1) Why were people dissatisfied with British rule in the 1870s and 1880s?
Answer: People were dissatisfied due to several reasons including oppressive laws like the Arms Act (1878) and the Vernacular Press Act (1878), which curtailed basic freedoms and censored the press. The introduction of the Ilbert Bill (1883) and its subsequent withdrawal due to opposition from the British community highlighted racial discrimination, further aggravating the discontent among Indians.
2) Who did the Indian National Congress wish to speak for?
Answer: The Indian National Congress aimed to represent all the people of India, irrespective of class, color, caste, creed, language, or gender. It was envisioned as a platform for voicing the collective interests and goals of the Indian populace, not limited to any specific region, community, or class.
3) What economic impact did the First World War have on India?
Answer: The First World War led to increased taxes and a rise in prices, causing economic hardships for the common people. While certain business groups profited from the war due to increased demand for industrial goods, the general populace faced difficulties. The war also led to the expansion of the Indian army, with many soldiers returning with a heightened sense of nationalism.
4) What did the Muslim League resolution of 1940 ask for?
Answer: The Muslim League resolution of 1940, known as the Lahore Resolution, demanded autonomous states for Muslims in the north-western and eastern areas of the country, without explicitly mentioning partition or Pakistan. It reflected the desire for greater Muslim autonomy within the subcontinent.
5) Who were the Moderates? How did they propose to struggle against British rule?
Answer: The Moderates were early leaders within the Indian National Congress who believed in a gradual and reformist approach. They advocated for constitutional reforms, greater representation for Indians in councils, and civil service examinations to be held in India. They sought to achieve their goals through petitions, discussions, and spreading public awareness about the injustices of British rule.
6) How was the politics of the Radicals within the Congress different from that of the Moderates?
Answer: The Radicals within the Congress, such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, advocated for more assertive measures against British rule, emphasizing self-reliance, swaraj (self-rule), and mass mobilization. They criticized the Moderates’ “politics of prayers” and were more open to adopting direct action and confrontation to achieve their goals.
7) Discuss the various forms that the Non-Cooperation Movement took in different parts of India. How did the people understand Gandhiji?
Answer: The Non-Cooperation Movement manifested in various forms across India, including boycotts of British goods, institutions, and schools, resignation of titles, and mass protests. People interpreted Gandhiji’s message in their own ways, with some seeing him as a messiah who would relieve their suffering. The movement saw widespread participation from different sections of society, reflecting a collective aspiration for swaraj and resistance to British rule.
8) Why did Gandhiji choose to break the salt law?
Answer: Gandhiji chose to break the salt law as a symbol of protest against the British monopoly on salt production and sales. The Salt March and the act of making salt were designed to resonate with the common people, highlighting the injustice of taxing a basic necessity of life. This act of civil disobedience was aimed at mobilizing mass support and challenging British authority directly.
9) Discuss those developments of the 1937–47 period that led to the creation of Pakistan.
Answer: Several developments contributed to the creation of Pakistan, including the growing communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims, the failure of the Congress and the Muslim League to work together, and the British policy of divide and rule. The 1937 elections and the subsequent rejection of the League’s offer to form a joint government in the United Provinces convinced the League of the need for a separate nation for Muslims. The Lahore Resolution of 1940, the failure of the Cabinet Mission, and the Direct Action Day in 1946 further exacerbated communal tensions, leading to the eventual partition and creation of Pakistan in 1947.