the trail history and civics for class 8 pdf

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The Indian National Movement (1935-47)

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics GeographyBiologyChemistryPhysicsMaths

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks:

1. The menacing presence of the Japanese army on the eastern borders of India posed a serious threat to India’s security.
2. When the Quit India Resolution was passed in the year 1942, Gandhiji gave the Indians the mantra Do or Die.
3. The Quit India Movement had shaken the very foundations of the British rule in India.
4. In Tokyo, Subhash Chandra Bose took over the leadership of the Indian Independence Movement in East Asia from Rash Behari Bose.
5. In February 1947, the British government declared that power would be transferred to the Indians by June 1948.

B. Match the following:


Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. The Cripps Mission was sent to India in 1942, when the British empire was under the threat of a Japanese/German/ Russian
Ans. The Cripps Mission was sent to India in 1942, when the British empire was under the threat of a Japanese attack.

2. The Quit India Resolution was passed by the Congress in 1929/1930/1942.
Ans. The Quit India Resolution was passed by the Congress in 1942.

3. Subhash Chandra Bose/Mahatma Gandhi/Rash Behari Bose was the supreme commander of the Indian National Army.
Ans. Subhash Chandra Bose was the supreme commander of the Indian National Army.

4. Mahatma Gandhi/Subhash Chandra Bose/Jawahar Lai Nehru gave the slogan, ‘You give me blood, I will give you freedom’.
Ans. Subhash Chandra Bose gave the slogan, ‘You give me blood, I will give you freedom’.

5. The Constitution of India was introduced on 26 January 1950/26 January 1948/26 January 1949.
Ans. The Constitution of India was introduced on 26 January 1950.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

1. The Quit India Resolution was passed by the Muslim League.
   False
   Correct: The Quit India Resolution was passed by the Congress.
2. The upsurge of 1942 was the last great mass challenge to British authority.
   True.
3. Subhash Chandra Bose formed a new party called the Forward Bloc.
   True.
4. The INA, with the help of the Japanese, liberated Imphal and Kohima in 1944.
   True.
5. Indian Independence from British rule was finally attained on 15 August 1950.
   False.
   Correct: Indian Independence from British rule was finally attained on 15 August 1947.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
Why was the Cripps Mission sent to India ?
Answer:
Japan joined the Second World War against British in 1942. The British desperately needed the active cooperation of the Indians to check the Japanese advance against the British empire in India. So it sent the Cripps Mission to India to resolve the political deadlock.

Question 2.
Why did the Cripps Mission fail?
Answer:
Cripps Mission failed because the British were not prepared to transfer any effective power to the Indians during the war.

Question 3.
What did the British realize after the Quit India Movement?
Answer:
The impact of this brief, spontaneous and powerful outburst of national sentiment was tremendous. It sounded the death knell of British rule in India. The British realized their days were numbered. Independence was now a matter of time. It demonstrated the great capacity of the masses to suffer and die for the cause of freedom.

Question 4.
What was the main objective of the Indian National Army?
Answer:
The primary objective of the INA was to liberate India through armed struggle.

Question 5.
When did India become:
(a) an independent dominion (b) a sovereign, democratic, republic?
Answer:
(a)
British rule in India finally came to an end of 15 August 1947.
(b)
The Constitution of India was enacted and adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. It was introduced on 26 January 1950-another important landmark in the history of India. On that day, the Indian dominion was transformed into a sovereign, democratic republic.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:
Question 1.
With reference to the Quit India Movement, answer the following:
(a) Why did the Congress pass the Quit India Resolution.How did the government react to it?
(b) Briefly discuss the events of the Quit India Movement.
(c) What was the impact of the Quit India Movement on the national movement?
Answer:
(a)
The Congress passed the Quit India Resolution on 9 August, before dawn, Gandhiji and all other important nationalist leaders were arrested. The Congress was banned. The news of these arrests, even before the movement began, shocked the nation. A spontaneous, nationwide movement of protests arose; there were demonstrations, hartals and processions. Leaderless and without any guidelines, the Quit India Movement took different shapes in different parts of the country.
The government came down heavily on the people. They were lathi-charged and fired upon. The brutality of the police enraged the people. They reacted violently. Police stations, post offices, and other government buildings were destroyed. Railway, telegraph and telephone lines were disconnected. The army was called in to crush the revolt.Over 10,000 people were killed in police and military firing. The movement was savagely crushed within a very short period of time.
(b)
Among the significant causes of this movement were codlin oppression examplified by the Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh massacre, economic hardship to the common man due to large chunk of Indian wealth being exported to Britain, ruin, of Indian Artisans due to British factory made goods replacing hand made goods, and popular resentment with the British over Indian soldiers dying in World War I
while fighting as part of British army, in battles that otherwise had nothing to do with India. The movement aimed to ensure that the colonial economic and power structure would be seriously challenged and British authorities would be forced to take notice of the people demand.
(c)
The impact of this brief, spontaneous and powerful outburst of national sentiment was tremendous. It sounded the death knell of British rule in India. The British realized their days were numbered. Independence was now a matter of time. It demonstrated the great capacity of the masses to suffer and die for the cause of freedom.

Question 2.
With reference to Indian national movement, answer the following:
(a) What were the objectives of the Forward Bloc ?
(b) Examine the role of Subhash Chandra Bose in the Indian freedom struggle.
(c) Why do Indian still respect and revere Netaji?
Answer:
(a)
Objectives of the Forward Bloc

1. To win freedom from the British without any further delay.
2. To rebuild India, after Independence, on the principles of socialism e. economic equality, freedom and justice, equitable distribution of wealth etc.
3. To promote world peace.

(b)
Subhash Chandra Bose believed that the only way India could get her freedom was to drive the British out of India by use of armed force. Subhash Chandra Bose had resigned from the Congress in 1939 and formed a new party called the Forward Bloc. He decided to go abroad to join hands with the enemies of the British and drive the British out of India. He was put under house arrest in Calcutta, but he managed to escape in 1941. He first went to Russia and then to Germany and finally to Japan. In Tokyo, he took over the leadership of the Indian Independence Movement in East Asia from Rash Behari Bose. Captain Mohan Singh (a formar captain in the British Indian army) had organized the Azad Hind Fauz of the Indian National Army (INA).

Subhash Chandra Bose became the supreme commander of the INA. In 1944 at a meeting in he took an oath to liberate India. ‘Give me blood and I will give you freedom,’ he declared. Netaji infused a new life and spirit into the INA. He fired the imagination of his soldiers with passionate, inspiring speeches, They were ready to lay down their lives for the liberation of their motherland. With the battle cry of ‘Dilli Chalo’ the INA advanced into India along with the Japanese army.
(c)
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose lives on in the memories of successive generations of Indians. He was a true patriot who dedicated his life to the cause he passionately believed in-India’s freedom. He fired the imagination of a nation with his intense patriotism, personal courage, unwavering conviciton and bold leadership. He restored to India her pride and is greatly admired and revered throughout the country even to this day.

Question 3.
With reference to Indian independence, answer the following questions:

1. What was the importance of the Mountbatten Plan
2. What was the significance of the Indian Independence Act, 1947
3. What is the significance of 26 January 1950 ?

Answer:
(a)
Mountbatten announced his plan for the division of British India into India and Pakistan and the transfer of power to the two dominions. The North-West Frontier Province, Sind, baluchistan, West Punjab and East Bengal separated from the rest of India to form a new country called Pakistan.
(b)
On the basis of the Mountbatten Plan, the British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act in July 1947. British rule in India finally came to an end of 15 August 1947.
(c)
Constitution of India was introduced on 26 January 1950. It was another important landmark in the history of India. On that day, the Indian dominion was transformed into a sovereign, democratic republic. With confidence in their  capacity and a determination to succeed, the people of India set out to build the country of their dreams—a country based on liberty, equality, justice and fraternity.

G Picture study.
This is the picture of a leader who formed a new party called the Forward Bloc in 1939.

1. Identify the leader in the picture.
Ans. Subhash Chandra Bose

2. What was the name of the army of which he was the supreme commander.
Ans. INA (Indian National Army)

3. What was his slogan for the liberation of India?
Ans. DilliChalo

4. Write a few lines on the leadership qualities of this person.
Ans. Subhash Chandra Bose was bom on 23 January 1897, popularly known as Netaji (literally respected leader), was one of the most prominent leader in the Indian Independence Movement and a legendary figure in India today. Bose was elected president of Indian National Congress for two successive terms but has to resign from the post following ideological conflicts with Mohandas K. Gandhi. He established a separate political party, the All India Forward Bloc and continued to call for the full and immediate independence of India from British rule. He was imprisoned by the British authorities eleven times. His famous  motto was “Give me Blood and I will give you Freedom”. He is presumed to have died on 18 August, 1945 in a plane crash in Taiwan. However, contradictory evidence is believed to be extent regarding his death in the accident.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The Indian National Movement (1917-1934)

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics GeographyBiologyChemistryPhysicsMaths

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks:

1. Gandhi spent about 22 years in South Africa as a practicing lawyer.
2. Under Gandhiji leadership, the Indian national movement was transformed into a mass movement.
3. To protest against the arrest of their leaders, a public meeting was held at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar in the year 1919.
4. After the British brutalities in Amritsar, Gandhiji declared that it would be a sin to co-operate with the satanic government.
5. At the Lahore session of the Congress in 1929, Poorna Swaraj. was declared as its goal.

B. Match the following:


Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. Gandhiji studied law in England/South Africa/France.
Ans. Gandhiji studied law in England.

2. Gandhiji organized a workers strike against the exploitative Indian mill owners in Ahmedabad/Kheda/Champaran.
Ans. Gandhiji organized a workers strike against the exploitative Indian mill owners in Ahmedabad.

3. The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched by Gandhiji in 1920/1930/1940.
Ans. The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched by Gandhiji in 1920.

4. A resolution declaring ‘Poorns Swaraj was declared as its goal at the Lahore/Surat/Bombay session of the Congress.
Ans. A resolution declaring ‘Pooms Swaraj was declared as its goal at the Lahore session of the Congress.

5. The Non-Copperation Movement/Civil Disobedience Movement/ Quit India Movement was started with the Salt Satyagraha in 1930.
Ans. The Civil Disobedience Movement was started with the Salt Satyagraha in 1930.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

1. Gandhiji did not have faith in the capacity of the common masses.
   False. Gandhiji have immense faith in the capacity of the common masses.
2. In 1919, General Dyer had issued an order banning all public meetings.
   True.
3. The Non-Cooperation Movement had ended in failure after the Chauri Chaura incident
   True.
4. Independence Day was celebrated on 26 January in 1930.
   True.
5. Sarojini Naidu was one of the leaders of the Civil disobedience Movement.
   True.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
What technique of resistance did Gandhji evolve in South Africa? What was its basic principle ?
Answer:
Gandhiji became the leader of a struggle against racial injustice in South Africa. During the struggle, he evolved a technique known as satyagraha which was later applied to the Indian National Movement.

Question 2.
Why did Gandhiji lead campaigns in
(a) Champaran
(b) Kheda ?
Answer:
(a)
Champaran — Gandhiji championed the cause of the tenant farmers of Champaran district against the oppression of the British indigo planters. The movement was a success and the peasants received compensation.
(b)
Kheda — Gandhiji advised and convinced the cultivators of Kheda district to stop paying land revenue to the government because the crops had failed. The peasant’s demand for remission of land tax was accepted by the government.

Question 3.
Which incident marked the end of the Non-Cooperation Movement and when?
Answer:
The Chauri Chaura incident in 1922 marked an end of the Non-­Cooperation Movement.

Question 4.
Under whose leadership was the Lahore session of the Congress held in 1929? What resolution was passed in this session?
Answer:
In December 1929, the Indian National Congress met in Lahore under the youthfiil and dynamic leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru.
The Congress passed a resolution declaring ‘Pooma Swaraj’ or ‘Complete Independence’ as its goal. 26 January 1930 was fixed as ‘Independence Day’.

Question 5.
What do you understand by the Civil Disobedience Movement?
Answer:
Civil Disobedience Movement was a form of non-cooperation involving the breaking of government laws. Its objective was to defy the british government and pressurize it to give in to the demands of the nationalists.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
With reference to Gandhiji, discuss his views on the following issues:

1. Truth and non-violence
2. Hindu-Muslim unity
3. Social justice

Answer:
(a)
Satyagraha is a combination of two Sanskrit words-satya (truth) and agraha (eagerness). Satyagraha is based on the twin principles of truth and non-violence.
A satyagrahi was one who firmly believed in truth and non­violence and who would resist evil at all costs. A satyagrahi was peaceful, fearless and strong. He/She would have evil but not the ‘evil doer’. In the fight for justice and truth, the satyagrahi would willingly accept suffering and be ready to make sacrifices.
The suffering and patience of the satyagrahi was expected to bring about a change of heart in the enemy. The idea behind satyagraha was not to destroy the enemy but the transform and enlighten him.
Gandhiji insisted on non-violent methods of struggle. He believed that non-violence was the weapon of the strong and could be effectively used to resist armed attacks by the enemy. A satyagrahi was expected to follow peaceful methods even under extreme provocation.
(b)
Gandhiji was a devout Hindu and a passionate believer in the equality of all religions. He was convinced that the path to India’s salvation lay in Hindu-Muslim unity. Gandhiji lived and died for the cause of Hindu-Muslim unity.
(c)
Gandhiji was a great believer in social justice. He championed the cause of the poof and the downtrodden, the emancipation of women and improvement of the conditions of the lower caste ‘untouchables’ whom he called ‘Harijans’, i.e., children of God. He worked tirelessly to remove prejudices and change the mindest of the people. He believed that political freedom was meaningless without social reforms.

Question 2.
In the context of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, answer the following:
(a) Why was a public meeting held in Jallianwala Bagh on 13 April 1919?
(b) Why did the troops open fire on the gathering? What happened as a result of the shooting?
(c) How did the entire nation and Gandhiji react to the events in Amritsar?
Answer:
(a)
The British government adopted the policy of repression to crush the anti-British movement against the repressive Rowlatt Act passed by the government in 1919. In some places, particularly in Punjab, the hartals led to violence.Two popular nationalist leaders were arrested in Amritsar.To protest against the arrest of their leaders, a public meeting was held on 13 April 1919 in an enclosed space known as Jallianwala Bagh. General Dyer surrounded the Bagh with his troops, blocked the only exit and ordered the troops to open fire on the peaceful gathering in the Bagh.
(b)
The people were unarmed and peaceful. Unfortunately, they were not aware of the fact that the military commander of Amritsar, General Dyer, had issued an order banning all public meetings.General Dyer surrounded the Bagh with his troops, blocked the only exit and ordered the troops to open fire on the peaceful gathering in the Bagh.The shooting continued till there was no ammunition left.Nearly 400 people were killed and over 1,000 were injured.
(c)
Martial law was proclaimed in Punjab. During this period, people were humiliated and tortured. The brutality of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the humiliation and inhuman treatment of the Indians that followed shocked the entire nation. Gandhiji was horrified. He lost all faith in the goodness of the British government and declared that it  would be a ‘sin’ to cooperate with the ‘Satanic’ government.

Question 3.
In the context of the Non-Cooperation Movement, answer the following questions: 
(a) Discuss the programme of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
(b) Why did Gandhiji abruptly suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement?
(c) State the significance of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Answer:
(a) Programme of the Non-Cooperation Movement:

1. Boycott of foreign goods.
2. Boycott of government schools, colleges, law courts, legislatures and all British institutions.
3. Boycott of elections and government functions.
4. Renunciation of titles and honours awarded by the British.

(b)
Early in 1922, a procession of peasants were fired upon by the police at Chauri-Chaura a village in U.P. The people reacted violently and burnt down the Chauri-Chaura police station. Twenty-two policemen were killed. Gandhiji immediately called off the movement.
(c)
The Non-cooperation Movement was a significant phase of the Indian struggle for freedom from British Rule. This movement which lasted from 1920 to 1922 was led by Mohandas Gandhi and supported by the Indian National Congress. It aimed to resist British occupation of India through non-violent means. Protestors would refuse to buy British goods, adopt the use of local handicrafts and try to uphold the values of Indian honour and integrity. The Gandhian ideals of ahimsa or non-violence, and his ability to rally hundreds of thousands of common citizens toward the cause of Indian Independence, were first seen on a large scale in this movement.

Question 4.
In the context of the Civil Disobedience Movement, answer the following:
(a) Give an account of the Salt Satyagraha.
(b) How did the government react to the movement?
(c) What impact did the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34) have on the nation?
Answer:
(a)
The Salt Satyagraha began with the historic Dandi March.Gandhiji set out from Sabarmati Ashram with 78 followers, on a 385-km journey to the coastal village of Dandi. Thousands of people joined him on the way. On his arrival in Dandi, he picked up a handful of salt from the beach. This act symbolized defiance of the salt law. It was a signal for every Indian to violate the salt law. Throughout India, people began to manufacture salt and sell if openly.
(b)
The goverment suppressed the movement with force and brutality, Gandhiji, Nehru and all other important leaders were arrested. Hundreds of people were injured or killed in lathi charges and police firing. Over 90,000 people were imprisoned.
(c)
Civil Disobedience is the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands and commands of a government, or of an occupying international power. Civil Disobedience is usually but not always, defined as being non-violent resistance. Civil Disobedience is one of the many ways people have rebelled against what they deem to be unfair laws. It has been used in many well-documented non­violent resistance movement in India.

G Picture study:
This is the picture of an Indian leader who was known as the ‘Father of the Nation’,

Question 1.
Identify the person.
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi

Question 2.
What method did he use in the Indian struggle for freedom?
Answer:
Gandhiji used ‘Satyagraha in the Indian struggle for freedom.Satyagraha is based on the twin principal of truth and non ­violence.

Question 3.
What are the principles on which his method is based?
Answer:
Gandhiji Method of Struggle ‘Satyagraha’ is a combination of two Sanskrit words: satya (truth) and agraha (eagerness). It is based on the twin principles of truth and non-violence. The suffering and patience of the satyagrahi was expected to bring about a change of heart in the enemy. The idea behind satyagraha was not to destroy the enemy but to transform and enlighten him.

Question 4.
Why is he called the leader of the masses?
Answer:
Gandhiji had immense faith in the capacity of the common people to struggle against oppression. Under his leadership, the Indian national movement was transformed into a mass movement.

Question 5.
Mention the features of his non-violent struggle against the British.
Answer:

1.  Peaceful demonstration
2.  Defiance of unjust British laws
3. Boycott of British goods, institutions and services.
4. The use of the charkha and khadi to promote self-reliance and the swadeshi spirit.
5. Non-payment of the oppressive taxes. The idea was to bring the government to a standstill.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The Indian National Movement (1885-1916)

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics GeographyBiologyChemistryPhysicsMaths

Exercises

A. Fill in the blanks:

1. The early nationalists spread political awareness among the people.
2. The assertive nationalists believed that British rule in India was not a blessing but a curse.
3. After the partition of Bengal, the assertive nationalists adopted the methods of boycott, swadeshi and national education to achieve the goal of swaraj.
4. Separate electorates meant that the Muslim voters could elect Muslim representatives.
5. The early nationalist leaders expelled the assertive nationalists from the Congress at the Surat session in 1907.

B. Match the following:


Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. The history of the Indian national movement is broadly categorized into three/four/five
Ans. The history of the Indian national movement is broadly categorized into three phases.

2. Bal Gangadhar Tdak/Dadabhai Naoroji/Surendranath Banerjea was an important assertive nationalist leader.
Ans. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was an important assertive nationalist leader.

3. The British followed the policy of divide and rule by dividing Bengal/Punjab/Gujarat on communal lines.
Ans. The British followed the policy of divide and rule by dividing Bengal on communal lines.

4. The Muslim League was established in 1905/1906/1913.
Ans. The Muslim League was established in 1906.

5. Two Home Rule Leagues were formed in 1916/1914/1918.
Ans. Two Home Rule Leagues were formed in 1916.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

1. The early nationalists believed in the justice and fair play of the British.
   True.
2. The early nationalists presented their grievances to the British in the form of protests and strikes.
   False.
   Correct: The early nationalists presented their grievances  to the British in the form of meetings, lectures and the press.
3. The political beliefs, aims and methods of the assertive nationalists were the same as those of the early nationalists.
   False.
   Correct: The political beliefs, aims and methods of the assertive nationalists were different as those of the early nationalists.
4. The assertive nationalists had no faith in the constitutional methods followed by the early nationalists.
   True.
5. Tilak knew that the British would concede to the demand of swaraj easily without any struggle.
   False.
6. Correct: Tilak knew that the British would never concede to the demand of Swaraj easily without any struggle.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
Mention two leaders of the early nationalist phase.
Answer:
The important leaders of the early nationalist phase were Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjea and Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

Question 2.
Mention two leaders of the assertive nationalist phase.
Answer:
The important leaders of the assertive nationalist phase were Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai and Aurobindo Ghosh.

Question 3.
Why were the assertive nationalists disillusioned with the leadership of the early nationalists?
Answer:
The assertive nationalists had no faith in the constitutional methods followed by the early nationalists. They knew that the British would never concede to the demand for swaraj without a struggle. So they have to adopt a method of active opposition to government Swaraj would have to be achieved through a political, anti-government agitation and with the involvement and support of the masses. The Congress would have to be transformed from a platform for debates among the westernized, Indian intelligentsia into a regiment of freedom fighters-united, determined, confident and willing to make sacrifices.

Question 4.
When and why was Bengal partitioned?
Answer:
The British partitioned Bengal in 1905 in pursuance of their policy of divide and rule.

Question 5.
Where and under whose leadership was the Muslim League established?
Answer:
The Muslim League was established in December 1906, under the leadership of Nawab Salimullah Khan in Dacca (now known as Dhaka).

Question 6.
Mention two objectives of the Muslim League?
Answer:
Objectives of Muslim league:

1. To promote among the Muslims a feeling of loyalty towards the British government.
2. To protect and promote the political rights of the Muslims.
3. To prevent feelings of hostility towards other communities.

Question 7.
Why was the introduction of separate electorates a death blow to national unity?
Answer:
Separate electorates refers to the voting population of the country, divided into different electorates based on the factors like religion, caste, occupation etc. For example, it meant that Muslim voters could elect Muslim representatives. The introduction of separate electorates sounded the death knell of national unity. It was the first definite step on the road to the partition of India.

Question 8.
Why did the Indian nationalists support the war effort of the British when the First World War broke out ?
Answer:
Initially, there was an outburst of loyalty and the Indian nationalist leaders supported the British government with men and money. More than a million Indian soldiers were sent overseas to join the British army and a hundred million pounds were given to the British government.
The British and their allies declared that they were fighting the war to make the world ‘safe for democracy’ and to promote the right of all nations to form self-governments. This led the Indian nationalists to believe that a grateful Britain would reward India’s loyalty and fulfill  its demands for self-government.

Question 9.
What was the main aim of the Home Rule Leagues ?
Answer:
The main aim of the Leagues was to achieve self-government within the British empire after the war.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
With reference to the early nationalists, discuss the following:
(a) Beliefs of the early nationalists
(b) Methods of the early nationalists
(c) Important contributions made by the early nationalists to the national movement?
Answer:
(a)
The early nationalists believed that British rule had conferred several benefits on India. They felt that at that stage of history it was in their own interests to remain under the British since they were not yet ready to govern themselves. The early nationalists were convinced that the British could be persuaded to introduce necessary reforms and the government could be transformed to suit the interests of the Indian subjects.
(b)
The early nationalists had great faith in the sense of justice and fair play of the British.. So they adopted peaceful and constitutional methods. They presented their grievances to the government and waited patiently for the government to pass laws to remove those grievances. They believed that the government would gradually give into their demands. They promoted unity, spread political awareness among the people and built up a strong public opinion through meetings, lectures and the press. They also sent delegations to England to persuade the British government to introduce necessary reforms.
(c)
Contribution of the early nationalists:

1.  The early nationalists established a solid foundation which served as a base for a more radical approach in later years.
2. They spread political awareness among the people and instilled in them a sense of national unity. The people began to think of themselves as a members of one single nation the Indian nation. The path for a united national struggle was laid.
3. The Congress under the early nationalists trained the Indians in political affairs. They educated them in political matters and familiarized them with ideas of – freedom, government, democracy, secularism nationalism, etc. This knowledge and training in political affairs helped Indian nationalists to organize and raise the national movement to the next stage of development.

Question 2.
With reference to the rise of the assertive nationalists within the congress, discuss:
(a) The beliefs of the assertive nationalists
(b) The objectives of the assertive nationalists
(c) How the methods of the assertive nationalists differed from those of the early nationalists?
Answer:
(a)
The assertive nationalists had no faith in the British sense of justice and fair play. They believed that the British rule in India was not a blessing but a curse. They were convinced that the British had no honest intentions of introducing reforms for the welfare of the Indians. They realized that the British interests were different and clashed with the Indian interests. India could never grow and progress under British rule.
(b)
The goal of the assertive nationalists was not self­ government in ‘gradual’ stages but immediate freedom (Swaraj) from British rule.
(c)
The early nationalists had great faith in the sense of justice and fair play of the British. So they adopted peaceful and constitutional methods. They presented their grievances to the government and waited patiently for the government to  pass laws to remove those grievances. They believed that the government would gradually give in to their demands. They promoted unity, spread political awareness among the people and built up a strong public opinion through meetings,  lectures and the press. But the assertive nationalists on the other hand, had no faith in the constitutional methods followed by the early nationalists. Twenty years of prayers, petitions, appeals and resolutions and representations hadfailed to yield any concrete results,

Question 3.
With reference to the Lucknow Session of the Congress of 1916, answer the following questions:

Question 3(a).
What was the Lucknow Pact ?
Answer:
The Lucknow Pact was an agreement signed by the Muslim League and the Congress to pave the way for a joint scheme of political reforms in India.

Question 3(b).
What was the objective of the Lucknow Pact ?
Answer:
Under the Lucknow Pact, the League jointly with the Congress put forward the demand for a Dominion Status for India. This was an important step towards Hindu-Muslim unity.

Question 3(c).
What were the results of Lucknow Pact ?
Answer:
The unity between the Muslim League and the Congress, on the one hand and the early nationalists and the assertive nationalists, on the other, aroused great political enthusiasm and strengthened the national movement.

G Picture study:
This is the picture of a national leader

1.Identify the person in the picture.
Ans. Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

2. Which political organization did he join and when ?
Ans. Muhammad Ali Jinnah joined the Muslim League in 1913.

3. When and by whom was this organization founded ?
Ans. The Muslim League was established in December 1906, under the leadership of Nawab Salimullah Khan in Dacca (now known as Dhaka).

4. What were the objectives of this organization ?
Answer:
The main objectives of the Muslim League were as follows:

1. To promote among the Muslims a feeling of loyalty towards the British government.
2. To protect and promote the political rights of the Muslims
3. To prevent feelings of hostility towards other communities.