Class 8 History Chapter 8 Important Question Answers - The Making of National Movement : 1870s-1947

Q1. Define nationalism?

Ans: Nationalism is the sense of unity and belonging among the people of a nation. It encompasses:

• A strong feeling of patriotism.
• Principles advocating for national independence.
• The belief that a nation’s resources and governance should serve all its people, regardless of class, colour, caste, creed, language, or gender.

Q2. What were the factors that led to the rise of national consciousness among the people of India?

Ans: The rise of national consciousness among the people of India was influenced by several key factors:

• Political Associations: In the 1870s and 1880s, various political groups emerged, primarily led by English-educated professionals, such as lawyers. Notable associations included:
  • Poona Sarvajanik Sabha
  • Indian Association
  • Madras Mahajan Sabha
  • Bombay Presidency Association
  • Indian National Congress
• Dissatisfaction with British Rule:Growing discontent was evident due to several laws that angered the Indian populace:
  • The Arms Act of 1878 prohibited Indians from possessing arms.
  • The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 aimed to silence critics by allowing the government to seize the assets of newspapers deemed "objectionable."
  • The Ilbert Bill controversy in 1883, which proposed that Indian judges could try British individuals, was withdrawn after strong opposition from the British, highlighting racial discrimination.

Emerging National Identity: These developments prompted people to question the nature of India and who it belonged to, leading to the belief that India should be for all its people, regardless of class, caste, or gender.

Q3. When was Indian National Congress formed?

Ans: The Indian National Congress was established in December 1885. It was formed during a meeting of 72 delegates in Bombay.

Q4. Mention the early leaders of Indian National Congress?

Ans: The early leaders of the Indian National Congress included:

• Dadabhai Naoroji
• Pherozeshah Mehta
• Badruddin Tyabji
• W.C. Bonnerji
• Surendranath Banerji
• Romesh Chandra Dutt
• S. Subramania Iyer

Most of these leaders were from Bombay and Calcutta.

Q5. Which British officer helped in the formation of Indian National Congress?

Ans: A retired British official, A.O. Hume, played a significant role in the formation of the Indian National Congress.

Q6. Why were the early years of the Indian National Congress referred to as the moderate phase? 
Ans. 

1. The Congress in the first twenty years was “moderate” in its objectives and methods. 
2. During this period it demanded a greater voice for Indians in the government and in administration. 
3. It wanted the Legislative Councils to be made more representative, given more power, and introduced in provinces where wone existed. 
4. It demanded that Indian be placed in high positions in the government. For this purpose it called for civil service examinations to be held in 
5. India as well, not just in London. 
6. The demand for Indianisation of the administration was part of a movement against racism, since most important jobs at the time were 
7. monopolished by white officials and the British generally assumed that Indian could not be given positions of responsibility. 
8. Other demands included the separation of the judiciary from the executive, the repeal of the Arms Act and the freedom of speech and expression

Q9. What was the result of the partition of Bengal?

Ans: The partition of Bengal angered people across India. Key points include:

• All factions of the Indian National Congress, including both the Moderates and Radicals, opposed the partition.
• Large public meetings and demonstrations were held, leading to new forms of mass protest.
• This struggle became known as the Swadeshi movement, which was strongest in Bengal but also resonated in other regions, such as Andhra, where it was called the Vandemataram Movement.

The British government justified the partition for reasons of administrative convenience, primarily benefiting British officials and businessmen. Instead of removing non-Bengali areas, they separated East Bengal and merged it with Assam, aiming to diminish the influence of Bengali politicians and divide the Bengali populace.

Q10. What do you understand by the term – ‘Swadeshi Movement’?

Ans: The term Swadeshi is derived from two words: swa meaning 'self' and desh meaning 'country'. The Swadeshi Movement aimed to oppose British rule and promote:

• Self-help and local enterprises
• National education
• Use of Indian languages

To achieve swaraj (self-rule), radicals called for:

• Mass mobilisation
• Boycotting British institutions and goods

Some also suggested that revolutionary violence might be necessary to overthrow British control.

The movement was particularly strong in Bengal but also inspired similar efforts in other regions, such as the Vandemataram Movement in Andhra.

Q11. Who were the revolutionaries?

Ans: The revolutionaries were a small group of individuals who believed that violence was necessary to achieve significant changes in society and to overthrow British rule.

Q12. When was the Muslim league formed and what were its demands?

Ans: A group of Muslim landlords and Nawabs formed the All India Muslim League in Dacca in 1906. The League had several key demands:

• Support for the partition of Bengal.
• Separate electorates for Muslims, which the government accepted in 1906.
• Reservation of some seats in councils for Muslims, to be elected by Muslim voters.

This arrangement encouraged politicians to gain support by catering to their own religious groups.

Q13. How did the Ist World War affect the economical condition of India?

Ans: The First World War significantly impacted India's economic and political landscape:

• Increased Defence Expenditure: The Government of India raised its defence spending, leading to higher taxes on individual incomes and business profits.
• Rising Prices: Military demands caused a sharp increase in prices, creating hardships for ordinary people.
• Business Profits: While common citizens struggled, business groups made substantial profits due to the war.
• Industrial Growth: The war spurred demand for industrial goods like jute bags, cloth, and rails, resulting in the expansion of Indian industries.
• Decline in Imports: There was a decrease in imports from other countries, further boosting local industries.
• Military Recruitment: The British expanded their army, pressuring villages to supply soldiers for the war effort.
• Political Awareness: Many soldiers returned with new insights into imperialism, fostering a desire to oppose colonial rule.
• Influence of Global Events: The 1917 Russian Revolution inspired Indian nationalists with ideas of socialism and workers' struggles.

These factors contributed to a growing demand for greater development opportunities among Indian business groups and set the stage for increased political activism.

Q14. What was Rowlatt Act?

Ans: The Rowlatt Act was introduced by the British in 1919. This law allowed for the arrest of any Indian without a trial in a court of law. It significantly restricted fundamental rights, including the freedom of expression, and enhanced police powers.

Key points about the Rowlatt Act:

• It was seen as a violation of basic freedoms by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
• Gandhi described the Act as "devilish" and called for a day of non-violent protest on 6 April 1919.
• The protests led to the establishment of Satyagraha Sabhas to mobilise support against the Act.
• The Rowlatt Satyagraha marked the first all-India struggle against British rule, primarily in urban areas.
• Demonstrations and strikes were met with brutal government suppression, notably the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Q15. Why did the nationalist leader oppose Rowlett Act?

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and other leaders opposed the Rowlatt Act because they believed the government had no right to limit people's basic freedoms. They described the Act as tyrannical and "devilish".

Key points of their opposition include:

• The Act restricted fundamental rights, including freedom of expression.
• Gandhi called for a day of non-violent protest on 6 April 1919, marking it as a day of "humiliation and prayer".
• Many demonstrations and strikes (hartals) occurred across the country.
• The government responded with brutal force, leading to events like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

During this period, Gandhi aimed to unite Hindus and Muslims against British rule, promoting solidarity in their struggle for justice.

Q16. What were the effects of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre?

Ans: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre had profound effects on India and its struggle for independence:

• Rabindranath Tagore expressed national pain and anger by renouncing his knighthood.
• The massacre intensified the Rowlatt Satyagraha, uniting Hindus and Muslims against British rule.
• Mahatma Gandhi called for solidarity among all communities in India, emphasising unity in the fight for justice.
• Public demonstrations and strikes, known as hartals, erupted across the country, met with brutal government suppression.
• The incident led to widespread outrage, prompting many to join the independence movement.

The Jallianwala Bagh atrocities, committed by General Dyer on Baisakhi day (13 April), marked a significant turning point in India's quest for freedom.

Q17. When was Non –Cooperation & Khilafat Movement launched?

Ans: In 1920, the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Khilafat Movement were launched in India. This was a response to the British government's harsh treaty imposed on the Turkish Sultan, or Khalifa, which angered many.

Q18. What were the aims of NCM and Khilafat Movement?

Ans: The aims of the Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM) and the Khilafat Movement included:

• Demanding Swaraj (self-rule).
• Addressing the injustices faced in Punjab and against Turkey.

Q19. What were the methods adopted in the Non – cooperation Movement?

Ans: The Non-Cooperation Movement gained momentum between 1921 and 1922. Key methods included:

• Thousands of students left government –controlled schools and colleges. 
• Many lawyers such as Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, C. Rajagopalachari and Asaf Ali gave up their practices. 
• British titles were surrendered and legislatures boycotted. 
• People lit public bonfires of foreign cloth. 
• The imports of foreign cloth fell drastically between 1920 and 1922. 
• Large parts of the country were on the brink of a formidable revolt. 

Q20. When and why was the Non –cooperation Movement withdrawn?

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi was opposed to violent movements. He decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement in February 1922 after a tragic incident in Chauri Chaura, where a group of peasants set fire to a police station, resulting in the deaths of twenty-two policemen. This violence was triggered by the police firing on a peaceful demonstration.

Q21. Mention the two demands of the Indian National Congress that it adopted in 1929?

Ans: The Indian National Congress adopted two key demands in 1929:

• Purna Swaraj: The Congress resolved to fight for complete independence from British rule, led by Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Independence Day: This resolution led to the observance of "Independence Day" as a significant event.

Q22. Why did Mahatma Gandhi organize a ‘dandi march’?

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi organised the Dandi March in 1930 to challenge the salt law, which granted the government a monopoly on salt production and sales. He believed that taxing salt, an essential food item, was unjust.

• The march aimed to connect the general desire for freedom with a specific grievance that affected everyone, uniting both rich and poor.
• Gandhi and his followers walked over 240 miles from Sabarmati to Dandi, where they broke the law by collecting natural salt from the shore and boiling seawater.
• This act of civil disobedience was a significant step in the fight for Purna Swaraj (complete independence).

Women also played a crucial role in the movement, despite initial resistance from Gandhi. Sarojini Naidu successfully advocated for their participation, highlighting the diverse backgrounds of women involved in the struggle.

Q23. How did the British expand its army during the War period?

Ans: People in village were pressurized to supply soldiers for an alien cause. A large number of soldiers were sent overseas.
Many returned after the war with an understanding of the ways in which imperialist powers were exploiting the people in Asia and Africa with a desire to oppose colonial rule in India. 

Q24. Who was Mahatma Gandhi?

Ans: Gandhiji, aged 46, arrived in India in 1915 from south Africa. Having led Indian in the country in non – violent marches against racist restrictions, he was already a respected leader, known internationally. His south Africa campaigns had brought him in contact with various types of Indians: Hindus, Muslims, Paris and Christians, Gujaratis, Tamil and North – Indians and upper –class merchants, lawyers and workers. 
Mahatma Gandhi spent his first year in India traveling throughout the country, understanding the people, their needs and the overall situation.

Q25. Discuss the people’s response about the Non –Cooperation Movement in different parts of the country.
Ans. 

• In Gujarat Patidar peasants organised non- violent campaigns against the high land revenue demand of the British. 
• In coastal Andhra and interior Tamil Nadu, liquor shops were picketed. In the Gunur district of Andhra Pradesh, tribals and poor peasants staged a number of “forest Satyagrahas”, sometimes sending their cattle into forests without paying grazing fee. They were protesting because the colonial state had restricted their use of forest resources in various ways. They believed that Gandhiji would get their taxes reduced and have the forest regulation abolished. In many forest villages, peasants proclaimed swaraj and believed that “Gandhi Raj” was about to be established.
• In sind (non in Pakistan), Muslim traders and peasant were very enthusiastic about the Khilafat call.   
• In Bengal too, the Khilafat – Non- cooperation alliance gave enormous communal unity and strength to the national movement. 
• In Punjab, the Akali agitation of the sikhs sought to remove corrupt mahants –supported by the British – from their gurudwaras. 

• In Assam, tea garden labourers shouting “Gandhi Maharaj Ki Jai”, demanded a big increase in their wages. They left the British owned plantations amidst declarations that they were following Gandhiji’s wish. 

Q26. Mention the people who participated in the Dandi March and what was the British response towards this movement?

Ans: Participants in the Dandi March:

• Peasants
• Tribals
• Women from various backgrounds

British Response:

• The government attempted to suppress the movement through brutal actions against peaceful protestors.
• Thousands of participants were arrested.

Q27. What was the most important feature of the government of India act of 1935 introduced by British?

Ans: The Government of India Act of 1935 introduced significant changes, primarily focusing on:

• Provincial autonomy: This allowed provinces to govern themselves with more independence.
• Elections: The act led to elections for provincial legislatures in 1937, resulting in the Congress forming governments in 7 out of 11 provinces.

Q28. What was the Congress demand after having won the elections?

Ans: In September 1939, following two years of Congress rule in the provinces, the Second World War began. The Congress leaders, critical of Hitler, were willing to support the British war effort. However, they demanded that India be granted independence after the war.

The British government refused this demand, leading to the resignation of the Congress ministries in protest.

Q29. How did Gandhi organize Quit India Movement?

Ans:  

1. Mahatma Gandhi decided to initiate a new phase of movement against the British in the middle of the Second World War. 
2. The British must quit India immediately he told them. To the people he said “do or die” in your effort to fight the British – but you must fight non –violently. 
3. Gandhi and other leaders were jailed at once beat the movement spread. 
4. It specially attracted peasants and the youth who gave up their studies to join it. 
5. Communications and symbols of state authority were attacked act over the country. 
6. In many areas people set up their own governments. 

Q30. How did the British try to control the Quit India Movement?

Ans:

The British response to the Quit India Movement was marked by severe repression. Key points include:

• By the end of 1943, over 90,000 people were arrested.
• Approximately 1,000 individuals were killed due to police firing.
• In some regions, orders were issued to machine-gun crowds from airplanes.
• Despite the harsh measures, the rebellion significantly weakened the British Raj.

Q31. What were the demands of the Muslim league in 1946?

Ans:  Meanwhite, in 1940 the Muslim league had moved a resolution demanding “Independent states” for Muslims in the north –western and eastern areas of the country.  

• The resolution did not mention partition or Pakistan. 
• From the late 1930s the league began viewing the Muslims as a separate “nation” from the Hindus. 
• In developing this nation it may have been influenced by the history of tension between some Hindu and Muslim groups in the 1920s and 1930s. 
• More importantly, the provincial elections of 1937 seemed to have convinced the league that Muslims were a minority and they would always have to play second fiddle in any democratic structure. 
• It feared that muslims may even go unrepresented. 
• The Congress’s rejection of the league’s desire to form a joint congress – league government in the United Provinces in 1937 also annoyed the league.

Q32. Why is the Indian National Congress (1919 – 1947) referred to as Gandhian Era?

Ans: The period from 1919 to 1947 is known as the Gandhian Era because of Mahatma Gandhi's significant influence on the Indian National Movement. Key points include:

• Gandhi led three major mass movements:
  • Non-Cooperation Movement
  • Civil Disobedience Movement
  • Quit India Movement
• He played a crucial role in mobilising the Indian populace towards independence.
• Gandhi's leadership inspired many, making the struggle for freedom a collective effort.

Ultimately, his efforts culminated in India's independence in 1947.

Q33. Write a short note on Jallianwala Bagh?

Ans: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on Baisakhi Day (13 April 1919) in Amritsar, where General Dyer ordered troops to fire on a large gathering of unarmed civilians. This brutal act was part of the wider repression following the Rowlatt Act.

Key points about the incident include:

• The massacre was a response to widespread protests against the oppressive Rowlatt Act.
• Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood in protest, expressing national pain and anger.
• The incident highlighted the need for unity among Hindus and Muslims in the struggle against British rule, as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi.

During the Rowlatt Satyagraha, participants aimed to unite all communities against colonial oppression, marking a significant moment in India's fight for independence.