Practice Set 2 | Nationalism in India

MCQ

1. Which condition created significant economic difficulties for many Indians during the First World War?

A. Complete abolition of taxes B. Rising prices, increased taxes and forced recruitment C. Large fall in military expenditure D. Free distribution of agricultural land

Correct Answer: B
The First World War increased defence expenditure. Taxes were raised and prices of essential goods increased, creating hardship for ordinary people. Forced recruitment also affected several rural areas.

Exam Point: War-time economic hardship contributed to growing political dissatisfaction.

MCQ

2. What did Mahatma Gandhi mean by Satyagraha?

A. A method of using military power B. A method of resisting injustice through truth and non-violence C. A policy of accepting every government decision D. A method based mainly on secret revolutionary activities

Correct Answer: B
Satyagraha was based on the power of truth and non-violent resistance. Gandhi believed that a Satyagrahi should oppose injustice without hatred or physical violence.

Exam Point: Truth and non-violence were central principles of Gandhian Satyagraha.

MCQ

3. Which event was associated with Gandhi's first major Satyagraha movement in India?

A. Champaran Satyagraha B. Simon Commission C. Swaraj Party D. Civil Disobedience Movement

Correct Answer: A
The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was an important early application of Gandhi's Satyagraha method in India. It was connected with indigo cultivators.

Exam Point: Champaran Satyagraha — 1917.

MCQ

4. Under the Tinkathia system, peasants of Champaran were required to:

A. Grow wheat on one-third of their land B. Grow indigo on a portion of their land C. Pay no land revenue D. Work only in textile mills

Correct Answer: B
The Tinkathia arrangement forced peasants to cultivate indigo on a portion of their land. Gandhi supported the peasants in their struggle against this oppressive arrangement.

Exam Point: Champaran — Indigo cultivation — Tinkathia system.

MCQ

5. The main issue behind the Kheda Satyagraha was:

A. Indigo cultivation B. Mill workers' wages C. Revenue demand despite crop failure D. Opposition to the Simon Commission

Correct Answer: C
In Kheda, crop failure and poor harvests made it difficult for peasants to pay land revenue. Gandhi and other leaders supported their demand for revenue relief.

Exam Point: Kheda Satyagraha — 1918 — revenue relief.

MCQ

6. During the Ahmedabad Mill Strike, Gandhi used which method to strengthen the workers' demand?

A. Armed resistance B. Hunger strike C. Destruction of factories D. Military recruitment

Correct Answer: B
Gandhi undertook a fast during the Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 in support of the workers' demand concerning wages.

Exam Point: Ahmedabad Mill Strike — workers and mill owners — 1918.

ASSERTION–REASON

7. Assertion (A): Gandhi considered Satyagraha a form of non-violent resistance.

Reason (R): Gandhi believed that truth and moral force could be used to oppose injustice without physically harming the opponent.

A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A B. Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A C. A is true, but R is false D. A is false, but R is true

Correct Answer: A
Gandhian Satyagraha rested on truth, non-violence and moral courage. Therefore, the reason directly explains the assertion.

Exam Point: Satyagraha means insistence on truth through non-violent resistance.

ASSERTION–REASON

8. Assertion (A): The Rowlatt Act was strongly opposed by Indian nationalists.

Reason (R): The Act gave the colonial government extensive powers to repress political activities, including detention without trial in certain circumstances.

A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A B. Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A C. A is true, but R is false D. A is false, but R is true

Correct Answer: A
The Rowlatt Act was viewed as repressive because it extended extraordinary powers against political activities. Gandhi launched a Satyagraha against it in 1919.

Exam Point: Rowlatt Act — 1919 — Rowlatt Satyagraha.

MCQ

9. What was one important feature of the Rowlatt Satyagraha?

A. It depended on armed rebellion B. It involved hartals and non-violent protest C. It supported the Rowlatt Act D. It demanded higher taxes

Correct Answer: B
The Rowlatt Satyagraha included hartals and non-violent protests against the repressive legislation.

Exam Point: Rowlatt Satyagraha was an early nationwide political mobilisation under Gandhi.

MCQ

10. Which incident led Gandhi to reconsider the continuation of the Non-Cooperation Movement?

A. Champaran Satyagraha B. Simon Commission C. Chauri Chaura incident D. Ahmedabad Mill Strike

Correct Answer: C
The violent incident at Chauri Chaura in February 1922 resulted in the death of policemen. Gandhi believed that the movement had become inconsistent with the principle of non-violence and withdrew it.

Exam Point: Non-Cooperation Movement was withdrawn in 1922 after Chauri Chaura.

PASSAGE-BASED

Read the passage carefully:

Gandhi's idea of Satyagraha was based on the belief that truth was a powerful force in the struggle against injustice. A Satyagrahi did not seek to defeat an opponent through physical force. Instead, the Satyagrahi accepted suffering, remained disciplined and attempted to appeal to the conscience of the opponent. Non-violence was not simply the absence of physical violence; it was connected with a broader ethical approach that rejected hatred and encouraged respect for human dignity. Gandhi believed that a just cause could be pursued through peaceful resistance, provided that participants remained committed to truth and self-discipline.

11. According to the passage, what was the central force in Satyagraha?

A. Military strength B. Economic pressure alone C. Truth and moral force D. Secret political organisations

Correct Answer: C
The passage explains that Satyagraha was based on truth and moral force rather than physical power.

Exam Point: Truth was at the heart of Gandhi's Satyagraha philosophy.

PASSAGE-BASED

12. What does the passage suggest about the role of suffering in Satyagraha?

A. Suffering could demonstrate commitment to a just cause B. Suffering was used to physically punish opponents C. Suffering was completely avoided D. Suffering had no connection with Satyagraha

Correct Answer: A
The passage explains that the Satyagrahi accepted suffering as part of disciplined non-violent resistance rather than inflicting suffering on others.

Exam Point: Self-suffering was an important feature of Gandhian non-violent resistance.

PASSAGE-BASED

13. Which principle is most closely connected with the ideology described in the passage?

A. Revenge B. Military expansion C. Political violence D. Non-violence combined with truth

Correct Answer: D
The passage presents truth, non-violence, discipline and respect for human dignity as central elements of Satyagraha.

Exam Point: Gandhian ideology connected political resistance with ethical conduct.

MCQ

14. Which movement was launched by Gandhi and the Indian National Congress against colonial rule in 1920?

A. Civil Disobedience Movement B. Non-Cooperation Movement C. Quit India Movement D. Individual Satyagraha

Correct Answer: B
The Non-Cooperation Movement was adopted and launched in 1920 as a major programme against colonial rule.

Exam Point: Non-Cooperation Movement — 1920–1922.

MCQ

15. Which of the following was encouraged during the Non-Cooperation Movement?

A. Boycott of government institutions and foreign goods B. Greater dependence on colonial institutions C. Recruitment into the colonial army D. Promotion of imported cloth

Correct Answer: A
The movement encouraged people to withdraw cooperation from colonial institutions and boycott foreign goods, while promoting alternatives such as khadi.

Exam Point: Boycott and non-cooperation were major methods of the movement.

MCQ

16. Why did some political leaders later form the Swaraj Party?

A. To support British rule permanently B. To enter legislative councils and challenge colonial policies from within C. To end all political activity D. To promote military recruitment

Correct Answer: B
After the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement, leaders such as C. R. Das and Motilal Nehru proposed entering legislative councils to obstruct colonial policies from within.

Exam Point: Swaraj Party was formed in 1923.

MATCHING

17. Match Column I with Column II:

Column I	Column II
A. Champaran	1. Revenue relief
B. Kheda	2. Indigo cultivation
C. Ahmedabad	3. Mill workers' wage dispute
D. Rowlatt Satyagraha	4. Protest against repressive legislation

A. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4 B. A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3 C. A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2 D. A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1

Correct Answer: A
Champaran was associated with indigo cultivation, Kheda with revenue relief, Ahmedabad with mill workers' wages, and the Rowlatt Satyagraha with opposition to repressive legislation.

Exam Point: Remember the four issues as: Champaran–Indigo, Kheda–Revenue, Ahmedabad–Wages, Rowlatt–Repressive law.

MATCHING

18. Match the leader or event with the correct description:

Column I	Column II
A. C. R. Das	1. Satyagraha
B. Mahatma Gandhi	2. Swaraj Party
C. Simon Commission	3. No Indian member
D. Chauri Chaura	4. Withdrawal of Non-Cooperation Movement

A. A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3 B. A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1 C. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4 D. A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

Correct Answer: C
C. R. Das was a major Swarajist leader; Gandhi was closely associated with Satyagraha; the Simon Commission had no Indian member; and Chauri Chaura led to the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Exam Point: C. R. Das and Motilal Nehru were important Swaraj Party leaders.

ARRANGEMENT

19. Arrange the following events in chronological order:

1. Champaran Satyagraha
2. Kheda Satyagraha
3. Rowlatt Satyagraha
4. Non-Cooperation Movement

A. 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 B. 2 → 1 → 3 → 4 C. 1 → 3 → 2 → 4 D. 3 → 1 → 2 → 4

Correct Answer: A
Champaran — 1917; Kheda — 1918; Rowlatt Satyagraha — 1919; Non-Cooperation Movement — 1920.

Exam Point: 1917 → 1918 → 1919 → 1920.

ARRANGEMENT

20. Arrange the following events in chronological order:

1. Non-Cooperation Movement
2. Formation of Swaraj Party
3. Simon Commission appointed
4. Simon Commission arrived in India

A. 1 → 2 → 4 → 3 B. 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 C. 2 → 1 → 3 → 4 D. 3 → 1 → 2 → 4

Correct Answer: B
The Non-Cooperation Movement began in 1920, the Swaraj Party was formed in 1923, the Simon Commission was appointed in 1927 and arrived in India in 1928.

Exam Point: Appointment of Simon Commission — 1927; arrival in India — 1928.

MCQ

21. Why was the Simon Commission opposed by Indians?

A. It had no Indian member B. It abolished all legislative councils C. It ended all British administration D. It introduced universal adult franchise immediately

Correct Answer: A
The Simon Commission was composed entirely of British members. Its arrival in India in 1928 led to widespread protests.

Exam Point: The slogan "Simon Go Back" became associated with the protests.

PASSAGE-BASED

Read the passage carefully:

The Non-Cooperation Movement sought to weaken colonial rule by withdrawing cooperation from institutions associated with the colonial government. Students and teachers were encouraged to leave government educational institutions, lawyers were asked to give up legal practices, and people were encouraged to boycott foreign cloth. The movement also promoted the use of khadi and the idea of self-reliance. However, Gandhi emphasised that non-cooperation had to remain non-violent. When violence occurred at Chauri Chaura in 1922, Gandhi decided to withdraw the movement because he believed that political action without adherence to non-violence would violate its fundamental principles.

22. What was the basic strategy of the Non-Cooperation Movement?

A. Cooperation with colonial institutions B. Withdrawal of cooperation from colonial institutions C. Armed occupation of government buildings D. Support for foreign cloth

Correct Answer: B
The passage describes non-cooperation as a strategy of withdrawing support from colonial institutions and practices.

Exam Point: Non-cooperation aimed to make colonial rule difficult by reducing public cooperation.

PASSAGE-BASED

23. Why did Gandhi withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922?

A. The Simon Commission arrived B. The Rowlatt Act was repealed C. The Swaraj Party was formed D. Violence occurred at Chauri Chaura

Correct Answer: D
The violent incident at Chauri Chaura convinced Gandhi that the movement was not yet ready to continue while maintaining the required discipline of non-violence.

Exam Point: Chauri Chaura — February 1922 — withdrawal of Non-Cooperation.

MCQ

24. Which group was particularly affected by the forced recruitment carried out during the First World War?

A. Merchants of Bombay B. Rural people in areas such as Punjab C. Factory owners of Calcutta D. European officials in Delhi

Correct Answer: B
Forced recruitment during the war particularly affected rural communities, including areas of Punjab.

Exam Point: War-time recruitment added to rural hardship and dissatisfaction.

MCQ

25. Which statement best describes the meaning of Swaraj in the context of the Nationalist Movement?

A. It had exactly one meaning for every social group B. It meant only economic development C. Different social groups could understand and interpret it differently D. It meant permanent cooperation with colonial rule

Correct Answer: C
Different groups participating in the national movement attached different meanings and expectations to the idea of Swaraj.

Exam Point: Nationalism brought together groups with different social and economic interests.

ASSERTION–REASON

26. Assertion (A): The Swarajists decided to enter legislative councils.

Reason (R): They believed that colonial policies could be challenged and obstructed from within the councils.

A. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A B. Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A C. A is true, but R is false D. A is false, but R is true

Correct Answer: A
The Swarajists wanted to enter the councils in order to oppose colonial policies from within the legislative system.

Exam Point: Swarajist strategy — enter councils and obstruct colonial government policies.

MCQ

27. Which pair is correctly matched?

A. Champaran — Mill workers' strike B. Kheda — Indigo cultivation C. Ahmedabad — Revenue relief D. Rowlatt Satyagraha — Opposition to repressive legislation

Correct Answer: D
The Rowlatt Satyagraha was organised against the Rowlatt Act, which was considered a repressive piece of legislation.

Exam Point: Rowlatt Act → Rowlatt Satyagraha.

ARRANGEMENT

28. Arrange the following in the correct chronological order:

1. Ahmedabad Mill Strike
2. Kheda Satyagraha
3. Champaran Satyagraha
4. Rowlatt Satyagraha

A. 3 → 2 → 1 → 4 B. 3 → 1 → 2 → 4 C. 2 → 3 → 1 → 4 D. 1 → 3 → 2 → 4

Correct Answer: B
Champaran took place in 1917. Ahmedabad and Kheda were both major Gandhian struggles in 1918, with Ahmedabad preceding the Kheda campaign. Rowlatt Satyagraha followed in 1919.

Exam Point: Champaran 1917 → Ahmedabad 1918 → Kheda 1918 → Rowlatt 1919.

PASSAGE-BASED

Read the passage carefully:

The growth of nationalism in India was not limited to one social group. Peasants, workers, business groups, students, women and many other sections participated in different phases of the national movement. Their reasons for joining could differ. Some groups were concerned with economic problems, others with political freedom, and some with local forms of oppression. The common idea of opposition to colonial rule could therefore bring together people who did not always have identical interests or expectations.

29. What does the passage indicate about Indian nationalism?

A. Only one social group participated in it B. All participants had exactly the same economic interests C. Different groups could participate while having different interests D. Economic issues had no role in nationalism

Correct Answer: C
The passage highlights the diversity of participants and explains that different groups could join the national movement for different reasons.

Exam Point: Indian nationalism developed through the participation of diverse social groups.

PASSAGE-BASED + CONCEPTUAL

Read the passage carefully:

Gandhian politics connected political struggle with ethical discipline. The objective was not simply to oppose an unjust authority, but to develop a form of resistance in which participants were expected to remain peaceful and disciplined. Truth, non-violence, self-control and willingness to face suffering were important elements of this approach. Gandhi's experiments in Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad demonstrated how this method could be applied to different kinds of local problems. Later, the same principles became part of wider national campaigns.

30. Which conclusion is most consistent with the passage?

A. Gandhian politics linked resistance against injustice with moral discipline B. Gandhi considered violence necessary for every political movement C. Local issues had no connection with the national movement D. Satyagraha depended only on economic pressure

Correct Answer: A
The passage directly connects Gandhian resistance with truth, non-violence, self-control and willingness to face suffering. It also shows how local Satyagraha campaigns became important experiences for wider nationalist politics.

Exam Point: Gandhi's early Satyagraha experiments helped introduce a new style of mass political action based on non-violence and moral discipline.

GSI MANTRA

Nationalism in India

1. Which condition created significant economic difficulties for many Indians during the First World War?

2. What did Mahatma Gandhi mean by Satyagraha?

3. Which event was associated with Gandhi's first major Satyagraha movement in India?

4. Under the Tinkathia system, peasants of Champaran were required to:

5. The main issue behind the Kheda Satyagraha was:

6. During the Ahmedabad Mill Strike, Gandhi used which method to strengthen the workers' demand?

7. Assertion (A): Gandhi considered Satyagraha a form of non-violent resistance.

8. Assertion (A): The Rowlatt Act was strongly opposed by Indian nationalists.

9. What was one important feature of the Rowlatt Satyagraha?

10. Which incident led Gandhi to reconsider the continuation of the Non-Cooperation Movement?

11. According to the passage, what was the central force in Satyagraha?

12. What does the passage suggest about the role of suffering in Satyagraha?

13. Which principle is most closely connected with the ideology described in the passage?

14. Which movement was launched by Gandhi and the Indian National Congress against colonial rule in 1920?

15. Which of the following was encouraged during the Non-Cooperation Movement?

16. Why did some political leaders later form the Swaraj Party?

17. Match Column I with Column II:

18. Match the leader or event with the correct description:

19. Arrange the following events in chronological order:

20. Arrange the following events in chronological order:

21. Why was the Simon Commission opposed by Indians?

22. What was the basic strategy of the Non-Cooperation Movement?

23. Why did Gandhi withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922?

24. Which group was particularly affected by the forced recruitment carried out during the First World War?

25. Which statement best describes the meaning of Swaraj in the context of the Nationalist Movement?

26. Assertion (A): The Swarajists decided to enter legislative councils.

27. Which pair is correctly matched?

28. Arrange the following in the correct chronological order:

29. What does the passage indicate about Indian nationalism?

30. Which conclusion is most consistent with the passage?

Test Result