Chapter 2: Nationalism in India

1. People began discovering their unity in the process of their struggle with colonialism.
2. The sense of being oppressed under colonialism provided a shared bond that tied many different groups together.
3. But each class and group felt the effects of colonialism differently. Their experiences were varied, and their notions of freedom were not always the same. The Congress under Mahatma Gandhi tried to forge these groups together within one movement. But unity did not emerge without conflict.

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

War created a new political and economic situation.

1. The war led to a huge increase in defence expenditure which was financed by war loans and increasing taxes. Custom duties were increased, and income tax was introduced.
2. Forced recruitment in villages caused widespread anger.
3. Crops failed; this resulted in an acute shortage of food.
4. 12 to 13 million people died due to famines and epidemics.

c. Why were Indians outraged by the Rowlatt Act?

1. Rowlatt Act was introduced in 1919.
2. This act was hurriedly passed through the Imperial Legislative Council, although it was completely opposed by Indian members.
3. It had given the government enormous powers to repress political activities.
4. It allowed the detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.

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

In February 1922, Mahatma Gandhi decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement. He felt the movement was turning violent in many places and satyagrahis needed to be properly trained before they would be ready for mass struggles.

The idea of Satyagraha emphasised the power of truth and the need to search for truth. It suggested that if the cause was true, if the struggle was against injustice, then physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor. Without seeking vengeance or being aggressive, a satyagrahi could win the battle through nonviolence. This could be done by appealing to the conscience of the oppressor. People – including the oppressors – had to be persuaded to see the truth instead of being forced to accept the truth through the use of violence. Through this struggle, the truth was bound to triumph ultimately. Mahatma Gandhi believed that this dharma of non-violence could unite all Indians.

On 13 April, the infamous Jallianwalla Bagh incident took place. On that day, a large crowd was gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwalla Bagh. Some came to protest against the government’s new repressive measures. Others had come to attend the annual Baisakhi fair. Being from outside the city, many villagers were unaware of the martial law that had been imposed. Dyer entered the area, blocked the exit points, and opened fire on the crowd, killing hundreds. His objective, as he declared later, was to ‘produce a moral effect’ in the minds of satyagrahis. The incident brought a feeling of terror and awe among people.

b) The Simon Commission

When the Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928, it was greeted with the slogan ‘Go back, Simon’. All parties, including the Congress and the Muslim League, participated in the demonstrations. In an effort to win them over, the Viceroy, Lord Irwin, announced in October 1929 a vague offer of ‘dominion status’ for India in an unspecified future and a Round Table Conference to discuss a future constitution. This did not satisfy the Congress leaders.

Germania:

1. Symbol of Germany
2. The image was painted by Philip Veit in 1848.
3. Carrying a sword in one hand and flag in another hand
4. Germania is wearing a crown of oak leaves, as the German oak stands for heroism.

Bharat Mata:

1. Symbol of India
2. Painted by Abanindranath Tagore in 1905
3. Bharat is standing with a Trishul, standing beside a lion and elephant, symbols of power and authority.