On this post, we provide AHSEC Class 12 History Chapter 15: Mahatma Gandhi And The Nationalist Movement Notes and important question and answers for the 2025 examination.
After going through this unit you will be able: After going through this unit you will be able: To discuss about the exploitation of the British over the Indians and how they react to it. To trace the Gandhi’s role in regards to freedom movement, and how he become a people’s leader. To explain Gandhiji’s technique to fight against such a powerful country England; Non-violence, Satyagraha, Civil Disobedience etc. To know about the Dandi March along with the other mass movements. To learn about the Quit India Movement, the last mass movement of India.
Chapter – 15
THEME THIRTEEN : MAHATMA GANDHI AND THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT
Ahsec Class 12 History Chapter 15 Model questions and Answer for 1 Mark : (very short type)
1. Which one is the third major movement against the British rule launched by Mahatma Gandhi? 1 (2019)
Ans: Quit India Movement in 1942 is the last and third mass movement of Gandhi ji against the British.
2. Who killed Mahatma Gandhi? 1mark (2018)
Ans: Nathuram Godse killed Gandhiji.
3. Who represented the Congress in the Second Round Table conference? 1mark (HS 2017, 2024)
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi.
4. Who gave the slogan ‘Do or Die’? 1mark (2015)
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi gave the slogan ‘Do or Die’.
5. In which year Gandhiji started Quit India Movement? 1mark (2013)
Ans: In 1942, he started.
6. When did Gandhi ji returned to home?
Ans: In January, 1915.
7. In when Swadeshi movement took place?
Ans: In 1905-1907.
8. Name the leaders before Ganhiji came to India.
Ans: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, LalaLajpat Rai.
9. Who was the political advisor of Mahatma Ganhi? 1
Ans: Gopal Krishna Gokhale was his political advisor.
10. Where Ganhiji experiment his Satyagraha technique before India? Imark
Ans: In South Africa, he used this technique first time and got success.
11. What was the first struggle of Ganhiji in India?1
Ans: Joined in the Champaran Satyagraha movement with the peasant of Indigo.
12. Who passed “Rowlatt Act”?1mark
Ans: Sir Sydney Rowlatt.
13. When and where Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place? 1mark
Ans: In 1919, at Amritsar, Punjab it was took place.
14. Name the major general who killed nationalists in Jaliawala Bagh. 1mark
Ans: General Dyre.
15. Why Gandhiji started Non-coopration movement?1
Ans: Due to the Rowlatt Act and the incident of Jallianwala Bagh.
16. Why Ganhiji stopped Non-cooperation movement and when?
Ans: Due to the violent incident at ChauriChaur in 1922; he stopped.
17. Name the newspaper, which was edited by Gandhiji.1
Ans: Young India.
18. When did Simon Commission visited India? Imark
Ans: In 1928 they visited India.
19. When did Salt Satyagraha started by Gandhiji?1mark
Ans: On 12th March, 1930.
20. Name the American Newsmagazine which published Salt March. 1mark
Ans: The “Time” published it and the march became popular in worldwide. 1mark
21. In when Gandhi-Irwin pact was signed.
Ans: In 1931, to end the Civil Disobedience movement.
22. Who demand separate electorate for lower caste people. 1mark
Ans: B.R. Ambedkar.
23. In when Muslim League demanded for a separate state for them? 1mark
Ans: In 1940.
24. When did Simon Commission visited India? 1mark
Ans: In 1940 Simon Commission visited India.
25. In when “Direct Action Day” plan declared? 1mark
Ans: On 16 August 1946, Muslim League declared Direct Action Day plan.
26. Name the British Prime Minister at the time of India’s Independence. 1mark
Ans: Cleemnt Attlee was the P.M. of England.
27. Name the autobiography of Gandhiji. 1mark
Ans: “My Experiment with Truth” was the autobiography of Gandhiji.
28. Who wrote “Discovery of India”? 1mark
Ans: Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
29. Who is known as Frontier Gandhi? 1mark
Ans: Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan known as frontier Gandhi.
30. When was the Second Round Table Conference held? (HS 2024)
Ans:- 7 September 1931.
Ahsec Class 12 History Chapter 15 Model questions and Answer for 2 Marks :
1. Who called for “Direct Action” and which day was chosen for it? 2marks (2019)
Ans: Mahammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of Muslim League called it on 16th August 1946.
2. Why was Gandhiji’s salt March important in the Indian National Movement? 2marks (2017)
Ans: The Salt March has three points of significance:
(i) it brought the British to the table to talk about self-rule,
(ii) strengthen Indian resistance to the Raj (British rule), and
(iii) displayed to the world the plight of the Indians and the benefit of nonviolent civil disobedience. The Salt March began on March 12, 1930 as a protest of the Salt Tax.
3. Who were Lal-Bal-Pal? 2marks
Ans: All three were early extremist leaders, who led the nation- wide Nationalist movement. Lal-Lalalajpat Rai, Bal- Bal Ganga dhar Tilak and Pal- Bipin Chandra Pal.
4. Name one movement launched for farmers and peasants by Mahatma Gandhi in India? 2marks
Ans: (i) Champaran Satyagraha 1917 for indigo peasants.
(ii) Ahmedabad mill labour movement 1918.
5. State the significance of Gandhiji’s speech at Banaras Hindu University? 2marks
Ans: The significance of his speech-
(i) Gandhiji charged the Indian elite with a lack of concern for the labouring poor.
(ii) He worried about the contrast between the rich and poor. He felt salvation of India lay in the farmers. 2marks
6. What is meant by Rowlatt Act?
Ans: Anybody could be arrested on the basis of suspicion and put in prison without trial. This Act was made by Rowlatt to suppress the freedom struggle.
7. Why was charkha chosen as a national symbol? 2marks
Ans: Charkha chosen as a national symbol due to- (1) Symbol of self-reliance and self-confidence.
(1) Source of employment for thousands of poor and unemployed.
8. What were the main suggestion of Gandhiji in Benars Hindu University lecture? 2marks
Ans: (i) Gandhiji told the privileged invitees that “there is no salvation for India unless you strip yourself of this jewellery and hold it in trust for your countrymen in India”. “There can be no spirit of self-government about us,” he went on, “if we take away or allow others to take away from the peasants almost the whole of the results of their labour.
(ii) Our salvation can only come through the farmer. Neither the lawyers, nor the doctors, nor the rich landlords are going to secure it.”
9. Name the two first strike of Gandhiji. 2marks
Ans: The first two activities of Gandhi ji in India were-
(1) First, he intervened in a labour dispute in Ahmedabad, demanding better working conditions for the textile mill workers.
(ii) Then he joined peasants in Kheda in asking the state for the remission of taxes following the failure of their harvest.
10. What was the Rowlatt Act?2marks
Ans: Sir Sydney Rowlatt passed an act during the first World War. According to it –
(1) The British had instituted censorship of the press and
(ii) Permitted detention without trial.
11. What was the significance of Lahore Session of Congress? 2marks
Ans: (i) Declaration of PoornaSwaraj as the main objective of Congress.
(ii) On 26 January 1930 to be celebrated as Independence Day.
12. Why was the Lahore session (1929) of Congress was important? 2marks
Ans: The meeting was significant for two things:
(1) the election of Jawaharlal Nehru as President, signifying the passing of the baton of leadership to the younger generation and
(ii) the proclamation of commitment to “PurnaSwaraj”, or complete independence. Now the pace of politics picked up once more. On 26 January 1930, “Independence Day” was observed, with the national flag being hoisted in different venues, and patriotic songs being sung.
13. What was the attitude of the Indian National Congress towards the second world war? 2marks
Ans: (i)Both Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru were against Hitler and Nazis.
(ii) They promised congress support to the war effort if the British in return promised to grant India Independence after the war.
14. What was the concept of Non-cooperation? 2marks
Ans: Literally it means to “non-cooperate” with colonial rule. Indians who wished colonialism to end were asked to stop attending schools, colleges and law courts, and not pay taxes. In sum, they were asked to adhere to a “renunciation of voluntary association with the British Government”. If noncooperation was effectively carried out, said Gandhiji. India would win swaraj within a year.
15. Write any two programmes of the Non-Cooperation Movement. (HS 2024)
Ans:- 1. Boycott of British Goods: Indians were encouraged to stop buying British-made products, promoting the use of locally produced goods (swadeshi) instead.
2. Non-Participation in British Institutions: Indians withdrew from British-run schools, colleges, courts, and legislative councils to reject colonial authority and promote self-reliance.
Ahsec Class 12 History Chapter 15 Model questions and Answer for 3/4 Marks :
1. Why is Dandi March regarded as one of the most important movements against the British? 3marks (2015, 2014, 2012)
Ans: The Salt March was notable for at least three reasons.
(i) It was this event that first brought Mahatma Gandhi to world attention. The march was widely covered by the European and American press.
(ii) It was the first nationalist activity in which women participated in large numbers The socialist activist Kamaladevi had persuaded Gandhiji not to restrict the protests to men alone
(iii) Perhaps most significant, it was the Salt March which forced upon the British the realisation that their Raj would not last forever, and that they would have to give some power to the Indians.
2. Write a note on Quit India Movements in Assam. 4marks (2015)
Ans: After the failure of the Cripps Mission, Mahatma Gandhi decided to launch his third major movement against British rule. This was the “Quit India” campaign, which began in August 1942. Although Gandhiji was jailed at once, younger activists organised strikes and acts of sabotage all over the country. Particularly active in the underground resistance were socialist members of the Congress, such as Jayaprakash Narayan. In several districts, such as Satara in the west and Medinipur in the east. “independent” governments were proclaimed The British responded with much force, yet it took more than a year to suppress the rebellion. “Quit India” was genuinely a mass movement. bringing into its ambit hundreds of thousands of ordinary Indians. It especially energised the young who, in very large numbers, left their colleges to go to jail.
3. Why was Salt Satyagraha accepted as symbol of protest in the Civil Disobedience Movement?4marks (2014)
Ans: (i) Soon after the observance of this “Independence Day” (26th January, 1930) Mahatma Gandhi announced that he would lead a march to break one of the most widely disliked laws ie. Salt law in British India.
(ii) Parallel to Gandhiji salt marches were being conducted in other parts of the country. People from all caste, religion joined in the movement to break the civil laws of British all over the country.
(ii) In some towns, factory workers went on strike while lawyers boycotted British courts and students refused to attend government-run educational institutions.
(iv) In the wake of the Salt March, nearly 60,000 Indians were arrested, among them, of course, Gandhiji himself.
4. How did British try to stop student’s participation in Civil Disobedience Movement in Assam? What were its Effects? 4marks (2012)
Ans: (i) In Assam leaders like Hem Chandra Boruah, M. Tayeebullah, and BishnuramMedhi, and Ambikagiri Roy Choudhury assembled at Judges field at Guwahati and expressed their solidarity with Gandhi’s salt satyagraha.
(ii) However, at this juncture, the Congress leadership in Assam announced that the province was not ready for a mass movement.
(iii) On the other hand, comitted workers like Bishnuram Medhi, Chandra Baruah, M. Tayebullah, where actively engaged in organisational worked under seven financial constraints.
(iv) British passed strict laws to stopped participation of students in the movement, but student left the school, colleges and joined in the movement.
5. Describe the Gandhi -Irwin Pact of 1931? 3marks
Ans: (i) Gandhiji postponed Civil Disobedience movement.
(ii) Irwin agreed to release all prisoners and allowed to make salt along the coast.
(iii) Gandhiji agreed to go to second round table conference.
6. What was the problem of separate electorates? What were the disagreement between Congress and Dalits on this issue? Finally, what solution to be of this issue? 4marks
Ans: (i) Demand of separate electorates by the Dalits in which they wanted reservation in separate Electorates like muslims.
(ii) In 1931 in the second Round Table Conference Dalit leader Dr.B.R.Ambedkar said Congress does not represent the Dalits. He said Dalits are socially and economically backward. By separate electorate they can put demands of their rights.
(iii) Gandhiji opposed the separate electorates.
(iv) Finally, Congress gave separate electorates to Dalits within the Congress.
7. Explain the sources from which we can reconstruct the political career of Mahatma Gandhi and the history of National Movement of India.
Ans: (i) Auto-biographies and biographies.
(ii) Contemporary newspapers.
(iii) Official and police records.,
(iv) Public speeches
(v) private letters.
8. Why Gandhiji started Dandi March?
Ans: For in every Indian household, salt was indispensable; yet people were forbidden from making salt even for domestic use, compelling them to buy it from shops at a high price. The state monopoly over salt was deeply unpopular; by making it his target, Gandhiji hoped to mobilise a wider discontent against British rule.
9. How was non-cooperation a form of protest? 4marks
Ans: Students stopped going to school and collages run by the government. Lawyers refusedto attend court. The working class went on strike in many town and cities: according toofficial figures, there were 396 strike in 1921, involving 600,000 workers and a loss of 7 million workdays. Hill tribes in northern Andhra violated the forest laws. Farmers in Awadh did not pay taxes. Peasants in Kumaun refused to carry loads for colonial official. Peasants, workers, and others interpretedand acted upon the call to “non-cooperate” with colonial rule It entailed denial renunciation, and self discipline. It was training for self-rule
10. How was Mahatma Gandhi perceived by the peasants 3marks
Ans: Known variously as “Gandhi baba”, “Gandhi maharaj”, simply as “Mahatma”, Gandhiji appeared to the Indian peasant as a savior, who would rescue them from high taxand oppressive officials and restore dignity and autonomy to the lives. Gandhiji’s appealamong the poor, and peasants in particular, was enhanced by his ascetic lifestyle, and by hisshrewd use of symbols such as the dhoti and charkha
11. How did Mahatma Gandhi seek to identify with the common people? 4marks
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi seeked to identify himself with the common people of India. For this action plan
(1) He began to live in a very simple life style. He wor simple clothes which a poor Indian would wear.
(ii) He spoke the language of local people.
(iii) Mahatma Gandhi opposed the caste system and attacked untouchability personally lived with the Harijan.
(iv) Mahatma Gandhi attached dignity to labour and physical work. He worked on Charkha and cleaned toilets.
(v) He attacked the sentiment of the feeling of classifying people into low and high.
12. How was Mahatma Gandhi perceived by the peasants? 4marks
Ans: India is a country of villagers and vast number of Indians are engaged in farming. Mahatma Gandhi knew that during freedom struggle his focus was to address theissues ol farmers. He dressed like farmers. His involvement in Indian politics began in Champaran when he successfully resolved the issues of farmers. He stood for farmers against excesses of the British government like high taxes and oppressive tax collections.
Apart from all the above, mystery also surrounded the personality of Mahatma Gandhi. Many believed he was endowed with supernatural powers. Stories spread that those who spoke ill of Mahatma Gandhi suffered natural calamities. Thus, farmers perceived Mahatma Gandhi as their saviour and still many believed he was bestowed with the power to perform miracles
13. Why did the salt laws become an important issue of struggle? 4marks
Ans: Poorest of poor Indian consume food that has salt as one of its prime ingredient. British government brought tax on salt and making salt indigenously wasforbidden. It was to become a big burden on the poor people of India. Some important points regarding salt law are as follows.
(1) Salt law was to lead to monopoly of salt production and distribution. It was to fuel prices, and added to this was the tax levied by the government.
(ii) People were denied access to natural salt and tons of the same were destroyed.
(iii) Salt law was an attack on the local industry in the villages too. Hence salt law was extremely unpopular and it became an important issue of the struggle.
14. Find out about the route of the Dandi March. On a map of Gujarat plot the line of the march and mark the major towns and villages that it passedalong the route. 4marks
Ans: Dandi March was started from Sabarmati Ashram. This Ashram is in Ahmedabad (Gujarat). The route followed from Ahmedabad to Vadodara and from there to Surat. We have used triangle A, B and C to mark the Dandi expedition route.
Ahsec Class 12 History Chapter 15 Model questions and Answer for 5 Marks :
1. In what did Mahatma Gandhi transform the nature of the national movement? 5marks (2018)
Ans: Gandhiji transformed the nature of the National movement by the following thoughts, methods ideology, working styles movements etc. The main principles of his philosophywere
(i) Satyagraha
(ii) Non violence
(iii) Peace
(iv) True sympathy for the poorest.
(v) Empowerment of women.
(vi) Communal Harmony
(vii) Opposing untouchability with his full vigor and strength.
(viii) To stress both equally and their purity of aim and means alike.
(ix) To launch public welfare programme, importance of cottage industry and oppose colour discrimination.
He utilizes Satyagraha in South Africa also in several places in India. When Gandhiji returned to motherland in 1915. In fact, that time still Indian National Congress was confined in only urban areas up to people of middle educated classes. He knew very well that its natural power rests with the rural people, labour, ordinary men and women and young boys and girls till all sections and people of Indian society would not join freedom struggle against the colonial British power then it would be very difficult to finish British authority from India.
2. Discuss why Gandhiji was accepted as a people’s leader. 5marks (2016)
Ans: Throughout the history, certain people are considered “great”. Some will be called Gods, others simply ‘great’. In all these situations, the instances where a man(person) becomes ‘great’ has one single common factor. All great people like Jesus. Rama, Krishna fought against a mighty power of their times Like that Gandhiji fought against the world’s most powerful empire of the century.
The device of fights he chooses, Ahimsa and Satyagraha has literally put British into a critical situation. The nationwide campaigns of his to case poverty, expand women’s rights, build religious and ethnic harmony and eliminate the injustices of the caste system also popularized him among the Indians.
3. What was Khilafat Movement? Who led this movement in India? Why did Gandhiji led the support to this movement? 5marks (2013)
Ans: The sultan of Turkey the spiritual leader, Khalifa, of the Muslims. During the first world war, Turkey sided with Germany and Austria against the British. After the victory of England, Khalifa was removed from power and Turkey was dismembered.
The Muslims of the world including India Muslims demanded that:
(1) Khalifa’s control over sacred places should be retained
(ii) Khalifa should be left with sufficient territories after the negotiations
In 1919, Khilafat committee was formed to change British attitude towards Turkey. It was led by Ali brother i.e. ShaukatAli and Muhammed Ali. Other members were Maulana Azad, Ajmal Khal, Hasrat Mohani.
This was seen as a golden opportunity by Gandhi for Hindu- Muslim unity. At a special session in Calcutta in September 1920, the following programme for non-cooperation was approved by Congress:
(i) Boycott of government schools and colleges
(ii) Boycott of law courts and dispensation of justice through panchayats in their place
(iii) Boycott of legislative council
(iv) Boycott of foreign cloth and use of Khadi cloth
(v) Renunciation of government honors and titles.
Finally, all supported in the Non-cooperation movement, Ali Brothers asked Muslim soldiers to left Army and joined in the movement
4. Why was the ‘Charkha’ chosen as a symbol of nationalism? Smarks (2012)
Ans: Gandhi used to work on the charkha every day He made it symbol of natiuonalism because
(1) Charkha symbolized manual labour. He always belived in the dignity of labour.
(ii) He opposed machines as they enslaved human beings. He adopted charkha as he wanted to glorify the dignity of manual labourand not of the machines.
(iii) Gandhijibelkieved the charkha could make a man self-reliant as it added to his income.
(iv) The act spinning at charkha enabled Gandhiji to break the boundaries of traditional caste system.
(v) He encouraged other nationalists’ leaders and people to spin at charkha for some time daily. This idea of Gandhi very much popular among the people of India
5. Why did Gandhiji start Non-cooperation Movement? Why was it withdrawn? 5marks
Ans : (i) To oppose Rowlatt Act.
(ii) To undo the injustice done at Jalianwala Bagh.
(iii) To support the Khilafat Movement.
(iv) To attend Swaraj.
(v) Violence at Chauri-Chaura He withdrew non co-operation movement because of the incident of Chauri-Chaura, Bihar
(vi) Gandhiji believed in non-violence.
6. Give an account on Dandi March.
Ans: For in every Indian household, salt was indispensable, yet people were forbidden from making salt even for domestic use, compelling them to buy it from shops at a high price. The state monopoly over salt was deeply unpopular; by making it his target, Gandhiji hoped to mobilise a wider discontent against British rule.
On 12 March 1930, Gandhiji began walking from his ashram at Sabarmati towards the ocean. He reached his destination three weeks later, making a fistful of salt as he did and thereby making himself a criminal in the eyes of the law. Meanwhile, parallel salt marches were being conducted in other parts of the country.
7. “Where ever Gandhiji went, rumours spread of his miraculous power.” Explain with examples. 5marks
Ans: (i) The ascetic life style,
(ii) Use of dhoti and charkha
(ii) Use of Hindi for communication made Gandhiji very popular.
(iv) Where ever he went rumours spread of his miraculous powers.
(a) Sent by King to redress the grievances of the farmers.
(b) Had power to overrule all local officials.
(c) Gandhiji was superior to the British.
(d) Fight against untouchability.
8. ‘Non Cooperation was a form of Protest’. Evaluate this statement. 5marks
Ans: Gandhiji was one of the greatest personality of the world. His main principles were –
Truth and Non Violence:
(i) Gandhiji decided to start non-cooperation as a unique form of protest freedom struggle against the British rule.
(ii) He hoped that by coupling non-cooperation with khilafat, Hindu and Muslims could collectively bring an end to colonial rule.
(iii) During this moveemnt; Students stopped going to school and colleges run by the British Government. Lawyers refused to attend the court. The working class went on strike in many towns and cities.
(iv) The country side was seething with discontent. Hill tribe in Northern Andhra violated by the forest laws. Farmers in Awadh did not pay taxes.
(v) These protest movements were sometime carried out in defence of the local nationalist leadership.
By the Analysis of the above mentioned facts it can be said that undoubtedly this was the first freedom struggle movement, in which most of Indian castes and communities participated to protest British rule.
9. ‘The Quit India Movement ment was truly a mass movement’. Justify this statement. 5marks
Ans: Due to the failure of the Cripps mission, Gandhiji decided to launch his third majormovement against British rule. This was called Quit India Movement.
(1) This was to be a mass struggle on non-violent lines under leadership of Gandhiji. But on the Next day of the approval of India Quit Movement resolution.
(ii) Gandhi and other main congress leaders were arrested. But the younger activist organized demonstrations and strike in factories, schools and colleges in all parts of the country.
(iii) Particularly active in the underground resistance were socialist members of the congress such as Jaya Prakash Narain and
Ram Manohar Lohia, Aruna Asif Ali.
(iv) In some areas such as Satara and Midnapur “Independent governments were proclaimed. The movement took the form of a violent outbreak.
(v) The government succeeded in crushing the movement yet it took more than 12 months to suppress this rebellion.
(vi) By analysising above mentioned incidences it can be said that the Quit India Movement was truly a mass movement.
10. Why are newspapers an important source for the study of national movement? Smarks
Ans: Contemporary newspapers are an important source of the study of national movement..
(i) Many contemporary newspapers were published by those who were involved in the freedom struggle. For example, National Herald was issued by Motilal Nehru, further Mr Jinnah issued Dawn. These newspapers were mouthpieces and represented important voices of the movement.
(ii) Newspapers do daily reporting, hence, their reporting is more detailed than perhaps any other source can be. Reading different newspapers further makes our reading balanced and free from bias.
(iii) Many newspapers were in local Indian languages, i.e. in vernacular languages and their circulation was limited. Hence, they published newspaper from local perspective which other sources of history may not have.
(iv) They reflect the mood of the people too. These newspapers shaped what was published and the way events were reported.
11. Why were the dialogues at the Round Table Conference inconclusive? 5marks
Ans: (i) The British Government has had the policy to review the progress of self-rule in India and bring reforms after the gap of ten years. This began in 1910 with Morley Minto Reform and was followed in 1920 with Montague Chemsford Report.
(ii) Ten years later British government invited Round Table Conference in London for the wayforward. The First Round Table Conference took place in November, 1930.
(iii) The Conference failed as the most important stake holder of Indian Freedom Movement, the Indian National Congress was absent in the conference.
(iv) The leaders of the Congress were behind bars due to civil disobedience movement. The Second Table Conference took pace in February 1931.
(v) One-month earlier Mahatma Gandhi was released from the jail. Hence, he participated in the conference.Gandhi Irwin pact was signed and the British government agreed to withdraw salt law partly.
(vi) But the agreement came under criticism as it did not talk about completeindependence of India.
(vi) Third and the most important Round Table Conference took place in the later part of 1931. The new constitutional developments were not agreed upon. The mainreason was that the other participants of the conference described Congress as representative of small group of Indians and not the entire population.
12. In what way did Mahatma Gandhi transform the nature of the national movement? 5marks
Ans: (1) Gandhiji came to India back from South Africa in 1915 In 1917 he went to Champaran in Bihar to fight for the cause of farmers who were forced to grow indigo by the British government.
(u) The farmer’s movement proved successful as the British government accepted the demands of the farmers. Since that time to 1943 when hewas assassinated, he occupied the central place in the politics of India.
(ii) The fact is Mahatma Gandhi is the chief protagonist of the Indian Freedom Struggle. Mahatma Gandhi changed the nature of freedom movement and this can be elaborated by the following points.
(a) When Gandhiji joined Indian politics, the freedom movement was limited to the middle class.
(b) Gandhiji made it all pervasive, now people from villages. poor people, labours, workers, and students all became part of thefreedom struggle.
(c) They point out that Mahatma Gandhi used religious symbols to popularise the freedom movement that in long term gave fill up to communal politics.
(d) It is notable that the Age of Gandhi is also the age of the Rise of Moslem League in Indian politics.
(e) Mahatma Gandhi has to be credited with emancipation of women and their participation in the public life at a scale not known in Indian history.
(f) For Mahatma Gandhi freedom movement was also a platform for social reforms. He spoke in favour of place of dignity and respects for depressed classes.
13. What do private letters and autobiographies tell us about an individual? How are these sources different from official accounts? Smarks
Ans: Private letters and autobiographies are important source of individual’s life and views.
(i) Autobiographies and letters throw light on the interests of an individual. Let us take an example, Nehru wrote letters to his daughter Indira describing the events of world history. today it is known as the book, “Glimpses of the World History”. These letters show that Nehru had great interest in history
(ii) These autobiographies and letters are a good source of information of the social life of those days in India. Dr. Rajendra Prasad has given vivid description of thevillage life that he saw as a child in his village.
(iii) Nehru in his autobiography has explained in details about the obstinate approach of Muslim League towards solving the minority problem in India According to it.
(a) The official accounts are done by individuals but they work under the guidelines of the government. Thus, views that run against the government remain stifled.
(b) The autographic letters throw light on the personal life of individual leaders and show these events shaped the thought process of these leaders in future life. Mahatma Gandhi described how he was thrown out of the first class compartment of the train in South Africa because he was not a white man. He describes the struggle inside on how to protest and later how he took to non violent means of protest.
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:
1. Charkha (2015)
Mahatma Gandhi was profoundly critical of the modern age in which machines enslaved humans and displaced labour. He saw the charkha as a symbol of a human society that would not glorify machines and technology. The spinning wheel, moreover, could provide the poor with supplementary income and make them self-reliant. What I object to, is the craze for machinery as such. The craze is for what they call laboursaving machinery. Men go on “saving labour”, till thousands are without work and thrown on the open streets to die of starvation. I want to save time and labour, not for a fraction of mankind, but for all; I want the concentration of wealth, not in the hands of few, but in the hands of all.
YOUNG INDIA, 13 NOVEMBER 1924
Khaddar does not seek to destroy all machinery but it does regulate its use and check its weedy growth. It uses machinery for the service of the poorest in their own cottages. The wheel is itself an exquisite piece of machinery.
YOUNG INDIA, 17 MARCII 1927
(i) What is the source of this passage? 1mark
Ans: Young India, a newspaper edited by Mahatma Gandhi.
(ii) Why was Mahatma Gandhi critical of the modern age? 1mark
Ans: In the modern age machine enslave humans and displaced labour.
(iii) Why was Gandhi against craze for machines? 2marks
Ans: The craze is for what they call laboursaving machinery Men go on “saving labour”, till thousands are without work and thrown on the open streets to die of starvation. I wanı to save time and labour, not for a fraction of mankind, but for all; I want the concentration of wealth, not in the hands of few, but in the hands of all.
(iv) Why did Gandhiji lay emphasis on the use of Charkha? 2marks
Ans: He saw the charkha as a symbol of a human society that would not glorify machines and technology. The spinning wheel, moreover, could provide the poor with supplementary income and make them self-reliant.
2. Why the salt Satyagraha?
Why was salt the symbol of protest? This is what Mahatma Gandhi wrote: The volume of information being gained daily shows how wickedly the salt tax has beendesigned. In order to prevent the use of salt that has not paid the tax which is at times even fourteen times its value, the Government destroys the salt it cannot sell profitably. Thus it taxes the nation’s vital necessity; it prevents the public from manufacturing it and destroys what nature manufactures without effort. No adjective is strong enough for characterising thiswicked dog-in-the-manager policy. From various sources I hear tales of such wanton destruction of the nation’s property in all parts of India. Maunds if not tons of salt are said to be destroyed on the Konkan coast. The same tale comes from Dandi. Wherever there is likelihood of natural salt being taken away by the people living in the neighborhoodareas for their personal use, salt officers are posted for the sole purpose of carrying on destruction. Thus valuable national property is destroyed at national expense and salt taken out of the mouths of the people.
The salt monopoly is thus a fourfold curse. It deprives the people of a valuable easy village industry, involves wanton destruction of property that nation produces in abundance, the destruction itself means more national expenditure, and fourthly, to crown his folly, and unheard-of takes of more than 1,000 per cent is exacted from a starving people.
This tax has remained so long because of the apathy of the general public. Now that it is sufficiently roused, the tax has to go. How soon it will be abolished depends upon the strength the people.
(i) Why was salt the symbol of protest? 2marks
Ans: Salt was the symbol of protest because salt was used by everyone even by the poorest Indians. In every Indian household salt was indispensable yet people were forbidden from making salt even for domestic use compelling them to buy it from shops at a high price.
(ii) Why was salt destroyed by the Colonial Government? 3marks
Ans: The salt tax had been wickedly designed. In order to prevent the use of salt that has not paid the tax which was at times even fourteen times its value, the Government destroyed the salt it could not sell profitably.
(iii) Why did Mahatma Gandhi consider the salt tax more oppressive than other taxes? 3marks
Ans: Gandhiji considered the salt tax more oppressive than other taxes because salt tax was wickedly designed by the Government. The salt tax was at times even fourteen times its values. The Government destroyed the salt it cannot sell profitably. Wherever there was likelihood of natural salt being taken away by the people salt officers were posted for destruction. In this way national property was destroyed at national experience.
14. Discuss the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi towards the Freedom Struggle of India. (HS 2024)
Ans:- Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle was pivotal and multifaceted. His strategies and ideologies not only mobilized millions of Indians but also garnered international attention and support for the cause of Indian independence. Here are the key aspects of his contribution:
1. Non-violent Resistance (Satyagraha): Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent resistance became the cornerstone of the Indian independence movement. Satyagraha emphasized non-violent protest and civil disobedience as means to resist British rule. This approach was exemplified in various movements, including the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Civil Disobedience Movement, and the Quit India Movement.
2. Champaran and Kheda Satyagraha: Gandhi’s leadership in the Champaran (1917) and Kheda (1918) Satyagrahas showcased his ability to address local grievances through non-violent means. These movements addressed the exploitation of indigo farmers in Champaran and the plight of farmers facing crop failure and heavy taxation in Kheda. These successes established Gandhi as a significant leader in the national movement.
3. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922): In response to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Rowlatt Act, Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement. He called for the boycott of British goods, institutions, and services. This movement marked the first mass mobilization against British rule, involving millions of Indians from various walks of life.
4. Salt March (Dandi March, 1930): The Salt March was a direct action campaign of tax resistance and nonviolent protest against the British salt monopoly. Gandhi led a 240-mile march to the Arabian Sea to produce salt from seawater. This act of civil disobedience galvanized the Indian population and received worldwide attention, highlighting the injustices of British rule.
5. Civil Disobedience Movement: Following the Salt March, the Civil Disobedience Movement involved widespread defiance of British laws, including the refusal to pay taxes and the boycott of British goods. The movement saw mass arrests and widespread protests, further pressuring the British government.
6. Quit India Movement (1942): The Quit India Movement was a major campaign launched by Gandhi during World War II, demanding an end to British rule. Gandhi’s call for “Do or Die” inspired a nationwide uprising. Although the movement was brutally suppressed, it demonstrated the unwavering resolve of the Indian people for independence.
7. Promotion of Social Reforms: Gandhi addressed social issues such as untouchability, women’s rights, and rural development. He advocated for the upliftment of the Harijans (Dalits), promoted khadi (hand-spun cloth) to support self-reliance and rural industry, and encouraged simplicity and self-discipline.
8. Bridging Religious and Cultural Divides: Gandhi worked tirelessly to bridge the religious and cultural divides between Hindus and Muslims, striving for communal harmony. His efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding were crucial in maintaining unity within the national movement.
9. International Influence: Gandhi’s philosophy and methods inspired global leaders and movements, including the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. His principles of non-violence and civil disobedience became a universal template for resistance against oppression.
10. Legacy and Vision: Gandhi’s vision of an independent India was not merely political freedom but also a socio-economic transformation. His emphasis on self-reliance, sustainable living, and social justice continues to influence contemporary social and political thought in India and beyond.
Through these contributions, Mahatma Gandhi became a symbol of the Indian independence struggle, embodying the spirit of non-violent resistance and inspiring millions to join the fight for freedom. His legacy remains integral to the history and ethos of modern India.
-000-
ACCESS ALL CHAPTER NOTES
Advantages of AHSEC Class 12 History Solutions 2025 by The Treasure Notes:
- Mastery of the Subject: AHSEC Class 12 History Solutions provided by The Treasure Notes help you gain a thorough understanding of the subject, enabling you to master historical concepts and facts.
- Comprehensive Coverage: The solutions are organized chapter-wise, allowing you to clear all your queries systematically and revise the entire syllabus effectively.
- Efficient Homework and Assignment Completion: With these solutions, you can complete your homework and assignments on time, ensuring that you stay on track with your studies.
- Confidence Building: The step-by-step approach provided in the solutions boosts your confidence by making it easier to tackle complex exam questions.
- Strong Foundation: Using The Treasure Notes, you can build a strong foundation in history, which is essential for higher secondary Exam.
FAQs
Are there any chapter-wise solutions and important question answers available for AHSEC Class 12 History 2025?
Yes, chapter-wise solutions and important question answers for AHSEC Class 12 History Notes 2025 are available on The Treasure Notes website. These resources cover every aspect of the topic, including important question answers for exams as well as previous year question answers.
Where can I find the AHSEC Class 12 History-Solved question papers for 2012-2024?
You can find the AHSEC Class 12 History-Solved question papers for 2012-24 on The Treasure Notes educational websites that provide detailed analysis and explanations for all the questions.
Can I download AHSEC Class 12 History notes and question papers in PDF format?
Yes, you can download AHSEC Class 12 History notes and question papers in PDF format from The Treasure Notes online educational platform.
Last Words
We hope you liked AHSEC Class 12 History Important Notes, Solution Based on AHSEC 2024-2025 Syllabus. For more such Notes, Solved Question papers, and Study Materials you can visit our AHSEC PAGE through the menu bar. If you have any questions or suggestions, please comment below or contact us at thetreasurenotes@gmail.com.
