NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 2 Nationalism in India

Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 2 Nationalism in India:- In the early 20th century, India witnessed a remarkable surge in nationalistic fervour that transformed its socio-political landscape. This class 10 history chapter 2 includes the roots of Indian nationalism, exploring how diverse groups and leaders came together to challenge colonial rule and strive for independence. We will examine the rise of political movements, the roles played by key figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, and the impact of pivotal events such as the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Civil Disobedience Movement. Get the Nationalism in India Class 10 Notes from the below article.

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Nationalism in India Class 10 Notes

Check out the Nationalism in India class 10 notes below:-

1. Explain

a. Why the growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to an anti-colonial movement?

Answer: 

1. Shared Oppression: Colonial rule created widespread economic, political, and social hardships, leading to a common sense of injustice among the colonised.

2. Desire for Self-Governance: The exploitation and discrimination faced under colonialism prompted a collective desire for control over local governance and autonomy.

3. Formation of National Identity: Nationalism grew as a response to these shared grievances, helping to forge a sense of national identity among diverse groups.

4. Unity in Diversity: Different groups, despite varied experiences of colonial rule, united under the common goal of ending colonial domination.

5. Platform for Mobilisation: Anti-colonial movements provided a structured platform for expressing and organising the collective desire for independence and self-determination.

6. Political Awareness: The struggle against colonial rule increased political awareness and activism, contributing to the growth of nationalist sentiment.

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 1

b. How the First World War helped in the growth of the National Movement in India?

Answer: The First World War significantly contributed to the growth of the National Movement in India in several ways:

1. Economic Hardships: The war increased defence expenditure, leading to higher taxes and economic strain on the Indian population. This heightened discontent and stirred nationalist sentiments.

2. Forced Recruitment: Widespread forced recruitment for the war effort caused widespread anger and resentment among Indians, further fueling anti-colonial feelings.

3. Food Shortages: Crop failures and food shortages during the war led to severe hardships and suffering, prompting more people to question British rule and seek change.

4. Political Awakening: The war exposed the weaknesses and failures of colonial governance, leading to a greater political awakening among Indians who began demanding more rights and autonomy.

5. Rise of Nationalist Leaders: The war period saw the rise of prominent nationalist leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, who used the discontent and suffering caused by the war to mobilise mass support for the nationalist cause.

6. Formation of New Movements: The conditions created by the war led to the formation of new political movements and organisations, such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, aimed at challenging British rule.

c. Why were Indians outraged by the Rowlatt Act?

Answer: Enactment Year: The Rowlatt Act was introduced in 1919.

• Legislative Process: The act was hastily passed through the Imperial Legislative Council despite significant opposition from Indian members.

• Government Powers: It granted the government sweeping powers to curb political activities.

• Detention Without Trial: The act allowed for the detention of political prisoners without trial for up to two years.

d. Why Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement?

Answer: In February 1922, Mahatma Gandhi chose to withdraw from the Non-Cooperation Movement. He observed that the movement was becoming increasingly violent in several areas and believed that the participants, or satyagrahis, needed further training to be adequately prepared for mass struggles.

2. What is meant by the idea of Satyagraha?

Answer: The concept of Satyagraha centred on the power of truth and the pursuit of truth. It posited that if the cause was just and the struggle aimed at addressing injustice, then physical force was unnecessary. A satyagrahi could achieve victory through nonviolence, not by seeking revenge or being aggressive, but by appealing to the oppressor's conscience. The goal was to persuade both the oppressors and others to recognise the truth, rather than forcing them to accept it through violence. 

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3. Write a newspaper report on

a) The Jallianwala Bagh massacre

Answer: On 13 April, the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre occurred. A large crowd, gathered for the Baisakhi fair and to protest new repressive measures, was unaware of the martial law in place. General Dyer, who had blocked all exits, opened fire on the crowd, killing hundreds. Dyer later stated that he intended to create a "moral effect" on the satyagrahis. The massacre instilled widespread terror and awe among the people.

b) The Simon Commission

Answer: When the Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928, it was met with widespread protests under the slogan "Go back, Simon," with both the Congress and the Muslim League participating. In response, Viceroy Lord Irwin offered a vague promise of 'dominion status' and proposed a Round Table Conference in October 1929 to discuss a future constitution. This offer, however, did not satisfy Congress leaders.

4. Compare the images of Bharat Mata in this chapter with the image of Germania in Chapter 1.

Answer: Germania:

• Symbol of Germany

• Painted by Philip Veit in 1848

• Depicted with a sword in one hand and a flag in the other

• Wears a crown of oak leaves, representing heroism

Bharat Mata:

• Symbol of India

• Painted by Abanindranath Tagore in 1905

• Shown with a trident (Trishul), standing beside a lion and an elephant, symbols of power and authority

Discuss

1. List all the different social groups which joined the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921. Then choose any three and write about their hopes and struggles to show why they joined the movement.

Answer: Middle-Class Participation in Cities:

• Thousands of students, teachers, and lawyers left government institutions.

• Most council elections were boycotted, except in Madras where the Justice Party participated.

• The economic impact included boycotts of foreign goods, picketing of liquor shops, and burning of foreign cloth, halving its import value from Rs 102 crore to Rs 57 crore.

• While Indian textile production increased, the movement slowed due to the higher cost of khadi and the slow establishment of alternative institutions.

Peasants and Tribals:

• In Awadh, peasants, led by Baba Ramchandra, protested against high rents and forced labour by landlords, demanding reduced revenue and abolition of begar.

• In the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh, tribals responded to Gandhi's message with militant guerrilla actions against forest closures and forced labour, challenging colonial policies.

Workers in the Plantations:

• Plantation workers in Assam sought freedom to move and reconnect with their villages, defying the Inland Emigration Act of 1859.

• Thousands left plantations, expecting land distribution under Gandhi Raj but were halted and beaten by police due to a strike-related disruption.

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2. Discuss the Salt March to make clear why it was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism.

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi used salt as a unifying symbol for the nation. On 31 January 1930, he presented eleven demands to Viceroy Irwin, including a key demand to abolish the salt tax, which affected all classes. Gandhi aimed to rally diverse social groups around these demands to forge a united campaign against British rule.

Gandhi launched his renowned salt march on 12 March 1930, with 78 volunteers, covering over 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi. Over 24 days, they walked about 10 miles daily, gathering crowds as Gandhi spoke about Swaraj and peaceful defiance. On 6 April, Gandhi reached Dandi and publicly defied the salt laws by making salt from seawater.

The salt march sparked widespread civil disobedience. People across India broke salt laws, boycotted foreign goods, picketed liquor shops, refused to pay taxes, and violated forest regulations by entering Reserved Forests to collect resources.

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

Answer:-  Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who led the Depressed Classes Association, clashed with Mahatma Gandhi at the second Round Table Conference in 1930 by demanding separate electorates for Dalits. When the British government agreed, Gandhi began a fast unto death, arguing that separate electorates would hinder Dalits' integration into society. Ambedkar eventually accepted Gandhi’s position, leading to the Poona Pact of September 1932.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was open to abandoning separate electorates if Muslims were assured reserved seats in the Central Assembly and proportional representation in Muslim-majority provinces like Bengal and Punjab. However, negotiations stalled, and the All Parties Conference of 1928 failed to resolve the issue due to strong opposition from M.R. Jayakar of the Hindu Mahasabha.

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Nationalism in India Summary

In the early 20th century, India was under British colonial rule, leading to widespread discontent and the rise of nationalist sentiments. This chapter explores how Indian nationalism developed and grew over time.

1. Early Nationalist Movements

• The Indian National Congress (INC) was formed in 1885, aiming for greater Indian representation in government.

• Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and Surendranath Banerjee pushed for reforms and self-rule.

2. Rise of Mass Nationalism

• By the early 1900s, nationalism became more inclusive, reaching the masses beyond the educated elite.

• The partition of Bengal in 1905, initially aimed at weakening nationalist movements, actually united people against colonial rule, leading to its reversal in 1911.

3. Gandhi’s Leadership

• Mahatma Gandhi emerged as a pivotal leader in the 1920s. His approach combined peaceful protest with mass mobilisation.

• The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) was a key strategy where Indians boycotted British goods, institutions, and honours.

4. The Civil Disobedience Movement

• In 1930, Gandhi launched the Civil Disobedience Movement, encouraging people to defy unjust laws non-violently.

• The salt march to Dandi was a symbolic act of resistance against the British monopoly on salt production.

5. The Quit India Movement

• During World War II, the Quit India Movement (1942) demanded an end to British rule. Despite severe repression, it demonstrated widespread support for independence.

6. Towards Independence

• The post-war period saw intense negotiations and communal tensions.

• The British government eventually agreed to transfer power, leading to the independence of India in 1947 and the formation of a new nation.

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Class 10 History Chapter 2 FAQs

Q1. What was the Indian National Congress (INC) and what role did it play in Indian nationalism?

Ans. The INC was a political party founded in 1885, aimed at increasing Indian representation in government. It became a major platform for nationalist activities and later led the fight for independence.

Q2. Who were some of the early leaders of the nationalist movement in India?

Ans. Early leaders included Dadabhai Naoroji, who highlighted economic exploitation, and Surendranath Banerjee, who worked for political reforms.

Q3. What was the significance of the partition of Bengal in 1905?

Ans. The partition of Bengal was an attempt by the British to divide and rule by creating religious divisions. It led to widespread protests and was reversed in 1911 due to the nationalist backlash.

Q4. How did Mahatma Gandhi contribute to the nationalist movement?

Ans. Gandhi introduced non-violent resistance and civil disobedience, leading major movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Civil Disobedience Movement, mobilising mass support for independence.

Q5. What was the Non-Cooperation Movement and what were its main objectives?

Ans. Launched in 1920, the Non-Cooperation Movement aimed to boycott British goods, services, and institutions to protest against colonial rule and demand self-rule.