National Movement Flashcards
(92 cards)
1
Q
How was the Congress described in its first twenty years?
A
It was ‘moderate’ in its objectives and methods.
2
Q
What were congresses main demands regarding governance?
A
- Greater voice
- More representative
- Introduction of Legislative Councils in provinces without them.
3
Q
What did the Congress demand regarding administrative jobs?
A
Indians should be placed in high government positions, and civil service exams should be held in India, not just in London.
4
Q
Why was Indianisation of administration important?
A
- It was part of a movement against racism.
- It reduced the wealth drain to England as British officers sent large portions of their salaries home.
5
Q
What legal and civil freedoms did the Congress demand?
A
- Separation of judiciary from the executive.
- Repeal of the Arms Act.
- Freedom of speech and expression.
6
Q
What economic issues did the Congress highlight?
A
- British rule caused poverty and famines.
- Increased land revenue impoverished peasants and zamindars.
- Grain exports to Europe caused food shortages.
7
Q
What were congress economic demands?
A
- Reduction of land revenue.
- Cut in military expenditure.
- More funds for irrigation.
8
Q
What issues did the Congress pass resolutions on?
A
- Salt tax.
- Treatment of Indian laborers abroad.
- Sufferings of forest dwellers due to forest administration policies.
9
Q
Who did the Congress aim to represent?
A
Despite being an elite body, it spoke for peasants, zamindars, industrialists, and professional groups.
10
Q
What was their belief about the British government?
A
They believed the British respected freedom and justice and would accept the just demands of Indians if made aware of their grievances.
11
Q
What was their criticism of the Moderates?
A
They criticised the ‘politics of prayers’ and advocated self-reliance, constructive work, and swaraj.
12
Q
What slogan did Tilak popularize?
A
‘Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it!’
13
Q
Who partitioned Bengal in 1905, and why?
A
Viceroy Curzon, citing ‘administrative convenience.’
14
Q
What were the real motives behind the partition?
A
To reduce the influence of Bengali politicians and divide the Bengali people.
15
Q
What regions were affected?(Bengal partition)
A
East Bengal was merged with Assam, separating it from non-Bengali areas.
16
Q
What triggered the Swadeshi Movement?
A
The partition of Bengal.
17
Q
What were its goals(swadeshi movement)?
A
Oppose British rule, promote self-help, swadeshi enterprise, national education, and Indian languages.
18
Q
Who formed the All India Muslim League, and where?
A
Muslim landlords and nawabs at Decca in 1906
19
Q
What were its demands?(All india Muslim league)
A
- Support for Bengal’s partition.
- Separate electorates for Muslims (granted in 1909).
20
Q
Why did the Congress split in 1907?
A
The Moderates opposed the use of boycott and force.
21
Q
Who dominated Congress after the split?
A
The Moderates, while Tilak’s followers worked from outside.
22
Q
When did the two groups reunite?
A
December 1915.
23
Q
What was the Lucknow Pact (1916)?
A
An agreement between the Congress and the Muslim League to work together for representative government.
24
Q
How did Indian nationalism change after 1919?
A
It became a mass movement involving peasants, tribals, students, women, and sometimes factory workers.
25
How did Indian businesses profit from the war?
War demand for goods like jute bags and cloth boosted Indian industries, leading to greater business profit.
26
Why did business groups support Congress in the 1920s?
They sought more opportunities for industrial development after profiting from the war.
27
How did the expansion of the British Army affect India?
Villages were forced to supply soldiers, many of whom returned with a desire to oppose British rule.
28
How did the Russian Revolution(1917) impact Indian nationalists?
Ideas of socialism and workers' struggles inspired Indian nationalists to oppose colonial rule.
29
When did Gandhi return to India and why was he already respected?
Gandhi returned in 1915, aged 46, after leading successful non-violent protests in South Africa.
30
How did Gandhi's time in South Africa shape him as a leader?
His campaigns against racist restrictions connected him with diverse Indian communities and gave him experience in non-violent resistance.
31
What was Gandhi's approach in his first year in India?
He traveled across India to understand the people’s needs and the situation.
32
What were Gandhi’s first movements in India?
His earliest interventions were in Champaran, Kheda, and Ahmedabad, including a successful mill workers' strike in 1918 in ahemdabad only
33
Who did Gandhi meet in his early years in India?
He met Rajendra Prasad and Vallabhbhai Patel during his early movements in India.
34
What was the Rowlatt Act and why did it anger Gandhi?
The Rowlatt Act restricted fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression, and increased police powers. Gandhi and others criticized it as 'devilish' and 'tyrannical.'
35
What did Gandhi call for in response to the Rowlatt Act?
Gandhi called for a non-violent satyagraha on 6 April 1919, a day of 'humiliation, prayer, and hartal' (strike).
36
What were Satyagraha Sabhas?
Satyagraha Sabhas were established to launch and organize the Rowlatt Satyagraha movement.
37
Why was the Rowlatt Satyagraha important in India's history?
It was the first all-India struggle against British rule, although it was mostly limited to cities.
38
How did the British government respond to the Rowlatt Satyagraha?
The British used brutal measures to suppress the movement, including the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar on baisakhi day by General Dyer on 13 April 1919.
39
How did Rabindranath Tagore react to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre?
Tagore renounced his knighthood in response to the atrocities at Jallianwala Bagh.
40
What was Gandhi's vision regarding Hindu-Muslim unity during the movement?
Gandhi emphasized that Hindus and Muslims should unite in the fight for India's independence, seeing India as a land for all religions.
41
What was the Khilafat issue and why did it anger Indian Muslims?
In 1920, the British imposed a harsh treaty on the Turkish Sultan or Khalifa, angering Indian Muslims who wanted the Khalifa to retain control over Muslim sacred places in the Ottoman Empire.
42
Who were the leaders of the Khilafat movement?
The leaders of the Khilafat agitation were Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali.
43
How did Gandhi respond to the Khilafat issue?
Gandhi supported the Khilafat movement and urged the Congress to campaign against 'Punjab wrongs' (Jallianwala massacre), the Khilafat wrong, and demand swaraj.
44
What symbolized the boycott of foreign goods during the Non-Cooperation Movement?
People lit public bonfires of foreign cloth, and imports of foreign cloth dropped drastically between 1920 and 1922.
45
How did the people in Sind respond to the Khilafat Movement?
Muslim traders and peasants in Sind were enthusiastic about the Khilafat call and participated actively in the movement.
46
What impact did the Khilafat-Non-Cooperation alliance have in Bengal?
The alliance fostered significant communal unity and strengthened the national movement in Bengal.
47
What was the Akali agitation in Punjab about?
The Akali agitation sought to remove corrupt mahants (priests) supported by the British from the gurdwaras.
48
What did the tea garden laborers in Assam demand during the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Tea garden laborers demanded a wage increase, leaving British-owned plantations while chanting 'Gandhi Maharaj ki Jai.'
49
How did Assamese Vaishnava songs reflect the influence of Gandhiji?
Assamese Vaishnava songs substituted references to Krishna with 'Gandhi Raja,' symbolizing the influence of Gandhiji.
50
What did peasants expect from Gandhiji?
Peasants believed Gandhiji would help them fight against zamindars (landlords) and secure land for agricultural laborers.
51
What achievement did the peasants of Pratapgarh claim in Gandhiji's name?
They stopped illegal evictions of tenants, crediting Gandhiji for their success.
52
How did some tribals and peasants misuse Gandhiji's name?
Some undertook actions that did not align with Gandhian ideals, using his name to justify their actions.
53
Why did Gandhiji call off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 Feb?
Gandhiji ended the movement after the Chauri Chaura incident, where peasants killed 22 policemen in retaliation for police violence.
54
What did Gandhiji's followers focus on after the Non-Cooperation Movement?
They stressed constructive work in villages to build support for future movements.
55
What did leaders like Motilal Nehru and C.R. Das propose after the Non-Cooperation Movement?
They argued that Congress should fight elections and influence government policies through councils.
56
What were two important developments in the 1920s?
The formation of RSS Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindu organization) and the Communist Party of India.
57
How did Indians react to the Simon Commission in 1927?
Indians boycotted the commission, and protests with 'Simon Go Back' banners were held.
58
What did the Congress resolve in 1929?
The Congress, led by Nehru, resolved to fight for complete independence, declaring 26 January 1930 as Independence Day.
59
How did the British respond to the Salt March?
The British responded with brutal repression, sending thousands of peaceful satyagrahis to jail.
60
What did the Salt March and other struggles achieve?
The Government of India Act 1935 granted provincial autonomy, and Congress formed governments in 7 provinces in 1937.
61
How did Congress respond to World War II in 1939?
Congress agreed to support the British in exchange for independence after the war, but the British refused, leading to Congress resignations.
62
What crucial question emerged among Indians during the nationalist movement?
'What is this country of India, and for whom is it meant?'
63
What was the answer to this question?
India was meant for all its people, irrespective of class, color, caste, creed, language, or gender.
64
Why was British control seen as a problem?
Because the British controlled India’s resources and the lives of its people, preventing India from being formed.
65
What was the role of political associations formed after 1850?
They expressed the awareness of British control and promoted the idea of sovereignty for Indian people.
66
Name some key associations formed in the 1870s and 1880s.
1. Poona Sarvajanik Sabha
2. Indian Association
3. Madras Mahajan Sabha
4. Bombay Presidency Association
5. Indian National Congress.
67
What does 'sarvajanik' mean?
'Of or for all the people' (sarva = all + janik = of the people).
68
What was the stated goal of these associations?
To represent the goals of all Indian people, not just a specific region, community, or class.
69
What idea did moderates promote?
The people of India should be sovereign and empowered to make decisions about their own affairs.
70
What British laws caused dissatisfaction in the 1870s and 1880s?
1. Arms Act (1878): Disallowed Indians from possessing arms.
2. Vernacular Press Act (1878): Allowed the government to confiscate assets of newspapers publishing 'objectionable' content.
71
What was the Ilbert Bill controversy?
Purpose: Allowed Indian judges to try British or European persons, promoting equality.
Outcome: White opposition forced the government to withdraw it, enraging Indians.
72
What did the Ilbert Bill controversy highlight?
The racial attitudes of the British in India.
73
When and where was the Indian National Congress formed?
December 1885 in Bombay.
74
How many delegates participated in the first session?
72 delegates from across India.
75
Name some early leaders of the Congress.
1. Dadabhai Naoroji
2. Pherozeshah Mehta
3. Badruddin Tyabji
4. W.C. Bonnerji
5. Surendranath Banerji
6. Romesh Chandra Dutt
7. S. Subramania Iyee.
76
When and where did the first session of the Congress take place?
December 1885 in Bombay.
77
Name some early leaders of the Congress.
Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Badruddin Tyabji, W.C. Bonnerji, Surendranath Banerji, Romesh Chandra Dutt, S. Subramania Iyee.
78
Who was Dadabhai Naoroji, and what was his role?
A businessman, publicist, and member of the British Parliament who guided younger nationalists.
79
What role did A.O. Hume play?
A retired British official who helped bring Indians from different regions together.
80
What did Gandhi call for in 1942?
"Quit India" demand for immediate British withdrawal.
81
What was Gandhi’s slogan during the Quit India Movement?
"Do or die" with non-violent resistance.
82
What happened to Gandhi and leaders in 1942?
Gandhi and other leaders were jailed immediately.
83
Who joined the Quit India Movement?
Peasants, youth, and common people participated.
84
What did people attack during the Quit India Movement?
Communications and state symbols were attacked.
85
How did British respond to Quit India?
Brutal repression: 90,000 arrested, 1,000 killed.
86
Why did the League seek separate states?
Fear Muslims would be underrepresented in democracy.
87
Why did Congress reject the League’s request in 1937?
Congress refused joint government in United Provinces.
88
How did Congress fail in the 1930s?
It failed to mobilize Muslim support, League gained.
89
What did the British offer after WWII?
British opened negotiations for India’s independence.
90
Why did Congress and the League fail to agree in 1945?
League wanted exclusive representation for Muslims.
91
How did Congress perform in the 1946 elections?
Congress did well in "General" constituencies.
92
What happened to people during Partition?
Millions fled, becoming refugees in new countries.
