CBSE Class 10 History Chapter ‘Nationalism in India’ Previous Years’ Questions (PYQs). The questions given here include a collection based on The Previous Years’ Social Science Board Exams. Go through these questions to prepare well for your Board exams.
PYQs: Rise of Nationalism in India
Previous years’ questions from past board exams are provided here year-wise in sequence, with the latest ones at the beginning.
PYQs: 2023-24
Q1. Describe any three causes that led to the Non-cooperation Movement.
Answer: Causes of the Non-Cooperation Movement:
- Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919): The brutal massacre of hundreds of unarmed Indians by British troops in Amritsar enraged the Indian public and increased anti-British sentiment.
- Khilafat Movement: The Khilafat Movement was launched to protect the Ottoman Caliphate, which was threatened after World War I. This led to a partnership between Indian Muslims and Hindus in the struggle for independence.
- Rowlatt Act (1919): The Rowlatt Act allowed the British government to arrest Indians without trial and restrict their civil liberties, leading to widespread protests across India.
Q2. Describe any three causes of ‘Civil Disobedience Movement.’
Answer: Causes of the Civil Disobedience Movement:
- Salt March (1930): The British monopoly on salt and the tax on it were deeply unpopular. Gandhiji’s Salt March to Dandi was a protest against this unjust law.
- Failure of the Simon Commission (1928): The Simon Commission was set up without any Indian representation, causing widespread resentment and demands for more political rights.
- Economic Hardships: The British economic policies, including heavy taxes and the impact of the Great Depression, worsened the living conditions of Indians, leading to widespread unrest.
Q3. “The Gandhian idea of Satyagraha, emphasised the power of truth and struggle against injustice.” Explain the statement with examples.
Answer: The Gandhian idea of Satyagraha emphasized truth and non-violence as powerful tools to fight against injustice. Gandhiji believed that the truth is a force that can drive positive change without the use of physical violence.
Examples:
- Champaran Movement (1917): Gandhiji helped the indigo farmers in Champaran, Bihar, who were being exploited by British planters. Using Satyagraha, he peacefully resisted their unfair treatment and successfully improved their conditions.
- Salt March (1930): Gandhiji led the Salt March to protest against the British salt tax. By making salt from seawater, he defied the British law without violence, showing how truth and peaceful resistance could challenge unjust laws.
In both cases, Gandhiji’s use of Satyagraha led to significant social and political change, proving that non-violent resistance based on truth can be a powerful tool for justice.
Q4. How did people belonging to different communities, regions and language groups develop a sense of collective belonging in the late-nineteenth century India? Explain with examples.
Answer: In late-nineteenth-century India, people from different communities, regions, and language groups developed a sense of collective belonging through shared experiences and cultural processes that united them.
- United Struggles: The common struggle against British colonial rule brought together people from various backgrounds. For example, the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal united people across regions to boycott British goods and promote indigenous industries.
- Cultural Revival Movements: Nationalists focused on reviving Indian culture and folklore, which helped people reconnect with their heritage. Rabindranath Tagore collected folk songs and tales to preserve and promote India’s traditional culture.
- Symbols and Icons: The creation of symbols like Bharat Mata and the Swaraj Flag gave a visual identity to the nation, which people from diverse backgrounds could relate to.
- Reinterpretation of History: Creating a feeling of nationalism was also done through reinterpretation of history to instil pride in ancient heritage.
These efforts helped build a collective national identity, making people feel united despite their differences.
PYQs: 2022-23
Q1. Examine the progress of the Civil Disobedience Movement in the countryside.
Answer: The Non-Cooperation Movement, initially launched in cities, gradually spread to the countryside.
- Participation of Rich Peasant Communities:
- Rich peasant communities like the Patidars of Gujarat and the Jats of Uttar Pradesh actively participated in the movement.
- These groups suffered heavily due to the economic depression, which caused their cash income to disappear.
- Demand for Revenue Reduction:
- Unable to pay the government’s revenue demands, they demanded a reduction in revenue.
- When the government refused to accommodate these demands, it led to widespread resentment among the peasantry.
- Boycotts and Swaraj Struggle:
- The rich landlords participated in boycott programmes and refused to pay revenue.
- For them, the fight for Swaraj was closely linked with the struggle against high revenues.
- Disappointment and Disengagement:
- Many peasants were disappointed when the movement was called off in 1931 without any revision in revenue rates.
- As a result, many did not participate when the movement resumed in 1932.
- Poor Peasantry’s Participation:
- On the other hand, the poor peasantry also joined the movement with the hope that their unpaid rent to landlords would be remitted.
Q2. “Gandhiji felt the Khilafat issue as an opportunity to bring Hindus and Muslims under the umbrella of a unified national movement.” Explain the statement.
Answer: Gandhiji saw the Khilafat issue as a way to unite Hindus and Muslims in the struggle for independence.
- Khilafat Movement: The Khilafat issue arose when the Ottoman Empire, which was the Caliph of Muslims, was dismantled after World War I, causing Muslim feelings of anger and insecurity.
- Hindus and Muslims Together: Gandhiji realized that this issue could serve as a platform to bring Hindus and Muslims together in the common fight against British colonial rule.
- Support for Khilafat: Gandhiji supported the Khilafat movement, believing that if Hindus and Muslims jointly demanded Swaraj, they could create a unified national movement.
- Promoting Unity: By aligning the Khilafat issue with the Non-Cooperation Movement, Gandhiji hoped to forge a sense of solidarity and shared national purpose among both communities, which would strengthen the fight for freedom.
Through this, Gandhiji aimed to bridge the gap between the two communities and create a united front against British rule.
Q3. Explain the participation of women in the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’.
Answer: Women played an active and significant role in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Here are the key points of their participation:
- Women actively participated in protests, boycotts, and marches across India, symbolizing the struggle for independence.
- Many women took part in salt marches, picketing liquor shops, and participating in various forms of civil disobedience.
- Notable figures like Sarojini Naidu led these movements, becoming symbols of courage.
- Women also supported the movement by organizing meetings, raising funds, and encouraging men to join the struggle.
- Despite facing restrictions, arrest, and social criticism, women continued their participation, breaking traditional barriers to contribute to the freedom struggle.
Their involvement not only strengthened the movement but also marked a significant step toward gender equality and women’s empowerment in India.
Q4. “Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation.” Examine the statement in context of Civil Disobedience Movement.
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi’s use of salt as a symbol during the Civil Disobedience Movement was a strategic move to unite the nation. Here’s an explanation:
- Universal Significance: Salt was an essential and widely used item, common to all Indians, irrespective of class, caste, religion, or region. By focusing on salt, Gandhi ensured that every Indian could relate to the cause.
- Oppression by British: The British government had imposed a salt tax, which was seen as a symbol of colonial oppression. Gandhi’s call to break the salt law was a direct challenge to British authority.
- Salt March (Dandi March): In 1930, Gandhi led the famous Salt March to Dandi, where he made salt from the sea, defying the British monopoly. This act of defiance became a powerful symbol of resistance.
- Mass Participation: The Salt March mobilized people from all walks of life, making it one of the largest movements for freedom, with millions of Indians participating in protests, salt production, and defiance.
Thus, salt became a unifying symbol, galvanizing the masses in the struggle for independence.
Q5. Examine the progress of the Civil Disobedience Movement among different strata of society.
Answer: The progress of the Civil Disobedience Movement among the different strata of the society:
- (i) Gandhiji led the Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi with his followers starting the Civil Disobedience Movement.
- (ii) Thousands in different parts of the country broke the Salt Law, manufactured salt and demonstrated in front of government salt factories.
- (iii) In the countryside like the rich Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Uttar Pradesh were active in the movement.
- (iv) As rich peasant communities were very hard hit by the trade depression and falling prices, they became enthusiastic supporters of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
- (v) As the depression continued and cash invoice dwindled, the small tenants found it difficult to pay the rent. They wanted the unpaid rent to the landlords to be remitted and thus they joined the movement.
- (vi) Merchants and industrialists supported the movement by giving financial assistance and refused to buy and sell the imported goods.
- (vii) The industrial working class of Nagpur region participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).
- (viii)Railway worker, dock workers, coal mine workers of Chota Nagpur, etc. participated in protest rallies and boycott campaigns. (ix) Women also participated in large numbers.
Q6. How did the Business class relate itself to the Civil Disobedience Movement? Explain with examples.
Answer: The business class played a significant role in the Civil Disobedience Movement, although their involvement was somewhat cautious. Here’s how they related to the movement:
- (i) Indian merchants and industrialists were keen on expanding their businesses and reacted against colonial policies that restricted business activities.
- (ii) They wanted protection against imports of foreign goods, and a rupee sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports.
- (iii) To organise business interests, they formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.
- (iv) Led by prominent industrialists like Purshottamdas Thakurdas and G.D. Birla, the industrialists attacked colonial control over the Indian economy and supported the Civil Disobedience Movement
- (v) They gave financial assistance and refused to buy or sell imported goods.
- (vi) Most businessmen wanted to flourish in trade without constraints.
Q7. ‘Workers of Assam had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi and the nation of Swaraj.’ Explain with examples.
Answer: For plantation workers in Assam, Swaraj meant the right to move freely in and out of the confined space in which they were enclosed, and it meant retaining a link with the village from which they had come.
- (i) Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, plantation workers were not permitted to leave the tea gardens without permission, and in fact, they were rarely given such permission.
- (ii) When they heard of the Non-Cooperation Movement, thousands of workers defied the authorities, left the plantations and headed home.
- (iii) They believed that Gandhi Raj was coming, and everyone would be given land in their villages.
- (iv) They, however, never reached their destination. Stranded on the way by a railway and steamer strike, they were caught by the police and brutally beaten up.
OR (Another Answer)
For plantation workers in Assam, Swaraj meant the right to move freely and reconnect with their villages.
- (i) Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, workers were confined to the plantations and required permission to leave, which was rarely granted.
- (ii) When they heard about the Non-Cooperation Movement, thousands defied the authorities and left the plantations to return home.
- (iii) They believed that under Gandhi Raj, they would be given land in their villages.
- (iv) However, they were stopped by a railway and steamer strike, caught by the police, and brutally beaten.
- (v) Their aspirations for freedom were crushed as they were forced back, but their actions reflect their unique understanding of Swaraj.
