This section includes InterviewSolutions, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.
| 18801. |
Through a focus on any two countries, explain how nations developed over the nineteenth century. |
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Answer» The development of the German and Italian nation states in the nineteenth century Political fragmentation: Till the middle of the nineteenth century, the present-day nations of Germany and Italy were fragmented into separate regions and kingdoms ruled by different princely houses. Revolutionary uprisings: Nineteenth-century Europe was characterised by both popular uprisings of the masses and revolutions led by the educated, liberal middle classes. The middle classes belonging to the different German regions came together to form an all-German National Assembly in 1848. However, on facing opposition from the aristocracy and military, and on losing its mass support base, it was forced to disband.In the Italian region, during the 1830s, revolutionaries like Giuseppe Mazzini sought to establish a unitary Italian Republic. However, the revolutionary uprisings of 1831 and 1848 failed to unite Italy. Unification with the help of the army: After the failure of the revolutions, the process of German and Italian unification was continued by the aristocracy and the army. Germany was united by the Prussian chief minister Otto von Bismarck with the help of the Prussian army and bureaucracy. The German empire was proclaimed in 1871. The Italian state of Sardinia-Piedmont played a role similar to that played by Prussia. Count Camillo de Cavour (the Chief Minister) led the movement to unite the separate states of nineteenth-century Italy with the help of the army and an alliance with France. The regions annexed by Giuseppe Garibaldi and his Red Shirts joined with the northern regions to form a united Italy. The italian nation was proclaimed in 1861. The Papal States joined in 1870. |
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| 18802. |
Discuss the main causes of the War of Independence, 1857. |
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Answer» Administrative and political causes: To fulfil the imperialistic ambitions of Britain Lord Welleselly merged the Princely States of Jhansi, Nagpur, Satara and Awadh in British empire. He took away the lands of Indian zamindars. He annoyed Muslims by insulting Mughal king Bahadur Shah Zafar. Indians were not given high posts in government services. Also they were not satisfied with the judiciaiy system of the British. 1. Social causes: The Company allowed the Christian missionaries to work in its territories. Laws were passed which made conversion to Christianity easier. Any person who had converted to Christianity could inherit his ancestral property. These who converted to Christianity, got opportunity of government jobs and other facilities. People felt that their religion and social customs were in danger. 2. Millitary causes: In 1857 AD, Indian War for Independence was started due to millitary discontent. Indian soldiers were discriminated on the issues of salary, posts, promotion, allowances. Some of the new laws violated their religious sentiments. The Indians took it as a major attack on their religion. In 1856, the British passed the order that every new recruit, in the army, had to serve overseas, if needed. Now, the Indian soldiers turned against the British. Indians were given Rs. 9 per month as salary while Britishers got Rs. 60 or 70 per month. On a minor mistake they were punished. This encouraged them to lift weapons against them. Defeat in Crimea war of Britishers encouraged Indian soldiers. Indian soldiers allowances were finished. In Second Burma War, Indians were ordered to go across the oceans but they opposed it, because in those times in Hindu religion sea voyage was against religion. Therefore, before 1857 many millitary revolts were held. 3. Economic causes: Due to policy of economic exploitation of the British, Indians had unrest. The objective of Britishers was to collect more and more wealth from Indian subcontinent. They had destroyed the self-dependent rural economic system of India. Britishers were becoming more rich and Indians were becoming more poor. Britishers imposed more fine (Lagaan) on farmers and zamindars even during the famine. They tortured and exploited them. It increased the discontent among Indians. 4. Immediate causes: In 1856 Enfield Rifle was given by the British government to the Indian soldiers. They were asked to break open the cartridge with their mouths. The soldiers refused to do so, suspecting the cartridges to be made of pork or beef fat. The British officers compelled the soldiers to use the cartridges. It was at this juncture that Mangal Pandey refused to open the cartridge on 29th March 1857 and killed the British officer. He was arrested and hanged. A month after his execution, some soldiers in Meerut refused to use the new cartridges. About eighty five sepoys were arrested and sentenced to ten years in jail. This sparked off the revolt. On 10th May 1857, other sepoys marched to the jail, freed the imprisoned soldiers. They killed British officers. They set fire to the buildings and property of the British and declared war against them. From Meerut, the revolt spread to different parts of India like Delhi, Kanpur, Bihar, Rajasthan and South India. The soldiers were determined to end the British rule. |
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| 18803. |
Who had designed the 'Swaraj Flag' in 1921 ? Explain the main features of this 'Swaraj Flag'. ORWhich flag did Gandhiji design in 1921 ? Mention its special features. |
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Answer» (i) In 1921, Gandhiji had designed the Swaraj flag. |
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| 18804. |
Explain with examples the role of Industrialists in the freedom struggle of India. |
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Answer» (i) They lent their support to the Congress in protest against the colonial policies that restricted indigenous business enterprises. (ii) They also gave financial assistance and refused to buy or sell foreign goods. They formed associations like the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and FICCI in 1927. (iii) They viewed Swaraj as freedom from the domination of market by foreign goods but withdrew their support when the second Round Table Congress failed. (iv) They were also concerned about the rise of the socialist ideology in the Congress. (v) Purshottamdas, Thakurdas and GD Birla attacked the colonial control over Indian economy.
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| 18805. |
Give a brief description of Gandhiji’s contribution to the Indian freedom struggle. |
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Answer» When Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from Africa in January 1915 he started a Satyagraha Movement in India in various places. (i) In 1916 he travelled to Champaran in Bihar to inspire the peasants to struggle against the oppressive plantation system. (ii) In 1917, he organised a satyagraha to support the peasants of the Kheda district of Gujarat. (iii) In 1918, Mahatma Gandhi went to Ahmedabad to organise a Satyagraha Movement amongst cotton mill workers. (iv) In 1919, he decided to launch a nationwide satyagraha against the proposed Rowlatt Act (1919). (v) To unite Hindus and Muslims Gandhiji started Non-Cooperation Movement in support of Khilafat as well as for swaraj. (vi) In 1930, Gandhiji started his famous Salt March (Dandi March) accompanied by 78 followers, from his ashram in Sabarmati to the Gujarati coastal town of Dandi. On 6 April, he reached Dandi, and openly violated the law and manufactured salt by boiling sea water. (vii) During Gandhiji’s salt march, thousands of women came out of their homes to listen to him. They participated in protest marches, manufactured salt, picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops. (viii) He did a lot for the upliftment of the untouchables. He called the ‘untouchables’ Harijans, and organised Satyagraha to secure their entry into temples and access to public wells, tanks, roads and schools. He himself cleaned toilets to dignify the work of the bhangi (the sweepers). He convinced upper castes to change their heart and give up the sin of untouchability. |
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| 18806. |
What were the three proposals regarding Non-cooperation Movement, as suggested by Mahatma Gandhi ? |
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Answer» Gandhiji proposed that the movement should unfold in stages : |
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| 18807. |
"Dalit participation was limited in the Civil Disobedience Movement". Examine the statement. |
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Answer» Dalit participation was limited in the Civil Disobedience Movement. The causes for this are listed below : (ii) When the British government conceded Ambedkar's demand, Gandhiji began a fast unto death. |
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| 18808. |
Describe any three suppessive measures taken by the British administration to clamp down on nationalists. |
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Answer» (i) Barring local leaders from Amritsar along with Mahatma Gandhi from entering Delhi. |
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| 18809. |
How was the Rowlatt Act opposed by the people in India? Explain with examples. |
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Answer» The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was opposed in the following manner: (i) Rallies were organized in various cities. (ii) Workers went on strike in railway workshops. (iii) Shops were closed down. It was in opposition to the Rowlatt Act that the infamous Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place. General Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on the innocent civilian who had gathered from the city of Amritsar and outside to attend a peaceful meeting. |
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| 18810. |
Map. By 1921, Gandhiji had designed the Swaraj Flag. It was again a tricolour and had a spinning wheel in the centre. Why were the icons and symbols used by the nationalists? What values were represented through the icons and symbols used by the nationalist leaders? |
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Answer» The icons and symbols used by the nationalists because – • The nation became to identify with the image or a figure and gradually the image was created so that people can identify the nation. • Their motive was to unite them through the use of symbols and icons. • Generate in them a feeling of nationalism. As a result, a tricolour flag was created which was in red, yellow and green colour during the Swadeshi movement in Bengal. The flag had eight lotuses signifying eight provinces of British India, and a crescent moon, representing Hindus and Muslims. It was in 1921, that ‘Gandhiji designed the Swaraj Flag. It was again a tricolour which was in red, green and white, and had a spinning wheel in the centre.’ This was representing the Gandhian ideal of self-help. The values which were represented through the icons and symbols used by the nationalist leaders were- • It acted as the symbol of defiance when the flag held upwards. • The Bharat Mata figure drawn by the Abanindranath Tagore in 1905 was shown mother figure providing, learning, food and clothing. The Mala on her one hand was representing her ascetic quality. Before this, he also tried to create a painting which was Indian style. • In a popular print of ‘Jawaharlal Nehru, a popular print’ shown Nehru holding the image of Bharat Mata and the map of India in his hand which was held near his heart. • There were also other prints, in which depicted nationalist leaders sacrificed their heads to Bharat Mata. It signifies that value of sacrifice for the mother was considered as powerful. • One figure of Bharat Mata was shown holding a Trishul, standing beside a lion and an elephant which was the symbol of power and authority. |
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| 18811. |
Mention the names of main revolutionaries of national movement. |
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Answer» In making India independent revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Balwant Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil, Rajendra Lahiri, Khudi Ram Bose, Praffull Chandra, Balwant Phadke, Veer Savarkar, Subhash Chandra Bose, Lala Lajpat Rai, Vipin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gopal Krishna Gokhle, Arvind Ghosh, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, etc. played an important role. |
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| 18812. |
Mention any three efforts made by Gandhiji to get Harijans their rights. |
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Answer» Mahatma Gandhi called the ‘untouchables’ Harijans, or ‘the children of God’ and organised Satyagraha to allow Harijans’ entry into temples. (i) He himself cleaned toilets to dignify the work of the bhangi (the sweepers). (ii) He fought for their rights to use the public wells, tanks, roads and schools. (iii) He convinced upper castes to change their hearts and give up ‘the sin of untouchability’. |
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| 18813. |
Mention the important foreign travellers who visited India during the medieval period. |
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Answer» Marco Polo, a Venetian traveller, Al-Beruni, Ibn Battuta Nicolo Conti, Abdur-Razzaq, Domingo Paes. |
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| 18814. |
Explain Why Gandhi ji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement. |
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Answer» Gandhi ji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement due to various incidents of violence perpetrated by the masses, especially the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922 where the people clashed with the police, setting a police-station on fire. Gandhi ji felt that the people were not yet ready for a mass struggle, and that satyagrahis needed to be properly trained for non-violent demonstrations. |
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| 18815. |
Mention three reasons by which the rich peasant communities took active participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement. |
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Answer» Three reasons by which the rich peasant communities took active participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement are: (i) Being producers of commercial crops, they were very hard hit by the trade depression and falling prices. (ii) As their cash income disappeared, they found it impossible to pay the government’s revenue demand. (iii) The government refused to reduce the revenue demand. This led to widespread resentment among the rich peasants and they enthusiastically supported the movement. |
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| 18816. |
Which pact is considered important in the history of India’s freedom struggle? |
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Answer» The ‘Lucknow Pact’ is considered important in the history of India’s freedom struggle. |
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| 18817. |
What do you know about the Rowlatt Act of 1919? |
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Answer» This Act had been passed through the imperial legislative council despite the united opposition of the Indian members. It gave the British government enormous powers to repress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners. |
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| 18818. |
In February 1922, Mahatama Gandhi decided to withdraw the Non-co-operation movement. Why did they do that? |
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Answer» The Chauri-Chaura incident disheartened Mahatma Gandhi. He felt that the movement was turning violent in many places and Satyagrahies needed to be properly trained before they would be ready for mass struggles. |
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| 18819. |
What was Rowlatt Act? How did the Indians show their disapproval towards this Act? |
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Answer» In 1919, the Rowlatt Act was passed hurriedly through the Imperial Legislative Council, despite the united opposition of the Indian members. |
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| 18820. |
Describe the actions taken by the British administration against the nationalists who opposed the Act. |
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Answer» The following steps were taken by British administration against the nationalists who opposed the Act.
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| 18821. |
During which movement was the Indian tricolour first designed? |
| Answer» Swadeshi Movement | |
| 18822. |
Why did the rich peasants take part in the Civil Disobedience Movement? Give four reasons. |
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Answer» Among the different social groups which participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement the rich peasants also had their ideals and perceptions of Swaraj which encouraged them to join the movement.
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| 18823. |
Answer the questions that follow:‘In earlier times, foreign travellers in India marvelled at the courage, truthfulness and modesty of the people of the Arya Vamsa, now they remark mainly on the absence of those qualities. In those days Hindus would set out on conquest and hoist their flags in Tatas, China and other countries; now a few soldiers from a tiny island far away are lording it over the land of India.’ Tarni Charan Chattopadhyay, Bharathasher Itihas. (The History of Bharatvarsh) Vol. 1.1858.(i) Mention the qualities of ‘Arya Vamsa’ that were admired by the foreign travellers in earlier times. (ii) How did folklore help in the spread of nationalism amongst the Indian? Explain. |
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Answer» (i) The foreign travellers in earlier times admired the qualities like courage, truthfulness and modesty of the people of the ‘Arya Vamsa’. (ii) In the late-nineteenth-century India, nationalists began recording folk tales sung by bards and they toured villages to gather folk songs and legends. These tales, they believed, gave a true picture of traditional culture that had been corrupted by outside forces. It was essential to preserve this folk tradition in order to discover one’s national identity. In Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore led the movement for folk revival. In Madras, Natesa Sastri published a four-volume collection of Tamil Folk tales, The Folklore of Southern India. |
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| 18824. |
“The Congress was reluctant to include the demands of industrial workers in its programme of struggle.” Analyze the reasons. |
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| 18825. |
Explain the grievances of the Peasants against the government. What steps were taken to organise Peasant Movement to fulfil their demands during the colonial rule ? |
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Answer» Reasons of grievances of the peasants against the government were: (i) Due to forest laws of the colonial government. (ii) Depriving them of the traditional rights of entering the forest to graze their cattle or to collect fuelwood and fruits. Steps taken to organize Peasant Movement : (i) Many Kisan Sabhas were organized. (ii) Organized Guerrilla Militant Movement. (iii) Attacked police stations and attempted to kill British police officials. (iv) Gandhiji declared that no tax to be paid. |
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| 18826. |
Which western archaeologist found remains of Indian culture depicting India’s rich heritage?A. Max MuellerB. FergusonC. William HamD. Cunningham |
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Answer» D. Cunningham |
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| 18827. |
1. Indian National Congress was formed due to my efforts.2. I adopted the policy of Divide and Rule in India.3. The novel Anand math’ was written by me.4. I was the first president of the Indian National Congress.Answer:5. Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it’. |
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Answer» 1. A. O. Hume 2. Lord Curzon 3. Bankim- Chandra Chattopadhyaya 4. Vyomeshchandra Bannerjee 5. Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Lokmanya Tilak) |
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| 18828. |
What did British do to repress the Rowlatt Satyagrahis? |
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Answer» To repress the Rowlatt Satyagrahis, British decided to clamp down on them. |
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| 18829. |
Explain the reactions of the Indian people against the Rowlatt Act passed through the Imperial Legislative Council in 1919. |
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Answer» The Rowlatt Act gave enormous powers to the government to repress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.
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| 18830. |
Gandhiji called off the Non-Cooperation Movement due to ......... (a) Jallianwalla Bagh incident (b) Chauri Chaura incident (c) Tribals’ agitation (d) All of the above |
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Answer» Gandhiji called off the Non-Cooperation Movement due to Chauri Chaura incident |
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| 18831. |
Who discovered many archaeological remains depicting India’s rich heritage? |
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Answer» Ancient archaeologist Alexander Cunningham and his assistants as well as the Indian archaeological expert’s Rai Bahadur Dayaram Sahni, Madho Swarup Vats and Rakhal Das discovered many archaeological remains depicting India’s rich heritage. |
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| 18832. |
Explain:Why Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement? |
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Answer» In February 1922, at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur, a peaceful demonstration in a bazaar turned into a violent clash with the police. In this incident several British police officers were killed. Hearing of this incident, Mahatma Gandhi called off the Non-Cooperation Movement. He thought the movement was turning violent which he never approved in any circumstances. |
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| 18833. |
Describe the development which led to the launching of Non-Cooperation Movement. |
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Answer» Developments which led to the launching of Non-Cooperation Movement: |
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| 18834. |
When was the ‘Muslim League’ established?A. In 1905 C.E.B. In 1906 C.E.C. In 1909 C.E.D. In 1911 C.E. |
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Answer» B. In 1906 C.E. |
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| 18835. |
Explain four points about Gandhiji’s idea of ‘satyagraha’. |
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Answer» Gandhiji had carried out successful satyagraha in South Africa against the racist regime.
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| 18836. |
How did BR Ambedkar try to improve the conditions of the Depressed Classes? Explain any three points. |
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Answer» BR Ambedkar tried to improve the conditions of the Depressed Classes in the following ways:
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| 18837. |
Name the personality who organised the Dalits into the Depressed Classes Association. |
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Answer» Dr B.R. Ambedkar organised the Dalits into the Depressed Classes Association in 1930. But he clashed with Mahatma Gandhi at the Second Round Table conference. He demanded separate electorate for Dalits. Gandhiji felt that granting of the separate electorate may harm the unity of our country and weaken the freedom struggle. Hence, they both signed the Poona Pact in 1932. |
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| 18838. |
What did the idea of Satyagraha emphasize ? |
| Answer» Appeal to the conscience of the oppressor. | |
| 18839. |
In the beginning, ………. was not one of the demands put up by the Indian National Congress to the British government.A. revival of cottage industriesB. debt relief to farmersC. appointing Hindi judges in courtsD. more Indians in government services |
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Answer» C. appointing Hindi judges in courts |
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| 18840. |
With the efforts of which retired English officer was the Indian National Congress established?A. Sir Charles WoodB. Lord MacaulayC. A. O. HumeD. Lord Mayo |
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Answer» C. A. O. Hume |
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| 18841. |
Who made efforts to establish the Indian National Congress? When was it established? |
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Answer» It was with the efforts of Sir Allan Octavian Hume (A. O. Hume), a retired British officer, that the Indian National Congress was established in December 1885. |
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| 18842. |
Explain any three measures taken by the British administration to repress the movement started against the Rowlatt Act. |
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Answer» Following were the measures taken by the British administration to repress the movement started against the Rowlatt Act:
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| 18843. |
Explain any three causes that led the tribals to revolt in the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh. |
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Answer» The tribal peasants of Gudem Hill in Andhra Pradesh fought for swaraj and revolted against the British. The following were the causes that led the tribals to the revolt in the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh:
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| 18844. |
Who was the leader of the peasants in the Gudem Hills of Andhra? |
| Answer» Alluri Sitaram Raju. | |
| 18845. |
Who established the Home Rule League? |
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Answer» Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Madam Annie Besant established the ‘Home Rule’ League. |
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| 18846. |
Who led the First War of Independence in 1857? |
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Answer» Bahadur Shah Zafar |
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| 18847. |
Where was Major Burton assassinated? |
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Answer» The Major Burton assassinated was In Kota. |
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| 18848. |
Analyse any four features of the Gudem rebellion of Andhra Pradesh. |
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Answer» The Gudem rebellion spread in response to Gandhiji’s Non-Cooperation Movement. The four features of this rebellion are: (i) In the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh, a militant guerrilla movement spread in the early 1920s under the leadership of Alluri Sitaram Raju. (ii) The hill people got enraged when the colonial government prevented them from entering the forests to graze their cattle, or to collect fuel wood and fruits. (iii) They considered Sitaram Raju as an incarnation of God inspired by Gandhiji’s Non-Cooperation Movement, Raju persuaded the Gudem rebels to wear Khadi and give up drinking. But at the same time he asserted that India could be liberated only by the use of force, not non-violence. (iv) The Gudem rebels attacked police stations, attempted to kill British officials and carried on guerrilla warfare for achieving Swaraj. |
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| 18849. |
Explain the response of the plantation workers to the Non-Cooperation Movement started by Gandhiji. What did freedom mean for them? |
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Answer» (a) The response of the plantation workers to the Non-Cooperation Movement are : |
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| 18850. |
Who led the Peasant Movement in Awadh during the Non-Cooperation Movement? |
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Answer» Baba Ramchandra led the peasant movement in Awadh during the NonCooperation movement. Baba Ramchandra was a sanyasi. He launched this movement against the talukdars and landlords. The peasants of Awadh had to do a begar. This movement was started demanding reduction in revenue, the abolition of begar and social boycott of the oppressive landlords. |
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