Source Based Questions: Mahatma Gandhi & The Nationalist Movement | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Q1: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In January 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India after spending over two decades in South Africa. During his time in South Africa, Gandhi had developed the technique of satyagraha (non-violent resistance) and had worked to promote harmony between various religious communities.

i. What was Gandhi’s experience in South Africa? (1 mark)
ii. How did Gandhi’s time in South Africa influence his approach to the Indian independence movement? (2 marks)
iii. Why was Gandhi’s return to India significant for the Indian National Congress? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Gandhi spent over two decades in South Africa, where he developed the technique of satyagraha and worked for religious harmony.
ii. Gandhi's time in South Africa significantly shaped his approach to the Indian independence movement. 
Key influences include:

• Developed the principle of non-violent resistance, known as satyagraha.
• Advocated for social reforms, focusing on the upliftment of lower castes.
• Promoted religious harmony among different communities.

iii. Gandhi’s return was significant as he brought a new, inclusive approach to the freedom movement, uniting various social groups and advocating for the rights of the poor.

Q2: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In February 1916, Gandhi made a speech at the opening of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), criticizing the Indian elite for their indifference to the plight of the poor, particularly peasants.

i. What was Gandhi’s main critique in his speech at BHU? (1 mark)
ii. How did Gandhi’s speech reflect his understanding of Indian society? (2 marks)
iii. Why did Gandhi emphasize the role of the peasants in India’s future? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Gandhi critiqued the Indian elite for being indifferent to the suffering of the poor, especially peasants, and their failure to address their needs.
ii. The speech demonstrated Gandhi's understanding of Indian society by highlighting the following points:

• He believed that Indian nationalism should represent all Indians, particularly the working poor.
• Gandhi noted that the majority of the population, including peasants and workers, were often unrepresented in nationalist movements.
• His intention was to shift the focus of nationalism from an elite phenomenon to a movement that included the entire Indian populace.

iii. Gandhi emphasized the role of peasants because he believed that true self-government could only be achieved by empowering the agricultural sector, which made up the majority of the population.

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Q3: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In 1917, Gandhi led a movement in Champaran, Bihar, to secure justice for the peasants who were being forced to grow indigo under exploitative conditions by British planters.

i. What was the issue Gandhi addressed in Champaran? (1 mark)
ii. How did Gandhi’s leadership in Champaran impact the peasants’ struggles? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the Champaran movement important in Gandhi’s political career? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The issue Gandhi addressed was the exploitation of peasants by British indigo planters, who forced them to grow indigo under unfair terms.
ii. Gandhi's leadership in Champaran had a significant impact on the struggles of the peasants. 
His efforts led to:

• Legal rights: Peasants gained recognition of their rights.
• Relief from exploitation: Conditions improved, reducing the burden on farmers.
• Increased awareness: His actions highlighted the injustices faced by the peasants.
• Prominence: Gandhi emerged as a key leader in the Indian independence movement.

iii. The Champaran movement was important because it marked Gandhi’s first major political engagement in India, showcasing his methods of non-violence and satyagraha.

Q4: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In 1919, the British passed the Rowlatt Act, allowing them to arrest anyone without trial. In response, Gandhi called for a nationwide satyagraha to oppose the Act.

i. What was the Rowlatt Act, and why was it controversial? (1 mark)
ii. How did Gandhi respond to the Rowlatt Act? (2 marks)
iii. What was the significance of Gandhi’s call for non-cooperation in 1919? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The Rowlatt Act allowed the British to arrest anyone suspected of sedition without trial, which was controversial because it denied Indians basic legal rights.
ii. 

• He called for non-cooperation across India.
• Indians were urged to:
  • Boycott British institutions.
  • Refuse to pay taxes.
  • Stop attending government-run schools and courts.
• Gandhi believed that if this movement was successful, India could achieve swaraj (self-rule) within a year.

iii. The call for non-cooperation was significant because it marked the beginning of a mass nationalist movement under Gandhi’s leadership, mobilizing large sections of Indian society.

Q5: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

On 13 April 1919, British troops under General Dyer opened fire on a peaceful gathering of Indians in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, killing hundreds.

i. What happened during the Jallianwala Bagh massacre? (1 mark)
ii. How did the massacre affect the Indian nationalist movement? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the massacre a turning point for many Indians? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. British troops opened fire on a peaceful gathering in Jallianwala Bagh, killing hundreds and injuring many more.
ii. The massacre significantly impacted the Indian nationalist movement by:

• Galvanising widespread opposition to British rule.
• Encouraging calls for immediate independence.
• Intensifying the struggle for national self-determination.

iii. It was a turning point because it exposed the brutality of British rule and led many moderate leaders to join the call for full independence.

Q6: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In 1920, Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement, asking Indians to boycott British goods, schools, and courts, aiming for self-rule.

i. What was the goal of the Non-Cooperation Movement? (1 mark)
ii. How did the movement resonate with different sections of Indian society? (2 marks)
iii. Why did the movement ultimately end in 1922? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The goal of the Non-Cooperation Movement was to achieve self-rule (swaraj) by non-violent means, including boycotting British goods and institutions.
ii. The movement resonated with many, including peasants, workers, students, and lawyers, all of whom joined the boycott and protests.
iii. The movement ended after the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922, where a group of protesters killed policemen, leading Gandhi to call off the movement due to his commitment to non-violence.

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Q7: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Khilafat Movement sought to protect the Ottoman Caliphate, which was being dismantled after World War I. Gandhi joined the movement to unite Hindus and Muslims in the struggle for independence.

i. What was the Khilafat Movement? (1 mark)
ii. Why did Gandhi support the Khilafat Movement? (2 marks)
iii. What was the impact of the Khilafat Movement on Indian politics? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The Khilafat Movement aimed to protect the Ottoman Caliphate, which was being disbanded after World War I, and maintain Muslim political influence.
ii. Gandhi supported the Khilafat Movement for several reasons:

• To promote unity between Hindus and Muslims in the fight for independence.
• To encourage cooperation between the two major religious communities.
• To strengthen the overall struggle against colonial rule.

This collaboration aimed to create a powerful front that could effectively challenge British authority.
iii. The Khilafat Movement helped build Hindu-Muslim unity and strengthened the national freedom movement, though it eventually faced challenges due to political differences.

Q8: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

On 5 February 1922, in Chauri Chaura, Uttar Pradesh, a violent mob set fire to a police station, killing several constables. Gandhi called off the Non-Cooperation Movement in response.

i. What happened in Chauri Chaura? (1 mark)
ii. Why did Gandhi decide to call off the Non-Cooperation Movement after Chauri Chaura? (2 marks)
iii. How did this incident reflect the challenges of the Non-Cooperation Movement? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. In Chauri Chaura, a violent mob attacked a police station, killing several police officers and setting the building on fire.
ii. Gandhi called off the movement because the violence contradicted his commitment to non-violence, a principle central to the movement.
iii. The incident highlighted the challenges of maintaining non-violence in a mass movement and the difficulty of controlling actions at the grassroots level.

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Q9: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

During the Salt March and Non-Cooperation Movement, many women participated actively, breaking salt laws and engaging in protests, inspired by Gandhi’s message.

i. How did Gandhi encourage women to participate in the national movement? (1 mark)
ii. What was the significance of women’s participation in the Salt March? (2 marks)
iii. Why did Gandhi focus on involving women in the struggle for independence? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Gandhi encouraged women to participate by promoting non-violent civil disobedience, including boycotting foreign goods and taking part in protests.
ii. Women’s participation was significant as it marked the first large-scale involvement of women in the nationalist movement, empowering them politically and socially.
iii. Gandhi believed that the empowerment of women was crucial for achieving true social and national independence, as they represented a significant portion of the population.

Q10: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Gandhi was deeply critical of untouchability, believing that true independence could only be achieved when social evils like untouchability were eradicated.

i. What was Gandhi’s stance on untouchability? (1 mark)
ii. How did Gandhi address untouchability during the national movement? (2 marks)
iii. Why was Gandhi’s focus on untouchability significant for the future of India? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Gandhi opposed untouchability and considered it a major social evil that needed to be eradicated for India to achieve true independence.
ii. Gandhi addressed untouchability by promoting social reforms, urging higher castes to serve the “untouchables,” and emphasizing their inclusion in the national movement.
iii. Gandhi’s focus on untouchability was significant as it laid the foundation for social justice and equality in post-independence India, ensuring that all citizens were treated with dignity.