CBSE
History-1998 -Set I
Q. 11. When and why did the congress decide to launch the civil -Disobedience movement? How was the movement started? Describe the main methods of struggle, which were adopted.
Ans. The Civil Disobedience Movement marked the beginning of the new movement in the struggle for freedom as it declares the Purna Swaraj as its aim. The movement began with Gandhi breaking the salt law at Dandi, a small village on the seacoast of Gujrat on March 12, 1930 AD. The Civil Disobedience Movement was a high mark in India’s national struggle against the British rule. It united the Indians against the atrocities of the Britishers. It was a symbol of disobedience to the government orders. It also aroused political awakening among the Indians and made them bold enough to face any challenge.
The Movement was followed with strikes, processions and demonstrations. Boycott of foreign goods was launched and the whole nation joined in non-payment of government taxes. Soon this movement attained the shape of the greatest mass movement under the leadership of Gandhi. Even women did not lag behind in their enthusiasm. They joined the men in picketing the foreign wine and cloth shops The movement engulfed the Indian subcontinent. Khan Abbul Gafar Khan, popularly known as ‘Frontier Gandhi’ started Khudai Khitmadgar Movement.The movement also reached the eastern part of India where the people of Manipur and Nagaland. More than 90,000 patriots who participated in the civil disobedience movement from various parts of India were put in jails. Some of them faced life imprisonment and inhuman treatment but these government atrocities, instead of weakening the movement, strengthened it further
OR
Q. Read the following statement made by Rabindranath Tagore while renouncing his Knighthood and answer the questions that follow: “The time has come when badges of honor make our shame glaring in their incongruous context of humiliation and I for my part wish to stand shorn of all special distinctions, by the side of my countrymen who, for their so called insignificance, are liable to suffer degradation not fit for human beings.”
(1)What was the incident because of which Tagore renounced his knighthood?
Ans. 1 The incident was the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, which took place on April 13, 1919. On this day, General Dyer ordered firing on a peaceful gathering of demonstrators in Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. Rabindra Nath Tagore renounced his knighthood after this incident as the suffering and helplessness of his countrymen moved him.
(2)What were the developments that led to the incident?
Ans. 2 The First World War ended in 1918 AD. It was followed by the Great Depression. India was affected in a big way. Many people were rendered jobless after the closing of Industries. Peasants and handicraft workers suffered hardships and losses. The passage of Rowllatt Act in 1919 AD further created resentment among people and Gandhi announced his plan for Satyagraha. Strikes were organized throughout the nation. The Government retaliated by arresting Dr. Satya Pal and Dr. Kitchlu in Amritsar. More than 20,000 people gathered at Jallian wala Bagh to protest against the arrests when General Dyer, without any prior warning, opened fire.
(3)Discuss the impact of this incident on the struggle for freedom. (8 marks)
Ans.3 The Jallianwala Bagh incident had a deep impact on people. They now lost faith in peaceful processions and gatherings and took to extremist path to get rid of the imperial rule. Many revolutionary groups were formed whose main aim was ‘do or die ‘ to free their country from the British. The Government too let loose worst kind of repression. Martial Law was let loose in Punjab. Many innocent people were arrested and tortured. Mahatama Gandhi was arrested along with other leaders.
Soon after his release, he organized the Non -Co-operation movement and gave full support to Ali Brothers for Khilafat Movement. Many people left their Government jobs and surrendered their medals and awards or honours bestowed upon them by the Government. RabindraNath Tagore was one of them. In retrospect, one could say that Jullianwala Bagh Massacre marred permanently, the relation between the Government and its Indian subjects .It promoted nationalism as people belonging to different sections of society were now united against British Government and the atrocities it inflicted on Indian masses.