RBSE Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement
RBSE Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement
Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Textual Questions
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Very Short Answer type Questions
Question 1.
What is non – cooperation movement?
Answer:
The movement to boycott various British policies which were against the Indian interest was known as the non – cooperation movement. It had two points:
- positive
- negative.
The British government could function smoothly on the cooperation of the people. So, to end that cooperation was the purpose of the non-cooperation movement.
Question 2.
What is Chauri Chaura incident? Explain.
Answer:
During the non – cooperation movement, on 5th Feb. 1922, at Chauri Chaura in district Gorakhpur, the police tried to stop the procession being conducted by the Congress. The furious crowd went violent and set the police post on fire in which 22 policemen were killed.
Question 3.
Where did the Jallianwala Bagh massacre take place?
Answer:
At Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar.
Question 4.
What did the Rowlatt act aim to ban?
Answer:
The Rowlatt act aimed at banning the demand for freedom and all other political activities connected with its demand.
Question 5.
When did the Prince of Wales visit India?
Answer:
On 17th November, 1921.
Question 6.
What was Young India?
Answer:
An English weekly published by Mahatma Gandhi from Ahmedabad in 1919.
Question 7.
What is the significance of the day-9th August, 1942 ?
Answer:
On 9th August, 1942, Mahatma Gandhi gave the slogan ‘Quit India’ and launhed the Quit India Movement.
Question 8.
‘Don’t die but kill’, who gave this slogan?
Answer:
Lai Bahadur Shastri gave this slogan.
Question 9.
Who gave the slogan ‘Delhi challo’?
Answer:
Subhash Chandra Bose.
Question 10.
“Do or die”. Who said it?
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi.
Question 11.
When is the Kakori incident memorial day celebrated?
Answer:
On 9th August.
Question 12.
Who started the tradition of celebrating the Kakori incident memorial day?
Answer:
Sardar Bhagat Singh.
Question 13.
Who is called the Nightingale of India?
Answer:
Sarojini Naidu.
Question 14.
When did the Cabinet Mission arrive in India?
Answer:
In 1946.
Question 15.
Who endowed Mahatma Gandhi with the title of Father of the Nation?
Answer:
Subhash Chandra Bose.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Explain the meaning of non – cooperation movement.
Answer:
Non – Cooperation Movement: In India, the British government worked on account of the cooperation of its citizens. To stop the cooperation to various government departments was the true aim of this movement. Through this movement, Gandhiji, wanted to give the message that without cooperation of the public, the government is a failure.
Question 2.
Throw light on the Chauri – Chaura incident.
Answer:
On April 5, 1922, in Chauri – chaura village (Gorakhpur), the Congress was taking out a procession in connection with the non – cooperation movement. The police tried to stop this peaceful procession. So, the crowd went violent and set fire to the police post. Twenty – two policemen lost their lives. This incident is known as the Chauri – Chaura incident.
Question 3.
Describe the Rowlatt Act.
Answer:
A committee was organized with justice Rowlatt as its chairman. On the basis of the report of this committee, an ordinance was passed regarding the revolutionary and criminal activities, which was known an Rowlatt Act. Its aim was to detain in jail any Indian on any pretext for two years, to suspend his citizenship rights and to suppress the demand of Swaraj. This act was opposed throughout the country.
Question 4.
What did Gandhiji do at Kheda and Ahmedabad?
Answer:
In 1915, Gandhiji returned from South Africa to India and established his Ashram on the banks of river Sabarmati, near Ahmedabad. At Kheda and Champaran (Bihar), Gandhiji took up the cause of farmers and Indigo growers and fought for their right. At Ahmedabad, he fought for the rights of the labourers working in the textile mills. These experiments in Satyagraha exhibited the public the power of Satyagraha.
Question 5.
Write a note on Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Answer:
At Amritsar, on 9th April 1919, two famous leaders of the Congress – Dr. Satya Pal and Saiffudin Kitchlu were arrested for opposing the Rowlatt Act! A strike was declared in Amritsar to release them. On 13th April 1919, at least 20,000 people from the neighbouring villages gathered in Jallianwala Bagh to participate in the annual Baisakhi fair. Some of the people had gathered to peacefully oppose the Rowlatt act enforced by the British rulers.
Martial law had been imposed in the city beforehand. General Dyer reached there with his soldiers and ordered to shut all the exit gates of the Jallianwlala Bagh. Then he ordered his soldiers to fire ruthlessly on the unarmed people with warning them. At least one thousand people were killed and many others were injured.
Question 6.
What was Khilafat movement?
Answer:
During the First World War, Turkey was an ally of Germany. The Indian Muslims suspected that after the war was over, great Britain would take action against Turkey. During the war, the Prime Minister of Britain, in order to gain the support of Indian Muslims, falsely assured them that Britain would not adopt the policy of revenge against Turkey.
But after the war, Britain did not keep its promise. It dismantled the administration of Turkey. Instead of appointing the Sultan of Turkey, as the Khalifa of Turkey Britain banished the Sultan and accepted the authority of Sheikh Hassan as the Khalifa. This infuriated Indian Muslims and they started the Khilafat movement.
Question 7.
Explain Gandhiji’s concept of Swaraj.
Answer:
The movement of complete Swaraj was quite different from the non – cooperation movement. The strategy adopted for this movement was also different. To achieve the objective of complete Swaraj, the violation of law was also considered as an strategy. The patriots were inspired to participate wholeheartedly into the Swaraj movement. The movement was to be converted into a mass movement.
Question 8.
Whose biography was written by Louis Fisher?
Answer:
Louis Fisher wrote the book “The Life of Mahatma Gandhi”.
Question 9.
Where and when did the Prince of Wales come to India?
Answer:
The Prince of Wales came to India on 17th Nov. 1921. At Bombay, he was received by a nation-wide Strike. Seeing the success of non – cooperation movement, the British government began to suppress the movement ruthlessly. They arrested the Ali Brothers. The Congress opposed their arrest and decided to call a strike throughout the country.
Question 10.
Write a note on Young India.
Answer:
“Young India’ was an English weekly published by Gandhiji from Ahmedabad. The British government arrested Gandhji for criticizing the government in his paper. He was tried as a traitor of the nation and was punished for the crime. Mahatma Gandhi wrote a letter to the Viceroy of India that the government must accept his eleven conditions., so that, he would not start the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Question 11.
Explain the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Answer:
It was a movement started by Gandhiji which was entirely different from the non – cooperation movement. Even the strategy adopted in the movement was different. To achieve complete Swaraj, it was decided to oppose the British laws. The patriots and revolutionaries were to organize satyagraha and opposition of British laws throughout the country.
Question 12.
Describe the Kakori incident.
Answer:
It was a shocking and violent incident in the history of freedom struggle which was being held under the leadership of Gandhiji. It was a bold and daring action of the revolutionaries to loot the treasury of the British rulers. With this loot, the revolutionaries wanted to buy arms, so that they might fight against the British army to achieve complete Swaraj. On August 9, 1925, the revolutionaries, namely Ram Prasad Bismal and Ashfaqulla Khan along with ten fellow revolutionaries, stopped the train at Kakori railway station and looted the government treasury.
Question 13.
Write a short note on Cabinet Mission.
Answer:
On 26th July 1945, the then British Prime Minister Clement Attlee formed his ministry in England. On 15 Feb. 1946, he declared to send a Cabinet Mission to India to study Indian problems and to establish the Indian constitution. It was a fully empowered commission consisting of Lord Pathic Lawrence, the chief Secretary of Indian affairs, Sir Stafford, the president of board of trade, and A.V. Alexandar, the chief of the British navy.
It reached Delhi on 24th March 1946. Its function was to find out the possibilities of transferring the power from British hands to Indian hands in a peaceful way. The commission had been given special powers.
Question 14.
When was Lord Mountbatten appointed the Viceroy of India?
Answer:
In Feb. 1947, Lord Mountbatten was appointed the Viceroy of India in place of Lord Wave – ll. He tried his level best to solve all the disputes with a compromising attitude. But when he failed to do so, he declared that British India would be set free, but it would be partitioned.
Question 15.
Under which plan did the partition of India take place?
Answer:
The partition of the country took place according to the Mountbatten plan under the Indian Independence Act, 1947. In this Act, it was mentioned that on l5th Aug. 1947, British India would be partitioned into two dominion state countries, namely, India and Pakistan, and the British government would hand over the power to these countries.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Essay Type Questions
Question 1.
Describe Gandhiji’s role in the Non – cooperation Movement.
Answer:
Role of Gandhiji Non – cooperation Movement:
Even during his stay in South Africa, Gandhiji had started taking interest in the issue of Hindu – Muslim unity in India. According to him, Lucknow Pact had not become a strong foundation of Hindu – Muslim unity. For Gandhiji, the Khilafat Movement was a unique opportunity to forge Hindu-Muslim unity. In Nov. 1919, Gandhiji was elected the president of the khilafat conference.
Gandhiji declared that if the Great Britain does not provide justice to Turkey, the boycott and non – cooperation movement will be started. But the cooperation of the Congress was essential for it. So, at the Calcutta session of the Congress in 1920, a new plan for non – cooperation movement was devised. The year 1921 brought with it the non – cooperation movement with a renewed zeal. Its message was the boycott of all the political, social and economic institutions of British India.
Gandhiji returned the title Kaiser – e – Hind. Thousands of students boycotted schools and colleges. Many advocates gave up their profession. Non cooperation movement gave a new energy to India. The British government was amazed to see the impact of this movement.
It became difficult for the British government to face it. In December 1921, at the Ahmedabad session of the Congress, it was decided to make the non-cooperation movement a mass movement. Gandhiji was given all rights regarding the non-cooperation movement.
In Feb. 1922, Mahatma Gandhi wrote a letter to the Viceroy of India, which was a sort of warning. At Bartholdi, full-fledged preparation had been made for this movement. But due to the Chauri-Chaura incident, this movement had to be withdrawn.
All Congress leaders opposed Gandhiji’s this decision. Lala Lajpat Rai and Moti Lai Nehru wrote a letter to Gandhiji from the jail that due to a mistake at one place, whole country had been punished. The next day, Gandhiji was arrested, although he had postponed the non – cooperation movement, and was tried as a traitor of the country. He was imprisoned for six years.
Question 2.
Analyse Gandhiji’s role in Quit India Movement.
Answer:
On 9th Aug. 1942, Mahatma Gandhi gave the famous slogan ‘Quit India’. On Gandhiji’s call, it became a public national movement throughout the country. It was an important part of the civil disobedience movement. After the failure of Cripps Mission, Gandhiji decided to start a big movement.
On 8th Aug 1942, at the meeting of Indian Congress committee in Bombay, the slogan, ‘British, Quit India’ was given. Gandhiji was immediately arrested and the young workers of Indian National Congeress observed a country – wide strike and got indulged in violent acts.
Realizing this to be the correct time to run a nationwide movement, Gandhiji, on 8th Aug. 1942, at midnight, from Bombay, gave the British rulers the message “British, Quit India”, and to the Indians he gave the revolutionary slogan, ‘Do are die’. Under a strategy, he left for Agha Khan Palace under the protection of the police.
On 9th August 1942, before dawn, all the members of the Congress working committee had been arrested and the congress party had been declared an illegal organisation. Sarojini Naidu was detained in Agha Khan Palace at Yarvada (Pune). Dr Rajendra Prasad was detained in Patna jail and the rest of the leaders were detained in Ahmednagar Fort.
Question 3.
Explain in detail the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
Answer:
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre:
The British government, on 9th April 1919, arrested Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Saiffudin Kitchlu and banished them form Amritsar. They banned Gandhiji’s entry in Punjab and Delhi. At that time, Michael O’ Dyre was the governor of Punjab. He mocked at the ambition of Indians of getting Swaraj. Excitement was let loose in Punjab at this action, and a strike was declared in Punjab for their release. The army was called in to face the situation. On 10th April, indiscriminate firing was ordered on the satyagrahis.
On 13th April 1919, more arrests were made and holding of meetings was banned, but the public was not given any information about the ban. On 13th April 1919, it was the Baisakhi day and people from the neighbouring villages of Amritsar were gathering to celebrate Baisakhi, but they were not checked from assembling there. When about 20,000 people had gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh, General Dyer ordered his armed soldiers to fire at unarmed people and there was only one exit gate. At his orders, the wounded people were left crying with pain all night.
Question 4.
Explain the Chauri Chaura episode.
Answer:
In 1921, at the Ahmedabad session of the Indian National Congress, a decision was taken to give the non-cooperation movement a countrywide form, Gandhi was given full rights to give the decision a practical shape. On 1st Feb. 1922, Gandhi wrote a warning letter to the Viceroy of India in this context. Full preparation had been made at Bardoli for launching the movement. But the sad incident of Chauri Chaura village of Gorakhpur district on 5th Feb. 1922 completely changed the entire political scenario.
The non – cooperation movement was at its peak. At the same time, in the village Chauri – Chaura (Gorakhpur) on 5th Feb. 1922, the police tried to stop the procession which was being conducted by the Congress workers. The workers got furious and the police took shelter in the post. The congress workers set fire to the police post. At least 22 policemen were burnt to death.
This violent incident at Chauri Chaura hurt the non – violent heart of Gandhiji. He withdrew the movement due to the use of violence by the Congress workers. Still, Gandhiji and many participants of the procession were arrested. Some other Congress leaders expressed their anguish at the tragic incident at Chauri Chaura.
Question 5.
Describe in detail Gandhiji’s contribution to the freedom struggle of India.
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi played a very important role in the Indian freedom struggle. It may be described point wise in the following way:
1. Father of the Nation:
Mahatma Gandhi is recognized as the Father of the Nation because he was the most respectable and the most influential of all the national leaders in the freedom struggle.
2. Wholly dedicated to the cause of the country:
Mahatma Gandhi dedicated his entire life to the country. He undertook fast unto death for liberating the country from the slavery of the English rule. The Britishers offered him many persuasions, but to him, the cause of the country was superior to any temptation, and he faced the mighty British.
3. Leadership only of the non – violent movements:
Mahatma Gandhi carried out many non – violent movements against the British government. The chief movements were the Non – Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Swadeshi Movement and Quit India Movement. Through his movements, he awakened Indian public that they should not co-operate with the English rulers.
4. He gave his countrymen the weapons of Satyagraha and Non – violence:
Gandhiji had two weapons:
- Satyagraha
- Non – violence.
To get his demand fulfilled, he sat an dhamas or kept fast for long periods. Many times, he undertook fast until death. Even the British government trembled before his weapon of Satyagraha.
5. To unite different social groups through nationalism: Gandhiji transformed the national movement for freedom into a public mass movement. He united the advocates, the doctors, the zamindars, the traders, the peasants, the labourers, the women, the Hindus, the Muslims, the Sikhs into one unit and established mutual love and sense of nationalism.
6. A Social Reformer : Mahatma did many things to uplift the standard of living of the people. To remove their poverty, he persuaded Indians to wear khadi. He tried his best to abolish untouchability and gave the lower caste people the name ‘Harijan’. To prevent communal riots, Gandhiji went from village to village to establish brotherhood among various groups of the society.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Objective Type Questions
Question 1.
Chauri – Chaura incident took place on:
(a) 4th Aug. 1920
(b) 4th Feb. 1922
(c) 8th Aug. 1942
(d) 6th Dec. 1922
Answer:
(b) 4th Feb. 1922
Question 2.
Mahatma Gandhi started non – cooperation movement in / on:
(a) Sep. 1920
(b) 8th Aug. 1942
(c) 13th March 1922
(d) 26th Nov. 1949
Answer:
(a) Sep. 1920
Question 3.
“Don’t die, but kill”. Who gave this revolutionary slogan?
(a) Lai Bahadur Shastri
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(d) Veer Savarkar
Answer:
(a) Lai Bahadur Shastri
Question 4.
When did Kakori incident take place?
(a) 9th Aug. 1925
(b) 9th Aug. 1942
(c) 14th Aug. 1947
(d) 16th Jan. 1950
Answer:
(a) 9th Aug. 1925
Question 5.
Which slogan did Mahatma Gandhji give on 8th August 1942 ?
(a) Delhi Challo
(b) Do or Die
(c) British, Quit India
(d) (b) & (c)
Answer:
(d) (b) & (c)
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Other Important Questions
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Objective Type Questions
Question 1.
The first movement of Gandhian era was:
(a) Quit India movement
(b) Individual Satyagraha
(c) Non – cooperation movement
(d) All these
Answer:
(c) Non – cooperation movement
Question 2.
Chauri – chaura incident took place in:
(a) 1922
(b) 1925
(c) 1928
(d) 1942
Answer:
(a) 1922
Question 3.
On the banks of which river was the national tricolor unfurled at midnight of 31th Dec. 1929 amidst the slogans ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Inqalab Zindabad’?
(a) Jhelum river
(b) Ganga river
(c) Ravi river
(d) Yamuna river
Answer:
(c) Ravi river
Question 4.
When was civil disobedience movement started?
(a) 1922
(b) 1925
(c) 1930
(d) 1942
Answer:
(c) 1930
Question 5.
In which year was the Quit India movement launched?
(a) 1928
(b) 1942
(c) 1946
(d) 1947
Answer:
(b) 1942
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What was the purpose of the Rowlatt Act?
Answer:
- To keep the Indians behind the bars for two years without any trial
- To suspend the citizens’ rights of the Indians
- To suppress the struggle for self-rule.
Question 2.
When and where did the Jallianwala Bagh massacre take place?
Answer:
On 13th April 1919 at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place.
Question 3.
Who renounced the title of knighthood in the protest of Jallianwala Bagh massacre?
Answer:
Rabindranath Tagore.
Question 4.
Which leaders opposed Gandhiji’s proposal of starting the non-cooperation movement?
Answer:
- Bipin Chandra Pal
- Chittaranjan Das
- nnie Besant
- Lala Lajpat Rai.
Question 5.
What was the chief characteristic of the the non – cooperation movement?
Answer:
Hindu – Muslim unity.
Question 6.
What was Gandhiji’s logic behind withdrawing the non – cooperation movement?
Answer:
Gandhiji thought that the non-cooperation movement was becoming more violent day by day, which was against his principles of peace and non-violence. So, he withdrew the movement.
Question 7.
How did the non-cooperation movement encourage the development of small scale industries of India ?
Answer:
In the non – cooperation movement, the use of foreign goods was boycotted. Naturally, there was an increasing demand for the Swadeshi goods. So, the production of Swadeshi goods increased which promoted the small – scale industries.
Question 8.
What was the strategy of civil disobedience movement?
Answer:
The strategy was to disobey the laws of the British rulers as far as possible at all levels and in all spheres of life, so that the government functioning may be stalled.
Question 9.
What did Gandhiji say while breaking the salt law?
Answer:
While breaking the salt law, Gandhiji had said that, the Satyagrahis are never defeated unless they give up the truth.
Question 10.
When and between whom was the Poona pact signed?
Answer:
Poona pact was signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Bhimrao Ambedkar on 26th Sept. 1932 at Poona.
Question 11.
When did the Congress start Individual Satyagraha movement?
Answer:
On 17th Oct. 1940, the Congress started the Individual Satyagraha movement.
Question 12.
Who was the first satyagrahi of the individual satyagrah movement?
Answer:
Acharya Vinoba Bhave.
Question 13.
When was Quit India movement started?
Answer:
On 9th August 1942.
Question 14.
What did Gandhi mean by the slogan ‘Do or Die’?
Answer:
Gandhiji meant to give the message to the Indians, “Every possible thing should be done to achieve freedom, but it should be non – violent”.
Question 15.
Name any two socialist leaders of the Congress who had opposed the British government during the Quit India movement.
Answer:
- Jai Prakash Narayan
- Ram Manohar Lohiya.
Question 16.
Explain the significance of Quit India Movement.
Answer:
Although Quit India movement failed to force the British rulers to quit India, yet the movement stirred the Indians to a patriotic awakening. It was a mass awakening and gave the message to the British rulers that the possibility of their staying in India was no longer there.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Why did Gandhiji adopt the policy of non – cooperation to win Independence for India?
Answer:
Gandhiji believed that the Britishers had established their empire in India due to the cooperation of Indians and they were ruling over India because of the people’s cooperation. If the Indians withdrew their cooperation, their administration would fail and Swaraj would be established. He believed that a noble idea could take the form of a movement if it is followed with dedication and devotion. He planned to launch the non – cooperation movement in phases.
At first, the Indians should renounce the titles and hon-ours conferred on them by the British. Then they should boycott government schools and colleges and foreign goods including the foreign garments. After that, they should establish national schools and colleges. They should encourage khadi and handlooms. By using the khadi, they would encourage village-weavers. They should abolish untouchability, and ultimately the English rule will end. We can then breathe in the fresh air of free India.
Question 2.
Why did Gandhiji decide to withdraw the non-cooperation movement?
Answer:
There is a village named Chauri – Chaura in Gorakhpur district. On 5th Feb. 1922, Congress workers conducted a procession to highlight the tyranny of the British rulers on the Indians. This programme was a part of non – cooperation movement. As the peaceful procession neared the police post at Chauri – Chaura, the police tried to stop it.
The crowd got furious, chased the policemen into the outpost and set it on fire. At least 22 policemen were killed and many more were wounded. This sad incident hurt Gandhiji, he could not bear the violent incident and thus he withdrew the non – cooperation movement.
Question 3.
Explain the significance of the non-cooperation movement.
Answer:
The significance of the non – cooperation movement can be explained under the following points:
1. A wave of awakening and fearlessness went through the public:
This movement made the public fearless. They became mentally prepared to bear the punishment and the tyranny of the British rulers.
2. It transformed the national movement into a mass – movement:
Under the non-cooperation movement, Gandhiji went from village to village awakening the villagers that British government cannot function without their co – operation. The villagers realized their strength and importance.
3. The country was benefited through the constructive activities:
New national schools and colleges came into existence. Indian students came to know about their own culture and traditions. The village weavers were happy because of the demand of Swadeshi clothes. The use of charkha created a new economy. All these activities proved to be extremely beneficial for the people.
Question 4.
Explain clearly Gandhiji’s Salt (Dandi) March.
Answer:
Gandhiji’s Salt (Dandi) March:
The British government did not abolish the tax on salt as demanded by Gandhiji. On 12th March 1930, Gandhiji, along with his 78 fellow satyagrahis, left for Dandi to break the salt law. The march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, a sea – coast village in Gujarat, was about 200 miles long. Gandhiji reached Dandi on 6th April 1930.
They prepared salt by boiling sea water and broke the salt law. While breaking the salt law, Gandhiji said. “A satyagrahi is not defeated unless he gives up truth.” After this, people made salt from sea water at all the places where salt was made from sea-water. This movement intensified in Katakpur and Balasore.
Question 5.
Briefly describe the significance of the ‘Quit India movement’.
Answer:
The significance of Quit India Movement can be clarified from the following points:
1. An awakening among the people:
The chief purpose of Quit India Movement was to awaken the Indian public against the tyranny of the British rule and to make them mentally prepared to face the Britishers’ oppression. The movement succeeded in its aim to a great extent. This movement brought a new awakening and developed a strength to deal with the tyrannical regime of the British rulers.
2. Prepared a background for freedom:
This movement prepared a background for freedom. The movement made the British rulers realize Indian’s increasing sentiment towards patriotism and awakening towards freedom.
3. Revolt of the navy:
As a result of this movement, a group of naval sailors rose in revolt in 1946. This revolt told beyond all doubts that now it was difficult for the British administration to suppress the rising spirit among the Indians for freedom.
4. The International opinion was formed in favour of India:
After the Second World War, the opinion of the British allies was in favour of giving freedom to India. Chief among them were United States of America, France and Holland.
Question 6.
Describe the main setbacks of the Quit India Movement.
Or
Quit India Movement could not achieve its objective. Why ?
Answer:
The following were the main setbacks of the Quit India Movement:
1. Want of general preparations:
For a nationwide movement, some general preparations have to be made. Such preparations were neither considered nor made before starting the movement. When the administration arrested the chief leaders, no competent leadership was left to lead the movement. The result was that the organised people began to scatter.
2. Loyalty of the administration towards the British government:
The whole administrative machinery stood faithful to the government. The police, the army, the kings and the nawabs of the native states, the bureaucracy, each one of these was unaffected by the Quit India Movement. So, the administration worked smoothly.
3. Want of Resources:
The Satyagrah is had no secret agency or communication system. Whatever means were at the disposal of the revolutionaries, they were very very little as compared to those available with the government. So the satyagrahis could not face the strength of the British government. Hence, the movement failed to achieve its goal.
Question 7.
Why did Mahatma Gandhi launch the Quit India Movement?
Answer:
Gandhiji started the Quit India Movement on the following grounds:
1. The Indians understood that Stafford Cripes had come to India under some political conspiracy. The failure of the Cripes Mission created an atmosphere of distrust and disappointment. The relations between the Indians and the British government were embittered all the more.
2. The economy of the country was crippled due to the after – effects of World War II.
3. After the victory of Japan over Burma, the displaced Indians from Burma were migrating to India. These displaced people were insulted and ill-treated.
4. The Indians lost fath in the Britishers because Japan had defeated the British army in Burma, Malaya, Singapore. The whole country was under the fear of attack by the Japanese, any moment. So, to abolish the fear of invasion, to dispel the atmosphere of disappointment, to encourage the disappointed and fear-stricken Indians and to advance towards the goal of freedom, Quit India Movement was started.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 15 Essay Type Questions
Question 1.
Which situations were responsible for the start of the Non – cooperation and Khilafat movements? Explain in detail.
Answer:
Responsible situations (circumstances resulting in Non – cooperation and Khilafat movements:
The following circumstances were responsible for the start of the Non-cooperation and Khilafat movements.
1. Circumstances created by the World War – I:
The First World War lasted between 1914 – 1918. Defense expenditure increased considerably due to war. To meet this increased expenditure, war tax was levied and the public was forced to buy war – bonds. The pricey of essential goods shot up. Toll – taxes were also increased and more people came under the purview of income-tax.
All these extra levies on the pocket of the people multiplied their difficulties. A great scarcity of food stuff was caused due to the new recruits in the army. This affected the lives of the villagers too. Epidemics like flue, plague and famine made life more miserable. People had thought that with the end of war, their difficulties would also end. But, nothing of this sort happened.
2. Gandhiji returned from South Africa and started his Satyagraha:
In Jan. 1915, Mahatma Gandhi came back to India from South Africa. There, he had successfully fought against the foreign rulers through his non-violent weap on of weapon of satyagraha. In India too, he got success through his satyagraha. For example, in Champaran (Bihar), in Kheda (Gujarat) and in Ahmedabad (Gujarat), he fought for the Indigo growers and for the labourers with great success. These satyagrahas laid a strong foundation for non-cooperation and Khilafat movements.
3. Rowlatt Act:
In spite of the strong opposition by the Indian members, the Imperial Legislative Council, in 1919, passed the Rowlatt Act. The Act increased the powers of the police to a large extent. The police could arrest any Indian political leader and the revolutionaries on any false charge and they could be imprisoned for two years without trial. The purpose of their Act was to suppress Indian political movement and the revolutionaries.
4. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre:
On 13th April 1919, on the Baisakhi Day, a public meeting was held to protest against the Rowlatt Act. The lieutenant governor of Punjab, Michael O’ Dyer, ordered his army soldiers to fire ruthlessly on the unarmed people without warning. Consequently, at least 1000 people were killed and several others were injured. The news of massacre spread throughout the country and people came on roads to protest against this. All these causes prepared a strong ground against the British rule.
Question 2.
What were the reasons for the failure of the Quit India movement?
Answer:
After the Cripp’s Mission return to England, Gandhiji made an appeal to the British administration to quit India. On 8th Aug 1942, at the session of the All India Congress Working Committee at Bombay, a proposal was passed saying, “Britishers, Quit India”. This resolution was passed with the words that the end of the British rule was essential for India and its friendly nations’ ideal. With the resolution having been passed Gandhiji said, “Do or Die” for freedom. On 9th Aug. 1942, the Quit India movement was started.
Reasons for the failure of Quit India movement:
1. Want of well – organised planning:
The planning of the movement was not well organised. Gandhiji believed that at the threat of the movement, the British government would be ready for making a favorable pact. But the British government arrested Gandhiji and other important leaders of the Congress. The result was that, the movement, in the absence of good leadership, lost its direction and the enthusiasm of the people grew cold.
2. Want of co – operation of the Indian bureaucracy and officials:
The Indian officers in police, military and various other departments remained loyal to their masters. The bureaucrats and other administrative officers worked more faithfully. Cooperation from Indian officers was not there, so the enthusiasm of the public chilled down soon.
3. Want of power and resources as compared to the preparedness of the British government:
The public and the satyagra his were almost unarmed and ill – equipped, they could not face the power and the preparedness of the British government. Mere peace and non – violence of the satyagra his was not enough to conquer the brutality of the British armed forces.
4. Suppressive policy of the government:
The government was fully prepared to suppress the movement. The Satyagra his believed in conquering violence with non¬violence and love. Mere moral teaching of love and forbearance cannot win over violence immediately. So, physical power and the armed police succeeded in over – powering the public.
Question 3.
Describe the causes, programmes and significance of the non – cooperation movement.
Answer:
The following were the causes of the beginning of the Non – cooperation movement:
1. Unsatisfactory Montague Chelmsford Reforms:
During the First World War, the Indians helped their British masters wholeheartedly. The English rulers admired the services and help of the Indians. They also declared that they were fighting to protect democracy in the world. President Wilson’s fourteen principles included the self-determination principle,which would give the right in determining the form of government in all the countries of the world. But the reforms declared in July 1918 gave Indians a shock of dissatisfaction and disappointment.
2. Financial difficulties:
Indians had to face many financial difficulties during 1917 – 1920. These difficulties created the feeling of dissatisfaction. During the war, no attention was paid to the development of agriculture. The result was that prices of food grains shot up. Secondly, the British masters ill-treated the farmers in Champaran (Bihar) and in Kheda (Gujarat).
3. Rowlatt Ac:
During the First World War, the English bureaucrats had been given special rights and powers. But even after the war, they did not want to give up those powers. They used those powers to suppress the revolutionaries and to terrorize them. Keeping in view this beneficial situation, the Federal legislature passed two ordinances on the recommendation of the report of justice Sydney Rowlatt.
These Acts are known as Rowlatt acts. The non – government members of the legislative council opposed these ordinances unanimously, but due to the majority of the government, one of the acts was passed. So Gandhiji proposed to start the satvagraha.
4. Jallianwala Bagh massacre:
On 13 th April 1919, an inhuman massacre took place at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. General Dyer ordered the British army soldiers to fire on unarmed men, women and children until the ammunition was exhausted. The whole incident was too horrible and this was done to strike terror and fear among-st Indians. But, it indirectly gave birth to discontentment which took the form of movements.
5. Suppressive policy and inhuman behaviour:
Martial law was imposed in Punjab and the army tortured inhumanly even the old and the sick, the women and the children. No other example of such tyranny and torture can be found in the history of the world. All this inhuman behaviour caused such anger expressed in the form of movement.
6. Disappointment at Hunter Commission’s report:
Due to the repeated pressure of the political leaders, the British government formed an investigating committee to find out the extent of the atrocities and torture perpetrated on the people, under the president ship of Lord Hunter. The report tried to ignore the atrocities committed by the army during the martial law in Punjab. This partiality of the commission enraged the Indians, and their anger erupted in the form of non – cooperation movement.
7. Unrest among-st Indian Muslims on the issue of Khilafat in:
The Sultan of Turkey was the Khalifa, the spiritual leader of Indian Muslims. Great Britain, during the World War, had promised Indian Muslims that after the war it would not take any revengeful action against Turkey. But it did not keep its promise and removed the Sultan of Turkey from the office of Khalifa. The Congress also opposed the British government on this issue and supported the movement.
Question 4.
Examine Gandhiji’s role in the Non – cooperation, Civil Disobedience and Quit India movements.
Answer:
Gandhiji conducted many non – violent movements in India. But in fact, the history of national movement is the history of all the Satyagrahas conducted by Gandhiji.
Gandhiji’s rule in these movements can be explained as follows:
(1) Imparted All India National Congress the status of a well – organised party:
Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhiji, in annual session of Congress at Nagpur in Dec. 1920, the Congress was given a new constitution and its structure became well – organised. The Congress party was transformed into a strong political party. A fifteen – member executive committee and an All India Working Committee consisting of 350 members was formed, and in the same way, provincial committees were also formed. In this way, besides leading various movements, Gandhiji gave a strong foundation to the Congress Party.
(2) Made Indian National Congress a dynamic and active institution:
The Non – cooperation movement changed the form and nature of the Congress party. Now, it became a dynamic and revolutionary party. Gandhiji gave the national movement a revolutionary form. Through the Non – cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement, there was a clear non – acceptance of the British authority, opposition to the cruel and tyrannical laws. Boycotting foreign goods and encouraging Swadeshi had become familiar things of life. Attaining freedom had become the ultimate target of the Congress party.
(3) Developed nationalistic feelings:
Through his movements. Gandhiji created and developed nationalistic feelings among the Indian masses. He made all the Indians stand under one banner. He inspired his countrymen to adopt Swadeshi goods. This love for Swadeshi goods made them nationalists and patriots.
(4) Made the National Movement popular throughout the country:
Gandhiji made the national movement not only revolutionary, but also popular. He brought political awakening not only in the cities, but also in the villages.
(5) Fixed a definite goal for the movement:
All the national leaders prior to Gandhiji wanted freedom from British slavery. But they had no definite, well – planned programme and appropriate ways and means to realise their goal. Gandhiji made a definite goal, a well chalked – out programme and the ways and means to get it.
(6) Inspired the common people to be courageous, bold and daring:
When the Indians were fear – stricken due to the ruthless and tyrannical behaviour of the British rulers, Gandhiji made them bold, courageous and fearless. They became so daring that they bared their chests before the blazing guns of the British.
(7) Communal unity:
Mahatma Gandhiji was the worshipper of Hindu – Muslim unity. Many times, he became mentally prepared to give up his life to maintain Hindu – Muslim unity. In the Khilafat movement, he took a leading role only for cementing the Hindu – Muslim unity. He opposed the MacDonald Communal Award of separate electorates for the Muslims, the Sikhs and the Dalits.
(8) Achieve political goals through moral means:
Mahatma Gandhi withdrew the non – cooperation movement when the satyagrahis set fire to the police post at Chauri – Chaura and twenty two policemen were burnt to death. He gave the slogan “Do or Die”, but he always advised the satyagrahis to be peaceful and non-violent in their actions.
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