Answer in detail

VI. Answer in detail

1. Examine the factors that led to the transformation of Gandhi into a mass leader.

• After the insult at the train, Gandhi called a meeting of the Indians in Transvaal and forced them to form an association to redress their grievances.

• Gandhi practised Satyagraha in South Africa.

• In India Gandhi led the Champaran Satyagraha and succeeded in the abolition of tinkathia system and put an end to the oppression of the peasants by the indigo planters.

• By his intervention in Ahmedabad mill strike and the Kheda Satyagraha Gandhi became a leader of mass struggle.

• As a mass leader Gandhi called for a nation-wide Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act.

• When Gandhi launched the salt satyagraha hundreds of followers followed him. This shows that he was a mass leader.

• In 1931, Gandhi revived the Civil disobedience movement. Thousands of people were arrested along with Gandhi.

• Gandhi proved himself to be a mass leader in his campaign against untouchalility.

• As a mass leader Gandhi was supported by the people in the Quit India Movement.

• All these above incidents led Gandhi into a mass leader.

2. Critically examine the Civil Disobedience Movement as the typical example of Gandhian movement.

• In 1929, the Congress session was held in Lahore under the leadership of Nehru. It was decided to launch a Civil disobedience movement. A pledge was taken to attain Poorna swaraj through Civil disobedience.

• The Indian National Congress authorized Gandhi to launch the movement.

• One of the demands presented to Viceroy Lord Irwin was the abolition of salt tax.

• The inclusion of abolition of salt tax was a brilliant tactical decision.

• On March 12, 1930 Gandhi set out from Sabarmathi Ashram towards Dandi.

• When the salt march was on progress hundreds of people joined the march.

• Though it was a mass movement no incident of violence was reported anywhere,

• Gandhi reached Dandi on 5th April 1930 and picked a lump of salt breaking the salt law

3. Discuss the reasons behind the partition of India.

• Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon in 1905 became the first factor in the partition of India.

• The Muslims felt the need for a separate organization to champion the cause of the Muslims. So in 1906 the Muslim League was formed to protect the interest of the Muslims.

• The Minto Marley Reforms of 1909 introduced separate electorate for the Muslims.

• Jinnah proposed one third of seats to be reserved for Muslims in the Central Legislature.

• He demanded a separate nation for the Muslims.

• Ramsay Mac Donald's Communal award widened the religious differences.

• In 1940 the demand for a separate nation was made by Jinnah at the Lahore session.

• The British followed the policy of divide and rule.

• In the Shimla conference, the Congress and the Muslim League could not come to an agreement.

• In the 1946 elections the Muslim League won most of the seats reserved for the Muslims thus bolstering its claim.

• Jinnah declared 16 August 1946 as the 'Direct Action Day'.

• Hindu - Muslim conflict spread to other districts of Bengal.

• When the interime government was formed, only after some hesitation the Muslims joined it.

• All the above factors made the partition of India inevitable.

• Mount Batten plan proposed that India should be partitioned into two dominions - India and Pakistan.

• On 15th August 1947 India won independance.

VII. Activity

1. Students can be asked to mark the important places of Gandhian Movement in a map and write a sentence or two about what happened there.

2. Students can be divided into groups and asked to debate the views of Gandhi, Jinnah, B.R. Ambedkar, Revolutionaries and Communists.