CBSE Class 10 Social Science Nationalism In India Notes Set B

Nationalism in India

Meaning : Nationalism refers to the feeling of oneness and common consciousness that energes when people living in a common territory share the same historical, political and cultural back grounds. People may be speaking different languages (as in case of India) but the love for their nation keeps them together.

(The first world war, Khilafat and Non-Cooperation): Effect of first world war on India and Post war condition.

• Creation of a new economic and political situation.
• Huge increase in defence expenditure financed by war loans.
• Increase in taxes, custom duties raised, income tax introduced.
• Forced recruitment in army.
• Shortage of food due to crop failure.
• Inflenza epidemic, famine which resulted in the death of 12 to 13 million people.

Interesting fact

This influenza epidenic was very similar to this corona Pandemic in effects as well as preventive measuses.

The Idea of Satyagraha

Meaning : It was a new mode of struggle based on truth and non violence.

Key features of Satyagraha

• If the cause was true and the struggle was against injustic, then physical force not necessary to fight the oppressor.
• Satyagrahi can win the battle through non-violence without seeking revenge or being aggresive.
• By appealing to the conscience (inner voice) of the oppressor, he/she can be persuaded to see the truth and end injustice.

Jallianwala Bagh Incident

Main Events : Took place on 13 April 1919 in the city of Amritsar.

• A large crowd mainly villgers had gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala bagh to protest against the repressive measures of British govt. like Rawlatt act.
• Being from outside the city, villagers were unaware the meeking was illegal as martial law had been imposed.
• General Dyer entered the area, blocked the exit points, opened fire on the crowd, killing hundreds.

Impact of Jallianwala Bagh

• Crowds took to the streets in many north Indian towns.
• There were strikes, clashes with the police, attacks on government buildings.
• British government became more brutal, people were humiliated and terrorised.
• Satyagrahis were forced to rub their nose on the ground, crawl on the streets, do salaam (Salute) to all sahibs (British).
• People were flogged villages in Punjab around Gujranwala were bombed.

Seeing violence spread, Mahatma Gandhi called off the Rowlatt satyagraha movement.

Khilafat Issue : The word ‘Khilafat’ comes from ‘Khalifa’ who was the ruler of ottoman Turkey as well as considered as the spiritual head of Islamic world. In the first world war Turkey was a part of defeated central powers. There were rumour that a harsh place treaty was going to be imposed on the ottoman emperor. So to defend Khalifa’s position, a khilafat committee was formed in Bombay in March 1919 by Ali brothers.

Why did Mahatma Gandhi took up Khilafat Issue

• M. Gandhi wanted to launch an all India movement more broad based affer the failure of Rowlatt Satyagraha.
• He was certain that no all India movement could be organised without bringing Hindus and Muslims closer together so he took up the Khilafat issue.

Non Cooperation Movement

Different strands within the Movement

• Various social groups participated in the non-cooperation movement but each with its own specific aspiration/demand.
• The term ‘Swaraj’ meant different thing to different people.
• Each Social group participating in the movement imagined ‘Swaraj’ as a time when all their sufferings and troubles would be over.

Towards Civil Disobedience

Events after the end of Non-cooperation Movement (NCM) till the launch of Civil disobedience movement
• February 1922 withdrawl of NCM by Gandhiji.
• Conflict within the congress over the question of participating in council elections.
• Formation of ‘Swaraj Party’ by C-R Das and Motilal Nehru to fight council elections against the congress principle of ‘Boycott’ (January 1923).
• Fall in agricultural prices from 1926 and total collapse due to effect of world wide economic depression.
• Total Turmoil in countryside by 1930.
• Counstitution of Simon commission in 1927 to look into the functioning of the coustitutional system in India and suggest changes.
• 1928: Arrival of Simon commission in India protest and demonstrations started.
• 1929: Offering of ‘Dominion status’ by Lord Irwin.
• Rise of Radical leaders within congress like Jawahrlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose who Demanded ‘Poorna Swaraj’ in Lahore session of the congress 1929.

Round table Conferences

These were a series of 3 peace conferences organised by the British government to discuss constitutional reforms in India.

• Indian national congress attended the second roule table conference only.

The salt March and the Civil disobdience Movemetn (1930).

Background :

• January 1930—Mahatma Gandhi presented 11 demands before lord Irwin.
• These demands were related to different classes—from Industrialists to Peasants.
• Most important Demand—Abolition of Salt tax
• Lord Irwin was not willing to negotiate.
• Beginning of Salt March 1930.
• 6 April 1939—breaking of salt law by manufacturing salt by boiling sea water.
• This marked the beginning of civil disobedience movement.

Limits of Civil disobedience movement

• Non participation of Dalits as for long congress had ignored the demands of scheduled castes.
• Lukewarm (Not very enthusiastic) response of the muslim political organisations as they felt from the mid 1920’s the congress was coming closer to Hindu Nationalist groups like Hindu Mahasabhe.
• An atmosphere of suspicion and distrust between two communities.

The Sense of Collective Belonging