The Muslim League

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1AnswerAligarh
Question 2AnswerHe regarded them to be one Quam (nation).
Question 3AnswerNawab Salimullah
Question 4AnswerAga Khan
Question 5AnswerTo promote hostility between Indian Muslims and other communities
Question 6AnswerIts political activities were directed against the British.
Question 7AnswerBritain's hostility to Turkey
Question 8AnswerBal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant
Question 9Answer'a system of self-government under the aegis of the British Crown.'
Question 10AnswerAcknowledgement of separate political interests of Hindus and Muslims
Question 11Answer(i) only

Select Correct Relationship

Question 1Answer(B) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — British gave preferential treatment to certain groups over others, creating
jealousy and resentment. This was a part of divide and rule policy that was used to weaken the
national movement.
Question 2Answer(B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation — The British and the communal historians ignored the notion of a composite
culture in India and tried to create a rift between the two communities. They failed to interpret
that the diversity was primarily class-wise and region-wise and not religion-wise.
Question 3Answer(A) is true but (B) is false
Explanation — The British encouraged the formation of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental
(M.A.O) Defence Association in 1893.
Question 4Answer(B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation — The political activities of the Muslim League were indeed directed not so much
against the British as against the Congress. This was because the Muslim League and its leaders
felt that the Congress was not adequately representing the interests of the Muslim community.
Question 5Answer(B) contradicts (A)
Explanation — Lucknow pact was seen as a beacon of hope for Hindu-Muslim unity at that
time. However, separate electorate also established communalism as an unavoidable part of
Indian politics.

Short Answer Questions

Question 1

Why did the British treat the Muslims harshly immediately after the uprising of 1857? Why did
the British attitude towards the Muslims change in the later part of the 19th century?
Answer

The British established their supremacy in India after dethroning the Mughal rulers. Therefore,
the Muslims became bitter enemies of the British. They participated in the Wahabi Movement
and also took part in the uprising of 1857. This made the British view them with suspicion. The
British government consciously discriminated against the Muslims, holding them responsible for
the uprising of 1857.

After the 1870s, the British government changed its attitude and followed the policy of
appeasing the Muslims in order to undermine the National Movement. They sowed the seeds of
dissension between the Hindus and the Muslims and encouraged separatist and communal
tendencies.

Question 2

How did the Hindi-Urdu controversy become an important factor in the formation of the Muslim
League?

Answer

In the United Provinces, Urdu was the court language and all the petitions to the offices and
courts were submitted in Urdu. Some sections of the society protested against this practice. On
April 8, 1900, the Government instructed that all petitions were to be submitted in Hindi, in
Devanagari script, and the court summons and official announcements to be issued in Hindi as
well as in Urdu. The Muslims resented this. The controversy continued for months and relations
between the communities became worse.

Question 3

How did the relative economic backwardness of the Muslims foster communal feelings in India?

Answer

The communal and separatist trend of thinking grew among the Muslims to some extent because
of their relative backwardness in education, trade and industry.

1. The upper class Muslims were conservative and hostile to modern education. Because of
this, the number of Muslims educated in western system of education remained small.
2. The British government in India had consciously discriminated against the Muslims after
1858, holding them responsible for the uprising of 1857. They were discriminated in the
recruitment to civil and military services.
3. The Muslim community was not much involved in the growth of any organised industry.
Here too they lagged behind.
4. Some members of the Muslim community did not keep up with the modern trends in
social and cultural spheres. Many Hindus, on the other hand, adopted the Western system
of education. Since modern education was essential for entry into government service, the
Muslims had the disadvantage in this respect.
In these circumstances, it was quite easy for the British officials to incite the Muslims against the
Hindus.

Question 4

What promises were made by Lord Minto to the Muslim deputation led by Agha Khan in 1906?
Why did the British imperialists encourage the formation of the Muslim League?

Answer

The Viceroy, Lord Minto received the deputation led by Agha Khan and expressed his sympathy
with their aspirations. He assured them that their political rights and interests as a community
would be safeguarded.

The British welcomed the formation of the Muslim League. They supported the League to
provide an opposition to the Congress. They won initially the support of the Muslims by
asserting that the Muslim interests were different from those of the Hindus. Thus, the policies of
the Muslim League to some extent weakened nationalist sentiments.

Question 5

What is meant by Separate (Communal) Electorates?

Answer

Separate electorates means the system of election to legislatures which divides voters on the
basis of religion, caste or occupation. The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 provided separate
electorates for Muslim whereby seats were reserved for the Muslims from where Muslims could
vote for the Muslim candidates.

Question 6

What was the Lucknow Pact?

Answer

The joint scheme of political reforms agreed to by both the Congress and the Muslim League in
1916 is known as the Lucknow Pact.

Structured Questions

Question 1
The growth of communalism in India was encouraged by the British authorities as well as certain
trends in Indian society. In the light of this observation, explain:

(a) The Divide and Rule Policy of the British.

(b) The writings and speeches of the Assertive Nationalists.

(c) The erroneous interpretation of Indian History.

Answer

(a) The British saw the unity between the Hindus and the Muslims as a threat to them. Thus, to
check the growth of a united national feeling in India and to encourage communal and separatist
tendencies in Indian politics, they decided to follow the policy of 'Divide and Rule'. They did so
in the following manner:

1. In 1871, Lord Mayo's government adopted a resolution which made Urdu the medium of
instruction for Muslims in primary and secondary schools and increased government aid
to educational institutions run by the Muslims.
2. They tried to create hatred among the Hindus and the Muslims by portraying Muslim
rulers as plunderers, and Hindu rulers as cruel kings to their Muslim subjects.
3. They tried to justify the Partition of Bengal by convincing the Muslims that Bengal was
being partitioned to create a new Muslim majority province where the Hindus would not
be able to subvert their interests.
4. They tried to utilise the caste structure to turn the non-brahmins and the lower castes
against high castes.
5. They treated Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs as separate communities and accepted their
communal leaders as authentic representatives of all their co-religionists.

They tried to spread communal hatred through the Press, posters, literature and public platform.

(b) The assertive nationalists played an important role in the national movement. But some of
their actions marked a step back in respect of the growth of national unity.

1. The speeches and actions of some of the assertive nationalists annoyed some sections of
Indians.
2. For example, the propagation of Shivaji and Ganapati festivals by Tilak, Aurobindo
Ghosh's concept of India as mother and nationalism as religion and the initiation of the
Anti-Partition agitation with dips in the Ganga did not appeal to some of the Muslims.

(c) The manner in which Indian history was interpreted in those days contributed to the growth
of communal thinking among the Hindus and the Muslims.

1. Some British and communal historians divided Indian history into the Hindu and the
Muslim periods. The rule of Turks, Afghans and Mughals was called the Muslim rule,
where the rulers were said to be the followers of Islam and their subjects, the followers of
other religions. In the so-called Hindu period, Muslim rulers were dubbed as foreign
invaders who had settled in India. They portrayed Rana Pratap and Shivaji as national
heroes and Akbar and Aurangzeb as foreigners and infused communal feelings.
 2. The British and communal historians ignored the notion of a composite culture in India
and tried to create a rift between the two communities. They failed to interpret that the
diversity was primarily class-wise and region-wise and not religion-wise.
3. Some communal historians highlighted the myth that Indian society and culture had
reached great heights during the ancient period but was declining during the medieval
period which was dominated by Mughal rulers. They did not give much importance to the
contribution of the medieval period to the development of Indian economy, religion, art,
literature, culture and society.
4. The communal bias was propagated through poetry, drama, novels, short stories,
newspapers, etc.

Question 2

With reference to the Lucknow Pact, answer the following questions:

(a) Mention any three factors that led to the signing of the Lucknow Pact in 1916.
(b) Mention any three clauses of the Pact.
(c) Why was the signing of the Lucknow Pact an important event towards the growth of unity in
India?

Answer

(a) Three factors that led to the signing of the Lucknow Pact in 1916 were-

1. National Events — There were important national events that changed the attitude of the
Muslim League.
i. Firstly, the Partition of Bengal was cancelled.
ii. Secondly, nationalist Muslims like Abul Kalam Azad and the All Brothers -
Maulana Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali — made use of this opportunity to
spread nationalist ideas among the Muslims for mobilising public opinion in
favour of self-government.
iii. Thirdly, Tilak was released from jail in 1914, after six years.
iv. Finally, under the 'Seditious Meetings Act,' some prominent Muslim leaders were
arrested. This brought the Muslim League and the Congress closer.
2. Changes in the Objectives of the Muslim League — In the beginning the League had
support for the British Government as one of its objectives.
i. In 1913, the League had amended its Constitution to include, 'a system of self-
government under the aegis of the British Crown' as the ideal of the Muslim
League. Therefore, it agreed with the Congress to have a political goal for India.
ii. The unity of interests and objectives opened the doors for renewed cooperation
between the Congress and the Muslim League.
iii. Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak too played a significant role in bringing
the two organisations together.
3. A Compromise Between the Two Factions of the Congress — Annie Besant tried to
reunite the two wings of the Congress — the Early Nationalists and the Assertive
Nationalists. Tilak rejoined the Congress in 1916 and played a major role in resolving
differences between the Congress and the League.

(b) Three clauses of the Lucknow Pact are as follows-

 1. Abolition of the India Council — The India Council of the Secretary of State, operating
from England, should be abolished. The Secretary of State for India was to be assisted by
two Under-Secretaries, of whom one should be an Indian.
2. Minorities in Elected Bodies — The minorities should have adequate separate
representation in elected bodies.
3. Limitation of the Imperial Legislature — Defence, foreign affairs and political
relations of India, i.e., declaration of war, or signing of peace treaties, were excluded
from the control of the Imperial Legislature.

(c) The signing of the Lucknow Pact was an important event towards the growth of unity in India
because of the following reasons-

1. Hindu-Muslim Unity — The joint scheme symbolised Hindu-Muslim unity. Both the
communities agreed to compromise in some areas for the common good. The Congress
compromised on its secular character by accepting the scheme of separate electorates for
Muslims. The Muslim League accepted the principles of election and the majority rule.
As a result of this pact, the Hindus and the Muslims worked together from 1916 to 1922.
2. Unity Within the Congress — The Lucknow Session and the signing of the Lucknow
Pact brought about unity between the Assertive Nationalists and the Early Nationalists.
After the Surat Session of 1907, both wings of the Congress were moving in different
directions. They came together in 1916 and as a result, the Congress was strengthened.

Picture Study

Question 1
Identify the person in the picture and answer the following questions:
(a) What were his views regarding Hindu-Muslim unity?
(b) What role did he play in the formation of the Muslim League?
(c) State the impact of the Muslim League on the National Movement.
Answer
The person shown in the picture is Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan.
(a) His views regarding Hindu-Muslim unity were as follows:

1. He regarded Hindus and Muslims to be one Quam (nation).

2. He founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh which had both Hindu
and Muslim patrons.
3. However, under the influence of the British Principal of Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental
College, in the 1880s, he gave up his earlier views and declared that the political interests
of Hindus and Muslims were different.
4. When the Indian National Congress was founded, Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan opposed it.
5. He founded the United Indian Patriotic Association in 1888 mainly with a view to oppose
the Congress.
6. In this effort, he was supported by Mr. Beck, the British Principal of Mohammedan
Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College (Aligarh). Beck's idea was that Anglo-Muslim unity was
possible, but Hindu-Muslim unity was impossible.
7. It was said that Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan believed that since the Hindus formed the
majority of the Indian population, they would dominate the Muslims in case of a
withdrawal of the British rule.
 8. He felt that the continuance of British rule was a "guarantee for the welfare and progress
of the community."
9. Therefore, he declared that if the educated Muslims support the British, the latter would
reward them with government jobs and other special favours.

(b) Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh which
had both Hindu and Muslim patrons.

1. Sir Sayyid Ahmad believed that since the Hindus formed the majority of the Indian
population, they would dominate the Muslims in case of a withdrawal of the British rule.
2. He felt if he supported British, they would secure their rights and be rewarded with
government jobs and other special favors.
3. Theodore Beck was invited by Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan to serve as the Principal of the
Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh.
4. He identified with the Indian Muslims and made a systematic effort to alienate them from
the Hindus.
5. His objective was to protect the political rights of the Muslims and to strengthen the
British rule in India.
6. His idea was that Anglo Muslim unity was possible, but Hindu-Muslim unity was
impossible.
7. This paved the way for the formation of the Muslim League.

(c) The impact of the Muslim League on the National Movement is as follows:

League's Role in the Beginning —

1. Initially Muslim League sought greater representation of Muslims in all services.

2. As regards representation in Assemblies, it wanted more seats than its numerical
representation warranted.
3. Its political activities were directed not so much against the foreign rulers as against the
Congress.
4. Its leaders, belonging to the upper class, had little in common with the Muslim masses
and they did not fight for the removal of their grievances.

Government Support to the League —

1. The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 provided separate electorates for Muslim whereby
seats were reserved for the Muslims from where Muslims could vote for the Muslim
candidates.
2. The provision for separate electorate in the Morley-Minto Reforms was intentionally
incorporated to please the Muslim League and create a rift between the Muslim League
and the Congress.

The Phase of Rapprochement — From 1910 to 1913, new forces emerged in Muslim League
politics and some of its leaders realised that rapprochement with the Congress was desirable.
Several factors were responsible for this change in attitude:

1. Britain's hostility to Turkey in the Turko-Italian War (1911-12) and the Balkan Wars
(1912-13) and the annulment of the Partition of Bengal in 1911 made a large section of
Muslim leaders critical of British policies
 2. The younger section of emerging Muslim leaders disliked the loyalist politics of the
Aligarh group and the leadership of big Nawabs and Zamindars. Some young scholars,
influenced by the Deoband school of Muslim studies were inspired by nationalist
sentiments.

Congress and the League —

1. When the British Government acted against the Turkish interests and supported the cause
of the Balkan countries, the Indian Muslims stood up and launched the Khilafat
Movement against the British.
2. The Congress cooperated with them and the Khilafat issue was included as one of the
demands of the Non-cooperation Movement.
3. As a result, a pact which is known as the Lucknow Pact was signed. The Lucknow Pact
refers to the joint scheme of political reforms agreed to by both the Congress and the
Muslim League in 1916 regarding the structure of government in India and the
relationship between the Hindus and the Muslims.

Partition of the Country on Communal Lines —

1. In 1930 the idea of two nation states was born and in the 1940 session of the League at
Lahore, Jinnah put forward his two-nation theory.
2. Thus, despite a severe opposition from Gandhiji, the country drifted towards the partition.
3. The communal riots broke out in the country and in 1947, a separate country, Pakistan,
came into existence.

Thinking Skills

Question 1

Realising the aims and objectives of the Muslim League when it was formed in 1906, do you
think that more than the Muslim League, it was the British policy of Divide and Rule, that
encouraged the communal forces to create a rift between the two communities in India.

Answer

Yes it is true that the British policy of Divide and Rule was responsible for creating communal
rift between the Hindus and Muslims in India. The Hindus and Muslims have lived together in
India for centuries. Since both the communities were exploited by the British, they fought
together during the First War of Independence in 1857. Such unity between the two communities
posed a danger to British imperialism. Thus, to divide the two communities in order to prolong
their rule in India, they tried to sow the seeds of discord between them to check the rising tide of
nationalism.
They encouraged the communal forces to wreck the National Movement from within. They
dubbed the National Movement as a movement for establishing the 'Hindu Kingdom' in India
and encouraged the Muslims to set up their own separate political organisation. It was the British
policy of Divide and Rule' that led to the rise of communal trend and to the formation of the
Muslim League in 1906.
Question 2

Mahatma Gandhi said, "Communal harmony could not be permanently established in our
country so long as highly distorted versions of history were taught in her schools." State your
views on this statement and justify it by giving examples.

Answer

The manner in which Indian history was interpreted in those days contributed to the growth of
communal thinking among the Hindus and the Muslims.

1. Some British and communal historians divided Indian history into the Hindu and the
Muslim periods. The rule of Turks, Afghans and Mughals was called the Muslim rule,
where the rulers were said to be the followers of Islam and their subjects, the followers of
other religions. In the so-called Hindu period, Muslim rulers were dubbed as foreign
invaders who had settled in India.
2. The British and communal historians ignored the notion of a composite culture in India
and tried to create a rift between the two communities. They failed to interpret that the
diversity was primarily class-wise and region-wise and not religion-wise.
3. Some communal historians highlighted the myth that Indian society and culture had
reached great heights during the ancient period but was declining during the medieval
period which was dominated by Mughal rulers. They did not give much importance to the
contribution of the medieval period to the development of Indian economy, religion, art,
literature, culture and society.
4. The communal bias was propagated through poetry, drama, novels, short stories,
newspapers, etc.

Question 3

Not many people are aware of the friendship built on mutual respect that was a symbol of Hindu-
Muslim unity of India—the friendship between Lokmanya Tilak and Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
When Tilak, as the President of Home Rule League, was leaving for England to press for India’s
demand for Swaraj, Jinnah had proclaimed that there was no man more fitted to voice the
opinions of Indians other than Tilak who had devoted his whole life to the cause of his country.
Trace the events that led to Jinnah demanding Partition of the country and the establishment of
Pakistan. The relationship between the two countries till date is a proof of the discord sowed by
the British. What in your opinion, can be done to improve relations between the two countries.

Answer

The demand for the partition of India and the establishment of Pakistan can be traced back to a
series of events:

1. Two-Nation Theory — The Muslim League, under the leadership of Muhammad Ali
Jinnah, proposed the Two-Nation Theory, which asserted that Hindus and Muslims were
two distinct nations and should have separate homelands.
2. Lahore Resolution (1940) — The Lahore Resolution, which later came to be known as
the Pakistan Resolution, called for independent states in the Muslim-majority areas of
India.
 3. Mountbatten Plan (1947) — The final plan for independence, proposed by Lord
Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, included the partition of British India into two
dominions, India and Pakistan.

In my opinion, improving relations between India and Pakistan would require several steps:

1. Both countries should engage in constructive diplomacy and maintain open channels of
communication.
2. Efforts should be made to resolve longstanding disputes through peaceful means.
3. Encouraging cultural exchanges and people-to-people contact can foster mutual
understanding and goodwill.
4. Cooperation on Common Issues such as climate change, water scarcity, and regional
instability can build trust and improve relations.

Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement

Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1Answer(i), (iii), (ii)

Question 2AnswerBihar
Question 3 AnswerNatal Indian Congress
Question 4AnswerSolving the problem of the indigo workers
Question 5Answer(i) and (ii) only
Question 6AnswerAhmedabad Strike
Question 7AnswerTurkey
Question 8Answersalt monopoly exercised by the British Government
Question 9AnswerThe Hindus and the Muslims came closer in political pursuit
Question 10 AnswerDyarchy should be abolished and there should be complete autonomy in the
provinces.
Question 11AnswerDefiance of British laws
Question 12Answer(i) and (ii)

Select Correct Relationship

Question 1Answer(A) is true but (B) is false

Explanation — He formed the Natal Indian Congress and started non-violent Civil disobedience
movement to protest against the discriminating treatment meted out to the Indians in South
Africa.
Question 2Answer(A) is true but (B) is false
Explanation — They were bound by law to grow indigo on 3/20th of their land and sell it to the
British.
Question 3Answer(A) and (B) are independent of each otherExplanation — The given two
statements are related with different Satyagraha i.e., Ahmedabad satyagraha and Kheda
satyagraha.
Question 4Answer(B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation — Gandhiji’s belief that non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as
cooperation with good is a fundamental principle of his philosophy of Satyagraha. This belief
underpinned his political strategies, including the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Question 5Answer(A) is true but (B) is false
Explanation — Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood in protest against the
Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy.
Question 6Answer(A) is true but (B) is false
Explanation — All important leaders who took part in the movement except Gandhiji were
arrested.
Question 7Answer(B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation — Gandhi believed in peaceful and non-violent protests, and the violent turn of
events at Chauri Chaura deeply distressed him. He was against leading a non-violent movement.
Therefore, he withdrew the movement.
Question 8Answer(B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation — Ramsay Macdonald, the then Prime Minister of Britain announced an award
known as the Communal Award. This award provided separate representation to the Muslims,
Buddhists, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans and the Depressed Classes.
Mahatma Gandhi strongly opposed this award on the grounds that it would disintegrate Indian
society and started a fast in protest against it. On 24 September, 1932, the agreement known as
Poona Pact was signed between Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and the Congress. The agreement
provided reservation of seats for the depressed classes in the Provincial legislatures, within the
general electorate and not by creating a separate electorate. Due to the pact, the depressed classes
received 148 seats in the legislature, instead of the 71 as allocated in the Communal Award
earlier proposed by the British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald.

Short Answer Questions

Question 1

Which period of Indian history is known as the Gandhian era and why?

Answer

Mahatma Gandhi completely dominated the Indian National Movement from 1915 to 1948. That
is why, this period is known as the Gandhian era in Indian history.

Question 2

Define Satyagraha. How does it differ from Passive Resistance?

Answer

To Gandhiji, satyagraha was a moral force born of truth and non-violence. It meant to be
fearless, truthful as well as peaceful, suffering willingly while refusing to submit to what is
wrong. But even while resisting evil, it would not involve hatred towards the evil-doer.

Satyagraha differs from passive resistance as passive resistance does not exclude the use of
physical force for the purpose of gaining one's end, whereas Satyagraha excludes the use of
violence.
Question 3

How did Gandhiji involve Indian masses in the National Movement?

Answer

Gandhiji involved Indian masses in the national movement by unifying the people of the country.
He took up the causes of the common people of the country. For example, he took up the issues
faced by the indigo farmers in Champaran, then he fought for the demands of mill workers in
Ahmedabad and also tried to resolve the issues faced by the farmers of Kheda.

People began to believe so much into him that he came to be known as the Mahatma. He was
able to move people with his speeches. He started the Civil Disobedience Movement by breaking
salt laws. He chose salt because it was used by each section of the society. It was because of his
charismatic leadership that he was able to draw masses into the national movement.

Question 4

Why did Gandhiji launch satyagraha at Ahmedabad in 1918? What was the outcome of
Gandhiji's satyagraha at Ahmedabad?

Answer

Gandhiji led the mill-workers of Ahmedabad in a strike against the mill-owners who had refused
to pay them higher wages. When the workers seemed to weaken, he provided support to them by
undertaking a fast (hunger strike). Afraid of the consequences, the mill-owners agreed on the
fourth day of Gandhiji's fast to give a 35 per cent increase in wages.

Question 5

What was the Rowlatt Act of 1919? What was Gandhiji's reaction to the Rowlatt Act of 1919?

Answer

The Rowlatt Act authorised the Government to imprison any person without trial and convict
him in a court. It implied:

1. Arrest of a person without warrant.

2. In camera trial (trial in seclusion).
3. Restrictions on movements of individuals.
4. Suspension of the Right of Habeas Corpus.

Gandhiji appealed to the Viceroy to withhold his consent to the Rowlatt Act. However his appeal
was ignored. He started 'Satyagraha' as a challenge to the government.
Question 6

Name the leaders of the Khilafat Movement launched in India to champion the cause of the
Caliph of Turkey. How did the Khilafat Movement come to an end?

Answer

The leaders of the Khilafat Movement launched in India to champion the cause of the Caliph of
Turkey were-

1. Mohammad Ali
2. Shaukat Ali

The Khilafat Movement died a natural death when in November 1922 Mustafa Kemal Pasha
deposed the Sultan of Turkey and showed no concern for the holy places of Islam. He finally
abolished the Caliphate and separated the State from religion. Mustafa modernised education,
agriculture and industry. He developed Turkey on secular and progressive lines.

Question 7

Name three events which disillusioned Gandhiji and turned him into a non-cooperator from a
cooperator with the British government.

Answer

The three events which disillusioned Gandhiji and turned him into a non-cooperator from a
cooperator with the British government were-

1. Passing of the Rowlatt Act, 1919

2. The Jallianwala Bagh tragedy
3. The Khilafat wrongs

Question 8

What were the steps taken by the people as a part of the Khilafat Non-Cooperation Movement?

Answer

The steps taken by the people as a part of the Khilafat Non-Cooperation Movement were as
follows-

1. People resigned from government services

2. Shops selling foreign goods were picketed
3. Students boycotted schools and colleges
4. 'Hartals' and demonstrations were held.
In 1921, the Khilafat Committee appealed to all the Muslims not to join the police and armed
forces and not to pay taxes.

Question 9

Name the three components of the constructive programme adopted by Gandhiji after the
suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Answer

The three components of the constructive programme adopted by Gandhiji after the suspension
of the Non-Cooperation Movement were-

1. Removal of untouchability
2. Hindu-Muslim unity
3. The popularisation of Swadeshi and Khadi

Question 10

Why was the Simon Commission boycotted everywhere in India? Name the national leader who
succumbed to the lathi charge during the protest movement against the Simon Commission.

Answer

The Simon Commission was boycotted everywhere in India because the Commission was
composed of seven British members of Parliament. It had no Indian member. This was seen as a
violation of the principle of self-determination and a deliberate insult to the self-respect of the
Indians.

Lala Lajpat Rai succumbed to the lathi charge during the protest movement against the Simon
Commission.

Question 11

Why is the Congress Session held at Lahore in 1929 significant in India's Freedom Movement?

Answer

The Congress Session held at Lahore in 1929 is significant in India's Freedom Movement
because the Congress passed a resolution declaring Poorna Swaraj (complete independence) to
be its objective for the first time.

Question 12
What did the programme of Civil Disobedience Movement consist of?

Answer

The programme of Civil Disobedience Movement involved

1. Defiance of Salt Laws

2. Boycott of liquor
3. Boycott of foreign cloth and British goods of all kinds
4. Non-payment of taxes and revenues

Question 13

Why did Mahatma Gandhi start his historic march to Dandi?

Answer

Mahatma Gandhi started his historic march to Dandi to attack the Salt Law according to which
the government had the monopoly to manufacture and sell salt.

Question 14

Who took the leadership of the Civil Disobedience Movement in the extreme north-western part
of the country? What was he popularly known as and what was the name of the organisation
formed by him?

Answer

Abdul Ghaffar Khan took the leadership of the Civil Disobedience Movement in the extreme
north-western part of the country.

He was popularly known as Frontier Gandhi.

The name of the organisation formed by him was Khudai Khidmatgars.

Question 15

Mention any two terms (provisions) of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.

Answer

According to the terms (provisions) of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, the government agreed to:
 1. Withdraw all ordinances and end prosecutions.
2. Release all political prisoners, except those guilty of violence.

Question 16

Which law was defied by Gandhiji's Dandi March? Why was this law selected to be defied?

Answer

Salt law was defied by Gandhiji's Dandi March.

This law was selected to be defied because the salt tax affected all sections of the society,
especially the poor.

Question 17

Why did congress decide to resume the Civil Disobedience Movement in January 1932?

Answer

The Congress decided to resume the Civil Disobedience Movement in January 1932 due to
several reasons:

1. The Second Round Table Conference, which took place in London from September to
December 1931, did not yield any significant outcomes.
2. The British government did not fully honour the terms of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
3. After the failure of the Second Round Table Conference, the Congress discovered that the
British government had begun a new cycle of repression. A series of measures had been
imposed to prevent meetings and boycotts.
4. Indian farmers were affected by the Great Depression of 1930s for which Gandhiji sought
an interview with Viceroy Willingdon. The interview was refused.

Structured Questions

Question 1

Gandhiji introduced new ideas in politics and adopted new methods to give a new direction to
the political movement. In this context, answer the following questions:

(a) What was Gandhiji's doctrine of Satyagraha?

(b) Explain briefly Gandhiji's Social Ideals.

(c) Which mass struggle was launched by him on non-violent lines in 1920? Explain in brief the
programmes of such a campaign.

Answer

(a) Gandhiji's doctrine of Satyagraha was an effective method of the National Movement.

1. The term Satyagraha is made up of two Sanskrit words—Satya (truth) and Agraha
(insistence to hold fast).
2. To Gandhiji, satyagraha was a moral force born of truth and non-violence.
3. It meant to be fearless, truthful as well as peaceful, suffering willingly while refusing to
submit to what is wrong.
4. But even while resisting evil, it would not involve hatred towards the evil-doer.
5. Gandhiji's Satyagraha Movement was directed against the British system of exploitation
and not the British people individually or collectively.
6. Gandhiji made a distinction between Satyagraha and passive resistance.
7. Passive resistance does not exclude the use of physical force for the purpose of gaining
one's end, whereas Satyagraha excludes the use of violence.

(b) Gandhiji's Social Ideals:

Gandhiji's whole philosophy was based on non-violence.

1. According to Gandhiji, it is the weapon of strong, mighty and powerful individuals.

2. He was of the opinion that neither an individual nor a country could gain anything by
using violent methods.
3. He launched many movements for gaining freedom but none of them was violent.
4. During the non-cooperation movement, he suspended the movement when it was at its
zenith just because of Chauri Chaura incident in which 22 British policemen were burnt
alive.

(c) Gandhiji launched the Non-Cooperation Movement on non-violent lines in 1920. The
movement included the following programmes:

Boycott programmes

1. Boycott of government schools, colleges and courts.

2. Boycott of foreign goods.
3. Boycott of elections to be held for the Councils as suggested by the reforms of 1919.
4. Resignation from nominated seats in local bodies.
5. Surrender of titles and honorary offices.
6. Refusal to attend government functions.

Swadeshi programmes

1. Popularisation of Swadeshi and Khadi by reviving hand-spinning and hand-weaving.

2. Establishment of national schools and colleges and private arbitration courts known as
panchayats all over India.
 3. Development of unity between Hindus and Muslims.
4. Removal of untouchability and other measures for Harijan welfare.
5. Emancipation and upliftment of women.

Question 2

The Simon Commission was appointed in November 1927 by the British Government.
Subsequently the Civil Disobedience Movement began. In this context answer the following
questions:

(a) Why was the Simon Commission appointed by the British Government? Why did the
Congress boycott the Commission?

(b) The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched by Gandhiji with his famous Dandi March.
Mention the significance of this historic event.

(c) Why did Gandhiji suspend Civil Disobedience Movement in 1931 and later in 1934 call it
off?

Answer

(a) In November 1927, the British Government appointed the Indian Statutory Commission,
popularly known as the Simon Commission, to investigate the need for further constitutional
reforms. The Commission was composed of seven British members of Parliament.

The commission had no Indian member. This was seen as a violation of the principle of self-
determination and a deliberate insult to the self-respect of the Indians. Hence, at its Madras
session in 1927, presided over by Dr. Ansari, the National Congress decided to boycott the
commission 'at every stage and in every form'.

(b) Gandhiji started the Civil Disobedience Movement with his famous Dandi March.

1. On 12th March, Mahatma Gandhi began the historic march from Sabarmati Ashram to
Dandi, a village on the Gujarat sea coast.
2. A number of people followed him.
3. On the morning of 6th April, Gandhiji violated the Salt Law at Dandi by picking up some
salt left by the sea waves.
4. According to the Salt Law, the government had the monopoly to manufacture and sell
salt.
5. He had selected to attack the Salt Laws because the salt-tax affected all sections of
society, especially the poor.
6. Gandhiji's breaking of the Salt Laws marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience
Movement.

(c) Since the satyagraha could not be suppressed, the Government, through Tej Bahadur Sapru
and Jayakar, started negotiations with Gandhiji in jail.
 1. This resulted in the signing of a pact by Gandhiji and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy, in March
1931.
2. This is known as the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
3. According to the terms of the pact, the Congress consented to suspend the Civil
Disobedience Movement in 1931.
4. The Great Depression of 1930s in the world had hit the farmers in India.
5. Gandhiji sought an interview with Viceroy Willingdon. The interview was refused.
6. The Congress passed a resolution for the renewal of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
7. Government resorted to repression, issued Ordinances and assumed special powers.
8. The Congress was declared illegal.
9. Congress leaders were arrested and their properties were seized. Communalism was
fanned.
10. Gradually the Civil Disobedience Movement lost its force and Congress called it off in
1934.

Question 3

Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:

“General Dyer’s action at Jallianwala Bagh appears to have been entirely indefensible. He acted
after open disorder had ceased in the city for two days; he gave no warning on the spot, but
began firing within 30 seconds (of arriving); and he was responsible for grave and unnecessary
slaughter. His plea is that he wanted to produce sufficient moral effect throughout the Punjab.
Such was not his duty and the effect he has really produced is to create, not only in the Punjab,
but throughout India, a bitterness that will take years to eradicate.”
— Lovat Fraser (1871-1926) British journalist

(a) The action of General Dyer mentioned in this article led to the launch of which movement?
State briefly the other causes of the movement.

(b) What was the impact of this movement on the Indian National Movement?

(c) What led to the withdrawal of this movement? What was Gandhiji’s view about the
withdrawal?

Answer

(a) The action of General Dyer mentioned in the article refers to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
This brutal incident led to the launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement. Other causes of the
movement included the repressive Rowlatt Act, Khilafat movement and the economic hardships
faced by the common people.

(b) The impact of this movement on the Indian National Movement were:

1. The National Movement Became a Mass Movement — The Indian national

movement, for the first time in history, acquired a real mass base with the participation of
 different sections of Indian society such as peasants, workers, students, teachers and
women.
2. Instilled Confidence Among the People — It generated a desire for freedom and
inspired people to challenge the colonial rule.
3. The Congress Became a Revolutionary Movement — It transformed the Indian
National Congress from a deliberative assembly into an organisation for action. It became
the organiser and leader of the masses in their national struggle.
4. Fostered Hindu-Muslim Unity — It fostered Hindu-Muslim unity which could be seen
in the merger of the Khilafat issue with this Movement.
5. Promoted Social Reforms — As a consequence of the Non-Cooperation Movement
several steps were taken in the direction of prohibition and removal of untouchability.
6. Spread Nationalism to Every Part of the Country — The Movement gave a new boost
to nationalism in India. The Congress organisation was able to reach down to villages.
7. Popularised the Cult of Swaraj — The goal of the Non-Cooperation Movement was to
attain Swaraj within the British empire, if possible, and outside, if necessary.

(c) The Non-Cooperation Movement was withdrawn by Mahatma Gandhi after the Chauri
Chaura incident, where a violent mob set a police station on fire, leading to the death of 22
policemen. Gandhiji felt that the movement was turning violent in many places. He believed in
peaceful and non-violent protests, and the violent turn of events deeply distressed him. As per
Gandhiji, "If the thing had not been suspended we would have been leading not a non-violent
struggle. The cause will prosper by this retreat."

Picture Study

Question 1

Study the picture given here and answer the following questions:

(a) What was symbolised by the Charkha and Khadi in the National Movement?

(b) What is meant by Swadeshi? Why did Gandhiji lay emphasis on Swadeshi?

(c) State how was the concept of Swadeshi promoted during the Non-Cooperation Movement?

Answer

(a) Mahatma Gandhi saw the Charkha as a symbol of a human society that would not glorify
machines and technology.

1. The spinning wheel, moreover, could provide the poor with supplementary income and
make them self-reliant.
2. Khadi does not seek to destroy all machinery but it does regulate its use and check its
weedy growth.
3. It uses machinery for the service of the poorest in their own cottages.
4. The wheel is itself an exquisite piece of machinery.
(b) Swadeshi means producing necessary items in one's own country and using them for one's
use without being dependent on imported goods. Gandhiji believed that the use of Swadeshi
goods would make us self-sufficient and eliminate our dependence on imported goods. Gandhiji
emphasised manual labour and the use of the Charkha and Khadi. He popularised Swadeshi and
Khadi by reviving hand spinning and hand weaving.

(c) The Non-Cooperation Movement involved Swadeshi programmes which included-

1. Popularisation of Swadeshi and Khadi by reviving hand-spinning and hand-weaving.

2. Establishment of national schools and colleges and private arbitration courts known as
panchayats all over India.
3. Development of unity between Hindus and Muslims.
4. Removal of untouchability and other measures for Harijan welfare.
5. Emancipation and upliftment of women.

Question 2

In 1930 Mahatma Gandhi's demands were rejected by the British, as a result of which he
launched the Civil Disobedience Movement. In this context, explain the following:

(a) Name the famous march undertaken by Gandhiji. Where did he begin this march? State two
of its features.

(b) How was this Movement different from the Non-Cooperation Movement?

(c) Explain briefly how did Mahatma Gandhi try to promote Hindu-Muslim unity from the
Rowlatt Satyagraha to the Third Round Table conference.

Answer

(a) The famous march undertaken by Gandhiji was the Dandi March.

1. On 12th March, Mahatma Gandhi began the historic march from Sabarmati Ashram to
Dandi, a village on the Gujarat sea coast.
2. A number of people followed him.
3. On the morning of 6th April, Gandhiji violated the Salt Law at Dandi by picking up some
salt left by the sea waves.
4. According to the Salt Law, the government had the monopoly to manufacture and sell
salt.
5. He had selected to attack the Salt Laws because the salt-tax affected all sections of
society, especially the poor.
6. Gandhiji's breaking of the Salt Laws marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience
Movement.
(b) Civil Disobedience Movement was different from the Non-Cooperation Movement as the
former involved non-payment of taxes and land revenue as well as violation of laws of different
kinds in addition to non-cooperation activities.

(c) Mahatma Gandhi tried to promote Hindu-Muslim unity from the Rowlatt Satyagraha to the
Third Round Table conference in the following ways-

1. Rowlatt Satyagraha — An important feature of the Rowlatt Satyagraha was Hindu-

Muslim unity. This was the call given by Mahatma Gandhi, who always saw a unified
India belonging to the people of all religions. He wanted that Hindus and Muslims should
support each other in any just cause.
2. Khilafat movement — Gandhiji saw in the Khilafat Movement an opportunity for
uniting Hindus and Muslims. He said that the Congress plea for Hindu-Muslim unity
"would be an empty phrase if the Hindus hold aloof from the Muslims when their vital
interests are at stake".
3. Non-Cooperation Movement — It fostered Hindu-Muslim unity which could be seen in
the merger of the Khilafat issue with this Movement. It provided an opportunity to the
Congress to bring the urban Muslims into the National Movement by convincing them
that the nation was equally concerned with the problems affecting them.

Thinking Skills

Question 1

Suppose you recently visited Jallianwala Bagh Memorial in Amritsar. While you were there, you
could visualise what might have happened on that unfortunate day on April 13, 1919. Describe
the scene of the tragedy as visualised by you.

Answer

On April 13, 1919, a large crowd had gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to celebrate
Baisakhi and peacefully protest against the arrest of leaders like Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlu and Dr.
Satya Pal. Speeches were in progress and people were sloganeering and there was peace and
order all around. Suddenly General Dyer along with his soldiers marched in and surrounded the
Bagh. After closing the only exit of the garden, he ordered the soldiers to start shooting.
There was chaos and confusion all around. People started running frantically to save their lives,
unsuccessfully trying to escape by climbing the walls. The atmosphere was filled with helpless
cries of people and the firing of bullets. Many people jumped inside the well in the garden to
escape the bullets. The troops kept on firing till their ammunition was exhausted.
After the troops withdrew, their was death and despair all around. There were bodies everywhere
and people's belongings, clothes, shoes and pagris (turbans) were scattered all over the ground.
At some places, 7 or 8 corpses were piled, one over another. There were many innocent children
among the dead too, some as young as 3 years old.
The atrocities of General Dyer transformed Jallianwala Bagh from the site of peaceful protest to
the garden of the dead.

Question 2
Do you think that the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930 marked the entry of women on the
Indian political scene? Did it have any effect on the position of women?

Answer

The Civil Disobedience Movement brought women out of their homes to participate in politics
and to make them equal partners in freedom struggle. During Gandhiji's salt march, thousands of
women came out of their homes to listen to him. They participated in protest marches,
manufactured salt, and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops. Many went to jail. Moved by
Gandhiji's call, they began to see service to the nation as a sacred duty of women.
However, this did not result in any change in their social position. For a long time the Congress
was reluctant to allow women to hold any position of authority within the organization. It was
keen only on their symbolic presence.

Question 3

How did the Civil Disobedience Movement create a sense of collective belonging that resulted in
the spread of nationalism?

Answer

The Civil Disobedience Movement created a sense of collective belonging resulting in the spread
of nationalism in the following ways:

1. The Movement caused a tide of patriotic fervour in the country that would not leave the
Government in peace.
2. The Civil Disobedience Movement widened the base of the freedom struggle. A large
number of social groups like merchants and shopkeepers, peasants, tribals and workers in
different parts of the country were mobilised for the Indian national movement.
3. It made people understand the significance of the principles of non-violence. People
could resist violence with tolerance and courage.
4. The Movement under the leadership of Birla and the 'Harijan Sevak Sangh' changed the
social conditions. The depressed classes were given entry into temples and access to
wells, which was earlier denied to them.
5. It brought women out of their homes to participate in politics and to make them equal
partners in the freedom struggle.
6. The movement revived the will to fight the elections.