CBSE BOARD COACHING CENTRE

CLASS- X SUB- Social Science (History)

Chapter- 02 Name- Nationalism in India

Previous Year Questions

Previous Year Questions 2025:

Q1: Explain the role of anti-colonial movement in the rise of 'modern nationalism' in India.
(2 Marks)
Ans: The rise of modern nationalism in India was linked to the anti-colonial movement, as
people discovered their unity in the struggle against British oppression. The shared sense of
being exploited tied many diverse groups together, and though their experiences and ideas
of freedom were different, this collective struggle gave birth to the feeling of nationalism.
Q2: Why did Gandhiji say 'Satyagraha is pure soul-force'? Explain by giving two arguments.
(2 Marks)
Ans: Gandhiji said “Satyagraha is pure soul-force” because it emphasised the power of truth
and non-violence. First, a satyagrahi does not use physical force or seek to harm the
adversary but appeals to the conscience of the oppressor. Second, it is based on truth, love
and non-violence, which Gandhiji believed was the supreme dharma that could unite all
Indians.
Q3: "Tribal peasants interpreted the message of Mahatma Gandhi and the idea of 'Swaraj'
in yet another way." Explain the statement in the context of Non-Cooperation Movement.
(3 Marks)
Ans: Tribal peasants interpreted Gandhiji’s message of swaraj in their own way during the
Non-Cooperation Movement:
(1) In the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh, they opposed restrictions on entering forests,
grazing cattle, and collecting fuelwood and fruits, and resisted beggar for road building.
(2) Alluri Sitaram Raju led them, claiming divine powers, and inspired people to wear khadi
and give up drinking, but he believed swaraj could only be achieved through force.
(3) The tribals carried out guerrilla warfare, attacking police stations and officials, showing
that for them swaraj meant regaining their traditional rights and livelihoods, not strictly
Gandhiji’s non-violence.
Q4: "Workers too had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi and the notion of
Swaraj." Support the statement in context of plantation workers of Assam. (3 Marks)
Ans: Plantation workers in Assam understood Gandhiji and swaraj in their own way:
(1) For them, freedom meant the right to move freely in and out of the plantations and to
keep contact with their villages.
(2) Bound by the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, they were not allowed to leave without
permission, which was rarely granted.
(3) When they heard of the Non-Cooperation Movement, thousands left the plantations
believing that Gandhi Raj was coming and they would get land in their villages, but most
were stranded, caught by the police, and beaten up.
Q5: Two places 'A' and 'B' have been marked on the given political outline map of India.
Identify them with the help of the
following information and write their
correct names on the lines drawn near
them: (2 Marks)
A. The place where the session of Indian
National Congress was held in 1920.
Ans: A is Nagpur
The Indian National Congress held its
session in Nagpur in December 1920,
where the Non-Cooperation Movement
was formally adopted, and Gandhi’s
resolution for Swaraj was passed.
B. The place where Gandhiji started
Dandi March.
Ans: B is Sabarmati (Ahmedabad)
Gandhi began the Dandi Salt March on
March 12, 1930, from his Sabarmati
Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, to
protest the British salt monopoly by
marching to Dandi to make salt.

Q6: How did reinterpretation of history become a means of creating a sense of nationalism
by the end of the 19th century in India? Explain. (2 Marks)
Ans: By the end of the nineteenth century, Indians began to reinterpret history to instill pride
and a sense of nationalism. They highlighted India’s glorious achievements in ancient times
in fields like art, science, religion and trade, and contrasted this with the decline under
colonial rule. This reinterpretation helped people see themselves as part of a great
civilisation and inspired them to struggle against British domination.
Q7: How did symbols and icons contribute to creating a feeling of nationalism among the
people in the national movement of India? Explain. (2 Marks)
Ans: Symbols and icons helped people identify with the nation and feel united. The image of
Bharat Mata, created first by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and later painted by
Abanindranath Tagore, became a symbol of devotion to the motherland. Similarly, the
tricolour flag with the spinning wheel designed by Gandhiji represented self-help and
defiance. Carrying these symbols in processions inspired collective belonging and
strengthened the feeling of nationalism.
Q8: Why did Mahatma Gandhi decide to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Analyse any three reasons. (3 Marks)
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement because:
(1) The movement had begun to turn violent in many places, which went against the
principle of non-violence.
(2) At Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur (1922), a peaceful demonstration turned violent when
protesters clashed with police and set a police station on fire.
(3) Gandhiji felt that satyagrahis needed to be properly trained in non-violence before
launching such mass struggles again.
Q9: Analyse the role of women in the 'Civil Disobedience Movement'. (3 Marks)
Ans: Women played an active role in the Civil Disobedience Movement:
(1) During Gandhiji’s Salt March, thousands of women came out of their homes, joined
protest marches, manufactured salt, and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops.
(2) Many women, both from high-caste urban families and rich peasant households in rural
areas, went to jail for participating.
(3) They viewed service to the nation as a sacred duty, though the Congress largely limited
their role to symbolic presence and did not allow them positions of real authority.
Q10: Analyse the role of peasant communities in the 'Civil Disobedience Movement'. (3
Marks)
Ans: Peasant communities played a significant role in the Civil Disobedience Movement:
(1) Rich peasants like the Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Uttar Pradesh supported it
enthusiastically, as they were badly hit by the Depression and unable to pay high revenue
demands.
(2) They organised their communities and joined boycott programmes, but were
disappointed when revenue rates were not revised, so many withdrew when the
movement restarted in 1932.
(3) Poorer peasants, mostly small tenants, wanted unpaid rent to landlords remitted; they
often joined radical movements, but the Congress avoided full support to ‘no rent’
campaigns, leading to an uncertain relationship with them.
Q11: "The ideas of nationalism developed through a movement to revive Indian folklore."
Explain the statement in the context of the national movement. (3 Marks)
Ans: The ideas of nationalism were strengthened through the revival of Indian folklore:
(1) Nationalists believed that folk tales, songs, and legends reflected the true culture of the
people, which had been corrupted by foreign rule.
(2) Leaders like Rabindranath Tagore collected ballads, nursery rhymes and myths in Bengal,
while Natesa Sastri in Madras published The Folklore of Southern India, preserving Tamil
tales.
(3) This revival helped restore pride in India’s past, created a sense of shared culture, and
inspired unity in the struggle for freedom.
Q12: Arrange the following historical events in chronological order and choose the correct
option: (1 Marks)
I. Bardoli Satyagraha III. Champaran Satyagraha
II. Rowlatt Satyagraha IV. Kheda Satyagraha
(a) I, II, III, IV (c) II, I, IV, III
(b) III, II, I, IV (d) III, IV, II, I
Ans: (d) III, IV, II, I

• III. Champaran Satyagraha (1917) → IV. Kheda Satyagraha (1917) → II. Rowlatt
Satyagraha (1919) → I. Bardoli Satyagraha (1928).
Q13: Mention any two economic impacts of the First World War on India. (2 Marks)
Ans: The First World War created a new economic situation in India:
(1) There was a huge increase in defence expenditure, financed by war loans and higher
taxes, including customs duties and income tax.
(2) Prices doubled between 1913 and 1918, leading to extreme hardship for common
people.
Q14: Analyse the impacts of Gandhi-Irwin Pact on the Indian freedom struggle. (3 Marks)
Ans: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931 had important impacts on the freedom struggle:
(1) Gandhiji agreed to participate in the Round Table Conference in London, ending the
boycott of constitutional discussions by the Congress.
(2) The government, in return, released political prisoners and relaxed certain restrictions,
giving temporary relief to the national movement.
(3) However, the negotiations in London broke down, and on returning, Gandhiji found
renewed repression; though the pact gave recognition to Congress, it also showed the
limits of British willingness to grant real concessions.
Q15: Analyse the role of Alluri Sitaram Raju in the Indian National Movement. (3 Marks)
Ans: Alluri Sitaram Raju played a remarkable role in mobilising tribal peasants during the
Non-Cooperation Movement:
(1) He led the Gudem Hills tribal revolt in Andhra Pradesh against forest restrictions and
forced beggars for road building.
(2) Raju inspired the tribals by claiming special powers like healing, predicting, and surviving
bullet shots, and was seen as an incarnation of God.
(3) While he praised Gandhiji and urged people to wear khadi and give up drinking, he
believed swaraj could only be achieved by armed struggle. He led guerrilla warfare,
attacking police stations and officials, before being captured and executed in 1924,
becoming a folk hero.
(The Following Question is for Visually Impaired Candidates)
Q16: Who amongst the following organised the 'Depressed Class Association' in 1930? (1
Mark)
(a) B.L. Yadav
(b) C.R. Das
(c) M.R. Jayeker
(d) B.R. Ambedkar
Ans: (d) B.R. Ambedkar

• The Depressed Classes Association in 1930 was organised by B.R. Ambedkar.

Q17: Explain with examples the significance of the Non-Cooperation Movement in the
Indian national movement.
Ans: The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) was highly significant in the Indian national
movement as it marked the first mass struggle under Gandhiji’s leadership and brought
diverse groups together.
(1) Mass participation in towns: Students left government schools, teachers resigned,
lawyers gave up practice, and foreign cloth was boycotted. The import of foreign cloth
fell drastically, and Indian production increased.
(2) Peasant struggles: In Awadh, peasants led by Baba Ramchandra demanded reduction of
rent, abolition of beggar, and attacked landlords. The Oudh Kisan Sabha was formed
under Jawaharlal Nehru and Baba Ramchandra to channelise their grievances.
(3) Tribal revolts: In the Gudem Hills, Alluri Sitaram Raju mobilised tribals against forest
restrictions and forced labour, blending Gandhiji’s message with guerrilla warfare.
(4) Plantation workers: In Assam, workers defied the Inland Emigration Act, left plantations,
and believed Gandhi Raj would give them land and freedom.
(5) National impact: Though Gandhiji withdrew the movement after Chauri Chaura
violence, it had already spread nationalism to the countryside, involving peasants,
tribals, workers and urban middle classes, making the struggle against British rule truly
broad-based.
Thus, the Non-Cooperation Movement united Indians from different sections of society and
gave the national movement its first real mass character.
Q18: How did the Civil Disobedience Movement become a mass movement? Explain with
examples. (5 Marks)
Ans: The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) became a mass movement as it drew
participation from different social groups across the country, each linking their struggles to
the larger cause of swaraj.
(1) Salt March and breaking of colonial laws: Gandhi’s Dandi March turned salt into a
symbol of resistance. People across India broke the salt law, boycotted foreign cloth,
picketed liquor shops, and refused to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes.
(2) Rich peasants: Communities like the Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Uttar Pradesh, badly
hit by the Depression and unable to pay high revenue, became enthusiastic supporters
and organised their communities.
(3) Poor peasants: Small tenants demanded the remission of unpaid rent to landlords.
Although Congress did not fully support them, many joined radical movements during
the campaign.
(4) Business classes: Industrialists like G.D. Birla and Purshottamdas Thakurdas supported
the movement, providing funds and backing the boycott of foreign goods, hoping for
protection from colonial restrictions.
(5) Women’s participation: Thousands of women came out of homes for the first time,
joined marches, manufactured salt, picketed foreign shops, and many went to jail, seeing
service to the nation as a sacred duty.
Thus, the Civil Disobedience Movement became a truly mass movement by uniting peasants,
workers, women, and business groups in the fight against colonial rule.
Q19: Explain the role of Gandhiji in the Non-Cooperation Movement with examples. (5
Marks)
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi played the central role in shaping and leading the Non-Cooperation
Movement, making it the first nationwide mass struggle.
(1) Introduction of Satyagraha: After returning from South Africa, Gandhiji introduced
satyagraha, emphasising truth and non-violence as powerful weapons against injustice.
He had already led successful movements at Champaran (1917) for indigo peasants,
Kheda (1917) for revenue reduction, and Ahmedabad (1918) among mill workers, which
gave him credibility.
(2) Rowlatt Satyagraha: In 1919, Gandhiji organised a satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act,
which led to protests and culminated in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This convinced
him of the need for a broader movement.
(3) Alliance with Khilafat Movement: Gandhiji saw the Khilafat issue as an opportunity to
unite Hindus and Muslims, and at the Calcutta Session of Congress in 1920, he convinced
leaders to adopt Non-Cooperation.
(4) Programme of Non-Cooperation: Gandhiji urged surrender of titles, boycott of foreign
goods, schools, law courts, legislative councils, and government institutions, while
promoting swadeshi, khadi, and village industries.
(5) Leadership during unrest: When violence broke out, such as at Chauri Chaura (1922)
where protesters burnt a police station, Gandhiji immediately withdrew the movement,
showing his commitment to non-violence.
Thus, Gandhiji’s vision of non-violent struggle, his ability to mobilise diverse groups, and his
insistence on discipline made him the guiding force of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Q20: How did the Civil Disobedience Movement able to bring all communities together in
India? Explain with examples. (5 Marks)
Ans: The Civil Disobedience Movement became a broad-based struggle that drew in different
communities, each relating swaraj to their own needs, thereby creating a united national
movement.
(1) Salt March as a unifying symbol: Gandhiji chose salt, an item used by both rich and poor,
to launch the movement, making it a powerful symbol of resistance against
(2) British rule. Peasants: Rich peasants like the Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Uttar Pradesh
supported the movement against high revenue demands, while poorer peasants wanted
remission of rent to landlords.
(3) Business classes: Industrialists such as G.D. Birla and Purshottamdas Thakurdas backed
the movement, hoping swaraj would end colonial restrictions on trade and industry.
(4) Women: Thousands of women, both from urban high-caste families and rural peasant
households, came out in large numbers, joining marches, manufacturing salt, picketing
shops, and even going to jail.
(5) Workers and tribals: Though industrial workers did not participate in large numbers,
some joined strikes and protests. Tribals and forest people broke forest laws, relating
swaraj to regaining traditional rights.
Thus, by addressing the grievances of peasants, workers, business groups, women and
tribals, the Civil Disobedience Movement was able to bring all communities together into a
common struggle against colonial rule.
Q21: How did Gandhiji’s Salt March mobilize people across different strata against British
rule? Explain with examples. (5 Marks)
Ans: Gandhiji’s Salt March of 1930 turned into a powerful movement that mobilised Indians
from diverse social backgrounds against British rule.
(1) Symbol of salt: By choosing salt, a basic necessity consumed by all, Gandhiji made the
struggle relatable to both the rich and the poor, showing the most oppressive face of
colonialism.
(2) Mass participation: After Gandhiji’s symbolic act of making salt at Dandi, thousands
across India broke the salt law, manufactured salt, and demonstrated before government
salt depots.
(3) Peasants: Many refused to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes, while village officials
resigned, linking their economic hardships to the demand for swaraj.
(4) Workers and tribals: Forest people violated forest laws by entering Reserved Forests to
collect wood and graze cattle; in cities like Sholapur, workers attacked symbols of British
authority after Gandhiji’s arrest.
(5) Women: Thousands of women came out of their homes for the first time, joined
marches, made salt, and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops, seeing participation as
a sacred duty.
Thus, the Salt March successfully united people across different strata of society—peasants,
tribals, workers, women, and business classes—making the Civil Disobedience Movement a
truly nationwide struggle against British rule.
Q22: “History, fiction, folklore, songs, popular prints and symbols developed the sense of
collective belonging in Indians during the 19th century.” Explain the statement with
examples. (5 Marks)
Ans: In the 19th century, Indians began to feel a sense of unity and belonging through history,
songs, stories, symbols and prints which made them think of themselves as one nation.
(1) Bharat Mata: Bankim Chandra wrote Vande Mataram and Abanindranath Tagore painted
Bharat Mata as a mother figure. Later, many prints showed her with symbols of power,
and people saw devotion to her as proof of nationalism.
(2) Folk traditions: Leaders collected folk tales, songs and legends to protect Indian culture.
Rabindranath Tagore collected ballads in Bengal, and Natesa Sastri published The
Folklore of Southern India.
(3) Nationalist flag: During the Swadeshi movement a tricolour flag was designed, and later
Gandhiji made another flag with a spinning wheel to show self-reliance.
(4) History writing: Indians rewrote their history to highlight the greatness of ancient India
in art, science and trade, and to oppose the British view that Indians were backward.
(5) Popular prints and songs: Pictures of leaders like Tilak and Nehru with Bharat Mata and
patriotic songs helped spread nationalist feelings among ordinary people.
So, through history, folklore, songs, symbols and images, Indians developed a common
feeling of belonging to one nation.
Q23: How did 'salt' become a powerful weapon to unite the country in the 'Civil
Disobedience Movement'? Explain any two causes. (2 Marks)
Ans: Salt became a powerful weapon in the Civil Disobedience Movement because:

• Common need: Salt was used by everyone, rich or poor, so the tax on it showed the
unfairness of British rule and touched all sections of society.
• Symbol of oppression: The government’s monopoly on salt production and its tax
became a clear sign of colonial exploitation, making it an easy symbol to unite people
against the British.
Q24: Analyse three main impacts of Non-Cooperation Movement on the economic front.
(3 Marks)
Ans: The Non-Cooperation Movement had important effects on the economic front:

• Boycott of foreign goods: People stopped using foreign cloth, liquor shops were
picketed, and foreign goods were burnt in public bonfires.
• Fall in imports: The import of foreign cloth was reduced by half, from Rs. 102 crore
to Rs. 57 crores between 1921 and 1922.
• Rise in Indian production: As people shifted to Indian products, the demand for
khadi, handloom and Indian mill cloth increased, boosting local industries.
Q25: Why did the Non-Cooperation Movement start slowing down in the cities? Analyse
three causes. (3 Marks)
Ans: The Non-Cooperation Movement in cities began to slow down because:
(1) High price of khadi: Khadi cloth was costlier than mill cloth, so poor people could not
afford it for long.
 (2) Lack of alternatives: To replace British institutions, new Indian schools and courts
were needed, but these came up very slowly, making it hard for students and lawyers
to continue the boycott.
(3) Return to government institutions: As a result, many students and teachers went
back to government schools and lawyers resumed work in British courts.
Q26: Arrange the following historical events in chronological order and choose the correct
option: (1 Mark)
I. Second Round Table Conference
II. Simon Commission arrives in India
III. Beginning of Dandi March
IV. Incident of Chauri-Chaura
(a) I, II, III, IV (c) IV, II, I, III
(b) IV, II, III, I (d) I, II, IV, III
Ans: (b) IV, II, III, I IV.
Chauri-Chaura (1922) → II. Simon Commission (1928) → III. Dandi March (1930) → I. Second
Round Table Conference (1931).
Correct option: (b) IV, II, III, I
Q27: How did Indians react to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre? Explain. (2 Marks)
Ans: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre shocked and angered Indians deeply. People came out
on the streets in many north Indian towns, went on strikes, clashed with police, and attacked
government buildings. The British replied with brutal repression—satyagrahis were
humiliated, flogged, and villages near Gujranwala were even bombed—showing how the
massacre turned public resentment into widespread protest against colonial rule.
Q28: Read the following source and answer the questions that follow: (4 Marks)
The Independence Day Pledge, 26 January 1930
"We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to
have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life, so that they
may have full opportunities of growth. We also believe that if any government deprives
people of these rights and oppresses them, the people have a further right to alter it or
abolish it. The British Government in India has not only deprived the Indian people of their
freedom but based itself on the exploitation of the masses, and has ruined India
economically, politically, culturally and spiritually. We believe, therefore, that India must
sever the British connection and attain Purna Swaraj or Complete Independence."
(i) Why was Swaraj considered as an inalienable right of the India? (1 Mark)
Ans: Swaraj was considered an inalienable right because Indians, like all people, had
the natural right to enjoy freedom, the fruits of their labour, and opportunities for
growth.
(ii) Which type of government is supported in the source? (1 Mark)
 Ans: The source supports a democratic government where people have the power to
alter or abolish an oppressive rule.
(iii) Explain any two effects of British rule in India. (2 Mark)
Ans: Two effects of British rule in India were:
• It led to economic exploitation, ruining India’s industries and agriculture.
• It also caused political, cultural and spiritual decline, by denying Indians
freedom and imposing foreign control.
Q29: Why was the Rowlatt Act opposed in India? Explain. (2 Marks)
Ans: The Rowlatt Act (1919) was opposed because it gave the government enormous powers
to repress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two
years. Indians saw it as unjust and repressive, and Gandhiji called for a non-violent
satyagraha against it.

Previous Year Questions 2024:

Q1: Arrange the following events of Indian National Movement in chronological order and
choose the correct option.
(I) Formation of Swaraj Party (II)
(II) Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress
(III) Gandhi-Irwin Pact
(IV) Formation of Depressed Class Association
(a) (II), (III), (I) and (IV) (c) (I), (III), (II) and (IV)
(b) (I), (II), (IV) and (III) (d) (IV), (III), (II) and (I)
Ans: (b) (I), (II), (IV) and (III)
(1) Formation of Swaraj Party: 1 January 1923
(2) Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress: 31 December 1929
(3) Formation of Depressed Class Association: August 1930
(4) Gandhi-Irwin Pact: 5 March 1931
Q2: "There were variety of cultural processes through which Indian Nationalism captured
people's imagination." Explain the statement with examples.
Ans: Many cultural developments that caught the Indian people's attention had an impact
on the rise of Indian Nationalism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were:
(1) Cultural Renaissance Movements: In an effort to challenge colonial cultural hegemony,
a number of cultural revival movements have developed throughout India to support
indigenous customs, languages, and creations of art.
(2) Poetry and Writing: Indian poetry and writing contributed significantly to the uprising
against colonial rule and the advancement of nationalist ideas. Poets and writers like
 Subramania Bharati, Rabindranath Tagore, and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay used
their writing to encourage a sense of solidarity among Indians as well as sentiments of
patriotism and pride in Indian culture. For example, the song "Vande Mataram".
(3) Historical Narratives: In an effort to invalidate colonial narratives that depicted Indians
as inferior and backward, historians and intellectuals reinterpreted Indian history to
emphasise the accomplishments and contributions of Indian civilisation.
(4) Popular Culture and Mass Mobilisation: Famous nationalists such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak
and Mahatma Gandhi used public speeches, cultural events, and large-scale gatherings
to gain popular support for their cause and stoke opposition to colonial rule.
(5) Religious and Social Reform Movements: The ideas of social equality, religious
tolerance, and human dignity were highlighted by religious and social reform movements
like the Arya Samaj, Brahmo Samaj, and the movements headed by personalities like Raja
Ram Mohan Roy and Mahatma Gandhi.

Previous Year Questions 2023:

Q3: Explain the implications of the 'First World War’ on the economic and political
situation of India.
Ans: The First World War had significant implications for India's economic and political
landscape:

• Increased defence budget: The war led to higher defence spending, which was
financed through loans.
• Rising prices: Shortages caused prices to double between 1913 and 1918, resulting
in hardship for many. Higher taxes: Customs duties and taxes were raised,
contributing to the cost of living.
• Forced recruitment: Many were compelled to join the army, leading to widespread
discontent.
• Food shortages: Crop failures resulted in acute shortages of food items.
• Epidemic spread: An influenza epidemic caused the death of millions.
These factors fostered a sense of anger and frustration among the Indian populace,
setting the stage for future movements for independence.
Q4: “Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation.”
Examine the statement in the context of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Ans:

• Mahatma Gandhi found salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation. On 31st
January 1930, he sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating wide-ranging eleven demands.
• All classes of Indian society identified with the broad-ranging demands. The most
stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax.
 • Salt was something consumed by the rich and the poor alike, and it was one of the
most essential items of food. The tax on salt and the government monopoly over its
production revealed the most oppressive face of British rule.
• In the Dandi march, the volunteers walked for 24 days, about 10 miles a day.
Thousands came to hear Mahatma Gandhi wherever he stopped, and he told them
what he meant by swaraj and urged them to peacefully defy the British.
• On 6th April, he reached Dandi and ceremonially violated the law by manufacturing
salt from boiling seawater. This marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience
Movement.
• People were now asked not only to refuse cooperation with the British, as they had
done in 1921-22, but also to break colonial laws.
• Thousands of people broke the salt law in different parts of the country,
manufactured salt, and demonstrated in front of government salt factories.
• As the movement spread, foreign cloth was boycotted, and liquor shops were
picketed. Peasants refused to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes, village officials
resigned, and in many places, forest people violated forest laws.
Q5: Examine the progress of the Civil Disobedience Movement among different strata of
society.
Ans: The following points analyse the progress made by different strata of society in the civil
disobedience movement:

• Rich Peasants: Their demand for a reduction in revenue was refused. For them, the
fight for Swaraj was the fight against high revenue.
• Poor Peasants: Economic depression made it very difficult for them to pay rent to
the landlords. Congress did not support them in the rent campaign fearing that it
would upset the rich farmers.
• Business Community: Their demand was for protection against exports and a fixed
exchange ratio. To protect their business interests, they formed the Indian Industrial
and Commercial Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of
Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.
• Workers: As the Congress was seen as close to the industrialists, the workers did not
participate in the movement except in Nagpur.
• Women: There was large-scale participation of women in the Civil Disobedience
Movement. They participated in the Salt March and other protest marches. They
participated in picketing of foreign cloth and liquor shops.
Q6: Analyse the role of folklore and symbols in the revival of nationalism in India during
the late 19th century.
Ans: The role of folklore and symbols played a significant role in the revival of nationalism in
India during the late 19th century.
 • Folklore, songs, popular prints, and symbols served as powerful tools to mobilize and
unite the Indian masses against British colonial rule. They helped in creating a sense
of collective identity, pride, and resistance among the people.
• Folklore, which includes folk tales, legends, and myths, played a crucial role in
shaping the nationalist sentiment. These stories often highlighted the valour, bravery,
and sacrifice of Indian heroes and warriors, instilling a sense of pride and nationalism
among the people.
• They also emphasized the rich cultural heritage and history of India, reinforcing the
idea of an independent and glorious past.
• Songs and ballads, another form of folklore, were widely used to spread nationalist
ideas and mobilize the masses.
• Nationalist poets and musicians composed songs that expressed the aspirations and
struggles of the Indian people. These songs not only served as a medium of protest
but also helped in creating a sense of unity and solidarity among the diverse Indian
population.
• Popular prints, such as posters and images, also played a significant role in shaping
nationalist sentiment. These prints depicted iconic figures like Rani Lakshmibai,
Bhagat Singh, and Mahatma Gandhi, who became symbols of resistance and
inspiration for the people. They were widely circulated and displayed, serving as
visual reminders of the nationalist struggle and invoking a sense of pride and
determination.
• Symbols, such as the national flag, the spinning wheel, and the slogan "Vande
Mataram," became powerful representations of the nationalist movement. They
were used to rally support and create a sense of collective identity among the people.
The national flag, with its tricolour and the charkha, became a symbol of unity and
freedom, while "Vande Mataram" became a rallying cry for the nationalist cause.
In conclusion, folklore and symbols played a crucial role in the revival of nationalism in
India during the late 19th century. They helped in creating a sense of collective identity,
pride, and resistance among the Indian masses, mobilizing them against British colonial
rule. Folklore, songs, popular prints, and symbols served as powerful tools to spread
nationalist ideas and inspire the people to fight for their independence.
Q7: Analyse the ways through which people of different communities developed a sense
of collective belonging in India.
Ans: People belonging to different communities, region and language groups in India develop
a sense of collective belonging by the following ways:
(1) The identity of the nation was allegorised and symbolised with the image of Bharat Mata.
(2) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote ‘Vande Mataram’ as a hymn to the motherland
and was included in his novel Ananda Math.
(3) Moved by the Swadeshi movement, Abanindranath Tagore painted Bharat Mata and
portrayed it as an ascetic figure; in which she is calm, composed, divine and spiritual.
(4) Ideas of nationalism also developed through a movement to revive Indian folklore.
(5) Icons and literary symbols played a significant role in unifying people and inspired them
with a feeling of nationalism.

Previous Year Questions 2022:

Q8: Mention any two causes that led to the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Ans: The Civil Disobedience Movement was sparked by several key events.
Two significant causes include:

• Simon Commission: The formation of the Simon Commission, which had no Indian
members, was seen as a direct insult to the Indian people and their aspirations for
self-governance.
• Lala Lajpat Rai's Death: The brutal beating of Lala Lajpat Rai by police during a
protest against the Simon Commission led to widespread outrage and intensified
calls for mass civil disobedience.
Q9: "Mahatma Gandhi launched a more broad-based movement in India by joining
Khilafat Andolan." Explain the statement with any three arguments in the context of the
Non-Cooperation Movement.
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi's decision to join the Khilafat Andolan played a crucial role in
broadening the scope and appeal of the Non-Cooperation Movement in India. Here are three
arguments explaining this statement:

• Unity among different religious communities: The Khilafat Andolan was launched by
Indian Muslims to protest against the British government's treatment of the
Caliphate in Turkey. By supporting this movement, Gandhi aimed to create a united
front of Hindus and Muslims against British rule. This helped in fostering communal
harmony and strengthening the non-cooperation movement.
• Expansion of the movement to rural areas: The Khilafat Andolan had a significant
impact in rural areas, where the influence of religious leaders was strong. By aligning
with the Khilafat cause, Gandhi was able to mobilize support and participation from
the rural population, thus expanding the reach of the non-cooperation movement
beyond urban centres.
• Increased participation of youth and students: The Khilafat Andolan resonated
strongly with the youth and students of India, who were deeply concerned about the
fate of their fellow Muslims in Turkey. Gandhi's association with the Khilafat cause
attracted a large number of young people to join the non-cooperation movement,
bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to the protests.
Q10: "The effects of the Non-Cooperation Movement on the economic front were more
dramatic’’. Support the statement with examples.
Ans: The Non-Cooperation Movement had significant effects on the economic front in India.
The statement that the effects were more dramatic can be supported by the following
examples:

• Boycott of foreign goods: As part of the non-cooperation movement, there was a

widespread boycott of foreign goods. This led to a significant decrease in the import
of foreign clothes between 1921 and 1922. The value of imported foreign clothes
dropped from Rs. 102 crores to Rs. 57 crores during this period.
• Picketing of liquor shops: The movement also involved the picketing of liquor shops,
which were seen as symbols of British influence and exploitation. This led to a
decrease in the consumption of foreign liquor, affecting the revenue generated from
its sales.
• Promotion of Indian textiles and handlooms: As people boycotted foreign clothes,
there was a shift towards the use of Indian textiles and handloom products. The
production of Indian textiles and handlooms increased, providing a boost to the
domestic economy and empowering local artisans.
These examples demonstrate that the Non-Cooperation Movement had a significant
impact on the economic front, leading to a reduction in the consumption of foreign goods
and the promotion of Indian industries.
Q11: Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Modern nationalism in Europe came to be associated with the formation of nation-states. It
also meant a change in people’s understanding of who they were and what defined their
identity and sense of belonging. New symbols and icons, new songs and ideas forged new
links and redefined the boundaries of communities. In most countries, the making of this
new national identity was a long process. How did this consciousness emerge in India?
In India and as in many other colonies, the growth of modern nationalism is intimately
connected to the anti-colonial movement. People began discovering their unity in the
process of their struggles with colonialism. The sense of being oppressed under colonialism
provided a shared bond that tied many different groups together. But each class and group
felt the effects of colonialism differently, their experiences were varied, and their notions of
freedom were not always the same. The Congress under Mahatma Gandhi tried to forge
these groups together within one movement. But the unity did not emerge without conflict.
(i) What was people's understanding of the nation?
Ans: People's understanding of nation was of modern states, having centralized
powers exercising sovereign control over their own territory.
(ii) How was the growth of modern nationalism intimately connected to the anti-
colonial movement?
Ans: The growth of modern nationalism in India was intimately connected to the anti-
colonial movement. The sense of being oppressed under colonialism provided a
shared bond that tied different groups together. The Congress under Mahatma
Gandhi tried to unite these groups within one movement.
(iii) How did people in India develop a sense of collective belonging?
 Ans: People in India developed a sense of collective belonging through their shared
experiences and struggles with colonialism. The anti-colonial movement brought
different groups together, despite their varied experiences and notions of freedom.
The Congress under Mahatma Gandhi played a crucial role in forging these groups
together within one movement, although there were conflicts along the way. Additionally,
history, folklore, and new symbols and icons helped redefine the boundaries of
communities and create a sense of collective belonging.
Q12: Describe the spread of the Non-Cooperation Movement in the countryside.
Ans: The spread of the Non-Cooperation Movement in the countryside involved several key
developments:

• In Awadh, peasants were led by Baba Ramchandra against talukdars and landlords
who imposed high rents and various cesses.
• Peasants faced beggar (forced labour) and lacked security as tenants, often being
evicted without notice.
• The movement called for a reduction in revenue, the abolition of beggar, and a social
boycott of oppressive landlords.
• Jawaharlal Nehru visited villages in Awadh to support the movement and understand
local grievances.
• By October, the Oudh Kisan Sabha was established, rapidly expanding to over 300
branches in the region.
• However, the Congress leadership was concerned about the movement's direction,
as it led to violence against landlords and merchants.
Q13: Mention any two causes that led to the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Ans: The Civil Disobedience Movement was one of the most significant movements launched
by Mahatma Gandhi in the course of India’s freedom struggle in 1930. The two main causes
of the civil disobedience movement are:

• The constitution of Simon's commission with no Indians and the death of Lala Lajpat
rai while protesting against the commission enraged the entire nation.
• In the Lahore session, the demand of Purna Swaraj was declared, thus the civil
disobedience movement was launched as the first step to fulfil this goal.
Q14: Why did Mahatma Gandhi decide to call off the Civil Disobedience Movement in
1931?
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi decided to call off the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1931 because
he reached a pact, known as the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, with the British Viceroy, Lord Irwin. As
part of this pact, the British agreed to release political prisoners, allow the participation of
Congress in the Second Round Table Conference, and lift the ban on the salt satyagraha.
Gandhi believed that this was a significant step forward and decided to suspend the
movement to give negotiations a chance.
Q15: Read the given source below carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The Independence Day Pledge, 26 January, 1930
‘We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to
have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life, so that they
may have full opportunities of growth. We believe also that if any government deprives
people of these rights and oppresses them, the people have a further right to alter it or to
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
economically, politically, culturally and spiritually. We believe, therefore, that India must
sever the British connection and attain Purna Swaraj or Complete Independence.’
(i) Why was freedom considered an inalienable right of the Indian people?
Ans: Freedom was considered an inalienable right of the Indian people because, like
any other people, they believed they had the right to enjoy the fruits of their labour,
have the necessities of life, and have full opportunities for growth. They believed that
if any government deprived them of these rights and oppressed them, they had the
right to alter or abolish it.
(ii) Why was Purna Swaraj considered essential by the people of India?
Ans: Purna Swaraj, or Complete Independence, was considered essential by the
people of India because they believed that the British government in India had not
only deprived them of their freedom but also based itself on the exploitation of the
masses. They saw complete independence as the only way to free themselves from
economic, political, cultural, and spiritual ruin caused by British rule.
(iii) Explain the significance of the Lahore Session of Congress (1930).
Ans: The Lahore Session of Congress (1930) was significant because, during this
session, the Congress decided to observe 26th January 1930 as the Purna Swaraj Day
or the day of Complete Independence. This declaration marked a significant
milestone in the Indian freedom struggle and set the stage for the future demand for
complete independence from British rule.
Q16: “It was essential to preserve folk tradition in order to discover one’s national identity
and restore a sense of pride in one’s past.” Support the statement in reference to India.
Ans:
(i) The nationalist histories urged the readers to take pride in India’s great achievements
in the past and struggle to change the miserable conditions of life under British rule.
(ii) In the nineteenth century the Indian nationalists began recording folk songs sung by
bards and they toured different villages to gather folk songs and legends.
(iii) They believe that tales give a true picture of traditional culture that has been
corrupted and damaged by outsiders.
(iv) Indians began to look into the past to discover India’s greatest achievements.
(v) They wrote about the glorious developments in ancient times when art and
architecture, science and mathematics, religion and culture, law and philosophy,
crafts and trade flourished.
Q17: Read the case given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The Sense of Collective Belonging
This sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united struggles.
But there were also a variety of cultural processes through which nationalism captured
people's imagination. History and fiction, folklore and songs, and popular prints and
symbols, all played a part in the making of nationalism. The identity of the nation, as you
know, is most often symbolised in a figure or image. This helps create an image with which
people can identify the nation. It was in the twentieth century, with the growth of
nationalism, that the identity of India came to be visually associated with the image of Bharat
Mata. The image was first created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. In the 1870s he wrote
'Vande Mataram' as a hymn to the motherland. Later it was included in his novel
Anandamath and widely sung during the Swadeshi movement in Bengal. Moved by the
Swadeshi movement, Rabindranath Tagore painted his famous image of Bharat Mata. In this
painting. Bharat Mata is portrayed as an ascetic figure; she is calm, composed, diving and
spiritual. In subsequent years, the image of Bharat Mata acquired many different forms, as
it circulated in popular prints, and was painted by different artists. Devotion to this mother
figure came to be seen as evidence of one's nationalism.
(i) How did the 'nation' become a reality in the minds of people?
Ans: The 'nation' became a reality in the minds of people through united struggles
and various cultural processes. The experience of united struggles helped people
develop a sense of collective belonging and identify themselves as part of a nation.
Additionally, history, fiction, folklore, songs, popular prints, and symbols played a
significant role in shaping the idea of the nation and capturing people's imagination.
(ii) How did nationalism capture the people's imagination?
Ans: Nationalism captured the people's imagination through cultural processes such
as history, fiction, folklore, songs, popular prints, and symbols. These cultural
elements created a sense of identity and pride in one's nation. Nationalist leaders
used these cultural tools to evoke emotions, inspire unity, and mobilize people for
the cause of nationalism.
(iii) How did people belonging to different groups develop a sense of collective
belonging?
Ans: People belonging to different groups developed a sense of collective belonging
through shared experiences of united struggles and cultural processes. The use of
folklore, songs, popular prints, symbols, and other cultural elements helped bridge
the gaps between different groups and create a sense of unity and belonging. These
cultural expressions provided a common ground for people from diverse
backgrounds to connect and identify themselves as part of a larger collective.

Previous Year Questions 2021:

Q18: Describe any two Satyagraha movements launched by Gandhiji just after his return
to India from South Africa.
Ans: After returning to India, Mahatma Gandhi initiated several satyagraha movements:

• Champaran Movement (1917): Gandhi travelled to Champaran in Bihar to support

peasants protesting against the harsh plantation system.
• Kheda Movement (1918): In Gujarat's Kheda district, he organised a satyagraha for
peasants affected by crop failure and a plague epidemic, who were unable to pay
their taxes.
• Ahemdabad Movement (1918): Gandhi also led a satyagraha among cotton mill
workers in Ahmedabad to address their grievances.

Previous Year Questions 2020:

Q19: Why did Gandhiji support the ‘Khilafat’ issue? Write the main reason.
Ans: Gandhiji supported the 'Khilafat' issue as he saw it as an opportunity to bring Muslims
under the umbrella of a unified national movement. He believed that by supporting the
Khilafat cause, which aimed to protect the political and territorial rights of the Ottoman
Caliphate, he could build a strong alliance between Hindus and Muslims and strengthen the
fight for India's independence.
Q20: Name the two main leaders of the ‘Khilafat Committee’ formed in the year 1919.
Ans: The two main leaders of the 'Khilafat Committee' formed in 1919 were Muhammad Ali
and Shaukat Ali.
Q21: Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:
Why Non-cooperation?
In his famous book Hind Swaraj (1909), Mahatma Gandhi declared that British rule was
established in India with the cooperation of Indians and had survived only because of this
cooperation. If Indians refused to cooperate, British rule in India would collapse within a
year, and Swaraj would come.
How could non-cooperation become a movement? Gandhiji proposed that the movement
should unfold in stages. It should begin with the surrender of titles that the government
awarded and a boycott of civil services, the army, police, courts and legislative councils,
schools, and foreign goods.
Then, in case the government used repression, a full civil disobedience campaign would be
launched. Through the summer of 1920, Mahatma Gandhi and Shaukat Ali toured
extensively, mobilizing popular support for the movement.
(i) What was the weapon of Gandhiji to fight against the British Empire in India?
 Ans: Satyagraha was the weapon of Gandhiji to fight peacefully against the British
Empire in India.
(ii) How did the British survive in India?
Ans: According to Mahatma Gandhi's book Hind Swaraj, British rule in India was
established with the cooperation of Indians and survived only because of this
cooperation.
(iii) Explain Gandhiji's idea for making non-cooperation a movement.
Ans: Gandhiji proposed that non-cooperation should unfold in stages. It should start
with the surrender of titles awarded by the government and a boycott of civil
services, the army, police, courts, legislative councils, schools, and foreign goods. If
the government responded with repression, a full civil disobedience campaign would
be launched. This idea aimed to mobilize popular support and escalate the
movement gradually.
Q22: Certain events are given below. Choose the appropriate chronological order:
I. Coming of Simon Commission to India
II. Demand of Purna Swaraj in Lahore Session of INC.
III. Government of India Act, 1919
IV. Champaran Satyagraha
Choose the correct option:
(a) III - II- IV - I (c) II - III - I - IV
(b) I-II- IV - III (d) IV - III - I - II
Ans: (d) IV - III - I – II
1. Champaran Satyagraha happened in 1917.
2. The Government of India Act was passed in 1919.
3. The Simon Commission came to India in 1928.
4. The Lahore Session of INC in 1929 demanded Purna Swaraj (complete independence).
Q23: Why was the Inland Emigration Act of 1859 troublesome for plantation workers?
Ans: The Inland Emigration Act of 1859 caused significant issues for plantation workers due
to its strict limitations on their freedom of movement.
Key points include:

• Workers needed a pass from their employers to leave the tea gardens.
• This restriction made it hard for them to visit their families.
• It also prevented them from seeking other job opportunities.
• As a result, many workers felt trapped in exploitative conditions.
Q24: Name the association formed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for Dalits in 1930.
Ans: The association formed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for Dalits in 1930 is the Depressed Class
Association.
Q25: Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Source - Swaraj in the Plantations
Workers too had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi and the notion of Swaraj. For
plantation workers in Assam, freedom meant the right to move freely in and out of the
confined space in which they were enclosed, and it meant retaining a link with the village
from which they had come. Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, plantation workers
were not permitted to leave the tea gardens without permission, and in fact, they were rarely
given such permission. When they heard of the Non-Cooperation Movement, thousands of
workers defied the authorities, left the plantations, and headed home. They believed that
Gandhi Raj was coming, and everyone would be given land in their own villages. They,
however, never reached their destination. Stranded on the way by a railway and steamer
strike, they were caught by the police and brutally beaten up.
(i) Explain the understanding of Swaraj for plantation workers in Assam.
Ans: For plantation workers in Assam, Swaraj (freedom) meant the right to move
freely in and out of the confined space of the tea gardens where they were enclosed.
It also meant retaining a link with their native village. These workers were restricted
by the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, which prohibited them from leaving the tea
gardens without permission. However, upon hearing about the Non-Cooperation
Movement, thousands of workers defied the authorities, left the plantations, and
headed home with the belief that Gandhi Raj (rule) was coming and everyone would
be given land in their own villages.
(ii) Explain the Inland Emigration Act of 1859 as a barrier to the freedom of plantation
workers.
Ans: The Inland Emigration Act of 1859 served as a barrier to the freedom of
plantation workers in Assam. This act prohibited them from leaving the tea gardens
without permission, which was rarely granted. It confined the workers to the
plantations and restricted their movement, denying them the freedom to return to
their native villages or explore opportunities outside the gardens.
(iii) Explain the main outcome of the participation of workers in the Non-Cooperation
Movement.
Ans: The participation of workers in the Non-Cooperation Movement had a
significant outcome:
• Thousands of plantation workers in Assam defied colonial authorities.
• They left the tea gardens, believing that Gandhi Raj would grant them land in
their villages.
• However, their journey was interrupted by a railway and steamer strike.
• Many were arrested by the police and faced brutal beatings.
• Despite not reaching their destination, their actions demonstrated their defiance
against colonial rule.
• This participation reflected their aspirations for a better future.
Q26: Identify the appropriate reason from the following options, for the non-participation
of industrial workers in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
(a) Industrialists were close to the Congress
(b) Britishers offered them good salaries
(c) They were reluctant towards the boycott of foreign goods
(d) Growth of Socialism
Ans: (a) Industrialists were close to the Congress
Industrialists had a good relationship with the Congress and did not support the strike or
protests that could harm their businesses. As a result, many industrial workers did not
actively participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Q27: Why did the Simon Commission come to India? Identify the correct reason from the
following options.
(a) To control the campaign against the British in cities
(b) To look into the functioning of the British
(c) To initiate salt law in India
(d) To suggest changes in the functioning of the constitutional system in India
Ans: (d) To suggest changes in the functioning of the constitutional system in India
The Simon Commission was established to examine the functioning of the constitutional
system in India and to suggest necessary changes. Its primary aim was to address the
growing demands for political reform in response to the nationalist movement.
Q28: Read the sources given below and answer the questions that follow:
A. The Salt March and The Civil Disobedience Movement Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a
powerful symbol that could unite the nation. On 31st January 1930, he sent a letter to
Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands. Some of these were of general interest; while
others were specific demands of different classes, from industrialists to peasants.
B. In the countryside, rich peasant communities - like the Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of
Uttar Pradesh - were active in the movement. Being producers of commercial crops, they
were very hard hit by the trade depression and falling prices.
C. The limits of Civil Disobedience Movement - When the Civil Disobedience Movement
started there was an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust between communities.
(i) How did Gandhiji react to the Salt Law?
Ans: Gandhiji opposed the British salt tax and its monopoly over its production. He
demanded the abolition of the salt tax. To protest against this unjust law, he
organized the famous Dandi March, where he and his followers marched to the
Arabian Sea and made their own salt by evaporating seawater.
(ii) Why did the rich peasants become supporters of the Civil Disobedience
Movement?
Ans: The rich peasants supported the Civil Disobedience Movement due to several
key reasons:
 • They were hit hard by the trade depression and falling prices of commercial crops.
• As producers, they faced significant economic hardships.
• They viewed the movement as a way to combat the exploitation and oppression they
experienced.
• The refusal of the government to reduce revenue demands led to widespread
resentment.
These factors motivated them to actively participate and organise their communities in
support of the movement.
(iii) Examine the limits of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Ans: The Civil Disobedience Movement had certain limitations, including:
(a) Lack of industrialists' participation: The industrialists did not actively participate
in the movement, which affected its economic impact.
(b) Limited demands of workers: The Congress was reluctant to include the
demands of workers as part of its program of struggle, which limited the scope
of the movement.
Q29: Who among the following wrote the Vande Mataram?
(a) Rabindranath Tagore (c) Abindranath Tagore
(b) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (d) Dwarkanath Tagore
Ans: (b) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote the patriotic song Vande Mataram, which became a
symbol of India's struggle for independence. It was included in his novel Anandamath.
Q30: Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow:
Case: The Movement in the Towns
The movement started with the participation of the middle-class in the cities. Thousands of
students left government-controlled schools and colleges, headmasters and teachers
resigned, and lawyers gave up their legal practices. The council elections were boycotted in
most provinces except Madras, where the Justice Party, the party of the non-Brahmins, felt
that entering the council was one way of gaining some power something that usually only
Brahmins had access to.
The effects of Non-cooperation movement on the economic front were more dramatic.
Foreign goods were boycotted, liquor shops picketed, and foreign cloth burnt in huge
bonfires. The import of foreign cloth halved between 1921 and 1922, its value dropping from
Rs. 102 crores to Rs. 57 crores. In many places merchants and traders refused to trade in
foreign goods or finance foreign trade. As the boycott movement spread, and people began
discarding imported clothes and wearing only Indian ones, production of Indian textile mills
and handlooms went up.
(i) Explain the role of the Justice Party in boycotting council elections.
 Ans: The Justice Party in Madras (Chennai) wanted to contest the council elections to
gain power and authority which was only available to Brahmans till then
(ii) How were the effects of ‘Non-cooperation movement on the economic front’
dramatic?
Ans: Merchants burnt foreign clothes in huge bonfires, refusing to buy foreign goods
completely and even picketed liquor shops. Import of foreign goods reduced to half
due to their dramatic reaction.
(iii) Explain the effect of the ‘boycott’ movement on ‘foreign textile trade’.
Ans: The boycott movement affected foreign trade negatively.
(1) Imports of clothes were reduced to half in initial value. Businessmen refused to
finance foreign trade or wear foreign goods.
(2) People began discarding imported clothes and started wearing only Indian made
fabrics from mills and handlooms.
Q31: Why did Mahatma Gandhi organise, Satyagraha in the Kheda district of Gujarat in
1917? Give the main reason.
Ans: Peasants affected from crop failure and plague epidemic wanted relaxation in revenue
collection. Mahatma Gandhi organised a Satyagraha with these peasants against revenue
collectors for the same in 1917.
Q32: Describe the implication of the First World War on the economic and political
situation of India.
Ans: The First World War had significant implications for India's economic and political
landscape:

• The war resulted in a dramatic increase in defence spending, funded by war loans
and higher taxes.
• Customs duties were raised, and income tax was introduced.
• Prices soared, doubled between 1913 and 1918, causing severe hardship for ordinary
people.
• Villages were required to supply soldiers, leading to widespread anger due to forced
recruitment.
• Crops failed in many regions, resulting in acute food shortages.
• This crisis was exacerbated by an influenza epidemic, with 12 to 13 million people
perishing from famines and disease.

Previous Year Questions 2019:

Q33: Explain the implications of the 'First World War’ on the economic and political
situation of India.
Ans: The First World War had significant effects on the economic and political landscape of
India:

• Increased defence expenditure: The war led to a rise in the defence budget, forcing
the government to take out war loans.
• Rising prices: Shortages during the war caused prices to double between 1913 and
1918, resulting in hardship for many.
• Higher taxes: Customs duties and taxes were raised, contributing to the overall price
increase.
• Forced recruitment: Many people were compelled to join the army, leading to
widespread discontent.
• Food shortages: Crop failures resulted in acute shortages of food items.
• Epidemics: The spread of disease during this period caused the deaths of millions.
Q34: Who had organised the Dalits into the depressed classes association in 1930?
Describe his achievements.
Ans: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was instrumental in organising the Dalits into the Depressed Classes
Association in 1930. His achievements include:

• Ambedkar was a member of the Mahar caste, one of the untouchable or Dalit castes
in India.
• He became a strong advocate against oppression, using both politics and writing to
uplift the Dalits.
• His notable work, The Annihilation of Caste, was a powerful critique of the caste
system.
• At the second Round Table Conference, he demanded separate electorates for Dalits,
which led to a significant clash with Mahatma Gandhi.
• When the British government agreed to his demand, Gandhi began a fast, believing
that separate electorates would hinder Dalit integration into society.
• Ultimately, Ambedkar accepted Gandhi's position, resulting in the Poona Pact of
September 1932.
• This pact provided reserved seats for the Depressed Classes (later known as the
Scheduled Castes) in legislative councils, although they were to be voted in by the
general electorate.
• Ambedkar believed in political empowerment as a solution to the issues faced by
Dalits, contrasting Gandhi's approach of seeking a change of heart among upper
castes.
Ambedkar's efforts were crucial in raising awareness and advocating for the rights of the
Dalit community, laying the groundwork for future movements.
Q35: "Plantation workers had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi's ideas and
the notion of 'Swaraj'." Support the statement.
Ans:
(i) Plantation workers had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi and the notion
of Swaraj. For plantation workers, freedom meant the right to move freely in and out
of the confined space in which they were enclosed, and it meant retaining a link with
the village from which they had come.
(ii) Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, plantation workers were not permitted to
leave the tea gardens without permission, and in fact they were rarely given such
permission.
(iii) When they heard of the Non-Cooperation Movement, thousands of workers defied
the authorities, left the plantations and headed home.
(iv) They believed that Gandhi Raj was coming and everyone would be given land in their
own villages.
Q36: Define the term 'Civil Disobedience Movement.’ Describe the participation of rich
and poor peasant communities in the 'Civil Disobedience Movement.’
Ans: Civil Disobedience is the active, professed refusal of a citizen to obey certain laws,
demands, orders or commands of a government. In India, it refers to the movement led by
Gandhiji against the British rule.
Both the rich and the poor peasants did not participate in the Civil Disobedience movement
because of varying reasons. Their reasons were as follows
Rich Peasants:
(i) They were hit by depressed prices of the food grains.
(ii) They were unable to pay the land revenue. Their demand for a reduction in revenue
was refused.
(iii) For them fighting for Swaraj was the fight against high revenue.
(iv) They were disappointed with the calling off of the civil disobedience movement and
were reluctant to join it back upon its relaunch.
Poor Peasants:
(i) Economic depression made it very difficult for them to pay rent to the landlords
(ii) Congress did not support their no-rent campaign fearing that it would upset the rich
farmers.
Q37: Explain the limitations of the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’.
Ans: The limitations of the Civil Disobedience Movement included:

• Neglect of Dalits: The Congress overlooked the needs of the Dalits and depressed
classes to appease high-caste Hindus, resulting in limited participation from these
groups.
• Muslim Participation: The Congress's ties with Hindu nationalist groups led to
reduced involvement from Muslims, who felt alienated.
• Community Distrust: Distrust between communities grew, causing many Muslims to
refrain from joining the movement.
 • Discontent Among Peasants: Wealthy peasants were dissatisfied when the
movement ended in 1931 without changes to revenue rates, leading to poor
participation from landless peasants.
• Industrial Workers: The Congress's close relationship with the business class
alienated the industrial working class, resulting in minimal involvement in the
movement.
Q38: Identify the appropriate reason for the formation of the Swaraj party from the
options given below.
(a) Wanted members of Congress to return to Council Politics.
(b) Wanted members of Congress to ask for Poorna Swaraj for Indians.
(c) Wanted members of Congress to ask Dominion State for India.
(d) Wanted members of Congress to oppose Simon Commission.
Ans: (a) Wanted members of Congress to return to Council Politics.
The Swaraj Party was formed in 1923 by prominent leaders like C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru.
They believed that it was important for Congress members to participate in the legislative
councils established by the British in order to voice Indian interests and obstruct colonial
policies from within. This approach, called "Council Entry," aimed to use the councils as a
platform to demand reforms and fight colonial policies. Thus, the correct answer is (a)
Wanted members of Congress to return to Council Politics.

Previous Year Questions 2018:

Q39: Why was Congress reluctant to allow women to hold any position of authority within
the organisation? How did women participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement?
Explain.
Ans:
Congress's reluctance to allow women in authority:

• For a long time, Congress believed that women's primary role was to care for the
home and family.
• Gandhiji viewed women as essential as mothers and wives, limiting their roles in
leadership.
• Congress was mainly interested in having women present for symbolic purposes.
Women's participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement:

• During the Salt March, many women left their homes to listen to Gandhiji.
• Women took part in protest marches, made salt, and picketed foreign cloth and
liquor shops.
 • Some women even faced imprisonment for their involvement.
Q40: How did the Non-Cooperation Movement spread to the countryside and drew into
its fold the struggles of peasants and tribal communities? Elaborate.
Ans:
(a) Peasants of Awadh:
(i) They participated under the leadership of Baba Ramchandra - a Sanyasi.
(ii) Their demands were reduction of revenue, and abolition of beggar.
(iii) Activities: Nai-dhobi bandhs were organised. Oudh Kisan Sabha was formed.
(iv) Results: As the struggle became violent, the Congress was unhappy.
(b) Tribals in Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh:
(i) The causes were the closure of forest areas, restrictions on livelihoods, and
beggar.
(ii) Activities: They attacked police stations and killed British officials. They carried
guerrilla warfare.
(iii) Their leader was Alluri Sitaram Raju. He was captured and executed in 1924.
(iv) Importance: Tribal people could not achieve their objectives as their violent
activities were disapproved by Congress.
Q41: How did Non-Cooperation Movement start with the participation of middle-class
people in the cities? Explain its impact on the economic front.
Ans:
(a) In the towns, the middle classes participated in the movement in the following ways:
(i) Students left the schools and colleges. Headmasters and teachers resigned.
Lawyers gave up their practice.
(ii) Elections were boycotted except in Madras.
(iii) Foreign goods were boycotted.
(iv) Liquor shops were picketed.
(v) Foreign clothes were burnt in huge bonfires.
(vi) Many traders refused to import foreign cloth or trade in foreign goods.
(b) The economic effects of the Non-Cooperation Movement are given below:
(i) The import of foreign cloth decreased from Rs. 102 crores to Rs. 57 crores
between 1921 and 1922.
(ii) Merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods.
(iii) People started wearing only Indian clothes. This led to increased production by
the Indian textile mills and handlooms.

Previous Year Questions 2017:

Q42: What is the meaning of ‘Beggar’?
Ans: Labour that villager was forced to contribute without any payment.
Q43: Name the writer of the novel ‘Ananda Math’.
Ans: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
Q44: What is meant by Satyagraha?
Ans: The idea of Satyagraha emphasised the power of truth and the need to search for the
truth.
Q45: Name the famous book written by Mahatma Gandhi.
Ans: 'Hind Swaraj'.
Q46: Under which agreement did the Indian ‘Depressed Classes’ get reserved seats in the
Provincial and Central Legislative Councils in 1932?
Ans: The Poona Pact was an agreement reached in September 1932, which provided
reserved seats for the Depressed Classes (now known as Scheduled Castes) in both provincial
and central legislative councils.
Key points include:
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar initially demanded separate electorates for dalits.
• Mahatma Gandhi opposed this, fearing it would hinder integration into society.
• After negotiations, Ambedkar accepted Gandhi's position, leading to the Poona Pact.
• Reserved seats were to be filled by votes from the general electorate.
This pact was significant in the political empowerment of the dalit community, although
apprehensions about the Congress-led national movement persisted.
Q47: Who wrote the song ‘Vande Mataram?
Ans: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote the song ‘Vande Mataram’.
Key points about the song:

• Written in the 1870s as a hymn to the motherland.

• Originally included in his novel Anandamath.
• Gained popularity during the Swadeshi movement in Bengal.
Q48: By what means does hand-spun khadi provide large-scale employment to weavers?
Ans: Hand-spun khadi provides significant employment opportunities for weavers through
the following means:

• It operates as a cottage industry, allowing weavers to work from home.

• This setup enables flexibility in work hours, making it accessible for many.
• By promoting local production, it creates a demand for skilled weavers.
Overall, hand-spun khadi supports the livelihood of numerous weavers by integrating
them into the local economy.
Q49: How did the First World War create a new economic situation in India? Explain with
examples.
Ans: The First World War significantly altered the economic landscape in India:
 • Defence expenditure surged due to the war, leading to increased financial demands
on the government.
• Taxes were raised, putting additional pressure on the populace.
• Custom duties were increased, affecting trade and prices.
• The introduction of income tax marked a new financial obligation for many Indians.
• Villages were compelled to supply soldiers, resulting in forced recruitment that
caused widespread discontent.
These changes contributed to economic hardship, with prices doubling between 1913 and
1918, leading to severe struggles for ordinary people.
Q50: Why was the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Gandhiji? Explain any three
reasons.
Ans: Reasons for the launching of the Non-Cooperation Movement:
(i) To support Khilafat agitation.
(ii) To protest against the Rowlatt Act.
(iii) To redress the wrong done in Punjab.
(iv) The dissatisfaction with the Government of India act of 1919.
(v) Demand for Swaraj
Q51: “Gandhiji’s idea of Satyagraha emphasized the Power of truth and the need to search
for truth.” In light of this statement assess the contribution of Gandhiji towards
Satyagraha.
Ans:
Contribution of Gandhiji towards Satyagraha:

• The concept of satyagraha highlighted the power of truth and the importance of
seeking it.
• It proposed that if a cause is just and the struggle is against injustice, physical force
is unnecessary.
• A satyagrahi could achieve victory through non-violence, appealing to the conscience
of the oppressor.
• Persuasion, rather than coercion, was key to making oppressors recognise the truth.
• Gandhi believed that this principle of non-violence could unite all Indians.
After returning to India, Gandhi led several successful satyagraha movements:

• In 1917, he inspired peasants in Champaran, Bihar, to resist oppressive plantation

practices.
• He organised a movement in Kheda, Gujarat, where peasants faced crop failure and
were unable to pay taxes.
• In 1918, he initiated a satyagraha among cotton mill workers in Ahmedabad.
Gandhi's approach was rooted in the belief that non-violence is the supreme duty, and he
demonstrated this through his actions and teachings.
Q52: How was the sense of collective belonging developed during the freedom
movement? Explain.
Ans: A sense of collective belonging developed during the freedom movement through
various means:

• It emerged from the experience of united struggles against colonial rule.

• Cultural processes, such as history, fiction, folklore, and songs, played a significant
role in shaping nationalism.
• Popular prints and symbols contributed to the creation of a national identity.
• The figure of Bharat Mata symbolised the identity of the nation.
• The song Vande Mataram became popular during the Swadeshi movement in Bengal.
• Icons and symbols helped unify people and foster a sense of nationalism.
• Reviving Indian folklore also contributed to the development of nationalist ideas.
• Folk tales sung by bards in villages depicted traditional culture, enhancing national
pride.
• Reinterpretation of history instilled a sense of nationalism.
• Nationalist histories encouraged pride in India's past achievements and motivated
the struggle against British oppression.
Q53: Why did Gandhiji decide to launch a nationwide Satyagraha against the proposed
Rowlatt Act 1919? Explain any three reasons.
Ans: Nationwide Satyagraha was decided to be launched against the proposed Rowlatt Act
1919 because:
(i) This act had been hurriedly passed through the Imperial Legislative Council
despite the united opposition of the Indian members.
(ii) It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities.
(iii) Allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.
Q54: How had the First World War created economic problems in India? Explain.
Ans: The First World War significantly impacted India's economy, creating numerous
challenges:

• Increased Defence Expenditure: The war led to a substantial rise in defence

spending, funded by war loans and higher taxes.
• Rising Prices: Prices surged during the war, doubling from 1913 to 1918, which
caused severe hardship for ordinary people.
• Forced Recruitment: Villages were compelled to supply soldiers, resulting in
widespread anger due to forced recruitment in rural areas.
• Crop Failures: Between 1918-1920 and 1920-21, many regions faced crop failures,
leading to acute food shortages, exacerbated by an influenza epidemic.
According to the 1921 census, approximately 12 to 13 million people died from famines
and the epidemic during this period.
Q55: Why did Gandhiji relaunch the Civil Disobedience Movement after the Second Round
Table Conference? Explain any three reasons.
Ans: Reasons for Gandhiji relaunching of Civil Disobedience Movement
(i) The negotiations with regard to India’s freedom broke down in the Second Round
Table Conference held in London.
(ii) Back in India, he discovered that the government had begun a new cycle of
repression.
(iii) Ghaffar Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru were put to jail.
(iv) The Congress had been declared illegal.
(v) A series of measures had been imposed to prevent meetings, demonstrations
and boycotts. In such a situation he decided to relaunch the Civil Disobedience
Movement.
Q56: Evaluate the ‘Satyagraha Movement’ of Gandhiji against the proposed Rowlatt Act,
1919.
Ans: Satyagraha Movement Against the Rowlatt Act:
(i) Gandhiji in 1919 decided to launch a nationwide satyagraha against the proposed
Rowlatt Act (1919).
(ii) Mahatma Gandhi wanted non-violent civil disobedience against such unjust laws,
which would start with a hartal on 6 April.
(iii) Rallies were organised in various cities.
(iv) Workers went on strike in railway workshops, and shops closed down.
(v) lines of communication such as the railways and telegraph would be disrupted.
(vi) The British administration decided to clamp down on nationalists.
(vii) Local leaders were put to jail.
(viii) On 13 April the Jallianwalla Bagh incident took place.
(ix) Crowds took to the streets in many towns.
(x) The government started brutal repression.
(xi) At the Calcutta session of the Congress in September 1920, he felt the need to
start a non-non-cooperation movement in support of Khilafat as well as for
Swaraj.
Q57: Evaluate the contribution of folklore, songs, popular prints etc., in shaping the
nationalism during freedom struggle.
Ans: Role of folklore:

• Folklore, songs, and popular prints significantly contributed to the rise of

nationalism.
• The identity of India became closely linked with the image of Bharat Mata.
• In the 1870s, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote 'Vande Mataram', a hymn
celebrating the motherland.
• Nationalists sought to revive Indian folklore to strengthen national identity.
 These elements helped foster a sense of pride and unity among the people during the
freedom struggle.
Q58: How did the salt Satyagraha become an effective tool of resistance against British
colonialism in India during 1930? Explain.
Ans: The Salt Satyagraha became an effective tool of resistance against British colonialism in
India during 1930 due to several key factors:

• Universal Appeal: Salt was a basic necessity consumed by both the rich and the poor,
making it a unifying issue.
• Salt March: Mahatma Gandhi led a 240-mile march to Dandi with 78 volunteers,
symbolising defiance against British laws.
• Ceremonial Violation: On 6th April, Gandhi made salt by boiling seawater, openly
breaking the law.
• Widespread Participation: Thousands across India joined the movement, breaking
the salt law and protesting at government factories.
• Broader Boycotts: The movement also involved boycotting foreign cloth and
picketing liquor shops.
• Government Response: The colonial government arrested Congress leaders,
including Gandhi, leading to increased public anger.
• Brutal Repression: The government's harsh measures highlighted the oppressive
nature of British rule, galvanising further resistance.
These elements combined to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Salt Satyagraha as a
powerful form of resistance against colonialism.
Q59: Evaluate the role of business classes in the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’.
Ans: Role of business classes in the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’:
(i) The business classes reacted against colonial policies that restricted business
activities.
(ii) They wanted protection against imports of foreign goods and a rupee sterling
foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports.
(iii) In order to organise business interests, they formed the Indian Industrial and
Commercial Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of
Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.
(iv) They gave financial assistance for the movement.
(v) They refused to buy and sell imported goods.
Q60: What action did the British government take after the famous Dandi March?
Or
How did the Colonial Government repress the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’? Explain.
Ans: The colonial government took several actions in response to the Dandi March and the
subsequent Civil Disobedience Movement:
 • The government began arresting Congress leaders one by one, which caused violent
clashes in many areas.
• When Mahatma Gandhi was arrested, industrial workers in Sholapur attacked police
posts and other symbols of British rule.
• In response to the unrest, the government adopted a policy of brutal suppression.
• Peaceful satyagrahis faced violence, with many women and children beaten, and
around 100,000 people arrested.
• Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a close associate of Gandhi, was also arrested in April 1930.
• Angry protests erupted in Peshawar, leading to police firing and numerous casualties.
Q61: Explain the importance of the ‘Salt March’ of Gandhiji as a symbol to unite the nation.
Ans: The Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi was a significant event that united the nation
for several reasons:

• Inclusivity: It brought together all classes of Indian society in a common cause.

• Defiance: Gandhi openly broke the salt law by marching from Sabarmati to Dandi.
• Widespread Participation: Thousands across the country also broke the salt law,
made salt, and protested at government factories.
• Boycotts: The movement encouraged the boycott of foreign clothes and the picketing
of liquor shops.
• Tax Resistance: Peasants refused to pay taxes, including revenue and chaukidari
taxes.
• Resignations: Many village officials resigned in protest.
• Forest Law Violations: Forest communities defied laws by collecting wood and
grazing cattle in protected areas.
• Social Unity: Various social groups, including rich and poor peasants, actively
participated.
• Women and Workers: Business class workers from Nagpur and women also joined
the movement.
Q62: Why did Gandhiji launch the Civil Disobedience Movement? Explain any three
reasons.
Ans: Reasons for launching the Civil Disobedience Movement:

• Economic depression of 1930 impacted many Indians.

• The Simon Commission arrived without any Indian representatives.
• The British offered vague Dominion status, which did not satisfy Indian demands.
• Decisions made at the Lahore session of the Congress in 1929 called for action. The
• British imposed a salt tax, which angered many Indians.
Q63: What were the effects of the Non-cooperation Movement on the economic front?
Ans: The effects of the Non-cooperation Movement on the economic front were significant:
 • Foreign goods were boycotted, liquor shops were picketed, and foreign cloth was
burned in large bonfires.
• The import of foreign cloth halved between 1921 and 1922, with its value dropping
from Rs 102 crore to Rs 57 crore.
• In many areas, merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods.
• As the boycott spread, people began to discard imported clothes and wear only
Indian ones, leading to an increase in production at Indian textile mills and
handlooms.
Q64: Why were men from Indian villages forcefully recruited to the British army during the
first world war?
Ans: During the First World War, many men from Indian villages were forcefully recruited
into the British army for several reasons:

• Most British soldiers were already engaged in combat.

• India had a large population, providing a strong workforce.
• Indian soldiers required less maintenance and were paid significantly less.
• This made it financially easier for the British to recruit them.
As a result, many Indian men were compelled to join the British army during the war.

Nationalism in India Previous Year Questions 2016:

Q65: Trace the reason because of which Gandhiji started Satyagraha in 1919.
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi initiated the concept of satyagraha in 1919 in response to several
injustices faced by Indians under British rule.
The key reasons include:

• His successful experience in South Africa, where he fought against racist laws using
non-violent methods.
• The belief that truth and non-violence could effectively challenge oppression.
• Growing discontent among Indians due to oppressive measures, including the
Rowlatt Act, which allowed for detention without trial.
• The need to unite Indians against injustice and promote civil disobedience.
Gandhi's approach aimed to appeal to the conscience of the oppressor, encouraging a
struggle based on moral strength rather than physical force.
Q66: What did the British do to repress the Rowlatt Satyagrahis?
Ans: To repress the Rowlatt Satyagrahis, the British colonial government employed harsh
tactics:
 • Many satyagrahis, including Mahatma Gandhi, were arrested and detained.
• Armed forces were deployed to suppress protests.
• Violence was used against peaceful demonstrators, culminating in the Jallianwala
Bagh massacre in Amritsar.
Q67: Who had designed the ‘Swaraj Flag’ by 1921? Explain the main features of this ‘swaraj
flag’?
Ans: Mahatma Gandhiji designed the “Swaraj Flag” by 1921.
Features:
(i) It had tricolours-Red, Green and White.
(ii) It had a spinning wheel in the centre.
(iii) It represents the Gandhian idea of self-help.
(iv) It had become a symbol of defiance.
Q68: “The Civil Disobedience Movement was different from the Non-Cooperation
Movement.” Support the statement with examples.
Ans: The Civil Disobedience Movement was different from the Non-Cooperation Movement:
Non-Cooperation Movement:
(i) The people were asked not to cooperate with the government.
(ii) Foreign goods were boycotted.
(iii) Liquor shops were picketed.
(iv) Foreign cloth burnt in huge bonfires.
(v) In many places merchants and traders refused to trade on foreign goods or
finance foreign traders.
(vi) Students left the government-owned schools and colleges.
(vii) Lawyers gave up legal practices.
Civil Disobedience Movement:
(i) People were asked to break colonial laws.
(ii) The countrymen broke the salt law.
(iii) Peasants refused to pay revenue and chaukidari tax.
(iv) Village officials resigned from their jobs.
(v) Forest people violated forest rules and laws.
Q69: What type of flag was designed during the ‘Swadeshi Movement’ in Bengal? Explain
its main features.
Ans: During the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal the flag designed was the Tricolour flag.
The three features of the flag were:
(i) The colour of the flag was — Red, Green and Yellow.
(ii) It represented eight provinces in British India.
(iii) It had a crescent moon representing Hindus and Muslims.
Q70: Describe the participation of the industrial working class in the Civil Disobedience
Movement.
Or
“The Congress was reluctant to include the demands of industrial workers in its
programme of struggle.” Analayse.
Ans:
(i) They did not participate in the movement in large numbers except in the Nagpur
region.
(ii) As the industrialists came closer to Congress, the workers stayed aloof.
(iii) Some workers did participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement in the following
activities:
(a) Boycott of foreign goods as part of their own movements against low wages and
poor working conditions.
(b) Railway strikes in 1930.
(c) Dock workers strike in 1932.
Q71: “The plantation workers in Assam had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi
and the notion of Swaraj”. Support the statement with arguments.
Ans: The plantation workers in Assam had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi and
the notion of Swaraj.
(i) For plantation workers in Assam, freedom meant the right to move freely in and
out of the confined space in which they were enclosed.
(ii) Swaraj meant relating a link with the village from which they had come.
(iii) Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859 plantation workers were not permitted to
leave the Tea Gardens without permission.
(iv) When they heard of the Non-Cooperation movement thousands of workers defined
the authorities, left plantations and headed home.
(v) They believed that Gandhi Raj was coming and everyone would be given land in
their own village.
Q72: How did people belonging to different communities, regions or language groups
develop a sense of collective belonging?
Ans:
(i) This sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united
struggles and growing anger among people against the colonial government.
(ii) But there were also a variety of cultural processes through which nationalism
captured people’s imagination:
(a) The identity of the nation is symbolised in a figure or image of Bharat Mata
created through literature, songs, paintings, etc.
(b) Movement to revive Indian folklore to enhance nationalist sentiments.
 (c) Role of icons and symbols in unifying people and inspiring in them a feeling of
nationalism.
(d) Creating a feeling of nationalism was through reinterpretation of history.
Q73: Why did Gandhiji decide to launch a nationwide satyagraha against the proposed
Rowlatt Act 1919? How was it organised? Explain.
Ans:
Satyagraha against the proposed Rowlatt Act 1919:
(i) The Rowlatt Act was hurriedly passed through the Imperial Legislative Council.
(ii) Indian members unitedly opposed it.
(iii) It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities.
(iv) It allowed the detention of political prisoners without trials for two years.
Organization of Satyagrah:
(i) Mahatma Gandhi wanted non-violent civil disobedience against such unjust laws.
(ii) It was started with a ‘Hartal’ on 6th April.
(iii) Rallies were organized in various cities.
(iv) Workers went on strike in railway workshops.
(v) Shops closed down.
Q74: Why did Mahatma Gandhi find in ’salt’ a powerful symbol that could unite the
nation? Explain.
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi viewed salt as a powerful symbol to unite the nation. On 31 January
1930, he wrote to Viceroy Irwin, outlining eleven demands, with the most significant being
the abolition of the salt tax.

• Salt was a basic necessity for both the rich and the poor.
• The tax on salt represented the oppressive nature of British rule.
• Irwin refused to negotiate, prompting Gandhi to initiate the famous salt march.
• The march covered over 240 miles from Sabarmati to Dandi.
• Gandhi was joined by 78 volunteers and thousands of supporters along the way.
• On 6 April, he reached Dandi and publicly defied the law by making salt from
seawater.
This act marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement, encouraging
widespread participation in resisting British laws.
Q75: How did a variety of cultural processes play an important role in the making of
nationalism in India? Explain with examples.
Ans: Role of cultural processes in making of nationalism in India;
(i) The sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united
struggles.
(ii) There were also a variety of cultural processes through which nationalism captured
people's imagination.
(iii) History, fiction, folklore and songs, popular prints and symbols played a part in the
making of nationalism.
(iv) The identity of the nation is most often symbolised in a figure or an image.
(v) This helped to create an image with which people could identify the nation.
Q76: Why did Mahatma Gandhi decide to call off the Civil Disobedience Movement?
Explain.
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi decided to call off the civil Disobedience Movement because:
(i) Worried by the development of the civil Disobedience movement the colonial
government began arresting the congress leaders one by one.
(ii) This led to violent clashes in many places.
(iii) When Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a devoted disciple of Mahatma Gandhi was arrested
(April 1930) angry crowds demonstrated in the street of Peshawar, facing armoured
cars and police firing. Many were killed.
(iv) A month later, when Mahatma Gandhi was arrested, industrial workers in Sholapur
attacked police force municipal buildings, law courts, railway stations and all other
structures that symbolised British rule.
(v) A frightened government responded with the policy of brutal repression.
(vi) The peaceful satyagrahi were attacked, women and children were beaten and about
1 lakh people were arrested.
Under these circumstances, Mahatma Gandhi called off the Civil Disobedience
Movement.
Q77: Why did Mahatma Gandhi relaunch the Civil Disobedience Movement with great
apprehension? Explain.
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi relaunched the Civil Disobedience Movement with great
apprehension:
(i) In December 1931, Gandhiji went to London for the Round Table Conference, but the
negotiations broke down and he returned disappointed.
(ii) In India, he discovered that the government had begun a new cycle of repression.
(iii) Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Jawahar Lai Nehru were both in jail.
(iv) The Congress had been declared illegal.
(v) A series of measures had been imposed to prevent meetings, demonstrations and
boycotts.
Q78: How had the Non-cooperation Movement spread in cities? Explain.
Ans: Non-cooperation movement in cities:
(i) The movement started with middle-class participation in the cities.
(ii) Thousands of students left government-controlled schools and colleges,
headmasters and teachers resigned, and lawyers gave up their legal practices.
(iii) The council elections were boycotted in most provinces except Madras.
(iv) Foreign goods were boycotted, liquor shops picketed, and foreign cloth burnt in huge
bonfires. The import of foreign cloth halved.
(v) In many places, merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods or finance
foreign trade.
(vi) As the boycott movement spread, and people began discarding imported clothes and
wearing only Indian ones, production of Indian textile mills and handlooms went up.
Q79: How did the ‘First World War’ create a new economic and political situations in India?
Explain with examples.
Or
How had the ‘First World War’ created economic problems in India? Explain with
examples.
Ans: First World War created a new economic and political situation in India.
(i) It led to huge increases in defence expenditure which was financed by war loans and
increasing taxes.
(ii) Custom duties were raised.
(iii) Income tax introduced.
(iv) Through the war years prices increased-doubling between 1913 and 1918 - leading
to extreme hardship for the common people.
(v) Villagers were called upon to supply soldiers.
(vi) Forced recruitment in rural areas caused widespread anger.
(vii) Crops failed in many parts of India resulting in an acute shortage of food. This was
accompanied by influenced evidence.
Q80: “The plantation workers in Assam had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi
and the nation of Swaraj.” Support the statement with arguments.
Or
How did the plantation workers of Assam interpret Mahatma Gandhi’s notion of Swaraj?
Or
Why did plantation workers join the Non-Cooperation Movement? What were its results?
Ans:
(a) Reasons:
(i) Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, plantation workers in Assam were not
permitted to leave the tea gardens without permission. So, they wanted freedom to
move freely.
(ii) To retain a link with their village.
(iii) To own land in their own village.
(b) Events:
(i) During the non-cooperation movement, thousands of workers defied the authorities.
They left the plantations and headed home.
(ii) They, however, never reached their destination. Stranded on the way by a railway
and steamer strike, they were caught by the police and brutally beaten up.
(c) Interpretation of Swaraj:
(i) The workers of Assam interpreted Swaraj in their own manner for them it was to
break the ties of British bondage.
(ii) For them it also meant, freedom of movement from plantation areas of their own
villages.
Q81: Simon Commission was greeted with the slogan “Go Back Simon” at arrival in India.
Support this reaction of Indians with arguments.
Ans:
(a) In 1928, the Simon Commission under Sir John Simon was constituted by the Tory
government in Britain in response to the nationalist movement.
(b) The main aim of the Commission was to look into the functioning of the constitutional
system in India and suggest changes.
(c) Arguments in favour of Indian reaction:
i. The commission did not have a single Indian member.
ii. All members were British.
iii. Not to include an Indian was against the spirit of nationalists in India. Hence
demonstration against the commission was justified.
Q82: Describe the various activities that took place during the first phase of the Civil
Disobedience Movement. Why was it withdrawn in March 1931?
Ans:
(a) The various activities that took place during the first phase of the movement were as
mentioned below:
(i) Violation of salt laws by manufacturing salt.
(ii) Boycott of foreign cloth.
(iii) Picketing of liquor shops.
(iv) Refusal of peasants to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes.
(v) Resignation of village officials.
(vi) Violation of forest laws and going to Reserved forests to collect wood and
grazing cattle.
(b) Policy of the government:
(i) The government adopted a repressive policy.
(ii) It arrested the Congress leaders.
(iii) Abdul Gaffar Khan, a devout disciple of Gandhiji, was arrested in April 1930.
(iv) In police firing many people were killed.
(v) In Sholapur, people attacked lawcourts, railway stations and the structures that
symbolised British rule.
 (vi) About 100,000 people were arrested.
(c) As a result of the government’s repressive policy, Gandhiji once again decided to call off
the movement. Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on 5th March 1931.
Q83: Why did the different social groups join the Civil Disobedience Movement?
Ans:
(a) Rich peasants:
(i) The rich communities like the Fatidars of Gujarat and the Jats of Uttar Pradesh
were producers of commercial crops. They were very hard hit by the trade
depression and falling prices.
(ii) They were not in a position to pay revenue to the government. They joined the
movement in order to reduce revenue.
(b) Poor peasantry: Poor peasantry joined the movement in the hope that their unpaid rent
to the landlord would be remitted because due to the Depression, they were not in a
position to pay the rent.
(c) Business classes:
(i) They wanted protection against imports of foreign goods and a rupee-sterling
foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports.
(ii) They formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and the
Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.
(iii) They refused to sell or buy imported goods.
(d) Workers:
(i) The participation by the workers in Civil Disobedience was limited. They
participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement against low wages and
deplorable working conditions.
(ii) There were strikes by railway workers, dock workers and mine workers in the
Chota Nagpur regions.
(iii) Women: They participated in Protest Marches, manufactured salt and picketed
foreign cloth and liquor shops.
Q84: State the slogan with which Simon Commission was greeted in 1928 in India.
Ans: Simon Commission was greeted with the slogan ‘Simon Go back’ in 1928 in India.
Q85: Explain any two provisions of the Rowlatt Act and its impact.
Ans:
Provisions of the Rowlatt Act:

• Repression of Political Activities: The Act empowered the government to suppress

any political demonstrations or activities.
• Detention Without Trial: It allowed for the detention of political prisoners for up to
two years without trial.
• Arrest and Search Without Warrant: The British government could arrest individuals
and search properties without needing a warrant.
Impact of the Rowlatt Act:

• The Act sparked widespread outrage among Indians, leading to protests and civil
disobedience.
• It intensified the struggle for independence and unified various groups against
colonial rule.

Previous Year Questions 2015:

Q86: “Nationalism spreads when people begin to believe that they are all part of the same
nation.” Support the statement.
Or
How did people belonging to different communities, regions or language groups in India
develop a sense of collective belonging? Elucidate.
Ans: It is true to say that nationalism spreads when people begin to believe that they are all
part of the same nation when they discover some unity that binds them together. In India
sense of collective belonging came through the experience of united struggles. Cultural
processes history, fiction, folklore and songs, popular prints and symbols all played a part in
the making of nationalism as mentioned below:
(i) Symbol of a figure or image:
(a) The identity of India was visualised with the image of Bharat Mata.
(b) The image was first created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
(c) Abinindranath Tagore painted his famous image of Bharat Mata.
(ii) Revival of Indian folklore: In the late nineteenth century, the revival of folklore
helped in the development of nationalism. Folk songs and legends gave a true picture
of traditional culture. It helped in discovering national identity and restoring a sense
of pride. Rabindra Nath Tagore collected ballads, nursery rhymes and Myths.
Similarly, Natesa Sastri wrote folklore of Southern India.
(iii) Icons and symbols: The design of a tricolour flag during Swadeshi, swaraj flag by
Gandhiji in 1921 helped in unifying people and inspire a feeling of nationalism. During
demonstrations, the carrying of a Swaraj flag became a symbol of defiance.
(iv) Interpretation of history: The interpretation of history also helped in raising the
sense of nationalism among the Indians. Nationalist history drew the attention of the
Indians to the great achievements of the past as was done by the extremists like Lok
Manya Tilak.
Q87: Evaluate the Satyagraha movement of Mahatma Gandhi against the proposed
Rowlatt Act, 1919.
Ans: The Satyagraha Movement of Mahatma Gandhi against the proposed Rowlatt Act, 1919
can be described using the given points:
(1) Mahatma Gandhi in 1919, decided to launch a nationwide satyagraha against the
proposed Rowlatt Act in 1919.
(2) Gandhi wanted non-violent civil disobedience against such unjust laws, which started
with a hartal (strike) on 6th April.
(3) Rallies were organised in various cities and workers went on strike in railway
workshops, and shops were closed down.