Short Answer Questions
1. What was the main factor responsible for the growth of Indian Nationalism?
Answer: The main factor responsible for the growth of Indian nationalism was the influence of Western education. It aroused a new spirit of awakening among the Indians and inspired them with the ideas of nationalism, democracy and self-government.
2. Who was the writer of Anandamath?
Answer: The writer of Anandamath was Bankim Chandra Chattarji.
3. Who composed the song "Sare Jahan Se Achha"?
Answer: The song “Sare Jahan Se Achha” was composed by the Urdu poet Muhammad Iqbal.
4. When and where was the first railway line in India constructed?
Answer: The first railway line in India was inaugurated in 1853, connecting Bombay and Thana. It was 21 miles long.
5. When and where was the first telegraph line in India constructed?
Answer: The first electric telegraph line in India was erected in 1854 from Calcutta to Agra. It was 800 miles long and was the first electric line in India.
6. When and where was the first Printing Press established in India?
Answer: The first printing press in India was established by the Christian missionaries at Sreerampore Mission in 1797.
7. When was the Calcutta Presidency College established? By what name was it known earlier?
Answer: The Calcutta Presidency College was established in 1855. It was earlier known as the Hindu College.
8. Mention two important social reforms of Lord William Bentinck.
Answer: Lord William Bentinck introduced important social reforms in India, including the abolition of Sati and support for widow remarriage.
9. Name the first newspaper published in India.
Answer: The first newspaper published in India was the Bengal Gazette, published by James Augustus Hicky in 1780.
Long Answer Questions
1. Write briefly how the Revolt of 1857 led to the growth of Indian nationalism?
Answer: The Revolt of 1857 played an important role in the growth of Indian nationalism. It was, to a great extent, a bid of the Indians for political freedom. The rebels wanted to drive away the British from India and make Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II their actual ruler. Though the revolt failed, its results were far-reaching. It marked the beginning of national awakening in India and contributed to the growth of Indian nationalism.
2. Write the main objectives of 'Wood's Despatch'?
Answer: Wood’s Despatch of 1854 was the first comprehensive plan for the spread of a modern system of education in India. Its main objectives were:
1. To establish a systematic educational hierarchy from primary schools through high schools and colleges to universities.
2. To encourage the use of vernacular languages at the school level and English at the university level.
3. To provide scholarships to meritorious students.
4. To introduce a system of grant-in-aid to encourage the growth of educational institutions.
5. To establish an Education Department in all the provinces.
3. Write about six important reasons for the growth of Indian nationalism.
Answer: The growth of Indian nationalism was the result of several political, social, educational and economic developments. Six important reasons were:
1. Influence of Western Education: Western education created a new spirit of awakening among Indians. It introduced them to the ideas of nationalism, democracy and self-government.
2. Development of Transport and Communication: The development of roads, railways, post and telegraph services connected people living in distant parts of India and helped in the growth of nationalism.
3. Socio-Religious Reform Movements: Socio-religious reformers worked against social evils and religious superstitions. These movements promoted social awakening, self-confidence and national sentiment among the people.
4. Role of the Printing Press: Vernacular newspapers voiced the sufferings of the people and exposed the evils of British imperialism. They helped to spread nationalism from the educated people to the common people.
5. Growth of Political Associations: Political associations such as the Indian Association and the Indian National Conference increased political consciousness among the people and helped to create a common political programme.
6. Birth of the Indian National Congress: The Indian National Congress was established in 1885. Its formation gave an organised form to the growing Indian nationalism and provided a common platform for the people of India.
4. Write at least four effects of the introduction of western education in India.
Answer: The introduction of Western education brought a new awakening among the Indians and changed their outlook. Its important effects were:
1. It aroused a new spirit of awakening among the Indians.
2. Reason replaced blind faith and brought a change in their outlook.
3. Indians developed the ability to understand the exploitative nature of foreign rule.
4. They developed a sense of responsibility towards their society, race and country.
5. They came in contact with the liberal and radical ideas of political thinkers such as Rousseau, Voltaire, Locke, Bentham and Mill.
6. They were inspired by the ideas of nationalism, democracy and self-government.
7. The educated Indians became ready to work for national unity and the liberation of the country.
Thus, Western education played an important role in creating political and national consciousness among the Indians.
5. Discuss the impact of western education towards the growth of Indian nationalism.
Answer: Western education played an important role in the growth of Indian nationalism. It brought a new awakening among the Indians and changed their outlook in many ways.
1. Western education introduced Indians to liberal and radical ideas of great political thinkers such as Rousseau, Voltaire, Burke, Locke, Bentham and Mill.
2. It inspired the educated Indians with the ideas of nationalism, democracy and self-government.
3. Indians became capable of understanding and judging the exploitative nature of British rule.
4. It developed among them a sense of responsibility towards their society, race and country.
5. The heroic stories of the American War of Independence, the French Revolution, and the Unification of Germany and Italy inspired the educated Indians.
6. Inspired by the ideas of Mazzini, Garibaldi and Cavour, educated Indians became ready to work for national unity and the liberation of the country.
7. The educated Indians spread ideas of liberty and equality among the people through their writings. Patriotic writings and poems also helped to arouse a strong sense of nationalism.
Thus, Western education created political awareness among the Indians and greatly contributed to the growth of Indian nationalism.
6. How did the development of transport and communication lead to the growth of nationalism in India?
Answer: The development of modern means of transport and communication played an important role in the growth of Indian nationalism. Roads, railways, post and telegraph services brought people living in different parts of India closer to one another.
1. The construction of roads and railways connected major cities, ports and markets of India.
2. The development of railways made it easier for people from distant areas to come into contact with one another.
3. Post and telegraph services made communication between distant places easier and faster.
4. Modern means of transport and communication broke the isolation of different regions and forged a link between people living in distant areas.
5. The growing contact among the people helped in developing a feeling of unity and contributed to the growth of nationalism in India.
Thus, the development of transport and communication helped to connect the people of India and played an important role in the growth of Indian nationalism.
7. Discuss the contribution of Raja Ram Mohun Roy in the growth of Indian nationalism?
Answer: Raja Ram Mohun Roy played an important role in the growth of Indian nationalism. He worked for social, religious, educational and political reforms and tried to transform India into a modern nation.
1. He sought to bring about a cultural synthesis between the East and the West and helped create a new outlook among the Indians.
2. In 1815, he established the Atmiya Sabha and in 1828 founded the Brahmo Sabha, which was later renamed the Brahmo Samaj. He worked to remove corrupt practices from Hindu society and opposed polytheism and idol worship.
3. He denounced social evils such as casteism, child marriage, purdah and polygamy. He supported widow remarriage and inter-caste marriage and worked for the upliftment of women.
4. He strongly supported the abolition of Sati. His efforts helped convince Lord William Bentinck to abolish Sati permanently.
5. He worked for women's education and fought for the right of women to inherit property. He also helped to establish the Hindu College in Calcutta in 1817 in collaboration with David Hare.
6. He advocated liberal reforms in the administration, including the separation of the judiciary from the executive and the codification of civil and criminal laws.
7. He took up the cause of poor peasants and urged the government to reduce land revenue and introduce welfare measures for them.
8. In 1833, he visited the House of Commons to present certain demands of the Indians to the British government.
Thus, Raja Ram Mohun Roy worked for the social, religious, educational and political advancement of India and is considered the father of modern India.
8. Discuss the contribution of Dayanand Saraswati in the growth of Indian nationalism?
Answer: Dayanand Saraswati played an important role in the growth of Indian nationalism through his religious and social reform activities. He founded the Arya Samaj and worked to remove social evils, promote education and strengthen the spirit of national awakening among the people.
1. Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in Punjab in 1875. The organisation believed in the unity of God, encouraged monotheism and discouraged polytheism and idol worship.
2. He considered the Vedas as the true source of Hinduism and gave the slogan, “Go back to the Vedas”. Through this, he encouraged people to value their religious and cultural heritage.
3. He criticised social evils such as child marriage, casteism and polygamy. He also advocated equal status for men and women.
4. He supported widow remarriage and worked for the spread of education among women. He also supported sea voyages and discouraged the superstitions associated with them.
5. The Arya Samaj started the Sudhi Movement to convert non-Hindus to Hinduism. Through this movement, it aimed to preserve their identity and take the nation towards the path of progress.
6. Branches of the Arya Samaj were established in many parts of India. Its programmes and activities helped to facilitate the growth of nationalism.
Thus, Dayanand Saraswati contributed to the growth of Indian nationalism by promoting religious reform, social progress, education and national awakening among the people.
9. Discuss the contribution of Keshav Chandra Sen in the growth of Indian nationalism?
Answer: Keshav Chandra Sen played an important role in the growth of Indian nationalism through his social reform activities. He started the Prarthana Samaj in Maharashtra in 1869 on the model of the Brahmo Samaj. The Prarthana Samaj mainly devoted itself to social reforms, and its influence extended to the whole of South India. Through its activities, it worked for the upliftment of the people and the progress of society. The reform activities of the Prarthana Samaj helped to create social awakening among the people. Its activities also promoted the spirit of nationalism among the people of southern India. Thus, Keshav Chandra Sen contributed to the growth of Indian nationalism by promoting social reform, social awakening and the progress of society through the Prarthana Samaj.
10.Discuss the contribution of Ramkrishna Paramhamsa in the growth of Indian nationalism?
Answer: Ramkrishna Paramhamsa played an important role in creating religious and spiritual awakening among the people, which contributed to the growth of Indian nationalism. His teachings attracted a large number of followers and later inspired Swami Vivekananda to spread his message.
1. Ramkrishna Paramhamsa was a simple and pious man whose teachings attracted a large number of followers.
2. He spread his message of spirituality and the true values of Hinduism among the people.
3. His teachings became the basis for the establishment of the Ramkrishna Mission, which was founded by his disciple Swami Vivekananda in 1897.
4. Through the Ramkrishna Mission, the message of Ramkrishna Paramhamsa was spread widely and helped create a sense of pride in Indian culture and heritage.
5. His teachings and the work inspired by them helped develop self-confidence and a sense of national awakening among the Indians.
Thus, Ramkrishna Paramhamsa contributed to the growth of Indian nationalism by promoting spiritual awakening, self-confidence and pride in India's culture and heritage.
11.Discuss the contribution of Anne Besant in the growth of Indian nationalism?
Answer: Anne Besant played an important role in the growth of Indian nationalism by reviving self-respect and pride in Indian culture and by spreading the idea of self-rule among the Indians.
Anne Besant came to India in 1893 and worked to create a new spirit of awakening and national sentiment among the educated Indians. She reminded the people of the richness of Indian philosophy, culture and heritage. She also started the Central Hindu School in Banaras in 1898, which ultimately became the Banaras Hindu University in 1916. In 1916, she started the Home Rule League and spread the message of self-rule among the Indians. She also presided over the Indian National Congress in 1917 and became its first lady president. Through her social and educational activities, Anne Besant helped to develop self-respect, national sentiment and the spirit of self-rule among the Indians.
12.What is Aligarh Movement? To what extent did it infuse modern outlook and thinking among the Indian Muslims?
Answer: The Aligarh Movement was an important movement for the spread of modern education and the development of nationalism among the Indian Muslims. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was the central figure behind this awakening.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan believed that education was the best means of social awakening. He established an English-medium school at Gazipur in 1864 and set up a Science Society at Aligarh in 1865, through which some important English books were translated into Urdu. In 1875, he established the Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College, which became an important centre for learning Western literature and culture. The college helped to raise the level of political consciousness among the Indian Muslims. Theodore Beck, the Principal of the College, also played a leading role in introducing Western ideas, culture and literature to the Indian Muslims. The newly educated class worked to remove social abuses within the Muslim community. Thus, the Aligarh Movement helped the Indian Muslims develop a modern outlook, increase their political consciousness and contribute to the growth of nationalism in India.
13.How did the printing press in India lead to the growth of Indian nationalism? Discuss.
Answer: The printing press played an important role in the growth of Indian nationalism. It became a powerful means of mass communication and helped spread political ideas and create national consciousness among the people.
1. The newly educated Indians realised the importance of the printing press as a powerful means of mass communication and used it to spread their ideas among the people.
2. The rapid growth of vernacular newspapers in the latter half of the nineteenth century helped nationalism spread beyond the educated class to the common people throughout the country.
3. Vernacular newspapers voiced the sufferings of the people and exposed the evils of British imperialism, thereby creating awareness about the nature of British rule.
4. Newspapers such as Bangadarshan, Sanjivani, Aryadarshan and Amrita Bazar Patrika criticised the policies of the British Government and helped to build public opinion against the colonial rulers.
5. The British Government tried to control the press by imposing restrictions, including the Vernacular Press Act of 1878. These measures provoked a strong reaction among the Indians and strengthened their determination to preserve their self-respect.
Thus, the printing press helped spread nationalist ideas, develop political consciousness and unite public opinion against British rule.
14.Discuss briefly the factors that led to the birth of Indian National Congress.
Answer: The birth of the Indian National Congress was the result of the growth of political consciousness among Indians and the efforts to bring them together on an all-India political platform.
1. The spread of Western education introduced Indians to the ideas of nationalism, democracy and self-government and increased their political consciousness.
2. The growth of political associations helped Indians develop common political programmes and organise political activities.
3. Surendranath Banerjee organised an all-India agitation against the reduction of the maximum age for the Indian Civil Service examination from 21 to 19 years. This movement raised political consciousness among the people.
4. In 1883, Surendranath Banerjee convened the Indian National Conference in Calcutta. Representatives from different parts of India attended it, providing a base for the formation of the Indian National Congress.
5. Allan Octavian Hume took the initiative to organise an all-India organisation of Indians. On 28 December 1885, the first session was held in Bombay with 72 delegates, and the organisation was named the Indian National Congress.
Thus, the growth of political consciousness, political associations and all-India movements created the conditions for the birth of the Indian National Congress in 1885.
15.Give a brief account of the working of the Indian National Congress during the early years of its formation.
Answer: The Indian National Congress followed a moderate policy during the early years of its formation. It worked through prayers and petitions and maintained friendly relations with the British Government. Its main aim was to secure Indian representation in the administrative machinery. With this objective, the Congress sent an Indian team under the leadership of S. N. Banerjee to England in 1890. However, the Indian Council Act of 1892 greatly disappointed the Congress as it failed to give concessions to the Indians. As a result, some Congress leaders gradually lost faith in moderate methods and decided to follow a more extreme path. Thus, during its early years, the Indian National Congress mainly followed moderate methods and worked for greater Indian representation in the administration.