The National Movement Phase II marks a crucial period in India’s struggle for independence, characterized by the emergence of key leaders, mass mobilization, and significant socio-political developments. This phase, spanning from the early 20th century to the eve of India’s independence in 1947, witnessed a surge in nationalist fervor and a deepening commitment to overthrow colonial rule. As articulated in the UPSC NCERT Notes on Modern History, this era encompasses pivotal events such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Quit India Movement, each leaving an indelible imprint on the course of Indian history. Through a nuanced examination of this period, these notes illuminate the ideological underpinnings, strategic maneuvers, and transformative impact of the National Movement Phase II, shedding light on its enduring significance in shaping the destiny of a nation yearning for freedom.
Introduction
- The Gandhian phase of the National Movement commenced in 1919, characterized by a surge in political activities. During this period, there was a gradual awakening among the people regarding their fundamental rights and constitutional aspirations. However, differences in methods of operation began to surface within the Indian National Congress.
- Following the conclusion of the First World War, the Indian National Movement entered a new chapter. With the emergence of Mahatma Gandhi, the element of mass mobilization became a prominent feature.
Gandhi’s Early Political Career and Activism
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, was the son of a Dewan (Minister) of the Princely State of Kathiawar.
- Influenced profoundly by figures like Thoreau, Tolstoy, Ruskin, and, above all, the life of Jesus Christ, Gandhi pursued law studies in London. He returned to India in 1891 to practice law.
- In 1893, he embarked on a one-year contract to Durban, South Africa, to resolve the legal issues of Dada Abdullah, a Gujarati merchant. Initially appearing as an ordinary young man striving to make a living.
| M.K. Gandhi became the first Indian barrister and the first highly educated Indian to visit South Africa. |
Gandhiji’s Struggle in South Africa
- In South Africa, Gandhiji encountered numerous instances of racial discrimination and social customs disparities.
- His journey from Durban to Pretoria was marked by a series of racial humiliations, including being expelled from a first-class compartment by a White man, despite having purchased a first-class ticket.
| Gandhiji’s experience in South Africa was distinctive in one aspect. As a British-educated barrister, he asserted several rights, such as first-class train tickets and hotel accommodations, which previous Indian individuals may not have dared to request. Perhaps, they perceived discrimination due to a belief that they were considered uncivilized. |
- Gandhiji swiftly took charge of the struggle against racial discrimination and mistreatment of South African Indians. His political activities from 1894 to 1906 are referred to as the Moderate phase of the South African Indian struggle.
- He established the Natal Indian Congress and initiated the newspaper Indian Opinion to advocate for the cause of Natal Indians.
- During this phase, his focus was on petitioning and sending memorials to South African legislatures, the Colonial Secretary in London, and the British Parliament.
- He established Phoenix Farm near Durban, where Gandhi trained his cadre for peaceful resistance or non-violent Satyagraha. This farm is recognized as the birthplace of Satyagraha.
| The second phase of the struggle in South Africa, starting in 1906, was characterized by the use of passive resistance or civil disobedience. |
- This method was first employed when the government passed legislation mandating Indians to obtain certificates of registration containing their fingerprints, which they were required to carry at all times. However, the Indians resolved to defy this law and face the consequences.
- The government and Indians remained resolute, and so did the Indians. Gandhiji established the Passive Resistance Association to lead the agitation campaign. Legal proceedings were initiated against Gandhiji and others by the government.
- Following Gandhiji’s lead, several other South African Indians were sent to jail, colloquially referred to as “King Edward’s Hotel.”
- The British Government introduced new legislation, this time aimed at restricting Indian immigration. In August 1908, numerous prominent Indians from Natal crossed into Transvaal to defy the new immigration laws and were subsequently arrested. Other Transvaal Indians opposed the laws by traveling without a license, and all of them, including Gandhiji himself, were imprisoned in October 1908.
- At this juncture, Gandhiji established Tolstoy Farm, made possible through the generosity of his German architect friend, Kallenbach, to provide for the families of the Satyagrahis.
| Tolstoy Farm served as a precursor to the later Gandhian ashrams that played a crucial role in the Indian national movement. |
- In 1913, another Satyagraha was organized against the introduction of a three-pound poll tax imposed on all ex-indentured Indians. This immediately drew indentured and ex-indentured laborers into the struggle, transforming Satyagraha into a truly mass movement.
- Ultimately, through a series of negotiations involving Gandhiji, the Viceroy Lord Hardinge, CF Andrews, and General Smuts, an agreement was reached whereby the South African government conceded major Indian demands related to the poll tax, registration certificates, and marriages solemnized according to Indian rites.
Gandhiji in India
- Following instructions from GK Gokhale, Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in January 1915.
- Instead of immediately entering Indian politics, he spent 1915 and much of 1916 touring India, visiting places as distant as Sind and Rangoon, Banaras, and Madras, to familiarize himself with his homeland and to introduce himself to his countrymen.
- His sole foray into politics occurred when he advocated (October 1915) for the abolishment of the indentured labor system for manual work outside India.
- His constructive endeavors commenced with the establishment of the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad in May 1915.
- Until the beginning of 1917, Gandhiji was more of a preacher and social worker than a recognized politician, with Gokhale serving as his closest ally and teacher.
Ideology and Thoughts of Gandhiji
Truth, Non-violence, Sarvodaya, and Satyagraha constitute the four pillars of Gandhian philosophy, embodying the significance of Gandhian thought.
- Truth: For Gandhiji, truth is both the relative truth of truthfulness in word and deed and the absolute truth—the ultimate reality. The ultimate truth, in his view, was God (as God is also truth) and morality—the moral laws and code.
- Non-Violence: The doctrine of non-violence is another crucial aspect of Gandhi’s ideology. The Gandhian ideal of active ahimsa involves not just abstaining from all violence but fully embracing an enemy with love. It requires deliberate self-suffering and, therefore, calls for the greatest courage.
- Sarvodaya: This term, meaning universal uplift or progress of all, was first coined by Gandhiji as the title of his translation of John Ruskin’s tract on political economy, “Unto This Last.”
- Satyagraha: One of the most important aspects of Gandhi’s political ideology is Satyagraha, which combines truth and non-violence. To Gandhi, Satyagraha was the only path to achieve Swaraj, involving non-violent non-cooperation and self-sacrifice.
Initial Political Activities in India
- Gandhiji emerged as an influential political leader through involvement in three local disputes in Champaran (in North Bihar), in Kheda (in Gujarat), and in Ahmedabad in 1917-18.
- In Champaran, Gandhi championed the cause of peasants against landlords; in Kheda, he stood up for farmers against revenue officials, and in Ahmedabad, he fought for mill workers against mill owners.
| In each instance, the strategy employed was Satyagraha, guided by the principles of truth and non-violence. The driving force behind Gandhi in every case was mass participation, marking the significance of the Champaran struggle as his first in India. |
Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
- The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) marked Mahatma Gandhi’s inaugural leadership in the Satyagraha Movement in India.
- Peasants were compelled to allocate 15% of their land for cultivating indigo crops, following the Tin Kathiya system imposed by European planters. These planters also enforced fixed prices for the peasants’ produce. With the replacement of indigo by German synthetic dyes, the planters sought higher rents and illegal fees from the peasants to maximize profits.
- Upon the urging of Rajkumar Shukla, Gandhi visited Champaran to assess the farmers’ plight. During his stay, he engaged directly with ordinary people, addressing their concerns—a novel political approach not previously practiced by educated Congress leaders.
- This marked the initiation of peasants into political agitation under a new kind of leadership.
- Gandhi’s magnetic personality drew multitudes to him, earning him the titles of Mahatma and ‘Bapu.‘ Under pressure from the Government of India, the Government of Bihar established an Enquiry Committee in June 1917, whose recommendations led to the implementation of the Champaran Agrarian Act of 1917, of which Gandhi was also a committee member.
- Several leaders, including JB Kripalani, Rajendra Prasad, Mahadev Desai, and Narhari Parikh, joined Gandhi in this Satyagraha.
Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918)
- While Gandhi was immersed in his Bihar responsibilities, Shrimati Anusuya Sarabhai wrote to him about the plight of workers in Ahmedabad mills, urging him to advocate for their cause with the mill owners.
- The devastating plague of 1917-18 had drastically reduced the workforce in Ahmedabad. In an attempt to attract workers, mill owners instituted a plague bonus, paying them 75% of their wages.
- However, on February 22, 1918, the mill owners’ decision to lock out the mills intensified the situation.
- Mahatma Gandhi intervened to bring a resolution, with mill owners eventually agreeing to a 35% bonus, which the workers accepted. In a pivotal move, Gandhi undertook a fast unto death to pressure both parties into a compromise, marking the first hunger strike in the Indian National Movement.
Kheda Satyagraha (1918)
- This event marked the inception of the Non-Cooperation Movement in India. In 1917, heavy rains destroyed most of the Kharif crops in the Kheda district, rendering farmers unable to pay land revenue to the government.
- When the government refused to accede to the peasants’ request for the remittance of land revenues, Gandhi advised them to withhold payment and initiate a struggle against the government on March 22, 1918.
- Gandhi, accompanied by lieutenants such as Vallabhbhai Patel, the young lawyer of Kheda (who had become a follower of Gandhi during this Satyagraha), Indulal Yagnik, and other youth, toured villages to inspire the peasants. Leaders associated with Kheda Satyagraha included Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Narhari Parekh, and Mohanlal Pandya.
- The Satyagrahas in Champaran, Kheda, and Ahmedabad catapulted Gandhi to popularity among the masses, establishing him as a leader of the people. These struggles solidified Gandhi’s close connection with the masses, a bond he would uphold throughout his life.
The Rowlatt Act (1919)
- In 1917, Governor-General Lord Chelmsford established a committee led by Justice Sydney Rowlatt to investigate revolutionary activities and recommend legislation to effectively address them. Known as the Sedition or Rowlatt Committee, it proposed a set of major provisions that constituted the Rowlatt Act:
- Empowering the British Government to arrest anyone suspected of engaging in terrorist activities.
- Authorizing the detention of arrested individuals for up to two years without trial.
- Granting the police the authority to search places without a warrant.
- Imposing severe restrictions on the freedom of the press.
- These provisions, recommended by the Rowlatt Committee chaired by British judge Sir Sidney Rowlatt, were widely denounced by Indians, earning the Act the moniker “Black Bill.” Indian members of the Indian Council, including Muhammed Ali Jinnah, Madan Mohan Malaviya, and Mazhar Ul Haq, resigned in strong protest.
- Gandhiji initiated a campaign against the Rowlatt Act and established the Satyagraha Sabha on February 24, 1919, in Bombay. The Act faced vehement opposition from Indian leaders who considered it highly repressive. Recognizing the ineffectiveness of constitutional opposition, Gandhi organized a hartal, where masses suspended all business to gather in public spaces, engaging in fasting and prayer as a peaceful demonstration against the law—a form of civil disobedience known as the Rowlatt Satyagraha.
| Despite criticism from liberals such as Sir DE Wacha, Surendranath Bannerjee, TB Sapru, Srinivas Shastri, and others like Annie Besant, Gandhi’s move to initiate Satyagraha became a significant act of resistance against the Rowlatt Act. |
- These leaders opposed the Anti-Rowlatt Satyagraha, fearing it might hinder reforms from the British Government.
| The hartal was scheduled for April 6, 1919. In Delhi, it was observed on March 30, resulting in ten fatalities due to police firing. On April 10, 1919, Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal were arrested in Amritsar, leading to mob violence, arson of government buildings, five English fatalities, and an assault on a woman. |
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)
- Following the April 6 hartal, Punjab experienced increased violence, prompting the Civil Government to transfer administration to military authorities under Brigadier General Dyer.
- Dyer imposed a ban on public meetings, detained political leaders, and, on April 13, 1919, ordered troops to fire on a peaceful unarmed crowd at Jallianwala Bagh during Baisakhi celebrations.
- The crowd protested Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Kitchlew’s arrest.
- According to official figures, 379 people were killed, but unofficial accounts reported a much higher toll.
- Martial law was promptly enforced in Punjab on the night of April 13.
- In response to the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, Rabindranath Tagore surrendered his knighthood, and Sir Sankaran Nair, a former INC President, resigned from the Viceroy’s Executive Council.
- Post-massacre, Gandhi withdrew the movement, referring to it as his “Himalayan Blunder.”
- The British Government appointed the Hunter Committee to investigate the massacre, but Gandhi dismissed its report as an “Official Whitewash.”
- The Indian National Congress formed an Enquiry Committee led by Madan Mohan Malaviya, which also included Motilal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, and CR Das.
Khilafat Movement (1919)
- During the First World War, the Sultan of Turkey, the Caliph of the Islamic world and spiritual leader for Indian Muslims, faced defeat, and the harsh terms of the Treaty of Sevres (1920) intensified discontent.
- Additionally, revolts in Arab lands, instigated by the British against the Sultans, fueled Muslim sentiments in India, leading to the Khilafat Movement.
- Khilafatists demanded that the Ottoman Caliph retain his empire with sufficient temporal power to defend Islam, that Arab lands remain under Muslim rule, and that the Sultan of Turkey serve as the guardian of Muslim sacred places.
- MA Ansari, supported by the Congress, demanded the restoration of Arab lands to the Caliph during the Muslim League’s 1918 Annual Session in Delhi.
Course of the Movement
- In April-May 1919, the All India Khilafat Conference was established in Bombay. A conference in Lucknow in September 1919 formed the All India Khilafat Committee with Seth Chhotani as President and Maulana Shaukat Ali as Secretary. Other leaders included Maulana Azad, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Muhammad Ali, and Hasrat Mohani.
- Gandhiji became the President of the All India Khilafat Conference in November 1919. The Amritsar Session of the INC in December 1919 significantly boosted the Khilafat agitation.
- On July 8, 1921, the All India Khilafat Conference in Karachi called upon Muslim soldiers in the Indian Army to resign from their jobs.
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)
- The Congress agreed to initiate the Non-Cooperation Movement in response to two grievances: the Khilafat issue and the Punjab atrocities. The third primary objective of the Non-Cooperation movement, namely Swaraj, was introduced during the Nagpur Session of the INC in December 1920.
- The passing of Lokmanya Tilak on August 1, 1920, led to nationwide observances, including hartals, processions, fasting, and prayers. The Tilak Swarajya fund was established to collect funds for the movement.
- Gandhiji eventually convinced Congress leaders to support the movement. In the special Calcutta session in September 1920, Congress officially endorsed the Non-Cooperation program. The Nagpur session in December 1920 ratified the resolution passed in Calcutta.
Both the Khilafat Committee and Congress outlined four stages of the Non-Cooperation Movement:
- Resignation from titles and honorary posts.
- Resignation from civil services under the government.
- Resignation from Police and Army services.
- Non-payment of taxes to address Punjab grievances, rectify Khilafat wrongs, and establish Swaraj.
Opposition to the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Some leaders opposed the NCM program. Lala Lajpat Rai resisted the Educational Boycott, CR Das opposed the Legislature Boycott, and MM Malaviya and Jinnah were against the goal of Swaraj.
- The Nagpur session, starting from December 26, 1920, ratified the Non-Cooperation resolution previously passed in Calcutta in September 1920. The Nagpur session was historic due to two crucial amendments to the Congress Constitution.
- Firstly, the Congress shifted its objective from achieving self-government through constitutional means to pursuing Swaraj through peaceful and legitimate methods.
- Secondly, the Congress organization underwent revolutionary changes, including:
- Establishment of a 15-member Working Committee.
- Formation of an All India Congress Committee with 300 members.
- Creation of Congress Committees at the town, village, district, Taluka, and village levels, establishing a hierarchical structure.
- Reorganization of Provincial Congress Committees based on linguistic considerations.
- Opening of Congress membership to all adults, men and women aged 21 or older, upon payment of a 4-anna annual subscription.
- The Non-Cooperation Movement’s program had two main aspects: Constructive and Destructive.
- Additionally, during the AICC meeting in Vijayawada on March 31, 1921, two more programs were outlined:
- To collect 1 crore for the Tilak Memorial Swarajya fund.
- To introduce 20 lakh charkhas into Indian households.
Growth and Spread of the Movement
- The Non-Cooperation Movement marked the first widespread mass movement initiated under Mahatma Gandhi. Thousands of students abandoned schools and colleges to join over 800 national schools and colleges.
- Newly established national institutions like Kashi Vidyapeeth, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Jamia Millia Islamia, and others accommodated numerous students.
- Prominent lawyers across the country, including CR Das, Motilal Nehru, MR Jayakar, Saifuddin Kitchlew, Vallabhbhai Patel, C Rajagopalachari, T Prakasam, and Asaf Ali, relinquished their legal practices.
- Between January and March 1921, the districts of Rae Bareilly, Pratapgarh, Faizabad (now Ayodhya), and Sultanpur experienced widespread agrarian riots led by Baba Ram Chandra. Later in 1921, there was another significant peasant uprising known as the Eka Movement under the leadership of Madari Pasi.
| During the Non-Cooperation Movement, Kashi Vidyapeeth, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, and Jamia Millia Islamia were established between 1920-22. |
- The Bijolia movement in Mewar and the Bhil movement under Motilal Tejavat gained momentum from the Non-Cooperation movement.
- The decision to initiate Civil Disobedience was approved during the Congress Session in Ahmedabad. Bardoli Taluqa was chosen as the launching site for Gandhiji’s Civil Disobedience campaign.
- On 5th February, Congress volunteers were fired upon by the police at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh. In retaliation, an enraged mob killed 22 policemen. The Congress Working Committee, meeting at Bardoli on 12th February 1922, called off the movement (the resolution popularly known as the Bardoli Resolution), leaving the country shocked.
- Subhash Chandra Bose described it as a national calamity, and prominent leaders like Muhammad Ali Jinnah, GS Khaparde, Annie Besant, and Bipin Chandra Pal left the Indian National Congress.
Features of Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM):
- Essentially a peaceful and non-violent protest against the British Government in India.
- People were urged to resign from government jobs, withdraw children from government schools, boycott foreign goods, boycott elections, and refuse to serve in the British army.
- The INC demanded Swaraj or self-government.
- A decisive step in the independence movement as, for the first time, the INC was willing to forgo constitutional means to achieve self-rule.
- Movements against Union board taxes in Bengal and the No Tax Campaign in Andhra Pradesh.
| Popular resentment among the Moplah against their Hindu landlords and the Akali Movement as part of this movement. |
- Tea plantation labor in Assam also went on strike during this movement.
- Gandhiji had assured that Swaraj could be achieved in a year if this movement was continued to completion.
Evaluation of the Non-Cooperation Movement:
- The Non-Cooperation Movement introduced a novel form of struggle to the Indian National Movement. While the movement fell short of achieving its primary goal of Swaraj, it successfully mobilized masses across the country. The open protest against the government through peaceful means attracted lakhs of Indians, reaching even the remotest villages.
- The promotion of Khadi usage led to substantial profits for Indian merchants and mill owners, thanks to the boycott of British goods. Additionally, the movement firmly established Gandhiji as a leader of the masses.
- Moreover, the Non-Cooperation Movement managed to attract a significant number of Muslims. Although most Congress leaders remained steadfast in supporting Gandhiji, a determined faction eventually broke away. The Ali brothers, in particular, emerged as fierce critics of the movement.
Constructive Programme
- Following the repeal of the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, engaged in constructive works, including:
- Communal Unity: According to Gandhi, communal unity goes beyond political unity; it should be an unbreakable unity of hearts.
- Removal of Untouchability Gandhi considered untouchability a blot and curse upon Indian society. In 1932, he established the Harijan Sevak Sangh to work towards the abolition of untouchability after the Poona Pact.
- Khadi Making: Gandhi promoted Khadi as a symbol of nationalism, economic freedom, equality, and self-reliance. He believed that the reconstruction of society and effective resistance against foreign rule could only be achieved through Khadi. Gandhi envisioned Khadi playing a central role in uplifting the village economy, ultimately leading to the attainment of Gram Swaraj.
- New or Basic Education: Gandhi’s concept of new education emphasized the significance of nature, society, and crafts as essential mediums of education.
- Upliftment of Women: Recognizing the importance of cooperation from various segments of society in his mission for Swaraj, Gandhi actively worked towards the upliftment of women, along with farmers, laborers, and students.
Swarajya Party (1922):
- The Gaya Session of the Congress in December 1922 became a battleground between supporters of council entry and no council entry. Ultimately, the no-changers, led by Rajagopalachari, emerged victorious.
- Following this, CR Das, along with Motilal Nehru, resigned as the President and Secretary of the Congress. On December 31, 1922, they announced the formation of the Congress-Khilafat Swaraj Party, commonly known as the Swaraj Party, with CR Das as its President and Motilal Nehru as its Secretary.
- The Swarajists secured a clear majority in the Central provinces, emerged as the largest party in Bengal, and performed reasonably well in Bombay and Uttar Pradesh, although not as strongly in Madras and Punjab due to strong caste and communal currents. The Justice Party in Madras and the Unionist Party in Punjab held more influence.
- In the Legislative assembly, where the Swarajists were not the majority, a coalition of seventy members was formed, known as the Nationalist Party, with the support of independents led by Jinnah and the liberals.
- In the provinces, particularly in Madras and Punjab, the Swarajists faced challenges due to strong caste and communal influences. The Justice Party in Madras and the Unionist Party in Punjab held more substantial power.
- In the Legislative assembly, where the Swarajists lacked a majority, they formed a coalition called the Nationalist Party, comprising seventy members. This coalition received support from independents led by Jinnah and liberal members.
Main Objectives of Swaraj Party
- Rapid attainment of Dominion Status.
- The right to frame a constitution or adopt a system best suited to the country’s conditions.
- Control over the bureaucracy.
- Full provincial autonomy.
- Achieving Swarajya (self-rule).
- Granting people the right to control the existing machinery and government system.
- Organizing industrial and agricultural labor.
- Controlling local and municipal bodies.
- Establishing an agency for propaganda outside the country.
- Creating a federation of Asian countries to promote trade and commerce.
- Engaging in the constructive programs of the Congress.
Achievements of Swarajists
- The Swarajists achieved notable milestones, such as Motilal Nehru presenting the national demand for a new Constitution in the inaugural session. Rangachari proposed a resolution urging the Governor General in Council to revise the 1919 Act for provincial autonomy and dominion status. Motilal advocated for an amendment supporting a Round Table Conference to recommend a scheme for full responsible government.
| In the Central legislature, the Swarajists compelled the appointment of the Alexander Muddiman Committee in 1924 to investigate the flaws in the 1919 Act and propose remedies. |
- In response to the Lee Commission’s recommendations on the organization and condition of public services, put forth by Viscount Lee, Motilal proposed an amendment during the assembly’s approval process, which secured majority support. The Swarajists further achieved success by rejecting the budget, compelling the government to rely on its power of certification.
- In March 1925, the Swarajists triumphed in electing Vithalbhai Patel, a prominent Swarajist, as the President of the Central Legislative Assembly. Lajpat Rai joined the Central Legislative Assembly as a Swarajist and assumed the deputy leadership of the party. M.L. Nehru accepted membership in the Skeen Committee, established to report on the early Indianization of the Army.
Resignation of the Swarajists
- In the 1926 elections, despite winning 40 seats in the Central legislature and securing half of the seats in Madras, the Swarajya Party faced significant setbacks in other provinces. Consequently, the Swarajists resigned from the legislature in 1930.
Prelims FActs
- Who was the founder of ‘The Fabian Society’? -Annie Besant [IAS (Pre) 2005]
- In 1920, which organization changed its name to ‘Swarajya Sabha’? -All India Home Rule (UPPSC (Pre) 2018]
- The twin principles of Mahatma Gandhi’s Ram Rajya were – Truth and non-violence [UPPSC (Pre) 1993]
- Who is considered as the ‘Political Guru’ of Mahatma Gandhi? -GK Gokhale (UPPSC (Pre) 1991
- The Champaran Movement was basically against Cash crops [BPSC (Pre) 2020)
- In which session of Indian National Congress, Mahatma Gandhi participated for the first time? Calcutta Session of 1901 (UPPSC (Pre) 2004
- Who drew Mahatma Gandhi’s attention towards the exploitation of the peasants by European Indigo planters? Raj Kumar Shukla [BPSC (Pre) 2018, 2020)
- What does the term Tinkathia System in Champaran meant? Cultivation of Indigo on the 3/20 area of land [UPPSC (Pre) 2013, BPSC (Pre) 2020)
- In which movement did Mahatma Gandhi make the first use of hunger strike as a weapon? -Ahmedabad Strike (UPPSC (Pre) 2010]
- Who established the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association? -Mahatma Gandhi (UPPSC (Pre) 2009]
- Who was the editor of the newspaper Navjivan? – Gandhiji (WBCS (Pre2022
- In 1929, at which place did Mahatma Gandhi complete his translation of Anasakti Yoga? – Kausani (UKPSC (Pre) 2022)
- In which year did the Rowlatt Act was passed? -1919 (BPSC (Pre) 2008, WBCS (Pre) 2019
- In whose Viceroyalty the ‘Rowlatt Act’ was passed? – Lord Chelmsford [IAS (Pre) 2008)
- Who suggested the launching of the ‘No Tax Campaign’ as a protest against Rowlatt Act? – Swami Shraddhanand (UPPSC (Pre) 2008)
- Which Act aroused a wave of popular indignation that led to the massacre by the British at Jallianwala Bagh? -Rowlatt Act [IAS (Pre) 2007]
- During the Indian freedom struggle, a large unarmed crowd gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh at Amritsar on 13th April, 1919 to protest against the arrest of – Dr Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr Satyapaln(UPPSC (Pre) 2002
- The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place in which city? – Amritsar [UKPSC (Pre) 2010, WBCS (Pre) 2017
- Who resigned from the Viceroy’s Executive Council protesting the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre? Sankaran Nair [UPPSC (Pre) 2013]
- Sir Michael O’Dwyer was shot dead on 13th March 1940 in London by – Udham Singh (BPSC (Pre) 2016,2017
UPSC NCERT Practice Questions
1. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place in which City? UKPSC (Pre) 2010, WBCS (Pre) 2017
(a) Meerut
(b) Agra
(d) Lahore
(c) Amritsar
2. Which of the following pair is correctly matched? IAS (Pre) 2005
1. Champaran : Rajendra Prasad
2. Ahmedabad Mill Movement : Morarji Desai
3. Kheda : Vallabhbhai Patel
Codes
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
3. Gandhiji’s Non-Cooperation Movement used people to avoid alcohol. This results in a serious l loss of revenue for the government. The government of a province circulated a list of prominent individuals who drank alcohol as a device to persuade people to start drinking again. Name the Province. BPSC (Pre) 2018
(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Bihar
(c) Bombay
(d) Gujarat
4. As per the Rowlatt Act of 1919, MPSC (Pre) 2014
1. anyone could be hung without inquiry.
2. The British could search any place.
3. they could arrest any person of suspicion.
4. the criminal could not appeal.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 2, 3 and 4
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
5. Consider the following statements. IAS (Pre) 2010
1. Dr Rajendra Prasad persuaded Mahatma Gandhi to come to Champaran to investigate the problem of peasants.
2. Acharya JB Kripalani was one of the Mahatma Gandhi’s colleagues in his Champaran investigation.
Which of the statements) given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
6. Which of the following statements) about the Champaran Satyagraha is/are correct?
1. The Champaran region had a long tradition of anti-planter discontent and agitation.
2. Mahatma Gandhi gave all India publicity to the grievances of Champaran cultivators.
3. The cultivators of Champaran had protested against excessive taxation on sugar.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
7. Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha? UPPSC (Pre) 2018
(a) Active all-India participation of lawyers, students, and women in the national movement.
(b) Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the national movement.
(c) Joining of peasants unrest to India’s national movement.
(d) Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crops and commercial crops.
8. With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements) is/are correct? IAS (Pre) 2015
1. The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the ‘Sedition Committee’.
2. In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League.
3. Demonstrations against the arrival of the Simon
Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.
Select the correct answer by using the codes given below.
a） Only1
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
9. Which of the following institutions were founded during the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22)? UPPSC (Mains) 2005
1. Kashi Vidyapeeth 1921
2. Gujarat Vidyapeeth 1920
3. Jamia Millia 1920
4. Kashi Hindu Vishvavidyalaya
Codes
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) All of these
10. With reference to the EV Ramaswami Nayakar, which of the following statement/s is/are correct? UPPSC (Pre) 2023
1. He participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement
2. He left the congress in 1925
Select the correct answer by using the codes given below.
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) Both 1 and 2
11. Which of the following were the main objectives of the Khilafat Movement? IAS (Pre) 1993
1. To rouse anti-British feelings among the Muslims of India.
2. To reform the Muslim society.
3. To demand separate electorates and preserve the Khilafat.
4. To save the Ottoman Empire and preserve the Khilafat
Codes
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
12. The Congress supported the Khilafat Movement mainly for UPPSC (Pre) 2000
1. reinstatement of Caliph
2. removal of Caliph
3. getting the sympathy of the Muslims
4. marginalizing Jinnah in the Congress
Codes
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
13. Which of the following statements) about Mahatma Gandhi’s Anti-Untouchability campaign is/are correct? UPPSC (Pre) 2001
1. The All India Harijan Sevak Sangh was founded for this purpose.
2. The campaign was to root out untouchability, since it did not enjoy the sanction of the Hindu Shastras.
Select the correct answer by using the codes given below.
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
14. Assertion (A) The British Government announced the Communal Award in August 1932, BPSC (Pre) 2004
Reason (R) It allowed to each minority a number of seats in the legislature to be elected on the basis of a separate electorate.
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
15. Which of the following events was the last in chronological order? UPPSC (Pre) 2023
(a) Home Rule Movement 1916
(b) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre 1919
(c) Khilafat Movement 1924
(d) Moplah Revolt 1920
Know Right Answer
1 (c)
2 (c)
3 (d)
4 (c)
5 (c)
6 (d)
7 (c)
8 (b)
9 (c)
10 (b)
11 (d)
12 (d)
13 (a)
14 (a)
15 (d)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Q: What were the key events during the Indian National Movement Phase II (1919-1927)?
A: The period between 1919 and 1927 witnessed significant milestones in India’s struggle for independence. Some key events include the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919), the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), the Chauri Chaura incident (1922), and the formation of the Swaraj Party (1923). These events marked a shift in the strategies employed by the Indian National Congress and reflected the growing discontent against British rule.
2. Q: How did the Jallianwala Bagh massacre impact the Indian National Movement?
A: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, where British troops indiscriminately fired on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar in 1919, had a profound impact on the Indian National Movement. It intensified anti-British sentiments, leading to widespread protests and a call for immediate independence. This tragic event served as a catalyst for the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, marking a turning point in the struggle against colonial rule.
3. Q: What was the significance of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) in the Indian National Movement?
A: The Non-Cooperation Movement was a pivotal phase in India’s struggle for independence. Launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, it urged Indians to refuse cooperation with the British government, adopting nonviolent means. The movement saw widespread participation, involving people from different sections of society. Although it was eventually called off in 1922 due to the Chauri Chaura incident, it left a lasting impact by mobilizing the masses and changing the dynamics of the Indian National Movement.
4. Q: What led to the formation of the Swaraj Party in 1923?
A: The Swaraj Party was formed in 1923 by Motilal Nehru and Chittaranjan Das as a response to the disillusionment with the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement. The leaders believed in working within the legislative framework to achieve self-rule. The party aimed to contest elections and agitate for constitutional reforms within the system. Though the Swaraj Party’s impact was limited, it represented a shift in the strategies of the Indian National Congress during this phase.
5. Q: How did the Simon Commission (1927) contribute to the growth of nationalist sentiments in India?
A: The Simon Commission, appointed by the British government in 1927 to propose constitutional reforms for India, faced strong opposition as it did not include any Indian members. The commission’s arrival was met with widespread protests, highlighting the demand for Indian representation in the decision-making process. The incident brought various Indian political groups together, fostering a sense of unity and nationalism. The Simon Commission and the subsequent protests set the stage for more organized and concerted efforts towards self-governance in the later years of the Indian National Movement.
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