Nationalism in India Class 10 ||History|| Chapter 2 NCERT Notes
1. The First World War, Khilafat, and Non-Cooperation
1.1. The Impact of the First World War (1914-1918)
- Economic Impact: The war led to increased defense expenditure, which was financed by raising taxes, customs duties, and through war loans.
- Inflation: Increased taxation and heavy war expenditure caused a sharp rise in prices, affecting common people.
- Forced Recruitment: The colonial government forcibly recruited people into the army, which created widespread resentment.
- Famine and Epidemic: After the war, a shortage of essential goods and the influenza epidemic caused suffering, leading to widespread discontent.
1.2. Khilafat Movement
- The defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I and the harsh peace treaty of Treaty of Sevres (1920) made Muslims across the world angry.
- In India, Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali started the Khilafat movement to protect the position of the Ottoman Sultan (the Caliph of Islam).
- Gandhi saw this as an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims and proposed the Non-Cooperation Movement in support of Khilafat.
2. The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)
2.1. Gandhiji’s Concept of Non-Cooperation
- Mahatma Gandhi believed that British rule in India was sustained by the cooperation of Indians, and if Indians refused to cooperate, the British would be forced to leave.
- The movement was launched to:
- Protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
- Demand Swaraj or self-rule.
- Support the Khilafat cause.
2.2. Key Features of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Boycott of British Goods and Institutions: People were encouraged to boycott government schools, colleges, law courts, foreign goods, and legislative councils.
- Promotion of Khadi: People were urged to use Indian-made cloth and boycott foreign cloth.
- Renunciation of Titles: Indians holding British titles and honorary positions were encouraged to return them.
2.3. Spread of the Movement
- Cities: Students boycotted schools and colleges; lawyers gave up their practices; foreign goods were boycotted.
- Countryside: The movement spread to rural areas where peasants revolted against landlords. In regions like Awadh, peasants led by Baba Ramchandra protested against high rents and forced labor (begar).
- Tribal Areas: In the forests of Andhra Pradesh, tribes like the Gudem rebels under Alluri Sitaram Raju rose in rebellion against colonial laws that restricted their movement in the forest.
2.4. Chauri Chaura Incident (1922)
- In Chauri Chaura (Uttar Pradesh), a peaceful demonstration turned violent, resulting in the killing of policemen.
- Horrified by the violence, Gandhiji called off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922, as he believed that people were not ready for mass civil disobedience.
3. The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)
3.1. Simon Commission (1927)
- In 1927, the British government sent the Simon Commission to India to look into constitutional reforms, but it had no Indian members.
- This led to widespread protests with the slogan, “Simon Go Back.”
- During these protests, Lala Lajpat Rai was injured and later died.
3.2. The Salt March (Dandi March)
- Mahatma Gandhi declared that the British monopoly on salt was unjust and launched the Civil Disobedience Movement by breaking the salt law on March 12, 1930, by marching from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, covering 240 miles.
- People across the country defied British laws by making salt, boycotting foreign cloth, and refusing to pay taxes.
3.3. Features of Civil Disobedience Movement
- Participation of Different Groups:
- Rich Peasants: Participated due to issues of high revenue demands.
- Poor Peasants: They demanded the reduction of rent but did not benefit directly from the movement.
- Business Class: Indian merchants supported the movement as they wanted protection from imports of British goods and wanted rupee-sterling exchange rates to be favorable.
- Women’s Participation: Women played an important role by joining picket lines and demonstrations.
3.4. Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)
- The British government initiated negotiations, leading to the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
- The pact resulted in the release of political prisoners, and in return, Gandhi agreed to suspend the movement and participate in the Second Round Table Conference in London.
3.5. Limits of Civil Disobedience Movement
- The Dalits (lower castes) initially did not participate in the movement as their leaders, like B.R. Ambedkar, were concerned about social equality and wanted separate electorates for Dalits.
- Hindus and Muslims: There were tensions between the two communities, and the Muslim League under Muhammad Ali Jinnah demanded separate electorates for Muslims.
4. The Sense of Collective Belonging
4.1. The Role of Culture and History
- Nationalism was not only about political struggle but also about creating a sense of unity among people.
- Art, folklore, songs, and symbols played an important role in fostering national identity.
- Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's song "Vande Mataram" and Rabindranath Tagore’s works inspired patriotism.
- The tricolor flag became a symbol of national unity.
4.2. Reinterpretation of History
- Nationalists began to reinterpret Indian history and culture to instill pride in the people by showcasing India’s rich heritage and glorious past.
5. Important Movements and Events Timeline
- 1915: Mahatma Gandhi returns to India.
- 1919: Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Khilafat movement starts.
- 1920-1922: Non-Cooperation Movement.
- 1930: Salt March and Civil Disobedience Movement.
- 1931: Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
- 1935: Government of India Act.
Conclusion:
The struggle for freedom in India was shaped by various movements that involved people from all walks of life. The participation of peasants, tribals, women, and industrialists showed that the call for nationalism united a diverse population against colonial oppression.