
capitalism.

The main characteristics of capitalism are:

1) A Two-Class System

• A capitalist society was characterized by the split between two classes of individuals—
the capitalist class, and the working class,

• Capitalists own the means for producing and distributing goods (the owners) and the
working class is who sell their labor to the capitalist class in exchange for wages.

• The economy is run by the individuals (or corporations) who own and operate
companies and make decisions as to the utilization of resources.

• There exists a “division of labor” which allows for specialization,

• This specialization is occurring through education and training, further breaking down
the two-class system into sub-classes (e.g., the middle class).

2) Profit motive

• Companies exist to make a profit and therefore it has a market nature

• The motive for all companies is to make and sell goods and services only for profits.

• Companies do not exist solely to please people's needs.

• Even though some goods or services may perhaps satisfy needs, they will only be
available if people have the capital to pay for them.

3) Minimal Government Intervention

• Capitalist societies need the freedom to operate without even any government
intervention.

• But, a completely government-free capitalist society exists in theory, only.

• Even in European countries, the government regulates certain industries.

• A purely capitalist society would permit the markets to set prices based on demand
and supply for the purpose of making profits.

4) Competition

• True capitalism needs an economical market which is competitive.

• Competition prevent the formation of monopolies

• Market sets the prices, not the seller

5) Willingness to Change

• Capitalism has the ability to adapt and change.

• Willingness to allow change and adaptability of societies is essential in the period of

technology

• It improves inefficiencies within economic structures is a true characteristic of

capitalism.

Q. 3. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Siraj-Ud-Daulah was defeated in the Battle of Plassey.

Answer : The Battle of Plassey was a decisive victory of the British over the Nawab of
Bengal and his French allies on 23 June 1757, under the leadership of Robert Clive.
The battle enabled the Company's presence in Bengal, which later extended to cover
much of India over the next hundred years.

Reasons for Siraj-Ud-Daulah’s defeat are:

• Robert Clive's made conspiracy with the Nawab's Commander-in-Chief Mir Jafar and
rich bankers of Bengal

• Siraj-Ud-Daulah’s soldiers fought hard but were leaderless and without direction.

• The cannon and musket fire from Clive’s positions inflicted great loss on Siraj-Ud-
Daulah’s troops.

• Clive’s army suffered casualties of 23 dead and 49 wounded. The wounded ones of
Siraj-Ud-Daulah’s army were around 500 dead and many wounded. The English
captured horses, elephants, and all of the 53 guns brought against them.
• The British guns opened fire and murdered many of the cavalries, killing their
commander Mir Madan Khan.

• The Nawab Siraj-Ud-Daulah panicked at the loss of this and ordered his forces to fall
back. This was rushed by the British and they captured Calcutta.

• The British bombarded the nawab’s positions without reply and Nawab fled the
battlefield on a camel, and Mir Jafar was duly installed in power as a British puppet.

• The victory had cost the lives of only twenty-two soldiers on the British side while
achieving a major step toward British control of Bengal.

Q. 3. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The European countries felt the necessity of finding new trade routes to Asia.

Answer : The European countries started finding new trade routes between 1400 and
1500. It is usually termed as European exploration.

The reasons for this exploration are:

• Many European nations were in constant conflict with each other as they struggled to
increase their power and wealth.

• Because of these struggles many of the European nations believed trade with other
countries in Asia was the best way to increase wealth.

• Europeans wanted to have a profitable spice trade in the East. That is an overland
route through Russia and/or the Middle East.

• After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottoman Turks charged Christian traders
high fees to get through and they needed new trade routes.

• The Russian route was not safe because of looting bands of Mongols and Tatars
which regularly raided the trade caravans.

• Vasco da Gama found a way to the Indian Ocean around the tip of Africa, that they got
the spice trade while cutting out these intruders.

• Many Europeans guessed that one could reach Asia more quickly by sailing west.

• This led to further explorations by Columbus to discover the Americas and the
Caribbean.

Q. 3. C. Explain the following statements with reasons.

European rulers started giving military protection and trade concessions to the
trading companies.

Answer : The middle of the 16th century and the middle of the 18th century witnessed
the expansion of India’s overseas trade. This was due to the trading activities of the
various European companies which came to India during this period. India had
commercial dealings with the western countries from time immemorial.

European rulers started giving military protection and trade concessions to the trading
companies because:

• If conflicts happen with Indian rulers, it will become difficult for European traders to
keep their business

• They wanted to separate trade and conflicts from Indian politics.

• The European rulers wanted the sole right to trade with the East, without competition
from other British traders.

• The European companies wanted to buy fine qualities of cloth and spices from India
which made them flourish in trade and wealth.

• Trade concessions were given as the incentive to the trading companies so that they
remain to their rules and regulations in trade.

Q. 3. D. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Complete the following table.

Answer : • In 1488, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias (c. 1450-1500) became the
first European mariner to round the southern tip of Africa, opening the way for a sea
route from Europe to Asia.

• October 12, 1492, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus officially set foot in
Americas. He led the first European expeditions to the Caribbean, Central America, and
South America.

• Vasco Da Gama arrived in Kappadu near Kozhikode (Calicut), in MalabarCoast

(present-day the Kerala state of India), on 20 May 1498.
 Project

Q. 1. Collect information and pictures about the work of famous painters, writers,
scientists during the renaissance period with the help of reference books and the
internet. Present a project on it in the classroom.

Answer : Renaissance refers to the astonishing revival of drawing, fine art painting,
sculpture and architecture in whole Europe. It was centered in Italy and happened in
two hundred years between 1400 and 1600.

The most important painters, sculptors, architects and designers of the Italian
Renaissance during the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries include:
IMPORTANT PAINTINGS

A) THE FLAGELLATION OF CHRIST BY PIERO DELLA FRANCESCA.

It is considered to be one of the Greatest Paintings Ever.

B) LAMENTATION OVER THE DEAD CHRIST BY ANDREA MANTEGNA.

C) CEILING OCULUS IN THE CAMERA DEGLI SPOSI BY ANDREA MANTEGNA.

RENAISSANCE WRITERS

A) WILLIAM SHAKESPEAR

He is well known for plays like Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Midsummer Night’s Dream,
Twelfth Night, and Henry V.

B) MIGUEL DE CERVANTES

HE IS FAMOUS FOR THE most influential piece, Don Quixote de la Mancha.

C) NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI
The Prince written in 1513 is the main work

D) Francesco Petrarch

His famous poems are Canzoniere and the Triofi.

RENAISSANCE SCIENTISTS

1) PTOLEMY

Ptolemy was an astronomer and mathematician during ad 100-170 whose idea of the
geocentric theory that the earth is the center of the universe overpowered other
astronomical thought until the 17th century.
2) Nicolaus Copernicus

Copernicus was a Polish astronomer from 1473-1543 who was best known for his
astronomical theory that the sun is at rest near the core of the universe and that the
earth, spinning on its axis once daily, revolves annually around the sun. This theory is
called the heliocentric or sun-centered system.

3) Johannes Kepler

Johannes Kepler was a German astronomer who made important discoveries that led to
three basic laws governing the motion of planets, and these made him one of the chief
founders of modern astronomy.

4) Sir Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton was an English physicist and mathematician. Newton also formulated
the laws of motion and universal gravitation that largely influenced scientists’ thought on
the physical world.

These are the information of a few artists who contributed to the renaissance period.
 Effects Of British Rule

Exercise

Q. 1. A. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

Portuguese, _______, French, British participated in the competition of capturing

the Indian market.
A. Austrian

B. Dutch
C. German
D. Swedish

Answer : (a) Austrian

The Austrians never came to India, neither there is any sign of their presence in our
history.

(b) Dutch

This is the right answer the Dutch, and the Portuguese came to Goa in the 14 thcentury
and tried to establish their rule. The Dutch tried to get hold of the spices that were
available in the Indian Subcontinent. They established their settlements and trading
posts in The Indian coast of Kerela and Goa. They had their rule from 1605 – 1825.

(c) German

The German also never came to India for conquering or getting hold of the market. It
was only the British who came to capture the whole of India and the Dutch, French and
Portuguese who came to southern India.

(d) Swedish

The Swedish also never came to India for conquering or for capturing the market. It was
only the French, Dutch, Portuguese and the British who came to India for enhancing
trade and market of their home country.

Q. 1. B. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

In 1802 Peshwa ______ signed the Subsidiary Alliance with the British.
A. Bajirao I

B. Sawai Madhavrao
C. Peshwa Nanasaheb
D. Bajirao II
Answer : (a) Bajirao I

Bajirao I is not the correct answer as The Subsidiary Alliance was Proposed and signed
in the year 1802, and Bajirao I died in 1740.

(b) Sawai Madhavrao

Savai Madhav Rao cannot be the correct answer this is because He belonged to the
Maratha Empire, and murdered in 1795. The Subsidiary Alliance was signed in 1802
which was after his death.

(c) Peshwa Nanasaheb

Nanasaheb cannot be the right answer; this is because he died in 1761, and the
Subsidiary Alliance was signed in 1802, which was after his death.

(d) Bajirao II

Yes, this is the right answer because Bajirao II was a Peshwa of the Maratha Empire.
He was known as the puppet ruler of the Maratha Rulers. He died in 1851, and the
Subsidiary Alliance was signed in 1802, which explains that this is the right answer. He
flew to Pune because his powers were growing on a large scale, after which he signed
the treaty if the barbaric and cruel Britishers.

Q. 1. C. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

Jamshedjee Tata started the manufacturing of steel at Tata Iron and Steel
industry established in………..
A. Mumbai

B. Kolkata
C. Jamshedpur
D. Delhi

Answer : (a) Mumbai

The answer cannot be Mumbai; this is because Mumbai doesn’t have iron ore and
basalt and even coal mines. Thus the manufacturing of iron and steel goods was not
possible.

(b) Kolkata

Kolkata is a city which is located in the Tropical region; it has a marine climate and has
seashores. There are no mines of iron, coal, coke, basalt and magnesium. There is the
scope of cropping and agriculture in this city but not manufacturing of steel equipment.
(c) Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur is the correct answer as it is located in Bihar, which is located at a place

where the soil and mines are rich in iron ore, basalt, coke, coal and magnesium. The
geographical factors of this place are favourable for the manufacturing of Steel and iron
equipment.

(d) Delhi

It is a metropolitan city and was always home to service and administration professions.
It does not have mines and big rocks with hard and melted lava which are sources of
minerals. There is no place for manufacturing, and thus the plant could never be settled
up here. It was a princely state with only buildings and some forests, but the soil here is
not rich enough to bear industries here.

Q. 2. A. Explain the following concepts.

Civil Services

Answer : It is the permanent and rigid parts of a country or state’s regime. Civil services
include the governing and administration of the state’s crucial functions which are
mostly decision making. It is responsible for solving the day to day issues of public and
the Common Man. It includes the normal and civilian population and excludes the
elected politicians, the military and the judicial services.

Q. 2. B. Explain the following concepts.

Commercialisation of Agriculture

Answer : Earlier what farmers produced was only for their sustainability. But after the
British came, they turned towards India for the crops like indigo, cotton, jute, bamboo
tea, and coffee. The farmers were pressurised to produce large quantities of produce for
the Britishers as the demand of indigo had increased on a large scale. Hence, now the
crops and the produce was cultivated by the peasants and the farmers and was now
used for sale in the national and International Market and not for their own livelihood.
The commercialization of agrarian society started after the 1800s.

Q. 2. C. Explain the following concepts.

The economic policy of British

Answer : 1. The main economic policy of the British government was Land settlement
and the zamindari system

Because of both these policies, the Indian agriculture became very obsolete and
backward. All the produce was taken by the rulers of British India, this made the farmers
angry, but they could not do anything. The farmers had to pay exceptionally high taxes
because of which they also had a huge amount of debt. The zamindari system had
looted a lot of farmers of their produce and growth. Thus this was a major drawback of
this policy.

2. Deindustrialisation

The Britishers made India an exporter of raw materials and importer of finished goods
which led to the only loss of the Indian Economy.

3. The economic growth was poor

This meant that the primary products such as jute, cotton, silk and coffee and also tea
was exported to India, 50% of the trading activities of India were controlled by the British
hands, rest was with China, Bhutan and Iran. Thus the foreign market of India was
controlled by the British interest for their economic needs.

Q. 3. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Farmers in India became bankrupt.

Answer : Farmers took a loan from the moneylender, and the broker acted as the
middleman who exploited the farmers. The farmers had to sell their products at a low
price to the merchants and the middleman; they had to sell in whatever price it was
demanded. The farmers had to mortgage their land when they could not pay their loan
back to the moneylender. This led to a vicious cycle of taking more loans which
eventually led to bankruptcy.

Q. 3. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

There was a decline in traditional industries in India.

Answer : The Indian traditional textiles industries had a decline because of the foll
reasons:

1. The products of India had a high demand in Europe, so the British imposed a ban on
their imports in Europe.

2. The textile industries were not allowed to flourish in India.

3. Due to the Industrial Revolution, the Britishers started making machine-made goods
which were cheaper, and the Indian goods could not bear and stand in comparison to
them.

4. Complete the following table.

Q. 4. Complete the following table.

Answer : Complete the following table.

Project

Q. 1. Prepare detailed information with pictures about the development by British

in administration, education, transport and communication in India.

Answer : Administration

• Regulating act of 1773

The Court of the Director was now changed every four years rather than 1 year because
of which corruption was controlled and the activities of the British administration were
always on toes.
• Charter act of 1813

This deprived the East India company of gaining their profit in Indian trade

But led to more control on trade with China in Tea.

• Lord Cornwallis - He passed many reforms which helped the Indian workers, he raised
the salaries of the employees, reduced the number of revenue villages and districts. He
reorganised the judiciary and revised the administration system of India.

Lord Cornwallis in India

• The police administration was done by putting a governor at the province headquarters
and a faujdar at the subsiding levels.

The faujdars and horsemen did the policing.

• Warren Hastings helped in the judicial administration by allowing trials of Hindus

according to Hindu law and Muslims according to Muslim law and Sharia. He introduced
the DISTRICT FAUJDARI AND DIWANI ADALAT.

Lord Warren Hastings

• Lord commission was set by Macaulay. The British allowed the local self-government
in the presidency towns of Madras, Bombay and Calcutta. This was done in the act of
1918.
Lord Macaulay

Education

• Lord Wellesley established the college of Fort WILLIAM in the 1800s as according to
him it represented the Oxford of the East. He tried to help the education System Of
India.
College of Fort William

• In 1893, The House Of Commons passed a resolution regarding the examination for
the civil services in both England And India.

• The 1813 Act of Charles Grant and William Wilberforce, this act was passed to spread
education leaving the invention part of the British and spread Christianity.

• 1823 General Committee of Public Instruction: This committee promoted western

Education on a large scale.

• The 1835 Policy of Education by Lord Macaulay, English was made the court
language, it was used for teaching only the upper strata of the society in India, Books of
English language were very cheap, English education was sponsored by the state.
Bethune school was established, Agriculture Institute in Pusa (Bihar) And Engineering
Institute at Roorkee.

• Wood’s Dispatch Act of 1854, it was used to spread education among the Masses.

• Sadler Commission, it was formed due to the problems of Calcutta University. It had
12-year school course mandatory and 3-year undergraduate program. Its
recommendation was also acceptable in Other colleges.

Transport and Communication

• The most historic and recommendable transport developed by the British was the
railways, introduced by the Britishers in 1853, The first railway was from Bombay to
Thane. It eased the navigation for the British officers and employees. Railways made
transport cheap and affordable.
Bombay To Thane

• According to the motor vehicles act 1939, transport was not feasible in bumpy and
potholes filled road. Hence as roads served as the backbone of industrialisation and
even communication for the postman, they had to be built at any cost. Good metalled
roads were constructed in cities and some villages to ease transportation. Thus, four
types of roads were built:

1. National Highway
2. State or Provincial Highway
3. Major districts road
4. And Village Roads

• Water Transport, introduced by the British in the 1800s, it helped in trade and other
errands

• Many railways were built across North India.

COMMUNICATION

• Air Transport, introduced in the 19th Century, First Air Mail Service was introduced in
1911 from Allahabad to Naini, known as the airmail Telegraph. The Indian Continental
Airways Ltd. Began to operate in 1932. Then other companies came.

• The British also introduced a modern postal system and introduced The Telegraph in
India.

• The first Telegraph line In India Was from Calcutta to Agra, which was opened in
1853.

• Postal stamps were introduced by Lord Dalhousie, earlier payment had to be done, but
now it was cheap and affordable. He had also cut postal rates.
 Effects Of British Rule

Exercise

Q. 1. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

(Umaji Naik, War of Independence, LordDalhousie, Secretary of State, TatyaTope)

(a) V. D. Savarkar named the struggle of 1857 as ______
(b) ______ united the Ramoshis to rebel against the British.
(c) After the struggle of 1857 the post of ______ was created in the British
government to look after the affairs of India.
(d) ______ was the Governor-General who annexed the princely states.

Answer : (a) WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

Indian students staying in India House translated Savarkar’s book “Che

Swatantryasamar” (Marathi) which was written in 1857 into English. Finally, this work
was published in Holland in 1909, under the title “The Indian War of Independence –
1857”. He named the revolt of 1857 as the war of independence.

(b) UMAJI NAIK

The ruling king of the Berad, Umaji Naik confirmed war on the British and issued an
announcement, demanding of ‘all the inhabitants of Hindustan’ to revolt against the
British.

(c) SECRETARY OF THE STATE

The Revolt of 1857 gave a shake to the British administration in India, and this revolt
made its reorganization. The Secretary of State was a member of the British Cabinet
and as such was in charge of Parliament.

(d) LORD DALHOUSIE

Lord Dalhousie was the Governor General who took control of the princely states. The
doctrine of lapse was the annexation policy which was applied by Lord Dalhousie in
India before 1858.

Q. 2. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The Paikas made armed rebellion against the British.

Answer : The Paikas were the traditionally armed force of Odisha. They were warriors
and were charged with policing functions during peacetime. The Paikas were separated
into three ranks notable by their occupation and the weapons they handled. The Paik
Rebellion also called the Paika Bidroha. It was an armed rebellion against the British
East India Company's rule in Odisha in 1817.

The Paikas united in revolt under their leader Bakshi Jagabandhu. Jagannath was
projected as the symbol of Odia unity. The rebellion rapidly spread in most of Odisha
before being brutally put down by the company's armed forces.

The Paika rebellion had several social, economic and political reasons. The Paiks were
alienated by the British regime, who took over the hereditary rent-free lands granted to
them after the attack of Khurda. They were also subjected to shakedown and
oppression at the hands of the British government and its servants.

Q. 2. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

There was discontent among the Hindu and Muslim sepoys.

Answer : • Sepoys in the time of British rule were regarded as powerless and hopeless
peasants in uniform. U.P and Bihar were the regions occupied by the sepoys.
Annexation of Oudh by British led to maladministration. The sepoys began to develop
discontent. The main reasons are:

• Discrimination of sepoys in all the ways

• Low wages and constant physical abuse from the bosses

• No permission to put caste-marks or religious clothes.(e.g., wearing a turban)

• The grease on cartridges was made of a mixture of beef and pork tallow. The
consumption of beef was forbidden in Hinduism. The use of pork is not allowed in Islam.
The sepoys were asked to open the cartridge with their teeth. The Muslim and the
Hindu sepoys were hurt religiously and mentally.

Q. 2. C. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The Indian sepoys could not keep the stand in front of the British army.

Answer : On May 11, 1857, Indian sepoys revolted against the British in Meerut over
the use of cartridges greased with pig and cow fat. The sepoys attacked the British
magazine to captured the weapon store stocked there. In the initial hours, the revolt was
in the hands of the rebels. But the sepoys couldn’t withstand the British army. The
reasons are:

A) Political reasons

• The higher class people like princes and educated class stayed away from the revolt
• The revolt did not spread to a large area. It just focused in central India and
northwestern India.

• The sepoys could not point out an alternative to the current British rule.

B) Military reasons

• The British army was very well organized and strong

• The military supplies of the sepoys were limited

C) Organizational reasons

• The sepoys were unorganized and unplanned

• Very weak leadership. Leaders like Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope, Kunwar Singh, and
Rani Lakshmi Bhai were not efficient enough to confront the British army.

• The revolt was undirected and did not have any motive.

• It was just the uprising from the religious and emotional wounds of sepoys

Q. 2. D. Explain the following statements with reasons.

After the struggle, the Indian army was divided on the basis of caste

Answer : After 1857 revolt, there was a systematic reorganization of the Army was
done for the following reasons:

• To prevent the repetition of another revolt like that of 1857

• To use the Indian Army to defend the Indian territory of the empire from other
imperialist powers in the regions like Russia, Germany, France, etc. This guaranteed
the ultimate security of British hold over India.

• The proportion of Europeans to Indians was carefully fixed at one to two in the Bengal
Army and two to five in the Madras and Bombay Armies. There was severe European
control over key geographical locations and departments, such as weapons, tanks, and
armed corps.

• The rifles given to Indians were of an inferior quality till 1900.

• No Indians were allowed in the officer rank, and the highest rank an Indian could reach
till 1914 was that of a Subedar(a rank position)
• The Indian branch was reorganized on the basis of the policy of balance and
counterpoise or divide and rule.

• It was used to give a reason for an unfair employment policy directed towards Sikhs,
Gurkhas, and Pathans who had helped in the suppression of the revolt and were
marginal social groups.

• The soldiers from Awadh, Bihar, Central India and South India who had participated in
the revolt were stated to be non-martial.

• Caste and communal companies were introduced in all the regiments to form a
mixture of various socio-ethnic groups so as to balance each other.

• Communal, caste, tribal and regional awareness was made positive to check the
growth of nationalist feelings among soldiers.

• Alert efforts were made to separate the soldiers from life and thoughts of rest of the
population. They were controlled through measures such as preventing newspapers,
journals and nationalist publications from reaching them.

• On the whole, the British Indian Army stayed on a valuable military machine.

Q. 2. E. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The British imposed heavy taxes on Indian industries.

Answer : The most important reason for the British imposing heavy taxes on
Indian industries was:

• The industries in India had their leading position in the World market. At the same
time, British industries were lagging at the back.

• To advance the position of British goods in the market, they forced heavy taxes on
Indian industries.

• Heavy duties were imposed on the import of plain cloth. Other actions like the
prohibition of the import of Indian cloth or imposing heavy import duties were also done.

• To put up with these expenses, industries had to raise the prices of the goods, where
Britain goods were cheaper.

• As a result, Indian goods were misplaced from their lead in the market, and British
industries started to flourish.
Later the pattern of the Company’s commercial relations with India underwent a
qualitative change. The Indian market and workers suffered, but the British gained out
of it.

Q. 3. A. Answer the following question in brief.

What were the social causes behind the struggle of 1857?

Answer : The Revolt of 1857 is called as ‘Sepoy Mutiny’, ‘Great Revolt’ and the ‘First
War of Indian Independence‘ is the turning point in the account of pre-independent and
early colonial India. The revolt was the result of religious insult to the sepoys.
Dissatisfaction at the workspace and the continuing abuse and low wages also marked
important reasons for the revolt.

The social causes behind the revolt are:

(1) Political and organizational

• Under British rule, each region became a scene of resistance and revolt. The
landholders and peasants, the scattered soldiers, the landlords were so depressed and
unsatisfied

• The expansionist and annexationist policies of the British power in India made all the
Indian rulers, big and small, Hindu and Muslim look with doubt and developed hate
towards the British power in India.

(2) Economic

• The economic policies of the British resulted in ruin all the segments of the Indian
society.

• Due to their colonial policies of economic abuse, industry, trade commerce, and
agriculture suffered, and India became de-industrialized, broken and in debt.

(3) Social and religious

The social and religious partiality of the British was unbearable. Viewing the Indians as
racially inferior and culturally backwards made many problems in Indians.

(4) Military and the immediate causes

• Mangal Pandey, a sepoy of Barrackpore near Calcutta on 29 March 1857 initiated the
revolt of sepoys, and it started as the revolt of the people.
• Mangal Pandey was a spokesperson of the totality of the sepoys’ anger against the
British. The unrest of the sepoys in the army of the British is the spontaneous outburst
against the British officer, and it was a peak of burning displeasure in sepoys.

• On May 11, 1857, Indian sepoys revolted against the British in Meerut over the use of
cartridges greased with pig and cow fat.

Though a failure, the revolt of 1857 made an immense influence on the mindset of
Indian people, and they became conscious about the racial discrimination and
exploitation of the British. The British could easily suppress the revolt as they had
enough armed forces. The sepoys were unorganized, but they could create the
sensation of the need for independence among Indians.

Q. 3. B. Answer the following question in brief.

Why did the Indians fail in the struggle of 1857?

Answer : On May 11, 1857, Indian sepoys revolted against the British in Meerut over
the use of cartridges greased with pig and cow fat. The sepoys attacked the British
magazine to arrest the weapon store stocked there. In the initial hours, the revolt was in
the hands of the rebels. But the sepoys couldn’t withstand the British army. The reasons
are:

A) Political reasons

• The higher class people like princes and educated class stayed missing from the revolt

• The revolt did not spread to a large area. It just focused in central India and
northwestern India.

• The sepoys could not point out any substitute for the current British rule.

B) Military reasons

• The British army was so well organized and strong

• The military supplies of the sepoys were too limited

C) Organizational reasons

• The sepoys were unorganized.

• Very weak leadership. Leaders like Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope, Kunwar Singh, and
Rani Lakshmi Bhai were not efficient enough to confront the British army.

• The revolt was undirected and did not have any motive.
• It was just the uprising from the religious and emotional wounds of sepoys.

Many parts of central and southern India remained undisturbed in the revolt. The area of
influence of the revolt of 1857 was so limited. But the revolt could make necessary
changes in people so that they became aware of the inhuman practices of the British.
There were limitations for the Indians, and it is natural because all the political and
armed powers were with the British.

Q. 3. C. Answer the following question in brief.

Write down the consequences of the struggle of 1857.

Answer : The 1857 revolt failed and crushed by the superior military force of the British
was a significant event of far-reaching consequences in the history of British rule in
India. It marks the end of an era of trouble-free exploitation of the British in Indians.

The results of the 1857 revolt may be subdivided as:

A) Constitutional Changes:

• The British crown gave up the policy of secondary isolation and advocated a policy of
subordinate combination in respect of native states.

• The transfer of power from a trading company to the power of Britain by the
Government of India Act of 1858.

• In the place of the President of the Board of Control, the Secretary of State for India
was appointed. The Secretary of State for India was helped out and helped by a 15-
member body of India Council.

• The designation of the Governor General of India was changed to Viceroy.

• The administrative machinery in India was centralized effectively due to the

development of communications.

B) Changes in the Army:

• Before the revolt of 1857, the army of the British in India was divided into two major
divisions – king’s forces and company’s troops.

• The weapons section was entirely kept under the British.

• There were more European soldiers in the army, and the expenditure on the army
doubled up.
• They reduced the Brahmins from the army and recruited Gurkhas, Sikhs, Jats, and
Rajputs of Punjab.

C) Social Effects:

• India developed the growth of social distance between the Hindus and Muslims which
led to the communalisation of social life and partition of India on communal lines.

• There was a setback to Muslim renaissance and efforts of modernity.

Thus the revolt of 1857 had numerous consequences in the social life of Indians. The
British took all the steps to avoid any other revolt in the future. The rearrangement in all
the fields of administration was a safety measure for it. The revolt made the British more
vigilant.

Q. 3. D. Answer the following question in brief.

What were the changes in British policy after the struggle of 1857?

Answer : The revolt of 1857 made changes in every field of life, and the Britishers
determined to take necessary actions not to repeat such an uprising thereafter. The
following are the major changes:

A) Commercial Policy:

• British tried constantly to open new markets for Indian goods in Britain and other
countries. Thereby, it improved the export of Indian manufacturers and thus encouraged
their production.

• As a result of such excessive import duties and the development of machine

industries, Indian exports to foreign countries fell rapidly.

• There was a steep rise in the burden of taxation on the India peasant. It geared to the
collection of land revenues. A major part of the agricultural produce was gone as land
revenue to the British by the farmers.

B) The loss of Wealth Policy:

• The British exported to Britain part of India’s wealth and resources. India didn’t get any
adequate economic or material return. This made an ‘economic drain’ in India and was
strange to British rule.

• By the end of the eighteenth century, the drain formed nearly 9% of India’s national
income. The real drain was even more, as a large part of the salaries and other incomes
of English officials
• The drain took the figure of an overload of India’s exports over its imports, for which
India got no return.

British colonial rule did huge damage to India’s economic system. The changes in the
policy were actually to take away the wealth of India at the earliest. The revolt of 1857
made the Britishers frightened about the chances of being kicked out from India, the
country which they had been invading and ruling brutally.

Project

Q. 1. Search for the book written by [Link] entitled ‘The Indian War of
Independence 1857’ and read it.

Answer : The Indian War of Independence The book, which explains the 1857 revolt as
a united and national rebellion of India as a nation against British power, was seen at
the time as very provocative, and the Marathi edition was banned in British India even
before its publication. It is an Indian nationalist history of the 1857 revolt by Vinayak
Damodar Savarkar. It was first published in [Link] was published during Savarkar's
stay in London at the India House, the book was influenced by histories of the French
Revolution and the American Revolution, and it brought the Indian movement to the
public interest in Britain as well as to motivate nationalist revolution in India.

The book was originally written in Marathi. It was penned by Savarkar in response to
celebrations in Britain of the 50th anniversary of the 1857 Indian uprising with records
from India Office archives. The entire task received support from Indian nationalists in
Britain including the likes of Madame Cama, V.V.S. Iyer, and M.P.T. Acharya, as well as
Indian students who had the courage not to show their support or sympathy for India
House openly.

It was disqualified from the list of the British Library to avoid Indian students from
accessing it. In India, the book stayed excluded for many years later.

The highlights of the book are:

• It is a powerful work in Indian history and nationalist writing, and also one of
Savarkar's most influential works in developing and outlining ideas of male Hinduism.

• Some modern histories draw similar conclusions as the Savarkar, others, disagreed
with Savarkar's conclusions in his book on the national and joined character of the
mutiny. (Historians like R.C. Majumdar)

• A leading revolutionary himself, he was attracted and inspired by the flaming passion,
the heroism, courage, misery and sad fate of the leaders of 1857.

The content of the book

• British, as well as Indian historians, have described and allowed the rising of 1857 as a
‘Sepoy Mutiny’ or at finest as ‘The Indian Mutiny’. Indian revolution is on the other hand,
and national minded leaders and thinkers have regarded it as a deliberate and
organized political and military rising aimed at destroying the British power in India.

• Savarkar re-interpreted the incident and related it in full with the help of all the material
available to him at the time. He used up days and months at the India Office Library
studying the period. Savarkar attempted to look at the incidents of 1857 from the Indian
point of view.

• The sepoys, according to Savarkar, were the primary targets in this mission to spread
Christianity in India. According to him “If any Sepoy accepted the Christian religion he
was praised loudly and treated honourably, and this Sepoy was promoted in the ranks,
and his salary increased, in the face of the superior merits of the other Sepoys!”

• Savarkar made an interpretation of modern political thought in India. The book

explains that Savarkar established criteria for identifying revolutionaries, but he also
argued that studying the life-stories of revolutionaries would encourage Indians to
create future revolutions.

• Reading of history was transformative and the contributions of earlier period

revolutionaries were meant to create an effective response for readers to become
transformed into new revolutionaries.

• Savarkar's ideas and interpretations were making revolutionary thought in India in the
early decades of the twentieth century.

Facts about the book

• It was impossible to get this book published in India; the manuscript was returned back
to Savarkar.

• Savarkar wrote this book originally in Marathi and completed writing it in 1908. The
Marathi name of the book was “Che Swatantryasamar.”

• Attempts to get this book published in Germany also failed.

• Some Indian students staying in India House translated this book into English. Finally,
this work was published in Holland in 1909, under the title “The Indian War of
Independence –1857”.

• One edition was available secretly in India after the end of World War II. The unique
Marathi manuscript was kept in the secure custody of Madame Cama in Paris.
• This document was handed over to Dr Coutinho of the Abhinav Bharat when Paris was
in disorder during World War I. Dr Coutinho conserved it like a sacred scripture for
nearly 40 years.

• After India became independent, he returned it to Savarkar.

Savarkar is known for his activism for Indian independence. Savarkar coined the
term Hindutva (Hinduness) to form a collective "Hindu" identity as a soul of Bharat
(India). Savarkar was charge-sheeted in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi but was
later cleared, largely because no evidence of his participation was provided. It has
helped continue the myth of Savarkar the courageous.

Q. 2. On an outline map of India indicate the regions where the freedom struggle
of 1857 took place.

Answer :
 Social And Religious Reforms

Exercise

Q. 1. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

(Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan, Swami Vivekananda, Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde)
(a) .......... established the Ramakrishna Mission.
(b) The Anglo-Mohammedan Oriental College was established by...............
(c) The Depressed Classes Mission was founded by...............

Answer : (a) Swami Vivekananda

The mission is named after and motivated by the Indian saint Ramakrishna
Paramahamsa and founded by Ramakrishna's chief follower Swami Vivekananda on 1
May 1897.

(b) Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan

The Anglo–Indian statesman Sir Syed Ahmad Khan established Muhammadan Anglo-
Oriental College. It’s given Urdu name was Madrasatul Uloom Musalmanan-e-Hind.

(c) Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde

He laid the foundation of Depressed Class Mission on 18 October 1906 in order to work
against untouchability on the national level.

Q. 2. Complete the following table.

Answer :
Q. 3. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The Social and religious reform movement began in India.

Answer : Social-religious reforms in the 19th century helped in the growth of Indian
Nationalism. The main reason for the emergence of the reform movements was the
spread of western education and liberal ideas. These reforms started in Bengal and
later spread in all parts of India. All the reform movements demanded changes in
society through social or education transformations.

There are several reasons for the emergence of social and religious reform movements.
They are:

• THE CONDITION OF WOMEN WAS VERY PATHETIC.

Women’s problems like Sati, female infanticide, widow remarriage, lack of education etc

• THE CONDITION OF DALITS (SHUDRAS) AND THE LOWER CASTES WERE SO

DREADFUL

Casteism and untouchability remained very strong, and the marginalized people were
not allowed any freedom in any field of their social life.
• ISSUES IN RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS

Idolatry, polytheism, religious superstitions and exploitation by priests were unbearable.

Q. 3. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Mahatma Phule conducted a strike of barbers.

Answer : It was in 11th April 1827 that Mahatma Phule conducted a strike of barbers.
He launched the first-ever campaign for widow remarriage. He worked along with
Vishnu Shastri Bapat. Phule travelled from place to place for this motive. He also ran
child care home for children and widows. His wife Savitribhai Phule also accompanied
him in all social activities. They took the responsibility to protect the Brahmin widow and
took bold steps to encourage widow remarriage.

The main reasons for the strike of barbers were:

• To make the barbers to boycott the custom of shaving the head of the Brahmin widow.
It was the scariest custom among the Brahmins, and after removing the hair, the widow
was completely put in isolation and treated as the symbol of ultimate bad luck.

• He was totally against the custom of widowhood.

• He wanted to ensure residents of the poor young widows and also make a change in
the attitude of Brahmins and other people towards widows.

• He wanted to ensure a better living condition to widows.

Q. 4. A. Write Short notes.

Ramakrishna Mission

Answer : Ramakrishna mission was one of the most important social reform
organization in the 20th century. The mission is named after and inspired by the Indian
saint Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami
Vivekananda on 1 May 1897.

A) Motives of the organization

The organization chiefly propagates to the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta–Advaita

Vedanta and four yogic ideals–jnana, bhakti, karma, and Raja Yoga.

B) Principles of the organization

• Entirely holy and humanitarian and has no connection with any politics.
• "Renunciation and service" -the work of the mission strive to practice and preach
these.

• The service actions are based on the message of "Jiva is Shiva" from Ramakrishna
and Vivekananda's message of "Daridra Narayana" to specify that service to poor is
service to God.

• The Principles of Upanishads and Yoga in Bhagavad Gita explained in the light of
Ramakrishna's Life and Teachings is the main source of inspiration for the Mission.

• The service activities are rendered looking upon all like a real manifestation of the
Divine. The Motto of the organization is Atmano Mokshartham Jagad-hitaya Cha. It
means ‘for one's own salvation, and for the good of the world’.

C) Area of Social activities

The principal workers of the mission are the monks. The mission's actions cover the
following areas:

• Schooling

• Wellbeing and health care

• Cultural activities

• Rural support

• Tribal welfare

• Youth movement etc.

D) The important social activities

• Hospitals, charitable dispensaries, maternity clinics, tuberculosis clinics, and mobile

dispensaries.

• Training centres for nurses.

• Orphanages and homes for the elderly are included in the mission's field of activities,
along with rural and tribal welfare work.

• Renowned educational institutions in India, having its own university, colleges,

vocational training centres, high schools and primary schools, teacher-training institutes,
as well as schools for the visually handicapped.
• Disaster relief operations during scarcity, epidemic, fire, flood, earthquake, storm and
communal disturbances.

• The installation of photovoltaic (PV) lighting systems in the Sundarbans region of West
Bengal. The PV lighting was used to supply electricity to the people who were
depending on kerosene and diesel.

Ramakrishna mission was a part of religious and holy teaching. At the same time, the
organization carries out extensive educational and charitable work in India. This aspect
is the important feature of many other Hindu movements. The mission bases its work on
the principles of karma yoga, the code of unselfish work done with dedication to God.

Q. 4. B. Write Short notes.

Reforms for women by Savitribai Phule

Answer : Savitribai Jyotirao Phule (3 January 1831 – 10 March 1897) was an Indian
social reformer, educationalist and poet. She is considered as the first lady teacher of
India. She was the wife of the great social reformer Jyotirao Phule. Her role in improving
women's rights in India during British rule was huge.

The following are her main social reforms:

• Savitribhai Phule, along with her husband founded the first girls' school in Pune ran by
native Indians at Bhide Wada in 1848.

• To check the school dropout rate, Savitribai on the go did the practice of giving
stipends to children for attending school. She remained an inspiration for the young girls
she taught. She encouraged them to take up activities like writing and painting.

• She worked to abolish the discrimination and unfair conduct of people based on caste
and gender.

• Together with her husband, she taught children from different castes and started a
total of 18 schools.

• The couple also opened a care centre called Balhatya Pratibandhak Grihafor pregnant
rape victims and helped deliver their children.

• In 1863, Jyotirao and Savitribai also started a care centre called ‘Balhatya
Pratibandhak Griha,’ the first-ever infanticide prohibition home founded in India.

• She was also connected with a social reform society called ‘Satyashodhak Samaj’
founded by Jyotirao on September 24, 1873, in Pune.
• She and her husband worked hard during the famines starting from 1876. They
distributed free food in different areas and also launched 52 free food hostels in
Maharashtra.

• She also raised her voice against caste and gender discrimination.

• She has become an icon in particular, for the Dalit Mang caste and other marginalized
people.

• She was the leader of the ‘strike of barbers’ which was against shaving the heads of
Brahmin widows.

Thus Savitribhai Phule is considered as one of the most efficient women in the
19th century. Her acts are so noticeable because the condition of women in those times
were so feeble and horrible. She empowered other women. She is regarded as an
important figure of the social reform movement not only in Maharashtra but also in
whole India.

Project

Q. 1. Organize an essay competition on the topic ‘Education of women’.

Answer : The condition of women in the present society is far better when compared to
that of in the 18th and 19th centuries. Women were treated as secondary human beings,
and the laws were only favourable to men. But lower castes men too suffered all sorts of
exploitations from the British, landlords and other people of upper castes.

The 19th century saw the beginning of the social and religious reform organizations and
movements which focused on the empowerment of women. Arya Samaj, Brahma
Samaj, Satyashodhak Samaj etc. are a few of them. Most of them had a religious base,
but all focused on the education of women.

IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN EDUCATION

• A quote says like this, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you
educate a woman, you educate a nation. When girls are educated, their countries
become stronger and more prosperous. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen
can change the world.” It indicates the importance of educating a girl child.

• World Education believes that education for girls and women is an effective way to
better the lives of individual families as well as to bring economic growth to poor
communities worldwide.

• Educated women are the weapons who yield a positive impact on the Indian society
through their contribution at home and professional fields.
• Education helps women to gain greater knowledge, skills, self-confidence, and
capabilities, improving their own life prospects

• Educated women offer better nutrition, health care, and education for her family.

• Education enables a woman to take greater control of her life to involve in decision-
making processes,

• Education allows women to gain the potential to contribute socially and economically
to her family’s and community’s wellbeing.

• Women education programmes spread the importance and improve the level of
women education all over the country

• An educated woman can educate her complete family and thus the whole country

NEED FOR WOMEN EDUCATION

Women cover almost half the population of the country means if women are uneducated
the half country is uneducated which brings poor socio-economic condition. Women
should be given equal occasion in education like men, and they should not be isolated
from any development activities. Through the women education, social and economic
development will be faster in a society. Countrywide national propaganda and
awareness programmes are very necessary. But it is a fact that women are denied their
right to education and two-thirds of the world’s illiterate adults are women.

“Experience has shown that when women have the freedom to make their own
economic and social choices, the chains of poverty can be broken; families are
strengthened; income is used for more productive purposes; the spread of sexually
transmitted disease slows; and socially constructive values are more likely to be handed
down to the young.” Says Madeleine Albright. Therefore necessary steps are to be
taken by each individual as well as the authority, to educate women and girl children.

Q. 2. Collect the photographs of social reformers.

Answer : 1) VITTHAL RAMJI SHINDE

2) RAJA RAM MOHAN ROY

3) SAVITRIBHAI PHULE

4) SWAMI DAYANANDA SARASWATHI

5) SIR SAYYAD AHMAD KHAN

6) JYOTHIRAO PHULE

7) SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

8) BAL GANGADHAR THILAK

 Beginning Of Freedom Movement

Exercise

Q. 1 A.1. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

The Servants of India Society was founded by.........

A. Ganesh Vasudev Joshi
B. BhauDaji Lad
C. [Link]
D. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Answer : The Servants of India Society was founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale in
Pune, Maharashtra on June 12, 1905.

Q. 1. A2. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

The first session of Indian National Congress was held at.........

A. Pune
B. Mumbai
C. Kolkata
D. Lucknow

Answer : The Indian National Congress conducted its first session in Bombay from 28–
31 December 1885 with the consent of the Viceroy Lord Dufferin. Womesh Chandra
Bonnerjee was the first president of Congress. The first session was attended by 72
delegates.

Q. 1. A3. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

............ Wrote the Geeta Rahasya.

Options ||| A. Lokmanya Tilak

B. Dadabhai Nowrojee

C. Lala Lajpat Rai

D. Bipinchandra Pal

Answer : Shrimadh Bhagavad Gita Rahasya, commonly also known as Gita Rahasya
or Karmayog Shashtra, is a 1915 Marathi language book authored by Indian social
reformer and independence activist Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Q. 1. B. Write the names

(1) Moderate leaders _________

(2) Extremist leaders _________

Answer : (1) Moderate leaders --- Surendranath Banerjee, Gopal Krishna Gokhale,
Pherozeshah Mehta Dadabhai Naoroji

(2) Extremist leaders --- Bala Gangadhara Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai,
Aurobindo Ghosh.

Q. 2. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

In the struggle for independence, a sense of identity was awakened among the
Indians.

Answer : The ideological awareness about the ancient tradition and the exploitation
imposed by Britishers made sense of identity among the Indians. Other reasons are:

• The spread of Western education new ideas such as a justice Liberty equality
democracy etc. was introduced to the Indians.

• Many Indians started the study in the Indian culture, and they realized they no longer
should tolerate slavery under the British rule.

• Dr Bhau Daji Lad Dr R. G Bhandarkar made an intensive study of ancient Indian

culture and spread its essence to others

• Indian Nationalism and the social reform movements made Indians gain their own
opinion and ideology.

• Mahatma Gandhi’s efforts and the feeling that the freedom battle could be won made
Indians more united

Q. 2. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Two groups were formed in the Indian National Congress.

Answer : The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885. Later a division happened
in the organization due to the difference in opinions of two groups. The two groups were

a) Extremists

b) Moderates

INC was divided into two groups in the year 1907. In the Surat session of the Congress,
this spilt was officially visible.
The reasons for the differences between extremists and moderates were:

• The period 1885-1905 Indian national congress (INC), was dominated by moderates.

• Surendranath Banerjee, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta etc. were

moderates.

• The moderates had the influenced of the “moderate”(modest) idea that the Britishers
would agree with their demands as and when they confirm it.

• These Moderates believed in the request, prayers, meetings, leaflets, and pamphlets
formal messages and delegations to present their demands to the British.

• But Moderates failed to achieve any notable goals. They only could expand the
legislative council by the Indian Council Act of 1892.

• This created unhappiness among the members in INC.

• The partition of Bengal made the members restless, and it was one of the reasons for
the rise of extremism in INC

• In 1907 the Indian National Congress meeting which was conducted in Pune
witnessed many problems within the organization. The extremists wanted Lala Lajpat
Rai or Bal Gangadhar Tilak as president. But moderates wanted Rash Behari Ghosh to
be president.

• Therefore a decision was made by Gopal Krishna Gokhale to change the meeting
place of INC from Pune to Surat. If Pune was the meeting place, then Bal Gangadhar
Tilak would become President. This was the fear of moderates.

Q. 2. C. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Lord Curzon decided to partition Bengal.

Answer : The Partition of Bengal was announced on 19 July 1905 by the Viceroy of
India, Lord Curzon. The partition took place on 16 October 1905 and separated the
largely Muslim eastern areas from the largely Hindu western areas.

The reasons for the partition were:

• Partition was promoted for administrative reasons since Bengal was geographically
large and had a significantly larger population.

• The reason behind the partition that was formally announced was that the Bengal
province was too large. Therefore, it was difficult to be administered by a single
governor, and so it would be partitioned for administrative purpose.
• The eastern region of Bengal was neglected and under-governed. By splitting the
province, an improved administration could be established in the east, and later the
population would benefit from new schools and employment opportunities.

• The real reason behind the partition was political and not administrative. East Bengal
was dominated by the Muslims and West Bengal by the Hindus. Partition was yet
another part of the divide and rule policy of the British.

Q. 3. A. Write Short Notes.

Objectives of the Indian National Congress

Answer : • Indian National Congress started in 1885 by [Link] was mainly to use
the organization as an intermediary to discuss the Indian social [Link] very
leaders Dadabai Naoroji, Surendra Banerjee, Gopalakrishna, Ghokale, etc. guided it
well.

• The Jallianwalka Bhag massacre in 1918 created the anger against British rule. After
that incident, two developments happened. Two groups within Congress Extremists and
Moderates developed. Lala Lajpat Rai, Vipin Chandra Paul, and Bala Gangadhar Tilak
got identified with extremists. Mahatma Gandhi was in the line of moderates.
Satyagraha, or ahimsa, became the main bullets under [Link], to drive the British
out.

• The non-cooperation movement of 1920 initiated by INC was a great success. The
Congress leaders Shoukat Ali, and Shoukat Ali burnt a police station in a remote place
in UP in revenge to police excess. This movement was the greatest one that happened
before independence in INC.

• India supported Britain in World War II which helped in gaining independence. The
discussions were carried out by the INC with the British. India achieved independence
after a great struggle in 1947. Also, the British realized that any more extension would
affect them more. Hence they gave India freedom.

Q. 3. B. Write Short Notes.

Anti Partition Movement

Answer : British, who ruled India for nearly a hundred years stayed on in the idea to
divide and rule India. The unity of India was destroyed by creating indifferences in
political, cultural and religious grounds. Partition of Bengal was such a political idea of
the British to divide and rule India.

They wanted to make problems in the name of religious sentiments. Lord Curzon
divided the territories of Bengal in this way:
• Western part formed the Hindu majority area

• Eastern part formed the Muslim majority area.

The partition of Bengal ultimately took place on 16th October 1905. The group of protest
movements that happened against the Bengal partition is called the anti-partition
movement. The main features of the Anti-partition movement are:

a) Objections and gatherings

The people appealed to the government to change the decision in Bengal partition. The
leaders of the Muslim organizations were of the opinion that the partition is neither
necessary nor needful. Objection meetings were organized all over Bengal. Journalists
of Bengal also launched a movement against the proposal for the partition of Bengal.

Leaders of Bengal travelled through the country and asked people the boycott of British
goods. The boycott aimed at creating economic pressure on England. The Boycott
movement spread all over Bengal. Students forced the shopkeepers to stop selling
British goods through picketing. They boycotted government schools and colleges.

b) Swadeshi movement and overall participation of people

The boycott movements lead the way to the Swadeshi movement. The Swadeshi
movement was to make Indians use Indian goods only. All classes of people
participated in the movement. The entire national leadership was a part of it. The idea of
British to create communal tension was lessened by the national spirit and patriotism.

Q. 3. C. Write Short Notes.

Four-point program of the Indian National Congress

Answer : The Indian national congress (INC) has put forward many objectives in the
political administration, and it can be labelled in the four-point program. It includes:

• Social democracy, which is based on a socialist system of government achieved by

democratic means.

• Indian nationalism, which is the instance of protective nationalism, inclusive of its

entire people, regardless of their diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.

• Gandhian socialism, which is based on the nationalist interpretation of the theories of

Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhian socialism generally centres on Hind Swaraj or Indian
Home Rule authored by Gandhi.

• Progressivism, which is the support for the improvement of society by reforms.

Q. 4. Explain the background behind the establishment of the Indian National
Congress with the help of following points.

Answer : The Indian National Congress was considered to be the largest and most
prominent Indian public organization. It is also the central and defining influence of the
long Indian Independence Movement

A.O. Hume, a retired British officer, led its foundation on 28 December 1885. The
establishment of INC passed through several phases.

A) Centralization of administration

• The Britishers established a centralized administrative system and executed uniform

policies in India.

• They focused on the principle that all people would have equal status before the law,
irrespective of religion, class, and caste.

• All Indians became subject to the common rule, the feeling of unity among Indians
grew stronger.

• The means of communication such as railways and roads in India to protect and
promote the interest of the British Empire, turned out beneficial for Indians also.

• They enabled the Indians living in the different provinces to develop contacts with one
another and thereby strengthened the feeling of national unity.

• Economic exploitation

• The Indian economy under the British Raj from 1858 to 1947 was not a developing
sector.

• During this period, the Indian economy basically remained stagnant. India
experienced deindustrialization during this period.
•India during the British colonial era can be featured with a lower per-capita income, a
great decline in the secondary sector, and lower levels of urbanization.
• India went back in the world market, and the common workers suffered for it. They got
low wages, and they were exploited by the landlords. The landlords were just the tools
of the British.

• Western education

British East India Company was not interested in the development of education system
in India because their prime motive was trading and profit-making.
To rule in India, they planned to educate a small section of upper and middle classes to
create a class who are “Indian in blood and colour but English in taste.”

The educated class were to act as interpreters between the Government and the
masses. This was also called the “downward filtration theory”.

• Study of Ancient Indian History

Western education opened up new horizons to Indians. They began reading, and that
leads them to explore more on Indian tradition and culture.

The people who became aware of the exploitation of British rule made others conscious
of the need to achieve freedom.

The study of ancient Indian history made changes in the mindset of people, and they
began to praise India's immense tradition which should not be kept under the control of
the British.

The Congress leaders initiated and influenced people in all ways.

• Role of newspapers

The freedom of press and newspapers were not allowed in India under the British rule.
The following acts controlled the spread of news in India.

• Censorship of Press Act, 1799

• Licensing Regulations, 1823

• Press Act of 1835 or Metcalfe

• Licensing Act, 1857

• Registration Act, 1867

• Vernacular Press Act, 1878

• Newspaper (Incitement to Offences) Act, 1908

• Indian Press Act, 1910

But later, after the beginning of nationalist waves, the British could not defend the
attempts of the educated leaders to make people know about the social
actions. Freedom of the press was of utmost importance as it was a powerful tool to
spread political ideas.
Many newspapers emerged during these years under distinguished and fearless
journalists. These included:

1. The Hindu and Swadesamitran under G. Subramanya Aiyar,

2. The Bengalee under Surendranath Banerjee,

3. Voice of India under DadabhaiNaoroji,

4. Amrita Bazar Patrika under Sisir Kumar Ghosh and Motilal Ghosh,

5. Indian Mirror under N.N. Sen, Kesari (in Marathi)

6. Maharatta (in English) under BalgangadharTilak,

7. Sudharak under Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and

8. Hindustan and Advocate under G.P. Verma.

Thus, Indian national congress came to an establishment because of the necessity of

freedom from the British. The ill-effects of centralized British administration and
economic exploitation lead to social decay. The emergence of an educated class made
new ideas among people and leaders came up. The research on Indian tradition made
people proud of their own country, and they united. The newspapers which were owned
and prepared fearlessly by Congress leaders supported the freedom-ideas of the
common man. Thus INC was formed in 1885. It was a need of that period.

Project

Q. 1. Collect additional information about the leaders of the early phase of Indian
National Congress with the help of INTERNET.

Answer : The early phase of Indian national congress had efficient and great leaders.
They made social reforms that could make huge changes in the mind of common
people. The leaders are:

a) SURENDRANATH BANERJEE
Sir Surendranath Banerjee (10 November 1848 – 6 August 1925) was one of the
earliest Indian political leaders during the British Raj. He founded the Indian National
Association, through which he led two sessions of the Indian National Conference in
1883 and 1885, along with Anandamohan Bose. Banerjee later became a senior leader
of the Indian National Congress. He was editor of "The Bengali" newspaper.

b) GOPALAKRISHNA GOKHALE

Gopal Krishna Gokhale ( 9 May 1866 – 19 February 1915) was one of the political
leaders and a social reformer during the Indian Independence Movement against the
British Empire in India. Gokhale was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress
and founder of the Servants of India Society. Through the Society as well as the
Congress and other legislative bodies he served in, Gokhale campaigned for Indian
self-rule and also social reform. He was the leader of the moderate faction of the
Congress party that advocated reforms by working with existing government institutions.

c) ALLAN OCTAVIAN HUME

Allan Octavian Hume, (6 June 1829 – 31 July 1912) was a member of the Imperial Civil
Service (later the Indian Civil Service), a political reformer, ornithologist and botanist
who worked in British India. He was one of the founders of the Indian National
Congress, a political party that was later to lead in the Indian independence movement.
A notable ornithologist, Hume has been called "the Father of Indian Ornithology" and,
by those who found him dogmatic, "the Pope of Indian Ornithology".

d) DADABHAI NAOROJI

Dadabhai Naoroji (4 September 1825 – 30 June 1917), known as the Grand Old Man of
India, was a Parsi intellectual, educator, cotton trader, and an early Indian political and
social leader. He was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament (MP) in the United Kingdom
House of Commons between 1892 and 1895, and the first Indian to be a British MP,
notwithstanding the Anglo-Indian MP David Ochterlony Dyce Sombre, who was
disenfranchised for corruption.

Naoroji is also credited with the founding of the Indian National Congress, along with
A.O. Hume and Dinshaw Edulji Wacha. His book Poverty and Un-British Rule in
Indiabrought attention to the draining of India's wealth into Britain. He was also a
member of the Second International along with Kautsky and Plekhanov.

In 2014, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg inaugurated the Dadabhai Naoroji Awards
for services to UK-India relations.
These are the additional details of the leaders of the early phase of Indian national
congress, collected with the help of INTERNET.
 Non-co-operation Movement

Exercise

Q. 1. A. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

Gandhiji began his career from the country of _______ .

A. India
B. England
C. South Africa
D. Myanmar

Answer : He had moved there to study further and complete his education. Over there
he had learned about Satyagraha where the people organized peaceful marches and
protests and did not use any violent way of fighting against the law. He also influenced
the Civil rights movement organized by the Africans in that country. Finally, he came to
India in 1947 to fight for freedom against the Britishers.

Q. 1. B. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

The farmers started the no-tax movement in the district of _______.

A. Gorakhpur
B. Kheda
C. Solapur
D. Amravati

Answer : The people of Kheda were unable to pay the high amount of taxes imposed
by the Britishers due to crop failure and a plague epidemic. Gandhiji was the leader of
the struggle accompanied by many other devotees. All the communities of Kheda came
together to fight against the increase in taxes imposed by the Britishers. The Britishers
warned that if the peasants do not pay the tax, their properties and land would be
confiscated and many would be arrested.

Yet the farmers did not resist. They were arrested but never retaliated to the forces with
violence. The used their cash and valuables to donate to the Gujarat Sabha which had
officially organized the protest. Although a vast portion of their land and personal
property was seized still the farmers of Kheda remained united with the protests. The
government finally agreed and said that the tax would be continued for the year in
question and would become completely suspended in the next year. They also returned
the confiscated property.

Q. 1. C. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

As a protest to Jallianwala Baug massacre, Rabindranath Tagore returned the
title of _______ bestowed upon him by the British Government.

A. Lord
B. Sir
C. Raobahadur
D. Raosaheb

Answer : This title was given to him by the British government from King George V in
1915 for his contribution to the literature field. Later in 1919, he returned this title as a
protest for the inhuman act of British in the Jallianwala Bagh which has killed thousands
of people. For the same reason, Gandhiji had returned the Kaiser-i-Hind gold medal
which was given to him by the British government for his work during the Boer War.

Q. 2. A. Answer the following questions in one sentence.

Which restrictions were put up on the Blacks in South Africa according to the
declaration of 1906?

Answer : The Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance was signed into the law in the
Transvaal. It a discriminating law forcing racial segregation in South Africa which was
known as Apartheid in the later years. It forced a number of acts and other laws which
humiliated the blacks. It became mandatory for the blacks of Africa to carry an identity
card, and their freedom was curtailed. This was the restriction put on the blacks of
South Africa according to the declaration of 1906.

Q. 2. B. Answer the following questions in one sentence.

Where did Gandhiji launch the first satyagraha in India?

Answer : Gandhiji launched his first Satyagraha Movement in the district of Champaran
in 1917. Champaran is a district in Bihar. Under British law, farmers were forced to grow
Indigo on a portion of their land as a condition of their tenancy. Indigo was then used to
make dye. The Germans had invented a cheaper artificial die, so the demand for Indigo
fell. The farmers then had to pay more rent in return, if they did not want to grow Indigo.
During the first World War, the German dye ceased, and Indigo became profitable
again. Again the Indian farmers were forced to grow it. Gandhiji then organized protests
and strikes and formed his first satyagraha for the same. It was also called Champaran
Satyagraha.

Q. 2. C. Answer the following questions in one sentence.

Which officer gave orders of firing in the Jallianwala Baug?

Answer : The Jallianwala Bagh massacre also called the Amritsar massacre took place
on 13 April 1919. The people had assembled there to condemn the arrest of two
national leaders. Colonel Reginal Dyer ordered to block the entrance of the garden.
Huge troops of the British army entered and openly rifled the Indians. It was a brutal and
horrifying scene where 100 died and wounded. It later led to a series of protests and
strikes all over the country.

Q. 3. A. Answer the following questions in 25-30 words.

Explain the philosophy of Satyagraha.

Answer : Satyagraha is a Sanskrit word means holding onto the truth. It was used in
the early 20th Century by Mahatma Gandhi as a form to resist evil in the nonviolent
method. Satyagraha became a major role in the Indian struggle against the Britishers
and was also adopted by many groups in other countries as well. According to this
philosophy satyagrahis observe a nonviolence method in their mind, with peace and
love in the spirit and follow the process of self-scrutiny.

They never submit to the wrong and co-operate with them through the use of truth. They
do not wish to use any violent method which can hurt the opposite party. They do not
wish to defeat the opposition or win over them but rather focus only on a new harmony.
This is drawn from the ancient philosophy of ahimsa introduced by the Jains in Gujarat.

Q. 3. B. Answer the following questions in 25-30 words.

Why was the Swaraj Party established?

Answer : The Swaraj Party was founded by CR Das and Motilal Nehru in January 1923
after the Gaya annual conference in December 1922 of the National Congress. There
were some Congress leaders who advocated the idea of using violent methods to fight
the Britishers. They wanted to pressurize the government for various reforms. Keeping
in mind these objectives this party was formed. They felt that the method of peaceful
protest was not adequate enough for freedom. It was also called as the Congress-
Khilafat party.

Q. 4. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Rowlatt Act was opposed by the people of India.

Answer : The Rowlatt Act or The Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919,
was an act imposed by the Britishers passed by the Imperial legislative council in Delhi.
The recommendation of this act was put forward by the Rowlatt committee under Sir
Rowlatt, a British judge. According to this act, the British Government had the right to
imprison any person suspected of terrorism for up to 2 years without a trial. This also
gave the government huge powers to repress any political activities that may hurt its
own government. Indians disapproved and opposed this act in various ways. Protests
were organised in many cities. People went on strike in railways. Many workshops and
offices were closed. A peaceful protest was organized in the Jallianwala Bagh in
Amritsar. The British army had killed thousands of people here which outraged the
Indians. However, with the public support against this act, it was discontinued in March
1922.

Q. 4. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Gandhiji suspended the Non-cooperation Movement.

Answer : Gandhiji had called off the non-cooperation movement cause of the Chauri
Chaura incident. This incident occurred in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh. A
large number of protesters were participating in the non-cooperation movement were
attacked by the police. In retaliation, the police station was set on fire killing
approximately 22 policemen. Gandhiji was strictly against violence, so he halted the
movement on a national level.

Q. 4. C. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The Indians boycotted the Simon Commission.

Answer : Simon Commission was a group of seven Britishers who were sent to India in
1928 to study constitutional reform and make recommendations to the government. This
was known as Simon Commission after its Chairman Sir John Simon. This was an all-
white Commission with no representation of any Indian. This non-representation of
Indians was an insult for the dominant nationalists. The real power was not passed onto
the Indian but was held with the Britishers itself. This led to the boycott of the Simon
Commission. When this Commission came to India, they were greeted with black flags.
The Britishers challenged the Indians to come up with a blueprint for their own
government which resulted in the Nehru report. Although it was rejected by the British,
the Congress leaders got some experience of writing a constitution.

Q. 4. D. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Khilafat Movement was started in India.

Answer : The first World War had ended with the defeat of Ottoman Turkey. There
were rumours that a harsh peace treaty was going to be imposed on the Ottoman
Empire - The Spiritual leader of the world- the Khalifa. A committee was set up in March
1919 in Bombay. It consisted of many Muslim leaders that worked for the same cause.
It was led by Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali who along with Gandhiji discussed the
possibility of a united nation. Gandhiji thought this as a perfect opportunity to bring
Muslims in a unified movement called Khilafat movement.

Project
Q. 1. Trace out the pledge of independence that was taken on 26th January 1930
and read it aloud collectively in the classroom.

Answer : We believe that it is the incredible right of the Indian people, as of any other
people, to have freedom to enjoy the fruits of their soil and have the necessities of life,
so that they may have full opportunities of growth. We believe also that if any
government deprives a people of these and oppress them, the people have a further
right to alter or abolish it. The British Government in India has not only deprived the
Indian people of their freedom but has based itself on the exploitation of the masses,
and has ruined India must server the British connection and attain Purna Swaraj or
complete independence.

India has been ruined economically. The revenue derived from our people is out of all
proportion to our income. Our average income is seven pice per day, and of the heavy
taxes we pay 20% are raised from the land revenue derived from the peasantry and 3%
from the salt tax, which falls most heavily on the poor. Village industries, such as hand
spinning, have been destroyed, leaving the peasantry idle for at least four months in the
year, and dulling their intellect for want of handicrafts, and nothing has been substituted,
as in other countries, for the crafts thus destroyed.

Customs and currency have been so manipulated as to beep further burdens on the
peasantry. British manufactured goods constitute the bulk of our imports. Customs
duties betray partiality for British manufacturers, and revenue from them is not used to
lessen the burden on the masses but for sustaining a highly extravagant administration.
Still more arbitrary has been the manipulation of the exchange which has resulted in
millions being drained away from the country.

Politically, India’s status has never been so reduced as under the British regime. No
reforms have given real political power to the people. The tallest of us have to bend
before the foreign authority. The rights of free expression of opinion and free
association have been denied to us and many of our countrymen are compelled to live
in exile abroad and cannot return to their homes.

All administrative talent is killed and the masses have to be satisfied petty village offices
and clerkships. Currently, the system of education has torn us from our moorings and
our training has made us bug the very chains that bind us. Spiritually, compulsory
disarmament has made us unmanly and the presence of an alien army of occupation,
employed with deadly effect to crush in us the spirit of resistance, has made us think
that we cannot look after ourselves or put up a defence against foreign aggression, or
even defend our brothers and families from the attacks of thieves, robbers and
miscreants. We hold it to be a crime against man and God to submit any longer to a rule
that has caused this fourfold disaster to our country. We recognise, however, that the
most effective way of getting our freedom is not through violence. We will, therefore,
prepare ourselves by withdrawing, so far as we can, all voluntary association from
British Government, and will prepare for civil disobedience, including non-payment of
taxes. We are convinced that if we can but withdraw our voluntary help and stop
payment of taxes without doing violence, even under provocation; the need for his
inhuman rule is assured. We therefore hereby solemnly resolve to carry out the
Congress instructions issued from time to time for the purpose of establishing Purna
Swaraj.
 Civil Disobedience Movement

Exercise

Q. 1. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

(Mahatma Gandhi, Khuda-i-Khidmatgar, Ramsay Mac Donald, Sarojini Naidu)

(1) _______ organized the Round Table Conference in London.
(2) Khan Abdul Gafar Khan established the organization named _________.
(3) _______ led the Dharasana Satyagraha.
(4) In the Second Round Table Conference _______ participated as a
representative of the Indian National Congress.

Answer : 1. Ramsay Mac Donald organized the Round Table Conference in London.

It was a series of a conference between British and Indian to discuss the constitutional
reforms in India. It was on the recommendation of Simon and Commission and Ramsay
Macdonald, the British Prime Minister. It started from November 1930 to December
1932.

2. Khan Abdul Gafar Khan established the organization named Khuda-i-Khidmatgar.

It was a Pashtun nonviolent movement against the British. It was originally initiated as a
social reform for the progress of education and removal of a blood feud. This was also
called ‘Red Shirts’. However, it became more political as most of its members became
targets of the British.

3. Mahatma Gandhi led the Dharasana Satyagraha.

It was a protest against the tax imposed by the British on the salt. This was started after
the successful completion of Dandi March. This was a nonviolent raid on the Dharasana
salt work in Gujarat. Many of them were beaten and were taken to jail. Yet, the
movement continued under the leadership of Sarojini Naidu and Maulana Abdul Kalam
Azad.

4. In the Second Round Table Conference, Sarojini Naidu participated as a

representative of Indian National Congress.

The Gandhi Irwin pact had opened up a way for participation of Congress. Sarojini
Naidu had attended it along with Mahatma Gandhi, Sir Syed Ali Kalam, Madan Mohan
Malaviya and many others. It was held from September 1931 to December 1931.

Q. 2. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Chandrasingh Thakur was court-martialled and severely punished.

Answer : Gandhiji has protested against the salt law of Britishers. He had formed a
satyagraha movement for the same. Many of the peaceful protestors were beaten and
jailed by the Britishers. This led to many other movements as well. One such movement
was Khuda-i-Khidmatgar by Khan Abdul Gafar Khan. It was a Pashtun nonviolent
movement against the British. It was originally initiated as a social reform for the
progress of education and removal of a blood feud. This was also called ‘Red Shirts’.
However, it became more political as most of its members became targets of the British.
Gaffar Khan was arrested, and demonstration began in Peshawar for his freedom.

To solve this issue, the Royal Garhwal Rifles were asked to board the buses that would
take them to Peshawar where they were ordered to open fire on the protestors and
cause a riot. Chandra Singh Thakur was the commander of this army. He refused to do
so and was court-martialed and severely punished.

Q. 2. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The Government declared Martial Law at Solapur.

Answer : Martial law means the imposition of direct military control over the normal
residents of an area in response to a major emergency situation like war or a disaster.

Gandhiji was involved in a peaceful, nonviolent civil Salt March to oppose the British
imposition of tax on salt. However, he was arrested under the regulation of 1827, at
Karadi near Dandi. This led to a severe outburst of people and the introduction of many
new movements. Britishers became brutal to hurt the Indians. Women and children
were also not spared. Mob violence took place in the district of Solapur, and the
Britishers declared Martial law. Other factors which led to a mass fury were the
communal tensions in Peshawar, atrocities of Solapur.

Q. 2. C. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The deliberations in the First Round Table Conference proved to be meaningless.

Answer : The first Roundtable conference was from 12 November 1932 19 January
1931. Before this, Gandhiji had already started the civil disobedience movement on
behalf of the Indian National Congress. Consequently, the Congress leaders were in jail
and were not able to participate in the first conference.

However, the representatives of all other Indian parties, as well as a number of Princes,
did attend this conference. However, the outcome in the first Roundtable conference
proved to be meaningless. It was proposed that India would develop into a federation,
defence system would be improved, and the finance was also agreed. However, little
efforts were made to implement these recommendations.

Civil disobedience movement continued in India. The British government then realized
that the Indian National Congress needed to be a part of this conference to decide the
future of constitutional government in India.

Q. 2. D. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Gandhiji began fast unto death in the Yerwada jail.

Answer : On 16 September 1932, Gandhiji began a fast to protest the British support of
a new Indian Constitution that would separate the Indian electoral system on the basis
of caste. This meant the untouchables or as Gandhiji called them Harijan meaning
Children of God would be separated.

It implied an unfair system of division of social classes. Gandhiji said that this is a god
given opportunity that has come to him to offer his life as a final sacrifice to the
downtrodden. Other public figures in India had questioned Gandhiji's commitment to the
lower classes, his fast ended after the British government accepted the principal terms
of the settlement between higher caste Indians and the untouchables that reversed this
decision of separation.

He continued his nonviolent and peaceful methods of protest even after this. On
January 12, 1948, was his last successful fast in New Delhi to persuade Hindus and
Muslims to work towards peace, But less than 15 days later, he was assassinated on
his way to an evening prayer meeting.

Q. 3. A. Answer the following questions in 25 to 30 words.

Why did Gandhiji decide to break the Salt Act to begin the satyagraha all over the
country?

Answer : In 1882 the British announced the Salt Act. This act gave the British
monopoly on the collection and manufacture of salt. They also levied a taxation system
on the use of salt. Violation of this act was a big offence.

Even though salt was freely available to the people who were living near the coast, they
had to buy it from the Britishers. Different leaders thought different movements to
protest against this.

Gandhiji had a different opinion that salt must be used as a choice of protest because
this is used by all classes among the citizens. Salt tax consisted of 8.2% the British tax
revenue. Gandhiji also felt that this would unite the different religions in the country as
they all would be fighting for a common, as the protest began the people began to
realize the importance of salt as a symbol.

ΓανδηιϕιηαδδεχιδεδανονϖιολεντμετηοδοφχιϖιλδισοβεδιενχεωηιχηηεχαλλεδΣατψα
Q. 3. B. Answer the following questions in 25 to 30 words.

Why did the Indian National Congress withdraw the Civil Disobedience
Movement?

Answer : The civil disobedience movement in India began in 1930 and lasted till 1934.
This is an important milestone in the history of India. Through this movement, the
Indians learned the importance of nonviolence and passive resistance to fight their
battles.

1. Many programmes and policies were adopted in due course headed by Gandhiji and
other important leaders, The political ideology of ahimsa and Satyagraha also
developed during this time, One of the main factors that led to the formation of this
movement was Simon Commission.

2. The first movement began from Sabarmati in the form of a Dandi March salt law
imposed by the British government.

3. Next, the civil disobedience movement was temporarily discontinued after the Gandhi
Irwin pact of 1931 where it was decided that the Indian National Congress would
participate in the Roundtable Conference along with the British government.

4. However, in 1932, this movement was restarted as the British government was not
prepared to relent. The British police gave the power to arrest anyone even on the basis
of suspicion.

5. Many leaders with arrested along with the congressmen. This time the movement
continued for 6 months although it was not as organized as the First phase. In 1933
Gandhiji protested against the declaration of untouchables as a minority and began a
fast unto death in Yerwada jail. This was also due to the decision of a separate electoral
system based on caste.

6. Eventually, Britishers gave in and revoked this decision.

Finally, the National Congress withdrew from the movement, and it was put to an end
because mass movements could not long forever, they were out of resources, and the
people were tired and exhausted as well.

Q. 4. Complete the following timeline of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Answer : 12 March 1930: Beginning of Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram

6 April 1930: End of Salt March at Dandi

23 April 1930: Arrest of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan leader of the Khuda I Khidmatgar
movement.

4 May 1930: Gandhiji was arrested under the regulation of 1827, at Karadi near Dandi.

6 May 1930: A severe outburst of people regarding arrest of Gandhiji, killing 20 people

Project

Q. 1. Gather additional information along with photographs about the work of

following personalities in the Civil Disobedience Movement and exhibit it in the
class. (a) Sarojini Naidu (b) Khan Abdul Gafar Khan (c) Babu Genu Said.

Answer : SAROJINI NAIDU

Sarojini Naidu was an Indian poet and Independence activist. She was born in a Bengali
family at Hyderabad. Then moved to Chennai, London, and Cambridge for her
education. She took part in the national movement and became a follower of Gandhiji
and fought with him for the attainment of Swaraj.

She also became the President of the Indian National Congress and was later
appointed as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. When the Dandi March began from the
Sabarmati Ashram, many satyagrahis along with Sarojini Naidu had joined Gandhiji. For
the first time, the civil disobedience movement became a mass movement including
women for gaining freedom. She had encouraged many women to become an important
part of the freedom movement. Sarojini Naidu was also the first woman who was
arrested during the salt march.

She also took part in the Dharasana Satyagraha. She pushed the women followers in
Bombay to picket liquor shops and foreign clothes. Although many of the leaders were
arrested, the movement continued under the leadership of Sarojini Naidu. She said '
You must not use any violence under any circumstances.
You will be beaten, but you must not resist: you must not even raise a hand to ward off
blows'. She also collaborated with Annie Besant in 1917 and founded the women's India
Association to look into the matches of women's suffrage. She also led the delegation to
meet the then Secretary of the state for the recognition of women's suffrage.

In 1918 she encouraged the passing of a resolution to support women in a special

congress session in Bombay All over her life she had travelled extensively over India to
educate women about their rights.

On September 1931 she was among the women who met in Bombay and drafted a
memorandum stating equal rights for men and women - immediate acceptance of adult
franchise without any sex distinction. India became one of the first countries to have
equal rights for men and women. She was called the Nightingale of India because she
called out the patriarchy of the society when the country did not understand the word
freedom.

KHAN ABDUL GAFFAR KHAN

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a Pashtun Independence activist who worked for the
freedom of the country. He was a political leader with a nonviolent method. He was a
close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and work extensively with him in the struggle for
freedom. His main aim was to form a United and secular India.

He founded the Khudai khidmatgar or Servant of God. This organisation formed over 1
lakh members and became a very important force of opposition for the British army.
Through strikes, protest, and peaceful marches, they were able to achieve some
success and became dominant in the field of politics. He had also participated in the
Salt Satyagraha with Gandhiji, but in the year 1930, he was arrested during the protest
arisen out of the same.

He was a close partner of the Indian National Congress as well as other visible leaders.
He was a respected member, but at times he used to disagree with Gandhiji and his
policy. For instance, in 1931 when the Congress offered him the presidency of the party,
he refused by saying that he is just a simple soldier who wants to serve.

He was a major member of the party for many years but resigned in 1939 because of
his differences with the party's war policy. He joined Congress again when the World
Policy was revised. He had also worked extensively for the rights of the women in the
society for the same. He strongly opposed the partition of the country but was accused
as an anti-Muslim by some politicians and was physically assaulted in 1946.

BABU GENU SAID

Babu Genu said was an Indian freedom fighter and a revolutionary. He was a worker in
one of the cotton mills in Mumbai but later became an active participant in the project
and organized many activities for the same. On December 12, 1930, a cloth merchant
from Manchester was moving foreign-made cloth from his shop to the Mumbai port.

He had police protection as well. The freedom fighters begged not to move that truck
but the police forced them aside and managed to get the truck moving. On Kalbadevi
Road, Babu Genu stood in front of the truck and shouted praises for Gandhiji.

The police officer ordered the driver to drive the truck over him. He was an Indian and
said that both of them are Indians so how can he murder his brother? The police sat on
the driver's seat and drove the truck over him and crushed him to death. This caused
strikes and protests all over Mumbai.

Although he was not a formally educated person he understood the link between politics
and economics. Economics is the driving force of British rule and wanted to fight against
it.

Q. 2. The plot on an outline map of India, the places mentioned in the chapter
where the Civil Disobedience Movement took place.

Answer :
 Last Phase Of Struggle For Independence

Exercise

Q. 1. A. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options

(Andaman and Nicobar, August Kranti, Vinoba Bhave)

______ was the first satyagraha of Individual Satyagraha.

Answer : Vinoba Bhave was the first satyagraha of Individual Satyagraha.

The individual Satyagraha was introduced by Gandhiji. The main aim was not to gain
Independence but to gain the right to speech. Careful selection of satyagrahis was
made by Gandhiji that promoted nonviolence. The first satyagraha to be selected was
Vinoba Bhave who was sent to jail when he spoke against the war.

Q. 1. B. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options

(Andaman and Nicobar, August Kranti, Vinoba Bhave)

The nationwide movement of 1942 is also called August Kranti.

Answer : On August 8, 1942, Mahatma Gandhi and the All India Congress Committee
(AICC) launched the Quit India Movement in Bombay session. The movement was
launched in August and was also known as August movement or August Kranti. This
movement was to fight against the Britishers. After which the British responded by
arresting all the major leaders. After the arrest, AICC leader Aruna Asaf Ali hosted the
Indian flag. So this day is celebrated as August Kranti Diwas to remember the historic
Quit India Movement.

Q. 1. C. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options

(Andaman and Nicobar, August Kranti, Vinoba Bhave)

In November 1943, Japan conquered _______ islands and handed them over to
Azad Hind Government.

Answer : In November 1943, Japan conquered Andaman and Nicobar islands and
handed them over to Azad Hind Government.

The Japanese Army had conquered the group of islands called Andaman and Nicobar
Islands, in the Bay of Bengal. It was conquered during the Second World War. Prior to
this, Britishers had held a permanent control over this Island. The Indian and African
prisoners who had committed a crime under the British Empire in India were sent to
these islands for punishment.
Q. 2. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

In November 1939, provincial ministers of Indian National Congress gave their

resignations.

Answer : The provincial elections in British India were held in 1936- 1937. These
elections were a result of the Government of India Act 19 which made, the action of
elections compulsory. In the same time, Lord Viceroy had declared that India would also
be argumentative in the Second World War. This implied a war between India and
Germany. The decision was taken without asking the Indians. Although the Indian
National Congress won in all the 8 provinces, many provincial leaders such as
Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Leaders had resigned as a sign of protest against Lord Viceroy's
action.

Q. 2. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The Indian National Army had to lay down their arms.

Answer : The Indian Army trials of captured members began on the 5th of November
1945 at the Red Fort in Delhi. The commander in chief of the British Indian Army had
reported that the Indian Army would accept these trials as the majority view is that they
are all traitors. He believed that the INA returnee troops would be overwhelmed by the
loyalist British Indian Army troops who would be returning to the same villages and
towns.

But some people knew that there was already a good interaction between the INA
prisoners and British Indian Army loyalist for a long time. During the war, there was a
complete blackout in India about any news of INA and the actual role of INA as a
freedom army was not reported.

So when the newspapers began to carry details report about the trial, the vast majority
of Indians began hearing it for the first time. They came to know about the army who
was ready to lay down their life so that India could be free. They also studied about the
ill-equipped and poorly supplied system. This had a huge impact on the nation, and they
began to be seen as heroes fighting for the freedom of the country.

Q. 2. C. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The Parallel Government became a source of inspiration to the people.

Answer : Parallel government means an alternative government. The motive behind

setting up this parallel government was to protect the masses from exploitation as well
as to provide a source of income and fight against social inhibitions. This form of
government encouraged women's participation in the movement for freedom. Many
eminent political personalities had worked for women's education or the social reform
movements that have ignored a large number of women suffering tremendously directly
or indirectly.

This parallel government introduced many facilities such as market system supply and
distribution of food grains to settle disputes, penalization of robbers and moneylenders.
Law and order were entirely in their hands. Under this government, an army called
Toofan Sena was formed. It harassed the British government by attacking its major
establishments like the Railways and Postal department. This parallel government
inspired the people in the united struggle against the British rule irrespective of the
caste, creed, religion and language.

Q. 3. Complete the following table.

Answer : FORWARD BLOCK was founded by Subhash Chandra Bose. He thought that
the masses were ready for an immediate struggle and so he formed the forward bloc
within the Congress.

Indian Independence League was founded, Rasbehari Bose. It operated from the 1920s
to the 1940s to organise those living outside India into seeking the removal of British
colonial rule over India.

Toofan Sena was founded by the parallel government in Satara district of Maharashtra
from August 1943 to May 1946 against British rule.

Q. 4. A. Answer the following questions in brief.

How do you find the contribution of Shirishkumar to be inspirational?

Answer : Shirish kumar Mehta was an Indian Revolutionary and a freedom fighter.
When Gandhiji had launched his Quit India Movement in 1942, he supported it. He was
also a part of the leading procession in Nandurbar. The police have launched a Lathi
charge on the protesters as soon as the procession reached near them. Shirish Kumar
has the Indian National Flag. The police opened fire at them when the Lathi charge
could not work in their favour. One of the policemen pointed his gun towards a group of
girls a, when he said 'If you want to fire, then shoot me'. The police officer fired 3 bullets
at him which pierced his chest, and he died. He gave a very important message through
his life that it is very important to have courage and commitment. Not only the leader
who can win the war but the team together.
Q. 4. B. Answer the following questions in brief.

Why did the British Prime Minister send Sir Stafford Cripps to India?

Answer : Sir Stafford Cripps had come to India during World War 2 to discuss with the
Nationalist leaders of India about a system of self-governance through dominion status.
It was a promise by the British that a proper election would be held after the war has
ended.

But the main aim of the British government to send Sir Stafford Cripps to India was to
assemble Indian cooperation and support to the British rule against their opponents in
World War 2. When he arrived, he tried to satisfy all the communities with his proposal.
However many people did not trust his ideas and policies. There was a little trust
between British and Indians as both the sides felt that they were not 100% revealing
their true plans.

This mission failed due to three reasons:

1. The Indian National Congress rejected this offer due to Gandhiji's opposition.2.
Cripps had modified the original offer, but still, it provided for no real transfer of power.3.
The Viceroy and Secretary of state for India continued their mission to sabotage India.

Q. 4. C. Answer the following questions in brief.

What kind of reaction was seen during the spread of news of the arrest of main
leaders of the Indian National Congress?

Answer : The arrest of the main leaders of the Indian National Congress caused
widespread anger and outrage rate among the Indian people. Many protest and strikes
were organized for the same. Although the leaders were arrested the movements
continued with the same zeal. One such example is the assembling of the people in the
Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab. The people were peacefully protesting against the
arrest of two national leaders when Colonel Dyer entered with his troops of the British
army. All the five entrances were blocked. He ordered the army to open fire on the
people. Hundreds of people wounded and many of them died.

Project

Q. 1. Prepare a timeline of the events of the struggle of Indian National Army.

Answer : 1942 - INA formed in South East Asia during World War 2. Founded by
Rasbehari Bose with Captain Mohan Singh.

December 1942 - Collapse of INA

1943 - Revival of INA under Subhash Chandra Bose

February 1944 - Battle of the Admix Box in the southern parts of Burma

March 1944 - Operation C held by Japan

June 1944 - Battle of Kohima

July 1944 - Battle of Imphal

1945 - Battle of Pokoku and Battle of Meiktila and Mandalay

November 1945 - repatriation of troops

November 1945 - May 1946 - Trials of troops

POST-1947 - Commanded by Jawaharlal Nehru

Q. 2. With the help of the internet collect the pictures of Quit India Movement of
1942 and organise an exhibition on the occasion of a national day.

Answer : QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT

This movement was launched on 9 August 1942 and thus, came to be known as August
Kranti.
This image shows the people protesting against the Simon Commission.
 Armed Revolutionary Movement

Exercise

Q. 1. A. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

(Pandit Shyamji Krishna Varma, Mitramela, Ramsingh Kuka)

Swatantryaveer Savarkar started a secret organisation of revolutionaries named
______.

Answer : Swatantryaveer Savarkar started a secret organisation of revolutionaries

named Mitramela

Explanation: Mitramela was a secret organisation of revolutionaries in Nasik, and it was

founded in 1900 by Savarkar. It was renamed as ‘Abhinav Bharat’ in 1904.

Q. 1. B. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

(Pandit Shyamji Krishna Varma, Mitramela, Ramsingh Kuka)

In Punjab, ______ organised an uprising against the Government.

Answer : In Punjab, Ramsingh Kuka organised an uprising against the Government.

Explanation: In the later period, i.e., after 1857, Ramsinh Kuka organised a rebellion
against the Government in Punjab.

Q. 1. C. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

(Pandit Shyamji Krishna Varma, Mitramela, Ramsingh Kuka)

______ founded the India House.

Answer : Pandit Shyamji Krishna Varma founded the India House.

Explanation: India House, in London, was an important centre which provided for such
kind of assistance. Pandit Shyamji Krishna Varma, an Indian patriot, had established
India House. Through this organisation, Indian youth were given scholarships for higher
education in England. Swatantryaveer Savarkar received such scholarship.
Q. 2. Complete the following table.

Answer :

Q. 3. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Chaphekar brothers killed Rand.

Answer : The three Chaphekar brothers, Damodar, Balkrishna, and Vasudev, were
Indian revolutionaries who were hanged till death for the assassination of W.C. Rand
who was the British plague Commissioner for Pune. Pune was hit by the bubonic plague
in 1896 and Rand took drastic measures to curb the effects. The drastic measures were
an example of tyranny and oppression to the local population which made Rand an
extremely unpopular figure. This led to his assassination in the hands of the Chaphekar
brothers.

Q. 3. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Khudiram Bose was hanged to death.

Answer : Khudiram Bose was a Bengali -Indian revolutionary who attained martyrdom
by going against the British Rule. He was a member of the Anushilan Samiti, a
revolutionary group in erstwhile Bengal, which opposed the British rule in India through
armed revolts and guerrilla tactics.

Under their aegis, Khudiram Bose along with Prafulla Chaki planned to kill a judge
named Kingsford in 1908 because of his tyrannical nature and biased judgements. But
they failed in their endeavour, as they had targeted the wrong coach resulting in the
murder of two English women. While Prafulla Chaki killed himself with a bullet to escape
the authorities, Khudiram Bose was caught, tried and hanged for his actions.

Q. 3. C. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutta threw bombs in the Central Legislative
Assembly.

Answer : The British rule in India was a period of oppression and the slow curtailing of
the fundamental rights of the native population. With an aim towards furthering this goal,
two new bills were introduced in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi during 1929.
To stop the further curtailing of civil rights, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutta threw
bombs in the Assembly to disrupt the proceedings and also bring notice to the freedom
efforts that were being undertaken.

Q. 4. A. Answer the following questions in brief.

Write a detail description of the attack on Chittagong Armoury.

Answer : The Chittagong Armoury raid is extremely important in the history of the
Indian independence movement as it worked as a catalyst to quicken the pace of the
fight for independence. This raid was an example of armed resistance against the
British forces, where Indian revolutionaries led by Master Da Surya Sen raided the
police and auxiliary forces armoury in Chittagong (currently in Bangladesh) on 18 th April
1930. Surya Sen along with revolutionaries likeAnant Singh, Ganesh Ghosh, Kalpana
Dutta, Pritilata Waddedar planned the raid and capture of the armouries along with
complete disruption of the communication lines like telegraph and telephone. They
aimed to completely paralyse the existing government in Chittagong by cutting off the
connection with the outside. They succeeded in their raid and capture but was soon
pushed into hiding by the troops that were dispatched to control them. This led to a
gunfight between the revolutionaries and the troops with both sides suffering losses.
The revolutionaries managed to escape, but Surya Sen along with several of his
associates was captured and sentenced to death.

Q. 4. B. Answer the following questions in brief.

Explain the contribution of Swatantryaveer Savarkar in the armed revolutionary

movement.

Answer : Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was an eminent Indian revolutionary who fought
for the independence of the country from British rule. His involvement in the struggle for
India’s independence began early on when he founded the‘Mitramela’- a secret
organisation of revolutionaries in Nasik in 1900. This organisation known for
encouraging revolutionary and nationalist views was renamed as ‘Abhinav Bharat’ in
1904.
Savarkar went for his higher studies to London through a scholarship provided by the
India House. Pandit Shyamji Krishna Varma, an Indian patriot, had established India
House, in London, which also provided assistance to Indian revolutionaries along with
scholarships to Indian students who wanted to pursue higher education. From London,
he supported the Indian independence movement by sending in guns and by writing
revolutionary literature.

Savarkar published The Indian War of Independence about the Indian rebellion of 1857
that was banned by British authorities. He also wrote an inspiring biography of Joseph
Mazzini, the famous Italian revolutionary. He was arrested in 1910 for his connections
with the revolutionary group India House.

Savarkar was sentenced to two life terms of imprisonment totalling fifty years and was
moved to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but released in 1921
after several mercy petitions to the Britishers. In his autobiography ‘Majhi Janmathep’
he wrote down about his experiences during incarceration. After his release, he was
detained in Ratnagiri by the government.

Savarkar started many social movements such as the removal of caste differences,
removal of untouchability, common dining, purification of language etc. He was the
President of Marathi Sahitya Sammelan at Mumbai in 1938. Not only was Savarkar a
great writer but he is remembered in Indian history as one of the first to take up armed
resistance against the British rule in India.

Project

Q. 1. Watch a movie or drama based on the life of revolutionaries and enact any
of your favourite incident in the class.

Answer : List of Movies and Dramas that can be watched for the same purpose –

Marathi Films

1) Veer Savarkar (2001)

2) Vasudev Balwant Phadke (2008)

3) Krantiveer Rajguru (2010)

4) 1909 (2013)

5) 22nd June 1897 (1980)

Hindi Films

1) The Legend of Bhagat Singh

2) Chittagong

3) Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose : The Forgotten Hero

Q. 2. Prepare a manual based on the saga of revolutionaries

Answer : Khudiram Bose – He is known for the Muzaffarpur killing. He planted bombs
near police stations and targeted government officials. He was arrested three years
later and sentenced to death.

Chandra Shekhar Azad – He is known for Kakori conspiracy. It was a train robbery that
took place near Kakori in 1925. Members of Hindustan Republican Association carried
out this act as the organisation needed money for purchase of weaponry.

Ram Prasad Bismil – he is also known for Kakori conspiracy. The robbery was
conceived by Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan who belonged to the HRA.

Ganesh Damodar Savarkar - He led an armed movement against the British colonial
government in India, he was sentenced to transportation for life as a result. The then
collector of Nasik, Jackson was assassinated by Anant Laxman Kanhere in retaliation.
 Struggle For Equality

Exercise

Q. 1. A. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

(Lala Lajpat Rai, Sane Guruji, Rakhmabai Janardan Save)

______ founded the Red Cross Society at Rajkot.

Answer : Rakhmabai Janardan Save founded the Red Cross Society at Rajkot.

Explanation: Rakhmabai Janardan Save, who was the first practicing woman doctor in
India delivered a series of lectures related to health issues of women. She also opened
a branch of Red Cross Society at Rajkot.

Q. 1. B. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

(Lala Lajpat Rai, Sane Guruji, Rakhmabai Janardan Save)

______ was the President of mill workers union at Ammalner.

Answer : Sane Guruji was the President of mill workers union at Ammalner.

Explanation: Sane Guruji was a social activist and freedom fighter from Maharashtra,
India. He wanted to build a strong union of workers which led to the creation of a
workers union at Dhule-Ammalner with him as the president.

Q. 1. C. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

(Lala Lajpat Rai, Sane Guruji, Rakhmabai Janardan Save)

The President of the first session of AITUC was ______ .

Answer : The President of the first session of AITUC was Lala Lajpat Rai.

Explanation: India witnessed an industrial revolution in the latter half of the

19th Century with the opening of railways. Several textile mills, a variety of industries,
railway companies etc. developed in the country increasing the need for workers. With
the rise in employment, the workers were often exploited, and their basic requirements
went ignored. The exploitation of the workers led to continuous strikes.

To correct these issues, there was a need to unite the workers under a banner which
would allow them to negotiate better with the owners. This led to the establishment of
the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920. Lala Lajpat Rai, who was the
President of the first session of AITUC told the workers to actively participate in the
national movement.
Q. 2. A. Write short notes.

Social work of Vitthal Ramji Shinde

Answer : Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde was one of the most important social and
religious reformers in Maharashtra, India. His greatest contribution was to attempt to
remove the practice of untouchability and bring about equality to the depressed classes
in Indian society. To aid in his social reform, he established Marathi schools and work
schools in parts of Parel, Deonar in Mumbai. Being a prominent campaigner on behalf
of the Dalit movement in India, he established the Depressed Classes Mission of
India to provide education to the Dalits in 1906. He was also a known practitioner of
satyagraha often resorting to it to gain benefits for the Dalits.

Q. 2. B. Write short notes.

Reforms of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj in the state of Kolhapur.

Answer : As his name suggests, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj was the king of the erstwhile
princely state of Kolhapur. He led the Non-Brahmin Movement in his state and provided
support to Babasaheb Ambedkar. He was considered a true democrat and social
reformer. Among his many reforms, the system of reservation in the state of Kolhapur is
considered revolutionary.

He also made compulsory education free for all irrespective of caste. He targeted the
three restrictions of the caste system. He would routinely eat food prepared by so-called
lower castes. He abolished laws against inter-caste marriage in his state. He also
abolished the ‘Balutedari System’ on 22 February 1918, thereby granting the permission
for practicing any work by any caste which abolished social slavery.

Q. 3. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The Government decided to crush down the communist movement.

Answer : Following Lokmanya Tilak’s article on Communism published in 1881, India

was slowly introduced to the concept of communism and actively took it up as a social
reform weapon. The Indian Communist Party was formed in 1925, and its main aim was
to mobilise the workforce and maintain equality in society. Militant communism by
organising groups of workers and peasants was undertaken by the younger communists
which caused alarm to the British government ruling in India at that time. Following their
philosophy of keeping the workers subjugated and divided and increasing their profits,
they understood that the communist movement could unify the workers and harm them
not only socially but also economically. This caused them to crush down the communist
movement.

Q. 3. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Dr. Baba saheb Ambedkar started newspapers like ‘Muknayak’ Bahishkrut Bharat
etc.

Answer : According to the traditional Indian caste system, the Dalits belonged to the
lowest rung of the society which often led to their oppression and social exploitation. An
uprising took place to correct these ills and was headed by Dr Baba saheb Ambedkar.
He was a well-known social reformer and was of the opinion that the exploitation faced
by the Dalits would continue until the caste system was fully uprooted. He aimed to
establish a society free from injustice and inequality and based on the principles of
liberty, equality and fraternity. To spread his views, and get the populace educated
regarding their rights and freedom, he started several newspapers like ‘Muknayak’
Bahishkrut Bharat etc.

Q. 3. C. Explain the following statements with reasons.

There aroused a need of nationwide workers union.

Answer : India witnessed an industrial revolution in the latter half of the 19th Century
with the opening of railways. Several textile mills, a variety of industries, railway
companies etc. developed in the country increasing the need for workers. With the rise
in employment, the workers were often exploited, and their basic requirements went
ignored.

Narayan Meghaji Lokhande often described as ‘Father of Indian Workers Movement’,

formed the mill workers union known as ‘Bombay Mill Hands Association’ in 1890 which
is believed to be the beginning of the organised movement in India. The exploitation of
the workers led to continuous strikes as exhibited by the agitation of the tea plantation
workers in Assam and the strike called by the Great Indian Peninsular (GIP) Railway
workers in 1899. To correct these issues, there was a need to unite the workers under a
banner which would allow them to negotiate better with the owners. Thus, there was a
need for a nationwide workers union.

Q. 4. A. Answer the following questions in brief.

Why was the struggle for equality important in the making of Modern India?

Answer : Prior to independence, the Indian society was not only being oppressed by
the ruling British class; it was becoming socially backward because of the inherent
discrimination and inequality based on caste, religion, gender or economic status. The
political movement to gain independence was not only influenced by the political views,
but also by the social views present at that time. The main influencers understood that
the political movement which was based inherently on the emancipation of the common
people would only be further strengthened when the various disadvantages in the
society were also addressed. Equality in society would lead to an undivided front which
could be utilized to fight the foreign oppressors. Societal ills like feudalism, economic
exploitation, caste and religion based discrimination, oppression of women all needed to
be addressed if India was to gain her independence and approach a modern era.
Hence, the struggle for equality was important in the making of modern India. This has
led to equality is a principle recognized by the Indian Constitution. It states that all
Indians are equal before the law and there should not be any discrimination on the basis
of caste, religion, sex or financial status.

Q. 4. B. Answer the following questions in brief.

Write about the work of Sane Guruji in eastern Khandesh.

Answer : Sane Guruji was a social activist and freedom fighter from Maharashtra, India.
Being from a rural background, he understood the abject misery that Indian farmers
faced when their crops failed either because of the whims of nature or because of the
apathy of the ruling class. In 1938, when the crops in Eastern Khandesh were destroyed
because of heavy flooding, the farmers were faced with the inability to give the fixed
amount of land revenue and were faced with the loss of their farming lands. To provide
relief to the farmers, Sane Guruji, organised meetings and processions involving the
farmers. He took out protest marches to the Collector’s office, in order to notify the
authorities about the problems, the farmers were facing. This acted as a catalyst to
encourage peasant participation in the independence movement later on.

Q. 4. C. Answer the following questions in brief.

How was the struggle built up by workers decisive for the national movement?

Answer : India witnessed an industrial revolution in the latter half of the 19th Century
with the opening of railways.

1. Several textile mills, a variety of industries, railway companies etc. developed in the
country increasing the need for workers.

2. With the rise in employment, the workers were often exploited, and their basic
requirements went ignored.

3. The exploitation of the workers led to continuous strikes as exhibited by the agitation
of the tea plantation workers in Assam and the strike called by the Great Indian
Peninsular (GIP) Railway workers in 1899.

4. To correct these issues, there was a need to unite the workers under a banner which
would allow them to negotiate better with the owners. This led to the establishment of
the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920.

5. Lala Lajpat Rai, who was the President of the first session of AITUC told the workers
to actively participate in the national movement.
6. Other socialist leaders like Shripad Amrut Dange, Muzaffar Ahmed, spread the
socialist ideology among the workers and worked to form militant organisations.

7. In 1928, the Mumbai Mill Workers Union went on strike for six months followed by
many such strikes made by the Railway workers, jute mill workers etc. This created a lot
of problems for the government who passed several legislations in an attempt to curb
the protests.

8. Ultimately, the worker’s struggle proved beneficial and decisive for the national
movement.

Q. 4. D. Answer the following questions in brief.

Discuss the nature of the reform movement related to women.

Answer : In India, because of the importance given to patriarchy, women often led
secondary roles even within the household, which was often solely their domain.
Preference of male children, barring females from gaining an education, the ‘purdah’
system, the system of Sati, lack of rights to inheritance were few of the methods through
which women were being subjugated and oppressed.

With the movement for equality cutting across caste and gender, several male
reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, Vidyasagar, etc. tried to uplift the female class in
society. Several women reformers also started coming forward including Pandita
Ramabai, who established the ‘Arya Mahila Samaj’ and ‘Sharda Sadan’, and Ramabai
Ranade who founded ‘Seva Sadan’.

At the national level, ‘Bharat Mahila Parishad’ (1904) and ‘All India Women's
Conference’ (1927) was founded. The women reformers were known for establishing
their independent institutions and organisations and several issues like the right to
inheritance, right to vote etc., were dealt through these. Rakhmabai Janardan Save,
who was the first practicing woman doctor in India delivered a series of lectures related
to health issues of women. She also opened a branch of Red Cross Society at Rajkot.

Women participation in the public sphere increased in the 20th Century which saw a rise
in the number of women involved in the national movement and revolutionary work. The
Act of 1935 enabled women to obtain positions in provincial ministries. After
Independence, gender equality has been a guaranteed right as mandated by the
Constitution.

Project

Q. 1. Read the biography of Dr Anandibai Joshi.

Answer : Dr Anandibai Joshi was one of the earliest physicians of India. She was born
on31 March 1865 in Pune. She was married at a tender age of 9 to a man named
Gopalrao Joshi. He encouraged her to study and was focused on the idea that his wife
would go to medical school. She gave birth to a child at the age of who eventually died
due to lack of proper care. This inspired her to become a physician. She died of
tuberculosis on 26 February 1887 before turning 22.

Q. 2. Read the biography of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj.

Answer : Shahu Maharaj belonged to the Bhosle dynasty of Marathas. He was born to
Jaisinghrao Ghatge and Radhabai on June 26, 1874, in Raigad. He was the Raja (reign.
1894 – 1900) and Maharaja (1900-1922) of Indian princely state of Kolhapur. He started
Shahu Chhatrapati Weaving and Spinning Mill in 1906 to provide employment. Rajaram
college was built by Shahu Maharaj, and afterwards, it was named after him. His
emphasis was on education, and his aim was to make education available to masses.
He has worked towards the development of women during his reign.
 India Gains Independence

Exercise

Q. 1. A. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

_____ was the head of the Interim Government.

A. Vallabhbhai Patel
B. Mahatma Gandhi
C. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
D. Barrister Jinnah

Answer : Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the head of the Interim Government.

Explanation: When the Wavell Plan failed and the country faced riots and massacres,
Viceroy Wavell established the Interim Government with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as its
head.

Q. 1 B. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

The plan of creation of two independent nations, India and Pakistan, was made by
________ .
A. Lord Wavell
B. Stafford Cripps
C. Lord Mountbatten
D. Pethick Lawrence

Answer : The plan of creation of two independent nations, India and Pakistan, was
made by Lord Mountbatten.

Explanation: Lord Mountbatten was declared as the Viceroy of India with the sole
mission that he would oversee the separation of India from British dominion. After much
discussions with both the leaders of the Indian National Congress and the Muslim
League, Mountbatten came up with the plan to create the two separate independent
nations of India and Pakistan based on religious beliefs and majority.

Q. 2. A. Answer the following questions in one sentence.

Which demand was advocated by Barrister Jinnah?

Answer : Barrister Jinnah put forth the two-nation theory and advocated the demand for
a separate Muslim nation called Pakistan.
Elaboration: Prior to independence, The Indian National Congress was the single most
important political entity in India. Pressurised by the various resistance movements
occurring in India, the British Government had adopted a ‘divide-and-rule’ policy which
led to the creation of the Muslim League, and this political division was solely based on
religion. The Indian National Congress which was founded on the basis of secularism
was initially opposed to the idea of gaining freedom with a partition on the basis of
religion. Barrister Jinnah, backed by the Muslim League was of the opinion that the
Indian National Congress being a solely Hindu organisation would ignore the needs and
demands of the Muslims in the country and hence demanded a separate Muslim nation
named Pakistan.

Q. 2. B. Answer the following questions in one sentence.

Write the name of the ministers participating in Cabinet Mission.

Answer : The Cabinet Mission comprised of a delegation of British ministers namely

Pathick Lawrence, Stafford Cripps and A.V. Alexander, who in March 1946, put forth
England’s plan regarding India in front of the Indian leaders.

Elaboration: With the Second World War, Britain lost a large amount of economic,
military and political strength. With a lowering in support even from its own citizens, the
leaders of the United Kingdom opened up discussions with their Indian counterparts
regarding the freedom of India.

The Wavell Plan which was the initial method for granting independence to India failed
to succeed because of the differences in opinion of the Indian National Congress and
the Muslim League. The British Prime Minister Atlee had announced that England would
leave its dominion on India before June 1948.

It was clarified that the issues of the minorities would not hinder India’s Independence
and India would have the right to draft their own Constitution. The Cabinet Mission
comprised of a delegation of British ministers namely Pethick Lawrence, Stafford Cripps
and A.V. Alexander, who in March 1946, put forth England’s plan regarding India in front
of the Indian leaders.

But similar to the Wavell Plan, the Cabinet Mission also failed. This was because some
stipulations were not accepted by the Congress while the Muslim League did not accept
it as there was no provision in it for a separate independent Muslim nation or state.

Q. 3. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The Indian National Congress approved the partition.

Answer : Pressurised by the various resistance movements occurring in India, the

British Government had adopted a ‘divide-and-rule’ policy which hampered the
unification of the already fragile social classes in India. The Indian National Congress
which was founded on the basis of secularism was initially opposed to the idea of
gaining freedom with a partition on the basis of religion. But at the same time, it was
also against compelling the people of any territorial unit to remain in the Indian Union
against their declared and established will. This feeling was intensified with the
continued riots that India witnessed prior to her independence. Thus, giving into to the
adamant demands by the Muslim League for a separate Muslim nation, the Indian
National Congress was forced to approve the partition.

Q. 3. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The working of Interim government could not run smoothly.

Answer : Prior to independence, The Indian National Congress was the single most
important political entity in India. Pressurised by the various resistance movements
occurring in India, the British Government had adopted a ‘divide-and-rule’ policy which
led to the creation of the Muslim League, and this political division was solely based on
religion. When the Wavell Plan failed and the country faced riots and massacres,
Viceroy Wavell established the Interim Government with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru at its
head. Though the Muslim League initially refused to participate in this Government, it
realised that it could create more problems by participating in and adopting the policy of
obstruction. Hence, the working of the Interim government could not run smoothly.

Q. 3. C. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The Wavell Plan could not become successful.

Answer : The Wavell Plan was drawn up in June 1945, by the then Viceroy of India,
Lord Wavell. Among the different provisions in the Plan, one provision stated that in
central and provincial legislatures Muslims, Dalits and minorities should be given proper
representation and there should be an equal number of Hindu and Muslim members in
Viceroy’s Executive Council. Barrister Jinnah was of the opinion that the Muslim League
should have the right to suggest the names of Muslim representatives to the Viceroy's
Executive Council and this was opposed by the Congress stating that it would give the
Muslim League too much independence. This caused the failure of the Wavell Plan.

Q. 4. Write the events on the following timeline.

Answer : 1945 –

• World War II ends and the Labour Party, which was sympathetic to India's call for
independence, forms the government.
• June 1945 – Lord Wavell draws up the Wavell Plan which failed due to the opposition
between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League.

1946 –

• March 1946 - The Cabinet Mission comprised of a delegation of British ministers

namely Pathick Lawrence, Stafford Cripps and A.V. Alexander, put forth England’s plan
regarding India in front of the Indian leaders.

• 16th August 1946 – This day was observed as the ‘Direct Action Day’ called forth by
the Muslim League. It led to Hindu-Muslim riots in various parts of the country.

• 2nd September 1946 - Viceroy Wavell established the Interim Government with Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru at its head. It could not run smoothly because of the policy of
obstruction as adopted by the Muslim League.

1947 –

• 18th July 1947 - On the basis of the Mountbatten Plan, the Indian Independence Act
was passed in British Parliament.

• 15th August 1947 – India gains its independence after 150 years of slavery under the
British Rule. But it is divided into two nations, India and Pakistan leading mass migration
and further violence.

1948 –

• 30th January 1948 – Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated by Nathuram Godse.

Q. 5. A. Answer the following questions in brief.

Why did the British take steps towards granting freedom to India?

Answer : Starting from the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 and extending for nearly a hundred
years, the Indian subcontinent saw a plethora of movements against the British Rule. In
spite of the trade and industrial revolutions brought in under the British rule, the rulers
were despotic towards the local populace and often treated them as slaves. This
caused rebellion among the people and took various forms like the Civil Disobedience
Movement, Quit India Movement and even armed resistance the Indian National Army
and other revolutionary outfits. With the Second World War, Britain lost a large amount
of economic, military and political strength. With a lowering in support even from its own
citizens, the leaders of the United Kingdom opened up discussions with their Indian
counterparts regarding the freedom of India. This process was further enhanced
once the Labour Party, which was sympathetic to India's call for independence, formed
the government in Britain.
Q. 5. B. Answer the following questions in brief.

Write information about Mountbatten Plan.

Answer : 1. With the Second World War, Britain lost a large amount of economic,
military and political strength.

2. With a lowering in support even from its own citizens, the leaders of the United
Kingdom opened up discussions with their Indian counterparts regarding the freedom of
India.

3. The Wavell Plan failed to succeed because of the differences in opinion of the Indian
National Congress and the Muslim League.

4. After the declaration of the ‘Direct Action Day’, in 1946 the country had erupted in
riots and massacres prompting the then Viceroy, Lord Wavell to form an Interim
Government with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru at the head.

5. The interim government was unsuccessful because of the obstruction policy adopted
by the Muslim League. It was in this setting that the British Prime Minister Atlee had
announced that England would leave its dominion on India before June 1948.

6. Lord Mountbatten was declared as the Viceroy of India with the sole mission that he
would oversee the separation of India from British dominion. After much discussions
with both the leaders of the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League,
Mountbatten came up with the plan to create the two separate independent nations of
India and Pakistan based on religious beliefs and majority.

7. The Indian National Congress which was founded on the basis of secularism was
initially opposed to the idea of gaining freedom with a partition on the basis of religion.

8. But at the same time, it was also against compelling the people of any territorial unit
to remain in the Indian Union against their declared and established will. This feeling
was intensified with the continued riots that India witnessed prior to her independence.

Thus, giving into to the adamant demands by the Muslim League for a separate Muslim
nation, the Indian National Congress was forced to approve the partition.

Q. 5. C. Answer the following questions in brief.

Why did Muslim League declare to observe 16 August as Direct Action Day? What
were its effects?

Answer : With a lowering in support even from its own citizens, the leaders of the
United Kingdom opened up discussions with their Indian counterparts regarding the
freedom of India. Prior to independence, the Indian National Congress was the single
most important political entity in India. Pressurised by the various resistance
movements occurring in India, the British Government had adopted a ‘divide-and-rule’
policy which led to the creation of the Muslim League. The main aim of the Muslim
League was the creation of a separate independent Muslim nation.

The Wavell Plan aimed towards India’s independence failed to succeed because of the
differences in opinion of the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. The
British Prime Minister Atlee had announced that England would leave its dominion on
India before June 1948. It was clarified that the issues of the minorities would not hinder
India’s Independence and India would have the right to draft their own Constitution.

The Cabinet Mission comprised of a delegation of British ministers namely Pethick

Lawrence, Stafford Cripps and A.V. Alexander, who in March 1946, put forth England’s
plan regarding India in front of the Indian leaders. But similar to the Wavell Plan, the
Cabinet Mission also failed. This was because some stipulations were not accepted by
the Congress while the Muslim League did not accept it as there was no provision in it
for a separate independent Muslim nation or state.

Since its demand for a separate independent nation was not being met, the Muslim
League decided to declare 16th August 1946 as the ‘Direct Action Day’. It led to Hindu-
Muslim riots in various parts of the country as the supporters of the Muslim League
resorted to violent ways to bring notice to their demands.

Project

Q. 1. Collect information about the response of common people after gaining

independence, with the help of various reference books as well as internet.

Answer : India’s population in 1947 was large, almost 345 million. Lakhs of people who
lived from generations at a place had to vacate it due to violence on the basis of
religion. Hindus living from a long time had to leave their homes in Pakistan and vice
versa.

Response 1: We had to leave our home where our grandfathers had built years ago.
During the partition, there was chaos all around. Several of our neighbours were killed,
and innumerable women raped and abducted. We were uprooted from our local
residences and were forced to begin picking up their life from scratch.

Response 2: We lost all their immovable property and most of their movable assets,
separated from many of their relatives and friends as well. We used to live in a secular
society where everyone respected each other’s faith and were a believer in
brotherhood. But suddenly things turned stranged, and the same people turned foes
and were after our lives forcing us to move from where we belonged.
 Fulfillment Of Struggle For Independence

Exercise

Q. 1. A. Rewrite the statement by choosing the appropriate answer:

There were more than six hundred small and big ___________ in India.
A. States

B. Villages
C. Princely states
D. Cities

Answer : There were more than six hundred small and big princely states in India.

Explanation:

Princely states/native states was a subsidiary state under a regional ruler during the
British Empire in India. It was not directly ruled by the British rulers, but by a local
leader. The British had indirect control over these states. During the time of
independence, there were 565 princely states officially recognized in India constituting
48% of the area and 28% of the population of the pre-independent India.

Q. 1. B. Rewrite the statement by choosing the appropriate answer:

All the princely states merged with India except the states of Junagadh,
___________ and Kashmir.
A. Audh
B. Jhansi
C. Vadodara
D. Hyderabad

Answer : All the princely states merged with India except the states of
Junagadh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir.

Explanation:

The era of the princely states ended with the independence of India in 1947. By the end
of 1950, almost all the states had decided to join either India or Pakistan. But
Hyderabad, Kashmir, Junagadh, and Kalat decided to stay independent and not to join
India or Pakistan. By 1956, the princely states were abolished, and the states of
Kashmir, Junagadh, and Hyderabad became a part of the Indian union.

Q. 2. A. Explain the following statements with reasons:

Junagadh merged within India.

Answer : Junagadh was a princely state in India administered by the Babai dynasty. It
is located near Gujarat. It was merged with the Indian union in 1948. After the
independence of the country in 1947, the British government gave a choice to the
princely states to either join India or Pakistan or remain independent. The Nawab of
Junagadh decided to join Pakistan. On 13 September 1947, Pakistan accepted the
accession of the state. But the majority of Hindus belonging there revolted against the
decision and resulted in a lot of violence. The Indian army annexed the state on 1
November 1947. This culminated in a referendum in February 1948. Majority of the
citizens voted for Junagadh's integration with India. Thus, Junagadh became a part of
India from 1948.

Q. 2. B. Explain the following statements with reasons:

The Indian Government started police action against the Nizam.

Answer : The princely state of Hyderabad, also known as the Hyderabad Deccan was a
princely state located in the South-Central region of the Indian union. The state was
ruled by the Nizam who was initially a Mughal governor before becoming independent.
After the independence of the country in 1947, the British government gave choice to
the princely states to either join India or Pakistan or remain independent.

The Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII announced that he intended to
remain independent and was not ready to join either India or Pakistan. Consequently,
the Indian government signed a Standstill Agreement whereby the status quo would be
maintained without any army action for one year, and India would handle Hyderabad’s
foreign affairs.

Meanwhile, Telangana Peasant Riots, attacks by quasi-military body Razakars and

other Hindu-Muslim communal violence was raging in Hyderabad. The Indian forces
posted in the borders were attacked by them. India retaliated by invading Hyderabad
from all the borders from 13 September 1948. The military operation was named
Operation Polo. The Nizam surrendered on 17 September, and Hyderabad was
annexed to the Indian union.

Q. 2. C. Explain the following statements with reasons:

Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with India.

Answer : and Kashmir was a princely state in India ruled by the Dogra Dynasty. After
the independence of the country in 1947, the British government gave freedom to the
princely states to either join India or Pakistan or to remain independent. Maharaja Hari
Singh, the ruler of Kashmir, remained independent and neutral between both India and
Pakistan. Even though Pakistan accepted the Standstill Agreement from Kashmir, they
started to impose economic barriers on the supply of commodities to Kashmir.

Pakistan also stated to mobilize their army and launched a full-fledged assault with the
aid of local tribes. Then the Maharaja approached India for military aid. India agreed to
assist them subject to the condition that Kashmir should accede to India. The Maharaja
accepted the conditions and signed the Instrument of Accession on 27 October 1947
and Kashmir was integrated with India.

Q. 3. A. Answer the following questions in brief:

Explain the contribution of Sardar Vallabhai Patel in the integration of princely

states.

Answer : Princely states/native states was a subsidiary state under a regional ruler
during the British Empire in India. It was not directly ruled by the British rulers, but by a
local leader. The British had indirect control over these states. During the time of
independence, there were 565 princely states officially recognized in India constituting
48% of the area and 28% of the population of the pre-independent India.

After the independence of the country in 1947, the British government gave a choice to
the princely states to either join India or Pakistan or to remain independent. Patel
powerfully handled the integration of the princely states to the Indian union with
diplomacy and negotiation.

He followed a very rigid policy and maintained that no independent princely state would
be allowed to remain isolated within India. He convinced them to surrender their
defence, foreign affairs and communication with the Indian union. With his tactics and
brilliance, by August 1947, all the princely states had integrated with India except the
states of Jodhpur, Junagadh, Kashmir, and Hyderabad.

When Jodhpur tried to strike a better deal with Pakistan, with the agreement for free
access to importing and production of arms, Patel instantly met Harvant Singh, the
Maharaja of Jodhpur. He guaranteed the import of arms, the connection of Jodhpur to
Kathiawar through railways and supply of grains during famines.

Junagadh was a princely state located near Gujarat. The Nawab of Junagadh decided
to join Pakistan. On 13 September 1947, Pakistan accepted the accession of the state.
But the majority of Hindus belonging there revolted against the decision and resulted in
a lot of violence After independence.

Patel demanded Pakistan to reverse the deal. The Indian army annexed the state on 1
November 1947. This culminated in a referendum in February 1948. Majority of the
citizens voted for Junagadh's integration with India. Thus, Junagadh became a part of
India from 1948.

Jammu and Kashmir was a princely state in India ruled by the Dogra Dynasty. Maharaja
Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir, remained independent and neutral between both India
and Pakistan. Patel took efforts to integrate Kashmir to India through telegraph,
telegram and place the Indian army in an advantageous position. Even though Pakistan
accepted the Standstill Agreement from Kashmir, they started to impose economic
barriers on the supply of commodities to Kashmir.

Pakistan also stated to mobilize their army and launched a full-fledged assault with the
aid of local tribes. Then the Maharaja approached India for military aid. India agreed to
assist them subject to the condition that Kashmir should accede to India. The Maharaja
accepted the conditions and signed the Instrument of Accession on 27 October 1947
and Kashmir was integrated with India.

The princely state of Hyderabad, also known as the Hyderabad Deccan was a princely
state located in the South-Central region of the Indian union. The state was ruled by the
Nizam who was initially a Mughal governor before becoming independent. The Nizam of
Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII announced that he intended to remain
independent and was not ready to join either India or Pakistan.

Consequently, the Indian government signed a Standstill Agreement whereby the status
quo would be maintained without any army action for one year, and India would handle
Hyderabad's foreign affairs. Meanwhile, Telangana Peasant Riots, attacks by quasi-
military body Razakars and other Hindu-Muslim communal violence was raging in
Hyderabad.

The Indian forces posted in the borders were attacked by them. Patel interfered, and
India retaliated by invading Hyderabad from all the borders from 13 September 1948.
The military operation was named Operation Polo. The Nizam surrendered on 17
September, and Hyderabad was annexed to the Indian union.

He was also supported in the integration of Lakshadweep to the Indian union. The
attempts of the Pakistani navy to seize the island was unsuccessful when Patel send
the Indian navy to shield the island.

Thus, Patel was instrumental in the integration of the princely states with the Indian
union.

Q. 3. B. PROJECT- Answer the following questions in brief:

Explain the contribution of Swami Ramananda Tirth in the struggle for the
liberation of Hyderabad.

Answer : Swami Ramananda Tirth was an important figure in the Hyderabad liberation
Movement against Osman Ali Khan, the then Nawab of Hyderabad. He was also the
leader of Hyderabad State Congress. The princely state of Hyderabad, also known as
the Hyderabad Deccan was located in the South-Central region of the Indian union. The
state was ruled by the Nizam who was initially a Mughal governor before becoming
independent. After the independence of the country in 1947, the British government
gave freedom to the princely states to either join India or Pakistan or remain
independent.
The Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII announced that he intended to
remain independent and was not ready to join either India or Pakistan. Consequently,
the Indian government signed a Standstill Agreement whereby the status quo would be
maintained without any army action for one year, and India would handle Hyderabad's
foreign affairs. But, a majority of the citizens wanted to join India.

Swami Ramananda Tirth spearheaded the Hyderabad Liberation movement against the
Nizam under the Hyderabad State Congress established in 1938. He resisted the Nizam
forces non-violently. He initiated various satyagrahas and was imprisoned by the Nizam
forces for 111 days. He had attracted a large number of people alongside him for
fighting for the cause of Hyderabad’s integration with India.

Meanwhile, the Telangana Peasant Riots, attacks by quasi-military body Razakars and
other Hindu-Muslim communal violence was raging in Hyderabad. The Indian forces
posted in the borders were attacked by them. India retaliated by invading Hyderabad
from all the borders from 13 September 1948. The military operation was named
Operation Polo. The Nizam surrendered on 17 September, and Hyderabad was
annexed to the Indian union.

Thus, the ability of Swami Ramananda Tirth combined with the diplomatic and military
actions of the Indian union resulted in the integration of Hyderabad with the Indian
union.

Project

Q. 1. Gather information and pictures related to the struggle for the liberation of
Hyderabad. Organize a poster exhibition based on it.

Answer :
The princely state of Hyderabad, also known as the Hyderabad Deccan was a princely
state located in the South-Central region of the Indian union. The state was ruled by the
Nizam who was initially a Mughal governor before becoming independent.

After the independence of the country in 1947, the British government gave freedom to
the princely states to either join India or Pakistan or remain independent. The Nizam of
Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII announced that he intended to remain
independent and was not ready to join either India or Pakistan.

Consequently, the Indian government signed a Standstill Agreement whereby the status
quo would be maintained without any army action for one year, and India would handle
Hyderabad’s foreign affairs. Meanwhile, Telangana Peasant Riots, attacks by quasi-
military body Razakars and other Hindu-Muslim communal violence was raging in
Hyderabad.

The Indian forces posted in the borders were attacked by them. India retaliated by
invading Hyderabad from all the borders from 13 September 1948. The military
operation was named Operation Polo. The Nizam surrendered on 17 September, and
Hyderabad was annexed to the Indian union.
 Formation Of State Of Maharashtra

Exercise

Q. 1. A. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

The State of __________ was formed on 1 May 1960.

A. Goa
B. Karnataka
C. Andhra Pradesh
D. Maharashtra

Answer : The Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti achieved its goal after a great struggle on
1 May 1960, when the State of Bombay had been divided into Marathi-speaking State of
Maharashtra and the Gujarati-speaking State of Gujarat.

Q. 1. B. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

_________ put forth the proposal of Samyukta Maharashtra with Mumbai in the
Mumbai Municipal Corporation.
A. [Link]

B. Acharya Atre
C. [Link]
D. Shankarrao Dev

Answer : On 29th November 1949, Acharya Atre and R.D. Bhandare put forth the
proposal of Samyukta Maharashtra with Mumbai in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation.
Samyuktha Maharashtra Samiti is a movement which was formed in 1956, for
demanding separate Marathi speaking state out of Bombay.

Q. 1. C. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.

__________ accepted the responsibility as first Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

A. Yashvantrao Chavan

B. Prithviraj Chavhan
C. Shankarrao Chavan
D. Vilasrao Deshmukh

Answer :

Yashwantrao Chavan accepted the responsibility as first Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

He belonged to the Indian National Congress. He was in office from 1956 to 1962.
Q. 2. A. Explain the following statements with reasons.

Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti came to be established.

Answer : Samyuktha Maharashtra Samiti is a movement which was formed in 1956, for
demanding separate Marathi speaking state out of Bombay.

The organization was formed on 6 February 1956, which was headed by Keshavarao
Jedhe in Pune. There were prominent activists who were leading in Maharashtra
Samyuktha Samiti; they were Shreedhar Madhav Joshi, Shripad Amrit Dange and
Narayan Ganesh Gore. The impact of the movement was so remarkable that the ruling
party and the political leaders were helpless. The movement occupied common man
with the massive involvement by women.

The Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti achieved its goal after a great struggle on 1 May
1960, when the State of Bombay had been divided into Marathi-speaking State of
Maharashtra and the Gujarati-speaking State of Gujarat.

Q. 2. B. Explain the following statements with reasons.

The role of newspapers was important in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement.

Answer : Samyuktha Maharashtra movement was the most important movement after
independence. The movement was from the support of Maharashtra people. Marathi
newspaper played a very significant role to make this movement more important.
Marathi newspaper was leading towards the demand for creation of a separate Marathi-
speaking state with the city Bombay as its capital.

The Marathi press was in the advance guard of this movement and widened the
pressure of the movement amongst the Maharashtrian people. Marathi newspaper
played an important role unifying the people for the demand Samyukta Maharashtra
Movement. As part of the movement, P K Atre used his Maratha newspaper to criticize
Nehru, Morarji Desai, and S K Patil.

Q. 3. A. Write short notes.

Samyukta Maharashtra Parishad

Answer : Samyukta Maharashtra Parishad was the predecessor organization of

Samyuktha Maharashtra Samithi created with the claim for a distinct Marathi-speaking
state out of the State of Bombay with Bombay as its capital. It was established on 1
November 1955 under the leadership of Keshavrao Jedhe in Pune.

It mostly included leaders of the leftist ideology like Shreedar Mahdev Joshi, Shripad
Amrit Dange, Narayan Ganesh Gore and many others. It was created in opposition to
the recommendation of creating a bi-lingual state for Gujarat and Maharashtra by the
State Re-organisation Committee.

It caused in wide-spread agitation and resulted in the creation of the Samyukta

Maharashtra Samithi on 6 February 1956. They finally achieved their goal on 1 May
1960 when the State of Bombay was partitioned into Marathi-speaking state of
Maharashtra and Gujarati- speaking the state of Gujarat.

Q. 3. B. Write short notes.

The contribution of Samyuktha Maharashtra Samithi

Answer : Samyuktha Maharashtra Samiti is a movement which was formed in 1956, for
demanding separate Marathi speaking state out of Bombay.

The organization was formed on 6 February 1956, which was headed by Keshavrao
Jedhe in Pune. There were prominent activists who were leading in Maharashtra
Samyuktha Samiti; they were Shreedhar Madhav Joshi, Shripad Amrit Dange and
Narayan Ganesh Gore. The impact of the movement was so remarkable that the ruling
party and the political leaders were helpless. The movement occupied common man
with the massive involvement by women.

The Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti achieved its goal after a great struggle on 1 May
1960, when the State of Bombay had been divided into Marathi-speaking State of
Maharashtra and the Gujarati-speaking State of Gujarat.

Project

Q. 1. Collect information about the personalities who greatly contributed to the

formation of Maharashtra and prepare a project based on it.

Answer : Samyukta Maharashtra Parishad was the organization that collectively

struggled for the creation of the Maharashtra state as a distinct Marathi-speaking state
out of the State of Bombay with Bombay as its capital. It was created in opposition to
the recommendation of creating a bi-lingual state for Gujarat and Maharashtra by the
State Re-organisation Committee. It caused in wide-spread agitation and resulted in the
creation of the Samyukta Maharashtra Samithi on 6 February 1956.

The organization was founded on 6 February 1956, under the leadership of Keshavarao
Jedhe in Pune. Many of the Prominent activists of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti were
leftists such as Shreedhar Mahadev Joshi, Shripad Amrit Dange, Narayan Ganesh
Gore, and Uddhavrao Patil. Other leaders included Maina Gawankar, Walchand
Kothari, Prahlad Keshav Atre, Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, Pandurang Mahadev Bapat,
Bhausaheb Raut, P K Atre and Amar Shaikh.

KESHAVARAO JEDHE
Keshavrao Marutrao Jedhe was a prominent freedom fighter and Congress Leader from
Pune. He was the chairman and president of the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, the
organization that collectively struggled for the creation of Maharashtra state as a distinct
Marathi-speaking state out of the State of Bombay with Bombay as its capital.

In the second general election, the Samiti defeated the Congress by securing 101 seats
out of 133. The Congress could form a government only with the support of Gujarat,
Marathwada, and Vidarbha. Yashwantrao Chavan became the first Chief Minister of the
bilingual Bombay State.

Keshavarao Jedhe struggled persistently for the movement, even by sacrificing the lives
of several people and finally succeeded in convincing the Congress leaders that
Maharashtra should have a separate state. On 1 May 1960, the state of Maharashtra,
which included western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, and Marathwada was formed.

SREEDHAR MAHADEV JOSHI

Shreedhar Mahadev Joshi also known as S.M. Joshi, was an important leader of
the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, the organization that collectively struggled for the
creation of Maharashtra state as a distinct Marathi-speaking state out of the State of
Bombay with Bombay as its capital.

He worked as the secretary of the Maharashtra Youth Conference and the Mass-
Contact Committee. He played a key role in the success of the movement. He was a
member of the All-India Congress Socialist Party. He was also working for uplifting the
Dalits in Maharashtra.

SHRIPAD AMRIT DANGE

Shripad Amrit Dange was a founding member of the Communist Party of India (CPI)
and a stalwart of Indian trade union movement. He also played an active role in the
formation of a separate state of Maharashtra.

Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti was the organization that collectively struggled for the
creation of Maharashtra state as a distinct Marathi-speaking state out of the State of
Bombay with Bombay as its capital. In the second general election, the Samiti defeated
the Congress by securing 101 seats out of 133. Dange was elected to the Lok Sabha in
1957 from Bombay City Constituency of the State of Bombay.

Dange along with S M Joshi, N G Gora, and P K Atre fought persistently in the
Samyukta Maharashtra movement. Finally, on 1 May 1960, the state of Maharashtra,
which included western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, and Marathwada was formed.

PRAHLAD KESHAV ATRE

Prahlad Keshav Atre, popularly known as Acharya Atre, was a prominentMarathi writer,
newspaper founder–editor of the newspaper Maratha and a political leader of
the Samyukta Maharashtra movement.

As part of the movement, P K Atre used his Maratha newspaper to criticize

Nehru, Morarji Desai, and S K Patil. The Marathi press was in the advance guard of this
movement and widened the pressure of the movement amongst the Maharashtrian
people. Marathi newspaper played an important role unifying the people for the demand
Samyukta Maharashtra Movement.

PRABODHANKAR THACKERY

Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, generally known by his pen name Prabodhankar

Thackeray, was one of the key leaders of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement which
successfully campaigned for the linguistic state of Maharashtra.

He joined the movement in 1951, demanding the integration of the Dang district in
Maharashtra instead of Gujarat state. The movement finally succeeded in convincing
the Congress leaders that Maharashtra should have a separate state. On 1 May 1960,
the state of Maharashtra, which included western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, and
Marathwada was formed.