Selina Textbook Solutions: Struggle for Freedom (I) | History Class 8 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Struggle for Freedom (I) 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The British shattered the self sufficient village economy. 
2. The controversial Ilbert Bill incident took place in 1883. 
3. The Arms Act forbade the Indians from possessing arms. 
4. The President of the first session of the Congress was W.C. Bannerji. 
5. Bal Gangadhar Tilak raised the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright”. 
6. The three prominent leaders of the Radical Nationalists group were Lala Lajpat 
Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal. 
7. Mahatma Gandhi was bom on 2nd October 1869 at Porbandar. 
8. Gandhiji’s method of agitation were Satyagraha, boycott and strikes. 
9. The incident at Chauri Chaura took place on 5
th
 February 1922. 
II. Match the contents of Column A with those of Column B: 
 
Answer: 
 
III. State whether the following statements are true or false: 
1. The Congress was started in 1885. 
True. 
2. Unification of India as one political unit was achieved by the Indians themselves. 
False. 
3. The British treated the Indians at par with themselves. 
False 
4. A prominent leader of the Early Nationalist groups was S.N. Bannerjee. 
True. 
Page 2


Struggle for Freedom (I) 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The British shattered the self sufficient village economy. 
2. The controversial Ilbert Bill incident took place in 1883. 
3. The Arms Act forbade the Indians from possessing arms. 
4. The President of the first session of the Congress was W.C. Bannerji. 
5. Bal Gangadhar Tilak raised the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright”. 
6. The three prominent leaders of the Radical Nationalists group were Lala Lajpat 
Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal. 
7. Mahatma Gandhi was bom on 2nd October 1869 at Porbandar. 
8. Gandhiji’s method of agitation were Satyagraha, boycott and strikes. 
9. The incident at Chauri Chaura took place on 5
th
 February 1922. 
II. Match the contents of Column A with those of Column B: 
 
Answer: 
 
III. State whether the following statements are true or false: 
1. The Congress was started in 1885. 
True. 
2. Unification of India as one political unit was achieved by the Indians themselves. 
False. 
3. The British treated the Indians at par with themselves. 
False 
4. A prominent leader of the Early Nationalist groups was S.N. Bannerjee. 
True. 
5. The religious and social reform ^movement divided the Indians. 
False. 
6. The Home Rule League was formed under the leadership of Tilak. 
True. 
7. Chauri Chaura is a place in Madhya Pradesh. 
False. 
8. Rowlatt Act was passed in 1923. 
False. 
IV. Answer the following questions: 
Question 1. 
How did unification of India help to bring about a feeling of nationalism among the 
Indians? 
Answer: 
Political and administrative unification of India helped in the rise of nationalism. Under 
the British rule India was united as one political unit. The uniformity in laws and 
administration gave rise to a feeling of oneness among the people. 
Question 2. 
How did modern education bring about unity among Indians? 
Answer: 
Indians who received modem education could now read western thought and literature. 
They were exposed to the revolutionary changes taking place in the west – the 
American and French Revolutions. They became aware of the ideas of democracy, 
equality and nationalism. The reform movement also played an important role. All this 
brought the people together and created unity among them. 
Question 3. 
Name two early all-India associations. 
Answer: 
1. British Indian Association, 1851. 
2. The Bombay Association, 1852. 
Question 4. 
Why was the need for establishing an all-India organisation, representing Indian 
opinion, an urgent necessity? 
Answer: 
The need for an all India Organisation representing Indian opinion had been felt for a 
long time, but the immediate reasons which saw its birth, were the repressive policies of 
the British in the 1870s and the 1880s. In 1883 the controversial Ilbert Bill incident took 
place. According to it a British or a European in India could be tried by an Indian Judge. 
The Bill was withdrawn because of the opposition by the British.These events made the 
Page 3


Struggle for Freedom (I) 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The British shattered the self sufficient village economy. 
2. The controversial Ilbert Bill incident took place in 1883. 
3. The Arms Act forbade the Indians from possessing arms. 
4. The President of the first session of the Congress was W.C. Bannerji. 
5. Bal Gangadhar Tilak raised the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright”. 
6. The three prominent leaders of the Radical Nationalists group were Lala Lajpat 
Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal. 
7. Mahatma Gandhi was bom on 2nd October 1869 at Porbandar. 
8. Gandhiji’s method of agitation were Satyagraha, boycott and strikes. 
9. The incident at Chauri Chaura took place on 5
th
 February 1922. 
II. Match the contents of Column A with those of Column B: 
 
Answer: 
 
III. State whether the following statements are true or false: 
1. The Congress was started in 1885. 
True. 
2. Unification of India as one political unit was achieved by the Indians themselves. 
False. 
3. The British treated the Indians at par with themselves. 
False 
4. A prominent leader of the Early Nationalist groups was S.N. Bannerjee. 
True. 
5. The religious and social reform ^movement divided the Indians. 
False. 
6. The Home Rule League was formed under the leadership of Tilak. 
True. 
7. Chauri Chaura is a place in Madhya Pradesh. 
False. 
8. Rowlatt Act was passed in 1923. 
False. 
IV. Answer the following questions: 
Question 1. 
How did unification of India help to bring about a feeling of nationalism among the 
Indians? 
Answer: 
Political and administrative unification of India helped in the rise of nationalism. Under 
the British rule India was united as one political unit. The uniformity in laws and 
administration gave rise to a feeling of oneness among the people. 
Question 2. 
How did modern education bring about unity among Indians? 
Answer: 
Indians who received modem education could now read western thought and literature. 
They were exposed to the revolutionary changes taking place in the west – the 
American and French Revolutions. They became aware of the ideas of democracy, 
equality and nationalism. The reform movement also played an important role. All this 
brought the people together and created unity among them. 
Question 3. 
Name two early all-India associations. 
Answer: 
1. British Indian Association, 1851. 
2. The Bombay Association, 1852. 
Question 4. 
Why was the need for establishing an all-India organisation, representing Indian 
opinion, an urgent necessity? 
Answer: 
The need for an all India Organisation representing Indian opinion had been felt for a 
long time, but the immediate reasons which saw its birth, were the repressive policies of 
the British in the 1870s and the 1880s. In 1883 the controversial Ilbert Bill incident took 
place. According to it a British or a European in India could be tried by an Indian Judge. 
The Bill was withdrawn because of the opposition by the British.These events made the 
need for establishing an all-India organisation, representing Indian opinion an urgent 
necessity. 
Question 5. 
Differentiate between the methods of Early Nationalists and Radical Nationalists. 
Answer: 
The Early Nationalists had faith in the British system of administration and believed that 
India could develop by staying within the British Empire. They did not demand complete 
independence but dominion status i.e., autonomy or Swaraj within the British empire. 
1905 onwards new trends began to appear in the nationalist movement. Bal Gangadhar 
Tilak, Lala Lajpat .Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal were the leaders who brought about this 
change. They said the aim of Indians should be ‘Swaraj’. They criticised the policies of 
the Early Nationalists and said people have to rely on their strength rather than “Prayer 
and Petition”. Tilak raised the famous slogan “Swaraj is my birthright and I must have it”. 
 
The methods they suggested to achieve it were: 
1. Involvement and participation of the masses 
2. Reviving popular Festivals to spread Political awakening among people. 
3. New methods of agitation such as hartals and boycott of foreign goods and 
services. 
Question 6. 
Which factors contributed to the building up of the feeling of nationalism in India? 
Answer: 
There are several factors responsible to the building up of the feeling of nationalism in 
India. 
 
They are : 
1. Discontentment against British Rule. 
2. Political and Administrative Unification. 
3. Economic changes. 
4. Spread of modem education. 
5. Role of newspapers and the press. 
Question 7. 
List down the aims of the Muslim League. 
Answer: 
 
Aims of Muslim League: 
1. To promote loyalty to the government 
2. To protect and advance the interest of the muslims 
Page 4


Struggle for Freedom (I) 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The British shattered the self sufficient village economy. 
2. The controversial Ilbert Bill incident took place in 1883. 
3. The Arms Act forbade the Indians from possessing arms. 
4. The President of the first session of the Congress was W.C. Bannerji. 
5. Bal Gangadhar Tilak raised the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright”. 
6. The three prominent leaders of the Radical Nationalists group were Lala Lajpat 
Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal. 
7. Mahatma Gandhi was bom on 2nd October 1869 at Porbandar. 
8. Gandhiji’s method of agitation were Satyagraha, boycott and strikes. 
9. The incident at Chauri Chaura took place on 5
th
 February 1922. 
II. Match the contents of Column A with those of Column B: 
 
Answer: 
 
III. State whether the following statements are true or false: 
1. The Congress was started in 1885. 
True. 
2. Unification of India as one political unit was achieved by the Indians themselves. 
False. 
3. The British treated the Indians at par with themselves. 
False 
4. A prominent leader of the Early Nationalist groups was S.N. Bannerjee. 
True. 
5. The religious and social reform ^movement divided the Indians. 
False. 
6. The Home Rule League was formed under the leadership of Tilak. 
True. 
7. Chauri Chaura is a place in Madhya Pradesh. 
False. 
8. Rowlatt Act was passed in 1923. 
False. 
IV. Answer the following questions: 
Question 1. 
How did unification of India help to bring about a feeling of nationalism among the 
Indians? 
Answer: 
Political and administrative unification of India helped in the rise of nationalism. Under 
the British rule India was united as one political unit. The uniformity in laws and 
administration gave rise to a feeling of oneness among the people. 
Question 2. 
How did modern education bring about unity among Indians? 
Answer: 
Indians who received modem education could now read western thought and literature. 
They were exposed to the revolutionary changes taking place in the west – the 
American and French Revolutions. They became aware of the ideas of democracy, 
equality and nationalism. The reform movement also played an important role. All this 
brought the people together and created unity among them. 
Question 3. 
Name two early all-India associations. 
Answer: 
1. British Indian Association, 1851. 
2. The Bombay Association, 1852. 
Question 4. 
Why was the need for establishing an all-India organisation, representing Indian 
opinion, an urgent necessity? 
Answer: 
The need for an all India Organisation representing Indian opinion had been felt for a 
long time, but the immediate reasons which saw its birth, were the repressive policies of 
the British in the 1870s and the 1880s. In 1883 the controversial Ilbert Bill incident took 
place. According to it a British or a European in India could be tried by an Indian Judge. 
The Bill was withdrawn because of the opposition by the British.These events made the 
need for establishing an all-India organisation, representing Indian opinion an urgent 
necessity. 
Question 5. 
Differentiate between the methods of Early Nationalists and Radical Nationalists. 
Answer: 
The Early Nationalists had faith in the British system of administration and believed that 
India could develop by staying within the British Empire. They did not demand complete 
independence but dominion status i.e., autonomy or Swaraj within the British empire. 
1905 onwards new trends began to appear in the nationalist movement. Bal Gangadhar 
Tilak, Lala Lajpat .Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal were the leaders who brought about this 
change. They said the aim of Indians should be ‘Swaraj’. They criticised the policies of 
the Early Nationalists and said people have to rely on their strength rather than “Prayer 
and Petition”. Tilak raised the famous slogan “Swaraj is my birthright and I must have it”. 
 
The methods they suggested to achieve it were: 
1. Involvement and participation of the masses 
2. Reviving popular Festivals to spread Political awakening among people. 
3. New methods of agitation such as hartals and boycott of foreign goods and 
services. 
Question 6. 
Which factors contributed to the building up of the feeling of nationalism in India? 
Answer: 
There are several factors responsible to the building up of the feeling of nationalism in 
India. 
 
They are : 
1. Discontentment against British Rule. 
2. Political and Administrative Unification. 
3. Economic changes. 
4. Spread of modem education. 
5. Role of newspapers and the press. 
Question 7. 
List down the aims of the Muslim League. 
Answer: 
 
Aims of Muslim League: 
1. To promote loyalty to the government 
2. To protect and advance the interest of the muslims 
3. To ensure that Muslims do not develop the feelings of hostility towards other 
communities in India. 
Question 8. 
Describe the provisions of the Government of India Act (1919). 
Answer: 
The Provincial Legislative Councils were enlarged and a majority of their members were 
to be elected. A new system called Dyarchy was introduced in the provinces. Under this 
system some subjects, such as finance, law and order were called reserved subjects 
and remained under the direct control of the Governor. Other subjects such as 
education, public -health, local self government were called ‘transferred’ subjects and 
were to be controlled by ministers responsible to the provincial legislature, 
Question 9. 
Describe the constructive programme introduced by Gandiji. 
Answer: 
The social reforms and the constructive programmes introduced by Gandhiji changed 
the character of the national movement to a mass movement. He worked towards 
removing untouchability. He also worked for the upliftment of the people living in the 
villages. He said that the majority of India’s population lived in the villages and hence 
our country could progress only if there was development in the villages. He 
encouraged setting up small scale industries in villages. He also popularised Khadi. The 
Charkha became an important symbol. Gandiji believed that Independence was 
meaningless without social and economic equality. 
V. Picture Study: 
(A) This picture shows three Radical Nationalist leaders. 
 
Page 5


Struggle for Freedom (I) 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The British shattered the self sufficient village economy. 
2. The controversial Ilbert Bill incident took place in 1883. 
3. The Arms Act forbade the Indians from possessing arms. 
4. The President of the first session of the Congress was W.C. Bannerji. 
5. Bal Gangadhar Tilak raised the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright”. 
6. The three prominent leaders of the Radical Nationalists group were Lala Lajpat 
Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal. 
7. Mahatma Gandhi was bom on 2nd October 1869 at Porbandar. 
8. Gandhiji’s method of agitation were Satyagraha, boycott and strikes. 
9. The incident at Chauri Chaura took place on 5
th
 February 1922. 
II. Match the contents of Column A with those of Column B: 
 
Answer: 
 
III. State whether the following statements are true or false: 
1. The Congress was started in 1885. 
True. 
2. Unification of India as one political unit was achieved by the Indians themselves. 
False. 
3. The British treated the Indians at par with themselves. 
False 
4. A prominent leader of the Early Nationalist groups was S.N. Bannerjee. 
True. 
5. The religious and social reform ^movement divided the Indians. 
False. 
6. The Home Rule League was formed under the leadership of Tilak. 
True. 
7. Chauri Chaura is a place in Madhya Pradesh. 
False. 
8. Rowlatt Act was passed in 1923. 
False. 
IV. Answer the following questions: 
Question 1. 
How did unification of India help to bring about a feeling of nationalism among the 
Indians? 
Answer: 
Political and administrative unification of India helped in the rise of nationalism. Under 
the British rule India was united as one political unit. The uniformity in laws and 
administration gave rise to a feeling of oneness among the people. 
Question 2. 
How did modern education bring about unity among Indians? 
Answer: 
Indians who received modem education could now read western thought and literature. 
They were exposed to the revolutionary changes taking place in the west – the 
American and French Revolutions. They became aware of the ideas of democracy, 
equality and nationalism. The reform movement also played an important role. All this 
brought the people together and created unity among them. 
Question 3. 
Name two early all-India associations. 
Answer: 
1. British Indian Association, 1851. 
2. The Bombay Association, 1852. 
Question 4. 
Why was the need for establishing an all-India organisation, representing Indian 
opinion, an urgent necessity? 
Answer: 
The need for an all India Organisation representing Indian opinion had been felt for a 
long time, but the immediate reasons which saw its birth, were the repressive policies of 
the British in the 1870s and the 1880s. In 1883 the controversial Ilbert Bill incident took 
place. According to it a British or a European in India could be tried by an Indian Judge. 
The Bill was withdrawn because of the opposition by the British.These events made the 
need for establishing an all-India organisation, representing Indian opinion an urgent 
necessity. 
Question 5. 
Differentiate between the methods of Early Nationalists and Radical Nationalists. 
Answer: 
The Early Nationalists had faith in the British system of administration and believed that 
India could develop by staying within the British Empire. They did not demand complete 
independence but dominion status i.e., autonomy or Swaraj within the British empire. 
1905 onwards new trends began to appear in the nationalist movement. Bal Gangadhar 
Tilak, Lala Lajpat .Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal were the leaders who brought about this 
change. They said the aim of Indians should be ‘Swaraj’. They criticised the policies of 
the Early Nationalists and said people have to rely on their strength rather than “Prayer 
and Petition”. Tilak raised the famous slogan “Swaraj is my birthright and I must have it”. 
 
The methods they suggested to achieve it were: 
1. Involvement and participation of the masses 
2. Reviving popular Festivals to spread Political awakening among people. 
3. New methods of agitation such as hartals and boycott of foreign goods and 
services. 
Question 6. 
Which factors contributed to the building up of the feeling of nationalism in India? 
Answer: 
There are several factors responsible to the building up of the feeling of nationalism in 
India. 
 
They are : 
1. Discontentment against British Rule. 
2. Political and Administrative Unification. 
3. Economic changes. 
4. Spread of modem education. 
5. Role of newspapers and the press. 
Question 7. 
List down the aims of the Muslim League. 
Answer: 
 
Aims of Muslim League: 
1. To promote loyalty to the government 
2. To protect and advance the interest of the muslims 
3. To ensure that Muslims do not develop the feelings of hostility towards other 
communities in India. 
Question 8. 
Describe the provisions of the Government of India Act (1919). 
Answer: 
The Provincial Legislative Councils were enlarged and a majority of their members were 
to be elected. A new system called Dyarchy was introduced in the provinces. Under this 
system some subjects, such as finance, law and order were called reserved subjects 
and remained under the direct control of the Governor. Other subjects such as 
education, public -health, local self government were called ‘transferred’ subjects and 
were to be controlled by ministers responsible to the provincial legislature, 
Question 9. 
Describe the constructive programme introduced by Gandiji. 
Answer: 
The social reforms and the constructive programmes introduced by Gandhiji changed 
the character of the national movement to a mass movement. He worked towards 
removing untouchability. He also worked for the upliftment of the people living in the 
villages. He said that the majority of India’s population lived in the villages and hence 
our country could progress only if there was development in the villages. He 
encouraged setting up small scale industries in villages. He also popularised Khadi. The 
Charkha became an important symbol. Gandiji believed that Independence was 
meaningless without social and economic equality. 
V. Picture Study: 
(A) This picture shows three Radical Nationalist leaders. 
 
1. Identify and name them. 
Ans. They are Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal. 
2. Write about the methods which they suggested. 
Ans. They suggested idea of boycott and Swadeshi. They insisted on involvement 
of the masses. 
3. What was the famous slogan raised by Bal Gangadhar Tilak? 
Ans. “Swaraj is my birthright and I must have it.” 
(B) Look at the given picture. 
 
1. Identify and name him 
Ans. Lord Curzon 
2. When did the partition of Bengal take place 
Ans. 1905 
3. What was the real reason behind the partition. 
Ans. To weaken the freedom movement and to create Hindu-Muslim enmity and 
disunity. 
4. What excuse did the British give? 
Ans. Bengal was too large a province to be governed efficiently. 
Additional Questions 
Rise of Indian Nationalism 
 
A. Fill in the blanks: 
1. Modem Indian nationalism arose to meet the challenge of Foreign domination. 
2. Exploitation of India by the British was direct and harsh before 1857; after 1857 it 
became subtle and systematic. 
3. The Kukas Rebellion was an armed rebellion of the Sikhs against the British 
policy of divide and rule. 
4. The English language acted as a link language among the educated Indians.