X.Chapter 3.History.Nationalism In India

Chapter 3.

Nationalism In India.

NCERT Exercises.

Write in Brief 

Q.1. Explain : (a) Why growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to an anti-colonial movement ? 

(b) How the First World War helped in the growth of the National Movement in India?  

(c) Why Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act?  

(d) Why Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non Cooperation Movement?  

Q.1. Explain : (a) Why growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to an anti-colonial movement ? 

Ans.(a) Colonization affected people's freedom.Nationalist sentiments gripped colonized people during the process of struggle against imperial domination.
The sense of oppression and exploitation became a common bond for people from different walks of life, and this resulted in the growth of nationalist ideals.
Thus, growth of cause for nationalism in the colonies is linked to anti - colonial movements.  

Q.1.Explain : (b) How the First World War helped in the growth of the National Movement in India?  

Answer (b) The First World War played an important role in strengthening the national movement in India.The war created a new economic and political situation.It led to an increase in carefully which was met by imposing additional taxes on Indian people.The war led to a price rise - leading to extreme hardships for the common man.  

Villages were called upon to supply soldiers and this forced IT recruitment in rural areas caused widespread anger. 

Acute shortage of food accompanied by influenza epidemic led to famine and misery.  

The Indians began to realize that they were unnecessarily drawn into a war which was in the interest of the British imperialists.

This feeling united the Indians against the British and they began demands for reforms.  During the period of war, Gandhiji returned to Toni India from South Africa and gave a new mode of mass struggle against foreign authorities in the name of Satyagraha.

Q.1.(c) Why Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act?  

Answer (c) The Rowlatt Act was passed hurriedly through the Imperial Legislative Council despite opposition from Indian members in 1919.
It gave the government autocratic powers to repress political activities besides allowing it to detain political prisoners without trial, for two years.
The Indians were  outraged by this act as it was clearly undemocratic and oppressive, and hurt their nationalist sentiments and dignity.

Q.1.(d) Why Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non Cooperation Movement?  

Answer (d) Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non Cooperation Movement because of the following  reasons : 

(i) Gandhiji felt that the movement was  turning violent, eg, incident of Chauri - Chaura.  

(ii) Satyagrahis needed to be properly trained 

(iii) Some Congress leaders were tired of mass struggles and wanted to participate in elections to the provincial legislatures.These elections were to be held under the Government of India Act,1919.  

Q.2.What is meant by the idea of ​​Satyagraha?  

Ans. Satyagraha was a novel method of mass agitation and resistance used by Gandhiji in South Africa in his struggle against the racist regime.Later it was applied in the Indian National Movement.

The idea of ​​satyagraha emphasized the power of truth and non - violence. Gandhiji felt that if the cause was true,or if the s struggle was against injustice, then physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor.
Without seeking revenge or being an aggressor, a Satyagrahi could win the battle through non - violence.It could be done by using moral force and by appealing  to the conscience of the oppressor. 

Q.3. Write a newspaper report on : 

(a) The Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre. 

(b) The Simon Commission
(a)The Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre. 

Answer (a)  Firing at Jallianwalla : 13th April 1919: In the series of curbing the nationalist sentiments and activities by the colonial government, a huge massacre took place at the Jallianwalla Bagh, 
Amritsar, where the  large number of innocent people,lost their lives.It is reported that people had assembled there to celebrate Baisakhi,when the British Commander, General Dyer,entered the enclosed park with for his personnel.

Martial Law had been imposed in the area,but being outside the city, people

It is said that,General Dyer entered the park and blocked the only exit and ordered fire on the innocent gathering killing all present in the park.

As per Dyer's statement he intended to produce a moral effect 'and terrorize satyagrahis.  Hundreds of innocent people including women and children were killed and wounded due to this indiscriminate firing by the British soldiers, which ultimately led to nation-wide outrage.  Jallianwalla Bagh incident is one of the most brutal incident in the history of India.  Nationalism in India Jallianwalla Bagh (13th april 1919) 

Question 3. (b) The Simon Commission. 

Answer (b) British new move for insulting India by sending Statutory Commission to India.  

November 1927 : In the fresh move to introduce the constitutional reforms in India, the British Parliament declared that a commission to be sent to India to examine the effects and operations of constitutional reforms in India and suggest changes.
For this statutory वैधानिक  commission has been formed under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon.This commission will comprise of seven British Members of Parliament to look into the situation of governance in India.

The commission supposed to reach India in February,1928.The commission is likely to face opposition in India as it has no Indian member who could we understand the situation from Indian point of view.
The nationalist leaders in India have given a clear indication that they do not support any  such commission where Indians are not given any place.

Q.4. Compare the images of Bharat Mata in this chapter with the image of Germania in Chapter 1.  

Ans .(a) The image of Germania was the symbol of German nation, whereas, the image of Bharat Mata was the symbol of Indian nation.  

(b) Both images inspired nationalists to work hard to unify their respective countries and to attain a liberal nationhood.  

(c) The image of Bharat Mata is different from that of Germania in the sense that the former included the religious basis of its making.  

(d) The image of Bharat Mata painted by Abanindranath Tagore presents an image that is calm, composed, divine and spiritual. Germania on the other hand,displays ideals like liberty, justice and republic.  

(e) As the nationalist movement developed, more icons came to be seen in the image of Bharat Mata which represented power and authority.  This image appears to be more akin to the image of Germania where she holds a sword and a shield 

(f) The Bharat Mata has been portrayed as an ascetic figure while Germania displays an independent and heroic woman. 

Discuss Q.1. List all the different social groups which joined the Non - Cooperation Movement of 1921.
Then choose any three and write about their hopes and struggles to show why they joined the movement.  
Ans.The different social groups that joined the Non Cooperation Movement of 1921 represented the urban middle class comprising lawyers, teachers and headmasters, students,peasants, tribals and workers.  
(a) The peasants participated in the Non - Cooperation Movement with the hope that they would be saved from the oppressive landlords, exempted from the high taxes taken by the colonial government and have control over their land.At many places the oppressive landlords were boycotted.  Various branches of the Kisan Sabhas were set up.There were efforts to integrate the peasants struggle with the Non - Cooperation Movement.
(b) Plantation workers had their own views about the movement.  They took part in the agitation hoping they would get the right to move freely inside and outside the plantations and own land in their own villages.They defied the authorities, left the tea gardens without permission and headed towards their homes.
(c) Tribal peasants interpreted the movement in their own way.They resorted to guerrilla militancy against the colonial government. Alluri Sitaram Raju persuaded people to follow Gandhiji, wear khadi and give up drinking.However, he believed in the use of force.  
2. Discuss the Salt March to make clear why it was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism.  
Ans.The Salt March was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism it was achieved in protest against imposition of tax on an essential commodity salt, used by the rich and the poor alike.  The tax on salt and the government monopoly over its production was an oppressive administrative move.  The Salt March proved effective as Gandhiji met a large number of commoners during the march and taught them the true meaning of swaraj and non-violence.  By peacefully defying a law and making salt against government orders, Gandhiji set forth an example to the whole nation how an oppressor could be confronted in a non violent manner.This also led to the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. 
3. Imagine you are a woman participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement.Explain what the experience meant to your life.
Ans.It was a great experience participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement as this made me realize that service to the nation was our sacred duty.  Along with thousands of women who came out of their homes for the first time, I discussed in protest marches, manufactured salt, picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops.  I was so infused with the spirit of nationalism that I was even ready to go to jail with other leaders.  Participation of women was an important feature of the Civil Disobedience Movement which influenced me immensely.
4. Why did political leaders differ sharply over the question of separate electorates? 

Ans.There were differences over the question of separate electorates because of the following reasons :

(a) Leaders like BR Ambedkar demanded separate electorates because they felt political empowerment would resolve their social issues.  At the same time, Gandhiji expressed his fear that it would create a gap in the society and slow down the process of unity 

(b) Leaders of minority group,like MA Jinnah, feared that Hindu majority may dominate Muslim minority and submerge their culture and  identity.Congress dominated by Hindu Mahasabha was opposed to such a demand.

Project 

Question Find out about the anti - colonial movement in Kenya.  Compare and contrast India's national movement with the ways in which Kenya became independent.  

Ans.Kenya had a colonial history marked by oppression, exploitation and racial tensions that ended as late as in 1963 when Kenya attained independence.

The period of colonial history of Kenya began with the Berlin Conference in 1885. Before the conference, the power over Kenya's fate had shifted from Arabs to the Portuguese and then again to the Arabs finally landing in the hands of Britain.

Eagerness for exploration and discovery, attracted the Europeans towards Kenya.They unearthed the beauty and fertility of the land and finally the East African country of Kenya came under the British.

During the initial period of colonial history of Kenya under imperial rule, the British wanted to improve the condition of the native population but gradually they exploited them and set up an aggressive rule marked by political and racial differences.The process of colonization of Kenya that began in 1885 ended in 1920 when Kenya officially became an English colony.  The imperialistic policies of England provoked a growing resentment among the Kenyans which led to the formation of the Kikuyu Association in 1921 to fight for the rights of the Africans. 

Kenya became independent on December 12, 1963 and then joined the Commonwealth in 1964. Jomo Kenyatta  became the first President.  

In India, the growth of modern nationalism is closely connected to the anti-colonial movement.Growing anger against the colonial government brought together various groups and classes of Indians into a common struggle for freedom.

The idea of ​​freedom was not the same for the different groups as their experiences and expectations were varied.

The Congress under Mahatma Gandhi tried wole to resolve the differences but the unity did not emerge without conflict.The Indians obtained freedom mainly through peaceful methods like non - violence, satyagraha, non - cooperation and boycott.

The basic difference in their attaining of independence was in the economic plight of the two nations.

The British were attracted to India which was rich and flourishing.The large amount of cotton, tea, spices and precious stones in India attracted the foreigners who wanted to own them.

Kenya, on the other hand, was not so developed but possessed rich assets.  They did not have the means for development as the people were poor, illiterate and backward.  They had not seen the other parts of the world and could not compare their condition with that of the others.