NATIONALISM IN INDIA - NOTES

CHAPTER 2
NATIONALISM IN INDIA
IMPORTANT TERMS/PERSONALITIES
1. Satyagraha: It means holding on to truth or truth force. It was a non-violent struggle
introduced by Gandhiji in the Indian National Movement. It persuades the opponent to
understand the truth.
2. Champaran Movement [1916]: It was a movement of workers in the indigo plantations of
the Champaran district of Bihar. It was against the oppressive plantation system.
3. Kheda Movement[1917]: Crop failure and plague epidemic made the life of the farmers
miserable in the Kheda district of Gujarat. So, they started a movement under Gandhijis
leadership with the demand for a reduction in land revenue.
4. Mill workers Movement: Low wages and poor working conditions forced the mill workers of
Ahmedabad to start a movement under Gandhijis leadership in 1918.
5. Rowlatt Act[1919]: This Act gave the government the power to imprison any person without
any trial for a period of two years.
6. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: On 13 April 1919, a public meeting was organized at
Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to protest against the arrests of national leaders. Many villagers
who came to attend a fair were also present in the park. General Dyer reached the meeting place
along with the British troops. He ordered the troops to fire. The firing lasted for nearly 10
minutes. More than thousand people were killed and many were wounded. This incident is called
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
7. Khilafat Movement: It was a movement organized by Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali [Ali
brothers] in order to protest against the injustice done to Turkey by Britain after the First World
War. The Turkish Sultan had the title of Caliph. The muslims considered him as their spiritual
leader. So, many muslims joined this movement.
8. Swaraj: It is a system in which the real political powers are in the hands of the elected
representatives of the people. At the same time India will continue to be a part of the British
Empire. It is similar to the Dominion status.
9. Poorna Swaraj: It means complete freedom. India will cut all relations with the British and
become a sovereign Democratic republic.
10. Hind Swaraj: It is a famous book written by Gandhiji. Gandhiji put forward the idea of
Non-Co-operation in this book.
11. Nagpur Congress: The Congress session was held at Nagpur in 1920. The Congress adopted
Non Co-operation programme in this session.
12. Justice Party: It was a party of non Brahmins of Madras. It decided not to boycott council
elections during the period of the Non Co-operation Movement.
13. Baba Ramchadra: He led a peasants movement in Awadh against Talukdars and Landlords.
He demanded reduction of rent, abolition of Begar and the boycott of landlords. In October 1920,
he formed Oudh Kisan Sabha with the help of Nehru.
14. Nai-dhobi bandh: The villagers of Awadh decided to boycott the landlords. So, they started
Nai-dhobi bandh. The landlords were denied the services of barbers and washermen.

15. Alluri Sitaram Raju: He led a movement of the tribal people in the Gudem hills of Andhra
Pradesh. Many people considered him as an incarnation of God. They believed that he had many
special powers. He supported Gandhiji and asked his followers to wear khadi and stop drinking.
But, he organized an armed struggle against the British.
16. Swatantra Bharat: It was a slogan raised by the tribals during the Non-Co-operation
Movement.
17. Simon Commission: It was a statutory commission set up by the British under Sir John
Simon. It was asked to study the constitutional system in India and suggest changes.
18. Round Table Conference: Round Table conferences were held in London to discuss
constitutional reforms in India. British officers and some Indians attended these conferences. The
congress attended only the second conference.
19. Salt Tax: Production of salt was the monopoly of the British government. Heavy tax was
imposed on salt by the government.
20. Salt March [Salt Satyagraha]: Gandhiji decided to inaugurate the Civil Disobedience
Movement by breaking the salt law. Gandhiji and 78 of his followers started a march on foot
from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi [Dandi March]. On 6 April 1919, they reached Dandi. Gandhiji
prepared salt by using sea water, broke the salt law and inaugurated the Movement.
21. Abdul Ghaffar Khan: He is popularly known as Frontier Gandhi. He was the main leader of
the National Movement in the North West Frontier Province. He organized the tribal people
[Pushtons] for Indias freedom struggle.
22.Gandhi-Irwin Pact: It was signed between Gandhiji and Lord Irwin on 5 March 1931.
Gandhiji agreed to call off the Civil Disobedience Movement. He also agreed to attend the
Second Round Table Conference. Irwin promised to release the political prisoners.
23. B.R. AMBEDKAR: He was the main leader of the Dalit Movement. He started the
Depressed Classes Association in 1930. He demanded separate electorates for the Dalits. He
fought against untouchability. Later, he served as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the
Constitution.
24. Separate Electorates: It is a system in which the members of a particular social group will
elect its own separate representative to the legislature. The other people of the area will elect
another representative.
25. Poona Pact: It was signed between Gandhiji and Ambedkar in September 1932. Gandhiji
brought an end to his fast. He accepted the demand for reservation of seats for dalits in the
legislatures. Ambedkar agreed to give up the demand for separate electorates.
26. Hindu Maha Sabha: It was a Hindu communal orgnisation. It demanded special rights for
the Hindus.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1.How did the First World War help in the growth of National Movement in India?
OR
What was the impact of the First World War on India?
OR
Examine the new economic and political situations created by the First World War in
India?
First World War made the life of the Indians highly miserable
a. Heavy taxes were imposed on the people to meet the war expenditure. Customs duty and
Income tax were in introduced.

b. Prices of essential goods doubled during the war period. Common people faced the shortage
of food and the other essential goods.
c. Indians were recruited in to the army by force.
d. Famines and influenza epidemic killed many people. No action was taken by the government.
2. Name the three satyagraha Movements organized by Gandhiji soon after returning to
India
Champaran Movement, Kheda Movement and Ahmedabad Mill Workers Movement.
3.Why were the Indians outraged by the Rowlatt Act?
Or
Why did the Indians oppose the Rowlatt Act?
Rowlatt Act was a black law.
(i) It gave the government the power to imprison any person without any trial. So, it was against
human rights.
(ii) It could be used to destroy the Indian National Movement.
4.Explain the movement against the Rowlatt Act [Rowlatt Satyagraha].
Gandhiji organized a non violent satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act. A hartal was organized on 6
April 1919. Rallies were conducted. Shops were closed down. Workers conducted strike.
Transport and communication systems came to a standstill. These protests led to the Jallianwala
Bagh Massacre.
5. Why did Ghandhiji decide to launch the Non-co operation Movement in 1920?
OR
Examine the developments which led to the launching of Non-co operation Movement in
1920.
Following are the developments which led to the Non co operation Movement(i) First World War added to the misery of the Indian people. Heavy taxes, high prices, famines
and epidemics made peoples life miserable.
(ii) Rowlatt Act invited large scale protests throughout the country.
(iii) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and the injustice done to Punjab made Indians angry.
(iv) Muslims became unhappy due to the ill treatment of Turkey. They started Khilafat
Movement.
(v) The Congress session at Nagpur (1920) adopted Gandhijis the idea of Non-co operation.
6. Why did some leaders of the Congress oppose the idea of a Non-co operation
Movement?
Some leaders opposed the Non-co operation Movement because(i)They did not want to boycott the council elections.
(ii) They thought that the movement would become violent.
7. Write a short note on the Non Co Operation Movement.
Non co operation was launched under Gandhijis leadership in 1920.
(i) It aimed at protesting against the injustices done to Punjab and Turkey and to attain Swaraj.
(ii) Educated middle class led the movement in towns and cities. Educational institutions, Law
courts and foreign goods were boycotted.
(iii) Peasants organized movements against Talukdars and Landlords in villages under the
leadership of Baba Ramchandra.

(iv) Tribal people started an armed struggle in the Gudem hills of Andhra Pradesh under the
leadership of Alluri Sitaram Raju.
(v) Workers in the plantations of Assam started a struggle to get the right to free movement.
(vi) Chauri-Chaura incident forced Gandhiji to call off the Movement.
8. Examine the main features of the Non Co operation movement in towns and cities.
Educated middle class led the movement in towns and cities.
Educational institutions, law courts and the council elections were boycotted.
Foreign clothes and other goods were burnt in bonfires. People began to use Khadi clothes.
Government Servants resigned their jobs. Liquor shops were picketed.
9. Why did the Non Co Operation movement gradually slow down in towns and cities?
Non co operation Movement slowed down in towns and cities because(i) Khadi clothes were very costly. The poor were not able to buy them.
(ii) Indians boycotted British institutions like law courts and educational institutions. But
alternative institutions did not come up. So people had to stop boycott.
10.Examine the main features of the Non-Co operation Movement in the country side
[villages].
Peasants and tribal people organized movements in the villages.
(i) In Awadh, a peasants movement was organized by Baba Ramchandra. It was against
landlords and talukdars. Reduction of rent and the abolition of begar were their main demands.
They formed the Oudh Kisan Sabha.
(ii) In the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh, tribals started a movement under the leadership of
Alluri Sitaram Raju. Tribals wanted to get back their traditional rights over forests.
(iii) The methods followed by the tribals and peasants were against the Gandhian method of non
violence. They followed violent methods of struggle.
11. How were the peasants and tribals movements in the country side against the
Gandhian methods of Non-co operation?
Gandhiji wanted a non violent mass movement. He was against violence. The peasants and
tribals organized armed struggle. They attacked the landlords and talukdars. They also attacked
police stations and killed English officers.
12. Examine the main features of the Non-co operation Movement in the plantations.
Workers in the plantations of Assam demanded the right to move freely in and out of the estates.
They opposed the Inland Emigration Act of 1859 which took away the right to free movement.
When they heard about the Non-co operation movement, they moved to their villages. They
thought that the Gandhi Raj was coming and everyone would be given land in their villages.
However, they were caught and brought back.
13. How did different groups of people interpret the idea of Swaraj?
(i)Spread of education and a share in the administration of the country was swaraj for the middle
class.
(ii)Reduction in land revenue was swaraj for farmers. Reduction of rent was swaraj for landless
peasants.
(iii)Tribals wanted to get back their traditional rights over forests. They wanted to use forests for
animal rearing, fruits collection ,firewood collection and shifting cultivation.
IV)Freedom to visit their native places and free movement in and out of plantations was Swaraj
for the plantation workers.

14. Explain the incident which forced Gandhiji to call off the Non-Co operation
Movement.
OR
Why did Gandhiji decide to withdraw the Non Co operation Movement?
Gandhiji withdrew the Non Co operation Movement because:
(i)The movement became violent in some places. In february 1922, in Chauri chaura (Uttar
Pradesh) people turned violent and set fire to a police station. Twenty two police men were killed
in this incident. Gandhiji was against violence.
(ii)The movement slowed down in urban areas.
(i) He thought that it was necessary to train the people in non violent satyagraha.
15. Examine the significance of the Non-Co operation Movement.
OR
Evaluate the major contributions of the Non-Co operation Movement.
(i)Non Co operation movement was a large scale mass movement. It attracted common people
from all social groups.
(ii)Non Co operation Movement and Khilafat Movement went together. So, they promoted
Hindu-Muslim unity.
(iii)Peasants and tribals movements became a part of the Indian National Movement.
(iv)It was a non violent movement. So, it popularised the Gandhian idea of Non violent
satyagraha.
16. Why did the Indians oppose the Simon Commission?
OR
Why did the Congress decide to boycott the Simon Commission?
Indians opposed the Simon Commission because:
(i)All the members of the commission were English men. There was no Indian in it.
(ii)It did not provide any hope of Swaraj to Indians.
17.Explain the Movement against the Simon Commission.(or)
How did the Indians oppose the Simon Commission?
The Indians welcomed the Simon Commission with the slogan Go Back Simon. The Congress
and the Muslim League organized demonstrations and meetings against the Commission. Anti
Simon Committees were formed in different parts of India. Members of the legislative Councils
did not co operate with the Commission.
18. Examine the significance of the Lahore Session (1929) of the Indian National Congress.
OR
Mention the important decisions taken at the Lahore Congress of 1929.
The Congress session was held at Lahore in 1929 under the Presidentship of Jawaharlal Nehru.
Following decision were taken:
(i)The Congress declared Poorna Swaraj as its aim.
(ii)It was decided to celebrate 26 January every year as Independence Day.
(iii)It was decided to start the Civil Disobedience Movement to win Poorna Swaraj.
19. Examine the different strands within the Non-co operation Movement.
OR
List the Social groups which joined the Non-Co operation Movement.Choose any three and
write about their struggles and hopes to show why they joined the movement.
(i)Right to participate in the administration of the country was Swaraj for the educated middle
class. They demanded government jobs and a government of Indians.

(ii)Freedom from the exploitation of landlords and talukdars was swaraj for the peasants.
Reduction in tax, end of begar and the security of tenure were their demands.
(iii)Tribals wanted to get back their traditional rights over forests. They wanted to use forests for
animal rearing, fruits collection firewood collection and shifting cultivation.
(iv)Freedom to visit their native places and free movement in and out of plantations was Swaraj
for the plantation worker.
20. Why did Gandhiji oppose the Salt Law?
The government imposed heavy tax on salt. Moreover, the production of salt was the monopoly
of the government. So the price of salt was very high. Therefore, Gandhiji opposed the salt law.
21. Why did the Congress decide to launch the Civil Disobedience.
OR
What were the developments that led to the launching of the Civil Disobedience
Movement?
(i)Indians launched a powerful struggle against the Simon Commission. The government
resorted to repression.
(ii)Great Depression made the life of the people highly miserable.
(iii)Lahore Conspiracy case and Meerut Conspiracy case created discontent among the Indians.
(iv)Lahore Congress of 1929 declared Poorna Swaraj as its aim and decided to launch the Civil
Disobedience Movement.
(v)Gandhiji inaugurated the movement by breaking the Salt Law at Dandi.
22. Examine the main features of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
(i)Gandhiji led a march on foot from Sabarmati to Dandi. He broke the Salt Law at Dandi and
inaugurated the Movement.
(ii)People broke salt law in many places. Foreign goods were boycotted. Liquor shops were
picketed. Government servants resigned their jobs. Forest laws were broken. People refused to
pay taxes. Leaders were arrested. Workers attacked government offices.
(iii)Gandhiji called off the movement on 5 March 1931 under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. He agreed
to attend the Second Round Table Conference.
(iv) was restarted when Gandhiji returned from London. It was finally called off in 1934.
23. When was the Civil Disobedience Movement started? How was it different from the
Non Co operation Movement?
The Civil Disobedience Movement was started on 6 April 1930.
(i) People refused to co operate with the government during the Non Co operation
Movement. People broke the laws during the Civil Disobedience Movement.
(ii)Muslims participated in large numbers in the Non Co operation Movement. Muslim
participation was less in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
(iii)No tax campaign was not there in Non Co operation Movement. People refused to pay taxes
in Civil Disobedience Movement.
24. What were the aims of the Civil Disobedience Movement? How far was the Congress
successful in its objectives?
Aims:
(I)Achieve the aim of Poorna Swaraj.
(ii)Show the real strength of the Indians. However, the Movement did not achieve success. It had
to be called off under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Many leaders and workers were in prison. It was
restarted, but lost its momentum and came to an end.
25. Why was the Civil Disobedience Movement called off?

Civil Disobedience Movement was called off under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. (Note: Explain the
Gandhi-Irwin Pact)
26. What were the ideals of the different social groups that participated in the Civil
Disobedience Movement?
OR
Why did various classes and groups of Indians participate in the Civil Disobedience
Movement?
(i)Rich Peasants - Depression and fall in prices affected them badly. They demanded reduction in
land revenue. Swaraj meant reduction of taxes for them.
(ii)Poor Peasants - Depression affected them badly. They demanded reduction in rent. Swaraj
meant reduction of rent for them.
(iii)Business classes They demanded protection against the import of foreign goods. They
wanted a Rupee-Sterling exchange rate that would discourage import. They formed the Indian
Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920. They also formed the Federation of the Indian
Chamber of Commerce and Industries. They gave financial help to the movement and refused to
sell the foreign goods.
(iv)Industrial Workers They were poorly paid. Conditions of work were miserable. Swaraj
meant better wages and working conditions for them. Railway workers and dockyard workers
conducted strike. Workers in mines wore Gandhi Caps and took part in rallies.
27. Examine the role of women in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Women participated in large numbers in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
(i)During the salt march of Gandhiji thousands of women came to listen to him.
(ii)They took part in protest marches, produced salt and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops.
(iii)In urban areas, upper class women and in rural areas rich women participated in the
movement.
(iv)The Congress was not willing to give high positions to women.
28. Why did the poor peasants and the Industrial workers keep themselves away from the
Congress?
Congress was very close to the rich peasants and landlords. So, it did not support the demands of
the poor peasants. Industrialists and big merchants were very active in the Congress. So, it did
not support the demands of the workers. So, the poor peasants and workers kept themselves
away from the Congress. They joined the Communist and Socialists parties.
29. Examine the significance of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
OR
Evaluate the main contributions of the Civil Disobedience.
(i)The Civil Disobedience Movement was the first struggle to win Poorna Swaraj or Complete
Independence.
(ii)It was based on non violent Satyagraha. Gandhian ideas were widely followed.
(iii)Women participated in large numbers in this movement.
(iv)It was a real mass movement. Different social groups participated.
(v)It was an open challenge to the British rule. The people openly disobeyed laws.
30. What were the main limitations (drawbacks or short comings) of the Civil Disobedience
Movement?
(i)Dalits did not participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement, because the Congress did not
give importance to their demands.
(ii)Many Muslims did not participate in it. They thought that the Congress was moving close to
the Hindu Maha Sabha.

(iii)Communal riots occurred in many places. Disunity between Hindus and Muslims started.
(i)Industrial workers participation was minimum.
31. Discuss the role of Dalits in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Many upper caste Hindus were active in the Congress. So, the Congress did not give importance
to the demands of the dalits. The dalits organized themselves. They demanded separate
electorates for them. So, dalits participation was less in the movement.
32. What was Mahatma Gandhis attitude towards dalits?
OR
Examine the efforts made by Gandhiji for the upliftment of dalits?
(i)Gandhiji was against untouchability. He said that Swaraj would not come for 100 years, if
untouchability was not abolished.
(ii)He called the untouchables Harijans or sons of Gods.
(iii)He organized Satyagraha to get temple entry and access to public wells, tanks, roads and
schools for dalits.
(iv)He cleaned harijan colonies and in his ashram there was no caste feelings.
(v)He asked the upper caste Hindus to give up the inhuman practice of untouchability.
33. Why did Dr. Ambedkar and Gandhiji clash in the Second Round Table Conference?
Dr. Ambedkar demanded separate electorates for the dalits. He thought that a share in political
power would help in their upliftment. Gandhiji opposed separate electorates. He thought that it
would create disunity. So, they clashed in the conference.
34. Why did some Muslim Organisations keep away from the Civil Disobedience
Movement?
After the calling of the Non Co operation Movement, many Muslims kept themselves away from
the congress. They thought that the Congress was moving close to the Hindu Maha Sabha.
Communal riots occurred in many places. Muslim League demanded separate electorates for the
Muslims. An All Party Conference was held in 1928 to settle the disputes. It ended in failure.
Muslims feared that they would be treated badly in a Hindu majority India.
35. Examine the cultural factors and identities which created a sense of collective belonging
among the people of India.
OR
Describe the cultural process through which nationalism captured peoples imagination.
(i)Image of Bharat Mata: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay created the image of Bharat Mata.
AbanindranathTagore painted the image of Bharat Mata. Devotion to her became a proof of
Nationalism.
(ii)Vande Mataram: It was a prayer to Bharat Mata written by Bankim Chndra. Vande Mataram
became the war cry of the Indians.
(iii)Folkore: Efforts were made to collect folk songs and legends. They gave a true picture of the
Indian Culture.
(iv)Rediscovery of Indias past: Studies were conducted on Indian history, languages, science
and culture. These studies created National pride among the Indians.
36. How did the image of Bharat Mata come in to existence? How did this image help in the
growth of Nationalism?
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay created the image of Bharat Mata. Abanindranath Tagore
painted her image. Bharat Mata looked like a Sanyasini. She is calm, divine and spiritual.
Devotion of her became a proof of Nationalism.
37. Compare the image of Bharat Mata in this chapter with the image of Germania
in chapter 1.

Bharat Mata looks like a Sanyasini. She is calm, spiritual and divine. Germania is shown as a
heroic figure. She is a symbol of strength. She is ready to fight.
38. Mention the efforts made by the Indians to revive the Indian folklore. How did this
revival help in the growth of Nationalism?
Nationalists toured the villages to collect the folk songs and legends. Rabindranath Tagore
collected a number of folk songs and legends. In Madras, Natesa Sastri published a four volume
collection of tamil folk tales (The Folklore of Southern India). The folk songs and legends gave a
true picture of Indian culture. They showed there all thoughts and characteristics of Indians.
They created National Pride among the people.
39. Ideas of Nationalism also developed through a movement to revive Indian folklore
Explain.
(Refer answer to Q. No. 37)
40. How was the flag used to promote the spirit of Nationalism among the Indians?
During the Swadeshi Movement a tricolor flag (red, green and yellow) was developed. It had 8
lotuses representing the 8 provinces of the British India. It also had crescent moon which
represented Hindus and Muslims. In 1921, Gandhiji designed the Swaraj flag. It was also a
tricolor flag (red, green and white). It had a spinning wheel which represent the Gandhian idea of
Self Help. The flag became a symbol of the Nation. It created the feeling of oneness. The people
carried flag in protest marches and rallies.
41. Give a short account of the Rediscovery of Indias Past.
OR
Explain the steps taken by the Indians for the reinterpretation of the Indian History.
The British considered Indians backward and primitive. They said that the Indians were not
capable of ruling themselves. In the 19th century, some educated Indians started the efforts of
rediscover Indias great achievements. They rediscovered the achievements made by the Indians
in art, architecture, science, mathematics, religion, culture, law, philosophy, crafts and trade.
Knowledge about the great achievements of Indians created national pride, self confidence and
patriotism among the Indians.
42. Why did the political leaders differ sharply over the question of separate electorates?
(i)Gandhiji and the Congress believed that separate electorates would create disunity among the
people and weaken the National Movement.
(ii)Muslim League led by Jinnah demanded separate electorates for the Muslims. They argued
that in a Hindu majority country Muslims would not get political power, if separate electorate
was no introduced.
(iii)Ambedkar and the other dalit leaders demanded separate electorates for the dalits because
they thought that a share in political power would help in their upliftment.
43. What were the negative effects of the efforts made to create nationalism among the
Indians?
Steps were taken to glorify the past of India which belong to the Hindu community. The images
and symbols used to create nationalism were taken from the Hindu religion. This created doubts
and fear in the minds of the other religious people.
44. Why is the growth of nationalism in the colonies linked to anti colonial movement?
Colonial rule created troubles and problems for different sections of the society. All of them were
exploited and treated badly. So the different social groups gave up their differences and stood
united against the common enemy. This created Nationalism.
45 Enumerate the factors which helped in the birth of Indian Nationalism.

(i) Political unification of the country, destruction of Indias old social and economic systems,
beginning of modern trade and industry and the emergence of new social classes laid the basis of
nationalism.
(ii) Economic exploitation of India made the life of the people miserable. This encouraged them
to fight together against common enemy.
(iii)Modern education and the spread of new ideas created nationalism.
(iv)Social reform movements, anti British revolts and the Rediscovery
of
Indias past helped in the growth of Nationalism.