- In-text Question (page 93)
Question: On the basis of what you have read about these issues, do you think Indians were discontented with British rule? If so, how were different groups and classes dissatisfied?
Answer:
Yes, Indians were discontented with British rule. Different groups had different reasons:
• Peasants were unhappy because high land taxes made them poorer.
• Tribal people were unhappy because their forests were taken away and they were not allowed to use forest resources freely.
• Educated Indians felt that important jobs were given mostly to British officials, while educated Indians were ignored.
• Kings and nawabs lost their power when the British took over their kingdoms.
• Business groups disliked British policies that did not support Indian industries.
- In-text Question (page 95)
Question: From the beginning the Congress sought to speak for, and in the name of, all the Indian people. Why did it choose to do so?
Answer:
The Congress wanted to show the British that Indians were united. By speaking for everyone—regardless of religion, region, or class—the Congress hoped to bring all Indians together in the struggle against British rule. It believed that if the entire country stood together, their demand for rights and freedom would be stronger.
- Activity (page 98)
Question: Find out which countries fought the First World War.
Answer:
The First World War (1914–1918) was fought mainly between two groups of countries:
- Allied Powers: Britain, France, Russia (until 1917), Italy, Japan, and later the United States (joined in 1917).
- Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
- In-text Question (Source 2, page 96)
Question: What problems regarding the early Congress does this comment (by Dinshaw Wacha) highlight?
Answer:
The comment suggests that many early Congress leaders were busy with their personal jobs or businesses. They did not have much time to devote to the work of the Congress. This made it difficult for the Congress to grow quickly among ordinary people. It also shows that some leaders were more focused on earning money than on national issues.
- In-text Question/Activity (page 100–101)
Question: Find out about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. What is Jallianwala Bagh? What atrocities were committed there? How were they committed?
Answer:
- Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden in Amritsar, Punjab.
- On 13 April 1919, a large crowd had gathered there peacefully to protest against the Rowlatt Act.
- Brigadier-General Dyer arrived with his troops, blocked the main exit, and ordered his soldiers to fire on the unarmed crowd.
- Many men, women, and children were killed or injured because there was no way to escape.
- This event was called the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and it shocked the entire nation.
- In-text Question (Source 4, page 103)
Question: According to the report, how did people view Mahatma Gandhi? Why do you think they felt that he was opposed to zamindars but not to the government? Why do you think they were in favour of Gandhiji?
Answer:
- How people viewed Gandhi: They saw him as a very special person, calling him a Mahatma or a holy figure. They believed he could solve their everyday problems.
- Why they thought he opposed zamindars: In many areas, peasants and tenants felt Gandhi was on their side when they fought against high rents and unfair evictions.
- Why they supported Gandhi: They saw him as someone who would fight injustice. They also believed he cared about ordinary people. Many of them did not see him directly against the government at first; they simply saw him helping the poor, which made them trust him.
- Exercise: Let’s Recall (page 110)
(1) Question: Why were people dissatisfied with British rule in the 1870s and 1880s?
Answer:
• The British passed unfair laws like the Arms Act (1878) and the Vernacular Press Act (1878).
• They behaved in a racist manner, paying higher salaries to British officers and rarely giving top jobs to Indians.
• Indians had little say in running their own country.
• Increased taxes caused hardships for peasants and landowners.
(2) Question: Who did the Indian National Congress wish to speak for?
Answer:
The Indian National Congress wanted to speak on behalf of all the people of India—everyone living in India, no matter their religion, caste, region, or language.
(3) Question: What economic impact did the First World War have on India?
Answer:
• Taxes on incomes and business profits rose to pay for the war.
• Prices of goods went up, causing hardship for common people.
• Some Indian industries grew because imports of foreign goods (like cloth) became difficult.
• Indian business groups earned large profits, but ordinary people suffered from high prices.
(4) Question: What did the Muslim League resolution of 1940 ask for?
Answer:
The Muslim League asked for “Independent States” in areas where Muslims were in the majority, such as in the north-western and eastern parts of India. This later led to the demand for a separate country called Pakistan.
- Exercise: Let’s Discuss (page 110)
(5) Question: Who were the Moderates? How did they propose to struggle against British rule?
Answer:
• The Moderates were early leaders of the Indian National Congress in the late 19th century (like Dadabhai Naoroji and Surendranath Banerjee).
• They wanted to fight British rule by making requests, writing petitions, and debating.
• They believed that if they explained India’s problems to the British in a peaceful way, the British would listen and correct their mistakes.
(6) Question: How was the politics of the Radicals within the Congress different from that of the Moderates?
Answer:
• Radicals like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai were not satisfied with just making requests to the British.
• They believed in stronger actions like boycotts of British goods, swadeshi (use of Indian products), and mass protests.
• They thought India should gain swaraj (self-rule) through more direct methods and self-reliance, rather than waiting for British approval.
(7) Question: Discuss the various forms that the Non-Cooperation Movement took in different parts of India. How did the people understand Gandhiji?
Answer:
• In towns and cities, lawyers stopped going to court, students left government schools, people boycotted foreign cloth.
• In rural areas, peasants refused to pay taxes; in some forests, people broke forest laws.
• In coastal regions, people picketed liquor shops.
• Many saw Gandhiji as a Mahatma or saviour who could solve their problems. Some believed “Gandhi Raj” meant an end to their troubles.
(8) Question: Why did Gandhiji choose to break the salt law?
Answer:
• Salt was something that everyone needed, rich or poor.
• The British had a monopoly on making and selling salt, and they taxed it.
• Gandhiji felt it was wrong to tax a basic need.
• Breaking this law united people across classes, since everyone understood how important salt was.
(9) Question: Discuss those developments of the 1937–47 period that led to the creation of Pakistan.
Answer:
• In 1937, when elections were held, the Muslim League felt it did not get enough power and believed Muslims might be overshadowed.
• The League demanded separate electorates and later demanded a separate nation for Muslims.
• The British tried to find a solution by sending the Cabinet Mission (1946), but a common agreement was not reached.
• Communal tensions and the League’s “Direct Action Day” in 1946 caused violent riots.
• Finally, in 1947, India was partitioned into two countries: India and Pakistan.
- Exercise: Let’s Do (page 110–111)
(10) Question: Find out how the national movement was organised in your city, district, area or state. Who participated in it and who led it? What did the movement in your area achieve?
Answer (Sample guidance):
You can look for local history books, records in local libraries, or talk to grandparents or neighbors. Find out names of local leaders, protests, or events. Note how ordinary people—farmers, students, workers—joined. Write down how your area contributed to the larger freedom struggle.
(11) Question: Find out more about the life and work of any two participants or leaders of the national movement and write a short essay about them. You may choose a person not mentioned in this chapter.
Answer (Sample guidance):
• You can pick leaders like Tanguturi Prakasam (in Andhra Pradesh) or K. Kelappan (in Kerala), or anyone else.
• Write about their early life, how they joined the freedom struggle, important protests they took part in, and what they did after independence.
• Also mention why you find their contribution important.
- Let’s Imagine (page 110)
Question: Imagine that you are involved in the Indian national movement. Based on your reading of this chapter, briefly discuss your preferred methods of struggle and your vision of a free India.
Answer (Example):
If I were part of the national movement, I would follow non-violent methods like peaceful marches and boycotts, because I believe violence causes more harm. I would want a free India where all people have equal rights, no matter their religion or caste, and where everyone can speak freely. My vision would include schools for all children, fair treatment for workers, and protection of the environment and natural resources.