Answer The Following Question.
1. Why were people dissatisfied with British rule in the 1870s and 1880s?
Ans:
People were dissatisfied with British rule in the 1870s and 1880s for several reasons:
a. The British were controlling India’s resources, benefiting economically while exploiting the country.
b. The British attempted to regulate the lives of Indians, preventing India from truly being for Indians.
c. The Arms Act of 1878 prohibited Indians from possessing arms, further asserting British control.
d. The Vernacular Press Act of 1879 was enacted to suppress Indian criticism of British rule by curbing the freedom of the press.
e. The Ilbert Bill of 1883, which proposed to allow Indian judges to try British or European people, created a furor, as the British saw it as a threat to their dominance and racial superiority in India.
2. Who did the Indian National Congress wish to speak for?
Ans:
The Indian National Congress aimed to represent all sections of Indian society, not just one specific class or community. It sought to speak for the masses and work towards India’s freedom, advocating for the interests of diverse communities across the country.
3. What economic impact did the First World War have on India?
Ans:
The First World War significantly impacted India’s economy.
a. The British government greatly increased its defense expenditure, leading to higher taxes on individual incomes and business profits.
b. The war led to a sharp rise in prices, which caused hardship for ordinary people.
c. Business groups, however, benefited from the war by making large profits from the increased demand for supplies.
d. Imports to India from other countries declined due to the disruptions caused by the war.
4. What did the Muslim League resolution of 1940 ask for?
Ans:
The Muslim League’s 1940 resolution called for the creation of independent states for Muslims in the north-western and eastern regions of India. While it did not explicitly mention partition or Pakistan, it laid the groundwork for the demand for a separate Muslim state.
5. Who were the Moderates? How did they propose to struggle against British rule?
Ans:
The Moderates were Indian leaders who believed in constitutional methods to fight British rule. They focused on raising public awareness about the injustices of British rule through newspapers and speeches, emphasizing that the British had respect for ideals like freedom and justice. They believed that by expressing their demands peacefully and respectfully, the British government would grant them. They aimed to mobilize public opinion and build support for their cause.
6. How was the politics of the Radicals within the Congress different from that of the Moderates?
Ans:
The Radicals within the Congress were more radical in their approach compared to the Moderates. They advocated for mass mobilization, boycott of British goods and institutions, and even suggested revolutionary violence as a necessary step to overthrow British rule. On the other hand, the Moderates believed in following British laws and rules, hoping that the British would respond positively to peaceful protests and demands for reform.
7. Discuss the various forms that the Non-Cooperation Movement took in different parts of India. How did people understand Gandhiji?
Ans:
The Non-Cooperation Movement had different forms across India:
a. In Kheda (Gujarat), Patidar peasants led non-violent campaigns against high land revenue demands.
b. In coastal Andhra and Tamil Nadu, liquor shops were picketed.
c. In Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), tribals and poor peasants staged “forest satyagrahas,” protesting against grazing fees.
d. In Sind (now Pakistan), Muslim traders and peasants enthusiastically supported the Khilafat movement.
e. In Bengal, the Khilafat-Non-Cooperation alliance united Hindus and Muslims.
f. In Punjab, Sikhs in the Akali agitation sought to remove corrupt leaders (mahants) from gurdwaras.
People saw Gandhiji as a messiah who could help them overcome poverty and oppression. He was seen as someone who could unite different social groups, providing hope for their struggles. Peasants saw him as an ally in their fight against landlords, and agricultural laborers believed he would secure land for them.
8. Why did Gandhiji choose to break the salt law?
Ans:
Gandhiji chose to break the salt law because it was a universally recognized law that impacted everyone, rich and poor alike. By breaking the salt law in 1930, he highlighted the unjust nature of British rule and connected it to a specific, widely felt grievance. The salt law, which taxed salt production and sales, was seen as an unfair burden on the common people, making it a potent symbol of resistance.
9. Discuss those developments of the 1937-47 period that led to the creation of Pakistan.
Ans:
Several developments from 1937 to 1947 led to the creation of Pakistan:
a. The Two-Nation Theory: The Muslim League, initially not calling for Pakistan, began to demand a separate state for Muslims after 1930.
b. Provincial Elections of 1937: The Muslim League realized that Muslims were a minority in India and needed a separate nation for adequate political representation.
c. Rift between Congress and Muslim League: The Congress rejected the Muslim League’s proposal for a joint Congress-League government in the United Provinces, deepening the divide.
d. Failed Talks: Negotiations between Congress and the Muslim League for a united India failed, with the British also unable to mediate an agreement.
e. Provincial Elections of 1946: The Muslim League’s victory in elections reserved for Muslims bolstered their confidence in demanding a separate state.
f. Mass Agitation: After the failure of the Cabinet Mission of 1946, the Muslim League led a mass agitation for the creation of Pakistan.
g. Partition: These developments culminated in the final decision for partition, and Pakistan was created in 1947.