Unit 1A Rise of Linguistic Nationalism

Question 1

What were the 4 evidences of division in Sri Lanka?

Answer 1

Rise in Buddhist and Hindu Nationalism;

British ‘divide and conquer’ policy;

Importing Tamil Labourers;

Political Splits

Question 2

Explain the British divide and conquer policy:

Answer 2

-Tamils got more jobs and education opportunities (because they lived in areas with English-language schools)

-Sinhalese felt left out, causing resentment.

Question 3

What was the 1915 Sinhalese-Muslim riots?

Answer 3

Conflict between the Sinhalese Buddhists and Ceylon Moors (as a result of British favouration towards Moors)

Harshly put down by British

Many independence fighters (D.S. Senanayake) imprisoned.

Marked beginning of independence movement with a number of leaders emerging from growing educated middle classes.

Spread from Kandy to rest of island

Question 4

Explain Importing Tamil labourers

Answer 4

The British government moved 800,000 Tamils from Southern India to Ceylon in 19th, 20th Century to work on Tea, Rubber, Coconut plantations.

Exacerbated tensions.

Question 5

Explain Political Splits

Answer 5

Tamil groups broke away from the Ceylon National Congress (CNC) over fair representation fears.

New ethnic-based political parties were created, like the All Ceylon Tamil Congress.

Question 6

When did the Sinhalese gain political majority?

Answer 6

1936.

Question 7

Why did the Sinhalese gain political majority?

Answer 7

Because the Tamils boycotted government elections.

Question 8

What are the evidences of no division?

Answer 8

Peaceful, shared history;

Common origins;

Similar Cultures;

United front (Early power sharing)

Joint political movements

Question 9

Explain peaceful, shared history:

Answer 9

Both Sinhalese and Tamils have lived peacefully together for many years.

Question 10

How are Sinhala and Tamil people’s origins similar?

Answer 10

Many Sinhalese and Tamil people migrated from India, meaning they had shared roots.

Question 11

What did the Sinhalese and Tamils have in common in terms of culture?

Answer 11

Similar language; kinship; caste systems; cultural rituals.

Question 12

How did the Sinhalese and Tamils show a united front when the British came?

Answer 12

A Legislative Council (LC) was formed by British to give Sri Lankans a greater say in governance.

Had equal representation from each group.

Question 13

When was the LC (Legislative Council) formed?

Answer 13

1833

Question 14

When was the CNC (Ceylon National Congress) formed?

Answer 14

1919.

Question 15

Examples of joint political movements by the Sinhalese and Tamils?

Answer 15

Tamil Leaders, like Ponnambalam, were elected members of the LC who represented Sinhalese communities as well.

CNC represented every ethnic group.

Many leaders worked together to gain independence from British.

Question 16

What does LC stand for?

Answer 16

Legislative Council/

Question 17

What does CNC stand for?

Answer 17

Ceylon National Congress

Question 18

Explain rise in Buddhist and Hindu Nationalism:

Answer 18

Sinhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus started promoting their religions to resist Christian missionaries.

This increased religious-based nationalism and division.

Question 19

When were the Sinhalese-Muslim riots?

Answer 19

1915

Question 20

How many Tamils did the British move to Ceylon?

Answer 20

800,000

Question 21

What political groups did the CNC split into?

Answer 21

All Ceylon Tamil Congress;

The Federal Party;

Sinhala Maha Saba.

Question 22

Who founded the All Ceylon Tamil Congress?

Answer 22

Ponnambalam

Question 23

When was the All Ceylon Tamil Congress founded?

Answer 23

1944

Question 24

Who founded the Federal Party?

Answer 24

Chelvanayakam.

Question 25

When was the Federal Party founded?

Answer 25

1949

Question 26

Who founded the Sinhala Maha Saba?

Answer 26

S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike.

Question 27

When was the Sinhala Maha Saba founded?

Answer 27

1937

Question 28

Why was the Sinhala Maha Saba founded?

Answer 28

Due to a rise in Sinhala Nationalism that wanted to restore Buddhism to its former glory.

Question 29

What changed after Independence?

Answer 29

Universal Franchise introduced (ppl above 21 allowed to vote); Government had Sinhalese majority due to universal franchise and territorial representation; D.S. Senanayake signed the Ceylon Independence Act which transferred power from British to Ceylonese.

Question 30

When was universal franchine introduced?

Answer 30

1931

Question 31

When did the Ceylon Independence Act get signed and who signed it?

Answer 31

1947, D.S. Senanayake

Question 32

When did Sri Lanka declare independence from Britain?

Answer 32

4th February 1948 (still remained a commonwealth nation of the Empire)

Question 33

When was Sri Lanka proclaimed an independent republic?

Answer 33

16th May 1972

Question 34

Causes of the rise of Sinhala Nationalism:

Answer 34

**Anagarika Dharmapala contributed to Buddhist revival in Sri Lanka**, creating Buddhist institutions and schools (rivalling those of the Christian missionaries); **The majority Sinhalese population (who were not proficient in English)** felt discriminated because of the educational and economic inequalities in comparison to the Tamil population The dominance of Christianity and Western influences + **Removal of Buddhist Privilege in state government** **Politicians' capitalization on the resentment of the Sinhalese** in order to gain votes.