Question 1

Question 7(A) Gandhiji withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922.(R) An unruly crowd burnt down a police station at Chauri-Chaura in 1922.Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)(A) is true but (R) is false(A) is false, but (R) is true.

Accepted Answer

Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)Explanation — The Chauri Chaura incident in 1922, where a mob set a police station on fire killing 22 policemen, deeply disturbed Gandhiji. As a firm believer in non-violence (Ahimsa), he immediately called off the Non-Cooperation Movement, fearing it was drifting into violence.

Question 2

Question 8(A) After the violent incident at Chauri Chaura, Gandhiji withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement in February 1922.(R) Gandhiji believed that the cause for the Non-Cooperation Movement will prosper by this retreat.(R) contradicts (A)(R) is the reason for (A)(A) is true but (R) is false(A) and (R) are independent of each other

Accepted Answer

(R) is the reason for (A)Explanation — Gandhiji believed in peaceful and non-violent protests, and the violent turn of events at Chauri Chaura deeply distressed him. He was against leading a non-violent movement. Therefore, he withdrew the movement.

Question 3

Question 9(A) The Communal Award announced by Ramsay Macdonald in 1932 provided separate representation to the Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Indian Christians and the Depressed Classes.(R) The Poona Pact provided reservation of seats for the Depressed Classes in the Provincial Legislatures within the general electorate.(R) contradicts (A)(R) is the reason for (A)(A) is true but (R) is false(A) and (R) are independent of each other

Accepted Answer

(R) is the reason for (A)Explanation — Ramsay Macdonald, the then Prime Minister of Britain announced an award known as the Communal Award. This award provided separate representation to the Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans and the Depressed Classes.Mahatma Gandhi strongly opposed this award on the grounds that it would disintegrate Indian society and started a fast in protest against it. On 24 September, 1932, the agreement known as Poona Pact was signed between Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and the Congress. The agreement provided reservation of seats for the depressed classes in the Provincial legislatures, within the general electorate and not by creating a separate electorate. Due to the pact, the depressed classes received 148 seats in the legislature, instead of the 71 as allocated in the Communal Award earlier proposed by the British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald.

Question 4

Question 5What was the Rowlatt Act of 1919? What was Gandhiji's reaction to the Rowlatt Act of 1919?

Accepted Answer

The Rowlatt Act authorised the Government to imprison any person without trial and convict him in a court. It implied:Arrest of a person without warrant.In camera trial (trial in seclusion).Restrictions on movements of individuals.Suspension of the Right of Habeas Corpus.Gandhiji appealed to the Viceroy to withhold his consent to the Rowlatt Act. However his appeal was ignored. He started 'Satyagraha' as a challenge to the government.

Question 5

Question 6Name the leaders of the Khilafat Movement which was launched in India to champion the cause of the Caliph of Turkey. How did the Khilafat Movement come to an end?

Accepted Answer

The leaders of the Khilafat Movement launched in India to champion the cause of the Caliph of Turkey were-Mohammad AliShaukat AliThe Khilafat Movement died a natural death when in November 1922 Mustafa Kemal Pasha deposed the Sultan of Turkey and showed no concern for the holy places of Islam. He finally abolished the Caliphate and separated the State from religion. Mustafa modernised education, agriculture and industry. He developed Turkey on secular and progressive lines.

Question 6

Question 10Name the three components of the constructive programme adopted by Gandhiji after the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Accepted Answer

The three components of the constructive programme adopted by Gandhiji after the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement were-Removal of untouchabilityHindu-Muslim unityThe popularisation of Swadeshi and Khadi

Question 7

Question 11Why was the Simon Commission boycotted everywhere in India? Name the national leader who succumbed to the lathi charge during the protest movement against the Simon Commission.

Accepted Answer

The Simon Commission was boycotted everywhere in India because the Commission was composed of seven British members of Parliament. It had no Indian member. This was seen as a violation of the principle of self-determination and a deliberate insult to the self-respect of the Indians.Lala Lajpat Rai succumbed to the lathi charge during the protest movement against the Simon Commission.

Question 8

Question 12The Calcutta session of the Congress had given an ultimatum to the British Government to accept the Nehru Report or to face a mass movement. Did the British Government accept the Congress' demand? What was its consequence?

Accepted Answer

No, the British Government did not accept the Nehru Report.Its consequence was that a resolution was passed declaring Poorna Swaraj (Complete Independence) to be the objective of the Congress and Jawaharlal Nehru was made the president of the Congress.

Question 9

Question 13What did the programme of Civil Disobedience Movement consist of?

Accepted Answer

The programme of Civil Disobedience Movement involvedDefiance of Salt LawsBoycott of liquorBoycott of foreign cloth and British goods of all kindsNon-payment of taxes and revenues

Question 10

Question 14Why did Mahatma Gandhi start his historic march to Dandi?

Accepted Answer

Mahatma Gandhi started his historic march to Dandi to attack the Salt Law according to which the government had the monopoly to manufacture and sell salt.

Question 11

Question 15Who took the leadership of the Civil Disobedience Movement in the extreme north-western part of the country? What was he popularly known as and what was the name of the organisation formed by him?

Accepted Answer

Abdul Ghaffar Khan took the leadership of the Civil Disobedience Movement in the extreme north-western part of the country.He was popularly known as Frontier Gandhi.The name of the organisation formed by him was Khudai Khidmatgars.

Question 12

Question 16Mention any two terms (provisions) of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.

Accepted Answer

According to the terms (provisions) of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, the government agreed to:Withdraw all ordinances and end prosecutions.Release all political prisoners, except those guilty of violence.

Question 13

Question 17Which law was defied by Gandhiji's Dandi March? Why was this law selected to be defied?

Accepted Answer

Salt law was defied by Gandhiji's Dandi March.This law was selected to be defied because the salt tax affected all sections of the society, especially the poor.

Question 14

Question 18Why did congress decide to resume the Civil Disobedience Movement in January 1932?

Accepted Answer

The Congress decided to resume the Civil Disobedience Movement in January 1932 due to several reasons:The Second Round Table Conference, which took place in London from September to December 1931, did not yield any significant outcomes.The British government did not fully honour the terms of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.After the failure of the Second Round Table Conference, the Congress discovered that the British government had begun a new cycle of repression. A series of measures had been imposed to prevent meetings and boycotts.Indian farmers were affected by the Great Depression of 1930s for which Gandhiji sought an interview with Viceroy Willingdon. The interview was refused.

Question 15

Question 1Gandhiji introduced new ideas in politics and adopted new methods to give a new direction to the political movement. In this context, answer the following questions:(a) What was Gandhiji's doctrine of Satyagraha?(b) Explain briefly Gandhiji's Social Ideals.(c) Which mass struggle was launched by him on non-violent lines in 1920? Explain in brief the programmes of such a campaign.

Accepted Answer

(a) Gandhiji's doctrine of Satyagraha was an effective method of the National Movement.The term Satyagraha is made up of two Sanskrit words—Satya (truth) and Agraha (insistence to hold fast).To Gandhiji, satyagraha was a moral force born of truth and non-violence.It meant to be fearless, truthful as well as peaceful, suffering willingly while refusing to submit to what is wrong.But even while resisting evil, it would not involve hatred towards the evil-doer.Gandhiji's Satyagraha Movement was directed against the British system of exploitation and not the British people individually or collectively.Gandhiji made a distinction between Satyagraha and passive resistance.Passive resistance does not exclude the use of physical force for the purpose of gaining one's end, whereas Satyagraha excludes the use of violence.(b) Gandhiji's Social Ideals:Gandhiji's whole philosophy was based on non-violence.According to Gandhiji, it is the weapon of strong, mighty and powerful individuals.He was of the opinion that neither an individual nor a country could gain anything by using violent methods.He launched many movements for gaining freedom but none of them was violent.During the non-cooperation movement, he suspended the movement when it was at its zenith just because of Chauri Chaura incident in which 22 British policemen were burnt alive.(c) Gandhiji launched the Non-Cooperation Movement on non-violent lines in 1920. The movement included the following programmes:Boycott programmesBoycott of government schools, colleges and courts.Boycott of foreign goods.Boycott of elections to be held for the Councils as suggested by the reforms of 1919.Resignation from nominated seats in local bodies.Surrender of titles and honorary offices.Refusal to attend government functions.Swadeshi programmesPopularisation of Swadeshi and Khadi by reviving hand-spinning and hand-weaving.Establishment of national schools and colleges and private arbitration courts known as panchayats all over India.Development of unity between Hindus and Muslims.Removal of untouchability and other measures for Harijan welfare.Emancipation and upliftment of women.

Question 16

Question 2The Simon Commission was appointed in November 1927 by the British Government. Subsequently the Civil Disobedience Movement began. In this context answer the following questions:(a) Why was the Simon Commission appointed by the British Government? Why did the Congress boycott the Commission?(b) The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched by Gandhiji with his famous Dandi March. Mention the significance of this historic event.(c) Why did Gandhiji suspend Civil Disobedience Movement in 1931 and later in 1934 call it off?

Accepted Answer

(a) In November 1927, the British Government appointed the Indian Statutory Commission, popularly known as the Simon Commission, to investigate the need for further constitutional reforms. The Commission was composed of seven British members of Parliament.The commission had no Indian member. This was seen as a violation of the principle of self-determination and a deliberate insult to the self-respect of the Indians. Hence, at its Madras session in 1927, presided over by Dr. Ansari, the National Congress decided to boycott the commission 'at every stage and in every form'.(b) Gandhiji started the Civil Disobedience Movement with his famous Dandi March.On 12th March, Mahatma Gandhi began the historic march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, a village on the Gujarat sea coast.A number of people followed him.On the morning of 6th April, Gandhiji violated the Salt Law at Dandi by picking up some salt left by the sea waves.According to the Salt Law, the government had the monopoly to manufacture and sell salt.He had selected to attack the Salt Laws because the salt-tax affected all sections of society, especially the poor.Gandhiji's breaking of the Salt Laws marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.(c) Since the satyagraha could not be suppressed, the Government, through Tej Bahadur Sapru and Jayakar, started negotiations with Gandhiji in jail.This resulted in the signing of a pact by Gandhiji and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy, in March 1931.This is known as the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.According to the terms of the pact, the Congress consented to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1931.The Great Depression of 1930s in the world had hit the farmers in India.Gandhiji sought an interview with Viceroy Willingdon. The interview was refused.The Congress passed a resolution for the renewal of the Civil Disobedience Movement.Government resorted to repression, issued Ordinances and assumed special powers.The Congress was declared illegal.Congress leaders were arrested and their properties were seized. Communalism was fanned.Gradually the Civil Disobedience Movement lost its force and Congress called it off in 1934.

Question 17

Question 3Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:“General Dyer’s action at Jallianwala Bagh appears to have been entirely indefensible. He acted after open disorder had ceased in the city for two days; he gave no warning on the spot, but began firing within 30 seconds (of arriving); and he was responsible for grave and unnecessary slaughter. His plea is that he wanted to produce sufficient moral effect throughout the Punjab. Such was not his duty and the effect he has really produced is to create, not only in the Punjab, but throughout India, a bitterness that will take years to eradicate.”— Lovat Fraser (1871-1926) British journalist(a) The action of General Dyer mentioned in this article led to the launch of which movement? State briefly the other causes of the movement.(b) What was the impact of this movement on the Indian National Movement?(c) What led to the withdrawal of this movement? What was Gandhiji’s view about the withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

(a) The action of General Dyer mentioned in the article refers to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This brutal incident led to the launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement. Other causes of the movement included the repressive Rowlatt Act, Khilafat movement and the economic hardships faced by the common people.(b) The impact of this movement on the Indian National Movement were:The National Movement Became a Mass Movement — The Indian national movement, for the first time in history, acquired a real mass base with the participation of different sections of Indian society such as peasants, workers, students, teachers and women.Instilled Confidence Among the People — It generated a desire for freedom and inspired people to challenge the colonial rule.The Congress Became a Revolutionary Movement — It transformed the Indian National Congress from a deliberative assembly into an organisation for action. It became the organiser and leader of the masses in their national struggle.Fostered Hindu-Muslim Unity — It fostered Hindu-Muslim unity which could be seen in the merger of the Khilafat issue with this Movement.Promoted Social Reforms — As a consequence of the Non-Cooperation Movement several steps were taken in the direction of prohibition and removal of untouchability.Spread Nationalism to Every Part of the Country — The Movement gave a new boost to nationalism in India. The Congress organisation was able to reach down to villages.Popularised the Cult of Swaraj — The goal of the Non-Cooperation Movement was to attain Swaraj within the British empire, if possible, and outside, if necessary.(c) The Non-Cooperation Movement was withdrawn by Mahatma Gandhi after the Chauri Chaura incident, where a violent mob set a police station on fire, leading to the death of 22 policemen. Gandhiji felt that the movement was turning violent in many places. He believed in peaceful and non-violent protests, and the violent turn of events deeply distressed him. As per Gandhiji, "If the thing had not been suspended we would have been leading not a non-violent struggle. The cause will prosper by this retreat."

Question 18

Question 4How did the Civil Disobedience Movement create a sense of collective belonging that resulted in the spread of nationalism?

Accepted Answer

The Civil Disobedience Movement created a sense of collective belonging resulting in the spread of nationalism in the following ways:The Movement caused a tide of patriotic fervour in the country that would not leave the Government in peace.The Civil Disobedience Movement widened the base of the freedom struggle. A large number of social groups like merchants and shopkeepers, peasants, tribals and workers in different parts of the country were mobilised for the Indian national movement.It made people understand the significance of the principles of non-violence. People could resist violence with tolerance and courage.The Movement under the leadership of Birla and the 'Harijan Sevak Sangh' changed the social conditions. The depressed classes were given entry into temples and access to wells, which was earlier denied to them.It brought women out of their homes to participate in politics and to make them equal partners in the freedom struggle.The movement revived the will to fight the elections.

Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement

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