Class
10 History
Chapter
2- Nationalism in India
(Notes)
The introduction of repressive measures like the Rowlatt Act further fueled
discontent, leading to widespread protests and civil disobedience. The tragic
Jallianwalla Bagh massacre served as a catalyst for intensified resistance
against British rule. Concurrently, the Khilafat Movement emerged as a
significant force, aligning with the nationalist cause and highlighting the
unity among different religious communities against colonial oppression. Mahatma
Gandhi's advocacy for non-cooperation with the British government gained
momentum, leading to the adoption of the Non-Cooperation-Khilafat Movement in
1921.
The Civil Disobedience Movement, launched in response to escalating repression and
broken promises by the colonial government, symbolized a comprehensive
challenge to British authority. Gandhi's iconic Salt March galvanized
widespread participation and showcased the power of nonviolent resistance in
mobilizing masses against colonial injustices. The movement's inclusive nature,
encompassing actions like breaking salt laws, boycotting foreign goods, and
picketing liquor shops, reflected a collective commitment to challenging
colonial hegemony.
Despite its achievements, the Civil Disobedience Movement faced limitations, including
limited participation from marginalized communities like untouchables and
growing communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims. Mahatma Gandhi's Harijan
Movement aimed to address caste-based discrimination and uplift marginalized
communities, culminating in the Poona Pact of 1932, which provided reserved
seats for the Depressed Classes in legislative councils. The varying responses
of Muslims to nationalist movements, influenced by factors like the decline of
the Khilafat Movement and growing communal tensions, underscored the
complexities of India's nationalist struggle.
Symbolism played a crucial role in fostering collective identity and unity among Indians
during this period. Icons like Bharat Mata and symbols like the tricolor flag
became powerful representations of national pride and unity. The
reinterpretation of history to highlight India's glorious past and achievements
further instilled a sense of pride and purpose among Indians. These symbols and
narratives were instrumental in unifying diverse communities and inspiring a
shared commitment to the nationalist cause, despite the challenges and
complexities of the struggle against colonial rule.
Brief Notes (point wise)
1.
Impact of the First World War on Indian Nationalism
Economic
and Political Changes
1.1 The war created a new economic and political landscape in India.
1.2 Defense expenditure increased, leading to higher taxes and war loans.
1.3 Price rises and hardships affected common people.
1.4 Forced recruitment aggravated by food shortages and famine.
1.5 The influenza epidemic worsened the situation, causing mass casualties.
1.6 Indians realized their unnecessary
involvement in the war, fostering unity against British rule.
2.
Philosophy of Satyagraha
Principles
of Satyagraha
2.1 Emphasized the power of truth and nonviolent resistance.
2.2 Advocated appealing to the oppressor's conscience rather than using physical force.
2.3 Considered a novel approach to resist injustice, as it prioritized nonviolence.
2.4 Successfully organized by Mahatma Gandhi
in various movements across India.
3.
Opposition to the Rowlatt Act
Protests
against Repressive Measures
3.1 Indians opposed the Rowlatt Act, which granted the government repressive powers.
3.2 Non-violent civil disobedience, rallies, and strikes were organized.
3.3
Resistance included closing shops and boycotting British institutions.
4.
Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre
Tragic
Events of April 13
4.1 On April 13, the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre occurred in Amritsar.
4.2 British General Dyer blocked exits and opened fire on a crowd, killing hundreds.
4.3
Dyer's objective was to instill fear and awe among satyagrahis.
5.
Origins of the Khilafat Movement
Context
of the Ottoman Empire's Defeat
5.1 After the First World War, rumors of harsh peace terms for the Ottoman Empire surfaced.
5.2 Muslims worldwide, including in India, supported the Ottoman Khalifa.
5.3 The Khilafat Committee, led by Muhammad
Ali and Shaukat Ali, was formed in India.
6.
Rationale for Non-Cooperation
Gandhi's
Philosophy and Strategy
6.1 Mahatma Gandhi believed British rule relied on Indian cooperation.
6.2 Non-Cooperation Movement aimed to withdraw support from British institutions.
6.3 Challenges arose due to economic
constraints and the failure to replace British systems.
7.
Rural Rebellions
Resistance
in Awadh and Tribal Regions
7.1 Peasant movements in Awadh demanded reduced revenue and tenant rights.
7.2 Tribals in Andhra Pradesh rebelled against forest restrictions and forced labor.
7.3 Leaders like Baba Ramchandra and Alluri
Sitaram Raju led these movements.
8.
Struggles of Plantation Workers
Quest
for Freedom among Plantation Laborers
8.1 Plantation workers sought freedom of movement and links to their villages.
8.2 The Inland Emigration Act restricted their movement, leading to defiance and unrest.
8.3
Hopes for Gandhi Raj spurred workers to leave plantations but faced police
brutality.
9.
Transition to Civil Disobedience
Reasons
for Shift in Strategy
9.1 Gandhi withdrew Non-Cooperation Movement due to escalating violence.
9.2 Economic depression and the Simon Commission prompted new political dynamics.
9.3
The Lahore Congress formalized the demand for full independence.
10.
Salt March and Civil Disobedience
Defiance
against Salt Tax
10.1 Gandhi's letter to Viceroy Irwin demanded the abolition of the salt tax.
10.2 Salt March covered 240 miles from Sabarmati to Dandi, where salt was symbolically made.
10.3
Features of Civil Disobedience included boycotting foreign goods and picketing
liquor shops.
11.
Relaunch of Civil Disobedience
Renewed
Resistance
11.1 Gandhi relaunched Civil Disobedience Movement after the Second Round Table Conference.
11.2
Economic distress and repression fueled mass participation in the movement.
12.
Participation of Social Classes
Involvement
across Society
12.1 Rich and poor peasants, business class, and industrial workers participated.
12.2 Women played a significant role in protests and civil disobedience.
12.3
Merchants and industrialists supported the movement financially and through
boycotts.
13.
Limitations of Civil Disobedience
Challenges
and Constraints
13.1 Untouchables' limited participation due to Congress' neglect and communal tensions.
13.2 Muslim disillusionment with Congress and Hindu-Muslim communal clashes hindered unity.
13.3
Communal riots and tensions escalated, undermining the movement's goals.
14.
Untouchability Reforms
Gandhi's
Efforts for Social Change
14.1 Gandhi led efforts to abolish untouchability and promote social equality.
14.2 Satyagraha campaigns aimed to secure rights and dignity for the oppressed.
14.3 Poona Pact of 1932 provided reserved
seats for Depressed Classes in legislative councils.
15.
Muslim Responses to Nationalism
Varied
Reactions
15.1 Many Muslims were lukewarm to Civil Disobedience, feeling alienated from Congress.
15.2 Congress' alignment with Hindu nationalist groups strained Hindu-Muslim relations.
15.3
Muslim League gained prominence advocating for separate electorates.
16.
Nationalist Symbols and Icons
Unifying
Imagery
16.1 Bharat Mata symbolized the nation's identity, depicted in various forms of art and literature.
16.2 Nationalist movements revived Indian folklore and adopted tricolor flags.
16.3
Historical reinterpretation instilled pride in India's achievements.
17.
Collective Identity through History
Rediscovering
National Pride
17.1 Indians sought pride in their history amidst British denigration.
17.2 Nationalist histories highlighted India's achievements and urged resistance to colonial rule.
Detail Notes
1. The First World War,
Khilafat, and Non-Cooperation
The
First World War marked a significant turning point in India's nationalist
movement. It catalyzed the growth of nationalist sentiment due to the new
economic and political circumstances it created. The war necessitated increased
defense expenditure, leading to rising taxes and a surge in war loans. This
financial strain exacerbated by a price rise caused widespread hardship among
the common people. Forced recruitment during the war further fueled discontent.
The acute shortage of food resulted in famine and an influenza epidemic,
claiming millions of lives. Indians began to realize their unnecessary
involvement in the war, fostering unity against British rule.
2.
The Idea of Satyagraha
The
concept of satyagraha, introduced by Mahatma Gandhi, emphasized the power of
truth in resisting oppression through nonviolent means. Satyagrahis could win
battles against injustice by appealing to the oppressor's conscience rather
than resorting to physical force. Gandhi successfully organized satyagraha
movements across India, beginning with his endeavors in Champaran, Bihar, and
Kheda, Gujarat, in 1917. He later mobilized cotton mill workers in Ahmedabad in
1918, showcasing the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance in challenging
oppressive systems.
3.
The Rowlatt Act
Gandhiji
led a nationwide satyagraha against the repressive Rowlatt Act of 1919, which
granted the government sweeping powers to suppress political activities and
detain individuals without trial. Indians responded with non-violent civil
disobedience, organizing rallies, strikes, and shop closures in protest against
the unjust law.
4.
Jallianwalla Bagh Incident
The
tragic Jallianwalla Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, epitomized British brutality
and fueled Indian resentment. Hundreds of innocent civilians were killed when
General Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on a peaceful gathering in
Amritsar. Dyer aimed to instill fear among satyagrahis, demonstrating the
extent of British repression.
5.
Reasons for the Khilafat Movement
The
defeat of Ottoman Turkey in World War I sparked concerns among Muslims
worldwide about the fate of the Ottoman emperor (the Khalifa). In India, the
Khilafat Movement, led by Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, aimed to support the
Khalifa's temporal powers. The movement gained momentum, aligning with the
nationalist cause, as evidenced by its endorsement at the 1920 Calcutta
Congress session.
6.
Why Non-cooperation?
Gandhi's
advocacy for non-cooperation stemmed from his belief that British rule in India
relied on Indian cooperation. He argued that if Indians refused to cooperate,
British dominance would collapse, paving the way for self-rule (Swaraj). The
Nagpur Congress session in December 1920 formalized the Non-Cooperation
program, advocating for the surrender of titles, boycotts of British
institutions, and the promotion of indigenous goods. The
Non-Cooperation-Khilafat Movement commenced in January 1921, symbolizing a
unified struggle for Swaraj.
7.
Rebellion in the Countryside
Peasant
uprisings in regions like Awadh and the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh reflected
rural discontent against oppressive landlords and colonial policies. Led by
figures like Baba Ramchandra and Alluri Sitaram Raju, these movements demanded
agrarian reforms, social justice, and an end to colonial exploitation.
8.
Swaraj in the Plantations
Plantation
workers in Assam yearned for Swaraj as a means to escape the harsh conditions
imposed by colonial labor laws. The Inland Emigration Act of 1859 restricted
their mobility, compelling them to undertake the historic Salt March, defying
colonial restrictions.
9.
Towards Civil Disobedience
Gandhi's
decision to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement in February 1922 was prompted
by escalating violence and the need for better satyagraha training. External
factors, such as the worldwide economic depression and the Simon Commission's
exclusion of Indian members, further fueled nationalist sentiments.
10.
The Salt March and the Civil Disobedience Movement
Gandhi's
Salt March, culminating in the symbolic defiance of the salt tax at Dandi,
galvanized widespread support for the Civil Disobedience Movement. Thousands
participated in breaking salt laws, boycotting foreign goods, and picketing
liquor shops, embodying the spirit of nonviolent resistance.
11.
Features of the Civil Disobedience Movement
The
Civil Disobedience Movement encompassed a range of actions, including the mass
breaking of salt laws, boycotts of foreign goods, picketing of liquor shops,
and refusal to pay taxes. By urging people to defy colonial laws and
institutions, the movement represented a comprehensive challenge to British
authority in India. The movement's emphasis on nonviolent resistance and mass
participation underscored its inclusive and transformative nature.
12.
Relaunch of Civil Disobedience
Gandhi's
decision to relaunch the Civil Disobedience Movement was driven by the
breakdown of negotiations at the Second Round Table Conference and the
escalating repression by the colonial government. Despite facing challenges
such as the imprisonment of prominent leaders like Ghaffar Khan and Jawaharlal
Nehru, the Congress remained steadfast in its commitment to the struggle for
independence. The participation of various social classes and groups, including
rich and poor peasants, business class, industrial workers, and women,
reflected the widespread discontent with British rule.
13.
Limitations of Civil Disobedience
The
limited participation of untouchables highlighted the Congress's failure to
address the concerns of marginalized communities within the nationalist
movement. Growing communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims, exacerbated by
political developments and religious processions, posed significant challenges
to the unity of the movement. Despite its achievements, the Civil Disobedience
Movement faced internal divisions and external pressures, constraining its
ability to achieve its objectives fully.
14.
Untouchability and Harijan Movement
Mahatma
Gandhi's advocacy for the eradication of untouchability through the Harijan
Movement reflected his commitment to social justice and equality. Through
campaigns, satyagraha, and personal example, Gandhi sought to challenge
caste-based discrimination and uplift the marginalized communities. The Poona
Pact of 1932, which provided reserved seats for the Depressed Classes in
legislative councils, marked a significant milestone in the struggle against
untouchability.
15.
Muslim Response to Nationalist Movements
While
some sections of Muslims actively participated in nationalist movements like
the Khilafat and Civil Disobedience, others remained lukewarm or even opposed
such efforts. Factors such as the decline of the Khilafat movement, perceptions
of Congress's alignment with Hindu nationalist groups, and communal tensions
contributed to varying degrees of Muslim participation. The emergence of the
Muslim League as a prominent political force, advocating for separate electorates
and representing Muslim interests, further complicated the dynamics of
nationalist movements.
16.
Symbolism and Collective Identity
The
imagery of Bharat Mata, epitomized in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's
"Vande Mataram" and Abanindranath Tagore's paintings, symbolized the
collective identity of the Indian nation. Nationalist movements, such as the
Swadeshi movement, employed symbols like the tricolor flag and
reinterpretations of history to foster a sense of pride and unity among
Indians. These symbols played a crucial role in unifying diverse communities
and inspiring a shared commitment to the nationalist cause.
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