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Nationalism in India Notes
Nationalism in India Notes
April 6, 1930: The salt march reached Dandi, Gandhiji violated the Salt
Law.
IMPORTANT
PERSONALITIES
Q. How did World War I help in the growth of the nationalist movement in India?
World War I brought about a change in the economic and political situation across India. It
led to a huge increase in defence expenditure, which was financed by war loans. Custom
duties were raised and income tax was introduced. The forced recruitment of the common
people into the armies created an atmosphere of disappointment amongst the rural people in
the country. To add to the problem, an influenza epidemic spread all over the country and
caused the death of millions of people. These factors helped the growth of the nationalist
movement in India.
Q. Compare the images of Bharat Mata in this chapter with image of Germania in
Chapter 1.
There are two images of Bharat Mata - one is by Abanindranath Tagore and the other one by
another artist. In Tagore's image, Bharat Mata is portrayed as an ascetic figure. She has been
shown as calm, composed, divine and spiritual. In the other figure, she has been shown with a
Trishul, standing beside a lion and an elephant. The two symbols have different forms. Thus,
in India, Bharat Mata has acquired different forms. On the other hand, in Philip Velt's
painting, Germania wears a crown of oak leaves, and bears a sword in her hand, which is a
symbol of heroism. Hence, the similarity between these two images is that both embody
bravery, i.e. power, authority, heroism and assertiveness.
Q. List all the social groups that participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement of
1921.
The social groups that participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921 were:
1. Middle class - headmasters, teachers, lawyers and students in the cities
2. Poor peasantry in Awadh
3. Tribal peasantry in Andhra Pradesh
4. Plantation workers of Assam
Q. Discuss the Salt March to make it clear why it was an effective symbol of resistance
against colonialism.
Mahatma Gandhi started his famous Salt March accompanied by 78 of his trusted volunteers.
It was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism because it united the nation.
Mahatma Gandhi wanted to identify all the classes, from industrialists to peasants, with their
demands. And one such demand was to abolish salt tax because salt was something
consumed by the rich and the poor alike. It is the most essential ingredient of food. This tax
also revealed the oppressive policy of the British government, and was a very unjust act.
Q. Imagine you are a woman participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Explain what the experience meant to your life.
The experience of participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement, i.e. protests, marches,
manufacturing salt, and picketing cloth and liquor shops has a great significance in my life
because whatever I did during the movement was based on Mahatma Gandhi's policy of
Satyagraha and non-violence. Manufacturing salt was a peaceful way of defying the law. I
was truly blessed to have participated in such a movement.
Q. Why did political leaders differ sharply over the question of separate electorates?
Political leaders differed sharply over the question of separate electorates because they
thought about the interests of their own communities. For example, Dalit leaders believed
that political empowerment would resolve the problem of their social disabilities.
On the other hand, Mahatma Gandhi felt that a separate electorate for the Dalits would slow
down the process of their integration into society.
Sir Muhammad Iqbal, President of the Muslim League, felt that a separate electorate for the
Muslims would safeguard the minority community.
Q. Describe the different stages in the Non-Cooperation Movement. How was public
support for the movement mobilised?
Mahatma Gandhi had planned that the Non-Cooperation Movement would have two stages:
1. In the first stage, there would be a surrender of titles, and a boycott of civil services, army,
police, courts, legislative councils, schools and foreign goods.
2. In the second stage, in case of a repressive policy being adopted by the government, a full
civil disobedience campaign would be launched.
Through the summer of 1920, Mahatma Gandhi and Shaukat Ali toured India extensively,
mobilising support for the movement. People were told about the movement to get maximum
participation.
Q. List the various activities that took place during the first phase of the Civil
Disobedience Movement.
The activities that took place during the first phase of the Civil Disobedience Movement
were:
1. Boycott of foreign goods
2. Picketing of liquor shops
3. Refusal by peasants to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes
4. Resignation by village officials
5. Violation of forest laws
Q. Describe the policy of the British government during the first phase of the Civil
Disobedience Movement.
Initially, the British government ignored the movement, but when it intensified, the
government began arresting leaders of the Congress.
The arrest of leaders like Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan led to violent clashes in Peshawar. When
Mahatma Gandhi was arrested, there was voilence in Solapur.
The government then followed a more repressive policy. Peaceful Satyagrahis, including
women and children, were attacked and beaten up.
Q. Why was the policy of Non-Cooperation adopted by Mahatma Gandhi and the
Congress?
The policy of Non-Cooperation was adopted by Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress because
Mahatma Gandhi declared that British rule was established in India with the cooperation of
the Indians, and if the Indians refused to cooperate, the British rule in India would collapse
within a year and Swaraj would be achieved.
Q. How did the ‘Salt March’ become the base to begin the ‘Civil Disobedience
Movement’? Explain.
a. The ‘Salt March’ become the base to begin the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’ because on
31st March 1930, Mahatma Gandhi sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands out
of which some were of general interest and some of were specific demands of different
classes.
b. The demands were wide ranging in order to bring together everyone under a united
campaign.
c. The most important demand was to abolish the salt tax as it was the most important item in
food that is consumed by both rich and poor.