Test: Mahatma Gandhi & The Nationalist Movement- 2 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

• Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: He returned to his homeland in January 1915.


• Reason for Return: Gandhi returned to India from South Africa, where he had been leading the Indian community in their struggle against discrimination and injustice.


• Impact of Return: Gandhi's return marked a significant turning point in the Indian independence movement, as he became a prominent leader in the fight against British colonial rule.


• Nonviolent Resistance: Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance, known as Satyagraha, played a crucial role in shaping the Indian independence movement and inspiring millions of people to join the struggle for freedom.


• Role in Independence Movement: Gandhi's leadership and advocacy for civil disobedience led to various campaigns and movements that ultimately contributed to India gaining independence in 1947.

• Answer: Lawyer

• Reason for going to South Africa: Gandhi went to South Africa in 1893 to work as a lawyer for an Indian merchant in Natal.


• Legal work in South Africa: While in South Africa, Gandhi faced discrimination and injustice which led him to start fighting for the rights of Indian immigrants in the country.


• Development of Satyagraha: Gandhi's experiences in South Africa played a significant role in shaping his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, known as Satyagraha.


• Impact on Gandhi's life: His time in South Africa as a lawyer marked a turning point in his life, leading him to become a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement.

• Origins: Satyagraha was a term coined by Mahatma Gandhi to describe his principle of nonviolent resistance.


• Meaning: Satyagraha loosely translates to "truth force" or "soul force."


• First Forged: Gandhi first implemented Satyagraha in South Africa in the early 1900s to fight against discriminatory laws against Indians.


• Key Principles: Satyagraha emphasizes the power of truth and nonviolence in bringing about social and political change.


• Goal: The goal of Satyagraha is to resist oppression without resorting to violence, ultimately seeking to transform the oppressor through moral persuasion.


• Impact: Satyagraha became a powerful tool in India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule, inspiring mass movements and civil disobedience campaigns.

• Year Gandhi left India: 1893


• Reasons for leaving India: Gandhi left India in 1893 in order to study law in London.


• Education in London: Gandhi went to London to study law and become a barrister.


• Return to India: After completing his studies in London, Gandhi returned to India in 1896.

Who was Gandhi’s political mentor?

• A: Lala Lajpat Rai


• B: Chandran Devanesan


• C: Gopal Krishna Gokhale


• D: None

Answer: C. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

• Gopal Krishna Gokhale: He was a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress and a political mentor to Mahatma Gandhi.


• Role as mentor: Gokhale played a significant role in shaping Gandhi's ideologies and principles, guiding him towards the path of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience.


• Influence on Gandhi: Gandhi considered Gokhale as his political guru and drew inspiration from his teachings on social reform, self-discipline, and constructive work.


• Legacy: The influence of Gokhale on Gandhi's political philosophy was profound and laid the foundation for Gandhi's later role as a leader of the Indian independence movement.

• Gandhiji's Travel Duration: Gandhiji traveled around British India for many years.


• Significance of Gandhiji's Travel: During his travels, Gandhiji visited various regions, met with different communities, and gained firsthand knowledge of the struggles faced by the people of India under British rule.


• Purpose of Travel: Gandhiji's extensive travels allowed him to understand the diverse cultural, social, and economic conditions prevailing in different parts of British India.


• Impact of Travel: Gandhiji's experiences during his travels played a crucial role in shaping his ideologies and strategies for the Indian independence movement.


• Legacy of Gandhiji's Travel: Gandhiji's travels helped him connect with the masses, mobilize support for his nonviolent resistance movement, and ultimately lead India to freedom from British colonial rule.

Detailed

• Campaigns in 1918:
  
  
  
  • Gandhiji was involved in two campaigns in 1918.
  
  
  
  


• Locations:
  
  
  
  • The two campaigns took place in Gujarat.
  
  
  
  


• Activities:
  
  
  
  • The campaigns involved non-violent protests and civil disobedience against British rule.
  
  
  
  


• Impact:
  
  
  
  • These campaigns helped in mobilizing the Indian masses against colonial oppression.
  
  
  
  

• Issue delivered into Gandhiji's lap: The colonial rulers delivered an issue into Gandhiji's lap in 1919.


• Background: In 1919, the British colonial rulers passed the Rowlatt Act, which allowed certain political cases to be tried without juries and permitted internment without trial. This act was widely opposed by Indians as it curtailed civil liberties.


• Gandhiji's response: Gandhiji decided to launch a non-cooperation movement against the Rowlatt Act, marking a significant turning point in the Indian freedom struggle.


• Impact: The non-cooperation movement gained widespread support from the Indian population and led to mass protests, boycotts, and civil disobedience against the British government.


• Outcome: Although the movement was eventually called off by Gandhiji due to instances of violence, it played a crucial role in uniting Indians against British colonial rule and paved the way for future independence movements.

• Noncooperation Movement: The Noncooperation Movement was a significant phase of the Indian independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in the early 1920s.


• Objective: The main objective of the movement was to resist British rule in India through nonviolent means and to achieve self-governance or Swaraj.


• Impact: If noncooperation were effectively carried out, it would lead to various consequences within a year:




• Peace: Noncooperation aimed to create a peaceful resistance against British rule, leading to a sense of peace and unity among Indians.


• Swaraj: The ultimate goal of the movement was to attain Swaraj, or self-rule, for India, allowing the country to govern itself independently.


• Unity: Noncooperation would foster a sense of unity and solidarity among Indians, strengthening the fight for independence.


• Awareness: The movement would raise awareness about the injustices of British rule and inspire more people to join the cause.


• Empowerment: Through noncooperation, Indians would feel empowered to challenge British authority and demand their rights.

• Base Information: In 1921, there were a total of 396 strikes recorded.


• Checking the Options:
  
  
  
  • Option A (400): This option does not match the actual number of strikes in 1921.
  
  
  • Option B (396): This option correctly matches the total number of strikes in 1921.
  
  
  • Option C (392): This option does not match the actual number of strikes in 1921.
  
  
  • Option D (404): This option does not match the actual number of strikes in 1921.
  
  
  
  


• Conclusion: The correct answer is Option B (396), as it matches the actual number of strikes recorded in 1921.

• A: Traders


• B: Farming


• C: Farmers


• D: None

• Background: In Awadh, during the 19th century, the British implemented a new revenue system which included taxation.


• Taxation of Farmers: Farmers in Awadh were subjected to heavy taxation by the British authorities. They had to pay taxes on their agricultural produce, land, and other resources.


• Exemption for Traders: Traders, on the other hand, were not required to pay taxes in Awadh. This exemption was a source of discontent among the farmers who felt burdened by the heavy taxes imposed on them.


• Impact on Farmers: The unequal taxation system created economic hardships for the farmers in Awadh, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and protests against the British rule.


• Conclusion: In summary, farmers in Awadh were the ones who did not pay taxes, while traders were exempted from taxation, causing resentment and unrest among the farming community.

• Louis Fischer: Louis Fischer was a renowned biographer who wrote a detailed biography on Mahatma Gandhi.


• Contribution: Fischer's biography provided insights into Gandhi's life, philosophy, and his role in India's independence movement.


• Authenticity: Fischer's work is considered one of the most comprehensive and accurate accounts of Gandhi's life.


• Research: Fischer spent years researching Gandhi's life, interacting with his followers, and studying his writings to create a well-rounded biography.


• Legacy: Fischer's biography continues to be a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

• 1922: Gandhiji transformed Indian nationalism in 1922.


• Impact of Non-Cooperation Movement: Gandhiji's leadership during the Non-Cooperation Movement greatly influenced Indian nationalism and brought it to the forefront of the country's political landscape.


• Mass Participation: Through his principles of non-violence and civil disobedience, Gandhiji mobilized millions of Indians to join the movement, thereby uniting the Indian people in their struggle against British colonial rule.


• Shift in Nationalist Strategies: Gandhiji's approach of non-cooperation and passive resistance marked a significant shift in nationalist strategies, emphasizing the power of peaceful protests and non-violent resistance in achieving independence.


• Rise of Civil Disobedience: The transformation of Indian nationalism under Gandhiji's leadership laid the foundation for future movements such as the Civil Disobedience Movement, further advancing the cause of Indian independence.

• Gandhiji was often called Mahatma by many of the peasants.


• The title "Mahatma" means "Great Soul" in Sanskrit and was given to him out of respect for his non-violent philosophy and leadership in the Indian independence movement.


• Although Gandhiji preferred to be called Bapu (Father) by his followers, the title Mahatma became synonymous with his name.


• Many people, especially the common folk and peasants, revered him as a saintly figure due to his simplicity, humility, and dedication to social justice.


• His influence on the Indian masses was so profound that he earned the title Mahatma, which reflected his moral stature and impact on society.


• Overall, Gandhiji's role as a leader and his principles of truth, non-violence, and selflessness earned him the admiration and respect of many, who affectionately referred to him as Mahatma.

• Option A: Shahid Amin


• Shahid Amin is the correct answer. He traced Mahatma Gandhi’s image among the peasants of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

• Definition: Khadi is a hand-spun and hand-woven cloth made popular by Mahatma Gandhi as part of the Swadeshi movement.


• Benefits of Khadi:
  
  
  
  • It promotes self-reliance and village industries.
  
  
  • It is eco-friendly and sustainable as it does not require electricity for production.
  
  
  • It provides employment opportunities in rural areas.
  
  
  
  


• Mahatma Gandhi's Advocacy:
  
  
  
  • Gandhi believed that Indians should wear Khadi instead of mill-made cloth imported from overseas.
  
  
  • He promoted Khadi as a means to resist British oppression and economic exploitation.
  
  
  • He saw Khadi as a symbol of self-reliance, simplicity, and independence.
  
  
  
  


• Legacy:
  
  
  
  • Even after Gandhi's time, Khadi continues to be a symbol of India's independence movement and a source of pride for many Indians.
  
  
  • Khadi is also recognized as a sustainable and environmentally friendly fabric in the modern world.
  
  
  
  

• Correct Answer: D. Lahore

• In 1929, the Indian National Congress held its annual session in Lahore.


• Lahore is a city in present-day Pakistan, which was a part of British India at that time.


• The session in Lahore was significant as it marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.


• This movement aimed to challenge British authority through nonviolent resistance.


• The Lahore session also saw the adoption of the Poorna Swaraj (Complete Independence) resolution.


• Overall, the 1929 Congress session in Lahore played a crucial role in India's struggle for independence.

• Mahatma Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent Indian leader in the fight for independence from British rule. However, he was not elected as president in 1929.


• Jawaharlal Nehru: Jawaharlal Nehru was elected as the president of the Indian National Congress in 1929. He played a crucial role in the independence movement and later became the first Prime Minister of independent India.


• Rajendra Prashad: Rajendra Prashad was also a key figure in the Indian independence movement but was not elected president in 1929.


• None: While Mahatma Gandhi and Rajendra Prashad were not elected as president in 1929, Jawaharlal Nehru emerged as the chosen candidate for this position.

• When: The first round table conference was held in London in November 1930.


• Purpose: The conference was called by the British government to discuss constitutional reforms in India.


• Participants: The conference was attended by British officials, Indian leaders, and representatives from the princely states.


• Key Points:
  
  
  
  • Discussions were held on issues such as the structure of the government, representation of different communities, and the future of India.
  
  
  • Mahatma Gandhi attended as the sole representative of the Indian National Congress.
  
  
  • Agreements were reached on some issues, but there were disagreements on others, leading to the failure of the conference to produce concrete results.
  
  
  
  


• Impact: Despite its shortcomings, the first round table conference laid the groundwork for future discussions on Indian constitutional reforms.

• Background: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, also known as the Delhi Pact, was an agreement signed on March 5, 1931, between Mahatma Gandhi and the then Viceroy of India, Lord Irwin.



• Objectives: The main aim of the pact was to call off the Civil Disobedience Movement and to release all political prisoners who were imprisoned during the movement.



• Terms:
  
  
  
  • Gandhi agreed to discontinue the Civil Disobedience Movement.
  
  
  • The Indian National Congress agreed to participate in the Second Round Table Conference in London.
  
  
  • The British government agreed to release all political prisoners except those involved in violence.
  
  
  
  



• Impact: The pact marked a significant milestone in the Indian freedom struggle as it helped in improving the relations between the Indian National Congress and the British government.



• Aftermath: Despite the pact, the Second Round Table Conference did not yield any significant results, leading to the recommencement of the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1932.