Previous Year Questions: Nationalism in India - Class 10 PDF Download

Ans: Anti-colonial movements fostered modern nationalism by uniting Indians against British rule.
Explanation:

• Resistance to exploitation: Movements like the 1857 Revolt highlighted British economic and political oppression, sparking a collective Indian identity.

• Leadership and organization: Groups like the Indian National Congress (INC) channelized anti-colonial sentiments into demands for self-rule, shaping modern nationalism.

Ans: Satyagraha was based on moral strength and non-violence.
Explanation:

• Moral resistance: Gandhiji believed Satyagraha derived power from truth and non-violence, appealing to the conscience of oppressors, e.g., Champaran Satyagraha.

• Inner strength: It relied on the courage of individuals to endure suffering without retaliation, as seen in the Salt March, embodying soul-force.

Ans: Tribal peasants linked Swaraj to reclaiming traditional rights.
Explanation:

• Rejection of colonial control: Tribes like the Gudem Hills rebels saw Swaraj as freedom from British forest laws restricting their livelihood.
• Militant resistance: Inspired by Gandhi, they adopted militant methods, e.g., Alluri Sitaram Raju’s guerrilla attacks, unlike Gandhi’s non-violence.
• Cultural autonomy: Swaraj meant restoring tribal autonomy and customs, resisting colonial exploitation of forests and land.

Ans: Plantation workers saw Swaraj as freedom from oppressive labor conditions.
Explanation:

• Escape from plantations: Assam tea plantation workers equated Swaraj with escaping harsh colonial labor conditions, believing Gandhi’s call meant freedom to leave.
• Defiance of authority: During Non-Cooperation (1920–22), workers deserted plantations, defying British managers, inspired by Swaraj’s promise of self-rule.
• Economic liberation: They linked Swaraj to ending exploitative wages and living conditions, seeking dignity and autonomy.

Ans: To suppress or control content deemed objectionable.
Explanation:

• Censorship involves restricting publications, like newspapers, to prevent criticism or dissent, as practiced by the British to control anti-colonial voices.

Ans: To suppress anti-colonial sentiments.
Explanation:

• The British monitored publications to curb nationalist ideas that threatened their rule, e.g., through laws like the Vernacular Press Act (1878).

Ans: To protest oppressive laws and mobilize Indians.
Explanation:

• Suppression of rights: The Rowlatt Act (1919) allowed arrests without trial, threatening civil liberties, prompting Gandhi’s non-violent resistance.
• National unity: Satyagraha aimed to unite Indians against British repression, galvanizing the nationalist movement, e.g., through hartals and protests.

Ans: A. Nagpur, B. Sabarmati
Explanation:

• Nagpur (A): The INC session in December 1920 endorsed the Non-Cooperation Movement, a key step in Gandhi’s leadership.
• Sabarmati (B): Gandhi began the Dandi Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram in 1930, launching the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Ans: A. Madras, B. Amritsar
Explanation:

• Madras (A): The INC session in December 1927 passed a resolution demanding complete independence (Purna Swaraj).
• Amritsar (B): The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred in 1919, where British troops killed unarmed civilians, fueling nationalism.

Ans: Reinterpreting history fostered pride in Indian heritage.
Explanation:

• Glorifying the past: Nationalists highlighted India’s ancient achievements, e.g., Vedic civilization, to counter British claims of cultural inferiority.
• Unifying identity: Writings by historians like R.C. Majumdar emphasized a shared Indian history, inspiring collective nationalist sentiment.

Ans: Symbols unified Indians under a shared identity.
Explanation:

• Bharat Mata: Images like Abanindranath Tagore’s Bharat Mata personified India, evoking emotional unity and patriotism.
• National flag: The tricolour flag became a symbol of resistance, rallying diverse groups during movements like Swadeshi.

Ans: Gandhi withdrew the movement due to violence and strategic concerns.
Explanation:

• Chauri-Chaura incident (1922): A violent clash in Chauri-Chaura, where a mob killed policemen, contradicted Gandhi’s non-violence principle.
• Loss of momentum: The movement weakened in urban areas due to economic hardships and lack of sustained participation.
• British repression: Arrests and crackdowns disrupted the movement, prompting Gandhi to regroup for future strategies.

Ans: Women played a pivotal role in mass mobilization.
Explanation:

• Active participation: Women like Sarojini Naidu led salt marches and picketed shops, breaking gender norms.
• Mass protests: Thousands of women joined rallies, boycotted foreign goods, and courted arrest, e.g., during the Salt Satyagraha.
• Social impact: Their involvement challenged traditional roles, inspiring broader societal support for nationalism.

Ans: Peasants were central to the movement’s mass appeal.
Explanation:

• No-tax campaigns: Peasants in Gujarat and UP refused to pay revenue, e.g., Bardoli Satyagraha, challenging British economic control.
• Mass mobilization: Peasants joined salt marches and boycotts, amplifying the movement’s reach in rural areas.
• Economic resistance: They boycotted foreign cloth, adopting khadi, weakening British trade dominance.

Ans: Folklore revival strengthened nationalist identity.
Explanation:

• Cultural pride: Folk songs and tales, e.g., Bankim Chandra’s Anandamath, glorified India’s heritage, inspiring patriotism.
• Mass appeal: Nationalists like Tagore collected folklore to connect rural masses with the movement, fostering unity.
• Resistance to colonialism: Folklore countered British cultural dominance, emphasizing India’s unique identity.

Ans: (D) Kesari
Explanation:

• Kesari: Founded by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, this Marathi newspaper promoted nationalist ideas and criticized British rule.
• Other options: None of the others were associated with Tilak.

Ans: (D) III, IV, II, I
Explanation:

• Champaran Satyagraha (1917): Gandhi’s protest against indigo planters’ exploitation.
• Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Supported peasants against high revenue demands.
• Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919): Nationwide protest against the Rowlatt Act.
• Bardoli Satyagraha (1928): Led by Vallabhbhai Patel against revenue hikes.

Ans: Inflation and increased taxes.
Explanation:

• Inflation: War demands raised prices of goods, burdening the poor and fueling anti-British sentiment.
• Increased taxes: The British imposed higher taxes to fund the war, causing economic distress and nationalist unrest.

Ans: The pact temporarily eased tensions and boosted nationalism.
Explanation:

• Release of prisoners: Political prisoners were freed, reinvigorating the nationalist movement.
• Civil Disobedience pause: The pact (1931) suspended the movement, allowing strategic regrouping for future protests.
• Global attention: Gandhi’s participation in the Second Round Table Conference highlighted India’s demand for independence.

Ans: Alluri led tribal resistance against British rule.
Explanation:

• Gudem Hills rebellion: Led armed resistance in Andhra Pradesh (1922–24) against British forest laws, inspired by Gandhi’s ideas.
• Tribal mobilization: United tribes using guerrilla tactics, challenging colonial authority.
• Nationalist inspiration: His rebellion, though localized, symbolized broader anti-colonial resistance.

Ans: (d) B.R. Ambedkar
Explanation:

• B.R. Ambedkar: Founded the Depressed Classes Association in 1927 (not 1930, likely a typo) to advocate for Dalit rights.
• Other options: None are associated with this organization.

Ans: The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) galvanized mass participation.
Explanation:

• Mass mobilization: Millions boycotted British institutions, e.g., schools and courts, weakening colonial authority.
• Economic boycott: Swadeshi campaigns, like khadi promotion, hurt British trade, e.g., decline in foreign cloth imports.
• National unity: United diverse groups, from urban elites to rural peasants, under Gandhi’s leadership.
• Political awakening: Encouraged demands for self-rule, setting the stage for future movements.
• Global impact: Drew international attention to India’s struggle, pressuring the British.

Ans: The movement mobilized diverse groups through symbolic protests.
Explanation:

• Salt March (1930): Gandhi’s march to Dandi inspired nationwide salt law violations, uniting millions.
• Diverse participation: Peasants, women, and workers joined, e.g., women picketing liquor shops in UP.
• Economic resistance: Boycotts of foreign goods, like cloth, involved urban and rural masses.
• Mass arrests: Thousands courted arrest, e.g., during salt satyagrahas, amplifying the movement’s scale.
• Media coverage: Newspapers spread the movement’s message, rallying public support.

Ans: Gandhi led the movement with non-violent strategies.
Explanation:

• Leadership: Launched the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) to boycott British institutions, e.g., schools and courts.
• Swadeshi promotion: Encouraged khadi use, boosting indigenous industries, e.g., spinning campaigns.
• Mass mobilization: Inspired millions through hartals and rallies, uniting diverse groups.
• Non-violence advocacy: Emphasized peaceful resistance, though incidents like Chauri-Chaura led to withdrawal.
• Symbolic protests: Used actions like returning British titles to challenge colonial authority.

Ans: The movement united diverse communities through inclusive protests.
Explanation:

• Salt Satyagraha: The universal appeal of salt united Hindus, Muslims, and others, e.g., joint marches in Gujarat.
• Women’s involvement: Women like Sarojini Naidu participated, breaking social barriers, e.g., picketing shops.
• Tribal participation: Tribes, inspired by leaders like Alluri, joined, e.g., forest law violations in Andhra.
• Muslim support: Despite Khilafat’s decline, many Muslims participated, e.g., in NWFP under Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.
• Economic boycott: Communities boycotted foreign goods, fostering unity, e.g., khadi adoption across regions.

Ans: The Salt March inspired widespread resistance.
Explanation:

• Symbolic protest: Gandhi’s 1930 march to Dandi made salt a symbol of defiance, accessible to all, e.g., villagers making salt illegally.
• Mass participation: Attracted peasants, women, and elites, e.g., thousands joined parallel marches nationwide.
• Economic challenge: Salt law violations hurt British revenue, uniting economic grievances.
• Media impact: Global coverage of the march galvanized support, e.g., international sympathy for India’s cause.
• Inclusivity: Engaged diverse groups, from urban intellectuals to rural poor, in a common struggle.

Ans: Cultural elements fostered national unity.
Explanation:

• History: Reinterpretations, like R.C. Majumdar’s works, glorified India’s past, inspiring pride.
• Fiction: Novels like Anandamath by Bankim Chandra fostered nationalist sentiment.
• Folklore and songs: Tagore’s folk songs celebrated Indian heritage, uniting masses.
• Prints and symbols: Bharat Mata images and the tricolour flag created a shared nationalist identity.
• Cultural resistance: These elements countered British cultural dominance, rallying diverse groups.

Ans: Salt symbolized universal resistance.
Explanation:

• Universal necessity: Salt’s daily use made its tax a shared grievance, uniting all classes, e.g., mass salt-making protests.
• Simple defiance: Breaking the salt law was an accessible act of resistance, inspiring widespread participation, e.g., coastal salt satyagrahas.

Ans: The British used repression to curb the movement.
Explanation:

• Mass arrests: Leaders like Gandhi and thousands of protesters were jailed, e.g., during the Salt Satyagraha.
• Police violence: Brutal lathi charges and shootings targeted peaceful protesters, e.g., in Peshawar.
• Censorship: The press was heavily censored, e.g., through the Defence of India Act, to suppress movement news.

Ans: The movement disrupted British economic control.
Explanation:

• Foreign goods boycott: Reduced imports of British cloth, boosting Indian industries like khadi production.
• Swadeshi promotion: Encouraged indigenous goods, strengthening local economies, e.g., handloom weaving.
• Revenue loss: Boycotts of British institutions, like liquor shops, reduced colonial tax revenue.

Ans: Urban momentum waned due to practical and repressive factors.
Explanation:

• Economic hardship: Boycotting British goods and institutions caused financial strain for urban middle classes, reducing participation.
• British repression: Arrests and bans on meetings disrupted urban protests, e.g., police crackdowns on hartals.
• Lack of alternatives: Limited access to affordable Indian alternatives, like khadi, discouraged sustained boycotts.

Ans: (B) IV, II, III, I
Explanation:

• Chauri-Chaura (1922): Violent incident led to Non-Cooperation’s withdrawal.
• Simon Commission (1928): Arrived to propose constitutional reforms, faced protests.
• Dandi March (1930): Launched Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Second Round Table Conference (1931): Gandhi attended to negotiate reforms.

Ans: The massacre sparked widespread outrage and nationalism.
Explanation:

• Mass protests: Nationwide hartals and demonstrations condemned the 1919 massacre, uniting Indians against British brutality.
• Strengthened nationalism: Fueled demands for self-rule, boosting support for the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Ans: Freedom was a fundamental right for growth.
Explanation:

• The pledge argued that Indians, like all people, deserved freedom to enjoy their labor and opportunities, denied by British rule.

Ans: Self-governing, independent government.
Explanation:

• The pledge demanded Purna Swaraj, advocating a government free from British control, based on people’s rights.

Ans: Economic exploitation and political oppression.
Explanation:

• Economic ruin: British policies, like high taxes and deindustrialization, impoverished India, e.g., decline of handlooms.
• Political suppression: Denial of self-rule and laws like the Rowlatt Act curbed freedoms, sparking resistance.

Ans: The Rowlatt Act was opposed for its repressive nature.
Explanation:

• Denial of rights: It allowed arrests without trial, violating civil liberties, e.g., targeting nationalists.
• Nationwide protests: Gandhi’s Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919) mobilized Indians through hartals, uniting them against British oppression.