SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWER
Question 1: Who founded the Indian National Congress (INC)?
Answer:
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded by A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant, in 1885.
Question 2: What was the main objective of the Indian National Congress when it was founded?
Answer:
The main objective of the Indian National Congress when it was founded was to provide a platform for educated Indians to discuss and address political grievances within the framework of British colonial rule.
Question 3: When did the Indian National Congress demand for Swaraj (self-rule)?
Answer:
The Indian National Congress demanded Swaraj for the first time at its session in Lahore in 1929.
Question 4: Who coined the term ‘Swaraj’?
Answer:
The term ‘Swaraj’ was coined by Dadabhai Naoroji, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress.
Question 5: What was the significance of the Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress in 1916?
Answer:
The Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress in 1916 marked the coming together of the Congress and the Muslim League, fostering Hindu-Muslim unity in the Indian nationalist movement.
Question 6: Who was the first woman president of the Indian National Congress?
Answer:
Annie Besant was the first woman president of the Indian National Congress in 1917.
Question 7: What was the Rowlatt Act of 1919?
Answer:
The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was a repressive law passed by the British colonial government in India, allowing indefinite detention without trial for individuals suspected of sedition.
Question 8: Who were the leaders of the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by the Indian National Congress in 1920?
Answer:
The Non-Cooperation Movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi and supported by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Azad.
Question 9: What was the significance of the Chauri Chaura incident during the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer:
The Chauri Chaura incident was a violent clash between protesters and police in Uttar Pradesh in 1922, leading Gandhi to call off the Non-Cooperation Movement as he believed it had turned violent and lost its nonviolent character.
Question 10: What were the main objectives of the Khilafat Movement?
Answer:
The main objectives of the Khilafat Movement were to protest against the British mistreatment of the Ottoman Caliphate and to seek redress for Muslim grievances.
Question 11: Who were the prominent leaders of the Khilafat Movement?
Answer:
The prominent leaders of the Khilafat Movement were Ali brothers (Maulana Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali) and Mahatma Gandhi.
Question 12: What was the significance of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919?
Answer:
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre was a brutal incident where British troops opened fire on unarmed civilians in Amritsar, killing hundreds, and further fueled the Indian nationalist movement’s demand for independence.
Question 13: When was the Simon Commission sent to India, and why was it boycotted by Indians?
Answer:
The Simon Commission was sent to India in 1927 to review the functioning of the constitutional system. It was boycotted by Indians because it did not include any Indian members and was seen as an attempt to prolong British rule.
Question 14: Who were the leaders of the Civil Disobedience Movement launched by the Indian National Congress in 1930?
Answer:
The Civil Disobedience Movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi, with support from leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, and Maulana Azad.
Question 15: What was the outcome of the Civil Disobedience Movement?
Answer:
The Civil Disobedience Movement led to the Salt March, the boycott of British goods, and widespread protests against colonial rule, eventually leading to negotiations with the British government and the eventual granting of independence to India in 1947.
LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWER
Question 1: Discuss the factors that contributed to the growth of nationalism in India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Answer:
The growth of nationalism in India was influenced by various factors.
- Firstly, the exploitation and discrimination faced by Indians under British colonial rule fueled feelings of resentment and solidarity among different sections of society.
- Secondly, the spread of modern education, the development of a national press, and the emergence of a modern middle class provided the intellectual and organizational foundations for the nationalist movement.
- Thirdly, the impact of international events, such as the Russian Revolution and the World War I, inspired Indians to demand political rights and self-rule. Additionally, cultural and religious movements, such as the Arya Samaj and the Aligarh Movement, contributed to the development of a collective identity and consciousness among Indians, fostering the growth of nationalism.
Question 2: Evaluate the role of the Indian National Congress (INC) in the nationalist movement in India.
Answer:
- The Indian National Congress (INC) played a significant role in the nationalist movement in India as the principal political organization advocating for independence from British colonial rule.
- Founded in 1885, the INC initially focused on constitutional means to address Indian grievances and promote political reforms within the framework of British rule.
- Over time, it evolved into a mass movement, mobilizing people from all walks of life, including peasants, workers, and intellectuals, in the struggle for independence.
- The INC provided a platform for leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose to articulate and channelize nationalist aspirations, leading various campaigns and protests against colonial policies.
- Despite internal divisions and differences in ideology, the INC remained a unifying force in the nationalist movement, eventually leading India to independence in 1947.
Question 3: Discuss the significance of Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership in the Indian nationalist movement.
Answer:
- Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role in the Indian nationalist movement through his philosophy of nonviolence (Satyagraha) and civil disobedience, which transformed the struggle for independence into a mass movement.
- Gandhi’s leadership emphasized moral principles, truth, and self-sacrifice, inspiring millions of Indians to participate in acts of civil disobedience, boycotts, and protests against British rule.
- His campaigns, such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Salt Satyagraha, and the Quit India Movement, mobilized people from all sections of society and drew international attention to India’s quest for independence.
- Gandhi’s emphasis on nonviolent resistance and unity among Hindus and Muslims also contributed to the broader goals of the nationalist movement, despite facing challenges and setbacks along the way.
Question 4: Analyze the impact of World War I on the nationalist movement in India.
Answer:
- World War I had a significant impact on the nationalist movement in India by exposing the contradictions of British colonial rule and fostering nationalist aspirations among Indians.
- The war led to economic hardships, food shortages, and increased repression by the colonial government, prompting widespread discontent among Indians.
- The sacrifices made by Indian soldiers on the battlefield, coupled with the failure of the British government to fulfill promises of self-government, intensified demands for political reforms and increased autonomy.
- The post-war period witnessed a surge in nationalist activities, with leaders like Annie Besant, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Mahatma Gandhi mobilizing people against colonial policies and advocating for independence.
- Additionally, the emergence of international movements for self-determination and anti-colonialism influenced Indian nationalists, further strengthening their resolve to achieve freedom from British rule.
Question 5: Discuss the role of women in the Indian nationalist movement.
Answer:
- Women played a crucial role in the Indian nationalist movement by participating in various activities and campaigns aimed at challenging British colonial rule.
- Despite facing social and cultural barriers, women from diverse backgrounds, including educated middle-class women, peasant women, and tribal women, actively contributed to the struggle for independence.
- They participated in protests, marches, and boycotts, organized underground networks, and played leadership roles in various nationalist organizations, including the Indian National Congress and the All-India Women’s Conference.
- Prominent female leaders like Sarojini Naidu, Annie Besant, and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay emerged as influential figures in the nationalist movement, advocating for women’s rights, social reforms, and national independence.
- The involvement of women in the nationalist struggle not only expanded the scope of the movement but also challenged traditional gender roles and contributed to the broader goal of social transformation in India.
Question 6: Assess the impact of the Partition of Bengal (1905) on the nationalist movement in India.
Answer:
- The Partition of Bengal in 1905 had a profound impact on the nationalist movement in India by galvanizing opposition to British colonial policies and fostering Hindu-Muslim unity. The decision to partition Bengal was aimed at dividing the province along religious lines to weaken nationalist sentiments and consolidate British control.
- However, it sparked widespread protests and boycotts across India, led by leaders like Rabindranath Tagore, Surendranath Banerjee, and Aurobindo Ghosh. The Swadeshi Movement, which emerged in response to the partition, advocated for the boycott of British goods and the promotion of Indian products, strengthening economic nationalism and self-reliance.
- Additionally, the partition led to the emergence of radical nationalist groups, such as the Anushilan Samiti and the Jugantar, which advocated for armed resistance against British rule. Despite the eventual reversal of the partition in 1911, its legacy continued to shape communal politics and nationalist movements in India, culminating in the eventual partition of the country in 1947.
Question 7: Discuss the role of cultural and religious movements in fostering nationalism in India.
Answer:
- Cultural and religious movements played a significant role in fostering nationalism in India by promoting a sense of collective identity, pride, and solidarity among different communities.
- Movements like the Arya Samaj, led by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, emphasized Vedic principles, Hindu revivalism, and social reform, seeking to purify and rejuvenate Indian society.
- Similarly, the Aligarh Movement, led by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, aimed at promoting modern education, scientific thinking, and Muslim unity in response to the challenges posed by British colonialism and social reform movements.
- These movements, along with others like the Ramakrishna Mission, the Theosophical Society, and the Indian Renaissance, contributed to the intellectual and cultural awakening of India, fostering a spirit of nationalism and social reform.
- They provided the ideological and organizational foundations for the Indian nationalist movement, inspiring leaders and activists to challenge colonial rule and advocate for independence.
Question 8: Examine the impact of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) on the Indian nationalist movement.
Answer:
- The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, also known as the Government of India Act 1919, had a mixed impact on the Indian nationalist movement by introducing limited political reforms while retaining British control over key areas of administration.
- The reforms expanded the powers of provincial legislatures and introduced a system of dyarchy, whereby certain subjects were transferred to Indian ministers while others remained under British control. They also provided for the establishment of a bicameral legislature at the center and expanded the franchise to a limited extent.
- However, the reforms fell short of nationalist expectations for full self-government and failed to address key grievances, such as inadequate representation, discriminatory policies, and the absence of responsible government.
- Despite these limitations, the reforms provided Indians with opportunities to participate in the political process, mobilize public opinion, and articulate demands for further reforms and eventual independence, setting the stage for future developments in the nationalist movement.
Question 9: Assess the significance of the Khilafat Movement in the Indian nationalist struggle.
Answer:
- The Khilafat Movement was a significant episode in the Indian nationalist struggle, representing a unique alliance between the Indian nationalist movement and the global Muslim community in support of the Ottoman Caliphate.
- The movement emerged in response to the Treaty of Sevres (1920), which imposed severe terms on the defeated Ottoman Empire and threatened the integrity of the Islamic caliphate.
- Indian Muslims, led by the Ali brothers (Maulana Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali), Mahatma Gandhi, and other nationalist leaders, mobilized mass protests, boycotts, and demonstrations to express solidarity with the caliphate and demand redress for Muslim grievances.
- The Khilafat Movement provided a platform for Hindu-Muslim unity and cooperation within the broader framework of the Indian nationalist struggle, fostering a sense of shared identity and purpose among different communities.
- Although the movement ultimately failed to achieve its immediate objectives, it contributed to the growth of nationalist consciousness and laid the foundation for future efforts to challenge British colonial rule in India.
Question 10: Discuss the impact of the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934) on the Indian nationalist movement.
Answer:
- The Civil Disobedience Movement, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, had a profound impact on the Indian nationalist movement by mobilizing millions of Indians in acts of nonviolent resistance against British colonial rule.
- The movement was triggered by the Salt March, where Gandhi and his followers walked to the coastal town of Dandi to produce salt in defiance of British salt laws. This symbolic act of civil disobedience galvanized people from all sections of society, including peasants, workers, and students, to join the struggle for independence.
- The movement witnessed widespread boycotts of British goods, tax protests, and acts of non-cooperation with colonial authorities, severely disrupting British administration and challenging the legitimacy of colonial rule.
- Despite facing repression and arrests, the movement continued to grow in strength and scope, forcing the British government to negotiate with Indian leaders and eventually leading to the signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931.
- Although the movement was temporarily suspended, its legacy continued to inspire future generations of nationalists and contributed to the eventual attainment of independence for India in 1947.
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