NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 8 The Making of the National Movement
The Making of the National Movement – Given in this post is NCERT Solutions Class 8 History Chapter 8 The Making of the National Movement Important Question Answers. The important questions we have compiled will help the students to brush up on their knowledge about the subject. Students can practice Class 8 History Chapter 8 important questions to understand the subject better and improve their performance in the exam. The NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science (History) provided here will also give students an idea about how to write the answers.
Source Based Questions
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow–
A. The dissatisfaction with British rule intensified in the 1870s and 1880s. The Arms Act was passed in 1878, disallowing Indians from possessing arms. In the same year, the Vernacular Press Act was also enacted in an effort to silence those who were critical of the government. The Act allowed the government to confiscate the assets of newspapers including their printing presses if the newspapers published anything that was found “objectionable”. In 1883, there was a furore over the attempt by the government to introduce the Ilbert Bill. The bill provided for the trial of British or European persons by Indians, and sought equality between British and Indian judges in the country. But when white opposition forced the government to withdraw the bill, Indians were enraged. The event highlighted the racial attitudes of the British in India.
1 When did the dissatisfaction with the British rule intensify?
Ans. The dissatisfaction with British rule intensified in the 1870s and 1880s.
2 What was the Arms Act?
Ans. The Arms Act was passed in 1878, disallowing Indians from possessing arms.
3 Explain Vernacular Press Act.
Ans. The Vernacular Press Act was also enacted in an effort to silence those who were critical of the government. The Act allowed the government to confiscate the assets of newspapers including their printing presses if the newspapers published anything that was found “objectionable”.
4 In _________, there was a furore over the attempt by the government..
Ans. In 1883, there was a furore over the attempt by the government.
5 What was the Ilbert Bill?
Ans. In 1883, there was a furore over the attempt by the government to introduce the Ilbert Bill. The bill provided for the trial of British or European persons by Indians, and sought equality between British and Indian judges in the country. But when white opposition forced the government to withdraw the bill, Indians were enraged. The event highlighted the racial attitudes of the British in India.
B. The early Congress also raised a number of economic issues. It declared that British rule had led to poverty and famines: increase in the land revenue had impoverished peasants and zamindars, and exports of grains to Europe had created food shortages. The Congress demanded reduction of revenue, cut in military expenditure, and more funds for irrigation. It passed many resolutions on the salt tax, treatment of Indian laborers abroad, and the sufferings of forest dwellers – caused by an interfering forest administration. All this shows that despite being a body of the educated elite, the Congress did not talk only on behalf of professional groups, zamindars or industrialists. The Moderate leaders wanted to develop public awareness about the unjust nature of British rule.
1 The early Congress also raised a number of financial issues. True/False?
Ans. False,The early Congress also raised a number of economic issues.
2 What did British rule lead to?
Ans. It declared that British rule had led to poverty and famines: increase in the land revenue had impoverished peasants and zamindars, and exports of grains to Europe had created food shortages.
3 What did the Congress demand?
Ans. The Congress demanded reduction of revenue, cut in military expenditure, and more funds for irrigation.
4 State some resolutions passed by the Congress.
Ans. The Congress passed many resolutions on the salt tax, treatment of Indian laborers abroad, and the sufferings of forest dwellers – caused by an interfering forest administration.
5 What did the Moderate leaders want?
Ans. The Moderate leaders wanted to develop public awareness about the unjust nature of British rule.
C. In 1905, Viceroy Curzon partitioned Bengal. At that time Bengal was the biggest province of British India and included Bihar and parts of Orissa. The British argued for dividing Bengal for reasons of administrative convenience. But what did “administrative convenience” mean? Whose “convenience” did it represent? Clearly, it was closely tied to the interests of British officials and businessmen. Even so, instead of removing the non-Bengali areas from the province, the government separated East Bengal and merged it with Assam. Perhaps the main British motives were to curtail the influence of Bengali politicians and to split the Bengali people. The partition of Bengal infuriated people all over India. All sections of the Congress – the Moderates and the Radicals, as they may be called – opposed it.
1 Who partitioned Bengal?
Ans. In 1905, Viceroy Curzon partitioned Bengal.
2 What was the British’s argument for dividing Bengal?
Ans. The British argued for dividing Bengal for reasons of administrative convenience.
3 How was Bengal divided?
Ans. Instead of removing the non-Bengali areas from the province, the government separated East Bengal and merged it with Assam.
4 What were the main motives of the British with respect to Bengal?
Ans. The main British motives were to curtail the influence of Bengali politicians and to split the Bengali people.
5 Was the partition opposed?
Ans. The partition of Bengal infuriated people all over India. All sections of the Congress – the Moderates and the Radicals, as they may be called – opposed it.
D. In 1919, Gandhiji gave a call for a satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act that the British had just passed. The Act curbed fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression and strengthened police powers. Mahatma Gandhi,Mohammad Ali Jinnah and others felt that the government had no right to restrict people’s basic freedoms. They criticised the Act as “devilish” and tyrannical. Gandhiji asked the Indian people to observe 6 April 1919 as a day of non-violent opposition to this Act, as a day of “humiliation and prayer” and hartal (strike). Satyagraha Sabhas were set up to launch the movement. During the Rowlatt Satyagraha, the participants tried to ensure that Hindus and Muslims were united in the fight against British rule. This was also the call of Mahatma Gandhi who always saw India as a land of all the people who lived in the country – Hindus, Muslims and those of other religions. He was keen that Hindus and Muslims support each other in any just cause.
1 When did Gandhiji call for a satyagraha?
Ans. In 1919, Gandhiji gave a call for a satyagraha.
2 What was the satyagraha called against?
Ans. The satyagraha was called against the Rowlatt Act.
3 What was the Rowlatt Act?
Ans. The Act curbed fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression and strengthened police powers.
4 Was the act criticized against?
Ans. Mahatma Gandhi, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and others felt that the government had no right to restrict people’s basic freedoms. They criticised the Act as “devilish” and tyrannical. Gandhiji asked the Indian people to observe 6 April 1919 as a day of non-violent opposition to this Act, as a day of “humiliation and prayer” and hartal (strike).
5 How was a movement launched against the Act?
Ans. Satyagraha Sabhas were set up to launch the movement. During the Rowlatt Satyagraha, the participants tried to ensure that Hindus and Muslims were united in the fight against British rule. This was also the call of Mahatma Gandhi who always saw India as a land of all the people who lived in the country – Hindus, Muslims and those of other religions. He was keen that Hindus and Muslims support each other in any just cause.
E. Elections to the provinces were again held in 1946. The Congress did well in the “General” constituencies but the League’s success in the seats reserved for Muslims was spectacular. It persisted with its demand for “Pakistan”. In March 1946, the British cabinet sent a three-member mission to Delhi to examine this demand and to suggest a suitable political framework for a free India. This mission suggested that India should remain united and constitute itself as a loose confederation with some autonomy for Muslim-majority areas. But it could not get the Congress and the Muslim League to agree to specific details of the proposal. Partition now became more or less inevitable. After the failure of the Cabinet Mission, the Muslim League decided on mass agitation for winning its Pakistan demand. It was announced 16 August 1946 as “Direct Action Day”. On this day riots broke out in Calcutta, lasting several days and resulting in the death of thousands of people. By March 1947, violence spread to different parts of northern India.
1 When were the elections to the provinces held?
Ans. Elections to the provinces were again held in 1946.
2 How did the Congress perform in the elections held?
Ans. The Congress did well in the “General” constituencies but the League’s success in the seats reserved for Muslims was spectacular. It persisted with its demand for “Pakistan”.
3 In March 1946, the British cabinet sent a _________-member mission to Delhi to examine this demand and to suggest a suitable political framework for a free India.
Ans. In March 1946, the British cabinet sent a three-member mission to Delhi to examine this demand and to suggest a suitable political framework for a free India.
4 What did the mission suggest?
Ans. This mission suggested that India should remain united and constitute itself as a loose confederation with some autonomy for Muslim-majority areas. But it could not get the Congress and the Muslim League to agree to specific details of the proposal.
5 What occurred after the failure of the Cabinet mission?
Ans. After the failure of the Cabinet Mission, the Muslim League decided on mass agitation for winning its Pakistan demand. It was announced 16 August 1946 as “Direct Action Day”. On this day riots broke out in Calcutta, lasting several days and resulting in the death of thousands of people. By March 1947, violence spread to different parts of northern India.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) (1 Mark)
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are a type of objective assessment in which a person is asked to choose one or more correct answers from a list of available options. An MCQ presents a question along with several possible answers.
Q1 Jallianwala Masscare took place in _____.
A) 1919
B) 1921
C) 1924
D) 1917
Ans.A) 1919
Q2. Defence Expenditure of the British government increased in 1919 after the ______.
A) 1st World War
B) Bengal Famine
C) Himalayan earthquake
D) Japan War
Ans. A) 1st World War
Q3 Gandhiji led Millworkers’ strike in Ahmedabad in _____.
A) 1915
B) 1918
C) 1919
D) 1922
Ans. B) 1918
Q4 ____ is an honour that the British Crown grants for one’s exceptional public service.
A) Nobel Prize
B) Leed’s Prize
C) Knighthood
D) Shikhar Samman
Ans. C) Knighthood
Q5 Gandhiji had established ______ in South Africa.
A) Sabarmati Ashram
B) Natal Congress
C) Communist Party
D) Labour Union
Ans. B) Natal Congress
Q6 Forest Satyagrah was staged by peasants and tribals of Andhra’s _____ district.
A) Guntur
B) Hyderabad
C) Kakatiya
D) Saleh
Ans. A) Guntur
Q7 Simon Commission was headed by _____.
A) Lord Kingsford
B) Lord Simon
C) Lord Hastings
D) Lord Curzon
Ans. B) Lord Simon
Q8 Congress fought for Purna Swaraj under the leadership of ____ in 1930.
A) Subhash Chandra Bose
B) Lala Lajpat Rai
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Ans. C) Jawaharlal Nehru
Q9 ______ was launched in 1930.
A) Civil Disobedience Movement
B) Swarajya Movement
C) Khilafat Movement
D) Workers movement
Ans. A) Civil Disobedience Movement
Q10 Hindustan Socialist Republican Association was founded by ____.
A) Chitta Ranjan Das
B) Bhagat Singh
C) A O Hume
D) Annie Besant
Ans. B) Bhagat Singh
Q11 ____ was a lawyer and freedom fighter from East Bengal.
A) Jatin Das
B) Bipin Chandra Pal
C) Chitta Ranjan Das
D) Tagore
Ans. C) Chitta Ranjan Das
Q12 Gandhiji called off Non-Cooperation movement because of violence in ____
A) Chauri Chaura
B) Cawnpur
C) Bithur
D) Ahmedabad
Ans. A) Chauri Chaura
Q13 Congress supported British in 1st World War as they were critical of _____
A) British.
B) Hitler
C) Lenin
D) Nicholas
Ans. B) Hitler
Q14 Dandi March was led by ______ in 1930.
A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Sarojini Naidu
C) Indira Gandhi
D) S C Bose
Ans. A) Mahatma Gandhi
Q15 _____ persuaded Mahatma Gandhi to allow women to participate in freedom
movement.
A) Ambabai
B) Kamla Nehru
C) Sarojini Naidu
D) Kasturba Gandhi
Ans. C) Sarojini Naidu
Q16 The religious functionaries of Sikh Gurdwaras are _____.
A) Mahants
B) Pandits
C) Brahmans
D) Peers
Ans. A) Mahants
Q17 Sarojini Naidu became Congress President in _____
A) 1925
B) 1922
C) 1924
D) 1926
Ans. A) 1925
Q18 Quit India Movement took place in ______.
A) 1942
B) 1949
C) 1940
D) 1939
Ans. A) 1942
Q19 The Government of India Act was passed in _____.
A) 1935
B) 1932
C) 1938
D) 1934
Ans. A) 1935
Q20 ______ was reorganised by Jinnah after 1934.
A) Muslim League
B) Swatantra Party
C) Communist Party
D) Forward Block
Ans. A) Muslim League
Q21 Khudai Khidmatgars was founded by _______.
A) S C Bose
B) Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan
C) Maulana Azad
D) Liaquat Ali Khan
Ans. B) Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan
Q22 ______ was the first woman president of Congress.
A) Annie Besant
B) Sarojini Naidu
C) Laxmi Sehgal
D) Ambabai
Ans. B) Sarojini Naidu
Q23 _____ was a symbol of Hindu – Muslim Unity till 1920.
A) M A Jinnah
B) Badshah Khan
C) Dara Shikoh
D) Maulana Azad
Ans. A) M A Jinnah
Q24 ______ was formed by Subhash Chandra Bose.
A) Indian National Army
B) Army Regiment
C) Judicial Movement
D) Swarajya Party
Ans. A) Indian National Army
Q25 Provincial autonomy was prescribed under _______ of 1935.
A) Rowlatt Act
B) Vernacular Press Act
C) Government of India Act
D) Arms Act
Ans. C) Government of India Act
Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)
Q1. Who was the viceroy in 1905?
Ans. Viceroy Curzon was the viceroy in 1905.
Q2. Who was Dinshaw Wacha?
Ans. Dinshaw Wacha was a Moderate leader of the congress.
Q3. What does HSRA stand for?
Ans. HSRA stand for Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.
Q4. Name the newspaper edited by Balgangadhar Tilak.
Ans. Kesari, a Marathi newspaper was edited by Balgangadhar Tilak.
Q5. Write the places of intervention of Gandhiji in local movements.
Ans. The places of intervention of Gandhiji in local movements were Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad.
Q6. When did the congress split and reunite?
Ans. The Congress split in 1907 and reunited in December 1915.
Q7. What was the Swadeshi Movement known as in deltaic Andhra?
Ans. It was known as the Vandemataram Movement in deltaic Andhra.
Q8. Mention any three members of the Radical group.
Ans. Bepin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai were three members of the Radical group.
Q9. Who raised the slogan “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it!”?
Ans. Balgangadhar Tilak raised the slogan, “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it!”
Q10. What does ‘Punjab wrongs’ refer to?
Ans. It refers to Jallianwala massacre that occurred in Amritsar on Baisakhi day i.e., 13 April, 1919.
Short Answer Questions (3 Marks)
Q1. What was the Khilafat agitation?
Ans. The British enforced a hard treaty on the Turkish Sultan, known as Khalifa, in the year 1920. It infuriated people. Indian Muslims demanded that the Khalifa retain jurisdiction over Muslim holy sites in the Ottoman empire. Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, the leaders of the Khilafat agitation, now sought to launch a full-fledged Non-Cooperation Movement. Mahatma Gandhi urged the Congress to battle against “Punjab wrongs,” the Khilafat wrong, and the demand for swaraj.
Q2. Who was Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan?
Ans. Badshah Khan was another name for Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. He founded the Khudai Khidmatgars, a prominent nonviolent movement among his province’s Pathans. Badshah Khan was adamantly opposed to India’s partition. He chastised his colleagues in Congress for agreeing to the 1947 partition. He was also known as the North-West Frontier Province’s Pashtun leader.
Q3. Why was the Simon Commission sent to India? Why did Indians boycott it?
Ans. In 1927, the British government in England appointed a Commission headed by Lord Simon to decide India’s political future. Because there was no Indian representative on the Commission, it was boycotted by all political parties. When the Commission arrived, it was confronted with protests and banners reading ‘Simon Go Back’.
Q4. What were the consequences of the partition of Bengal?
Ans. The division of Bengal infuriated people throughout the country. The British action was condemned by both the Moderates and the Radicals in the Congress. The organisation of public gatherings and demonstrations began. There were also new means of mass protest developed. Their battle against Bengal’s division became known as the Swadeshi Movement. This was the most powerful movement in Bengal. Other places, such as deltaic Andhra, dubbed the movement the Vandemataram Movements.
Q5. What role did Ambabai play in the Indian freedom struggle?
Ans. Ambabai was born in Karnataka. She had been married at the age of twelve and widowed at the age of sixteen. She then became involved in the Indian liberation struggle. In Udipi, she picketed foreign clothing and booze stores. She was arrested, sentenced, and then arrested again. In prison, she delivered compelling speeches, taught spinning, and conducted prabhat pheris.
Q6. How did people participate in the Non-Cooperation Movement during 1921-22?
Ans. Thousands of students left government-controlled institutions and colleges at this period, as did many lawyers, including Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, C. Rajagopalachari, and Asaf Ali.
British titles were given up, and legislatures were boycotted. People burned public bonfires made of foreign fabric.
Q7. Who did the Indian National Congress wish to speak for?
Ans. The Indian National Congress was made up of delegates from all of India’s diverse communities, not just one class or community. Thus, the Indian National Congress aimed to speak for all citizens of the country.
Q8. What did the Muslim League resolution of 1940 ask for?
Ans. In 1940 the Muslim League passed a re Solution demanding “Independent States” for Muslims in the north-western and eastern areas of the country. The resolution did not mention partition or Pakistan.
Q9. Write a short note on Maulana Azad.
Ans. Azad was born in Mecca to an Arab father and a Bengali mother. Azad was a Muslim scholar and proponent of the concept of wahadat-i-deen, or the intrinsic oneness of all religions. He was fluent in several languages. He was opposed to Jinnah’s two-nation doctrine as an active member in Gandhian organisations and a staunch promoter of Hindu-Muslim unification.
Q10. List the goals of early political organizations formed in India.
Ans. Their goals were supposed to be the goals of all Indians, not those of any one territory, community, or class. They worked with the concept of people being sovereign, which is a modern mentality and a major aspect of nationalism. In other words, they believed that the Indian people should have the authority to make decisions about their own affairs.
Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)
Q1. What caused the partition of Bengal in 1905?
Ans. Bengal was the largest province of British India at the time of partition, comprising Bihar and parts of Orissa. For administrative reasons, the British lobbied for splitting Bengal. But that was a completely bogus argument.
In truth, Bengal’s partition was strongly linked to the interests of British authorities and businesspeople. The British also wished to limit the power of Bengali politicians and divide Bengalis. Instead of removing non-Bengali territories from the province, they split East Bengal and combined it with Assam.
Q2. How did the First World War change the economic situation in India?
Ans. The First World War dramatically altered India’s economic status.
- It resulted in a significant increase in the Government of India’s defence spending. As a result, the government raised taxes on individual income and company earnings, while military spending and demand for war supplies skyrocketed. This resulted in a dramatic surge in prices, making ordinary people’s lives unpleasant.
- However, it was a good time for business groups. They profited well from the war. The conflict increased demand for industrial commodities such as jute bags, cotton, and railroads while decreasing imports from other countries into India. As a result, Indian businesses grew during the conflict.
Q3. Who were the Moderates? How did they propose to struggle against British rule?
Ans. The Congress’s objectives and techniques were “moderate” for the first 20 years after its formation. Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Badruddin Tyabji, W.C. Bonnerji, Surendranath Banerji, Romesh Chandra Dutt, and S. Subramania Iyer were among the ‘Moderate’ leaders.
They recommended a nonviolent campaign against the British, dubbed “politics of prayers” by the Radicals.
The Moderate leaders wished to raise public awareness of the inequitable nature of British rule. They published newspapers, authored articles, and demonstrated how British rule was causing the country’s economic devastation. In their addresses, they denounced British rule and dispatched delegates to various sections of the country to mobilise popular opinion.
They believed that because the British respected the ideas of liberty and justice, they would accept Indians’ legitimate requests. It was therefore vital to voice these requests and make the government aware of Indians’ views.
Q4. Discuss the various forms that the Non-Cooperation Movement took in different parts of India. How did the people understand Gandhiji?
Ans. The Non-Cooperation Movement gathered momentum in 1921 and 1922. Thousands of students quit government-controlled schools and colleges, and many lawyers retired. Many Indians gave up their British titles, and legislatures were shut down.
Foreign cloth was publicly burned. The Non-Cooperation Movement was merely a foreshadowing of the impending large-scale insurrection against the British.
People from all walks of life gradually joined the Swaraj movement. Some followed Gandhiji’s nonviolent path, while others protested in their own way.
Gujarat’s Patidar peasants conducted nonviolent campaigns against the British’s excessive land revenue demands. In Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, liquor shops were attacked, while tribals and poor peasants in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, conducted forest satyagrahas because the British refused to allow them to graze their livestock in the forests.
In Sind, Muslim traders and peasants backed the Khilafat appeal, while in Bengal, the Khilafat-Non-Cooperation combination provided the national movement great communal unity and power. In Punjab, the Sikh Akali agitation wanted the corrupt mahants who were sponsored by the British to be removed from the Gurdwaras.
Tea gardeners in Assam wanted a significant wage hike. They deserted the British-owned estates, declaring that they were carrying out Gandhiji’s intention.
Many Indians saw Gandhiji as a saviour who would liberate India from the grip of the British and assist it overcome its misery and poverty. Peasants anticipated Gandhiji would aid them in their fight against the zamindars. Agricultural labourers expected him to supply them with land. The peasants of Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, were successful in stopping illegal evictions of tenants, but they believed Gandhiji had won this demand for them. Peasants have frequently appropriated Gandhi’s name and engaged in un-Gandhian acts.
Q5. How was the politics of the Radicals within the Congress different from that of the Moderates?
Ans. Many leaders in Bengal, Maharashtra, and Punjab used more radical methods to obtain independence from the British. Bepin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Lala Lajpat Rai were among them.
The Triumvirate, or the three militant patriots of the Congresses – “Lal Bal Pal” – were Bepin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Lala Lajpat Rai. Before Gandhi entered Indian politics, the three was responsible for sparking the first public uprising against British colonial policy during the partition of Bengal in 1905. Bepin Chandra Pal founded the patriotic periodical Bande Mataram as well.
They suggested that people should rely on their own strength rather than the government’s “good” intentions. They believed that the people needed to struggle for Swaraj.
Q6. Why did Gandhiji choose to break the salt law?
Ans. The British passed legislation saying that the government had jurisdiction over the production and sale of salt. It also levied a tax on salt sales. Mahatma Gandhi and other national leaders believed that taxing salt, an important item for food, was inappropriate. The leaders made the decision to oppose this tax.
Gandhiji said in 1930 that he would lead a march to violate the salt prohibition. The Salt March was linked to everyone’s longing for independence, rich and poor alike.
Gandhiji and his supporters marched almost 240 miles from Sabarmati to the seaside village of Dandi, where they defied government law by harvesting natural salt found on the coastline and boiling sea water to manufacture salt. A vast number of peasants, tribals, and women took part. Pamphlets about the Salt Satyagraha were distributed.
Q7. Discuss those developments of the 1937-47 period that led to the creation of Pakistan.
Ans. The government called elections to provincial legislatures in 1937. The Congress was victorious in seven of the eleven provinces and formed governments in seven of them.
Gandhiji initiated a new phase of the civil disobedience movement. The ‘Quit India’ campaign was launched. The British did everything they could to put a stop to the movement. Finally, the British began to embrace the Indians’ yearning for independence.
The Muslim League passed a resolution in 1940 requesting “Independent States” for Muslims in the country’s northwestern and eastern regions. As the Congress failed to mobilise the Muslim masses, a social rift between Hindus and Muslims widened.
The British initiated talks with the Congress, the League for the Independence of India, at the close of World War II in 1945. The talks fell through because the League considered itself as the exclusive representative of India’s Muslims. The Congress could not accept this assertion because it was still backed by a huge percentage of Muslims. Because the Congress and the Muslim League were unable to reach an agreement, partition became unavoidable.
Following the collapse of the Cabinet Mission, the Muslim League resolved to launch a popular campaign for Pakistan’s independence.
“Direct Action Day” was declared on August 16, 1946. Many hundred thousand people were killed and numerous women had to face atrocities. The state of Pakistan was thus born.
Q8. Under what circumstances did Gandhiji initiate the Quit India Movement?
Ans. The Second World War began in September 1939. The British government in India required assistance from Indian leaders. The leaders were prepared to aid the British military effort. In exchange, they demanded that India be awarded independence after the war. The demand was rebuffed by the British. The Congress ministries were incensed by this. They all resigned to voice their displeasure. Mahatma Gandhi was irritated. In the midst of the Second World War, he decided to launch a new phase of the anti-British movement. The Quit India Movement was born out of this movement. Gandhiji believed that the British should leave India immediately.
He coined the phrase “do or die,” which quickly became popular among the general public. At the same time, he advised the people not to be violent under any circumstances. The British implemented restrictive measures. Gandhiji and other leaders were promptly imprisoned. However, this did not stop the movement from expanding. It drew in peasants and young people who dropped out of school to join the campaign. Throughout the country, communications and symbols of official power have been targeted. People in various locations form their own governments. The British attempted hard to suppress these advances. Around 90,000 people were arrested, and 1,000 individuals were killed in police shootings. However, the movement was not in vain. It brought freedom closer than ever.
Q9. What were the demands of the Congress in its early years?
Ans. The Congress’s objectives and techniques were moderate in its early years. The Congress made various demands, including:
- A stronger voice for Indians in government and administration
- Indians be appointed to key posts in government. It asked for Civil Service tests to be held in India as well as London for this purpose.
- The Congress called for the separation of the judiciary and the executive, as well as the repeal of the Arms Act and the freedom of speech and expression. It also demanded a drop in revenue, a reduction in military spending, and more funding for irrigation.
Q10. Give a detailed descriptions of the Non-Cooperation Movement. How people from different parts of took part in this movement?
Ans. The Non-Cooperation Movement against the British began in 1920 and gained traction in 1921-22. People from many backgrounds and groups stepped up and began interpreting Gandhiji’s call in their own unique way. A vast number of individuals protested the British role nonviolently, but others used violent methods of dissent. People related their movements to local problems in either ease.
Patidar peasants in Kheda, Gujarat, conducted nonviolent campaigns against the British highland revenue demand. Liquor stores were picketed in coastal Andhra Pradesh and the interior of Tamil Nadu. Tribal and poor peasants revolted in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur area because the colonial state had restricted their usage of forest resources in numerous ways.
They expected Gandhiji to decrease their taxes and eliminate the forest laws. Musluim tradesmen and peasants in Sind (modern-day Pakistan) were ecstatic about the Khilafat call. The Khilafat Non- Cooperation Alliance in Bengal provided immense communal solidarity and power to the national struggle.
The Sikh Akali agitation in Punjab tried to eliminate corrupt mahantas who were supported by the British. This movement became inextricably linked with the Non-Cooperation Movement. Tea garden labourers in Assam left British-owned farms to join Mahatma Gandhi.
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