Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement Important Short and Long Question Class 12 History Chapter-11 Book-Themes in Indian History-III

 

Question - When was the non-cooperation movement launched?  Give reasons for it? Why was it withdrawn?  

Answer - 

When was the non-cooperation movement launched in 1921-22 

Main reasons of non-cooperation movement -  

• Rowlatt Act 

• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre 

• The repressive policy of the British 

• Demand for Swaraj  

Question –  Why was the non-cooperation movement withdrawn? 

Answer -

because of Chauri Chaura incident  

• Angry  protesters in Chauri Chaura village of Uttar Pradesh  burnt down the police station, killing 22 policemen

• Disappointed by this incident, Gandhiji   withdrew this movement. 

Question:  What are the main sources to know Mahatma Gandhi?

Answer -

1. Personal Writing / Speech :

• In Harijan newspaper, Gandhi included the letters he received from people and his speeches also gave us an idea about Gandhiji.

(Nehru Collection - Bunch Of Old Letters)

2. Various Newspapers :

• Newspapers published in English and other languages ​​were also a source of the national movement and these newspapers kept an eye on every activity of Gandhiji.

3. Government Records :

• The colonial rulers always kept a close watch on those elements whom they considered to be against them and we find information regarding Gandhiji in the police reports too.

4. Autobiographies -

• Autobiographies provide details of a rich past. These stories are written from memory, which tells us what the writer remembered and what he found important. While reading we should keep in mind what the author did not write.

Question -  When did the Cabinet Mission come to India? Tell its main recommendations?

Answer -

The Cabinet Mission came to India in 1946 

Main recommendations of the Cabinet Mission - 

• A federal government should be formed in India 

• A Constituent Assembly should be formed to frame the Constitution 

• Attempts to bring about a compromise between the Congress and the Muslim League 

Question:  What was the rumour about Gandhiji's miraculous powers?

Answer -

• Gandhiji has been sent by the king to ameliorate the sufferings of the farmers.  He has the power to reject the instructions of all local officials.  Gandhiji's power is more than that of the British king   . With his arrival the colonial rulers will flee from the district.

• The houses of the villagers who criticized Gandhiji mysteriously collapsed and their crops were destroyed.

• Sikandar Sahu of Basti village said on 15th February that he would believe in Mahatmaji when  the 'Kadha' (boiling pot) full of sugarcane juice in his factory (where jaggery is produced) broke into two parts;  immediately the pot actually broke into two parts from the middle.

• The farmer from Azamgarh said that he would believe in the authenticity of Mahatmaji only when the wheat planted in his field turns into sesame; the next day the wheat planted in his field turned into sesame.

• A gentleman from Gorakhpur questioned the need for spinning wheel. His house caught fire

• In April 1921, some people were gambling in a village in Uttar Pradesh. Someone stopped them from doing so. One of the gambling group refused to stop and abused Gandhiji. The next day his goat was mauled by four of his own dogs.

• In a village in Gorakhpur, farmers decided to stop drinking alcohol. One man did not stick to his decision. When he was going in search of a liquor shop, stones started raining on his way. As soon as he took Gandhiji's name, the rain of stones stopped.

Question –  Discuss the causes and consequences of the Salt Movement?

Answer -

• Salt is used in every Indian household.  Indians were prohibited from making salt for  domestic use under the Salt Law  . Indians were forced to buy salt from shops at a higher price.

• The state had a monopoly on the production and sale of salt. The British government was earning profits from salt. 

• Gandhiji chose the issue of monopoly on salt  and started a movement.  The Salt Law was extremely unpopular among the general public.

Result – 

• Mahatma Gandhi came into the world's attention through the Salt Movement.

• The American news magazine Time mocked Gandhi with the words "spindle-like body and spider-like pelvis."

• There was a change in the thinking of this magazine after the Dandi March.

• Everyone was surprised to see the public support Gandhiji received 

• Gandhiji was a politician who was "using Christian methods as a weapon against Christians."

• The visit received extensive coverage by the European and American press. 

• The first nationalist activity that saw the participation of women 

• The British government realized the magnitude of the movement 

• His reign did not last long.

• It is certain that Indians will also be given a share in power.

Question -  By 1922 Mahatma Gandhi had become a leader? Describe?

Answer -

• Gandhiji returned to India from Africa in 1915.  When Gandhiji returned from Africa, he found that India was more politically active than in 1893.

• National Congress branches existed in most cities and towns.  Middle class was influenced by the Swadeshi movement of 1905-07.  Prominent leaders- Bal, Lal and Pal were emerging. 

• On the advice of Gandhiji's political advisor Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Gandhiji travelled across British India for a year to understand India at the grassroots level. 

• Gandhiji's first public appearance was in 1916 at the inauguration ceremony of BHU, where he expressed concern for farmers and laborers. He said that liberation is possible only through farmers.

• Gandhiji talked about the representation of 'all Indians' in Indian nationalism.  Gandhiji led the movement in Champaran in 1917 and in Kheda and Ahmedabad in 1918.

• Gandhiji's sympathy for the poor had a deep impact on the common people.

• Restrictions on the press by the British during the First World War in 1914-18.

• Imprisonment without investigation was permitted 

• In 1919, 'Rowlatt Act was imposed  ' Gandhiji campaigned against the Rowlatt Act.

• Life comes to a standstill in Northern and Western India due to shutdown and protests.

• Gandhiji was arrested. Local Congressmen were also arrested.

• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in 1919 

• Non-cooperation movement of 1921-22 which made Gandhiji emerge as a nationalist leader 

Question -  Mahatma Gandhi transformed the national movement into a mass movement? Describe it?

Answer -

• Gandhiji emerged as a mass leader by opposing the Rowlatt Act 

• He started the non-cooperation movement against the British rule and urged all Indians not to go to schools, colleges and courts.

• Non-cooperation movement and Khilafat movement were combined

• Students boycotted government-run schools and colleges.

• Lawyers refused to go to the courts.

• The working class went on strike in cities and towns.

• Disregard for forest laws by hill tribes.

• Refusal of farmers of Awadh to pay taxes.

• Kumaon farmers not carrying the luggage of colonial officials.

• Every class participated in the movement in its own way.

• Non-cooperation proved to be positive in terms of impact.

• For the first time after the revolt of 1857, the foundations of the British were shaken.

• With all classes coming together the national movement turned into a mass movement 

Question: Discuss the Quit India Movement?

Answer -

• The third major movement which started in August 1942 was named “Quit India”.

• Gandhi was arrested but young workers across the country continued with strikes and sabotage.

• Socialist members like Jayaprakash Narayan were most active in the Congress.

• Independent governments were established in many districts like Satara in the west and Medinipur in the east.

• The British adopted a tough attitude towards the movement, yet it took a year to suppress this rebellion.

• Lakhs of ordinary Indians were involved in this movement. In this movement, the youth left college and went to jail.

• By June 1944, the world war was about to end. At this time Gandhiji was released from jail. After coming out of jail, Gandhiji tried to solve the problems between the Congress and the League, for which he talked to Jinnah several times. 

• In 1945, the Labour Party government was formed in Britain, this government was in favor of India's independence 

• The then Viceroy, Lord Wavell, held several meetings with the leaders of the Congress and the Muslim League.