Short Answer Questions: India Wins Freedom

Q1: Who was Mahatma Gandhi, and how did he contribute to India's struggle for freedom?
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi was a leader who played a crucial role in India's struggle for freedom. He returned to India in 1915 and used the principles of truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa) to lead the country towards independence.

Q2: What important event happened in 1915 that marked a turning point in India's freedom struggle?
Ans: In 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India, which marked a turning point in the country's freedom struggle. He started uniting people and encouraging them to participate actively in the fight for freedom.

Q3: Why did Mahatma Gandhi start the Champaran campaign, and what was its outcome?
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi started the Champaran campaign to address the grievances of indigo cultivators who were oppressed by British planters. The campaign led to a successful resolution of the farmers' demands, marking an early victory in the freedom struggle.

Q4: What was the Rowlatt Act, and why did it lead to protests in India?
Ans: The Rowlatt Act of 1919 gave the British government the power to arrest and imprison suspects without a trial. This law led to widespread protests in India because it was seen as unjust and oppressive.

Q5: Describe the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Why is it considered a significant event in India's freedom struggle?
Ans: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred in 1919 when British soldiers opened fire on a peaceful gathering of Indians in Amritsar, killing hundreds of innocent people. It is considered a significant event because it showcased British brutality and fueled the demand for freedom.

Q6: What was the Non-Cooperation Movement, and what led to its suspension?
Ans: The Non-Cooperation Movement was a peaceful protest against British rule in India. It was suspended in 1922 after a violent incident in Chauri-Chaura, Uttar Pradesh, where a police station was attacked, and policemen were killed.

Q7: Who were some of the young leaders who emerged during the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Ans: Some of the young leaders who emerged during the Non-Cooperation Movement included Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Abul Kalam Azad, Subhash Chandra Bose, and Sarojini Naidu.

Q8: What was the Simon Commission, and why did Indians boycott it?
Ans: The Simon Commission was appointed by the British government in 1927 to investigate the situation in India. Indians boycotted it because all its members were British, and it did not include any Indian representation.

Q9: What significant decision was made during the Lahore Session of the Congress in 1929?
Ans: During the Lahore Session of the Congress in 1929, the Indian National Congress declared the goal of "Poorna Swaraj" or complete independence as the objective of the National Movement.

Q10: What was the Quit India Movement, and why did it lead to the arrest of prominent leaders?
Ans: The Quit India Movement was a mass protest launched in 1942, demanding the immediate departure of the British from India. Prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were arrested as a result of this movement.