Class 10 History Chapter 2 Question Answers - Nationalism in India

Q.1. What what the main issue behind the Khilafat Movement? Why did Gandhiji support this?

OR

Why did Gandhiji decide to join the Khilafat Movement? Describe his association with the movement and its importance.
Ans. 

• Gandhiji wanted to make his Satyagraha movement more broad-based.

• He realized that this could be achieved only if Hindus and Muslims came closer and joined the movement.

• He identified the Khilafat issue as an opportunity to bring about this unity.

• Background of the Khilafat Issue:
  1. The First World War had dealt a severe blow to the Ottoman Empire of Turkey.
  2. The British had promised generous treatment to the Khalifa, the spiritual head of the Muslims and protector of their holy places, but they failed to keep their promise.
  3. By 1920, the British had completely dismembered the Turkish Empire.

• Mahatma Gandhiji extended his support to the Khilafat movement, which strengthened it.

• Reasons for Supporting the Khilafat Movement:
  1. The limitations of the Rowlatt Satyagraha, which was mainly confined to cities and towns, highlighted the need for a more widespread movement.
  2. Gandhiji wanted to unite Hindus and Muslims, believing that their unity would strengthen the nationalist movement.
  3.. After the First World War, there were rumors of a harsh peace treaty being imposed on Ottoman Turkey, which threatened the Khalifa’s temporal powers.

• To defend the Khalifa's powers, a Khilafat Committee was formed in Bombay in March 1919.

• A new generation of Muslim leaders, such as the brothers Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, began discussions with Mahatma Gandhi about the possibility of united mass action.

• As a result, Gandhiji convinced other leaders to launch the Non-Cooperation Movement at the Calcutta session of the Congress in 1920.

Q.2. Why did Gandhi choose “Non-Cooperation” as a method of fighting colonial rule? Explain his method.
Ans. The Non-Cooperation movement was launched in 1920 and lasted for two years.

Gandhiji's Idea:

• The British were ruling India because the people had allowed them to and cooperated with them.
• The British survived because the Indians did not resist or throw them out.
• Gandhiji believed that if Indians refused to cooperate with the British, their rule would collapse, leading to India achieving active Swaraj (self-rule).

Stages of the Movement:

1. Surrender of Titles: Indians were to surrender all titles and honors granted by the British government.
2. Boycott of Government Services: This included all civil services, the police, and the army.
3. Boycott of Courts and Legislative Councils: Refusing to participate in any judicial or legislative functions under British rule.
4. Civil Disobedience: If the government used repressive measures, a full civil disobedience campaign would be launched.

Q.3. Explain the term “Swaraj” and its changed meaning in this period.

Ans. Swaraj means "self-rule" or "self-governance." During the Indian freedom struggle, its meaning changed as follows:

• Original Meaning: Swaraj originally meant political independence from British rule.
• Broader Meaning:
• Over time, different groups saw Swaraj in their own ways:
  - For peasants, it meant lowering taxes and stopping unfair treatment by landlords.
  - For workers, it meant better pay and working conditions.
  - For businessmen, it meant freedom from British economic controls and the chance to grow Indian businesses.
• Symbol of Freedom: Swaraj also came to symbolize freedom from all forms of oppression, including social and economic injustices.
• Unity and Identity: Swaraj helped bring together various groups across India with a common goal, even though their specific needs were different. It created a sense of unity and national identity.
• Overall, Swaraj grew from just a political demand into a broader idea that included the hopes and dreams of many Indians.

Q.4. Why did different social groups join the Non-Cooperation Movement?

OR

Describe the extent of peoples’ participation in the Non-Cooperation Movement in the towns. What were its economic effects? 
Ans. Different social groups joined the Non-Cooperation Movement for their own reasons, reflecting their unique struggles and aspirations:

1. Middle Class in Cities:

• Motivation: They were inspired by the call for Swaraj and were unhappy with British rule.
• Participation: Students left schools and colleges, teachers resigned, and lawyers gave up their practices. Many boycotted foreign goods, courts, and government services.

2. Peasants:

• Motivation: They were frustrated with high taxes, unfair land practices, and the demand for free labor (begar).
• Participation: Led by local leaders, peasants organized protests against landlords and the British, refusing to pay taxes and rents.

3. Tribal Groups:

• Motivation: They were angry about restrictions on entering forests for grazing, collecting wood, and other traditional activities.
• Participation: Some tribal communities, like those in the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh, resorted to violent methods to protest against these restrictions.

4. Workers:

• Motivation: Workers faced low wages and poor working conditions.
• Participation: They adopted some aspects of the movement, like boycotting foreign goods and organizing strikes in various industries.

5. Business Class:

• Motivation: Indian merchants and industrialists wanted fewer restrictions on their businesses and opposed British economic policies.
• Participation: They supported the movement by funding it and refusing to trade in British goods.

Economic Effects:

• Decline in Import of Foreign Goods: The movement led to a significant drop in the import of foreign cloth, which halved between 1921 and 1922, dropping from Rs 102 crore to Rs 57 crore.
• Boost to Indian Industries: As foreign cloth was boycotted, there was an increase in the demand for Indian textiles, boosting local handloom and mill production.
• Challenges Faced: Despite the initial enthusiasm, the movement in towns eventually slowed down because:
  1. Khadi (hand-spun cloth) was more expensive than mass-produced cloth, making it hard for the poor to afford.
  2. Many students and workers went back to British-run schools, courts, and jobs due to the lack of alternative institutions.

Overall, the Non-Cooperation Movement saw significant participation in towns, with a major impact on the economy by reducing dependence on British goods and boosting local industries. However, sustaining the movement proved difficult due to practical challenges.

Q.5. Why were the hill people of Andhra aggrieved by colonial rule?

OR

Analyze any four features of the Gudem rebellion of Andhra Pradesh. 
Ans. The hill people of Andhra Pradesh, especially in the Gudem Hills, were aggrieved by colonial rule due to several oppressive policies imposed by the British:

Reasons for Grievances:

1. Restrictions on Forest Access: The colonial government restricted their access to forests, preventing them from grazing cattle, collecting firewood, and gathering fruits—essential activities for their survival. This loss of traditional rights created widespread discontent.

2. Forced Labor (Begar): The British forced the hill people to provide unpaid labor (begar), particularly for road construction. This exploitative practice added to their economic hardships and fueled a sense of injustice.

Features of the Gudem Rebellion:

1. Militant Guerrilla Movement: The Gudem rebellion was a militant guerrilla movement against the British. The rebels used hit-and-run tactics, attacking police stations and government officials to express their resistance.

2. Leadership of Alluri Sitaram Raju: The rebellion was led by Alluri Sitaram Raju, a charismatic leader who claimed to have special powers, such as making accurate predictions and surviving bullet wounds. Raju became a revered figure and a symbol of resistance.

3. Inspiration from Non-Cooperation Movement: While the rebellion involved armed struggle, it was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement. Raju encouraged people to wear khadi, give up alcohol, and fight against British rule, although he believed freedom could only be achieved through force.

4. Repression by the British: The British responded with severe repression, deploying military forces to crush the rebellion. Raju was captured and executed in 1924. Despite the suppression, the rebellion left a lasting legacy and Raju became a folk hero.

Overall, the Gudem rebellion reflects the diverse ways in which different groups, like the hill people of Andhra, actively resisted British oppression, highlighting their unique struggles and aspirations within the broader anti-colonial movement.

Q.6. What is the importance of the Non-Cooperation Movement in India’s struggle for independence?
Ans. It was the first attempt at an all-India mass struggle against the British.

• The launching of the non-cooperation movement (NCM) transforms the character of national struggle completely. 
• The peasant participated in the National struggle for the first time. Students, women, and the working-class also participated in large numbers. 
• The launching of the non-cooperation movement greatly radicalizes the anti-British struggles. The discontent lying in the heart and minds of Indians came out in the open street. 
• The non-cooperation movement (NCM) transformed Indian National Congress (INC) into a true organization of masses. It was no longer an assembly of elites.
• The fear of British rule got erased from the heart and mind of the common masses when people came out to participate in the national struggle. They could see the helplessness of the British in front of Gandhiji with their own eyes. Every Indian felt emboldened.
• The non-cooperation movement (NCM) played an important role in the liberation of women because a large number of Indian women came out of their houses to participate in the anti-British struggle at one call of Gandhiji. Their active participation in national struggle paved the way for change in the social outlook.
• The geographical spread of the Nationalist struggle took place in the non-cooperation movement (NCM) in the true sense. It was the first Pan India Movement in the true sense. The urban classes, as well as villages, participated in the non-cooperation movement.
• The non-cooperation movement (NCM) gave new aims and objectives to the national struggle. The aim of Swaraj was Defined by Gandhiji at the Nagpur session of Congress in December 1920. He explained Swaraj as self-rule within British Empire if possible and outside if necessary.
• New methods of struggle also became part of the moment during the non-cooperation movement (NCM). Resignation from government services, the boycott of hospitals, courts, and peaceful Court arrest were some of the new methods used by Nationalists during the non-cooperation movement.
• The launching of the non-cooperation movement (NCM) raised the hopes and aspirations of Indians enormously. In December 1920, when Gandhiji promise Swaraj within one year, the atmosphere of gloom at hopelessness prevailing in India got to transform into an atmosphere of excitement of freedom.
• Every Indian felt that the days of British rule are over. The people sense freedom and they took pride in that freedom during the Non-cooperation movement. The people lived in a kind of intoxication during NCM because the promise of Gandhiji gives them new hope.

Q.7. How did the different social groups that participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement look at it? What was their attitude towards its aim?

Ans. All the groups that participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement did not have the same ideals or same views of “Swaraj”.

1. In the countryside: The active members were the rich peasant communities, the Patidars of Gujarat, and the Jats of Uttar Pradesh. They were producers of commercial crops which were hit by the trade depression and falling prices. As cash income disappeared they were unable to pay the government’s revenue demands. The government refused to reduce its demands. So they joined the Civil Disobedience Movement, hoping to get the revenue demands reduced. For them “Swaraj”\ meant fighting against high revenues.

2. The poor peasants joined the movement because they were unable to pay the rent for the land they cultivated for the landlords. They did not own the land, they were small tenants who cultivated lands taken on rent from the landlords. As the Depression continued, the small tenants could not pay the rent, so they joined the movement hoping that their unpaid rent would be remitted.

3. The rich merchants and industrialists joined the movement to protest against colonial policies that restricted business activities. They wanted protection against the import of foreign goods and a rupee-sterling foreign exchange ratio to discourage imports.

4. The industrial workers joined the Civil Disobedience Movement dropping to get their demands passed — like laws against low wages and poor working conditions. 

• All four classes were disappointed by the movement.

1. The rich peasants lost interest because the movement was called off in 1931 without the revenue rates being revised and reduced. Many of them did not join the movement when it was resumed in 1932.
2. The poor peasants were disappointed because Congress was unwilling to support their “no rent” campaign.
3. The industrialists were unhappy with the spread of militant activities and the increasing influence of socialism in Congress. They could not achieve their goal of colonial restrictions on business taken away, so they lost interest.
4. The industrial working class did not get full Congress support as the Congress did not want to alienate the industrialists and divide the anti-colonial struggle. It could not include the workers’ demand in its programme.

Q.8. Compare the image of Bharat Mata with the image of Germania. Do you find any similarities? Why do you think these images of Bharat Mata will not appeal to all castes and communities?

Ans. Bharat Mata

• Bharat Mata Image was a symbol of India; it was painted by Abanindranath Tagore.
• Bharat Mata was created with learning, food and clothing.
• Her mala shows her bear՚s aesthetic quality.
• In some of images Bharat Mata has Trishul, Lion and elephant which shows power and authority.

Germania

• Image of Germania reflects symbol of Germany, it was painted by Philip Veit in which she holds a sword, but looks more feminine.
• After some time image of Germania redrawn by Lorenz Clasen, where she wields a sword and shield, and looks ready to fight.
• She represents strength of the German Empire.

Q.9. Explain the shared beliefs and common bonds that give rise to a sense of common belonging.

OR

How did the people belonging to different communities, regions, or languages develop a sense of collective belonging during the Indian freedom struggle?

Ans. Common bonds that give rise to common belonging are:

• Experiences of common struggles (against colonialism, against oppression, against poverty caused by a colonial rule) among the masses.
• Through symbols: like certain figures and wages becoming the identity of a nation. Examples: Statue of Liberty USA, the Storming of Bastille — French Revolution. India’s symbol was ‘Bharat Mata’.
• Through folklore, songs, legends, and stories. Nationalists collected songs, for example; Rabindranath Tagore and Natesa Sastri of Madras. Sastri wrote a four-volume book on folk stories of Southern India.
• Through the reinterpretation of history. The British had portrayed Indians as backward, primitive, and incapable of governing themselves. By rediscovering the past, India’s greatness — its cultural progress in mathematics, literature, religion, and culture, imbibed a sense of pride among the Indians.
• Last but not least, Gandhi used this sense of collective belonging by channelizing it in the National Movement. He tried to forge a sense of unity among the different social groups in India.

Q.10. Do you agree with Iqbal’s idea of communalism in the extract given below? Can you define communalism in a different way?

“In 1930, Sir Muhammad Iqbal, as President of the Muslim League, reiterated the importance of separate electorate for the Muslims as an important safeguard for their minority political interests. His statement is supposed to have provided the intellectual justification for the Pakistan demand that came up in subsequent years. This is what he said: ‘I have no hesitation in declaring that if the principle that the Indian Muslim is entitled to full and free development on the lines of his own culture and tradition in his own Indian homeland is recognised as the basis of a permanent communal settlement, he will be ready to stake his all for the freedom of India. The principle that each group is entitled to free development on its own lines, is not inspired by any feeling of narrow communalism … A community that is inspired by feelings of ill-will towards other communities is low and ignoble. I entertain the highest respect for the customs, laws, religions, and social institutions of other communities. Nay, it is my duty according to the teachings of the Quran, even to defend their places of worship, if need be. Yet I love the communal group which is the source of life and behaviour and which has formed me what I am by giving me its religion, its literature, its thought, its culture, and thereby its whole past as a living operative factor in my present consciousness … ‘Communalism in its higher aspect, then, is indispensable to the formation of a harmonious whole in a country like India. The units of Indian society are not territorial as in European countries … The principle of European democracy cannot be applied to India without recognising the fact of communal groups. The Muslim demand for the creation of a Muslim India within India is, therefore, perfectly justified…

‘The Hindu thinks that separate electorates are contrary to the spirit of true nationalism because he understands the word “nation” to mean a kind of universal amalgamation in which no communal entity ought to retain its private individuality. Such a state of things, however, does not exist. India is a land of the racial and religious variety. Add to this the general economic inferiority of the Muslims, their enormous debt, especially in Punjab, and their insufficient majorities in some of the provinces, as at present constituted, and you will begin to see clearly the meaning of our anxiety to retain separate electorates.”
Ans.  Communalism is the idea that people should be grouped based on their religion or community because they have different interests and values. It suggests that different religious groups can’t live together in harmony within the same country and need separate arrangements to protect their own culture and rights.

Iqbal’s View:

Iqbal believed that Muslims and Hindus were so different that they couldn’t be part of the same nation without problems. He thought Muslims needed separate political arrangements to keep their culture safe. This idea contributed to the push for creating Pakistan, where Muslims could have their own country.

Different Opinions on Communalism:

• Supportive View: Some people agree with Iqbal and think communalism is needed to protect minority groups and their cultures.

• Critical View: Others believe communalism divides people and creates conflict. They think it’s better to build a single, united country where everyone’s differences are respected but not separated.

In short, while Iqbal thought communalism was necessary for protecting Muslim interests, many believe it can lead to division and conflict within a country.