History questions... Cont.

Q 30 How did the rich peasantry react to civil disobedience movement?

A 30 1. In the countryside , rich peasant communities like thePatidars of Gujarat and the Jats of Uttar pradesh were active in the movement. Being producers of commercial crops, they were very hard hit by the trade depression and falling prices.

2. As their cash income disappeared, they found it impossible to pay the governments revenue demand. And the refusal of the government to reduce the revenue demand led to widespread resentment.

3. These rich peasants became enthusiastic supporters of the Civil disobedience movement, organizing their communities ,and  at times forcing reluctant members to participate in the boycott programmes.

4. For them the fight for swaraj was a struggle against high revenues.

5. But they were deeply disappointed when the movement was called off in 1931 without the revenue rates being revised. So when the movement was restarted in 1932, many of them refused to participate.

Q 31. How did the business classes relate to the civil disobedience movement?

A.31 1. During the 1st world war, Indian industrialists had made huge profits and become powerful. Keen on expanding their business, they now reacted against colonial policies that restricted business activities.

2. They wanted protection against imports of foreign goods, and a rupee sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports.

3. To organise business interests, they formed the Indian Industrial and commercial congress in 1920 and theFederation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.

4. Led by industrialists like Purshottam das, Thakurdas andGD Birla , the industrialists attacked colonial attacked colonial control over the Indian economy and supported theCivil Disobedience movement when it was first launched.

5. They gave financial assistance and refused to buy or sell imported goods. Most businessmen came to see Swaraj as a time when colonial restrictions on business would no longer exist and trade and industry would flourish without constraints.

6. But after the failure of the Round table Conference,business groups were no longer uniformly enthusiastic. They were apprehensive of the spread of militant activities and worried about prolonged disruption of business as well as of the growing influence of socialism amongst the younger members of the congress.

Q 32 What was the role of women in civil disobedience movement.

A32  1. There was large scale participation of women in the civil disobedience movement. They participated in the saltsatyagraha, rallies and protest marches, picketing of shops selling liquor and foreign goods etc.

2. Many women went to jail. Most women belonged to high caste urban families or to rich peasant households.

3. Moved by Gandhiji’s call, they began to see service to the nation as a sacred duty of women. It helped to create an awareness and experience of self-worth, confidence and pride in women.

4 however, this increased public role did not bring any radical change in their position because the attitude of the people towards women remained unchanged. They were still considered fit only domestic responsibilities.

5. It also took some time for women to hold positions of authority within the Congress organization as congress was keen only on their symbolic presence.

Q.33 Who were the Dalit?

A.33 Dalit were a social group of untouchables. From around 1930s they began to call themselves dalit, being oppressed by upper castes and were economic and socially backward and lacked political empowerment.

Q.34 Why did the political leaders differ sharply over the question of separate electorates?

A.34  1. Leaders of the Muslim League like Muhammad Ali Jinnah was willing to give up the demand for separate electorates if Muslims were assured reserved seats in the Central Assembly and representation in proportion to population in the Muslim dominated provinces (Bengal & Punjab). In 1930, Mohd Iqbal reiterated the importance of separate electorates for Muslims as a safeguard for their minority political interests.

2. Leader of depressed classes like BR Ambedkar demanded separate electorates for Dalits to solve the problem of social disabilities through political empowerment. The British agreed and granted the Communal; Award but Ambedkar had to change his stand and accept reserved seats to be elected by general electorate.

3. Gandhiji strongly opposed the system of separate electorates for Dalits as it would slow down the process of integration into society. In Poona Pact of 1932, his position was accepted by Ambedkar.  Congress had opposed the system since 1909 as it hampered the unity of National Movement.

Q.35 Why did some Muslim political organisations gave a lukewarm response to the Civil disobedience Movement?

A.35  1. After the calling off of the Non-Cooperation movement in 1932 a large section of the Muslims felt alienated. The Muslim league adopted separatist tendencies.

2 Many Muslim leaders were concerned about the status ofMuslims as a minority. They feared that their identity and culture might be suppressed under the domination of a Hindumajority.

3. They grew suspicious of the congress in the mid-20s as thecongress openly and visibly associated with the Hindureligious Nationalist groups, e.g., Hindu Mahasabha, which displayed lack of cooperation.

4. Differences between Congress and Muslim League arose over representation in legislatures. All effects at renegotiating alliances and forging unity to resolve issues failed.

5. When at the 1928 All Parties Conference MR Jayakar of the Hindu Mahasabha strongly opposed efforts tocompromise, all hope for negotiations disappeared. Therefore, there was a lukewarm response to the Civil Disobedience movement by some Muslim political organisations.

Q.36. Briefly write about any 5 cultural processes through which Nationalism captured people’s imagination.

How did paintings and songs promote nationalism?

A.36. 1 Identification of the Indian Nation with figures and images. Devotion to the mother figure of Bharat Mata which was reflected as an ascetic, calm, composed, divine and spiritual figure was an evidence of one’s Nationalism. It was circulated in popular prints in different forms. Paintings depicting the various symbols or ideas of sacrifice, even of popular national leaders, gave the image of nationalism.

How did folklore promote nationalism in India?

2. Revival of Indian folk tradition or folklore and old tales, legends, songs, nursery rhymes, ballads, myths etc, gave a true picture of culture that had been corrupted and destroyed by outside forces. It helped to discover India’s identity and glorify India’s past. Nationalistic literature and patriotic songs like “Vande Mataram” developed patriotic feelings. They were a manifestation of the peoples real thoughts and characteristics.

3. How did flags and other symbols promote nationalism in India?

Use of icons and symbols by nationalist leaders were meant to unite the people, example the red, green, yellow tricolour flag of the Bengal Swadeshi Movement presented the unity of all 8 provinces through 8 lotuses. The crescent moon represented Hindus and Muslims. A later tricolour with Gandhiji’sspinning wheel stood for self-help. Flags became the symbol of defiance of British rule.

4. How did re-interpretation of History promote Nationalism in India?

Development of Nationalism through representation of Indian History on a Nationalistic basis; the great achievements like art, architecture, science, maths, law, philosophy, craft, trade, etc., were highlighted. This not only represented the decline under colonialism but also tried to restore a sense of self-pride. It encouraged people to struggle to improve the conditions under British rule.

5. United struggle and Nationalism

The sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united  common struggles and organised movements against the colonial government, example various groups and classes of Indians were brought together by Congress movements especially Gandhiji’s leadership. The Nationalist forged a national unity despite differences and conflicts between groups. Therefore what was emerging was aNation with many voices wanting freedom from colonial rule.