8. The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947

Question 1

Which political associations emerged in the 1870s and 1880s?

Answer 1

Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, Indian Association, Madras Mahajan Sabha, Bombay Presidency Association, and Indian National Congress

Question 2

What was the Vernacular Press Act of 1878 intended to do?

Answer 2

Silence those who were critical of the government by allowing confiscation of newspaper assets.

Question 3

What was the Arms Act of 1878?

Answer 3

A law disallowing Indians from possessing arms.

Question 4

Why did the Ilbert Bill of 1883 cause a furore?

Answer 4

It sought equality between British and Indian judges and allowed Indian judges to try British persons.

Question 5

What did the withdrawal of the Ilbert Bill highlight?

Answer 5

The racial attitudes of the British towards Indians.

Question 6

When was the Indian National Congress (INC) established?

Answer 6

1885

Question 7

Who were some of the early leaders of the Indian National Congress?

Answer 7

b) Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Badruddin Tyabji, W.C. Bonnerji, Surendranath Banerji, Romesh Chandra Dutt, S. Subramania Iyer

Question 7

Where was the first meeting of the Indian National Congress held?

Answer 7

Bombay

Question 8

Which leader of the Indian National Congress was settled in London and served as a member of the British Parliament?

Answer 8

Dadabhai Naoroji

Question 9

What were the main objectives of the Congress in its first twenty years?

Answer 9

Moderate reforms such as a greater voice for Indians in government and administration

Question 10

What did the Congress demand regarding the Legislative Councils?

Answer 10

More representation, power, and the introduction of councils in provinces where they did not exist

Question 11

How did the Congress attempt to raise public awareness about British rule?

Answer 11

By publishing newspapers, writing articles, and mobilising public opinion through speeches

Question 12

What did the Congress demand regarding civil service examinations?

Answer 12

That they be held both in India and London

Question 13

What was the Congress’s view on military expenditure under British rule?

Answer 13

It should be reduced to ease the economic burden on India

Question 14

Which tax was a major concern for the Congress due to its impact on the common people?

Answer 14

Salt tax

Question 15

What methods did the Moderate leaders of Congress primarily use to bring about reform?

Answer 15

Peaceful dialogue, petitions, and public mobilization

Question 16

Who raised the slogan “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it”?

Answer 16

Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Question 16

What did the Congress believe was the cause of food shortages in India?

Answer 16

British rule and exports of grains to Europe

Question 17

In which year did Viceroy Curzon partition Bengal?

Answer 17

1905

Question 18

What was the primary criticism of the Moderates by leaders like Tilak, Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai?

Answer 18

They followed a “politics of prayers” and were not assertive enough

Question 18

What reason did the British give for the partition of Bengal?

Answer 18

Administrative convenience

Question 19

What was the actual motivation behind the partition of Bengal according to Indian leaders?

Answer 19

b) To limit the influence of Bengali politicians and split the Bengali people

Question 20

What movement arose as a response to the partition of Bengal?

Answer 20

Swadeshi Movement

Question 21

What was the name of the Swadeshi Movement in Andhra?

Answer 21

Vandemataram Movement

Question 22

What were the key objectives of the Swadeshi movement?

Answer 22

To encourage self-help, swadeshi enterprise, national education, and the use of Indian languages

Question 23

What was the significance of the All India Muslim League, formed in 1906?

Answer 23

It supported the partition of Bengal and demanded separate electorates for Muslims

Question 24

Why did the Congress split in 1907?

Answer 24

The Moderates opposed the use of boycott, fearing it involved force

Question 25

What happened to the Congress after the split in 1907?

Answer 25

The Moderates controlled the Congress, while Tilak’s followers operated from outside

Question 26

When did the Congress and the Muslim League sign the Lucknow Pact?

Answer 26

1916

Question 27

What was the primary goal of the Lucknow Pact between the Congress and the Muslim League?

Answer 27

To work together for a representative government in India

Question 28

newspaper of bal gangadhar tilak

Answer 28

kerasi marthi newspaper

Question 29

Lala Lajpat Rai was a member of which samaj

Answer 29

arya samaj

Question 30

Why did certain business groups begin to support the Congress in the 1920s?

Answer 30

They wanted greater opportunities for development as Indian industries expanded during the First World War

Question 31

How did the First World War affect the economic situation in India?

Answer 31

It caused a huge rise in defence expenditure, leading to increased taxes and a sharp rise in prices

Question 32

What effect did the First World War have on Indian industries?

Answer 32

ndian industries expanded due to increased demand for industrial goods and a decline in imports from other countries

Question 32

What impact did returning soldiers have after the First World War?

Answer 32

They had a new understanding of how imperialist powers exploited Asia and Africa and desired to oppose colonial rule in India

Question 33

What global event in 1917 had a significant impact on Indian nationalists?

Answer 33

the Russian Revolution

Question 34

How did the Russian Revolution influence Indian nationalists?

Answer 34

It inspired Indian nationalists through news of peasants’ and workers’ struggles and ideas of socialism

Question 34

When did Mahatma Gandhi return to India from South Africa?

Answer 34

1915

Question 35

In which movement did Mahatma Gandhi lead indigo farmers in Bihar?

Answer 35

Champaran Movement

Question 36

Which prominent leaders did Gandhi come into contact with during his early movements in India?

Answer 36

Rajendra Prasad and Vallabhbhai Patel

Question 37

Which movement in 1918 involved Gandhi leading a successful strike by millworkers?

Answer 37

Ahmedabad Mill Strike

Question 38

What was Gandhi’s first nationwide movement against British rule in India?

Answer 38

Non-Cooperation Movement

Question 39

What year did the Rowlatt Satyagraha take place?

Answer 39

1919

Question 40

Why did Gandhi call off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922?

Answer 40

The Chauri Chaura incident led to violence

Question 41

What fundamental right did the Rowlatt Act curb?

Answer 41

Freedom of expression

Question 42

What was one of the reasons Gandhi advocated for self-reliance during the Non-Cooperation Movement?

Answer 42

a) To boycott British goods b) To strengthen the economy c) To promote Indian industries

Question 42

What was the main reason for Gandhiji’s call for Satyagraha in 1919?

Answer 42

The Rowlatt Act

Question 43

What was the event that marked the repression of the Rowlatt Satyagraha?

Answer 43

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre

Question 44

What was the Khilafat issue in 1920 about?

Answer 44

A harsh treaty imposed on the Turkish Sultan or Khalifa

Question 45

Who were the leaders of the Khilafat agitation?

Answer 45

Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali

Question 46

What actions were taken during the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921–22?

Answer 46

Boycotting government schools, colleges, courts, legislatures, and foreign goods

Question 46

What was the significance of the Rowlatt Satyagraha launched by Gandhiji in 1919?

Answer 46

It was the first all-India struggle against British rule

Question 47

In which region did peasants and tribals replace the name "Krishna" with "Gandhi Raja" in their Vaishnava songs during the Non-Cooperation Movement?

Answer 47

Assam

Question 48

Q1. Why did Mahatma Gandhi call off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922?

Answer 48

Because of the violent incident at Chauri Chaura where 22 policemen were killed

Question 49

Which resolution was passed by the Congress in 1929 under the presidentship of Jawaharlal Nehru?

Answer 49

Purna Swaraj (complete independence)

Question 49

When was Independence Day observed for the first time in India?

Answer 49

26 January 1930

Question 50

hich organization was founded by Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, and others in 1928?

Answer 50

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)

Question 51

Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were executed in 1931 for their involvement in:

Answer 51

Assassinating police officer Saunders

Question 52

Two significant political developments in the mid-1920s were the formation of:

Answer 52

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Communist Party of India (CPI)

Question 53

What was the main reason for the widespread boycott of the Simon Commission by Indians in 1927?

Answer 53

It did not include any Indian representative

Question 54

The Simon Commission was sent to India by the British government to:

Answer 54

Decide India’s political future

Question 55

Which of the following leaders played a significant role in leading protests against the Simon Commission?

Answer 55

Lala Lajpat Rai

Question 56

In response to the Simon Commission, which of the following major political events took place?

Answer 56

The drafting of the Nehru Report in 1928

Question 57

Why did Mahatma Gandhi choose salt as the central issue of the Civil Disobedience Movement?

Answer 57

Salt was an essential item for everyone, rich and poor alike

Question 58

What was the result of the combined struggles, including the Salt March, on India's political status?

Answer 58

The Government of India Act of 1935, which granted provincial autonomy

Question 59

Why did Congress ministries resign in 1939 after two years of rule in the provinces?

Answer 59

The British refused to promise independence after World War II

Question 60

Which of the following women was a key figure in persuading Mahatma Gandhi to allow women to participate in the Salt Satyagraha?

Answer 60

Sarojini Naidu

Question 61

Why was the participation of women in the Indian national movement significant according to both British officials and Indian nationalists?

Answer 61

Women’s participation gave the national struggle immense force

Question 62

Who initially opposed women’s participation in the Salt Satyagraha before being persuaded to allow it?

Answer 62

mahatma gandhi

Question 63

Subhas Chandra Bose, a radical nationalist, did not share Gandhiji's ideal of ahimsa. What was his view on Gandhiji?

Answer 63

Respected Gandhiji as the “Father of the Nation”

Question 64

Where did Subhas Chandra Bose raise the Azad Hind Fauj, also known as the Indian National Army (INA)?

Answer 64

Singapore

Question 65

The Indian National Army (INA) led by Subhas Chandra Bose tried to enter India in 1944. Which two places did they attempt to enter through?

Answer 65

Imphal and Kohima

Question 66

How did the provincial elections of 1937 influence the Muslim League's perception of Muslims as a minority?

Answer 66

The election results convinced the League that Muslims would have to play second fiddle in any democratic structure.

Question 66

Where was Azad born, and what was notable about his heritage?

Answer 66

Born in Mecca to a Bengali father and an Arab mother

Question 67

What was C. Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, known for in the Indian freedom movement?

Answer 67

Leader of the Salt Satyagraha in the south and first Indian Governor-General

Question 68

What was the significance of 16 August 1946, or “Direct Action Day”?

Answer 68

It led to riots in Calcutta, resulting in the death of thousands of people.