Sure Shot Questions for Board Exams: Mahatma Gandhi & The Nationalist Movement | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

The charkha (spinning wheel) was chosen as a symbol of the freedom movement for several reasons:

• Self-reliance: It represented the ideal of being self-sufficient and reducing dependence on foreign goods.
• Dignity of labour: Gandhi spun yarn daily, honouring manual work and promoting respect for all forms of labour.
• Economic independence: The charkha was affordable and accessible, encouraging small-scale village industries and empowering Indians to produce their own khadi instead of relying on British textiles.
• Social reform: It helped challenge the caste system by promoting the value of manual work, breaking down barriers between different types of labour.

The charkha symbolised a movement towards economic independence and social equality, making it a powerful emblem for the struggle against British rule.

Gandhi chose the charkha as a national symbol because it represented self-reliance and economic independence. It empowered Indians to boycott British cloth and spin their khadi.

The Gandhi–Irwin Pact, signed on 5 March 1931, was an agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and Viceroy Lord Irwin that temporarily halted the Salt Satyagraha and established a truce. The key points of the pact include:

• Suspension of Civil Disobedience: Gandhi agreed to stop the civil disobedience campaign.
• Second Round Table Conference: Gandhi would attend the conference in London.
• Release of Political Prisoners: The British government promised to free nearly 90,000 political prisoners, excluding those accused of violence.
• Congress Restrictions Lifted: Bans on the Indian National Congress were removed, and confiscated properties of satyagrahis were returned.
• Salt Laws Modified: Indians living near the sea were allowed to make salt for personal use, easing the harsh salt laws.

While the pact provided some relief by releasing Congress workers and reducing certain tax burdens, it did not grant any significant political concessions regarding self-rule. Nevertheless, it showcased the British willingness to negotiate and gave Gandhi a temporary reprieve in the ongoing struggle for independence.

The Indian National Congress (INC) had a complex attitude towards World War II. Here are the key points:

• When the war began in September 1939, the INC was critical of the British government's decision to involve India without consulting Indian leaders.
• In response, the Congress ministries resigned in October 1939, protesting against the lack of Indian representation in war decisions.
• Throughout 1940 and 1941, the Congress organised individual satyagrahas to demand a promise of independence after the war.
• In March 1940, the Muslim League called for autonomy for Muslim-majority areas, complicating the political landscape.
• By 1942, the British government, led by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, was resistant to Indian independence, despite some Labour members supporting Indian aspirations.
• In April 1942, the Cripps Mission aimed to negotiate with the Congress but failed, leading to further discontent.
• Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement in August 1942, calling for an end to British rule, which mobilised widespread support across India.

The INC's stance during the war reflected its desire for independence and the complexities of Indian politics at the time.

The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) was crucial in reshaping Indian nationalism. It marked the first time that millions of ordinary Indians, including peasants, students, workers, and women, actively participated in the struggle for freedom. Key points include:

• The movement encouraged a nonviolent boycott of British institutions, such as schools and courts.
• It transformed nationalism into a mass movement, moving beyond middle-class protests.
• Public anger over the Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre was mobilised.
• The alliance between Hindus and Muslims through the Khilafat movement strengthened unity.
• It demonstrated to the British that the Indian population was united and willing to suffer for self-rule.

The Dandi Salt March (1930) was significant both symbolically and politically:

• It was a direct action against the British salt tax, highlighting widespread disobedience.
• Gandhi's 240-mile march attracted national attention and involved many women and villagers.
• Internationally, it elevated Gandhi's status as a leader using nonviolence against colonial rule.
• Domestically, it exposed the vulnerabilities of the British Raj, leading to the arrest of nearly 60,000 Indians.
• The protest convinced many Britons of the unsustainability of their rule, paving the way for negotiations.

Historians regard the Salt March as a major turning point, signalling that British control could not last indefinitely.

The issue of separate electorates for the Depressed Classes (Dalits) emerged from the British 1932 Communal Award, which aimed to provide them with distinct voting rights. Mahatma Gandhi strongly opposed this idea, believing it would further divide Hindus and perpetuate the status of Dalits as Untouchables. He argued that separate electorates would 'vivisect' Hindu society. In contrast, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar contended that Dalits needed their own electorate to ensure they had a political voice. This disagreement led to a significant conflict between Congress and Dalit leaders. To resolve the issue, Gandhi undertook a fast-unto-death, prompting negotiations that resulted in the Poona Pact of 1932. This agreement:

• Abandoned separate electorates.
• Reserved 148 seats for the Depressed Classes within joint electorates.
• Allowed Dalits to vote in the general Hindu electorate for these reserved seats.

This compromise increased Dalit representation from 71 to 148 seats while maintaining a unified electoral system, thus resolving the disagreement and ensuring Dalit participation in the political process.

The Non-Cooperation Movement was a strategic form of protest against British colonial rule. It encouraged Indians to withdraw their support from the colonial system through various means:

• Boycotting British institutions, including schools, courts, and goods.
• Resigning from government jobs and renouncing titles.
• Refusing to pay taxes and support the colonial economy.

By peacefully opting out of the functions of the Raj, Indians demonstrated mass resistance. This non-cooperation was a visible form of civil disobedience, evident in:

• Empty classrooms and closed shops.
• Strikes by workers and farmers.

Such actions applied moral and economic pressure on British authorities without resorting to violence. The movement marked a significant shift in the struggle for swaraj, or self-rule, making it a pivotal moment in India's fight for independence.

Peasants viewed Mahatma Gandhi as a messiah and a protector of the poor. They believed he had the spiritual power to address their struggles. His reputation was built on:

• Stories of his simplicity and moral courage.
• Acts of fasting that demonstrated his commitment.
• His ability to empathise with their hardships.

Gandhi's lifestyle and attire, such as wearing a dhoti, helped him connect with the common people. This made him a symbol of hope and trust among the peasant community.

Gandhi was viewed as a divine figure by many rural communities in India. His saintly image led villagers to believe he possessed supernatural powers. Here are some examples of how these beliefs manifested:

• Villagers claimed that Gandhi's presence could cure diseases, stop storms, or solve problems magically.
• During meetings in places like Bardoli, leaders inspired by Gandhi were treated like deities, receiving garlands and offerings.
• His simple lifestyle, living among the poor and engaging in manual labour, made peasants respect him deeply.
• They referred to him as 'Gandhi Maharaj' or 'Mahatma', believing he was sent by God to help them.

These beliefs, though based on folklore, highlighted how strongly people associated Gandhi with justice and power. He became a symbol of hope for the common people. For instance:

• In 1922, during a visit to Bardoli, it was said that a mere glance from Gandhi could stop diseases.
• People offered him food and money as tokens of their faith.
• Rumours circulated that those who opposed him faced dire consequences, such as crop failures or personal tragedies.

These stories reflected the villagers' deep faith in Gandhi's moral authority and their reverence for him as a leader.