Divya

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights

Salient Points At A Glance-

1. Constitution of India:

India became independent on August 15, 1947. A Constituent Assembly was formed on December 9, 1946, to draft the Constitution of independent India.

After a discussion of almost three years, the draft was accepted in the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949.

It came into force on January 26, 1950. The original draft contained one preamble, 39 articles, and 8 schedules.

After repeated amendments, it now has 407 articles, many sub-articles, and 12 schedules.

2. Republic Day:

January 26, 1950, was declared as the Republic Day of India. It was on this day that the Constitution came into force.

On this day India ceremonially became a sovereign, democratic state. So it is a very important day for the Indians and every year it is celebrated as Republic Day.

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3. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act:

In society, women often fall prey to deprivation and torture. So the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act was passed in 2005 to protect women.

By this law, women can appeal to the judicial magistrate for protection in case of torture or assault.

They can also appeal to the District Protection Officer. In this case, the mentally and financially oppressed women can avail themselves of free legal aid.

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4. Right to Freedom of Religion:

The present Indian Constitution contains six fundamental rights of which the Right to Freedom of Religion is an important one.

This right is contained in Articles 25 to 28 of the Constitution.

According to Article 26, every religious community can carry its own religious rituals and practices within the fold of its religion, and acquire and use movable and immovable properties.

According to Article 27, no person can be compelled to pay tax for the maintenance, supervision, or spread of any particular religion or religious community.

According to Article 28, no religious lessons or subjects can be taught in governmental educational institutions. However, it is not mandatory for private institutions to follow this.

5. Impeachment:

Impeachment is the process by which the President of India is removed from the post before the completion of a tenure of five years on a charge of violating the Constitution.

The written approval of two third of the total members of Lok Sabha and Raj Sabha is necessary for the impeachment of a President.

6. Directive Principles:

Articles 36 to 51 in Part IV of the Constitution contain some principles instructing the government regarding the administration of the state.

These are called Directive Principles of State policy. Initially, there were 13 such principles but now there are 17. Some of them are

1. Right to work
2. old age allowance,
3. implementation of free compulsory education
4. protection of the interest of the backward classes.

The main objective of these principles is to convert India into a public welfare state. Some people say that the main objective is to proceed toward the formation of a socialist state.

7. Local Self-Government System:

The responsibility of administration can be decentralized through the local self-government system. It paves the way for individual development.

In India, there are two types of local self-government rural and municipal. In the villages, Gram Panchayat is the lowest unit of local self-government.

It is supervised by Panchayat Samity which is again supervised by Zilla Parishad. In the cities, the unit for local self-administration is the municipal corporation.

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7. Mandal Commission:

According to Article 380, the President can appoint a commission for the development of backward classes.

In 1978 a commission was appointed for the development of OBC people named Mandal Commission as its chairman was Shri Vindeshwari Prasad Mandal.

On the recommendation of this Commission, the government declared a reservation of 27% for the people of Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic A Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure

1. How was the Constituent Assembly formed?
Answer:

Formation Of Constituent Assembly:-

Introduction:

Long before getting independence, the Indians wanted to form a Constituent or Constitutional Assembly and formulate their own constitution.

Though it was not possible in pre-independent India, the Constituent Assembly was formed in independent India following the recommendation of the Cabinet Mission.

Accepting Demands Of The Conferences

1. The Lucknow session of the Congress:

In the Lucknow session of the Congress in 1936 a decision was taken to form the Constituent Assembly.

After three years, in the Ramgarh session in 1939, the Working Committee spoke strongly in favor of forming a Constituent Assembly.

Finally, in 1940 the British accepted the demand of formulating the Constitution through the formation of the Constituent Assembly.

2. As an alternative to the Coopland plan:

When the Cripps Mission failed the government sent Coopland to India. He tried to form a small Constituent Assembly.

In his proposal, there was the provision of a Constituent Assembly on the basis of a unanimous decision rather than a majority.

So the Coopland plan also failed.

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3. Following proposal of Cabinet Mission:

According to the Cabinet Mission’s plan, the Constituent Assembly was based on four principles. These were

1.  The British provinces and native provinces would have representation in the Constituent Assembly in proportion to their total population.
2. Each province could send one representative per ten lakh population.
3. All the seats would be divided proportionately among general classes (non-Sikh and non-Muslims), the Sikhs and the Muslims.
4. In the provincial legislatures, the members of each category could choose their representatives through election.
5. 43 members could be sent from the native states.

4. Through election:

An election was held in July 1946 to form the Constituent Assembly. The Congress got a clean majority with 69 percent seats, i.e., 208 seats out of 292.

Questions 2. Describe the structure and functions of the Constituent Assembly.
Answer:

Structure And Functions Of The Constituent Assembly:-

Introduction:

The Constituent Assembly was a representative constitution-making body. An attempt was made to make India a democratic state through the formation of the Constituent Assembly.

Indian Constituent Assembly

1. Structure:

According to the Cabinet Mission’s plan, the Constituent Assembly was formed on the basis of four basic principles

1. The British provinces and the native provinces could elect representatives in proportion to their total population.
2. All the seats would be proportionately divided among the General, Sikh, and Muslim Communities.
3. The members of provincial legislatures could send their own representatives.
4. The native states could send 93 members. Out of these 50% of members would be elected and 50% would be nominated.

2. Activities:

1. Election of President:

The first session of the Constituent Assembly was organized on December 9, 1946. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of the Constituent Assembly.

2. Formation of different committees:

The second session of the constituent assembly was held in January 1947 where some powerful committees

were formed these included the executive committee, the committee concerning fundamental rights, and the committee for backward classes.

3. Introduction of the constitutional draft:

In the fifth session of the assembly help in 1947 Lord Mountbatten was appointed as the first Governor General of independent India.

G.V Mavalankar was elected as the first Speaker of the central legislature The Constituent Assembly itself functioned as the first legislature.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was elected as the President of the drafting committee. The drafting of the constitution was completed in 11 sessions continuing over 165 days.

After discussing the different amendment provisions the Constitution was accepted in the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949.

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4. Implementation of the new Constitution:

The last session of the Constituent Assembly was held on January 26, 1950. In this session, the Constitution came into force. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first President of India.

Questions 3. Discuss the nature of the Constituent Assembly.
Answer:

Nature Of The Constituent Assembly:-

Introduction:

The Indian Constituent Assembly drafted the Constitution of the country.

The provincial legislative councils formed by a 14% majority of Indian citizens elected the members of the Constituent Assembly.

Nature Of Indian Constituent Assembly

1. Lack of public representation:

The members of the Constituent Assembly were not elected directly by the Indians through a universal adult franchise.

So it was a council that lacked popular representation.

2. Domination of lawyers:

The Constituent Assembly was primarily a council of lawyers. In fact, among the twenty-one members who played an important role in drafting the Constitution, eleven were. eminent lawyers.

These lawyers analyzed the articles and sub-articles from the legal point of view while drafting the Constitution of the country.

3. Single Party Council:

The Constituent Assembly could not assume a universal character since it was not represented by the members of all political parties.

As a result of the partition, the Muslim League members went to Pakistan. So the Assembly turned into a single-party organization.

4. Compromising:

The Indian Constitution was the result of a compromise between the British and the Congress.

As a result, the interests of the Indian upper classes were safeguarded. Eg. the allowances of the aristocrats and their awards and titles is an example of such compromise.

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5. Non-democratic:

As the native rulers and aristocrats were given 93 sets, i.e., they could elect members in 93 seats, the Constituent Assembly lost its democratic nature.

They were elected indirectly by 14% of the citizens.

Question 4. Discuss the features of the Indian. Constitution.
Answer:

Features Of The Indian Constitution:-

Introduction:

The Indian Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950. Like other countries in the world, the Indian Constitution also has its own features.

It is from these features that the actual nature of the Constitution can be known.

Features Of The Indian Constitution

1. Main Characteristics:

1. Preamble:

The main feature of the Indian Constitution is its Preamble. Through this Preamble, the fathers of the Constitution have described its source, motive, and polities 1 cal structure.

Through the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution in 1976 the words ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ were added to it.

2. Fundamental Rights:

At present, there are six fundamental rights in the Indian Constitution. These are

1. Right to equality,
2. Right to freedom,
3. Right against exploitation,
4. Right to freedom of religion,
5. Cultural and educational rights and
6. Right to Constitutional remedies.

3. Directive principles of State policy:

Articles 36 to 51 describe the Directive Principles of state policy. These are social, economic, legal, and administrative principles.

4. Fundamental Duties:

Some fundamental duties have been mentioned to keep a harmony between rights and duties.

For example obeying the Constitution and its ideals, showing respect to the National Flag and National Anthem, and protecting India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity.

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5. Secularism:

An important feature of the Indian Constitution is secularism. India has been declared a secular country by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976.

2. Other features:

1. The Indian Constitution is the largest written and complex Constitution in the world.
2. The Indian Constitution is both flexible and rigid.
3. It contains both federal and unitary features.
4. The Indian Constitution provides for single citizenship.
5. There is an independent judiciary for impartial justice.
6. Articles 300 to 400 in Part XVI contain provisions for reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other backward classes.

Question 5. Describe the federal administrative structure of India.
Answer:

Federal Administrative Structure Of India:-

Introduction:

A federal system of administration exists in India. This system is made up of central and state executive and judiciary.

Federal Administrative System

1. Central and State legislature:

In India, the parliamentary system of administration is in effect. The Parliament is bicameral and is made up of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

The central legislature makes laws, amends the Constitution, and determines taxes and their appropriation.

All the provinces also have their own legislature. Some provinces have two houses the upper house is called Bidhan Parishad and the lower house is called Bidhan Sabha.

2. President and Vice President:

The President is the head of administration in India. He is indirectly elected by the people. He possesses supreme power during emergencies.

The Vice President is elected by the members of the two houses. The tenure of the President and Vice President is five years each.

The Vice Principal is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. If the President’s post remains vacant the Vice President carries out the functions temporarily.

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3. Central Cabinet:

The administration of the country is carried out by a Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

The leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha is appointed as the Prime Minister by the President.

The other members of the Cabinet are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The tenure of the Cabinet is generally five years.

4. Supreme Court and High Court:

The Supreme Court is the highest court of justice in India. There is one Chief Justice and 25 other judges. The Supreme Court acts as the protector of the Constitution.

High Court is the highest court in a province. High Court safeguards the fundamental rights of the citizens, solve different disputes, and supervises the work of the lower courts.

5. Governor:

According to the Constitution, the Governor is the head of the state administration. He acts as the representative of the President and the central government.

6. State Ministry and Chief Minister:

The leader of the majority party in a province is generally appointed as the Chief Minister by the Governor.

The State Ministry functions under the leadership of the Chief Minister. Other members of the ministry are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister.

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Question 6. Discuss the power and functions of the President of India.
Answer:

Power And Functions Of The President Of India:-

Introduction:

The President of India is the formal head of the executive. All powers relating to the federal administration are concentrated in his hands.

Powers And Functions Of the President

1. Executive Power:

The President has the power to appoint or dismiss the Prime Minister and his council of ministers, Governors, Election Commissioner, and the judges of the High Court and Supreme Court.

He appoints the supreme commanders of the navy, army, and air force and also declares war and peace.

2. Legislative Powers:

The President can call or postpone the sessions of either house of the Parliament and can also dissolve the Lok Sabha in times of emergency.

His signature is required if a Bill has to be turned into a law. He can also nullify a Bill by using his power of veto.

3. Financial powers:

Every financial year the Finance Minister announces and introduces the budget on behalf of the President.

He can form a commission to look into the proper distribution of revenue between the center and the state. His approval is necessary before passing of money Bill.

4. Judicial powers:

The President appoints the judges of the High Courts and Supreme Court. He can also postpone, reduce or condone the punishment of a person accused in a criminal case.

His approval is needed to carry out the execution of a person condemned to death and he can. also, reconsider the death sentence.

5. Emergency powers:

The President can declare an emergency in three situations

1. National emergency:

It is declared in cases of war, external aggression, or internal armed revolt.

2. The collapse of administrative machinery:

It is declared if the administration in any province is not being conducted according to the constitution.

3. Financial emergency:

It is declared if there is a financial crisis in any part of the country.

6. Other powers:

If the President’s prior approval is needed in any Bill of any province then he can issue ordinances to the Governor.

He can form a finance commission and an official language commission.

He can announce any area of the country as a scheduled or non-scheduled area and can also change the frontier of a scheduled area.

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Question 7. Give an account of the power and functions of the Supreme Court.
Answer:

Introduction:

Supreme Court is the highest court of justice in India. As the apex court, it enjoys some more powers.

Powers And Functions Of the Supreme Court

1. Actual Jurisdiction:

Article 131 of the Indian Constitution contains a description of the powers and functions of the Supreme Court.

If there is any legal conflict between the center and the state or one or more states or if there is any confusion regarding.

The interpretation of the Constitution, then these are resolved under the actual jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

2. Appellate Jurisdiction:

If any constitutional confusion occurs in case of any proceedings going on in a High Court whose verdict has just been given, then those are solved in the appellate jurisdiction.

Civil and criminal cases are also solved in the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

3. Advisory Jurisdiction:

The Supreme Court advises the President if any confusion arises regarding any law or information concerned with the public welfare.

4. Decrees, instructions, and writ issue jurisdiction:

The Supreme Court might issue some decrees, instructions, and writs to strengthen and implement the fundamental rights of the citizen.

Thus the Supreme Court acts as a guardian of fundamental rights.

5. Other Powers:

Some of the other significant powers of the Supreme Court are the reconsideration of its own verdicts and orders, punishment for contempt of court, and issuing decrees to establish true justice.

Question 8. Describe the different fundamental rights as mentioned in the Constitution.
Answer:

The Different Fundamental Rights Are Mentioned In The Constitution:-

Introduction:

The citizens of our country have been granted some fundamental rights by the Indian Constitution. These are included in Article 12 to Article 35.

Fundamental Rights

1. Right to Equality:

Right to Equality means the end of discrimination in economic, social, and political spheres and the establishment of equal rights for all.

However backward classes, scheduled castes and tribes, and children can be given special privileges.

2. Right to freedom:

In the original Constitution, there were seven rights to freedom but the Right to property has been omitted from the list by the 44th Amendment of the Constitution.

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Now, there are six freedoms

1. freedom of speech and expression,
2. freedom of peaceful gathering,
3. freedom of building associations and organizations,
4. freedom of movement anywhere in the country,
5. freedom of practicing any profession or trade,
6. freedom of residing in any part of the country.

3. Right against exploitation:

Through this right, an attempt has been made to protect the citizens from the oppression of any person or association.

1. This right prohibits human trafficking, slavery, and bonded labor.
2. According to article 24, no children. below 14 years can be employed in mines, factories, and other risky jobs.

4. Right to freedom of religion:

The ideal of secularism has been established through this right. Through this, the following rights are upheld

1. every individual can conscientiously practice and preach any religion,
2. no religious subjects can be taught in government educational institutions,
3. no person can be compelled to pay taxes for the expansion and protection of any particular religion or sect.

5. Cultural and educational rights:

Through this right Every citizen can use his own language, culture, and script, nobody can be denied admission to any educational institution on the ground of religion, caste, or language.

Through this right, minorities got the right to establish and maintain their own educational institutions.

6. Right to Constitutional Remedies:

Indian citizens can appeal to the Supreme Court for enforcing their fundamental rights in case of any hindrance. The Supreme.

The court can issue writs to enforce the rights. In the same way, the High Courts can also issue orders to preserve fundamental rights (Article 226).

Question 9. Differentiate between the ‘Fundamental Rights’ and Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution.
Answer:

The Differentiate Between The ‘Fundamental Rights’ And Directive Principles Of State Policy In The Indian Constitution:-

Introduction:

The third and fourth parts of the Constitution contain the Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles respectively.

Apparently, both appear to be the same but there are some differences between them.

Question 10 Discuss the fundamental duties as laid down by the Indian Constitution.
Answer:

Fundamental Duties Was Laid Down By The Indian Constitution:-

Introduction:

The original Indian Constitution did not contain the Fundamental Duties of the citizens. Afterward, these were incorporated into it the 42nd Amendment in 1976.

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Fundamental Duties Of The Indian Constitution

The 11 Fundamental Duties mentioned in the present Constitution are

1.  To obey the Constitution and respect its ideals, constitutional institutions, National Flag and National Anthem.
2. Preservation and initiation of the noble ideals that had inspired the freedom struggle.
3. To support and preserve the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
4.  Come forward for the protection of the country and for national service.
5.  To rise above religion, language, region, and class and spread unity and fraternity among all Indians, and avoid everything which would harm the prestige of women.
6.  To value and preserve the glorious tradition of the composite Indian culture.
7. To preserve and develop the forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife and show kindness to animals
8. To develop a scientific attitude, humanity, inquisitive venèss, and reformative attitude.
9. To protect national property and abandon the path of violence.
10. To endeavor to develop all sorts of personal and joint enterprises
11. To provide education to all children between the age of 6 and 14 years by their parents and guardians.

Comment:

The Fundamental Duties mentioned in the Indian Constitution are not enforceable in a court of law. This means that the state cannot compel the people to obey these duties.

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic A Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure Short Analytical Type Questions

Question 1. What are the main objectives of the Indian Constitution?
Answer:

Objectives Of The Indian Constitution:-

1. Main objectives of the Constitution:

The main objectives of the Constitution are as follows

1. Socio-economic development:

The foremost objective of the Constitution was to bring about the socio-economic development of independent India. Jawaharlal Nehru said,

“The newly framed Constitution would safeguard the independent Indians, provide food to the hungry, clothes to the unclad, and will arrange for everybody’s self-development.

” Dr. Sarbapalli Radhakrishnan said, “The main aim of the Constitution will be the socio-economic revolution in India”.

2. Building up a sovereign, democratic state:

The fathers of the Indian Constitution had described the political aim of the Constitution saying that “India will evolve as an independent sovereign secular democratic republic.

In that India, there will be independence of the judiciary, impartiality, and the existence of parliamentary democracy.

3. Social aim:

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Besides the establishment of justice, the Constitution also assigns importance to

1. special reservation for the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, and other backward classes,
2. women and child welfare and
3. elimination of untouchability.

Question 2. Why is Ambedkar famous in history?
Answer:

Ambedkar Famous In History:-

1. Leader of the Hindu backward class:

Ambedkar had taken the initiative of obtaining some privileges for the backward and undeveloped Hindu class and represented them himself.

At the Round Table Conference in 1930-32, he demanded separate seats for the backward classes in the legislature. Later on, this demand was accepted in the Constitution.

2. As a maker of the Constitution:

1. In protecting fundamental rights:

Ambedkar played an important role as the president of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution.

As a result of his efforts the undeveloped sections of society were given some special fundamental rights and powers in the Constitution.

2. special priority in jobs:

The Scheduled Castes and Tribes were given some special privileges in the Indian Constitution due to the initiative of Ambedkar.

This includes giving priority to the undeveloped classes for jobs.

Question 3. Explain the gist of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
Answer:

Gist of the Preamble:

The Preamble says that all the Indians truthfully took a vow to make India a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic.

They would ensure that every citizen got social, economic, and political justice, liberty of expressing thought, opinion, faith, religion, and worship, and equality of prestige and privileges.

They would give priority to self-respect and unity and integrity of the nation and spread the ideals of fraternity.

So that day on November 26, 1949, they accept the Constitution framed by the Constituent Assembly, enacted it, and give it to themselves.

Question 4. Explain the Preamble of the Constitution.
Answer:

Preamble Of The Constitution:-

Explanation of the Preamble:

 Sovereign: ‘Sovereign’ means India is completely free from foreign control, both internally and externally, and possesses supreme power.

Socialist: Although the Preamble describes India as a socialist state socialism has not been established in the real sense of the term. Here mixed economy is discernible.

Secular: As a secular country India neither supports nor opposes any religion.

All religions get equal recognition here. Democratic means the Indian administration is based on public opinion.

Republic: Republic means that the post of the head of the state is not hereditary and is elected by the public directly or indirectly.

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Question 5. What is the significance of calling India a democratic republic?
Answer:

Significance Of Calling India A Democratic Republic:-

1 Democracy: India is a democratic country.

1. In Indian society, everybody is entitled to equal prestige, rights, and privileges. Here no discrimination is made on the basis of birth or wealth.
2. Every person can participate in the administration after winning the election.
3. In India, every adult citizen has the right to vote.

Republic: India is a republic. According to the features of the republic

1. The head of the state does not get his power hereditarily. He has to be elected by the people directly or indirectly.
2. There is no place for a king or kingship here.

Question 6. State the significance of the National Flag.
Answer:

Significance Of The National Flag:-

1. Symbol of the country and nation:

The national flag of India is the symbol of India as well as of the self-respect, prestige and freedom of the Indians.

2. Meaning of colors:

The three colors of our national flag have different meanings. The flag has saffron color at the top which symbolizes sacrifice and courage.

In the middle lies white color which indicates peace and truth. The bottom portion is. green is a color of faith and valor as well as prosperity.

There is a blue wheel at the center which resembles Ashokan Wheel. It symbolizes justice, religion, and progress. The ratio of the length and breadth of the flag is 3:2.

Question 7. State the significance of January 26, 1950.
Answer:

Significance Of January 26, 1950:-

1. Historical viewpoint:

The Congress accepted a historic proposal at its Lahore session under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru.

It was proposed that January 26, 1930, would be celebrated as Independence Day all over the country.

This created an air of mirth among the people. On midnight of 31st December, thousands of people hoisted the tri-color national flag on the bank of river Ravi.

So every year this day is celebrated in India as our Independence Day.

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2. As the Republic Day:

Although January 26 was celebrated as Independence Day during the freedom struggle, India actually became independent on August 15, 1947.

However, the national leaders decided to observe this day as Republic Day to keep its memory alive. So January 26 is celebrated as Republic Day since 1950.

Question 8. Why is the President called a formal head?
Answer:

President Called A Formal Head:-

According to the Parliamentary system of administration, the President is the formal or nominal head of the nation.

1. Titular Head:

Though the President is the head of the state he is not the administrative head. He neither represents the nation nor governs it,

2. Receiver of Cabinet’s counsel:

According to the provisions of the Constitution, the President is bound to abide by the decisions of the Cabinet in almost all cases.

3. Lack of autocratic power:

Unlike the Governor, the President does not have any autocratic power. So he is a formal or nominal head.

Question 9. Mention the tenure of the President.
Answer:

1. Tenure of President:

Theoretically, the President of India is an executive head but he is also regarded as an inalienable part of the legislature.

He is indirectly elected by the people and his tenure is for five years. However, he may resign before the completion of five years.

He can also be removed by the Parliament through impeachment. If the President’s post remains vacant then the Vice.

President performs his functions for some time, but a new President has to be elected within six months.

Question 10. What is the structure of the Supreme Court?
Answer:

Structure Of The Supreme Court:-

The Supreme Court occupies the highest post in the Indian judiciary. Article 124(1) says that until the Parliament passes an Act fixing the number of judges in the Supreme Court,

there will be one Chief Justice and a maximum of seven judges. However, the Parliament may increase the number of judges by enacting a law.

The judges are appointed by the President. According to the law passed in 1986 the Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice and 25 assistant judges.

Question 11. Write a note on Directive Principles.
Answer:

Directive Principles:-

1. Source:

The French ‘Declaration of Human and Citizens’ Rights’ and ‘The Declaration of American Independence’ are said to be the sources of the Directive Principles.

These principles are enlisted in Articles 36 to 51 of the Indian Constitution.

2. Divisions:

Directives are divided into Directives regarding the establishment of social rights and removal of economic discrimination,

Directives regarding the development of administrative structure, Directives concerning the building of a progressive state, and Directives regarding the development of international relations.

3. Features:

These Directive Principles cannot be enforced in a court of law. 2 India is a welfare state.

It is necessary to add these principles to implement public welfare ideals and schemes properly.

4. Addition:

Initially, there were 13 principles. After the 42nd Amendment in 1976, 4 more principles were added.

Question 12. Does the Constitution mention the establishment of social justice?
Answer:

Establishment Of Social Justice:-

The In the Indian Constitution any discrimination regarding caste, religion, or gender has been overruled

1. Reservation is done with regard to education, employment, and election for the security, development, and prestige of the neglected, backward, and oppressed Scheduled Cast and Scheduled Tribes.
2. The Zamindari system has been abolished and surplus land has been distributed among the landless.
3. Untouchability has been legally banned.
4. More measures have been taken to foster secularism.
5. No titles or appendages can be used in front of names except educational degrees.

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic A Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure State Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False.

Question 1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of the Constituent Assembly.
Answer: True

Question 2. Dr. B. R Ambedkar was the President of the drafting committee of the Constitution.
Answer: True

Question 3. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the second President of the Indian Republic.
Answer: False.

Question 4. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of independent India.
Answer: True

Question 5. Rajya Sabha is the lower house of the Parliament.
Answer: False.

Question 6. The President is the formal head of India.
Answer: True

Question 7. Lok Sabha is the upper house of the Parliament.
Answer: False.

Question 8. The upper house of the Parliament is presided over by Vice President.
Answer: True

Question 9. The lower house of the Parliament is presided over by the Speaker.
Answer: True

Question 10. The Supreme Court is the highest court in India.
Answer: True

Question 11. The lower house of a state is called Bidhan Sabha.
Answer: True

Question 12. The upper house of a state is called Bidhan Parishad.
Answer: True

Question 13. The highest court in a state is the High Court.
Answer: True

Question 14. The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the Prime Minister.
Answer: False.

Question 15. The Indian citizens get the right to vote at the age of 18.
Answer: True

Question 16. The tenure of Lok Sabha members is five years.
Answer: True

Question 17. The national anthem of India is ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
Answer: True

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic A Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure Fill In The Blanks By Selecting The Appropriate Expressions From The Brackets

Question 1. _________ (Dr. B. R. Ambedkar/Babu Rajendra Prasad/Jawaharlal Nehru) was the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly.

Answer: Babu Rajendra Prasad

Question 2. The Indian Constitution came into force on _________ (August 15, 1947/ August 15, 1931/January 26, 1950).

Answer: January 26, 1950

Question 3. The number of states in the Indian Federation is _________ (26/27/28).

Answer: 28

Question 4. _________ (China/India/Russia) is the largest democracy in the world.

Answer: India

Question 5. The _________ (President/Vice President/Prime Minister) presides over the Rajya Sabha.

Answer: Vice President

Question 6. _________ (Nehru/Patel/Rajendra Prasad) was the Prime Minister of the interim government.

Answer: Nehru

Question 7. At present the Indian Constitution contains _________ (448/407/414) articles.

Answer: 448

Question 8. The first speaker of the Parliament in independent India was _________ (Rajendra Prasad/Sukumar Sen/G. V. Mavalankar).

Answer: G. V. Mavalankar

Question 9. The election of the Constituent Assembly was held in July _________ (1944/1946/1948).

Answer: 1946

Question 10. The drafting committee of the Indian Constitution submitted their draft before _________ (Bidhan Sabha/Lok Sabha/Constituent Assembly).

Answer: Constituent Assembly

Question 11. The first session of the Constituent Assembly was held in _________ (1946/1948/1950).

Answer: 1946

Question 12. The _________ (President/Vice President/Speaker) presides over the Lok Sabha.

Answer: Speaker

Question 13. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is appointed by the _________ President/VicePresident/Prime minister).

Answer: President

Question 14. The Governor is appointed by the _________ (Prime Minister/President/Speaker).

Answer: President

Question 15. _________ (Dr. Sarbapalli Radhakrishnan/Dr. Rajendra Prasad/V. V. Giri) was the first Vice President of India.

Answer: Dr. Sarbapalli Radhakrishnan

Question 16. The Right to freedom of religion of the citizens was added to the Constitution by the _________ (42nd/44th/46th) amendment.

Answer: 44th

Question 17. The federal principles have been adopted in the Indian Constitution from _________ (USA/England/Soviet Russia).

Answer: USA

Question 18. The Cabinet system of government has. been adopted in the Indian Constitution from the Constitution of(Ireland/England/Soviet Russia).

Answer: England

Question 19. The Directive Principles of State Policy have been adopted in the Indian Constitution from the Constitution of _________ (Ireland/China/Soviet Rusia).

Answer: Ireland

Question 20. The main page of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution was decorated by _________ (Ramkinkar Vez/Nandalal Basu/Abanindranath Tagore).

Answer: Nandalal Basu

Question 21. The head of the state of India is _________ (President/Prime Minister/Chief Justice of Supreme Court).

Answer: President

Question 22. The _________ (Prime Minister/Vice President/Speaker) enjoys the second position after the President.

Answer: Vice President

Question 23. _________ (Bidhan Sabha/Parliament/Supreme Court) consists of the President and two houses.

Answer: Parliament

Question 24. In the parliamentary system of India, the _________ (President/Vice President/Prime Minister) enjoys the highest post.

Answer: Prime Minister

Question 25. _________ (President/Prime Minister/Speaker) is the functional head of the Government of India.

Answer: Prime Minister

Question 26. Each Indian state has _________ (one/two/three) legislatures.

Answer: one

Question 27. In the state, the _________ (Chief Minister/Governor/Finance Minister) is the highest authority.

Answer: Governor

Question 28 _________ (Speaker of Bidhan Sabha/ governor/Chief Minister) is the head of the State Government.

Answer: Chief Minister

Question 29. _________ (Prafulla Ghosh/Jyoti Basu/Mamata Banerjee) was the first Chief Minister of W.B.

Answer: Prafulla Ghosh

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic A Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure Answer In A Complete Sentence

Question 1. What does the term ‘secular’ in Indian Constitution mean?
Answer: The term ‘secular’ in Indian Constitution is intended to emphasize that India has no state religion and the state will neither encourage nor oppose any particular religion.

Question 2. What does the word ‘socialist’ in Indian Constitution mean?
Answer: The word ‘socialist’ in the Indian Constitution conveys the vision of developing a social system based on a mixed economy, that is, an economy based on state as well as private ownership

Question 3. Who are the source and custodians of the Constitution of India?
Answer: Constitution of India is the source and audio of the constitution of India.

Question 4. Who holds the most important post in the parliamentary democratic system of India?
Answer: The Prime Minister holds the most important post in the parliamentary democratic system of India.

Question 5. What should be the minimum age to become a member of the Lok Sabha?
Answer: To become a member of Lok Sabha one should be at least 25 years old.

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic A Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure Select The Most Appropriate Explanation For The Following Statement

Question 1. A constitution is needed to conduct the affairs of a state

1. The State abides by the constitution.
2. The dictates of the Constitution are final.
3. All the policies of the state are made according to the constitution.

Answer: 1. The State abides by the constitution.

Question 2. Every year Republic Day is celebrated on January 26.

1. On this day the Indians. liberated themselves from British rule.
2. India was declared a republic on January 26, 1950.
3. The Indian citizens got their different rights on January 26, 1950.

Answer: 2. India was declared a republic on January 26, 1950.

Question 3. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is called the conscience or spirit of the Constitution.

1. The Preamble contains the rights and duties of the citizens.
2. The Preamble contains the description of the sovereign power of the Constitution.
3. The ideals and objectives of the Constitution are contained in the Preamble.

Answer: 3. The ideals and objectives of the Constitution are contained in the Preamble.

Question 4. India is not bound to obey the orders, instructions, or requests of any foreign country.

1. India is a democratic republic.
2. India possesses sovereign power.
3. India is bound by its Constitution.

Answer: 2. India possesses sovereign power.

Question 5. The democratic administration is successful in the local self governmental
institutions.

1. The people get an opportunity to participate directly.
2. President’s rule prevails in self-governmental institutions.
3. The local self-government system is conducted by the state government.

Answer: 1. The people get an opportunity to participate directly.

Question 6. The downtrodden society (Dalits) launched a movement to establish their rights and prestige.

1. The government did not try to protect the interest of the poor.
2. Many Congress leaders did not want to give much importance to racial discrimination issues.
3. The prestige and rights of the Dalits were reduced due to the transfer of power.

Answer: 2. Many Congress leaders did not want to give much importance to racial discrimination issues.

Question 7. There was not much improvement in the condition of the Harijans.

1. The Harijans did not get religious rights.
2. The Harijans got only. economic rights and not political rights.
3. The Harijans were deprived of economic and religious rights.

Answer: 3. The Harijans were deprived of economic and religious rights.

Question 8. The Constitution’s use of the word and concept of ‘minority’ does not bear a communal sense.

1. The word minority has been. used as a contrast to the majority.
2. Minority refers to the backward classes in society.
3. The minority is determined by the number of persons in society.

Answer: 3. Minority is determined by the number of persons in society.

Question 9. The Alchiki script of the Santhals was given much respect in the Indian Constitution.

1. The Indian constitution upholds the linguistic right of minorities.
2. The constitution has recognized all Indian languages.
3. Most of the people among the minorities use this script.

Answer: 1. The Indian constitution upholds the linguistic right of minorities.

Question 10. The Indian Constitution is determined to provide all citizens with the security of food, clothing, and housing.

1. The main task of the Constitution is to provide overall security to the citizens.
2. The objective of the Constitution is to provide social prestige to all citizens in an independent state.
3. An important directive principle is to provide security to the Indians.

Answer: 2. The objective of the Constitution is to provide social prestige to all citizens in an independent state.

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic A Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. The constitution was adopted in Constituent Assembly on

1. 26th November 1946
2. 26th November 1947
3. 26th November 1949
4. 26th November 1950

Answer: 3. 26th November 1949

Question 2. The British Government took up the proposal to form a Constituent Assembly in

1. 1944
2. 1946
3. 1947
4. 1948

Answer: 2. 1946

Question 3. The number of members in the Drafting

1. 7
2. 8
3. 9
4. 10

Answer: 1. 7

Question 4. Legally and theoretically, the head of the Committee was government is

1. Chief Minister
2. Vice President
3. Governor
4. President

Answer: 4. President

Question 5. The dignity of the post of Vice President is next only to

1. Prime Minister
2. Speaker
3. President
4. Home Minister

Answer: 3. President

Question 6. The ‘soul’ or the ‘conscience’ of the Constitution is

1. Fundamental Rights
2. Directive Principles
3. Preamble
4. Fundamental Duties

Answer: 3. Directive Principles

Question 7. The constitutional head of the state government is

1. Chief Minister
2. Finance Minister
3. Finance Secretary
4. Governor

Answer: 4. Governor

Question 8. The Vice president is the ex officio chairman of

1. Lok Sabha
2. Rajya Sabha
3. Vidhan Sabha
4. Vidhan Parishad

Answer: 2. Rajya Sabha

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic B Right Of Life And Occupation And Mass Movements

Question 1 Discuss the causes of the Tebhaga movement. Analyse the role of this movement in ensuring the peasants’ rights.
Answer:

Causes Of The Tebhaga And The Role Of This Movement In Ensuring The Peasants’ Rights :-

In 1946, the peasants of Bengal organized a movement for ensuring their rights to have two-thirds of the produce of the land leased by the tears, following the recommendation of the Floud Commission.

This movement is known as the Tebhaga movement which is, undoubtedly, one of the most important peasants’ movements in the country during the post-independence period.

1. Causes: The causes behind the Tebhaga movement are not a few. However, the three most important reasons that turned the smouldering into a flare-up are given below:

1. The Economic slump in the 1940s:

Because of the depression in the economy in the 1940s, many peasants lost their land property and became sharecroppers.

Their penury sowed the seeds of agitation in their hearts.

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2. Resentment among sharecroppers:

The sharecroppers used to provide the cost of farming by themselves but they were devoid of their due share in the produce. It aggravated the situation.

3. Recommendation of the Floud Commission:

The brewing agitation erupted when the Floud Commission published its report containing the recommendation of dividing crops into three shares.

the two-thirds of which would be enjoyed by the sharecroppers and the rest by the tears.

2. Initiation of the movement:

The Tebhaga movement was organized mainly by the Bengal Provincial Krishak Sabha, which launched the movement in September 1946 for the implementation of the recommendation of the Floud Commission.

The movement was most intensely felt in the districts of Dinajpur, Rangpur, Jalpaiguri, Khulna, Mymensingh, Jessore and the 24-Parganas.

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

In fact, no less than 19 districts across Bengal felt the fire of the movement.

3. Demands made by the peasants:

On at least two counts the action was indeed an insurrection.

First, the peasants demanded that they should get two-thirds of the crop since the landlords had virtually no participation in the production process in terms of capital input, labour and infrastructure.

Second, the tenants demanded that the harvest should be stacked on the tenant’s thrashing floor and the landlord would not get any share from the by-products like the straw.

4. Nature of agitation:

In some places, the peasants declared their zone as the Tebhaga area and Tebhaga committees were formed for the governance of the area locally.

Many landlords were compelled to withdraw their litigation filed against the Tebhaga activists and came to terms with them.

The movement was most successful in the districts of Jessore, Dinajpur and Jalpaiguri.

In fact, the movement grew stronger wherever there was a concentration of burglars or sharecroppers.

5. Leaders:

No less than seven million peasants and agricultural labourers actively took part in the Tebhaga movement.

Among its prominent leaders were Kansari Halder, Gajen Malik, Manik Hazra, Bijoy Mondal, etc.

6. Significance of the movement:

The Tebhaga Movement is probably the greatest peasant movement in the history of India. Initially, it was a movement of sharecroppers.

Later the small peasants also joined the hand with them as the gambit of the demands increased.

Gradually with the intensification of the movement the charter of demands even touched the revolutionary idea of land to tiller concept.

Prior to the Tebhaga many agrarian movements movement, developed within.

The framework of the Indian national movement but barring a few exceptions, their dominant ethos was Gandhian, as they adopted the methods of ‘passive resistance’ and ‘non-violence’.

But the Tebhaga movement was a sharp departure from this pattern.

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

It was the first consciously attempted revolt by a politicized peasantry in Indian history.

Question 2. Discuss the causes and the result of the Singur mass movement.
Answer:

Causes And The Result Of The Singur Mass Movement:-

Introduction:

Singur in Hooghly, West Bengal became a household name across India when in May 2006 the then-West Bengal Government announced that it would be the future location for a small car project.

The project promised to make cars, an increasingly important symbol of progress and modernity among the middle class, significantly more affordable.

Yet in Singur, the acquisition plan provoked an angry response, especially from the local peasants.

They formed a local committee, the Singur Krishi Jomi Raksha Committee, to oppose it.

In Kolkata also, activists sharply criticized the state government for dispossessing Singur’s small and marginal farmers.

To make way for a private industrial capital venture which would be heavily subsidised by public funds.

1. Causes:

The causes of the Singur Mass Movement may, therefore, be enumerated as follows:

1. Economic and social injustice:

The main crops of the fertile loamy soil of Singur were paddy, jute, potato, oil seeds and vegetables. Besides, the place was quiet.

advanced in horticulture. Almost 70 per cent of its agricultural lands produced three or four types of crops.

But when the state government decide to acquire land for building up industry, people like peasants, land owners, burglars and land owners.

dependent on agricultural land for subsistence, declared the struggle against such land acquisition.

The illegality of the acquisition has been substantially conceded by the Kolkata High Court.

2. Forcible Acquisition and Violence:

Ignoring the people’s voice, the then state voice, the then state government issued 13 notices under section 9(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1984 to the affected farmers.

It seemed that the state government would go to any extent to evict the people and hand over the land to them.

the car manufacturing company as over 400 people including several women and children were arrested or brutally assaulted by the police.

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

To restore peace the imposition of Section 144 in the area has been declared illegal by the Kolkata High Court.

3. Questions of compensation and rehabilitation:

The people staying in the proposed land were forced to evacuate by the then-state government.

compensation given was considered inadequate and new housing facilities offered were delayed.

Moreover, the number of direct jobs to be created by the development of industry was no more than about one thousand and many of those jobs were expected to go to the outsiders.

As a result, the local populace felt threatened for their livelihood. Besides, the environment of the locality is feared to be degraded.

Hence, the Singur mass movement leapt mainly out of two issues procedural inadequacies in the acquisition attempt.

Wherein the questions of hurried acquisition and limited compensation were involved; and development model-centric debates about whether the state should act as a facilitator for private projects.

The latter has gained momentum especially because the Singur farmers were erased from local policy decisions that supported fertile land acquisition for a car factory.

2. Consequences:

The subaltern farmers of Singur against forcible acquisition of their agricultural land by the then state government for promoting the corporate interests of an Indian MNC triggered national and international interest.

In the face of severe criticism and frequent protests, the Singur project was eventually abandoned.

It has attained cult status among mass movements ever since because the movement was a rare instance of a state government capitulating in the face of peasantry-led protests.

While neoliberalism has proven to be a challenge for the intellectuals who to date have not been able to address the issues with clarity.

the farmers of Singur were fully mobilized because they live in their flesh the effects of these politics.

However, in the development displacement narrative of India, Singur was neither the first nor the last one.

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic B Right Of Life And Occupation And Mass Movements Short Analytical Type Questions

1. Write a short note on the Telengana movement.
Answer:

Telangana Movement:-

The Telangana movement (1948-51) was an armed revolt of peasants under the leadership of the Communist Party of India against oppressive landlordism patronized by the autocratic rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad.

The sufferings of the peasants intensified with the onset of the Second World War, as they were subjected to increasing numbers of exploitative taxes and levies and forced to perform ‘betties’ (free labour).

Class 8 History WBBSE

Men, women and children from different villagers were organized by the Communists into armed guerilla squads to fight exploitative landlords and armed battalions of the Nizam called ‘razakars’.

So far the demands of the poor agricultural classes were concerned the Telangana movement was a failure.

Like all other peasant resistance movements in India, though, the Telangana peasant resistance has become the source of legends and inspiration for the radical left in India.

Question 2. Write the causes of the Telangana movement.
Answer:

Causes Of The Telangana Movement:-

The following were the main causes of the Telangana peasant movement.

1. Feudal structure of administration:

In both the systems of administrations, i.e., jagir and khalsa the peasants of Hyderabad were exploited by the intermediaries appointed by Nizam.

High taxes, fraud with records and exploitation resulted in creating discontent among the poor peasants.

2. The exploitation of big peasants:

The exploitation of small peasants and agricultural labourers was legitimised by the big farmers. It was considered to be the privilege of the ‘Dora’ to exploit the masses of peasants.

3. The state of slavery:

Systems like ‘bagels’ and ‘betties’ were prevalent in the state of Nizam. Poor peasants, particularly the tribals, were the victims of such systems.

Class 8 History WBBSE

4. Role of Reddis and Kammars:

The Reddis and Kammars were notable castes who traditionally worked as traders and moneylenders.

They wanted to pull down the dominance of Brahmins as agriculturists in the state.

5. Land alienation:

Between 1910 and 1940, the frequency of land dispossession increased. Eventually, the land was possessed by the non-cultivating urban people mostly Brahmins.

Marwaris and Muslims increased and on the other hand, the tribal peasants got reduced to the status of marginal farmers and landless labourers.

As a result of all these, the peasants of Telangana were only waiting for some opportunity to engineer some insurrection.

Question 3. Give two positive results of the Telengana movement.
Answer:

Two Positive Results Of The Telengana Movement:-

The Telangana movement yielded at least two positive results.

First, in this movement, the struggle of the peasantry became a mass movement that successfully toppled the biggest autocratic and feudalistic rule of India, i.e. the rule of Nizam.

Second, the ‘betties’ system came to be abolished due to this movement. Again in 1949, jagirdarism was abolished too.

Question 4. What was the Chipko movement?
Answer:

Chipko Movement:-

Chipko movement, a non-violent, social and ecological movement by rural people, particularly women, in India in the 1970s, aimed at protecting trees and forests slated for government-backed logging.

The movement originated in the Himalayan region in 1973.

The Hindu word ‘Chipko’ means to ‘hug’ or ‘to cling’ and reflects the demonstrators’ primary tactic of embracing trees to impede the loggers.

Question 5. What was the Appiko movement?
Answer:

Appiko Movement:-

The Appiko movement, one of the forest-based environmental movements of India, took place in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka in the Western Ghats in 1950.

The movement had a threefold objective

1.  to protect existing forest cover,
2.  to regenerate trees in denuded land and
3.  the utilization of forest wealth with proper consideration of the conservation of natural resources.

The activists with the help of a local popular organization called the Parisara Samrakshana Kendra embraced the trees which were to be felled by contractors of the forest department.
Class 8 History WBBSE

Question 6. What was the Silent Valley movement?
Answer:

Silent Valley Movement:-

In 1976, a dam was to be constructed at Silent Valley, Kerala, from where the river Kunthipuzha originates.

The people’s movement to prevent the Silent Valley project was the first significant milestone in Indian environmental history.

that brought national and international attention to the forests and intervention from Prime Minister.

On September 7, 1985, the area was notified as a National Park and since then a long-term conservation effort has been undertaken to preserve the Silent Valley ecosystem.

Question 7 What was the Save Narmada movement?
Answer:

Save Narmada Movement:-

The Save Narmada Movement was the most powerful mass movement started in 1985, against the construction of a huge dam on the Narmada River.

The proposed Sardar SarovarDam and Narmada Sagar were apprehended to displace more than two and a half lac people and so, the fight was over the resettlement or the rehabilitation of those people.

The movement has succeeded in generating a debate across the subcontinent which has encapsulated the conflict between two opposing styles of development.

One is massively destructive of people and the environment in the quest for large-scale industrialisation.

the other consists of replicable small-scale decentralised, democratic and ecologically sustainable options.

The activists of the movement harmoniously integrated with both local communities and nature.

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic B Right Of Life And Occupation And Mass Movements State Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False

Question 1. The Tebhaga movement spread in many parts of the Hyderabad region.
Answer: False

Question 2. Agricultural labour is the peasants who work on another’s land as a daily wage
earner.
Answer: True

Question 3. Chipko movement is a tribal movement.
Answer: False

Class 8 History WBBSE

Question 4. The Silent Valley movement took place in Tamil Nadu.
Answer: False

Question 5. Singur is a group development block in the Hooghly district.
Answer: True

Question 6. In Telangana, political and civic rights used to be curbed in a number of ways.
Answer: True

Question 7. 16th September 2016 was observed as ‘Singur Day’.
Answer: False

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic B Right Of Life And Occupation And Mass Movements Fill In The Blanks By Selecting The Appropriate Expressions From The Brackets

Question 1. The ________ (Floud/Simon/Rayleigh) Commission recommended the division of crops into three shares.

Answer: Flood

Question 2. Chipko means ________ (fight/ attack/hug).

Answer: hug

Question 3. Singur was quite advanced in ________ (aquaculture/horticulture/animal husbandry).

Answer: horticulture

Question 4. The car manufacturing company decided to leave Singur on ________ (3rd October/2nd June/5th May) 2008.

Answer: 3rd October

Question 5. For building the car manufacturing factory in Singur ________ (5/6/7) mouzas were identified.

Answer: 5

Class 8 History WBBSE

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic B Right Of Life And Occupation And Mass Movements Answer In A Complete Sentence

Question 1. “Stock rice in your own farms”–was the rallying cry of which movement?
Answer: The above-mentioned rallying cry was of the Tebhaga movement.

Question 2. Who is known as ‘patta dar’?
Answer: A patta dar is a peasant who has. received the ‘patta’ or deed over land only temporarily.

Question 3. Who is known as ‘baradari’?
Answer: A baradari is a peasant who tills another’s land in exchange for shares of crops produced in the land.

Question 4. State the reason for the Appiko movement.
Answer: The Appiko movement was organised to address the issue of the conservation of the dense woodlands in the western ghat ranges in Karnataka in South India.

Question 5. Who was at the forefront of the Singur movement?
Answer: Mamata Bandyopadhyay was at the forefront of the Singur movement.

Question 6. “Singur will be a world model for agricultural lands.”–who said this?
Answer: Mamata Bandyopadhyay said this.

Question 7. Which day was observed as ‘Singur Day’?
Answer: 14th September 2016 was observed as the ‘Singur Day’.

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic B Right Of Life And Occupation And Mass Movements Select The Most Appropriate Explanation For The Following Statement

Question 1. The issue of the right to land, water bodies and forestry triggered a conflict between the colonial state and its people.

1. The colonial government wanted to take steps for the preservation of wildlife.
2. People felt that the colonial government would destroy the flora and fauna of those areas.
3. The colonial government framed some laws that compelled the people to give up their rights over natural resources.

Answer: 3. The colonial government framed some laws that compelled the people to give up their rights over natural resources.

Question 2. In the decade of 1940s, a large section of the rural population turned into burglars.

1. Recommendation of the Floud Commission was implemented.
2. Telangana peasant movement flared up.
3. There was an economic downturn and famine in the 1940s.

Answer: 3. There was an economic downturn and famine in the 1940s.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

Question 3. When Srimati Mamata Bandyopadhyay became the chief minister of West Bengal, she took the decision of returning the lands to the peasants of Singur.

1. Srimati Mamata Bandyopadhyay herself organized the Singur movement and led it from the front.
2.  Thousands of land owners, pattadars, burglars, landless peasants and sharecroppers requested Mamata Bandyopadhyay to do that.
3.  Indian MNC, Tata, dropped their Singur car project.

Answer: 1. Srimati Mamata Bandyopadhyay herself organized the Singur movement and led it from the front.

Question 4. A legion of men and women became involved in the Save Narmada movement at the beginning of the decade of 1970s.

1. People demanded the prohibition of felling trees for commercial purposes.
2. Because of the project of building a dam, about 21 people were on the verge of losing life and livelihood and the tribal populations were deprived of their rights in forests.
3. The forestry of the region came under serious threat.

Answer: 2. Because of the project of building a dam, about 21 people were on the verge of losing life and livelihood and the tribal populations were deprived of their rights in forests.

Question 5. The biggest autocratic and feudalistic rule of India, the rule of Nizam, was toppled.

1.  It was due to the Chipko movement.
2. The Telangana movement. turned out to be a peasant cum mass movement.
3. The Tebhaga movement went very close to becoming an armed rebellion.

Answer: 2. The Telengana movement. turned out to be a peasant cum mass movement.

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic B Right Of Life And Occupation And Mass Movements Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.’Betti’s system was abolished due to

1. Tebhaga movement
2. Telangana movement
3. Chipko movement
4. Silent Valley movement

Answer: 2. Telangana movement

Question 2. Chipko movement was organised in

1. North India
2. South India
3. West India
4. East India

Answer: 1. North India

Question 3. The district headquarter of Hooghly is

1. Arambagh
2. Chunchurah
3. Chandennagar
4. Serampore

Answer: 2. Chunchurah

Question 4. Rajkumar Bhul was the agricultural labour of

1. Champadanga
2. Jangipara
3. Maheswarpur
4. Gopalnagar

Answer: 4. Gopalnagar

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

Question 5. Who among the following was the protestor of the Singur movement?

1. Sumit Sarkar
2. Irfan Habib
3. Upinder Singh
4. Gyanendra Pandey

Answer: 1. Sumit Sarkar

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic C Miscellaneous Strike The Odd One Out

Question 1. Chief Minister, Professor, Doctor, Barrister.
Answer: Chief Minister

Question 2. Panchayat, Municipal Corporation, Zilla Parishad, Club.
Answer: Club

Question 3. High Court, District Court, Zilla Parishad, Supreme Court.
Answer: Zilla Parishad

Question 4. Vice President, Speaker, Election Commission, Governor.
Answer: Election Commission

Question 5. Chairman of Zilla Parishad, Block Chairman, Gram Pradhan, Councillor.
Answer: Councillor

Question 6. Scheduled Caste, Harijans, Dalit, Brahmin.
Answer: Brahmin

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Question 7. Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti, Bidhan Sabha, Gram Panchayat.
Answer: Bidhan Sabha

Question 8. Right to equality, Right to work, Right to freedom, Right to Religion
Answer: Right to work

Question 9. Pranab Mukherjee, Pratibha Patil, APJ Abdul Kalam, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Answer: Dr. Manmohan Singh

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic C Miscellaneous Match The Columns

Answer: A-2,B-4,C-1,D-3

Answer: A-4,B-1,C-3,D-2

Answer: A-2,B-1,C-4,D-3

Answer: A-3,B-1,C-4,D-2

Answer: A-3,B-1,C-4,D-2

Answer: A-2,B-3,C-4,D-1

Answer: A-2,B-1,C-4,D-3

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic C Miscellaneous Find The Odd One Out

Question 1. Secular, sovereign, Capitalist democratic
Answer: Capitalist

Question 2. President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Governor.
Answer: Governor

Question 3. Municipality, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Bidhan Sabha.
Answer: Rajya Sabha

Question 4. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar.
Answer: B.R. Ambedkar

Question 5. 15th August 26th January, 26th November, and 20th March (on the basis of independent India).
capitalistic,
Answer: 20th March

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

Chapter 9 Constitution Of India: Democratic Structure And Citizen’s Rights Topic C Miscellaneous Choose Which Statement Is Right And Which Wrong

Question 1. The constitution is a collection of laws of the judiciary.
Answer: False

Question 2. The chief architect of the Indian Constitution is B.R. Ambedkar.
Answer: True

Question 3. The President is the actual administrator of India.
Answer: False

Question 4 The Chief Minister presides over the Rajya Sabha.
Answer: False

Question 5 West Bengal has a three-tier Panchayat system.
Answer: True

Answer briefly

Question 1. Why was a need felt for drawing up the Constitution of India at the time of achieving freedom?
Answer:

A Need Felt For Drawing Up The Constitution Of India At The Time Of Achieving Freedom:-

1 Ruling the state of India:

India became independent on August 15, 1947. Since the newborn state was an institution, its affairs had to be conducted legally.

So it was necessary to frame a constitution.

In the context of the state, the constitution is a set of laws by which the powers and functions of government, the rights of citizens, and the relationship between the state and citizens are conducted.

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

2. Fulfilment of the demands of Indians and solution of problems:

In British India, the demands of the Indians were not satisfied. Again, a number of problems had to be. faced by the newly independent state.

So the Indian Constitution was framed to fulfill the demands of the Indians and to solve all their problems.

Question 2. Explain the significance of the word ‘democratic in the Constitution of India.
Answer:

Significance Of The Word Democratic In The Constitution Of India:-

1 Wider meaning:

In a wider sense, the word ‘democratic’ in the Indian Constitution means the establishment of equality in social, economic, and political fields.

2. Real meaning:

In the real sense, the word democratic means the selection of rulers through an adult franchise.

In India, the administration is conducted by representatives elected through a universal adult franchise.

From this point of view, it can be said that the Indian administrative system is democratic.

Question 3. Why is India called a secular state?
Answer:

Secular State:-

The Constitution describes India as a secular country.

1. Secularism:

India maintains a neutral role in the matter of religion. Every person, irrespective of race, religion, caste, and gender, can practice, preach and propagate his religion.

2. Impartiality:

India is not biased toward any religion. This means that India neither supports nor opposes any religion.

However, for the wider interest of all Indians, the state may at times impose some reasonable restrictions on the right to religion.

Question 4. What initiatives were taken up by Mahatma Gandhi to establish the rights of the Dalits?
Answer:

Initiatives Were Taken Up By Mahatma Gandhi To Establish The Rights Of The Dalits:-

Gandhiji took several initiatives to establish the rights of the Dalits.

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1. Foundation of All India Harijan Sangh:

Gandhiji founded the All India Harijan Sangh for the overall welfare of the Dalits and Harijans.

This organization organized and directed movements to establish the rights of the Dalits and to oppose untouchability.

2. Attempt to grant the right to education:

Gandhiji set up a number of educational institutions to grant the right to education to the Dalits under the initiative of Harijan Sevak Sangh.

Here are the Dalits. were given free education.

3. Grant right to enter temples:

Inspired by Gandhiji’s ideals the Bombay Congress passed a law to allow the Dalits and the Harijans to enter temples.

4 Grant other rights:

Sweepers’ Union, Abasan Samiti, and Samavaya Hrin Samiti grew up with Gandhiji’s active help. of their personalities are called Fundamental Rights.

Question 5. What Fundamental Rights have been mentioned in the Constitution of India?
Answer:

Fundamental Rights Have Been Mentioned In The Constitution Of India:-

1. Definition:

The rights of the citizens are unavoidable for the development

2. Different forms:

The Indian Constitution mentions six Fundamental Rights. These are

1. Right to Equality,
2. Right to Freedom,
3. Right against Exploitation,
4. Right to Freedom of Religion,
5. Cultural and Educational
6. Rights and Right to Constitutional Remedies.

3. Rectification:

Initially Right to Property was included in the Fundamental Rights but this right was removed from the category of Fundamental Rights by the 44th Amendment carried out in 1978.

Write In Your Own Words

Question 1. Explain the Preamble to the Constitution of India. How do you think the word ‘Republic’ mentioned in the Preamble has been actually realized?
Answer:

Explanation Of The Preamble

1. Explanation of the Preamble:

1. Sovereign:

‘Sovereign’ means India is completely free from foreign control, both internally and externally, and possesses supreme power.

2. Socialist:

Although the Preamble describes India as a socialist state, socialism has not been established in the real sense of the term. Here mixed economy is discernible.

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3. Secular:

As a secular country India neither supports nor opposes any religion. All religions get equal recognition here.

4. Democratic:

Democratic means the Indian administration is based on public opinion.

5. Republic:

Republic means that the post of the head of the state is not hereditary and is elected by the public directly or indirectly.

Dispute Over Achievement Of ‘Republic’-

1. Meaning of ‘Republic’:

The word ‘republic’ means the rule of the people or the subjects. It implies that the head of the state does not hold his post hereditarily.

He is indirectly elected by the public. Here there is no place for a king or monarchy.

According to the Constitution of India, the source and guardian of the Indian administration are the people.

So the Indian constitution contains the word ‘republic’.

2. Realisation or achievement of the republic:

In India republic exists according to the Constitution. This is because it is through the vote of the public that the party winning the majority of votes comes to power.

The leader of the party becomes the Prime Minister. Apart from this, the Indian administration has the President at its head.

He is also indirectly elected by the people through their elected representatives. So it can be said that in India the supremacy of the public has been recognised.

So the word ‘republic’ mentioned in the Constitution has been achieved.

Question 2. Discuss the activities of the Prime Minister of India and the Chief Minister of a state: What are their respective roles in the governance of the century and the state?
Answer:

The Activities Of The Prime Minister Of India And The Chief Minister Of A State Rspective Roles In The Governance Of The Century And The State:-

Introduction:

The Constitution does not give a detailed explanation of the powers and functions of the Prime Minister.

The powers and functions have been determined on the model of the Prime Minister of England and also on the basis of the prevalent rituals and practices.

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Powers And Functions Of Prime Minister-

1. Chief Advisor to the President:

According to Article 74. cl.1. the Prime Minister is the Chief Advisor to the President.

According to the 42nd Amendment the President is bound to obey the Prime Minister’s advice.

2. Link between the President and the Cabinet:

The Prime Minister acts as a connecting link between the President and the Cabinet ministers.

He informs the President about the proceedings of the administration and legal proposals or bills.

3. Leader of Cabinet:

The Prime Minister is the leader and chief director of the Cabinet. All the other Cabinet ministers are appointed by the President on his advice.

He also has the power to distribute departments and assign tasks to the ministers of the Cabinet.

4. Authority over the Cabinet:

The Prime Minister has full authority over his Cabinet.

He has the power to determine the agenda of the Cabinet, to advise the ministers, and to maintain coordination among the various departments. According to Dr. V. D. Mahajan,

“The Prime Minister is like a moon among the stars.” Again, others have described him as ‘the foremost among people of the same status.’

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5. Leader of Parliament:

The Prime Minister is appointed as the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha. So he is the leader of the house also.

He can be present in either house (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) of the parliament.

He possesses the power to fix the date for meetings, determine the duration of sessions, and prepare the agenda.

6. Determining foreign policy:

The Prime Minister plays an important role in determining foreign policy. The Prime Minister’s opinion is final in the matter of employing ambassadors.

7. Popular leader:

The Prime Minister is directly elected by the people.

So he acts as a link between the government and the public.

He conveys the aims, objectives, and agenda of the government to the public at a scheduled time.

The Chief Minister is the real administrator of the state and plays a vital role in the state administration.

1. Conducting administration:

A Cabinet of ministers conducts the state administration under the leadership of the Chief Minister.

The governor appoints the members of the Cabinet on the recommendation of the Chief Minister.

2. As the Governor’s advisor:

The Chief Minister is the Chief Advisor to the Governor. The Governor transacts all activities according to the Chief Minister’s advice.

3 Public Relations:

An important task of the Chief Minister is to maintain public relations.

The Chief Minister has to determine the government policies and carry on the activities according to public opinion.

4. Leader of Bidhan Sabha:

As a leader of the Bidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister calls sessions, postpones them, and dissolves the Bidhan Sabha if necessary.

Question 3. How is the idea of democracy emphasized through local self-government in West Bengal? Discuss with reference to your local experience.
Answer:

The Idea Of Democracy Emphasized Through Local Self-Government In West Bengal With Reference To Your Local Experience:-

Introduction:

There is a local self-government system in West Bengal. It includes the three-tier system of the Gram Panchayat and the Municipal Corporation of the cities.

The rural system includes Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samity, and Zilla Parishad. Through this system of five years, the democratic system is implemented.

Local Self Government System And Democracy.

The three-tier system in the village:

1. Public participation:

An important feature of a democratic administrative system is the introduction of the local self-government system.

The common people can easily participate in this administrative system.

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Anybody can participate as a public representative by winning a municipal or panchayat election. These representatives conduct the local self-government system.

2. Representation through election:

The members of the local self-government system are elected by universal adult franchise.

One person represents 700 voters in a gram panchayat, one represents 4,500 in Panchayat Samiti and one represents 60,000 in Zilla Parishad.

3. Conduction of administration:

The local self-government is conducted in a democratic way. The members of Panchayat Samity and Zilla Parishad conduct public welfare work in a democratic manner.

Question 4. How does the Indian Constitution secure the rights of women? How important do you think economic Independence is necessary for the social empowerment of women?
Answer:

The Indian Constitution Secure The Rights Of Women And The Importance That I Think Economic Independence Is Necessary For The Social Empowerment Of Women:

Introduction:

In the Constitution of independent India, some rights have been granted to women.

They have been granted the right to participate in politics, right to freedom, right to legal security.

Woman’s Constitutional Rights

1. Right to participate in politics:

According to the 73rd and 74th amendments, one-third (33%) of seats have been reserved for women in Gram Panchayat and Municipal Corporation.

Therefore, the power and prestige of women, as people’s representatives in the local self-governed institutions, have increased.

2. Education System:

The Constitution also provides for equal educational opportunities for men and women.

According to articles 29 and 30 which deal with the rights to culture and education, attempts have been made to raise the social prestige of women by providing them with proper education.

3. Marriage system:

Some matrimonial laws were passed to improve the condition of women like the Widow Remarriage Act (1856), the Special Marriage Act (1954),

Hindu Marriage Act (1955) and Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (1956).

The main issues were the age of marriage, polygamy, divorce, alimony, widow remarriage, dowry, and adoption.

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4. Right to property:

The right of women to the property has been recognized. A wife, mother, unmarried daughter, and widow can inherit property.

According to Hindu Inheritance Act (1956), brothers and sisters have equal rights on the father’s property.

A deceased person’s widow, son, and daughter will have equal claim on his property.

5. Fundamental Rights:

Articles 12 to 35 in Part III of the Indian Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights.

The Right to Equality reduces the discrimination between men and women and the Right to Freedom grants women the right to express their opinions freely and live independent lives.

The other Fundamental Rights also protect the interests of women.

The state is also empowered to take necessary measures for the protection of the interests of women.

Need For Economic Independence To Establish Social Status Of Women

In order to consolidate women’s empowerment it is necessary to grant them more economic independence.

Like men, the social status of women is also dependent on economic freedom.

Economic independence not only grants social status and prestige to women but also reduces oppression and exploitation.

Moreover, economic freedom increases their self-confidence. Consequently, they can combat or resist all the problems in the path of life.

Question 5. What role has been played by the Indian Constitution in the development of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes?
Answer:

Role Has Been Played By The Indian Constitution In The Development Of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, And Other Backward Classes:-

Introduction:

The Constitution contains some provisions for the development of citizens belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.

Part XVI of the Constitution contains some special measures for the Scheduled Casts and Tribes.

Role Of the Constitution In the Development Of Other Backward Classes

1. Right to Equality:

Article 15 of the Constitution mentions equal social prestige for all citizens.

Article 16 states that all Indian citizens will be given equal opportunities for appointment government jobs and high posts.

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2. Elimination of untouchability:

Article 17 of the Constitution advocates, the abolition of untouchability.

No person can be deprived of his due privileges and rights or insulted simply on the ground of caste or untouchability.

Such actions will be regarded as legally punishable offenses.

The parliament passed the Offence of Untouchability Act in 1955 to put an end to untouchability.

3. Reservation in government jobs and education:

In government jobs, 15% of seats for Scheduled Castes and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes have been reserved.

27% of seats have been reserved for the backward classes on the recommendation of the Mandal Commission.

The same provisions apply in the educational sphere also. However, some changes have been made in the reservation procedure from primary school to the university

through a circular issued by the Government of West Bengal in 1944. According to this circular 22% and 6% seats have been reserved for

the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. respectively in government-recognized educational institutions.

4. Appointment of officers:

The President can appoint a special executive officer for the overall welfare of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribe, and other backward classes.

Article 338 of the Constitution mentions such a provision.

The task of such an officer is to make research on the facilities or provisions meant for the Scheduled Castes Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

The officer submits his report to the President who then places it before the parliament.

5. Other arrangements:

1. The Central Government provides special grants to the state governments. for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
2. The Parliament has a stable committee to see that the welfare measures are being carried out according to the terms of the Constitution.

Apart from this, Article 15. cl.4, Article 16. cl.4 and Article 5 contain different measures for their welfare.

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Imagine and write

Question 1. Suppose the local residents of your area have elected you as their representative to your Gram Panchayat or Municipality. What steps would you take for the development of your area?
Answer:

Steps I Would Like You Take For The Development Of My Area:-

Introduction:

If I am elected to the Gram Panchayat or the Municipal Corporation then I shall work hard for the overall development of my locality.

Programs For the Development Of Locality

1. Water supply:

I shall see to it that water is adequately supplied to all parts of my locality. I shall also take the initiative to clean the sources of water and keep them germ-free.

2. Adoption of self-reliant strategies:

I shall arrange exhibitions to create markets for local agricultural and handicraft commodities.

Apart from this, I shall set up and control markets, fairs, and haats to help the villagers to become self-dependent.

3 Public welfare:

I shall dig public ponds, maintain crematoriums and graveyards, build inns, rest houses, and guest houses, and supervise them.

I shall also initiate the ambulance service to carry patients.

4. Public health preservation:

I shall take preventive measures for cholera, smallpox, malaria, and other epidemics. At the same time, I shall set up health centers, child delivery centers, and child welfare centers.

I shall also build some public toilets and maintain them.

5. Electrification:

I shall take up the initiative of supplying electricity to every house and arrange for street lights on either side of the road.

I shall campaign for wider use of biogas and other unconventional sources of energy.

6. Environment protection:

I shall take some initiatives to protect the environment.

I shall arrange for proper garbage disposal, proper sewage, and tree plantation and care. I will also work to generate awareness.

7. Road building and maintenance:

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I shall build roads for public use and maintain them. I shall also protect public roads and places from illegal occupation.

8. Service of the destitute:

I shall look after the sick and the orphans. I shall try to rehabilitate the homeless. I shall help to build houses for the disabled, orphans, and homeless people.

I shall help the poor and backward classes to earn their livelihood.

9. Others:

I shall reclaim inferior lands and make them usable. I shall also take up home-building programs and build agricultural cooperatives.

I shall set up statues of great personalities. I shall try to elevate the standards of adult education, physical education, games and sports, music, theatre, and other cultural activities.

Question 2. Suppose you are a teacher. What program would you take up along with the students of your school to carry out together the fundamental duties mentioned in the constitution? Prepare a draft of the program.
Answer:

I Would Like To Take Up Along With The Students Of Our School To Carry Out Together The Fundamental Duties Mentioned In The ConstitutionA Draft Of The Program:-

Introduction: As a school teacher, I shall first give an idea of Fundamental Duties to my students. I shall arrange various programs with them to inculcate a sense of these duties.

Draft For Performing Fundamental Duties

1. Literacy Campaign:

It is mentioned in the Fundamental Duties that parents and guardians should provide education to all children between 6 and 14 years.

I shall campaign in the villages around the school for providing education. I shall involve my students to fulfill this fundamental duty.

2. Youth’s Day Celebration:

Swami Vivekananda’s birthday on January 12 is celebrated as National Youth’s Day. On this day we, teachers and students, will organize a program.

Here we will take up the ideals of patriotism and public service in conformity with the Fundamental Duties in the Constitution.

3. Celebration of Netaji’s Birthday:

We shall organize a program for Netaji’s birthday on January 23. On this day we shall take oaths of patriotism and defense of the country as a part of our Fundamental Duties.

There will be recitations of patriotic poems and literature and a procession with festoons and placards bearing Netaji’s photograph and speeches.

4. Celebration of Republic Day:

We shall take up some programs on January 26 to celebrate Republic Day as a part of our
‘Fundamental Duty’.

We, the teachers, shall put up the Constitution of India and its ideals before our students. We shall organize a morning musical procession. (Prabhat Pheri) from our school.

5. Science Day celebration:

February 2 is celebrated as Science Day in India. The Fundamental Duties mention ‘building up scientific mentality, inquisitiveness, and reformative attitude’.

According to this idea, we shall arrange a seminar on scientific topics in our school.

6. Celebration of Independence Day:

On August 15 we shall arrange for a discussion on the ideas of sovereignty, unity, and integrity as stated in Fundamental Duties.

We shall also organize a procession on behalf of our school to honor the national heroes and patriotic songs will also be sung.

7. Celebration of National Unity Day:

National Unit Day is observed on November 19. On this day we, along with the students, will take an oath of unity and brotherhood in accordance with Fundamental Duties.

We shall organize a debate in school on the need to establish fraternity rising above the difference of religion and caste.

8. Celebration of Flag Day:

The Flag Day is celebrated on December 7.

On this day, along with hoisting the National Flag, the children are also reminded that it is the duty of all of us to maintain and uphold the prestige of our national flag.

Additional Information

National Flag

1. Acceptance:

On July 22, 1947, the National Flag was approved by the Constitutional Committee.

The flag was hoisted at the Parliament House on the midnight of the 14th of August and it was dedicated in the name of the nation by the Women’s Society of India.

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2. Background of the present National Flag:

The All India Congress Committee met at Bejubara in 1916. In this meeting, a youth from Andhra Pradesh Pingali Venkaiya showed a model of the national flag.

Gandhiji added the white color and the wheel to it and gave it its present form.

3. Measurement:

The ratio of the length and breadth of the flag is 3:2. The three color bands have equal width.

4. Significance of the colors used:

The upper part contains saffron color which symbolizes | the Kolkata session of the National Congress.

The sacrifice and courage, the middle portion is white which symbolizes peace and truth, and the green color at the lower portion symbolizes faith and valor.

5. Chakra:

A wheel of Ashoka is drawn in blue on the white portion. It has been derived from the top of the lion pillar at Sarnath.

There are twenty-four spokes in it. It symbolizes our ancient culture as well as progressive and peaceful transformation.

National Emblem

1. Acceptance:

The Indian government accepted the Ashokan pillar as the national emblem on January 26, 1950. It was actually a model of the Ashokan Pillar at Sarnath.

2. Description:

The main pillar contains the model of four lions standing side by side and back to back. However, only three of them are visible on the emblem.

The pillar is placed on an altar and there is a wheel in the middle. There is an ox and a horse on the right and left sides respectively.

Below it, there is a transcription in Devanagari script and it is derived from Mundak Upanishad.

The inscription contains the words ‘Satyameva jayate’ meaning ‘truth always wins’.

3. Source:

This pillar, which is now used as the National Emblem, had been built by emperor Ashoka in 242-232 BC.

It was built at the place where Buddha had given his first sermon to his disciples on ‘Ashtangika Marga’.

National Anthem

1. Background:

The song ‘Jana Gana Mana was first sung on December 27, 1911, in the first stanza of this song which was published.

The title of ‘Bharat Vidhata’ in ‘Tatavabodhini’ (a journal edited by Rabindranath) in January 1912 became our national anthem later on.

2. Period:

It takes 52 seconds to sing the song but in some cases, the first and last stanza (the brief edition) takes 20 seconds to sing.

National Anthem: Jana Gana Mana

Composer: Rabindranath Tagore.

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2. Acceptance as national anthem: The Indian Parliamentary Committee accepted it as the national anthem on January 24, 1950.

3. English Translation: Rabindranath Tagore himself translated it in English in 1919 and named it ‘Morning Song of India’.

National Song Or Hymn

1. Background:

‘Vandemataram’ is a song that was included in the novel ‘Anandamath’ written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1882.

Rabindranath first presented the song in 1896 at the conference of the Indian National Congress. Later on, this song was included in the Indian Republic as the National Hymn.

2. Source: Anandamath

3. Composer: Bankim Chandra Chatterjee

4. Acceptance as National Song:

On January 24, 1950, the Indian Parliamentary Committee accepted it as the National Song.

5. English translation:

Aurobindo translated it into English in 1909 saying, ‘Mother, I bow to thee’.

Prime Ministers of India

Presidents Of India

Vice Presidents Of India

Speakers Of Lok Sabha

Governors Of West Bengal

Chief Ministers Bangal

National Event

Structure Of Constituent Assembly (1946)

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Salient points – At a glance

1. Ramkrishna Mission:

Ramakrishna Mission was founded by Swami Vivekananda and his associates on May 1, 1897. It aimed at reflecting Guru Ramkrishnadev’s ideal of serving fellow beings as God.

The members of Ramakrishna Math and Mission have been serving mankind irrespective of caste, creed, or religion till today.

The main center of the Mission is Belur on the banks of the Ganga and is popularly known as Belur Math. These institutions follow the Vedantas and recognize image worship.

They serve society through schools, libraries, health centers, and orphanages established by them.

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2. Academic Association:

Derozio founded a debate association named Academic Association in 1828 at the garden house of Sri Krishna Sinha at Manicktala.

Derozio was the president and his student Umesh Chandra Bose was the secretary of the association. In fact, this association was the first student organization in India.

At the various conferences of this association, discussions and debates on philosophy, history, sociology, casteism in Hindu society, untouchability, and idolatry were held.

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3. Damin I Koh:

The word Damin l Koh literally means a ‘hilly frontier province’.

The Santhals, a tribal group who inhabited the forested areas of Bengal and Bihar, became victims of oppression by the landlords and moneylenders as a result of the introduction of the Permanent Settlement system.

So they left their original homes and shifted to Rajmahal Hills and a part of the forested area of Murshidabad. They cleared the forests and began to cultivate the land.

They named this place of new settlement ‘Damin-i-koh’.

4. Munda Ulgulan:

The Munda Revolt that broke out in 1899-1900 was known as ‘Munda Ulgulan’. The land of the Mundas was being slowly taken away by outsiders.

So the rebellion aimed at driving away the outsiders and establishing self-rule under their leader Birsa.

Millions of Mundas joined hands together and took the pledge of terminating the British domination over their land.

The Ulgulan come to an end with the death of Birsa Munda and the cruel suppression of the revolt by the British.

5. Nil Darpan:

The drama ‘Nil Darpan’ was written by Dinabandhu Mitra in 1858-59 on the backdrop of the Indigo Revolt in Bengal. It was translated into English by Michael Madhusudan Dutta.

This translation revealed the torture and oppression meted out to the cultivators by the indigo planters.

6. Enfield Rifle:

In 1857 the British authorities decided that the sepoys would have to use the new Enfield rifle instead of the old ‘Brown base’ muskets.

The outer shell of the cartridge of the Enfield rifle was made of the fat of cow and pig. The shells had to be bitten off before fitting the cartridge into the rifle.

This enraged both Hindus and Muslims as this directly hurt their religious sentiments and they broke out into revolt.

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7. Mopala Revolt:

Many Arabian traders lived on the Malabar coast in South India and their descendants were called Mopalas. The Mopalas were mainly agriculturists, small traders, and fishermen.

When the Zamindars imposed illegal taxes upon them and raised. the rate of revenue they became rebellious.

The revolt of these Mopala peasants against the tyranny of the landlords in 1873-1896 is known as Mopala Revolt. However, this revolt was suppressed by the army.

8. Sepoy Revolt in Meerut:

On May 10, 1857, some sepoys were speaking to the civilians near the army barrack in Meerut UP.

On the day before, 85 sepoys were imprisoned and kept in chains by Colonel Carmichael Smith for refusing to use the Enfield Rifle.

At that time a regiment of white soldiers was marching toward the church. A young boy suddenly raised a hue saying ‘Whites are coming’, which created a misconception that the Whites were coming to imprison the Indian sepoys.

This infuriated the civilians who joined the Indian soldiers and captured the arsenal as well as killed some British soldiers. Thus the sepoy revolt was triggered off in Meerut.

9. Bamboo Castle:

The Wahabi Movement in Bengal was led by Titu Mir or Titu Mian.

He declared himself as the ‘Badshah’ and began to carry on a parallel administration from a bamboo castle constructed at Narkelberia.

This was at a distance of 10km from the Baduria police station of 24 Parganas.

His Prime Minister was Mainuddin, his Commander in chief was his nephew Ghulam Masum and Mishin Shah was the Chief of Espionage.

William Bentinck sent the 10th infantry under Colonel Stuart to suppress Titu Mir. The army destroyed the Bamboo Castle and Titu was killed.

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10. Shuddhi Or Purification Movement:

A split could be seen in the Honda society due to large-scale conversion.

So Swami Dayanand, the founder of Arya Samaj tried to protect Hindu society from disintegrating.

He took up a purification programme to reconvert the Hindus who had adopted other religions, to bring the non-Hindus into the fold, to resist the influence of other religions, and to build up a unified Indian society.

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic A Reformation Movement Descriptive Questions

1. Discuss the contribution of Raja Ram- Mohan Roy as a social reformer.
Answer:

Contribution Of Raja Ram- Mohan Roy As A Social Reformer:-

Introduction:

Raja Rammohan Roy was a man of modern rationalistic thoughts and a secular outlook. He was the first person to dream and speak of a superstition-free society and religion.

It was due to his constant efforts to reform Indian society that he was called the ‘Maker of modern India’.

Contribution Of Raja Rammohan Roy As A Reformer

1. Abolition of Suttee:

in the then-Hindu society, a widow was forcibly burnt on the same pyre as her dead husband.

Rammohan gave the interpretation of different scriptures to show that Sati was not sanctioned by religion.

He tried to build up public opinion against the practice. The then Governor-General Lord William Bentinck finally abolished Sati by issuing Regulation no 17.

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2. Opposition of casteism:

Rammohan was absolutely against casteism. He wrote essays and articles against the caste distinctions prevalent in society and also translated his protests into Bengali.

3. Progress of Women:

Rammohan felt that society and civilization would suffer a setback if women were not given their due rights.

So he wanted to solve the issues of women and improve their condition. He gave priority to six things

1.  to establish the rights of wives and daughters on the property of the husbands and fathers respectively,
2. to spread women’s education smoothly and universally,
3. to arrange for widow remarriage,
4. to rectify the laws concerning the daughter’s marriage,
5.  to ban child marriage,
6. to protect women from the vices of Kulinism.

4. Other reforms:

1. Protest against restricting the freedom of the press:

The British government tried to enact laws to restrict the freedom of the press.

Rammohan raised a strong protest and sent petitions to the Kolkata Supreme Court and also to the Monarch of England in 1823.

2. Protest against polygamy:

He also protested against polygamy which was prevalent among men at that time.

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3. Opposition to Jury laws:

Rammohan also protested against the discriminatory Jury Laws in 1827.

4. Abolition of Zamindari:

Rammohan demanded that the government should do away with the Zamindari system and make direct land lease agreements with the farmers.

5. Appointment at high posts:

Rammohan vehemently criticized the government for not appointing Indians to high posts in the government.

Question 2 Assess the contribution of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar as a reformer.
Answer:

Contribution Of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar As A Reformer:-

Introduction:

Ishwarchandra Vidya Sagar was one of those reformers who made a significant contribution during the Renaissance period of Bengal in Bengal in the 19th century.

Rabindranath paid a tribute to Vidyasagar by saying that Providence had entrusted Vidyasagar with the task of civilizing the land of Bengal.

Contribution Of Vidyasagar As A Reformer

1. As a social reformer:

1. Widow Remarriage:

It was under his initiative that a petition containing the signature of many distinguished persons supporting widow remarriage.

was sent to the members of the Indian Legislative Council on 4th October 1855.

Then the British government under Dalhousie passed the Widow Remarriage Act on 26th July 1856 by issuing Regulation no 15.

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2. Opposition to child marriage:

Vidyasagar presented the torment and agony of the lives of young Hindu widows for the first time in the first edition of ‘Sarbashuvakari Patrika’.

It was due to his constant efforts that the British government passed legislation that the minimum age for a girl’s marriage should be 10 years.

3. Protest against polygamy:

Vidyasagar sent a petition containing the signatures of 50,000 persons opposing polygamy to the British government in 1855 with

the help of the Maharaja of Burdwan Mahtab Chand. The government appointed a committee to make legislation to stop polygamy.

4. Other reforms:

Vidyasagar also condemned casteism, untouchability, child sacrifice in Gangasagar, and drunkenness and invited others to join in the protest.

2. As an educational reformer:

1. Spread of women’s education:

Vidyasagar, the pioneer of women’s education, established the Hindu Balika Vidyalaya in 1849 with the help of John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune.

The school is called Bethune School. He established girls’ schools in different districts on his own initiative and about 1300 girls were provided education in these schools.

He established the Bhagwati Vidyalaya at Birsinha in 1890 in memory of his mother.

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2. Introduction of modern curriculum:

He wrote books like ‘Varnamala’, ‘Kathamala’ and ‘Bodhodaya’ and introduced subjects like arithmetic, geometry, ethics, political science, and physical education into the curriculum of Sanskrit College.

3. Increasing the facility of higher education:

Vidyasagar admitted students from all sections of society to Sanskrit College. He also founded the Metropolitan Institution (Modern Vidyasagar College) in 1870 to impart higher education.

Question 3. Give an account of Derozio and the Young Bengal Movement.
Answer:

Introduction:

A group of youths in Bengal was enlightened by Western education in the first half of the 19th century. They organized a social reform movement under

the leadership of Derozio who was a professor at Hindu College and was inspired by the philosophy of Bentham. This movement was popularly known as Young Bengal Movement.

Derozio And Young Bengal Movement

1. Ideals:

Derozio always preached in favor of rationalism and independent thinking. The young Bengal group under his leadership began to protest against the prevalent beliefs and superstitions.

They wanted to do away with all pretensions and false elaborate rituals. Derozio always advised his followers to uphold truth and get rid of falsehood.

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2. Emergence of Young Bengal Association:

A group of youths was attracted by the rationalistic philosophy of Western thinkers like Rousseau, Voltaire, Hume, and Locke.

This group, inspired by the ideals of Derozio, a professor of History and English Literature at Hindu College, emerged as the ‘Young Bengal Association’.

3. Social reforms:

The members of the Young Bengal Association protested against the superstitions, casteism, and untouchability prevalent in Hindu society.

They wanted to do away with the Sati system and also protested against other vices like slavery, violence against women, child marriage, polygamy, and bonded labor.

4. Derozio’s contribution:

Derozio advised his followers to discard superstitions, develop a rationalistic outlook and search for truth instead of taking things for granted.

His poems ‘Fakir of Janghira’ and ‘Swadesher Pran’ reflect his patriotism. As a teacher, he always tried to make his students rational and capable of independent thinking.

He built up the first students’ organization in India, which was called the ‘Academic Association’, in 1828.

5. End of the Movement:

After the death of Derozio, his students continued the movement for some time.

When most of them deserted and became established in their personal life, the movement came to an end.

The movement was mainly confined to the city and they were indifferent toward the demands and grievances of the masses.

The movement also failed due to their deviation from ideals, rashness, and lack of any constructive agenda.

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Question 4. Assess the contribution of Veersalingam Pantulu in the establishment of modern Andhra.
Answer:

Contribution Of Veersalingam Pantulu In The Establishment Of Modern Andhra:-

Introduction:

Kandukuri Veersalingam Pantulu was the father of the Renaissance in Andhra Pradesh. He tried to pave the way for social development by raising the moral standard of the man.

Mahadev Govind Ranade had called him ‘Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar of the south’ for his social reforms.

Contribution Of Veersalingam-

1. Social vehemently development:

Veersalingam condemned casteism, untouchability, and oppression of the lower classes by the upper classes.

He also protested against the corruption and tyranny of British judges and officials.

He founded some social services organizations like Sangha Sanskaar Samajam (1876), Prarthana Samajam (1878), and Stri Punarvivah Samajam (1880).

2. Telugu Literature:

Veersalingam was the father of Telugu literature and journalism. He was the pioneer in writing novels, dramas, physical science, and history books.

He composed ‘Satyaraja Purvadesh Yatralu’ and ‘Rajshekhara Charitrama’ in imitation of Jonathan Swift’s ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ and Goldsmith’s ‘The Vicar of Wakefield’ respectively.

His authoritative work was ‘The Lives of Telugu Poets’.

3. Women’s Welfare:

He voiced his protest against child marriage, polygamy, the devadasi system, and keeping concubines and professional dancers and songstresses.

He founded Rajamundri Samaj Sanskara Samity (1878).and Vidhava Vivah Samity (1881).

The first widow remarriage was held in Andhra Pradesh under his initiative on 11th December 1881.

He also established homes for widows in Mysore (1907) and Bangalore (1910). He was helped in all these activities by his wife and inseparable companion Rajlaxmi.

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4. Spread of mass education:

He set up girls’ schools in Doaleshwaram (1878) and Rajahmundry (1884) to spread mass education. He also established schools for women, Harijans, and laborers.

He appointed ladies from lower classes who were trained in vocational education as teachers.

Some of the institutions founded by him were Balbharati Samity, National Hich School, and Vande Mataram High School.

Question 5. Assess the contribution of Shri Narayan Guru in the social reformation and cultural spheres of South India in the 19th. century.
Answer:

Contribution Of Shri Narayan Guru In The Social Reformation And Cultural Spheres Of South India In The 19th. Century:-

Introduction:

Shri Narayan Guru was a saint, thinker, and reformer who led the religious and social movements in Kerala in the second half of the 19th century.

1. Principles:

The three main principles or ideals of the Narayan Guru were

1. to educate oneself and get rid of superstitions;
2. to become united to achieve power;
3. to bring about economic development through industrialization. He founded an organization named ‘Shri Narayan Dharma Paripalan Yogam on 15th May 1903 to preach his ideals.

Contribution Of Narayan Guru-

1. Protest against untouchability:

The main teaching of Shri Narayan Guru was that ‘man is one race, religion is one and God is one’.

He condemned untouchability and tried to build up public opinion in favor of allowing the backward classes to enter the temples freely and also for establishing their social rights.

2. Vaikam Satyagraha:

Most of the people of Kerala belonged to the Lihava sect. They were not allowed to use the path of a Hindu temple at Vaikam.

Narayan Guru was the first person to take up this cause and he started a movement called the ‘Vaikam Satyagraha’ in 1924 to enable these people to use the said path.

An Ijhava priestly class was created and many of the Ijhavas were appointed in the kitchens.

This created confidence among these people who were considered to belong to a lower class.

3. Establishment of educational institutions:

Narayan Guru wanted to uplift the cultural and moral standards of the lower caste people through education. So he organized a fund and called for donations.

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

1. Evaluation:

Initially, the reform movement led by Narayan Guru was aimed at the development of the Ijhavas, but it, later on, became an anti-casteism movement.

Thus Shri Narayan Guru added a new dimension to the Hindu reform movement by establishing social rights of the backward classes in Kerala.

Question 6. Assess the contribution of Jyotirao Phule to the reform movement in Maharashtra in the 19th century.
Answer:

The Contribution Of Jyotirao Phule To The Reform Movement In Maharashtra In The 19th Century:-

Introduction:

The name of Jyotirao Govind Phule deserves a special mention in the social reform movement in Maharashtra in the 19th century. He was determined to bring about

the universal development of all lower caste people including the Sudras.

Jyotirao Phule and his wife Savitribai made a significant contribution to the social reform movement in Maharashtra.

Contribution Of Jyotirao Phule-

1. Rationalistic Reforms:

In his early life, Jyotirao Phule was a devotee of Christianity and Islam and hated Hinduism.

2. Social reforms:

Jyotirao Phule and his wife strongly protested against the predominance of Brahmins in society, casteism, and the immense misery of the sudras and women.

He established the ‘Home for Prevention of Infanticide’ to provide shelter to illegitimate children. Again, he founded

The Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 secured social justice for the backward and downtrodden classes.

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3. Opposition of Brahmins:

Jyotirao Phule thought that the Brahmins were the main obstacles in the path of establishing the fundamental rights of the poor, untouchable, and lower caste people in society.

So he challenged Brahmanism in his work ‘Gulamgiri’ in 1872.

He preached against Brahiminism among the lower caste people like Kunur, Mali, Mang, and Mahar and thus laid the foundation of the antiBrahmanism movement.

4. Women’s welfare:

He vehemently protested against child marriage, polygamy, and female infanticide.

He established girls’ schools for the lower class girls and also organized a strong movement in favor of widow remarriage.

5. Educational reforms:

Jyotirao Phule thought that the Sudras and other lower caste people should be brought under the fold of Western education.

So he and his wife founded the first girls’ school in Poona in 1851.

He was helped by other reformists like Sadashiv and Ballal Paranjape in his educational activities.

1. Evaluation:

Jyotirao Phule, who was imbued with rationalistic and modern ideas, worked for the universal development of the lower classes of Maharashtra throughout his life.

He did not even hesitate to take the help of the British government to protect the lower castes from the grip of the Brahmins.

According to DJ Key, Rai Bahadur Vithalrao Krishnaji Bhandarkar, an eminent reformer, conferred the. title of ‘Mahatma’ on Jyotirao Phule on 11th May 1888.

Question 7. Give a brief description of the reform movement under the leadership of the Brahmo Samaj.
Answer:

Reform Movement Under The Leadership Of The Brahmo Samaj:-

Introduction:

Rammohan Roy founded the ‘Atmiya Sabha’ in 1815 to remove religious bigotry and superstitions from society. The Brahmo Sabha emerged out of this Atmiya Sabha in 1828.

After the demise of Rammohan in 1838 Maharshi Devendranath Tagore took up the responsibility. Keshav Chandra Sen joined the Samaj in 1858.

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

The Brahmo movement received momentum under the initiative of Keshav Chandra Sen and Vijay Krishna Goswami.

Reform Movement Under Brahmo Samaj

1. Religious reforms:

The motive behind the foundation of the Brahmo Samaj was to worship the one and only Brohmo.

Some new rules of conduct, rituals, and initiation processes were introduced by Devendranath Tagore.

The members of Brahmo Samaj opposed idolatry, believed in monotheism (one God), and emphasized the performance of rites and rituals according to the Vedas, Puranas, and Upanishads.

Devendranath Tagore and Gaganendranath Tagore organised a national fair called Chaitra Mela or Hindu Mela in 1867 to reestablish the glory of ancient Hinduism.

2. Social reforms:

The main aim of the Brahmo Samaj was to remove social superstitions, spread women’s education, and legalize widow remarriage.

The British government passed an Act in 1872 which prohibited child marriage and polygamy and legalized inter-caste marriage. This was the fruit of Keshav Chandra Sen’s efforts.

William Bentinck banned Sati on 4th December 1829 with the cooperation of Rammohan.

Keshav Chandra expressed his support for the women’s liberation movement through his journals Bamabodhini and ‘Paricharika’.

t was again due to this that daughter’s rights to her parental property were recognized.

3. Educational reforms:

The ‘Indian Mirror’, edited by Keshav Chandra was published with a view of spreading universal education for the masses.

The subjects like social science and physics were introduced in Vedanta College established by Rammohan and Hare School.

Keshav Chandra founded the Native Ladies’ Formal School in 1871 which was renamed as Native Ladies’ Institution (now Victoria Institution) in 1882.

He also established a night school at Kolutolla, Calcutta College in 1862, and Albert College in 1872.

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Question 8. What was the role of Arya Samaj in the reform movements? movements
Answer:

Introduction:

Reform started in western and north-western India in the second half of the 19th century to protect Hinduism from the growing influence of Christian missionaries.

The reform movement in Punjab was led by the Arya Samaj. Their main aim was to influence the masses as well as the uneducated classes.

Role Of Arya Samaj In The Reform Movements

1. Foundation:

The Arya Samaj was founded in Punjab by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875. However, its structure and principles were formulated at Lahore in 1877.

2. Ideals:

Swami Dayanand believed in the Vedas and wanted that Hinduism should be based exactly on the Vedas.

He thought that some selfish persons had deliberately misinterpreted the Vedas and thus stained the popularity of Hinduism.

3. Social reforms:

1. In different spheres:

The members of Arya Samaj constantly fought against social, malpractices, and inequality.

They tried to enhance the prestige of women by spreading women’s education. They strongly protested against casteism and untouchability.

2. Purification (Shuddhi) movement:

Swami Dayanand introduced the purification program to resist the conversion of Hindus. Arrangements were made to initiate non-Hindus and convert.

He wanted to unify the country by removing foreign influence from society and by establishing one nation and one religion.

4. Educational reforms:

The followers of Swami Dayananda established many schools and colleges to spread western education.

The Dayanand Anglo Vedic college in Lahore and Kangri Gurukul Vidyalaya (a Vedic educational institution) near Haridwar are some examples.

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

5. Religious reforms:

Swami Dayanand preached that the Vedas contained the words of God, it was infallible and the source of all knowledge.

However, he opposed the rituals based on Puranas, idolatry and polytheism (many Gods).

Question 9. Compare Rammohan and Dayanand as leaders of reform movements.
Answer:

Comparing Rammohan And Dayanand As Leaders Of Reform Movements:-

Both Rammohan and Dayanand Saraswati were Indian reformers belonging to the 19th century. Rammohan, the ‘Father of Indian Renaissance’ and the ‘maker of modern.

India’ wanted to remove the social and religious superstitions and make a new India by combining Orientalism and Anglicism.

On the other hand, Dayanand, a monotheist and an orientalist, wanted to make an advanced India through the revival of Hinduism.

There are both similarities and dissimilarities between the reform movements led by Rammohan Roy and Dayanand Saraswati.

Comparison Between Rammohan And Dayanand

1. Similarities:

1. Educational qualification:

While Rammohan was a multi linguist, rationalist, and Vedic scholar, Dayanand was a great Sanskrit and Vedic scholar.

2. Liberal thinking:

Like Rammohan, Dayanand also opposed casteism, racialism, idolatry and child marriage and supported women’s education, widow remarriage, monotheism and sea voyages.

3. Compositions:

Rammohan wrote books like ‘Vedanta Grantha’ and ‘Vedanta Saar’ while Dayanand wrote ‘Satyartha Prakash’ and ‘Ved Bhasya’.

2. Dissimilarities:

1. Movement strategies:

The Brahmos mainly appealed to the educated and English-literate groups but the Arya Samajists preached among the common masses.

Unlike Rammohan, Dayanand never supported rationalism or western science and knowledge.

The Arya Samajists exercised more influence over Punjab and UP than the Brahmos.

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2. Ideals:

Dayanand believed only in the Vedas but Rammohan regarded the Vedantas and Upanishads as the essence of Hinduism.

Dayanand believed that the Vedas contained all religious truths and scientific data. He emphasized faith and devotion for more than one reason.

On the other hand, Rammohan assimilated the essence of Oriental and Western thoughts, transcribed it himself and tried to share it with his countrymen.

1. Comments:

Dayananda talked talked about character building by following Vedic ideals and thereby elevating moral standards.

According to him, the priest had no place between God and his devotee.

On the other hand, Rammohan had tried to preserve the ideals of the past and combine western rationalism and modernism with them and thus bring about a renaissance.

Though Dayanand could send his message to the common people, Rammohan’s ideals could influence only a handful of intellectuals and upper classes.

Question 10. Discuss the contribution of Prarthana Samaj in the social reformation of Maharashtra in the 19th century.
Answer:

Contribution Of Prarthana Samaj In The Social Reformation Of Maharashtra In The 19th Century:-

Introduction:

The Prarthana Samaj made a praiseworthy contribution to the social reformation of Maharashtra in the 19th century.

A secret organisation named Paramahans Sabha grew up in Maharashtra in 1849 and Prarthana Samaj grew up as its offshoot.

Mahadev Govind Ranade was a stalwart of the Prathana Samaj.

Role Of Prarthana Samaj In Social Reformation

Foundation and objectives:

Atmaram Pandurang, who was inspired by Keshav Chandra Sen, established the Prarthana Samaj in 1867.

The important members were Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar, a famous Sanskrit scholar and historian, and Mahadev Govind Ranade, who was a judge of the Bombay High Court.

The objectives of the Prarthana Samaj were to remove superstitions, casteism, untouchability, purdah, and child marriage.

1. Social reforms:

Though the members of Prathana Samaj opposed idolatry and supported monotheism, they were not totally against Hinduism, unlike the Brahmos.

The members also dedicated themselves to welfare work like widow remarriage, intercaste marriage, the spread of women’s education, community dinner, and the welfare of the downtrodden classes.

Ranade established ‘Vidhva Vivah sanity” (1861) and ‘Sarda Sadan’. Many homes for children and widows, orphanages, and clinics were established under the initiative of the Prarthana Samaj.

2. Spread of education:

Ranade founded a girls’ school in Poona and founded the ‘Deccan Education Society’ in 1884 to encourage higher education.

This association established the Fergusson college in Poona, Willington College in Sangli, and many small schools. Soon the society.

became popular in Madras, Maharashtra, and the Telugu region of Andhra Pradesh.

3. Foundation of Sarvajanik Sabha:

Ranade founded the Sarvajanik Sabha in Poona in 1870 to safeguard the interests of India.

Incidentally, he was also an inspiring factor behind the foundation of the National Congress in 1885.

Question 11. What was the role of Aligarh? Movement and Sir Syed Ahmed in awakening the consciousness of the Muslims?
Answer:

Role Of Aligarh Sir Syed Ahmed In Awakening The Consciousness Of The Muslims:-

Introduction:

The Aligarh Movement played an important role in arousing the consciousness of Muslims.

The Muslim society which was living in the darkness of hopelessness got the much-needed inspiration to live due to the earnest efforts of Sir Syed Ahmed.

Role Of Aligarh Movement And Sir Syed Ahmed

1. Aligarh Movement:

1. Background:

When the Hindus secured high positions in the government after receiving western education, the Muslims receded to the background.

The leaders of the Aligarh Movement tried to make the Muslims understand that they would be ultimately benefitted if they availed of the benefits provided by the British government.

2. Ideals:

Since the Hindus and the Muslims belonged to two different communities, their political interests were different.

Appointment of employees on the basis of examination was against the interests of the Muslims since they were a minority.

The Muslims must co operate with the British to safeguard their interests.

3. Features:

This Movement aimed at the universal progress of Muslim society with the help of the British.

This Movement gave rise to the concept that the Hindus and the Muslims were two different communi ties.

The origin of this movement was Aligarh College where students from all categories were not admitted. So people from all strata of society could not participate in it.

The movement faced opposition from the orthodox and non-reformist manuals and maulvis.

2. Role of Syed Ahmed Khan:

1. Educational reforms:

Sir Syed Ahmed founded an English medium school at Ghazipur in 1864 to spread English education. He established the ‘Scientific Society in 1865 to create awareness about science among Muslims.

He established the ‘Committee for the Advancement of learning among the Muhammedans of India’ for the all-around development of the Muslims.

He established the Anglo-Oriental College to foster higher learning among the youth. This college became Aligarh University later on.

2. Social reforms:

Sir Syed Ahmed tried to create an awareness among Muslims against the malpractices like the talaq (divorce) system, child marriage, and polygamy.

He tried to modernize Muslim society with the help of scientific thinking. He tried to remove conservatism from society by providing a rationalistic explanation of the Quran.

3. Political reforms:

Syed Ahmed aimed at extracting different social and political rights for Muslims by making them participate in national politics in large numbers.

The United Indian Patriotic Association was founded by Theodor Beck in 1888 as a parallel organization of the National Congress.

Theodor Beck founded the ‘Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental Defence Association of Upper India’ in 1893 to protect the interests of the Muslims.

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic A Reformation Movement Short Analytical Type Questions

Question 1. Why did the Indians need to learn the English language during colonial rule?
Answer:

Indians Need To Learn The English Language During Colonial Rule:-

Western education was introduced in India during the rule of the East India Company to provide English education to the Indians.

1. Motive of government:

The government had realized the difficulty of bringing administrative supervisors from England. It involved a lot of expenses.

So they wanted to create an educated class among the Indians who would remain loyal to the British and help them to carry out administrative tasks.

2. Motive of Indians:

English education would enable the Indians to participate in the economic activities of the Company. So they believed

that their children would be able to secure jobs easily if they knew the English language well.

Question 2. What were the reasons for the dissatisfaction of the middle class against the British government?
Answer:

Reasons For The Dissatisfaction Of The Middle Class Against The British Government:-

1. Colonial rule and oppression:

The middle class was completely disappointed and annoyed with the colonial rule and the oppressive measures.

2. Deprivation of Indians from high government posts:

The English government deprived the Indians of important posts in the government in spite of their high education and capability.

The middle class was also annoyed at the British policy of holding the Civil Service Examination in England.

3. Repressive measures:

The educated middle class of India was completely disillusioned by the repressive measures adopted by the British government.

Question 3. What was the role of the press in the forming of public opinion?
Answer:

Role Of The Press In The Forming Of Public Opinion:-

The press played an important role in forming public opinion in favor of educational and social reforms.

In 1780, an English merchant named James Augustus Hicke published the ‘Bengal Gazette’, the first newspaper in India.

He published information impartially and fearlessly through his journal which enlightened the public but offended the Company.

In 1818, two more journals ‘Digdarshan’ and ‘Samachar Darpan’ were published under the initiative of Marshman, a missionary of Sreerampur.

Question 4. Name some elite families of Kolkata in the 19th century. How did they estab- lish themselves as the bourgeoise or the middle class?
Answer:

Some Elite Families Of Kolkata In The 19th Century:-

Some of the aristocratic families of Kolkata in the 19th century were the Tagores of Jorasanko, the Thakurs of Pathuriaghata, the Duttas of Hatkhola, the Ghoshals of Khidderpore,

the Devs of Shovabazar and the Sinhas of Paikpara.

These families came into contact with western education and secured jobs in the Company at low and medium posts by virtue of their intellect and endeavor.

Afterward, they established themselves as the ‘bourgeoise’ or ‘the middle class’ in society.

Question 5. What is meant by Suttee or Sati?
Answer:

Suttee Or Sati:-

The system of Suttee or Sati was prevalent in Hindu society at the beginning of the 19th century.

When a man died, his widow was compelled to sit on the pyre in her bridal dress and burn herself along with her husband’s dead body.

Again, a number of musical instruments were played to suppress the shrieks of the widow while the onlookers broke out into inhuman mirth.

This ghastly practice of burning widows alive was called Sati.

Question 6. How did Rammohan fight against the Sati system?
Answer:

Rammohan fought Against The Sati System:-

Rammohan Fought Against The Sati System As Follows:-

Rammohan Roy organized a strong movement to stop the inhuman practice of Sati.

1. Explanation of treatises:

He explained different religious treatises to testify that Sati is antireligious.

2. Building up public opinion:

He tried his best to organize public opinion against the practice of Sati.

3. Petition the in British Parliament:

Rammohan proved that the Sati system was both unjust an antireligious.

He also submitted a petition containing the signatures of distinguished citizens to the British parliament.

4. Anti-Sati legislation:

Ultimately Governor-General Bentinck supported Rammohan. and the legislation for abolishing Sati was passed in 1829.

Question 7. Why did Rabindranath call Rammohan, The father of the Indian Renaissance? Who unified the three branches of the Brahmo Samaj?
Answer:

Rabindranath Call Rammohan, The Father Of The Indian Renaissance:-

Rammohan was the pioneer or maker of modern India in the light of rationalism and liberal thinking.

Possessed of modern rationalistic ideas and a secular attitude, he was the first to talk about the formation of a superstition-free society and preaching a superstition-free religion.

He was the first Indian to follow the liberal ideals of the west. So Rabindranath Tagore paid him a tribute by the Indians calling him the ‘Father of the Renaissance.

In 1902 the Adi Brahmo Samaj founded by Devendranath Tagore, the Indian Brahmo Samaj was founded by Keshav Chandra Sen and

the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj founded by Shivnath Shastri and Anandamohan Bose was unified by the efforts of Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das and it was renamed as ‘Brahma Sammilan Samaj’.

Question 8. Give a short account of the introduction of Widow Remarriage in Hindu society.
Answer:

Introduction Of Widow Remarriage In Hindu Society:-

A remarkable achievement of Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was to get the sanction of the Government to introduce widow remarriage in Hindu society.

1. Endeavour:

Vidyasagar wrote essays in the ‘Sarvashuvakari’ and ‘Tatwabodhini’ about the necessity of the remarriage of widows and their independence, to prevent the legislation from getting annulled.

He also proved the validity of widow remarriage from the religious point of view by quoting lines from the Parashar Samhita.

2. Legislation for widow remarriage:

The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act was passed by Lord Dalhousie and it was the result of Vidyasagar’s efforts.

Later on, this act was opposed by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. However, 60 widow remarriages were held between 1856 and 1866 under his initiative.

Question 9. Why is Vidyasagar called the ‘traditional modernizer”?
Answer:

Vidyasagar Called The ‘Traditional Modernizer”:-

Vidyasagar was the pioneer of educational reforms in Bengal in the second half of the 19th century.

He felt that western education was necessary to develop rational thinking but the medium of instruction should be vernacular for a better understanding of the subjects.

Therefore, he stressed the establishment of Bengali medium schools and himself took the initiative of establishing model schools in the districts.

He believed that the overall progress of Indians was possible through the amalgamation of the oriental and the western.

So he introduced the study of the English language at Sanskrit College.

Since he was a realist Dr. Amalesh Tripathi calls him a ‘traditional modernizer’. i.e., an advocate of traditional modernism.

Question 10. Why did the Young Bengal movement fail?
Answer:

Young Bengal Movement Fail:-

The reasons for the failure of the young Bengal movement are as follows

1. Opposition to Hindu religion and traditions:

The enthusiastic members of the Young Bengal Group had sharply attacked the Hindu religion and traditions.

2 Urban-centric Characters:

The Young Bengal movement was chiefly confined to the city and the educated class.

3. Lack of organized agenda:

The Young Bengal group had no constructive program and they also could not present any alternative social system.

Question 11. What were the two main objectives of the social reform movements of the 19th century?
Answer:

Two Main Objectives Of The Social Reform Movements Of The 19th Century:-

1. Reduction of social discrimination:

The social reform movements in the 19th century tried to do away with social discrimination under the collective leadership of Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, and Prarthana Samaj.

The main motive of these reform movements was to put an end to casteism and racial discrimination.

2. Elimination of social malpractices and superstitions:

The reform movements aimed at cleansing the Hindu society of malpractices and superstitions which had been infesting it for a long time.

The movements aimed at the expansion of education, the establishment of rationalism, and the elimination of superstitions.

Question 12. What is meant by ‘Three laws”?
Answer:

Three Laws:-

One of the outstanding achievements of the Indian Brahmo Samaj in the sphere of social reformation was to compel the Government to pass ‘Three Laws’ in 1872.

It was achieved under the able leadership of Brahmanand Keshav Chandra Sen. The provisions of this law are

1. abolition of polygamy and cultism,
2. prohibition of child marriage,
3. recognition of intercaste marriage.

Question 13. Explanation Shri teaching of ‘Jata Mat Tata Path’.
Answer:

Shri Teaching Of ‘Jata Mat Tata Path’:-

Exponent:

Shri Ramkrishna Paramahansdeva was the exponent of the doctrine “Jata Mat Tata Path”.

Through this doctrine, he taught the people to bring about coordination among the different religions instead of opposing each other.

2. Literal Meaning:

Though we search for God by following different paths as shown by different religions, our aim is the same i.e., communion with God.

3. Significance:

Shri Ramkrishna has brought out the main essence of all religions exquisitely. He has said that all religions are equally true.

God is one but is called by different names just as the same water is called by different names in different languages.

Question 14. How was the India of Swami Vivekananda’s dream?
Answer:

Dream Of Swami Vivekananda’s About India

Swami Vivekananda was the greatest thinker, philosopher, and preacher of nationalism not only in India but also in the world. He was also the architect of building ‘New India’.

Swamiji dreamt of an India where there would be no shrieks of hunger, exploitation for self-interest, oppression for profit, or neglect for achieving glory.

He wanted India to develop as the home of true human beings. He regarded India as a holy land and said that truth would die with the death of India.

Question 15. Mention some important features of the Aligarh movement.
Answer:

Important Features Of The Aligarh Movemen:-

Some features of the Aligarh movement were as follows

1.  It tried to bring about the overall development of the Muslims with the help of the British government.
2. The poor, who formed the majority, did not participate in the movement. Only some zamindars of UP and educated middle-class people participated in it.
3. This movement alienated the Muslims from the Hindus because it was confined only to the Muslims.
4. This movement has two facets one was conservative and anti-British and the other was modern, progressive, and loyal to the British.

Question 16. Who was Pandita Ramabai?
Answer:

Pandita Ramabai:-

Introduction:

Some women took the initiative of spreading education among women in the 19th century. Pandita Ramabai was one of them.

She came from a Brahmin family but married a Sudra and so she had to face social resistance.

1. Achievements:

Ramabai was a very determined lady. After becoming a window she went to England with her daughter and studied medicine.

She returned to India and made a home for the widows. She also launched a movement on behalf of the widows in western India.

Question 17 What were the limitations of the reform movements?
Answer:

Limitations Of The Reform Movements:-

The reform movements of the 19th century had some limitations.

1. Lack of reform universality:

The movements were mainly confined to the educated middle class and the upper class. The poor and rural masses had nothing to do with them. So these movements lacked mass character or universality.

2. Hindu-centric:

The Brahmo Samaj movements, except the Aligarh movement, were concerned only with the Hindus. These movements were launched to safeguard the interests of the Hindus.

Question 18. Briefly discuss Shri Ramkrishna’s ideal of harmonization of all religions.
Answer:

Shri Ramkrishna’s Ideal Of Harmonization Of All Religions

1. Principle:

According to Ramkrishna, There were as many ways of attaining God as there were religions.

Through this view, he had actually advised the people to believe in the oneness of the different religions instead of coming into conflict.

2. Meaning:

He thought that everybody searched for the same thing, i.e., God though they followed different paths.

3. Significance:

Shri Ramakrishna beautifully explained the essence of all religions. He thought that every religion was true and God was one, though called by different names.

Question 19. What was the role of Swami Vivekananda in awakening national consciousness?
Answer:

Role Of Swami Vivekananda In Awakening National Consciousness:-

1. Awakening of patriotism:

Swamiji was the first person to infuse patriotism into the minds of the Indians.

He called upon the youths to carry out their duties towards their motherland and said that for the next fifty years, their motherland should be their only deity to be worshipped.

2. Building of new India:

Swamiji wanted to use youth power to build a new India. He emphasized the theory of ‘karma’ or ‘action’.

This clarion call inspired the Indian youths immensely and imbued them with the ideals of nationalism.

3. Preaching ideals:

His speeches and ideals created national consciousness in the hearts of the Indians.

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic A Reformation Movement State Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False

Question 1. Devendranath Tagore established the Adi Brahmo Samaj
Answer: True

Question 2. Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission.
Answer: True

Question 3. Rammohan Roy is called the ‘Father of modern India’.
Answer: True

Question 4. Keshab Chandra Sen founded the Atmiya Sabha.
Answer: False

Question 5. Rabindranath referred to Raja Rammohan Roy as the ‘Father of Indian Renaissance”.
Answer: True

Question 6. The Sadharan Brahmo Samaj was founded by Shivnath Shastri and Ananda Mohan. Bose.
Answer: True

Question 7. Keshab Chandra Sen founded the Nababidhan Brahmo Samaj.
Answer: True

Question 8. Vidyasagar established the Academic Association.
Answer: False

Question 9. The first Principal of Aligarh Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College was Theodor Beck.
Answer: True

Question 10. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was the leader of the Aligarh movement.
Answer: False

Question 11. Lala Hansraj founded the Dayanand Anglo- Vedic College.
Answer: True

Question 12. The Gurukul ashram was founded by Dayanand Saraswati.
Answer: False

Question 13. Michael Madhusudan Dutta translated Nil Darpan into English.
Answer: True

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic A Reformation Movement Fill In The Blanks By Selecting The Appropriate Expressions From The Brackets

Question 1. The Prarthana Samaj was founded ________ (Keshab Chandra/Dayanand Saraswati/ Atmaram Pandurang).
Answer: Atmaram Pandurang

Question 2. The Brahmo Samaj was founded by ________ (Keshab Chandra/Vidyasagar/Rammohan).
Answer: Keshab Chandra

Question 3. An association called Paramahans Mandali was established by ________ (Sir Syed Ahmed Khan/Gopalhari Deshmukh/Keshab Chandra Sen).
Answer: Gopalhari Deshmukh

Question 4. ________ (Keshab Chandra Sen/Dayanand Saraswati/Mahadev Govind Ranade) founded the Arya Samaj.
Answer: Dayanand Saraswati

Question 5. The practice of throwing a girl child into the sea was forbidden by ________ (Dalhousie/Wellesley/Bentinck).
Answer: Wellesley

Question 6. ‘Anandamath was written by ________ (Rabindranath Tagore/Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay/Swami Vivekananda).
Answer: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic A Reformation Movement Answer In A Complete Sentence

Question 1. Who established the Aligarh Anglo-Oriental College?
Answer: Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan established the Aligarh Anglo-Oriental College.

Question 2. Who was Bijaykrishna Goswami?
Answer: Bijaykrishn Goswami was a prominent social reformer and religious figure in the 19th century.

Question 3. Who founded the Satyashodhak Samaj?
Answer: Jyotirao phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj.

Question 4. Who was known as the ‘middle class’ in the 19th century?
Answer: In the 19th century, those who were at the intermediate stage of financial well-being came to be known as the ‘ middle class’.

Question 5. Who was called ‘Bhadralok’ in British India?
Answer: In British India, the middle-class people coming from the upper caste segment of the Hindu community were called ‘Bhadralok’.

Question 6. Which movement of Bengal influenced Vireshlingam Pantulu?
Answer: Brahmo movement of Bengal influenced Vireshlingam Pantulu.

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic A Reformation Movement Select the most appropriate explanation for the following statement

Question 1. The Indian social and educational reformers thought that the progress of the country was possible with British rule.

1. They had faith in the ideals of British colonialism.
2. They regarded British culture to be modern and advanced.
3. They thought that the progress of the country could be possible with administrative aid.

Answer: 1. They had faith in the ideals of British colonialism.

Question 2. At the beginning of the 19th-century attempts were made to implement social reformation laws in India.

1. The evil customs and practices degraded colonial rule.
2.  The evil customs and practices created disorder in India.
3. Evil customs and practices were still prevalent in India.

Answer: 3. The evil customs and practices were still prevalent in India.

Question 3. The newspapers played a significant role in the reformation of education and society.

1. The description of the social practices of the British was published in the newspapers.
2. The newspapers published news concerning education and reforms.
3. We get information about social corruption and perverted culture from the newspapers.

Answer: 2. The newspapers published news concerning education and reforms.

Question 4. Statement Vidyasagar felt the need for English education simultaneously with Sanskrit education.

1. He realized that coordination ought to be made between vernacular and English.
2. The standard of English education was much higher than that of the vernacular.
3. The standard of English education was much higher than that of Sanskrit.

Answer: 1. He realized that coordination ought to be made between vernacular and English.

Question 5. Vidyasagar set up model schools in different districts under his own initiative.

1. The government was indifferent to the establishment of Indian educational institutions.
2. As a sub-inspector of schools, he realized that the education budget was quite low.
3. The British government was not interested in the spreading of indigenous education.

Answer: 2. As a sub-inspector of schools he realized that the educational budget was quite low.

Question 6. An opinion developed in favor of widow remarriage in Maharashtra.

1. Widow remarriage had an adverse effect on Maharashtrian society.
2. The widows organized a movement in favor of widow remarriage. Explanation
3. The educated middle class took up the initiative of widow remarriage in Maharashtra.

Answer: 3. The educated middle class took up the initiative of widow remarriage in Maharashtra.

Question 7. Women’s education flourished in the second half of the 19th century.

1. The British government provided grants and scholarships to bring women under the purview of education.
2. The social reformers created pressure for the spread of women’s education on the government.
3. Social and educational reformers set up institutions for women’s education in different areas.

Answer: 1. The British government provided grants and scholarships to bring women under the purview of education.

Question 8. The Brahmo movement was confined to the upper classes in society.

1. The upper classes liked the Brahmo movement.
2. The leaders of the upper classes made their agenda according to the interests of their own class.
3. The upper classes formed the main pillar of society.

Answer: 2. The leaders of the upper classes made their agenda according to the interests of their own class.

Question 9. The social reformers made an attempt to explain the treatises accurately.

1. Majority of the common. people became victims of evil practices in the name of religion.
2. The explanation of the treatises was vague and complicated.
3. Most of the explanations of the treatises were fictional and misleading.

Answer: 1. Majority of the common. people became victims of evil practices in the name of religion.

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic A Reformation Movement Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. Who is known as the ‘first modern man of India’?

1. Raja Rammohan Roy
2. Swami Vivekananda
3. Mohammad bin Tughlaq
4. Keshab Chandra Sen

Answer: 1. Raja Rammohan Roy

Question 2. The teacher at Hindu College was

1. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
2. Derozio
3. David Hare
4. Keshab Chandra Sen

Answer: 2. Derozio

Question 3. Pandita Ramabai was related to

1. Widow remarriage movement
2. Anti-Sati movement
3. Women’s education
4. Removal of untouchability

Answer: 3. Women’s education

Question 4. Atmiya Sabha was founded by

1. Rammohan Roy
2. Swami Dayanand Saraswati
3. Rajnarayan Basu
4. Vishnu Shastri Pandit

Answer: 3. Rajnarayan Basu

Question 5. Mohammedan Literary Society was established on

1. 1863
2. 1866
3. 1890
4. 1880

Answer: 1. 1863

Question 6. In Madras Presidency, the movement of widow remarriage was started by

1. Jyotirao Phule
2. Sri Narayana Guru
3. Vireshlingam Pantulu
4. Vidyasagar

Answer: 3. Vireshlingam Pantulu

Question 7. ‘Nil Darpan’ was written by

1. Dinabandhu Mitra
2. Vidyasagar
3. Ishwar Gupta
4. Rabindranath Tagore

Answer: 1. Dinabandhu Mitra

Question 8. The modern name of the Metropolitan Institute

1. Hindu College
2. Vidyasagar College
3. Ashutosh College
4. Scottish Church College

Answer: 2. Vidyasagar College

Question 9. The Sati System was abolished by

1. Lord Curzon
2. Lord Bentinck
3. Lord Ripon
4. Lord Lytton

Answer: 2. Lord Bentinck

Question 10. The purification movement was initiated by

1. Dayanand Saraswati
2. Devendranath Tagore
3. Atmaram Pandurang
4. Jyotirao Phule

Answer: 1. Dayanand Saraswati

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic B Revolt and Movement against Company Rule Descriptive Questions

Question 1. Give an account of the Farazi and Wahabi movements.
Answer:

Farazi And Wahabi Movements:-

Farazi Movement

1. Origin:

The word ‘Farazi’ ‘compulsory duties according to instructions of ‘Islam’ or ‘faith in the religious principles of Islam. The Farazi sect was founded by Haji Shariatullah in 1820.

2. Ideals:

Haji Shariatullah wanted that India ruled by enemies (Dar ul Harb) should be transformed into an Islamic country (Dar ul Islam).

He thought that India under British rule was not suitable for pious Muslims. He told his followers to rise against the tyranny of the Zamindars and indigo planters.

He also told them to read Karma (faith in one God or Allah) and Namaz (prayer to God), keep Roja (fast), give Zakat (donation), and go on Haj (pilgrimage).

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3. Leaders:

After the death of Shariatullah, the Farazi Movement was led by his son Dudu Mian and his grandson Noa Mian respectively.

4. Expansion:

The Farazi Movement started in Faridpur of East Bengal when Shariatullah organized the farmers. It gradually spread to Dhaka, Khulna, and Mymensingh.

5. Features:

Though the Farazi Movement began as a religious movement it turned into a political movement later on. 2 The Farazi Movement mainly involved poor Muslim farmers.

6. End of movement:

After the death of Dudu Mian in 1862, his son Noa Mian gradually a political character to it. This weakened the Movement and it slowly came to an end.

Wahabi Movement

1. Origin:

The term ‘Wahabi’ means ‘Renaissance’ or new awakening and the real name of the Wahabi Movement is Tarikh I Muhammedia (path shown by Muhammad).

In the 18th century Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab, a pious Muslim of Arabia, launched this movement against the superstitions prevalent in Islam.

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

In India, a similar movement started under the leadership of Sant Shah Waliullah following the path and ideals of Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab.

2. Aim:

Initially, the Wahabi Movement aimed at the purification of Islam but later on it became a political movement against the British and feudalism.

3. Leaders:

Syed Ahmed was the pioneer of the Wahabi Movement in India. Some important leaders were Yiahia Ali, Abdur Rahim, and Amanullah.

4. Barasat Rebellion of Titu Mir:

The Wahabi Movement in Bengal under the leadership of Titu Mir (Mir Nishar Ali) is known as the ‘Barasat Rebellion’.

Titu Mir, who represented the lower class people, spread the movement over, 24 Parganas, Dhaka, Khulna, and Jessore.

Question 2. Give an account of the Barasat Rebellion and Mopala Rebellion.
Answer:

Barasat Rebellion And Mopala Rebellion:-

Barasat Rebellion Of Titu Mir

Introduction:

Mir Nishar Ali or Titu Mir was the pioneer of the Wahabi Movement in Bengal. Inspired by the Wahabi ideals, he became a disciple of Syed Ahmed and spread Wahabi ideals in Bengal.

Here the Wahabi Movement was better known as Barasat Rebellion.

1. Duties of followers:

Titu Mir told his followers not to have faith in pirs or paigambars, i.e., prophets; not to build temples or mosques; to keep beards; not to lend money on interest.

2. Spread of the Movement:

The Movement spread to 24 Parganas, Nadia, Maldah, Rajshahi, Dhaka, and Pabna.

3. Opposition by Krishnadev Roy:

Krishnadev Roy, the Zamindar of Pur village of 24 Parganas, announced that whoever became Titu Mir’s follower or kept a long beard would have to pay 2.5% extra revenue.

So a conflict took place between the Zamindar and Titu Mir’s followers.

4. Bamboo castle:

After succeeding in his struggle against the Zamindars, Titu Mir built a bamboo castle in Narkelberia, 10 km away from the Baduria police station of 24 Parganas.

He declared ‘Jehad’ (war) against the Zamindars and indigo planters and demanded revenue from them.

5. End of the revolt:

When the magistrate of Jessore attacked Titu Mir’s headquarters with a large force they were defeated. Afterward, Bentinck curbed the rebellion by sending an army.

Significance

The main aim of Titu Mir’s Barasat rebellion was to protest against the Zamindars. Titu Mir also declared

the end of British rule over a large area spread across Barasat and Basirhat. The people belonging to lower classes spontaneously participated in this revolt.

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

Mobile Revolt

1. Introduction:

Several Arab traders had permanently settled on the Malabar coast of South India. Their descendants were known as Mopala.

The agriculturist Mopalas rose in rebellion against the tyranny of the Zamindars. This is known in history as the Mopala Revolt (1873-96).

2. Causes of revolt:

1. High rate of revenue:

The Mopalas were mainly farmers. The old zamindars recovered their lands after the death of Tipu Sultan through the generosity of the British Company.

When these zamindars began to extract revenue from the Mopalas at a high rate, they became rebellious.

2. Religious concerns:

The Mopalas were Muslims by religion. On the other hand, the local zamindars were mostly Hindus. So, religious issues were another cause behind these revolts.

3. Significance:

1. The intensity of the Mopala revolt scared the British so much that they ordered the zamindars and the moneylenders to stop taking increased revenue and exorbitant interests respectively.
2. The rates of revenue and interest were fixed.

Question 3 Discuss the role of the bourgeoisie in the Indigo Revolt.
Answer:

Role Of The Bourgeoisie In The Indigo Revolt:-

Introduction:

The Indigo Revolt took place under the leadership of the indigo farmers of Bengal in 1859.

The writers, editors, lawyers, and other intellectual groups played a vital role in this rebellion.

Role Of Middle-Class Intellectuals In The Indigo Revolt

1. Role of Press:

The ‘Hindu Patriot’ edited by Harishchandra Mukherjee regularly published the tales of the tyranny of the indigo planters.

Ishwar Gupta’s ‘Sambad Prabhakar’, Akshay Kumar Dutta’s ‘Tatwabodhini Patrika’, ‘Samachar Bhaskar’ and ‘Somprakash’ published several articles on Indigo Rebellion.

Apart from these, Sisir Kumar Ghosh also presented the story of the Indigo Revolt in his newspaper, ‘Amrita Bazar Patrika”.

2. Role of intellectuals:

Various writers and poets had written stories, plays, and poems on the Indigo Revolt to encourage the farmers.

Dinabandhu Mitra wrote the play ‘Nil Darpan’ in 1860 focusing on the tortures of indigo planters on the peasants.

This play was translated into English by Michel Madhusudan Dutta, alias Reverend James Long. He was fined 1000 rupees and imprisoned for one month.

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

3. Role of lawyers:

The indigo planters used to bring several allegations against the cultivators who did not have enough money to fight for their causes or defend themselves.

Under these circumstances, some lawyers from the urban middle class came to help the rebels.

Shambhunath Pandit and Prasanna Kumar Thakur called upon the people to resist the tyranny of the indigo planters.

4. Limitation of intellectuals:

Many of the intellectuals did not want the Indigo Revolt to become an anti-British movement.

They were enchanted by British rule and were dependent on the British government.

So, many of them withdrew when the rebellion reached its climax. Incidentally, Raja Rammohan Roy and Dwarakanath

Tagore was interested in indigo cultivation because they thought that the indigo business would increase the prosperity of rural India but no such thing actually happened.

Question 4 Discuss the causes and results of the Kol (Munda) Rebellion of 1899-1900.
Answer:

Causes And Results Of The Kol (Munda) Rebellion Of 1899-1900:-

Introduction:

The anti-British movement under the leadership of Birsa Munda in protest against

the eviction of Mundas from their lands is known as the Kol Rebellion in the history of tribal peasants’ revolt in India. It is also known as Munda Ulgulan (1899-1900).

Causes Of Kol Rebellion

1. Collapse of the agricultural system:

A special feature of the agricultural system of the tribal Mundas was ‘Khutkathi’ or ‘joint ownership of land’.

Now the British rulers removed this system and established the system of personal ownership of land.

2 Change in the social system:

The British government did away with the traditional law, justice, and social system of the Mundas and introduced a new code of law. This aroused discontent among the Mundas.

3 Land grabbing:

The contractors, money lenders, and zamindars who came from the northern plains drove away the Mundas from their lands and turned these into privately owned holdings. This made the Mundas rebellious.

4 Burden of taxes and bonded labor:

The Zamindars and Mahajans used to impose varieties of heavy taxes and high rates of interest on the Mundas.

Again they were compelled to render free labor. All these practices exhausted their patience.

5 Oppression by tea merchants:

The owners of the tea gardens employed the Mundas by showing false temptation since their main aim was to exploit the Mundas.

When the Mundas realized this truth, they became furious and rebelled.

Results Of Kol Rebellion

1. Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act:

The intensity of the Kol Rebellion compelled the government to pay attention to the grievances of the Mundas. So, the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act was passed in 1908.

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

2. Recognition of the Khutkathi System:

The Khutkathi system, i.e., the joint ownership of land was accepted by the government through the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act.

This act also prohibited the eviction of Mundas and employing them as bonded laborers.

3. Emergence of Birsa sect:

The Kol Rebellion was a failure but the contribution of Birsa Munda is always remembered in history.

A new sect emerged among the tribals which came to be known as the Birsa sect. In fact, the Mundas started adoring and worshipping Birsa as God on earth.

4. Beginning of Tana Bhagat Movement:

The Kol Rebellion also inspired the Oraos of Chotanagpur. The Bhaiyas launched the Tana Bhagat movement for the ownership of land.

Since the Oraos had themselves cleared the forests and made the lands cultivable, they were not ready to pay any rent to the British.

Question 5. Discuss the causes of the Great Revolt. of 1857.
Answer:

Causes Of The Great Revolt. Of 1857:-

Introduction:

The Great Revolt of 1857 was initiated through the Sepoy Mutiny which resulted from the dissatisfaction among the Indian soldiers.

However, the grievances of the Indians against the maladministration of the British found an outlet through the Great Revolt.

This massive revolt was the result of the outburst of grievances of all those who were continuously oppressed by the British.

Damodar Savarkar, a freedom fighter, has referred to it as the ‘first war of Indian independence’.

Causes Of The Revolt Of 1857

1. Political:

1. Doctrine of Lapse:

Lord Dalhousie annexed many Indian territories by applying the Doctrine of Lapse. In this way, he occupied Jhansi, Satara, Tanjore, and Nagpur.

2. Plunder of palaces:

The British plundered the palaces of Ayodhya and Nagpur on the plea of maladministration and drove away the Nawabs and their relatives from the palace.

This enraged the public against the British.

Class 8 WBBSE History Question Answer

2. Social:

1. Social discrimination:

The British and the Indians were the rulers and ruled from a social point of view. This discrimination stirred up the consciousness of the Indians.

2 Hatred towards the Indians:

The British always looked down. upon the Indians. In many parks and European clubs, it was written ‘Dogs and Indians are forbidden’.

A magistrate in Agra issued a decree saying Indians should salute every Englishman.

3. Religious:

1. Opposition of rituals:

The positive measures taken by the British to remove social vices like Suttee, child sacrifice, infanticide, and other superstitions and to encourage widow remarriage offended the superstitious and orthodox Hindus.

2. Imposition of religious taxes:

The imposition of tax on the various religious institutions hurt the religious sentiments and the Hindu and Muslim families who were dependent on the lands of temples and mosques were infuriated.

industries: The British destroyed the Indian cotton textile industry for their own interests.

They imported the industrial products of England free of duty and turned India into a supplier of raw materials as well as a market for manufactured goods.

2. Deprivation in jobs:

The higher posts in the government were reserved only for the British on the pretext that Indians were corrupt. This caused great offense to the educated Indians.

5. Military:

1. Incivility of officers:

The British navy officers often ill-treated and abused the Indian soldiers. Such treatment enraged the Indian sepoys.

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2. Lack of other facilities:

There was great discrimination between the salaries of the British and Indian soldiers. Moreover,

the Indian soldiers were neither given any extra allowances nor were they eligible to receive promotions to higher posts.

6. Immediate cause (Enfield Rifle):

The British government introduced the Enfield. rifle in which the shells of the cartridges had to be bitten off to load the cartridges in the gun.

A rumor spread that the shells were made of some substance containing the fat of cow and pig.

This hurt the sentiments of both Hindus and Muslims and they revolted against the authorities.

Question 6. Discuss the results of the Great Revolt of 1857.
Answer:

Results Of The Great Revolt Of 1857:-

Introduction:

The effect of the Sepoy Mutiny and the Great Revolt of 1857 could be felt in different spheres in the later periods.

The ideals of the Revolt greatly influenced both the policies and strategies of the British administration as well as the national liberation movement.

1. End of the Company’s rule:

After the Great Revolt, the British authorities could not entrust the Company with administrative responsibilities anymore.

So the India Government Act was passed in the British Parliament. The administration now passed into the hands of Queen Victoria and it was decided.

that a Governor General would rule India in the name of the Crown.

2. Administrative changes:

A Council Act was passed which annulled the centralization policy of the earlier Charter Act. The British administration in India began to be decentralized.

The Bombay and Madras councils were given the power to enact laws.

It was decided that the Secretary of State for India would be assisted by a fifteen-member council named India Council, in conducting the administration.

3. Military reforms:

After the Great Revolt, measures were taken to strengthen the defense system. The number of foreign soldiers in the army increased.

The recruitment of Indian soldiers in the artillery was stopped. The Presidency army was separated.

It was also decided that no Indian soldier should be appointed to any high post in the army.

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4. Change in native politics:

Before the Great Revolt, the native provinces were annexed to the British Empire on the pretext of providing security to them.

From then on, the British adopted more friendly policies so that the British empire could last long.

5. Social changes:

The revolt brought about some changes in Indian society.

Society started to become modern with the touch of Western philosophy, science, and literature. However, the Muslims kept themselves aloof from such changes.

6. Queen’s Proclamation:

Lord Canning was the first Viceroy who came to India as a representative of Queen Victoria establishing a developed administrative system in India in accordance with the Government of India Act.

On November 1, 1858, Lord Canning read out a proclamation at a durbar (Conference) at Allahabad. This is known as Queen’s Proclamation.

Question 7. Mention the reasons for the failure of the Great Revolt of 1857.
Answer:

Reasons For The Failure Of The Great Revolt Of 1857:-

Introduction:

Though the Revolt of 1857 displayed much sacrifice and valor on the part of the Indians, it was ultimately a failure. There were several reasons behind this failure.

Causes For Failure Of The Revolt

1. Lack of coordination and planning:

There was a lack of coordination among the leaders of the Revolt and there was no previous planning. So it finally failed.

2. Lack of unity and integrity:

There was a lack of unity and integrity among the soldiers. Many of the rebel leaders paid more attention to narrow personal interests rather than to the broader national interest.

3. Separate objectives:

The different communities who participated in the revolt had separate objectives. The Muslim sepoys wanted

the revival of Mughal power whereas the Hindu sepoys wanted the establishment of the rule of the Peshwa. These separate aims prevented the revolt from succeeding.

4. Lack of discipline:

The Indian sepoys fought in a disorganized and indisciplined manner. On the other hand, the British army was very disciplined and organized.

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5. Lack of efficient leadership:

In spite of valor and enthusiasm, Indian leaders like Laxmibai, Nana Saheb, or Tantia Tope were not as efficient as the British generals like Lawrence, Outram, and Havelock.

6. Regional limitation:

The revolt was chiefly confined to Uttar Pradesh and its adjoining areas. Punjab, Sind, and many other regions remained aloof.

7. Noncooperation from native kings:

The native rulers like Scindia of Gwalior, Sir Jung Bahadur of Nepal, Begum of Bhopal, and the King of Jodhpur did not help the sepoys. They rather helped the British secretly.

8. Indifference of the educated middle class:

The educated middle class did not give any support to the Great Revolt. So the revolt finally became weak and failed.

Question 8. Discuss the nature of the Revolt of 1857.
Answer:

Nature Of The Revolt Of 1857:-

Introduction:

There is a controversy among historians regarding the nature of the Great Revolt. Some think that it was merely a military uprising.

According to some, it was a conservative revolt or a feudal reaction. Again, many people regard it as the ‘first war of Indian independence’ or a ‘national revolt’.

Nature Of The Revolt

1. Sepoy Mutiny:

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Durgadas Banerjee, and Dadabhai Naoroji regard the revolt as a mere Sepoy Mutiny. They think that

1. different communities had joined the revolt to further their own interest and did not think of the national interest.
2. Many people as well as groups remained aloof. Kings like Scindia, Holkar, Gaikwad, and Travancore did not join in it.
3. The educated middle class did not support it. So this revolt cannot be called a national revolt.

2. Revolt of feudal lords:

The Marxist historian Rajni Pamdutta calls the revolt an uprising of conservative and feudal powers.

He points out that feudal rulers like Laxmibai, Nana Saheb, and Kunwar Singh led the revolt for their own interests.

3. National revolt:

Historians like John Kay, J. B Norton, and Malleson call the revolt of 1857 a ‘national revolt’.

Historian Shashi Bhushan Choudhuri has affirmed that it was a national war against imperialism.

The rebels showed their nationalistic spirit by declaring Bahadur Shah II the emperor.

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4. Mass rebellion:

It can be clearly said that the common people joined the revolt spontaneously. Millions of people staked everything and joined the revolt.

5. First War of Independence:

In his book. ‘The Indian War of Independence’ Vinayak Damodar Savarkar has referred to the revolt as ‘the first war of Indian independence’.

P C Joshi, in his essay ‘1857 in our history,’ refers to the revolt as a war of independence. Both Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels referred to the revolt as a freedom struggle.

Question 9 Can we call the Revolt of 1857 ‘the first war of Indian independence’?
Answer:

Yes, We Can Call The Revolt Of 1857 ‘The First War Of Indian Independence’:-

Introduction:

Historians differ among themselves as to whether the Great Revolt of 1857 can be called the first war of Indian independence.

Revolt Of 1857 The First War Of Indian Independence

1. Arguments for:

Nationalist leaders like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and PC Joshi called the revolt the first war of Indian independence.

1. Vir Savarkar wrote, “The revolt of 1857 was the first war of Indian independence”.
2. P. C. Joshi wrote in his essay ‘1857 in our history that “The Great Revolt is the first Indian independence war”.
3. Professor Shushovan Sarkar has said, “If we do not call the Sepoy Mutiny a national struggle then we cannot call the Carbonari Movement of Italy the ‘Italian Liberation War”.

2. Arguments against:

Scholars like Dr. Surendranath Sen, Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, and E.M.S. Nambudripad do not want to call the sepoy mutiny the first war of independence.

1. Surendranath Sen, in his book ‘Eighteen Fifty-Seven’, said that the revolt of 1857 could not be regarded as a struggle for independence.
2. Dr. Ramesh Chandra Majumdar said that the so-called first national war of Independence was neither the first nor the national War of Independence because the common people of India had not participated in it.
3. E.M.S. Nambudripad said that ‘the number of soldiers who had helped the British to suppress the revolt was much more in number than the soldiers who had participated in the revolt.

Comment:

Judged from all aspects we cannot call the Great Revolt of 1857 the first war of Indian independence. It was chiefly the first great uprising against the British power.

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Question 10. Write a note on Queen’s proclamation (1813).
Answer:

Queen’s Proclamation (1813):-

1. Introduction:

A radical change was made in the British administrative system after suppressing the Great Revolt.

The administrative power was transferred from the hands of the British East India Company to Queen Victoria of England.

Lord Canning, the first Viceroy of India read out a proclamation on November 1, 1858, at a conference at Allahabad. This is known as Queen’s Proclamation.

2. Background of The Proclamation:

After the Sepoy Mutiny, the British authorities did not regard it safe to leave the administration of India in the hands of a trading company.

They passed the Advanced India Government Act in the British Parliament. The administration of India was placed in the hands of the Crown.

It was decided that from now on colonial India would be ruled by a Secretary who would be elected from the cabinet of ministers.

This Secretary of State would be assisted by a council of 15 members.

The Governor General would henceforth be called Viceroy and he would conduct the administration as a representative of the crown.

 

 

3. Recommendations of The Proclamation:

The Proclamation stated that

1. The Doctrine of Lapse would be abandoned and the native rulers could designate an heir.
2. The Company would abide by the treaties signed between them and the native kingdoms earlier.
3. The rebels, except those who were directly responsible for the killing, would be released. The confiscated properties would also be returned.
4. The Company could neither annex any more kingdoms nor interfere in the internal matter of the native kingdoms.
5. The eligible Indians would be given suitable government jobs irrespective of race and religion.
6. The government would never interfere in the social and religious rituals of the Indians.

Result: Queen Victoria made a number of commitments in her Proclamation to redress the wound caused by the Company’s 100 years of misrule.

However, none of these promises were actually fulfilled. So historian Bipin Chandra calls this proclamation a political bluff.

However, the English people regard it as the Magna Carta of India because it laid the foundation of British rule for 60 years before the India Government Act of 1919 was passed.

Question 11. Suppose you and your friend are students of a school in Kolkata during the Young Bengal Movement under the leadership of Derozio. Discuss the merits and demerits of the Movement in the form of a conversation.
Answer:

The Merits And Demerits Of The Young Bengal Movement In The Form Of A Conversation In Kolkata:-

1. Anil: I think you’ve heard that Derozio, the professor of your Hindu College has built up an association with his students.

2. Amar: Yes, I have heard that, Anil. I have also heard that the name of the association is Young Bengal.

3. Anil: Do you know that the members of this association are quite modern?

4. Amar: Is it so? How?

5. Anil: The Young Bengals do not accept the sanctity of Ganges water. They dare to tear off the sacred thread. They even criticize the image in the temples.

6. Amar: What are you saying? I think this is almost like revolting against Hinduism.

7. Anil: I don’t know whether it is a revolt or not but their behavior and activities have stirred up the Hindu society.

The Brahmins and conservative Hindus have not been able to accept their behavior.

8. Amar: It’s not possible to accept such behavior. Otherwise, the very existence of Hindus will be at stake.

9. Anil: Exactly. I don’t know whether you know that under the pressure of Hindu society, the college authorities have accused Derozio of misleading the students.

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He has also been instructed to resign from his post at the college as a Professor.

10. Amar: Whatever you say, if this role of the students under the leadership of Derozio could remove the superstitions, then it would have been better.

11. Anil: Of course, they had attempted to do so but their endeavor to remove bigots and superstitions from the Hindu religion did not succeed.

After Derozio’s death, the members of the association got involved in their own individual lives.

12. Amar: Well, Anil, we will talk more about this later.

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic B Revolt And Movement Against Company Rile Short Analytical Type Questions

Question 1. How did the bonded labor system lead to the Santhal rebellion?
Answer:

Bonded Labor System Lead To The Santhal Rebellion:-

The bonded labor system was an important cause of the Santhal Rebellion.

1. Bonds:

The poor Santhals were compelled to take loans (dadan) in cash or kind from the moneylenders who made them sign. two bonds Kamiyati and Harwahi.

2. Application of bonds:

According to the kamiyati system, the Santhals had to render free labor on the Mahajan’s land till the dadan was repaid.

According to the hardware system, they had to do other work apart from cultivation till the dadan could be paid back.

Since the Santhals were immensely tortured because of these bonds, they were compelled to rebel.

Question 2. What were the measures taken by the British to suppress the Kol (Munda) rebellion?
Answer:

Measures Taken By The British To Suppress The Kol (Munda) Rebellion:-

The British government tried to solve the problems of the Mundas by carrying out some investigations and surveys between the years 1902 and 1910.

1. Chotanagpur Tenancy Act:

The intensity of the Kol (Munda) Rebellion compelled the British to look into the grievances of the tribals. Therefore, the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act was passed in 1908.

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2. Recognition of the Khutkathi System:

Through the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, the government also recognized the Khutkathi system, i.e., joint ownership of land.

Moreover, the eviction of peasants from the land and bonded labor were also prohibited.

Question 3. Name some leaders of the Great Revolt.
Answer:

Leaders Of The Great Revolt:-

1. Begum Hazrat Mahal led the Great Revolt in Ayodhya.
2. In Kanpur, the revolt was led by Nana Saheb the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao Il and his two associates Tantia Tope and Azimullah.
3.  Rani Laxmibai was the leader of the uprising in Jhansi. Kunwar Singh led the revolt in Bihar.

Question 4 Who was Bahadur Shah Zafar?
Answer:

Bahadur Shah Zafar:-

Introduction:

Bahadur Shah Zafar was the 19th and the last Mughal emperor who ruled from the Diwani i khas of the Red Fort. He was a pensioned ruler of the East India Company.

Leader of Sepoy Mutiny:

He was declared the leader of the Sepoy Mutiny which broke out in 1857 when he was 82.

Last days:

The British army suppressed the revolt and occupied Delhi. The old emperor was imprisoned, declared guilty, and finally, deported to Rangoon.

Question 5. What do you know about the valor of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi?
Answer:

Valor Of Rani Laxmibai Of Jhansi:-

1. Introduction:

Rani Laxmibai was one of the leaders of the Great Revolt. When Governor General Lord Dalhousie annexed.

Jhansi by applying the Doctrine of Lapse, the queen became enraged and joined the Sepoy Mutiny against the British.

2. Leadership in the revolt:

Laxmibai fought with the British army led by Hugh Rose. She left the fort of Jhansi and went to Kalpi and continued the struggle.

She joined hands with Tantia Tope and kept fighting valiantly against the English army. She died in the Battle of Kalpi in 1858.

General Hugh Rose paid a tribute to her by calling her ‘the sole man among the rebels’.

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic B Revolt And Movement Against Company Rile state Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False

Question 1. The Wahabi Movement was started in India by Syed Ahmed of Raibareli.
Answer: True

Question 2. In Bangladesh, the Wahabi movement was led by Buddhu Bhagat.
Answer: False

Question 3. The first martyr of the Sepoy Mutiny was Mangal Pandey.
Answer: True

Question 4. Lord Canning was the Governor-General of India during the outbreak of the Great Revolt of 1857.
Answer: True

Question 5. Laxmibai was a famous leader of the Santhal Rebellion in 1857.
Answer: False

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Question 6. The word ‘Faraz’ means carrying out one’s duties as instructed by Islam.
Answer: True

Question 7. The actual name of Titu Mir was Mir Nishar Ali.
Answer: True

Question 8. The word ‘Viceroy’ means a royal representative or a representative of the crown.
Answer: True

Question 9. The Mopala movement broke out at Madurai in South India.
Answer: False

Question 10. Muhammed Mohsin was known as Dudu Mian.
Answer: True

Question 11. ‘Dar ul Arab means a country of peace.
Answer: False

Question 12. Mangal Pandey was a sepoy of the Bengal regiment.
Answer: False

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic B Revolt And Movement Against Company Rile Fill In The Blanks By Selecting The Appropriate Expressions From The Brackets

Question 1. The declaration of Queen Victoria was published on weten _________ (November 1, 1857/ November 1, 1858/November 1, 1859).
Answer: November 1

Question 2. The Polyger Rebellion broke out in _________ (1779/1783/1788).
Answer: 1783

Question 3. The bamboo castle was built by _________ (Titu Mir/Buddhu Bhagat/Dudu Mian).
Answer: Titu Mir

Question 4. The Battle of Balakot was held in _________ (1821/1831/1841).
Answer: 1831

Question 5. _________ (Sidhu/Buddhu Bhagat/Birsa Munda) was the leader of the Kol Rebellion or Munda Revolt.
Answer: Buddhu Bhagat

Question 6. The founder of the Farazi sect was _________ (Maulana Haji Shariyatullah/Maulana Basarat Ali/Muhammad Mohsin).
Answer: Maulana Haji ShariyatullahMaulana

Question 7. _________ (Karim Shah/Abdul Gaffar/Ibne Abdul Wahab) was known as Noa Mian.
Answer: Abdul Gaffar

Question 8. The word ‘Wahabi’ means _________ (enemy country/new awakening/revolt).
Answer: new awakening

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic B Revolt And Movement Against Company Rile Answer In A Complete Sentence

Question 1. Who first started the Wahabi movement in India?
Answer: Syed Ahmed of Rai Barelli first started the Wahabi movement in India.

Question 2. When was the Indigo uprising organized?
Answer: The Indigo uprising was organized in 1859-60.

Question 3. How did the British force demolish the bamboo fort?
Answer: The British force demolished the bamboo fort by firing cannons.

Question 4. Who led the Munda Ulgulan?
Answer: The Munda Ulgulan was led by Birsa Munda.

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Question 5. What happened to the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah after the 1857 revolt?
Answer: For supporting the great revolt, the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah was convicted and exiled to Rangoon in Burma.

Question 6. When did the Government of India Act come into force?
Answer: The Government of India Act came into force on 1st November 1859.

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic B Revolt And Movement Against Company Rile Select The Most Appropriate Explanation For The Following Statement

Question 1. The Santhals rose in rebellion in 1855.

1. The moneylenders, landlords, and merchants had started torturing the Santhals.
2. The British army destroyed the habitation of the Santhals.
3. The Santhals were compelled to grow indigo.

Answer: 1. The moneylenders, landlords, and merchants had started torturing the Santhals.

Question 2. The sepoys rose in rebellion in 1857.

1. Discriminatory treatment was meted out to the Indian sepoys.
2. The Indian sepoys were not paid any salary.
3. The British authorities ordered the sepoys to resign

Answer: 1. Discriminatory treatment was meted out to the Indian sepoys.

Question 3. The indigo cultivators rebelled against the British.

1. The British government seized the land of the indigo cultivators.
2. The British planters compelled the farmers to plant indigo.
3. The British planters engaged the indigo cultivators in their fields for free labor.

Answer: 2. The British planters compelled the farmers to plant indigo.

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic B Revolt And Movement Against Company Rile Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. Who among the followings was related to the Faraji movement?

1. Syed Ahmad
2. Titu Mir
3. Malabar
4. Birsa Munda

Answer: 3. Malabar

Question 2. ‘Ulgulan’ means

1. War
2. Uprising
3. Great Tumult
4. Revolt

Answer: 3. Great Tumult

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Question 3. The editor of the newspaper Hindu Patriot was

1. Harish Chandra Mukhopadhyay
2. Surendranath Mukhopadhyay
3. Hemendra Prasad Ghosh
4. Keshab Chandra Sen

Answer: 1. Harish Chandra Mukhopadhyay

Question 4. Which newspaper took sides with the indigo cultivators of Bengal?

1. Jugantar
2. Somprakash
3. Bengal Gazette
4. Samachar Darpan

Answer: 2. Somprakash

Question 5. One of the leaders of the Indigo uprising was

1. Digambar Biswas
2. Sidhu
3. Birsa Munda
4. Bhairab

Answer: 1. Digambar Biswas

Question 6. The word ‘Hul’ means

1. Mahajan
2. Jamindar
3. Uprising
4. Outsider

Answer: 3. Uprising

Question 7. Moplahs were from

1. Bombay
2. Calcutta
3. Malabar
4. Goa

Answer: 3. Malabar

Question 8. The rule of the English East India Company in India came to an end in

1. 1885
2. 1858
3. 1947
4. 1875

Answer: 2. 1858

Question 9. India was called ‘Dar ul Harab’ or country of enemies by

1. Majnu Shah
2. Musa Shah
3. Haji Shariyatullah
4. Titu Mir.

Answer: 2. Musa Shah

Question 10. One of the leaders of the Faraji movement was

1. Majnu Shah
2. Chirag Ali
3. Haji Shariyatullah
4. Titu Mir

Answer: 3. Haji Shariyatullah

Question 11. Who was the Mughal emperor during the Great Revolt of 1857?

1. Bahadur Shah II
2. Shah Alam II
3. Bahadur Shah I
4. Akbar Shah II

Answer: 1. Bahadur Shah II

Question 12. The Great Revolt first broke out in

1. Barrackpore
2. Meerut
3. Delhi
4. Poona

Answer: 1. Barrackpore

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Salient Points – At A Glance

1. Economic Nationalism:

The Moderates criticized the British administration openly for the economic crisis in India.

They said that India had gradually turned into land for supplying agricultural raw materials to Britain.

Again, India was being used as a market for selling goods manufactured in Britain. The agro-based economy of India was being used to protect the interest of Britain only.

Consequently, the agriculture and industry of India were being destroyed.

The exponents of this ‘economic nationalism’ were Dadabhai Naoroji, Mahadev Govind Ranade, and Ramesh Chandra Dutta.

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2. Mitramela:

A new zeal entered the revolutionary movement of Maharashtra in the first half of the twentieth century.

The pioneers of the movement were the Savarkar brothers Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Ganesh Savarkar.

They founded a secret revolutionary society named Mitramela in Nasik in 1899.

Here the youths were initiated into the revolutionary ideals and given. martial training.

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3. Abhinav Bharat:

In 1904 Ganesh Savarkar renamed ‘Mitramela’ as ‘Abhinav Bharat’ in imitation of Mazzini’s ‘young Italy’. This society aimed at obtaining freedom through armed revolution.

They made branches in different parts of the country where training was given for physical fitness, mountain neering, and fighting with swords and sticks.

The society also tried to infuse revolutionary ideals into the students.

4. Lal Bal Pal:

Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal were together known as ‘Lal Bal Pal’.

All of them were nationalist leaders who believed in extremism. Punjab Kesari, i.e., Late Lajpat Rai had led the movement against Simon Commission.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak said, “Swaraj is my birthright and I will definitely attain it.”

The pioneer of passive resistance, Bipin Chandra Pal said, “Swaraj, cannot be donated or granted, it has to be attained.”

5. Theosophical Society:

The word ‘Theosophy’ consists of two words ‘Theos’ (God) and ‘Sophia’ (knowledge). So it means ‘knowledge of God.’

This term was first used by the Greek philosopher Lamblicus in the 3rd century, AD.

The ‘Theosophical Society’ was first established in New York by Colonel H.S. Olcott and Madame H.P. Blavatsky in 1875.

Then they established a branch of this society at Adiyar in Madras in 1886. Society became popular when Anne Besant joined it in 1889.

The theosophists who had deep faith in the Indian religion and philosophy tried to revive the ancient Hindu, Buddhist and Parsee religions.

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6. Ganapati and Shivaji Festival:

The basis of extremist nationalistic ideals of the Maharashtrian revolutionary leader Bal
Gangadhar Tilak was ancient Hindu religion and history.

So Tilak took the initiative of converting the worship of Ganapati, which was prevalent among the Marathas, into a public festival named ‘Ganapati Utsav’ to inspire the youths with

the ideals of revolutionary nationalism and to spread nationalistic ideals among the public. He also organized the ‘Shivaji Utsav’ in 1895 to commemorate

the matchless patriotism, strength of character, valor, and achievement of Shivaji, the pride of Maharashtra, and project him as a representative of the revolutionary movement.

Through this festival, he tried to inspire the ideals of patriotism, self-sacrifice, and armed revolution against the British among the people of Maharashtra.

7. Carlyle’s Circular:

Thomas Carlyle, the Chief Secretary of the British government issued a circular on 10th October 1905 to keep the Indian students aloof from the Swadeshi movement.

This is known as Carlyle’s Circular. According to this circular, punitive measures would be taken against students and universities who were involved in the movement.

8. Silk Handkerchief Conspiracy:

Case: Mahendra Pratap built up a temporary independent Indian Government in Kabul.

Sheikh Mahamdul Hassan and Maulana Abdullah carried on an anti-British campaign from Kabul.

They used silk. handkerchiefs as the medium of exchanging messages. This exchange was done through. symbolic script.

The British government filed the Silk Handkerchief Conspiracy Case against them and many of the revolutionaries were imprisoned.

9. Safety Valve Theory:

Many people think that Hume had tried to keep the educated section of society aloof from the anti-British revolts.

So he tried to restrict the agitation against the British by establishing a political institution, i.e. the Indian National Congress.

Therefore, he had tried to use Congress as a ‘safety valve’ of the British Empire in India or as a preventive for destructive forces.

This theory came to be known as the ‘Safety Valve Theory’.

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Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Topic A Nationalist Organisation Descriptive Questions

Question 1. Discuss the background of the formation of the Indian National Congress.
Answer:

Background Of The Formation Of The Indian National Congress:-

Introduction:

There is a controversy among historians regarding the real founder of the National Congress.

According to Pattavi Sitaramaiya, “Who first planned the formation of All India Congress is shrouded in mystery.

“Background For The Formation Of Indian National Congress

1. Role of different personalities:

1. Role of Hume :

Hume’s biographer William Waderburm gives the main credit for establishing the National Congress to Hume.

He had written an open letter to the graduates of Kolkata University urging the youths to participate in the progress and welfare of the country.

He met Lord Duffrein in 1885 and submitted a proposal for building up an all India organization.

2. Role of Surendranath:

Surendranath played an important role by setting up a political organization to establish the rights of the Indians.

He built up public opinion against the British by establishing Indian Association (Bharat Sabha) and also tried to organize a National Conference.

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3. Role of Dufferin:

Womesh Chunder Bonerjee said that it was quite surprising to know that Duffrein was the actual founder of the National Congress.

2. Factors leading to the establishment:

1. Chief factor:

According to historian Rajani Pam Dutta, the Congress was formed as a ‘safety. valve’ or ‘safe regulator’ of British rule.

Hume’s main aim was to protect British rule from the growing dissatisfaction and agitation of the Indians.

He thought that lower-class people could rebel against the tyranny of the British at any time.

So they tried to establish the National Congress as a safety valve to protect the interest of the British

2. Other factors:

A reawakening of the 19th Century The Renaissance or reawakening which was seen in religion and culture due to the rise of nationalism in India in the 19th century increased political awareness of the Indians.

Legacy of Western education The middle class, enlightened by Western education, took the initiative of organizing a movement for India’s freedom.

Oppression by the British The oppressed educated Indians felt that it was very necessary to build up a political organization to get rid of oppression and to obtain their rights and demands.

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Question 2. Discuss the activities of Congress from 1885 to 1905.
Answer:

Activities Of Congress From 1885 To 1905:-

1. Introduction:

The activities of the National Congress for the first twenty years (1885 to 1905) were mainly confined to prayer and petition and a few demands.

Activities Of The Congress For The First Twenty Years-

2. Prayer and petition policy:

The early Congress leaders tried to get their demands fulfilled through 3 p’s i.e., Prayer Please and Petition.

They were more inclined towards extracting benefits for the upper classes rather than solving the problems of the common people. Their policy was called moderate policy.

The proposals which were accepted in the annual sessions were sent to the government for consideration.

3. Demands:

1. Demand for Proper constitutional reforms:

1. Recruitment of more Indian members at the legislative council,
2. abolition of the Indian Council,
3. the opportunity of sending at least two representatives from each province to the House of the Commons
4. inclusion of at least three Indian members in the advisory council of the Secretary of State.

2. Demand for economic reforms:

1. proper development of modern industries,
2. use of more indigenous products rather than foreign products,
3.  reduction in the rate of revenue extracted from the peasants, changes in the laws concerning ownership of land, and establishment of agricultural and rural banks
4.  abolition of income tax and salt tax and reduction of excise duty.

3. Demand for administrative reforms:

1. Separation of executive and judiciary,
2. introduction of the Jury system,
3. holding Civil Service examinations in India and England simultaneously, raising the age limit from 19 to 23, and putting an end to statutory civil service
4. provide military training to the Indians and appoint them to high military posts.

Question 3 What was the role of the political organizations in building up public opinion against the British?
Answer:

Role Of The Political Organizations In Building Up Public Opinion Against The British:-

Introduction:

A number of political associations, societies, and organizations arose in different parts of India in the 19th century after coming in touch with Western education.

These helped in building up public opinion against the British.

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Role Of The Political Organisations Of Bengal In Forming Public Opinion-

1. Banga bhasha prakashika sabha (1836):

The Banga Bhasha Prakashika Sabha was founded by Prince Dwarakanath Tagore Prasanna Kumar Tagore, Kalinath Roychowdhury, and the followers of Rammohan.

the main aim of the Sabha was to analyze the effect of the activities of the British government.

2. Zamindar Sabha (November 12, 1838):

The Zamindar Sabha or Landholder’s Society was established by the joint endeavor of Prince Dwarakanath Tagore, Prasanna Kumar Tagore, and Radhakanta Deb. Their objectives were

1. to obtain the rights of the zamindars and the subjects;
2. to fulfill the political hopes of the Indians.

3. Bengal British India Society April 20, 1843) :

Bengal British India Society was founded in Kolkata by George Thomson, a member of the British India Society of England.

He was the president and Pyarichand Mitra was the secretary of the society. The objective of the society was to bring about

the welfare of all sections of Indian society to ascertain their political and social rights.

4. British Indian Association (1851):

Zamindar Sabha and Bengal British India society combinedly formed the British Indian Association in order to establish a bigger political platform.

Its president and secretary were Radhakanta Deb and Dwarakanath Tagore respectively. This association demanded the protection of Indian resources,

more recruitment of Indians to high posts, separation of executive and legislature, and spread of education.

5. Indian League (1875):

Indian League was formed by Krishnamohan Banerjee, Hemant Kumar Ghosh, and Sisir Kumar Ghosh. Its president Sambhu Chandra Mukherjee demanded

the election of members of municipal corporations by the citizens and the spread of vocational education.

6. Bharat Sabha or Indian Association (July 26, 1876):

The Bharat Sabha was founded at Albert Hall in Kolkata by Surendranath Banerjee, Anandamohan Basu, Shivnath Shastri, and Dwarkanath Ganguly. The president,

secretary, and joint secretary were Rev. Krishnamohan Banerjee, Ananda Mohan Basu, and Akshay Kumar Sarkar respectively.

This association built up public opinion against Civil Services Act, Arms Act, Vernacular Press Act, and for Illbert Bill.

Question 4. What do you know about the Ilbert Bill controversy?
Answer:

Ilbert Bill controversy:-

Introduction:

According to the Criminal Law of 1873, the Indian judges were not empowered to try the Europeans but their subordinate judges could do so.

Law secretary Courtney Illbert drafted a law named Illbert Bill which counteracted the previous discriminatory law on the advice of Viceroy Lord Ripon.

Ilbert Bill Controversy

1. Content:

The British maintained discriminatory policies from the very beginning. Lord Ripon introduced the new law to put an end to such racial discrimination.

It was declared that since then the Indian judges could try the European offenders.

2. Reaction:

As soon as the draft of the Libert Bill was published the Europeans broke out into agitation.

They formed a defense association under the leadership of Brunson, a barrister of Kolkata High Court.

Several branches of this association were established all over India as well as in England. The bill was vehemently criticized in the journals ‘Englishman’ and ‘The Times.

The Europeans conducted the movement under this association which collected a fund of rupees 1.5 lakhs.

In response to this movement, the Indian Association organized a counter-movement under the leadership of Surendranath Banerjee.

3. Amended bill:

The vehement protest and agitation of the Europeans compelled the British government to amend the bill. It was declared that

the Indian judges could try the Europeans with the help of the jury, most of whom were obviously Europeans.

4. Significance:

The purpose of the bill failed as the government had to surrender before the movement of the Europeans.

Yet it bore some significance in the Indian nationalist movement the Indians realized that the main aim of the British was to create racial discrimination between

white and dark-skinned people. It was not possible for the Indians to attain dignity without attaining independence.

Question 5. Evaluate the contribution of the Moderate leaders in the history of the Indian
Answer:

Contribution Of The Moderate Leaders In The History Of The Indian:-

Introduction:

At the time of the foundation of the Indian National Congress in 1885, the early leaders were known as Moderates.

Some of the leaders were Womesh Chunder Banerjee, Dadabhai Naoroji, Badruddin Tyabji, Ramesh Chandra Dutta, and Dinanath Wacha.

Contribution Of Moderate Leaders

1. Creation of national awareness:

The Moderate Congress leaders were able to create a national awareness among the Indians of diverse religions and languages.

2. Establishment of national integrity:

The Congress consolidated national unity and awareness by holding sessions in different cities.

3. Prayer and petition policy:

The activities of the National Congress were confined to prayer and petition policy in the first phase.

he leaders avoided direct clashes with the British and tried to fulfill their demands through compromise.

4. Opposition of the government:

The early Congress leaders revealed the actual nature of British rule by continuously opposing governmental activities.

5. Three non-violent principles:

Initially, the Moderates followed “A policy of 3 p’s” which means “Prayer, please, and petition”. The earlier Congress leaders believed in these three principles.

6. Criticism Policy:

The method of the Congress in its early phase was criticism based. In their annual sessions, the different policies of the British were criticized.

7. Policy of loyalty:

The early Congress leaders had much faith in British rule and justice.

Question 6. Who were the Moderates and How were their objectives and methods of action? Extremists?
Answer:

Moderates And Their Objectives And Methods Of Action:-

Introduction:

1. Moderates:

The first leaders of the National Congress, who tried to obtain their demands through the policy of prayer, please, and petition, were known as Moderates.

2. Extremists:

Some Congress leaders did not believe in the prayer and petition policy. They wanted to build up a strong protest against the British and attain complete freedom.

They were called Extremists. Some Moderate leaders were Womesh Chunder Banerjee, Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Surendranath Banerjee, and Ramesh Chandra Dutta.

Some Extremist leaders were Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Aurobindo Ghosh.

Objectives and methods:

1. Objectives of Moderates:

The objectives of the Moderate leaders were

1. to unify the Indians with the help of nationalism,
2. to develop national awareness among the Indians,
3. to present the proposals of the first session before the government.

Method: The method of protest of the Moderates was to criticize the policies of the British government.

They also tried to solve the social, economic, and political problems of the Indians through prayer and petitions to the government.

They believed in patience, compromise, and alliance.

2. Objectives of Extremists:

The objectives of the Extremists were

1. Complete independence free of British control,
2. to believe in Swadeshi, boycott and self-sacrifice policy, and plunge into direct struggle against the British,
3. Conduct the national movement on the basis of ancient Hinduism and past history.

Method: The Extremists wanted to attain complete self-rule and independence from British rule by launching a strong protest.

So they gave up the policy of prayer, please, and petition and got involved in an armed struggle against the British.

Question 7. Point out the causes of conflict between the Moderates and the Extremists.
Answer:

Causes Of Conflict Between The Moderates And The Extremists:-

Introduction:

The Moderate leaders of the first phase of the National Congress tried to satisfy the hopes and aspirations of the Indians through mutual agreement.

On the other hand, the Extremist leaders wanted to have their demands fulfilled through direct conflict.

Causes Of Conflict-

1. Difference in ideals:

The source of ideals hopes, and inspirations of the Moderate leaders was Western education.

The basis of the political ideals of the Extremists was ancient Hinduism, the past glory of India, and complete patriotism.

2. Difference in objective:

The chief aim of the Moderates was the attainment of self-rule. The chief aim of the Extremists was complete Swaraj or freedom.

3. Difference in method:

The Moderates followed the methods of prayer, please, and petition. The Extremists selected the methods of boycott, swadeshi, and spiritual empowerment.

4. Difference in nature:

The Extremist movement was the primary stage of the future mass movements.

The moderate movement was mainly confined to the middle class or highly educated professionals, teachers, and barristers.

5. Difference in consciousness:

The conflict between the Extremists and the Moderates took place as the former believed in self-dependence while the latter believed in the activities of the British.

6. Difference in social basis:

The social basis of Moderates and Extremists differed. The basis of the Moderates was the newly educated urban upper class.

In the other hand, the basis of the Extremists was the educated but deprived urban middle class.

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Topic A Nationalist Organisation Short Analytical Type Questions

Question1. Mention the constitution and purpose of the British Indian Association.
Answer:

Constitution And Purpose Of The British Indian Association:-

Constitution:

British Indian Association (founded in 1851) was a combination of the Landholders Association (1838) and the Bengal British Indian Society (1843).

The first president and secretary were Radhakanta Dev and Dwarkanath Tagore. The notable members were Ramgopal Ghosh and Pyarichand Mitra.

Purpose: The purpose of the British Indian Association could be known from an application to the government containing several proposals for reformation.

1. Protection of resources:

The government was expected to make adequate arrangements to safeguard the resources of the Indians.

2. Recruitment of Indians:

More Indians would be recruited in high governmental posts.

3. Separation of executive and judiciary:

The judiciary would be completely separated from the executive.

4. Independent Board:

An independent board would be formed with Indian representatives according to the British colonial model.

5. Expansion of education:

There would be adequate arrangements for the smooth expansion of education.

Question 2 What do you know about the foundation and purposes of the Indian Association?
Answer:

Foundation And Purposes Of The Indian Association:-

1. Foundation:

The Indian Association was established by Surendranath Banerjee and Anandamohan Basu at the Kolkata Albert Hall (present Coffee House) on July 21, 1876. Shivnath Shastri and Dwarakanath Ganguly also helped in the establishment.

2. Purpose:

1. The main purposes of establishing the association were
2. building up powerful educated public opinion.
3. unification of people belonging to different castes and languages
4.  the condition of Hindu-Muslim unity and amity.
5.  Involvement of the lower class people in society in the political movements.

Question 3. How did the Indian Association conduct the National Movement?
Answer:

Indian Association Conduct The National Movement:-

1. Demand for Civil Service:

The Association demanded that the Civil Examination should be held in England and India simultaneously. The minimum age should also be raised from 19 to 23.

2. Protest against Arms Act:

According to the Arms Act, no Indian could keep firearms without permission from the British government. The Indian Association strongly protested against this and built up public opinion.

3. Protest against Vernacular Press Act:

Lord Lytton passed an act to exercise control over the newspapers published in Indian languages.

Surendranath Banerjee formed the Native Press Association in protest against this Vernacular Press Act.

4. Albert Bill controversy:

The Indian Association launched a counter-movement under the leadership of Surendranath Banerjee against the Alberta Bill Agitation of the white people.

Question 4. Write a note on the Arms Act of 1878.
Answer:

Arms Act Of 1878:-

1. Implementation:

The notorious Arms Act was implemented by Lord Lytton. According to this act, no Indian could keep firearms without the permission of the government.

2. Motive:

After the Great Revolt of 1857, the British government tried to disarm the Indians.

So the Arms Act was passed in order to disarm the Indians and exploit them more. The main purposes were

1. to ensure that no more armed revolts occurred like the Great Revolt
2. and to clearly show the distinction between the English and the Indians with respect to the enjoyment of legal facilities.

Question 5 Write a note on Vernacular Press Act (1878).
Answer:

Vernacular Press Act (1878):-

Implementation:

Lord Lytton issued the Vernacular Press Act on March 14, 1878, to strangle the newspapers published in various Indian languages.

Provisions:

1. The editor and printer of a newspaper could not publish any such news which would incite grievances of the readers against the government.
2. No such news could be printed which would aggravate racial enmity between the British and the Indians.
3.  If any Indian newspaper violated these terms then the government would confiscate its money as well as its printing machine.

Question 6. What do you know about the Dramatic Performance Act?
Answer:

Dramatic Performance Act:-

Implementation:

Contemporary plays also helped in the rise and development of nationalism.

The plays which were enacted in different regions of Bengal depicted the poverty of the Indians and economic exploitation as well as the tyranny and oppression carried on by the British.

These aroused strong anti-British feelings among the public and thereby scared the government.

Governor General Northbrook passed the Dramatic Performance Act on March 14, 1876. This put a great restriction on dramatic performances.

1. Provisions:

The act provided that

1. a copy of the manuscript of the play would have to be submitted at the nearest police station before staging it.
2. The play would be staged only after permission was granted by the police station.
3. No such play, which would help in the development of nationalism, could be staged.

Question 7. What were the main demands of the leaders of the early phase of Congress?
Answer:

Main Demands Of The Leaders Of The Early Phase Of Congress:-

The demands of the leaders of the early phase of the Congress were as follows.

1. Demand for including Indians in the administration:

The Moderate leaders of the early phase demanded forcefully that more Indians should be involved in the administration.

The British were finally compelled to pass the Indian Council Act in 1892 accepting this demand.

2. Demand for representation:

The early leaders demanded that the Indians who had been elected from local organizations like chambers of commerce and university should be sent to the legal counsel.

3. Demand for abolishing the office of the Secretary of State:

The Moderates also demanded that the office of the Secretary of State for India should be abolished.

Question 8. Why could the early Congress leaders not oppose the British directly?
Answer:

Early Congress Leaders Not Oppose The British Directly:-

There were some reasons why the Moderates could not oppose the British

1. Lack of mass acceptability:

It was not possible for an organization that consisted only of professionals like lawyers, doctors, journalists, and teachers only to succeed in opposing the British directly.

2. Organisational weakness:

The National Congress was not a political party in the modern sense of the term. It was quite weak from the point of view of finance and mass support.

3. Internal conflicts:

The inner conflicts among the different groups weakened the National Congress. There were conflicts between the Bombay and Poona groups,

between Surendranath and Bipin Chandra Pal in Bengal and between Lala Harkishan and Lala Lajpat Rai in Punjab.

Question 9. What do you mean by ‘Swaraj’?
Answer:

Swaraj:-

In the context of the National Movement ‘Swaraj’ initially meant the right to self-government. Later on, it came to mean ‘freedom’.

1. Early phase:

In the Kolkata session of the Congress in 1906, President Dadabhai Naoroji said that the aim of the National Movement was the attainment of Swaraj.

2. Later phase:

Later on, the Moderate and Extremist leaders explained ‘Swaraj’ according to their own ideals.

Some Moderates thought that ‘swaraj’ meant the attainment of self-right by staying within British rule.

The great revolutionary Sekharan Ganesh Deuskar used the word ‘Swaraj’ as a synonym for freedom. Ball Gangadhar Tilak said, ‘Swaraj is my birthright.

Aurobindo Ghosh thought that Swaraj implies an ‘expression of moral and spiritual strength.”

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Topic A Nationalist Organisation State Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False

Question 1. The leaders of the National Congress for the first twenty years (1885-1905) were known as Moderates.
Answer: True

Question 2. The founder of Bengal National College was Aurobindo Ghosh.
Answer: True

Question 3. The first session of the National Congress was held at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Delhi.
Answer: False

Question 4. The other name of the ‘Jatiya Mela’ organized by Nabagopal Mitra was ‘Hindu Mela’.
Answer: True

Question 5. Ramtanu Lahiri was the president of the first all-India conference of the Indian Association held in Kolkata.
Answer: True

Question 6. Most of the Extremists regarded British rule as the dictate of Providence.
Answer: False

Question 7. C.P. Ilbert was a member of the legislative council of Governor General Bentinck.
Answer: False

Question 8. The ‘Shivaji Utsav’ began in Maharashtra under the leadership of Shivaji.
Answer: False

Question 9. The final split between the Moderates and the Extremists took place in the Surat session of the National Congress in 1907.
Answer: True

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Topic A Nationalist Organisation Fill In The Blanks By Selecting The Appropriate Expressions From The Brackets

Question 1. The President of the first session of the National Congress was _________ (Surendranath Banerjee/Womesh Chunder Banerjee/Dadabhai Naoroji).
Answer: Womesh Chunder Banerjee

Question 2. The great orator _________ (Keshab Banerjee/Chandra Sen/Surendranath Bipin Chandra Pal)was called the ‘Burke of Bengal’.
Answer: Bipin Chandra Pal

Question 3. In the _________ (Madras/Surat/Kolkata) session the National Congress got divided into two distinct groups the Moderates and the Extremists.
Answer: Surat

Question 4. A dispute arose between Moderate Gokhale and Extremist Tilak over the control of _________ (Indian Association/ Poona Sarvajanik Sabha/Zamindar Sabha).
Answer: Poona Sarvajanik Sabha

Question 5 _________ (Dr. Nilratan Sarkar/Dr. Mahendralal Sarkar/Acharya Prafulla Chandra Rai) established Bengal Chemical Pharmaceutical to establish indigenous industries.
Answer: Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy

Question 6. Santiniketan was established by the initiative of _________ (Rabindranath Tagore/Bankim Chandra Chatterjee/Aurobindo Ghosh).
Answer: Rabindranath Tagore

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Topic A Nationalist Organisation Answer In A Complete Sentence

Question 1. Which period is called the ‘age of sabha samitis’ of India?
Answer: The period from 1857 to 1885 is called the ‘age of sabha samitis’ of India.

Question 2. Who founded the Theosophical Society?
Answer: Theosophical Society was founded by Colonel Olcott and Madame Blavatsky.

Question 3. Which is the first political organization of India?
Answer: The first political organization of India was Landholder’s Society.

Question 4. Who started a movement in support of Ilbert Bill?
Answer: The Indian Association started a movement in support of the Ilbert Bill.

Question 5. Who is known as Lal-Bal-Pal?
Answer: Extremist Congress leaders Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal together known as Lal-Bal-Pal.

Question 6. What was the aim of the moderates?
Answer: The moderate’s aim was to achieve partial autonomy for India within the fold of the British Empire.

Question 7. Write down the proposals which were accepted in the Calcutta session of 1906.
Answer:

Swaraj, swadeshi, boycott, and national education-these four proposals were accepted in the Calcutta session of 1906.

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Topic A Nationalist Organisation Select The Most Appropriate Explanation For The Following Statement

Question 1. The political leaders of various provinces had contact with Allan Octavian Hume, a retired English official.

1. Hume had toured the entire subcontinent in order to carry out duties related to his job.
2. He was the appointed authority in different provinces.
3. He was the chief spokesman of the government.

Answer: 1. Hume had toured the entire subcontinent in order to carry out duties related to his job.

Question 2. The Ilbert Bill Agitation was led by the Indian Association.

1. According to this Bill, the police were allowed to keep Indians in custody without trial.
2. Ilbert Bill was withdrawn due to the movement of the Europeans.
3. The appointment of Indians. judges in the judiciary were prohibited by the provisions of this Bill.

Answer: 2. Ilbert Bill was withdrawn due to the movement of the Europeans.

Question 3. Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British official, wanted to form a political association to protect the interest of the Indians.

1. The Indians continuously launched ant British movements.
2. Armed uprisings against the British were being organized in different regions of India.
3. Dissatisfaction against the British could be felt among the Indians through various incidents.

Answer: 3. Dissatisfaction against the British could be felt among the Indians through various incidents.

Question 4. There were variations within the organizational weaknesses Congress had from the very beginning.

1. People belonging to all sections of society were not included in Congress.
2. The Congress leaders were quite weak.
3. The Congress was not financially strong.

Answer: 1. People belonging to all sections of society were not included in Congress.

Question 5. Bombay was the most significant province for the Congress from a geographical point of view.

1. Most of the industrialists of Bombay became members of Congress.
2. Thirty-eight out of the seventy-two participants of the first session were from the Bombay Presidency.
3. The head office of the Congress was in Bombay.

Answer: 2. Thirty-eight out of the seventy-two participants of the first session were from the Bombay Presidency.

Question 6. The activities of the National Congress had lost their national character from social and communal points of view.

1. The activities of the Congress were communal.
2. The lower class people and their grievances did not find any place in the agenda of the Congress.
3. The leaders felt proud to declare themselves as ‘representatives of the nation’.

Answer: 3. The leaders felt proud to declare themselves as ‘representatives of the nation’.

Question 7. In the first phase, Congress did not want an end to British colonial rule in India.

1. In the first phase, the political agenda of the National Congress was not anti-British.
2. In the first phase, the National Congress recognized the necessity of British rule for the Indians.
3. In the first phase, Congress wanted to consolidate the economic base of India through the machinery of colonial rule.

Answer: 1. In the first phase the political agenda of the National Congress was not anti-British.

Question 8. The Congress lacked the capacity of organizing a national movement with their agenda.

1.  They lacked the financial capacity to conduct the movements.
2.  Most of the leaders were concerned with their personal professions throughout the year.
3.  There was no able and skillful leader to conduct the movement on a national level.

Answer: 2. Most of the leaders were concerned with their personal professions throughout the year.

Question 9. The British Government did not accept any demands of the Moderates.

Their demands were unreasonable.

1. The demands seemed immoral to the British.
2. The demands were quite significant for the colonial administration.

Answer: 3. The demands were quite significant for the colonial administration.

Question 10. The British did not accept the demand of holding the civil services examination in India and London simultaneously.

1. The British did not want the Indianization of the administration.
2. They did not want many Indians to participate in the administration.
3. They had anticipated that the Indians, who would qualify for the examination and participate in the administration, would oppose the British

Answer: 1. The British did not want the Indianization of the administration.

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Topic A Nationalist Organisation Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. The founder of the Indian League was

1. Allan Octavian Hume
2. Anandamohan Bose
3. Colonel Olcott
4. Sishir Kumar Ghose

Answer: 4. Sishir Kumar Ghose

Question 2. The Vernacular Press Act was repealed by

1. ALord Bentinck
2. Lord Ripon
3. Lord Canning
4. Lord Cornwallis

Answer: 2. Lord Ripon

Question 3. Which organization was called ‘representatives of the minority’ by Lord Dufferin?

1. Indian League
2. Hindu Mela
3. Indian Association
4. Congress

Answer:4. Congress

Question 4. There was a clash of opinions between Aurobindo Ghosh, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Brahmabandhab Upadhyay around the editorial policy of the newspaper

1. Amrit Bazar Patrika
2. Kranti
3. Bande Mataram
4. DJugantar

Answer: 3. Bande Mataram

Question 5. The one who was not an extremes

1. Aurobindo Ghosh
2. Bipin Chandra Pal
3. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
4. Brahmabandhab Upadhyay

Answer: 3. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Question 6. Ramesh Chandra Dutta was a

1. A Businessman
2. Judge
3. Civil servant
4. Writer

Answer: 3. Civil servant

Question 7. Who was the Governor General of India during the Ilbert Bill Controversy?

1. Madame Blavatsky
2. Lord Ripon
3. Lord Dalhousie
4. Lord Cornwallis

Answer: 2. Lord Ripon

Question 8. “Congress was no anti-British conspiratorial platform” Who said this?

1. Anandamohan Bose
2. Surendranath Banerjee
3. Womesh Chunder Banerjee
4. Nabagopal Mitra

Answer: 3. Womesh Chunder Banerjee

Question 9. Lala Lajpat Rai was a member of

1. Prarthana Samaj
2. Arya Samaj
3. Arya Bandhab Samaj
4. Satyashodhak Samaj

Answer: 2. Arya Samaj

Question 10. The first session of the National Congress was held in Bombay in 1885 with a membership of

1. 72
2. 82
3. 92
4. 102

Answer: 72

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Topic B Anti Partition Movement In Bengal And Revolutionary Terrorism

Question 1. Analyze the causes of the rise of the mill- tant nationalism,
Answer:

Introduction: A section of Congress was quite dissatisfied with the prayer and petition policy and was highly disappointed by the activities of the leaders.

Thus a new group called the Extremists emerged within Congress.

Cause For The Rise Of Extremist Or Militant Nationalism-

1. Weakness of the Congress movement :

There was a lack of actual opposition from the British to the movement launched by the Moderates. This made the young members impatient.

Tilak demanded Swaraj saying, “Swaraj is my birthright, I will definitely attain it.”

Read and Learn More WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 History

2. Oppressive Economic policy:

When the government passed the Taxation Act (1894) and Cotton Textiles Act (1896) for the interest of the capitalists, the anti-British. militant nationalism emerged in India.

History Class 8 WBBSE

3. Writings and thoughts of great men :

The basis of militant nationalism was formed by Vivekananda’s patriotism, Bankim Chandra’s call for complete sacrifice, and Vande Mataram Mantra,

Dayanand’s Hindu ideals, the Marathi translation of Goita by Tilak, Lajpat Rai’s biography of Shri Krishna in Urdu, and Aurobindo’s explanation of the Karma theory of the Gita in Bengali.

4. Indifference of the government:

When the poor Indians were dying of drought, famine, plague, and epidemic, the British government did not extend any help.

This offended the Indians and led to the rise of extremist tendencies.

5. Influence of newspapers and journals:

Several anti-British criticisms were published in Aurobindo Ghosh’s ‘Vande Mataram’, Bipin Chandra Pal’s ‘New India’, Sisir Kumar Ghosh’s ‘Amritabazar Patrika’, and similar other journals. journals.

Again, newspapers like ‘Sandhya, ‘Sanjivani’, and Jugantar called for passive resistance against the British. In this way, militant nationalism arose.

6. Result of the autocratic policy of Curzon :

The Kolkata Corporation Act (1894), Indian University Act (1904), and Curzon’s decision to partition Bengal revealed

the autocratic nature of British rule. It was chiefly Curzon’s decision to divide Bengal which gave rise to militant nationalism.

History Class 8 WBBSE

Question 2. Write down the causes and results of the partition of Bengal.
Answer:

Causes Of Partition Of Bengal

Real reasons:

1. Destroy the unity and integrity of Bengal:

Curzon had divided Bengal to weaken the national movement by destroy- ing the unity and integrity of the Bengalees.

2. Weaken the Congress:

Curzon wanted to divide Bengal to weaken the Congress whose main center of activity was Kolkata.

3. Facilities for Muslims:

Curzon said that the Muslims would get more facilities in employment and higher studies if the Muslim-dominated East Bengal was separated from the Hindu-dominated West Bengal.

Results of the Partition:

1. Progress of national movement:

The Swadeshi and Boycott movements started as a protest against Lord Curzon’s decision to partition Bengal.

This anti-partition movement is recognized as the first fully anti-British movement in the mainstream of the Indian national movement.

2. Partition annulled: The anti-partition:

the movement was so strong that King George V was compelled to come to Delhi and announce the annulment of the partition on December 12, 1911.

History Class 8 WBBSE

3. Rise of Extremists:

The young leaders had to give up the Moderate policy in order to protest against the partition of Bengal.

So Extremist tendencies arose under the leadership of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Aurobindo Ghosh.

4. Expansion of indigenous industries:

When the Swadeshi movement began as a protest against the partition some indigenous textile mills, banks, hosiery, and cosmetic factories were established.

5. Spread of national education:

The National Education Council was established on August 14, 1906. and National College,
Bengal National College and Bengal Technical College were established as protests against the partition.

Apart from these, 24 Madhyamik and 300 primary schools were established.

Question 3. Discuss the National Education movement in the Swedish period.
Answer:

National Education Movement In the Swadeshi Period

1. Background:

The government kept on passing laws to prevent the students from participating in the Swadeshi movement to stifle the movement.

The students were forbidden to participate in political movements or meetings or even chant ‘Vande Mataram’

through notorious laws like Carlyle Circular (October 10, 1905), Leon Circular (October 16, 1905), and Pedlar Circular (October 21, 1905).

Bipin Chandra vehemently criticized all these circulars at a public meeting on October 24, 1905. He proposed to introduce an independent national educa

Motive:

The main motive of the national education movement was to discard foreign education and provide indigenous education to the students and thereby inspiring them with nationalist ideals.

So schools sprang up in different parts of the country through native enterprise.

History Class 8 WBBSE

Spread of National Movement-

1. Foundation of national institutions:

The first national school was established by Kaliprasanna Dasgupta and Brajasundar Roy at Rangpur in East Bengal on November 8, 1905.

The Anti-Circular Society was founded by Sachindra Bose in November 1905 to encourage students to join the anti-British movement.

The main purpose of the society was to arrange for the education of those students who were rusticated from schools for anti-government activities.

2 Financial Assistance:

Many people extended financial help to make this system a success. Some of them were Subodh Chandra Mullick, Brajendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury,

Suryakanta Acharya Chowdhuri, Sir Taraknath Palit, Dr. Rash Behari Ghosh, Rabindranath Tagore, Sir Gurudas Banerjee, and Hirendranath Dutta.

3. Spread of national education in Bengal:

The National Council of Education was established in Kolkata on March 11, 1906, with 92 members under the presidency of Satyendranath Tagore.

This Council established educational centers at different places and so the system began to spread rapidly.

A national college was established on August 14, 1906, with Aurobindo Ghosh as the Principal. The Bengal Technical Institute was founded on July 25, 1906.

Later on, Santiniketan and Sriniketan were established by Rabindranath Tagore.

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4. National Education in other provinces:

The ideals of national education became popular in other provinces also. National schools were established in Bombay, Madras, UP, and Bihar.

A national college was established in Mousulipattanam. A national educational council was established in Andhra Pradesh in 1909.

Question 4. Discuss the role of Rabindranath in the spread of the Swadeshi movement.
Answer:

Introduction:

In 1905 Curzon decided to divide Bengal Presidency which was the vital center of Indian nationalism. The nationalists tried to prevent the partition at any cost.

Rabindranath Tagore voluntarily joined the boycott and Swadeshi movements which were a part of the anti-partition struggle.

Swadeshi Movement And Role Of Rabindranath

1. Opposing Carlyle Circular:

Chief Secretary Thomas Carlyle issued a repressive decree named Carlyle Circular on October 10, 1905, in order to keep the students aloof from the anti-partition movement.

A meeting was arranged at Charu Chandra Mullick’s residence at Pataldanga in Kolkata under the Presidentship of Rabindranath to oppose this decree.

In this meeting, all university students were urged to severe connection with Kolkata University.

2. Raksha Bandhan festival:

The partition of Bengal was to be enforced on October 16, 1905. The Bengalees expressed their grievances on that day through different programs.

Raksha Bandhan festival planned by Rabindranath Tagore Rabindranath was one of the main programs.

The people from both parts of Bengal took a holy bath in the Ganga and tied yellow threads on each other’s wrists to maintain fraternity and the unity of their motherland.

Then they chanted Vande Mataram and sang, patriotic songs composed by Rabindranath and walked in a procession barefooted.

3. Composing patriotic songs:

Rabindranath composed 27 patriotic songs during the Swadeshi period (1905-12) to arouse patriotism among the people and add momentum to the movement.

4. Patriotic feelings:

Rabindranath had found a big possibility of developing spiritual strength in constructive patriotic thoughts.

His patriotic feelings were reflected in his speech on the planning of indigenous industry, agriculture, cooperatives, and milk supply.

This speech was delivered at the provincial conference held in Pavna in 1907. He also took up several programs at Shantiniketan and Sreeniketan for the materialization of those plans.

Question 5. Write an essay on the anti-partition movement in Bengal.
Answer:

Introduction:

Lord Curzon’s decision to partition Bengal was a shameful and condemnable incident of British rule in India.

The anti-partition movement began as a protest against this decision.

The anti-partition movement developed in three phases swadeshi, boycott, and national education movements.

1. Swadeshi:

1. Indigenous industries:

Attempts were made to expand the indigenous industries on the basis of patriotic ideals. So indigenous textile mills, banks, hosiery, and cosmetic companies were established.

Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy founded Bengal Chemical Chemical and Pharmaceutical, Chidambaram Pillai established a shipping company, Dr.

Nilratan Sarkar established a shoe factory and Jamshedji Tata established Tata Iron and Steel Company.

2. Literature and culture:

A new tide entered the native literature and culture as a result of the Swadeshi movement.

2. Boycott:

1. Beginning:

The decision to boycott was first declared through Krishna Kumar Mitra’s ‘Sanjivani’,.

The boycott movement began with a meeting arranged at Kolkata Town Hall and carrying on a program of picketing.

2. Agenda:

The Bengali students and teachers boycotted English schools. The lawyers and clerks boycotted English courts.

even the washermen, barbers, cooks, and other lower-level workers refused to serve the English people.

At the same time, picketing continued before the shops selling British goods and many foreign goods were burnt.

3. Pervasive ness:

The students spontaneously participated in the movement. So the government issued Carlyle Circular on October 10, 1905.to stop the students from participating.

The women also gave up wearing sarees and glass bangles made in England.

3. National Education Movement:

Backdrop Carlyle Circular, Leon Circular, and Pedlar Circular stirred the students and the whole field of education immensely.

2. Objective:

The main objective of this movement was to discard foreign education and provide indigenous education to students and thereby inspiring them with

3. Spread:

The first patriotic ideals. A national school was founded at Rangpur by Kaliprasanna Dasgupta and Brajasundar Roy.

Anti-circular society was established by Sachindra Basu in Kolkata.

Satyendranath Tagore established the National Education Council in Kolkata with 92 members. A national college was established with Aurobindo Ghosh as its Principal.

Question 6 Discuss the role of newspapers in the anti-partition movement.
Answer:

Introduction:

The newspapers published in various languages spoke vehemently against the partition.

Jugantar wrote that the 30 crore Indians would have to raise 60 crore hands to stop such accursed tyranny of the British.

Role Of Newspapers

Native Newspapers:

1 Bengali newspaper:

1. Sanjivani:

An editorial was first published in Sanjivani by Krishna Kumar Mitra criticizing the decision of dividing Bengal.

2. Vandemataram:

In the journal ‘Vandemataram’ Aurobindo Ghosh wrote that a new awareness was created among the Bengalees on August 7, 1905, as if they had just awakened from a 150 years long sleep

3. 0thers:

Articles opposing the partition were also published in Bhupendranath Dutta’s Jugantar’, Manoranjan Guha Thakurta’s ‘Navashakti’ and Bhahma Bandhav Upadhyay’s Sandhya’.

2. English Newspapers:

1. Bengalee:

Surendranath Banerjee opposed the partition through his newspaper ‘Bengalee’ saying that “I shall make a permanent incident impermanent.”

2. 0thers:

The partition was also opposed by ‘Modern Review of Ramananda Chattopadhyay, ‘Don’ by Satish Chandra Mukhopadhyay, and ‘Indian World’ by Prithvish Chandra Roy.

3. Muslim Periodicals:

Articles criticizing the partition were also published in ‘The Mussalmans’ by Hussain Mujibar Rahman, ‘Ajijul Nehar’ by Mir Mosharraf, and ‘Islam Prachar’ by Muhammad Roazuddin.

Foreign Newspapers:

Even British newspapers like ‘Daily News’ of London, ‘Pioneer’, ‘Times’, ‘Manchester Guardian’ and ‘Englishman’ spoke bitterly against the partition.

Question 7 Evaluate Morley Minto Reforms critically.
Answer:

Introduction:

The reforms introduced. by the Secretary of State for India John Morley and Viceroy Lord Minto in 1909 to change

the administrative system in India, are known as the Morley Minto Reforms or Council Act of 1909.

Morley-Minto Reforms

1. Reason for introducing the act:

The British were quite relieved by the conflict between the Moderates and the Extremists and the rift between Muslim League and National Congress.

However, they were quite disturbed by the spread of armed revolutionary activities and the continuous agitation for self-government.

A deputation of the Muslim League under the leadership of Aga Khan met Lord Minto and demanded a separate electorate and privileges. for the Muslims.

So the government introduced the Morley Minto Reforms Act.

2. Features of the act:

The Morley Minto Reforms Act had two parts:

1. Working or Executive Council:

1. Only one Indian, i.e. barrister Satyendra Prasanna Sinha, was included in the Viceroy’s executive council. He was appointed as the Secretary of Law.
2. The number of members in the executive councils of Madras and Bombay increased from two to four.
3. An executive council was also formed for the governor of Bengal in which Kishorilal Goswami was included.

2. Legislative council:

1. The number of members of the central council was raised from sixteen to sixty.
2. The number of members of the provincial councils was kept between thirty and fifty.
3. The Muslims were granted the right to choose their separate representatives. In this way, communal representation was acknowledged.

3. Significance:

This autocratic system of administration was a combination of the autocracy of the earlier Hindu and Muslim periods and the constitutionalism of the British.

Through this Act, the aristocrats as well as the middle classes of contemporary India could participate in the legislation procedure of the government.

4. Reaction of Indians:

After the introduction of the Morley-Minto Reforms Act, it was strongly criticized by politicians as well as people from all sections of society.

The provision for a separate electorate for the Muslims shows the initiation of the Two Nation theory. According to Gandhiji, it was a death blow to the Indians.

This system was also vehemently condemned by Jawaharlal Nehru.

Question 8. Give an account of the revolutionary activities in Bengal till World War Answer:

Introduction:

Bengal was the main center of the revolutionary movement in India. The concept of armed revolutionism began to spread in the national movement at

the beginning of the 19th century and the revolutionaries of Bengal played a pioneering role in it.

Revolutionary Movement In Bengal Till The First World War

1. Contribution of Secret societies:

1. Anushilan Samiti:

Pramathanath Mitra and Satish Chandra Basu established “Anushilan Samity” in 1902. The members were taught

the techniques of stick fight, sword fighting, dagger fighting, use of pistols, physical fitness, swimming, and horse riding.

Some important members were Aurobindo Ghosh, Barindra Kumar Ghosh, and Jadugopal Mukherjee. Branches

were established in different districts and cities like Dhaka, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chittagong, and Comilla.

2. Jugantar Dal:

Barindra Kumar Ghosh and Bhupendranath Dutta began to spread revolutionary ideals through their journal Jugantar’.

Gradually an association named Jugantar Dal was formed. They tried to achieve freedom through armed struggle.

Hemchandra Das learned the bomb-making techniques from Paris and Kshudiram and Prafulla Chaki was entrusted with the task of assassinating Magistrate Kingsford.

3. Other associations:

Other revolutionary societies that grew up in different parts of Bengal were

‘Dhaka Anushilan Samity’ of Pulin Beheri Das, ‘Attonnati Samity’ of Barindra Kumar Ghosh and Bhupendranath Dutta, ‘Brati Samity’ and ‘Suhrid Samiti’.

2. Aurobindo’s Contribution:

During the partition, Aurobindo Ghosh left the post of Principal in Baroda and became the Principal of Kolkata National College (present Jadavpur University).

He published ‘Jugantar’ and later on became the editor of Bipin Chandra Pal’s ‘Vande Mataram’ through which he spread revolutionary ideals.

He formed the ‘Nationalist Party with the help of Tilak. He inspired the revolutionaries to make bombs at a garden house in Muraripukur.

3. Contribution of Kshudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki:

The Jugantar Dal entrusted the task of assassinating Magistrate Kingsford to Kshudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki.

However, they mistook the car and killed two ladies Mrs and Miss Kennedy instead.

Prafulla Chaki committed suicide on May 1, 1908, before being arrested and Kshudiram was hanged on August 11, 1908.

4. Bagha Jatin’s contribution:

Jatindranath Mukherjee or Bagha Jatin played an important role in the armed revolutionary movement of Bengal at the beginning of the 20th century.

He planned to carry out an armed anti-British campaign in India with the help of Germany. So 50 guns and 46,000 rounds of cartridges were plundered on August 26, 1914.

Money and firearms were also sent from Germany. He went to Baleshwar in Orissa to collect arms from the German ship Maverick.

Unfortunately, his plan was leaked and he and his associates had to fight against the British forces on the banks of Burhibalam. Bagha Jatin died as a martyr on September 10, 1915.

5. Contribution of others:

1. The revolutionists murdered the public prosecutor of the Alipur bomb case Ashutosh Biswas.
2. Deputy Superintendent of Police Samsul Alam was killed in the High Court in 1910.
3. The officer in charge of Nandalal Banerjee was also killed for his attempt to have Prafulla Chaki arrested.

Question 9. Discuss the significance of the revolutionary movements.
Answer:

Introduction:

Though the brave revolutionaries failed in spite of their courage and self-sacrifice, their contribution was not insignificant.

We cannot ignore this movement from the point of view of history.

Significance

1. Objective attain independence:

The prime objective of the Indian National Movement was to attain independence. the revolutionary movement also had the same aim.

So the latter had, in fact, rendered strength to the former.

2. Establishing the value of independence:

The revolutionaries had established the value of independence by sacrificing their lives. They were a vital factor to make the Indians understand that freedom was invaluable.

3. Establishing new political. ideal:

The revolutionaries had established contact with foreign countries at different times while making preparations for armed struggle.

In doing so they opened the door for the entry of foreign political ideals into Indian politics.

M. N. Roy helped to lay down the foundation of Marxism in India by establishing contact with Russia.

4. Rise of armed struggle:

The way in which the revolutionaries had engaged themselves in armed struggle for independence both within and abroad, a new method of struggle came into, existence.

This method included secret murders, preparations for the sudden uprising, and attempts to influence the army.

5. Panic among the British:

Although the armed revolutions could not uproot British rule, yet they could create much panic in the British bureaucracy.

The rulers were quite anxious and frightened regarding self-defense due to the activities. of the revolutionaries.

6. Aid of foreign power:

The revolutionaries never hesitated to seek foreign aid for the sake of India’s independence.

They were the first to set the example that one could fight for his freedom even with the help of foreign powers.

For instance, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had dreamt of making India independent with the help of foreigners. power.

Question 10. Suppose you were a student of a government school during the anti-partition and Swadeshi movements. Write a letter to your friend narrating your experience of the National Education movement.
Answer:

Dear Ankush,
Kolkata
25.7.1906

Hope you and your family members are in the best of spirits. Today I shall tell you about my experience of the National Education movement through this letter.

I think you know that the anti-partition movement and Swadeshi movement started in protest against Lord Curzon’s decision to partition Bengal.

The National Education movement has also been launched as a part of the Swadeshi movement. Indians are being urged to boycott the English language and foreign educational methods.

Many indigenous educational institutions have been set up to spread indigenous education. Some of them are Rabindranath’s Brahmacharya Ashram,

Brahma Bandhav Upadhyay’s Sarswat Ayatan and Satish Chandra Mukhopadhyay’s ‘Don Society’: A mass meeting was also organized by the Don Society.

Subodh Chandra Chandra Mullick and Brajendra Kishore Roychowdhuri have donated rupees one lakh and five lakhs respectively for the spread of national education.

The National Education Council has been established through a meeting presided over by Satyendranath Tagore in Kolkata.

The Bengal National School and College have been founded under the initiative of the Council.

Aurobindo Ghosh has been appointed the Principal of the college. In this way, national education has been spreading through the native initiative.

We expect that more native institutions will the established.

Let me stop here today.

Waiting for your reply.

Yours affectionately,

Soham

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Toic B Anti Pqartion Movement In Bengal And Revolutionary Terrorism Short Analytical Type Questions

Question 1. What was the main objective of Curzon’s partition of Bengal?
Answer:

1. Destruction of unity and integrity of Bengal:

Curzon wanted to create dissension between the Hindus and Muslims and destroy the integrity of the Bengalees.

The new feelings of nationalism and new awakening which were ignited by the great men of Bengal in the 19th century influenced the whole of India.

2. Weaken the National Congress:

Kolkata was the most vital center for Congress because all the transactions of the party were conducted from there.

So Curzon wanted to divide Bengal into two parts and thus harm the activities of the Congress.

Question 2. What do you mean by the ideal of ‘boycott’?
Answer:

1. Meaning:

The word ‘boycott’ means to refuse. However, the boycott which was concerned with the partition of Bengal aimed at refusing to use British goods.

2. Nature:

The discarding of British goods began on the day of partition, i.e., October 16, 1905. Students boycotted schools and colleges and shops and markets were picketed.

The cobblers refused to mend foreign shoes and the washermen refused to wash foreign clothes. In this way, people from all sections of society participated in the boycott.

3. Objectives:

To harm the commercial interests of the British, to build up public opinion against the partition,

to avoid all British goods and ideas and spread constructive rationalism as compensation.

Question 3. What do you mean by, the ideal of ‘Swadeshi’?
Answer:

1. Meaning:

The literal meaning of ‘Swadeshi’ is native. It indicates faith and reverence towards the tradition and lifestyle of one’s own country.

Lala Lajpat Rai said Swadeshi means “the liberation of the country”.

2. Origin:

Gopal Hari Deshmukh first used this word at Poona in 1849. In 1876 the Hindu Mela spread Swadeshi ideals.

In Kolkata, this idea was popularised by the essays written by Bhola Nath Chandra in Mukherjee’s magazine.

3. Beginning of the movement:

The Swadeshi movement began in India as a protest as well as a resistance against the decision to partition Bengal.

The ideals of Swadeshi and Boycott were linked together. Swadeshi could be achieved through the boycott of foreign ideas, lifestyles,s, and goods.

Question 4. What was the agenda of the Boycott Movement?
Answer:

1. Meaning:

The word “boycott” means to refuse. The widespread resistance offered by the Bengalees against Lord Curzon’s plan to partition Bengal was called Boycott Movement.

2. Agenda:

1. Boycott foreign clothes, salt, shoes, and cigarette.
2. Resignation from posts in government offices like magistrate, district board, municipality, and Panchayat offices.
3.  Resignation from the court, legal counsel, and other representative institutions.
4.  Boycott of titles, designations, and language.
5. Boycott of educational institutions.
6. Picketing in front of shops that sold wine, sugar, and other such foreign goods.

Question 5. Write a note on Swadeshi (native) industrialization.
Answer:

1. Textile:

The Bangalaxmi and Mohini mills were set up in Bengal with the help of the native capital.

Many cloth mills grew up in Howrah, Haripal, Dhanekhali, and Chattagram. There was also high production in the cloth mills of Ahmedabad and Bombay.

2. Metallurgy:

Jamshedji Tata established the iron and steel industry in Jamshedpur. Sudhir Kumar Sen set up a cycle factory, and Chidambaram Pillai established a shipping company.

The cutlery industry grew up at Krishnanagar.

3. Medicine and chemicals:

Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy founded Bengal Chemical. Dr. Nilratan Sarkar established the National Soap Factory.

The National Medical College grew up in Kolkata as a native hospital.

4. Other industries:

Other industries were leather, matches, sugar, paper, and pottery.

Question 6. What was the contribution of Muslim society to the Boycott Movement?
Answer:

1. Condemning partition:

Many members of the Muslim society condemned Curzon’s decision to partition Bengal. A censure motion was passed by the Central Mohammedan Association.

2. Public meetings:

Muslims opposed the partition in a public meeting in Kolkata under barrister Abdul Rasul.

3. Namaj in the Masjid:

Namaj was read in the mosques of Barisal, Mymensingh, and Sreerampur opposing the partition.

4. Providing leadership:

Stalwarts like Khwaja Atikulla, Abdul Shavan Choudhuri, and Maulavi Ismail Siraji came forward to lead the Movement.

Question 7. Why was Raksha Bandhan Festival celebrated?
Answer:

Rabindranath decided to observe October 16, 1905 (the day of partition) as Rakshbandhan Day.

1. Maintain communal unity:

Lord Curzon tried to destroy Hindu-Muslim unity by dividing Bengal and thus weakening the national movement.

Rabindranath Tagore tried to uphold unity through the Raksha Bandhan festival.

2. Maintain territorial integrity:

Lord Curzon divided Bengal Presidency into Bangladesh and East Bengal and Assam.

This shattered the territorial integrity of Bengal and Raksha Bandhan festival was a mute yet symbolic protest against it.

Question 8. What was the contribution of the students to the Boycott Movement?
Answer:

1 Boycott foreign educational institutions:

The students participated in the Boycott Movement and took a pledge to boycott all foreign educational institutions. They also took a vow to avoid using foreign paper and pen.

2. Picketing:

The students started picketing before the shops that sold foreign clothes, wine, sugar, and salt.

3. Meetings:

The students organized several meetings at the campus of Ripon College (present Surendranath College), the Hindu hostel, and the Town Hall.

Question 9. Write about the formation and ideals of the Gadar party.
Answer:

1. Instructure:

Lala Hardayal established the Gaden Party in San Francisco in 1913 with the help of Sohan Singh Bhakra.

The word Gadar means ‘revolution’. About 15,000 resident Indians including Sikhs, Christians, and Muslims took membership in the party.

The first President was Keshar Singh and the Secretary was Lala Hardayal.

2. Ideals:

The journal of this party, the ‘Gadar’ was first published on November 1, 1913. This paper was used to spread revolutionary ideals in English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Urdu languages.

Their noble and. determined motive could be known from one of the advertisements. It said, “Brave soldiers wanted” to light the fire of gaydar (revolution) in India.

Salary death, reward martyrdom; stipend independence, battlefield India.”

Question 10. Why is Kshudiram Bose remembered?

Answer:

Kshudiram Bose was a brave revolutionary whose name remains immortal in the history of Bengal as well as that of India.

He was a member of the secret revolutionary organization called ‘Jugantar’.

1. Example of self-sacrifice:

Kshudiram wanted to kill the tyrant district judge Kingsford but he killed Mrs and Miss Kennedy by mistake.

He was hanged to death on August 11, 1908. This martyrdom of Kshudiram will always be remembered in history.

2. Inspiration youths:

Kshudiram’s martyrdom proved that the Indians were ready to make any sacrifice to win independence from the British.

When the armed movement reached its extreme at the beginning of the twentieth century, this idea became more prominent.

This example of self-sacrifice inspired future generations to participate in the freedom movement of India.

Question 11. Why is Bagha Jatin remembered?
Answer:

1. Example of the armed uprising:

Bagha Jatin planned an armed uprising in India by importing arms from Germany and taking. help from the defense department of the government of Germany.

2. Example of self-sacrifice:

The example of self-sacrifice shown by Bagha Jatin and his associates Chittapriya Roy Chowdhury, Monoranjan Sengupta,

Jyotish Pal and Niren Dasgupta at the Battle of Burhibalam will always be remembered in history.

3. Ideal for future generations:

Bagha Jatin’s self-sacrifice at the Battle of Burhibalam (September 10, 1915) for the purpose of freeing India with

the help of foreign aid served as an ideal for the future generation. His activities as a revolutionary made him immortal in history.

Question 12. What was the impact of the armed revolutionary movement on India’s independence?
Answer:

1. Ideal of liberty:

The armed revolutionaries had established a new value that independence was invaluable and self-sacrifice was more desirable than a life of slavery.

They considered death as a trifle. and played an important role in instilling the value of freedom among the Indians.

2 Panic among the British:

The armed revolution created panic among the British for the first time. The British aristocracy got terrified of seeing

the desperate attempt of the revolutionaries to get freedom through murder, secret killings as well as military uprisings.

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Toic B Anti Pqartion Movement In Bengal And Revolutionary Terrorism State Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False

Question 1. Curzon decided to partition Bengal on the recommendation of the Rijli Commission.
Answer: True

Question 2. The decision to partition Bengal was put into action on October 16, 1906.
Answer: False

Question 3. The decision to partition Bengal was annulled on December 12, 1911.
Answer: True

Question 4. The Anushilan Samity was formed by Pramathanath Mitra and Satish Chandra Basu.
Answer: True

Question 5. The two provinces created as a result of the partition of Bengal were East Bengal and Assam.
Answer: True

Question 6. Aurobindo Ghosh is called the ‘Father of armed revolution in India.”
Answer: True

Question 7. The Gadar party was established by Lala Hardayal.
Answer: True

Question 8. Anushilan Samity was founded by Satish. Chandra Basu.
Answer: True

Question 9. Dhaka Anushilan Samity was founded under the leadership of Pulin Behari Das.
Answer: True

Question 10. Satish Chandra Basu brought weapons from Germany to fight against the British.
Answer: False

Question 11. Governor General Minto and Secretary of State for India Morley passed the Indian Council Act in 1919.
Answer: False

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Toic B Anti Pqartion Movement In Bengal And Revolutionary Terrorism Fill In The Blanks By Selecting The Appropriate Expressions From The Brackets

Question 1. The chief aim of the Swadeshi Movement was ________ (to attain self-reliance through national activities / to resist the partition of Bengal /to unify the Hindus and Muslims).
Answer: resist the partition of Bengal

Question 2. The ________ (Morley Minto Reforms Act/ Council Act/Rowlatt Act) was passed by the initiative of the first group of Congress leaders.
Answer: Council Act

Question 3. Bipin Chandra Pal was the editor of ________ (Young India/New India/ Jugantar).
Answer: New India

Question 4. Aurobindo Ghosh was the editor of ________ (Jugantar/Vande Mataram/Hindu Patriot).
Answer: Vande Mataram

Question 5. The first secret political association of Kolkata was ________ (Anushilan Samity / Jugantar Dal/Suhrid Samity).
Answer: Anushilan Samity

 

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Toic B Anti Pqartion Movement In Bengal And Revolutionary Terrorism Answer In A Complete Sentence

Question 1. Who founded the Dhaka Anushilan Samiti?
Answer: Pulinbehari Das founded the Dhaka Anushilan Samiti.

Question 2. Which was the mouthpiece of the revolutionaries?
Answer: The newspaper Jugantar’ was the mouthpiece of the revolutionaries.

Question 3. Who made an attempt to assassinate Magistrate Kingsford of the Bengal Presidency?
Answer: Kshudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki made an attempt to assassinate Magistrate Kingsford of the Bengal Presidency.

Question 4. When was the National Council of Education established?
Answer: The National Council of Education was established in 1906.

Question 5. Name a Swadeshi enterprise.
Answer: One of the Swadeshi enterprises was Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy’s Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works.

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Toic B Anti Pqartion Movement In Bengal And Revolutionary Terrorism Select The Most Appropriate Explanation For The Following Statement

Question 1. The anti-partition movement began in 1905.

1. The Bengalees lost their right to freedom of speech
2. Curzon declared his decision to partition Bengal.
3. It was decided to divide Ans. Bengal presidency is into five parts.

Answer: 2. Curzon declared his decision to partition Bengal.

Question 2. Statement The anti-partition movement could not take the shape of a mass movement.

1. There was a lack of efficient leadership and organization.
2. The movement did not get the support of people from different sections of society.
3. Most of the leaders belonged to the educated section of the cities and towns.

Answer: 3. Most of the leaders belonged to the educated section of the cities and towns.

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Toic B Anti Pqartion Movement In Bengal And Revolutionary Terrorism Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. Morley-Minto Reforms Act was passed in

1. 1901
2. 1902
3. 1906
4. 1909

Answer: 4. 1909

Question 2. The initiative to divide Bengal was taken by

1. Lord Curzon
2. Lord Ripon
3. Lord Lytton
4. CP Ilbert

Answer: 1. Lord Curzon

Question 3. The Banga Lakshmi Cotton Mills started in

1. 1899
2. 1903
3. 1906
4. 1909

Answer: 3. 1906

Question 4. Which of the following was related to revolutionary terrorism?

1. Poona Sarvajanik Sabha
2. Landholder’s Society
3. Anushilan Samiti
4. Indian Association

Answer: 3. Anushilan Samiti

Question 5. Anti-partition movement was withdrawn in

1. 1910
2. 1911
3. 1912
4. 1913

Answer: 2. 1911

Question 6. The Gadar party was established in America by

1. Sardar Ajit Singh
2. Sufi Amba Prasad
3. Lala Hardayal
4. Lala Lajpat Rai

Answer: 3. Lala Hardayal

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic C Miscellaneous Strike The Odd One Out

Question 1. Sati, Child marriage, Zamindari, Polygamy.
Answer: Zamindari

Question 2. Dikdarshan, Samachar Darpan, Bengal Gazette, Sambad Pravakar.
Answer: Bengal Gazette

Question 3. Dinu Mondal, Bishnucharan Biswas, Digambar Biswas, Birsa Munda.
Answer: Birsa Munda

Question 4. Dudu Mian, Syed Ahmed, Iyahiya Ali, Mir Nishar Ali.
Answer: Dudu Mian

Question 5. Rammohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Answer: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Question 6. Dudu Mian, Sidhu, Shariyatullah, Noa Mian.
Answer: Sidhu

Read and Learn More WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 History

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic C Miscellaneous Match Column A With ColumB

Answer: A-3,B-4,C-2,D-1,E-5

Answer: A-2,B-3,C-1,D-5,E-4

Answer: A-2,B-3,C-2,D-5,E-1

Answer: A-4,B-3,C-2,D-5,E-4

Answer: A-3,B-4,C-5,D-2,E-1

Answer: A-5,B-1,C-2,D-3,E-4

Chapter 5 Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic C Miscellaneous Match column A with column B

Answer: A-5,B-1,C-2,D-3,E-4

Chapter 5. Reaction To Colonial Rule: Cooperation And Revolt Topic C Miscellaneous Find The Odd One Out

Question 1. Pandita Ramabai, Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, Sister Subhalaxmi, Rani Laxmibai.
Answer: Rani Laxmibai

Question 2. Atmaram Pandurang Mahadev Govind Ranade, Jyotirao Phule, Vireshlingam Pantulu.
Answer: Vireshlingam Pantulu

Question 3. Rammohan Roy, Debendranath Tagore, Keshabchandra Sen, Dayanand Saraswati.
Answer: Dayanand Saraswati

Question 4. Bahadur Shah Zafar, Nana Saheb, Titu Mir Mangal Pandey.
Answer: Titu Mir

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

Answer Briefly

Question 1. Who was called the ‘middle class’ in colonial India?
Answer:

The ‘Middle Class’ In Colonial India:-

1. Introduction:

The semi-affluent people living in society are generally referred to as the middle class.

The members of the Hindu elite class of Kolkata were considered to be the middle class in the 19th century.

2. Development:

The Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas availed themselves of Western education and took up jobs with the English government.

They tried to carve out a separate position for themselves in society and came to be known as ‘middle-class gentlemen’.

This newly educated middle class tried to rid society of various ills like Sati, child marriage, and so on.

Question 2. Against which social customs did the Young Bengal group protest?
Answer:

The followers of Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, a professor at the Hindu College of Kolkata, were called the Young Bengal Group.

They vehemently opposed the social customs and practices prevalent in India at that time.

1. Protest against superstitions:

The Young Bengal Group strongly protested against the superstitions prevalent in Hindu society in the name of religion.

They took up the issues of casteism, untouchability, polygamy, suttee, and other socio-economic malpractices.

They also vehemently opposed idolatry which was a part of the ancient tradition of Hinduism.

Question 3. What was the aim of the reforms of Sir Syed Ahmed?
Answer:

Aim Of The Reforms Of Sir Syed Ahmed:-

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

Sir Syed Ahmed tried to modernize Muslim society by removing superstitions and religious bigots.

His main intention was to bring about an overall development of the Muslims by spreading Western science and learning among them.

He urged people to leave behind medieval notions and protest against polygamy, divorce, and purdah.

He also tried to gain some favor from the British government by showing loyalty to them.

Question 4. Against whom did Titu Mir revolt?
Answer:

The main aim of the Barasat Rebellion under Titu Mir was to attain unlimited power for the lower-class people. It was actually a struggle against the tyranny of the. British

Write in your own words

Question 1. Analyze the main similarities between the movements against the practice of Sati and the movement for Widow Remarriage. What steps did Vidyasagar initiate for the education of women?
Answer:

The Main Similarities Between The Movements Against The Practice Of Sati And The Movement For Widow Remarriage, Steps Taken By Vidyasagar Initiate For The Education Of Women:-

Contribution Of Vidyasagar To Women’s Education

1. Establishment of girls’ school:

Vidyasagar emphasized the necessity of establishing girls’ schools in the villages.

He founded the Hindu Balika Vidyalaya (modern Bethune School) in 1849 with the help of John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune.

As a school inspector, he took up the initiative of setting up girls’ schools in the different districts of Bengal.

2. Campaigns:

On becoming the secretary of Hindu Balika Vidyalaya, he invited the daughters of his friends and relatives to come and study there.

In order to make his countrymen aware of the necessity of women’s education, he distributed circular

that stated that if a woman was educated and knowledgeable, then she could teach her child better.

3. Formation of women’s education fund:

Vidyasagar built up a fund for women’s education to run the schools that he had founded.

He personally bore the expenses of paying salaries to the teachers and other necessary expenses.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

4. Establishment of colleges:

He established Bethune College and Metropolitan College (now Vidyasagar College) to provide higher education to women.

He succeeded in establishing centers of higher education in spite of opposition from Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, George Campbell.

5. Educational Association:

Vidyasagar built up an educational association called ‘Stri Shiksha Vidyayani Sammilani’ in the districts of Medinipur, Hooghly, and Burdwan to spread women’s education.

Question 2. What was the main aim of the ‘Brahmo Movement’? Analyze the limitations of the Brahmo Movement.
Answer:

Main Aim Of The ‘Brahmo Movement’:-

Main Objectives

The Brahmo Samaj acted as a socio-religious platform for cleansing Hindu society of its vices.

The Brahmo Samaj believed in monotheism (oneness of God) and egalitarianism (equality of men).

They opposed idolatry and elaborate Vedic rituals and emphasized the purification of the soul. They also advocated religious tolerance.

The Samaj condemned casteism, Sati, child marriage, polygamy, and female infanticide and worked hard to further the causes of women’s education and widow remarriage.

Limitations

The Brahmo Movements had some limitations.

1. Urban character:

The Brahmo Samaj movements grew up around the cities. These movements remained restricted and did not reach the rural areas. So they could not get the desired popularity.

2. Movement of the middle class:

The Brahmo Samaj grew up under the leadership of the bourgeoisie or the educated middle class.

So, naturally, these movements mainly served the interests of the middle class and did not touch the other classes.

3. Lack of support from conservatives:

The Brahmo movements dealt a great blow to the ancient conservative Hindu society. As a result,

the staunch supporters of Hinduism reacted adversely. The conservatives opposed the Brahmo movement under the leadership of Radhakanto Dev.

4. Elitist movement:

These movements were led by people from the upper classes. So some people call them elitist movements.

The leaders were self-satisfied with their supremacy. So the Brahmo movement lost its popularity and could not influence the whole society.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

Question 3. Make a comparative analysis of the ‘Santhal Rebellion’ and ‘Indigo Rebellion’. What was the role of the Hindu Patriot in both cases?
Answer:

Analysis Of The ‘Santhal Rebellion’ And ‘Indigo Rebel- Lion’ And The Role Of The Hindu Patriot In Both Cases:-

Introduction:

The Santhal Rebellion of 1855 was the most significant organized protest movement that preceded the Great Revolt of 1857.

The Santhal Rebellion led by Sidhu Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairva spread from Bhagalpur to the region of Rajmahal.

Causes of the Santhal Rebellion

1. Burden of revenue:

The British government included the lands of the Santhals in the Zamindaries. As a result, a heavy burden of revenue fell on them.

So they were highly aggrieved and rose in revolt.

2. Oppression by Mahajan:

When the Mahajan or moneylenders came to the place where the Santhals lived, they tried to exploit the innocent Santhals.

They trapped the Santhals in the snare of debt and oppressed them in order to maximize their own profits.

The Santhals then rose in rebellion to free themselves from the traps of the moneylenders.

3. Fraud by traders:

Some dishonest traders came to Santhal Pargana and cheated the Santhals taking advantage of their innocence and ignorance.

These activities of the traders enraged the Santhals and made them rebellious.

4. Exploitation by indigo planters:

The indigo planters inflicted inhuman torture on the Santhals if they refused to cultivate indigo on their lands.

So the Santhals were compelled to revolt in order to stop the torture.

5. Employment in railways:

The misery of the Santhals increased with the expansion of the railways. They were forced to work as laborers in building the railways. Their unique culture was also endangered.

Results Of The Revolt

1. Construction of separate Santhal Pargana:

The British authorities made a separate pargana for the Santhals by combining Teliagarai Pargana with Birbhum and 9000 km of Bhagalpur.

It is said that the British laws did not operate in the newly created Santhal Pargana.

2. Recognition of special rights:

The law and order of Santhal Pargana were entrusted to the tribal leaders like Majhi and Parganite instead of the police by granting them special rights.

The Santhals were now recognized as a separate tribe.

3. Beginning of Kherwa Movement:

The Kherwas (Santhals) organized the Kherwa movement under the leadership of Bhagirath Majhi with a view of discarding old customs and practices and building up a pure lifestyle based on newly created moral values.

This was the first step in the direction of establishing an independent Santhal kingdom.

Causes Of Indigo Revolt-

1. Tyranny of Indigo planters:

When indigo cultivation was declared tax-free by the Charter of 1833, many Europeans came to India and started trading in indigo.

The cultivators were compelled to grow indigo by these planters and those who were unwilling had to face immense torture.

Their houses were set on fire, their tools and equipment were snatched and their women were humiliated. So, the indigo farmers rose in rebellion.

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2. Dadan System:

In the root system, the farmers were given an advance payment of two rupees per bigha. This was called Dan.

This little amount of advance gave temporary relief to the poor peasant families but they got entrapped in a maze of debt from which they could never manage to free themselves.

3. Legislation:

Lord William Bentinck passed a grievance against the Santhals who were exploited an Act in 1830.

which said that if a farmer did not grow indigo after taking Dad, then his action will be regarded as illegal and he will be imprisoned.

Even Macaulay, Bentinck’s Secretary of Law, had to admit that though the indigo agreements were ethical, they were highly objectionable.

4. Fraud:

The uneducated and helpless indigo farmers were greatly deceived when they were given less price and more than the mentioned quantity was extracted from them.

Again, the planters deducted the dadan (advance) and interest from the price of indigo. Moreover, the officials extorted money from the farmers.

Result Of Indigo Revolt-

1. Indigo Commission:

The intensity of the Indigo Revolt compelled the Governor of Bengal P P Grunt to set up the Indigo Commission in 1860. The Commission reported that

1.  indigo cultivation could be done on 3 kittehs per bigha of land,
2.  the business tactics of the indigo planters were corrupt, harmful, and misleading;
3. the allegations brought against the planters by the farmers were true.

2. Retreat of indigo the planters:

The government measures were taken after the Revolt went mostly against the interest of the planters.

So the planters withdrew their capital from indigo in Bengal and invested them in other fields in Bihar.

Some of them invested their capital in the tea industry in the mountainous regions.

3. Victory of farmers:

The farmers had been successful in the Indigo Revolt under the leadership of Digambar Biswas and Bishnucharan Biswas.

Their success proved that the farmers were not weak or helpless. They could establish their rights even after suffering so much torture.

Harish Chandra Mukherjee, the editor of the Hindu Patriot supported both movements. He was sympathetic toward the economy.

They were compelled to work without wages and to pay heavy taxes.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

The Hindu patriots defended the cause of the Santhals who were fighting for their right to live freely in their own land.

Harish Chandra also wrote in favor of the indigo farmers who had rebelled against the planters.

According to him, the indigo plantation was only a means for oppressing and cheating the poor and innocent farmers who were compelled to grow indigo on their lands and were not paid reasonable prices.

Indigo cultivation brought permanent misery to the cultivators. Thus the Hindu Patriot constantly upheld the cause of the indigo cultivators.

Question 4. Do you think the Revolt of 1857 was merely a ‘Sepoy Mutiny’? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:

Introduction:

There is a difference of opinion among historians regarding the real nature of the revolt of 1857. Some, like Kishori Chand, think that it was solely a military uprising.

Great Revolt-Sepoy Revolt-

1. Supporters:

The then Secretary of State for India Earl Stanley referred to the Great Revolt as a sepoy mutiny in one of his reports.

His view was supported by historians like John Lawrence, T-R Holmes, and Earl Roberts.

Among the Indian historians Ishwar Chandra Gupta, Kishori Chand Mitra, Dadabhai Naoroji, Akshay Kumar Dutta, Raj Narayan Basu, and Syed Ahmed Khan regarded it as a Sepoy Mutiny.

History Class 8 WBBSE

2. Arguments:

1. Beginning by sepoys:

The Sepoy Mutiny started at the military cantonment at Barrackpore in Bengal when Mangal Pandey declared revolt.

Then the sepoys of Meerut broke out in rebellion. Gradually the Indian soldiers from Delhi, Kanpur, and other regions joined the revolt. Therefore, we can call it a sepoy revolt.

2. Mass participation of sepoys:

The sepoys had participated in the revolt in large numbers in order to safeguard their interests. They had desperately fought against the British.

So Kishori Chand Mitra had written ‘this revolt was, of course, a mere military uprising’.

3. Aim of capturing Delhi:

After the first mutiny broke out in Ambala and Meerut the sepoys proceeded toward Delhi.

At that time Delhi was not only the capital but an area filled with resources and military equipment.

The intention of the sepoys to capture Delhi proves that it was only a sepoy mutiny.

4. Military conflict:

The participants who were equipped with military power vowed to take it forward. The Indian soldiers were the first to challenge the British.

The uprising of soldiers in different parts of India clearly proves that it was a sepoy mutiny.

History Class 8 WBBSE

Imagine And Write

Question 1. Imagine you have met Rammohan Roy and Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar. Write an imaginary dialogue with them on the abolition of Sati and the introduction of Widow Remarriage.
Answer:

Imaginary Dialogue With Rammohan Roy And Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar On The Abolition Of Sati And The Introduction Of Widow Remarriage:-

Rammohan And Sati System

Neelkamal: Regards Sir, is everything fine?

Rammohan: Oh, Neelkamal, so early today?

Neelkamal: One should seek the blessing of a noble person like you in the morning only. Anyway, I have come to tell you that we want to felicitate you on behalf of Nagarik Samaj.

So you have to be present there.

Rammohan: The age-old practices of Hindu society, Sati, Kulinism, and violence against women have been stirring my thoughts for a long time.

My conscience has impelled me to stand against Sati. How can I silently watch a woman being compelled to die against her wishes? It’s nothing less than deliberate murder.

So I protested against it by writing books and pamphlets and distributing them among people.

Neelkamal: It’s also true that you had to suffer a lot of insult and torture,

Rammohan: If you want to do good work, then you will have to face such problems. It was chiefly the conservative Hindus who were furious with me. I translated the treatises of

Rammohan: Really? But was there any need for Smriti in Bengali and explained to them that of such excesses?

Neelkamal: What do you mean by excesses Sir? Do you think any Bengali can ever forget what you’ve done for Bengal? Is it the work of an ordinary person to stop something like the Sati system?

History Class 8 WBBSE

Rammohan: See Neelkamal, it ought to have been done much earlier. Since nobody came forward, I did.

The Company could not enact any laws in this matter because they were afraid of hurting the sentiments of the Hindus.

However, I knew that the Hindus would only come forward to put an end to this.

Hinduism does not support Sati. It only advises the widows to stay within restrictions.

Neelkamal: I know Sir. You really had a tough time breaking the conventions and opposition of so many priests and aristocrats.

Rammohan: Whatever, Neelkamal, I never looked back. What was necessary was mass awakening and mass awareness which could be achieved.

As a result, Raja Kalinath Roy of Dhaka was the first to sign the petition against Sati. Again,

Governor General William Bentinck was also against Sati and he was supported by the public opinion that I had gathered. So he banned

Neelkamal: That’s right, Sir, Many people Sati by Regulation no 17. have co-operated with you.

Neelkamal: So Sir, you are coming?

Rammohan: Since you are requesting so much, I shall come.

Neelkamal: I am greatly relieved. We will regard ourselves to be fortunate to be able to felicitate you.

Vidyasagar And Widow Remarriage

Srinivas: Sir, where are you going?

History Class 8 WBBSE

Vidyasagar: Where? I have to rush this way and that throughout the day since there is so much controversy going on over widow remarriage.

It’s not a simple task to do something good in this country.

Srinivas: Exactly, Sir. Raja Rammohan had to face the same hurdles while attempting to stop Sati. However, you have completed the work that he had started.

I mean to say that he saved the lives of the widows by putting an end to Sati and you have made arrangements to rehabilitate them. You have achieved the impossible, Sir.

Vidyasagar: Srinivas, the introduction of widow remarriage is the foremost charitable work of my life.

Earlier King Rajballav, Kalikrishna Mitra, and Neelkamal Bandopadhyay tried but did not succeed.

I focussed on the misery of the Hindu widows for the first time in my essay ‘Balya Vivaher Dosh’ in the first education of ‘Sarvashubhankari Patrika’.

Then I also wrote about this in a book named ‘Bidhava Vivah Etadrishayak Prastav’.

Srinivas: This step created many protests among the conservatives. Radhakanta Dev had launched a protest through Dharmasabha.

Vidyasagar: I then quoted a sloka from Parashar Samhita and wrote a book that explained the scriptures in detail.

Srinivas: What does it mean Sir?

Vidyasagar: If any woman’s husband is missing, or dies, or becomes ascetic, or becomes impotent or morally degenerate then the woman can remarry.

Srinivas: Oh, excellent!

Vidyasagar: Then ignoring the opposition of the conservatives and staking my life, I collected signatures from many distinguished persons and submitted the petition to the government.

Srinivas: I know Sir, most of the intellectuals of Bengal had supported you.

Vidyasagar: On the other hand, the conservatives were not lagging behind. They also collected signatures of 36,763 persons to stop widow remarriage.

Luckily the government did not heed their request.

Srinivas: Finally the government legalized widow remarriage by Regulation no. 15. This law also recognizes the right of inheritance

which is the right of the children to inherit their father’s property and wealth. So Sir, how far have the marriages progressed?

Vidyasagar: The first marriage was held between Srish Chandra Vidyaratna and Kalimata Devi, the widowed daughter of Brahmananda Mukhopadhyay of Burdwan.

There was a lot of trouble here also. You’ve heard all that. It would have been impossible without the government’s help.

Then I made another widow Bhavsundari my own daughter-in-law.

Srinivas: You have also organized many other marriages, Sir?

Vidyasagar: Yes, I have. In these few years, I have given about 60 widows in marriage. To be frank, I have incurred a loan of rupees 82,000 to organize these marriages.

Srinivas: So people rightly say that you are not only the sea of knowledge but also the sea of kindness.

Vidyasagar: Don’t talk nonsense. I’m getting late. See you.

Question 2. Imagine you are a journalist. You gained experience and knowledge about the Revolt of 1857 by visiting different places in India during the Revolt. Write a newspaper report based on your experience.
Answer:

Newspaper Report Based On My Experience And Knowledge About The Revolt Of 1857 By Visiting Different Places In India During The Revolt:-

Staff reporter, Delhi, August 1857: The revolt started on 26th February 1857 at Native Infantry No 11 of the military barrack at Ayodhya, Kanpur, Lucknow, Shah Jahanpur, Behrampore in Murshidabad.

The agitation which started over the greased cartridges spread rapidly through all parts of the country.

Then a wider agitation started at Barrackpore cantonment where Mangal Pandey of Native Infantry no 34 declared revolt on 29th March.

The rebels of Meerut proceeded towards Delhi on 11th May.

They killed the English soldiers and occupied Delhi and declared Bahadur Shah II the emperor. From here the revolt spread to

Moradabad, Rohilkhand, Varanasi, Allahabad, Fatehpur, Faizabad, Bareilly, Jhansi, and Bihar. The soldiers of Kanpur revolted in June under the leadership of Nanasaheb.

In Ayodhya, it became a mass revolt. Rohilkhand, Jhansi, and Bihar became important centers of the Great Revolt.

The revolt spread from Punjab in the north to the valley in the south and from Bihar in the east to Rajputana in the West.

Chapter 4 Nature Of Colonial Economy Topic C Miscellaneous Strike The Odd One Out

Question 1. Zamindari system, Mahalwari system, Bhaiyachari system, Ryotwari system
Answer: Zamindari system

Question 2. Silk, Wool, Cotton, Indigo
Answer: Indigo

Question 3. Dahsala system, Eksala system, Panchsala system, Mahalwari system.
Answer: Mahalwari system.

Question 4. Zamindar, Mahajan, Farmer, Trader
Answer: Farmer

Question 5. Cornwallis, Hastings, Bentinck, John Shore
Answer: John Shore

Read and Learn More WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 History

Question 6. John Shore, Philip Francis, Hastings, Thomas Munro
Answer: Hastings

Question 7. Tea, Indigo, Jute, Paddy
Answer: Paddy

Question 8. Agriculturist Relief Act, Sunset Act, Tenancy Act, Vernacular Press Act.
Answer: Vernacular Press Act

Question 9. De industrialisation, drainage of resouces Famine of 1770, Jallianwalabagh Massacre.
Answer: Jallianwalabagh Massacre

Question 10. Telegraph, post, railways, drainage of resources
Answer: drainage of resources

Class 8 History WBBSE

Chapter 4 Nature Of Colonial Economy Topic C Miscellaneous Match The Columns

Answer: A-3,B-4,C-1,D-5,E-2

Answer: A-3,B-5,C-4,D-1,E-2

Answer: A-5,B-3,C-4,D-1,E-1

Answer: A-2,B-3,C-5,D-1,E-4

Chapter 4 Nature Of Colonial Economy Topic C Miscellaneous Fill In The Blanks With The Correct Alternative

Question 1. Permanent Settlement was started by __________ (Hastings/Cornwallis/Dalhousie).
Answer: Cornwallis

Question 2. Mahalwari system started in ___________ (Bengal/North India/South India).
Answer: North India

Question 3. Dadan means ___________ (advance payment/abwab/unpaid labour).
Answer: advance payment

Question 4. The first jute factory in colonial India came up at ___________ (Rishra/Calcutta/Bombay).
Answer: Rishra

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Question 5. The outflow of wealth from the country is ___________(Drainage of wealth/Deindustrialisation/Bargadari system).
Answer: Drainage of wealth

Chapter 4 Nature Of Colonial Economy Topic C Miscellaneous Identify The Wrong Statement

Question 1. Permanent Settlement started in 1794.
Answer: Wrong

Question 2. The Indigo revolt occurred in Madras.
Answer: Wrong

Question 3. Cotton cultivation in Deccan was linked to American Civil War.
Answer: Wrong

Question 4. The Indian market saw an influx of native commodities with the expansion of railways.
Answer: Wrong

Question 5. The telegraph system was set up in Company’s interest.
Answer: Right

Answer Briefly

Question 1. What was the Sunset Law?
Answer:

Sunset Law:-

According to the terms of Permanent Settlement introduced on March 22, 1793, if a landlord failed to deposit his rent before sunset on the stipulated date, then his land would be confiscated by the Company and auctioned. The law was known as Sunset Law.

Question: What do you understand by the commercialisation of agriculture?
Answer:

Commercialisation Of Agriculture:-

The farmers were so overburdened by the high rate of revenues that they were compelled to take loans from the Mahajan or money lenders.

These Mahajan compelled the helpless farmers to cultivate cash crops like indigo, jute and cotton to ensure the repayment of the loans.

Thus agriculture came to be commercialized and the farmers had to suffer from starvation due to the scarcity of food.

Question 3. Why did the ‘Deccan riots’ occur?
Answer:

Deccan Riots:-

The farmers of Poona and Ahmednagar rose in rebellion in 1875.

The Deccan riots took place due to the oppression of farmers by money lenders, forcible acquisition of lands from the farmers and imposition of high rates of revenue on them.

Again, the evil effects of the Ryotwari system, reduction in the price of cotton, lack of rain and crop failure also rendered the farmers helpless.

Class 8 History WBBSE

Question 4. What is the drainage of wealth?
Answer:

Drainage Of Wealth:-

After winning the Battle of Plassey the Company began to transport large amounts of wealth, commodities and products from Bengal and other regions of India to England without bringing anything in return.

This is called the ‘drainage of wealth’ or ‘drainage of resources’. This was done in two ways

1. through the Company officials, and traders
2. through Company’s commercial, economic and revenue policies. A large amount of wealth and resources were drained away in this manner.

England, the pioneer of industrialization used their colonies as centres for importing raw materials and exporting finished products and thus drained. away their wealth.

Question 5 What is deindustrialisation?
Answer:

Deindustrialisation:-

Deindustrialisation means the complete destruction of industries. The traditional handicraft and cottage industries were destroyed during British rule.

This led to the decline of indigenous industries, unemployment and less prosperity in the cities.

India was finally converted into a country that could supply raw materials and serve as a ready market for finished goods.

Write In Your Own Words

Question 1. What was the effect of the Permanent Settlement on peasant society?
Answer:

The Effect Of The Permanent Settlement On Peasant Society:-

Introduction:

‘Permanent refers to the system in which the landlords could enjoy ownership rights over their lands hereditarily by paying a fixed revenue to the company annually.

This system was implemented in Bengal by Lord Cornwallis in 1793.

Misery Of The Farmers Of Bengal Under Permanent Settlement Scheme

The farmers of Bengal were plunged into deep misery because the Permanent Settlement scheme did not have any provision to safeguard their rights and interests.

1. Oppression by Zamindars :

While implementing the system Cornwallis had hoped that the Zamindars would themselves safeguard the interest of the farmers but the situation turned out to be different.

They imposed heavy taxes upon the farmers and evicted them from the land at their own will.

Class 8 History WBBSE

2. Victims of new landlords:

Many traders and money lenders bought lands on auction in order to become land owners. They were completely unaware of rural life and the process of agricultural production.

They somehow wanted to collect revenue from the farmers and become rich. So the poor farmers were subjected to inhuman torture by this new class of landlords.

3. Eviction from land:

The government gave the landlords the right to evict the farmers in case of non-payment of revenue by issuing Regulation No. 7 in 1799.

The Zamindars took advantage of this regulation and evicted many farmers on very simple pretexts. The peasants had to suffer greatly Historian Narendra Krishna Sinha said

that this law made the Zamindars ‘possessors of irresistible powers’.

4. Exploitation through the Pattani system:

With the introduction of the Pattani system, some additional taxes were imposed on the farmers and the tyranny over them increased.

Many illegal taxes and Abwab were imposed in addition to the fixed revenue. All these brought untold misery to the peasants

Question 2. Compare and contrast the Permanent Settlement system with Rotwari and Mahalwari systems. Which was of lesser harm to the peasants? Give reasons.
Answer:

0

Question 3. Did the commercialisation of agriculture have a direct relation with peasant discontent and revolt? How will you view ‘Deccan Riot’ in this context?
Answer:

Commercialisation Of Agriculture And Peasant Revolts

The Peasant unrest in the Deccan was directly related to the commercialisation of agriculture. This unrest subsequently turned into revolts.

So it can be said that the commercialisation of agriculture created the background for the Deccan Riots.

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The Deccan Riots Causes-

1. Evil effects of Ryotwari systems:

The English Company introduced the Ryotwari system in the Deccan to increase revenue and thereby increase government income. The revenue collectors tortured the peasants in various ways and even seized their lands and houses.

2. Misery of the Kunwi farmers:

The Kunwi peasants of the Poona and Ahmadnagar districts of Maharashtra were highly oppressed by the money lenders and other intermediaries.

Therefore, these peasants were forced by their misery to rise in rebellion.

3. Oppression by Mahajans or money lenders:

The peasants were compelled by poverty to borrow money, seeds and food crops from the Mahajans who charged an interest of 30-60%. Thus the farmers were oppressed by these Mahajans.

4. Reduction in the price of cotton:

After the end of the Civil War in America, cotton began to be exported from there to England.

So the export of cotton from India faced a setback and the price of cotton fell. On the other hand, the rate of revenue on

the part of the government and the rate of interest on the part of the money lenders kept on increasing. This led to rebellion by the peasants.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

Question 4. What relation did the Company’s business policy have with the Bengal textile industry? Why did the Indians form indigenous banks and insurance companies?
Answer:

Relationship between the Textile Industry and the Commercial Policy of the Company-

1. Company’s Motive:

British East India. The company adopted a new commercial policy after the Industrial Revolution in Britain.

It was decided that the textiles manufactured in Britain would be sold in the Indian markets.

The company aimed at destroying the indigenous textile industry in order to capture the market.

2. Result:

The British textile industry made steady progress in the trade as a result of possessing the facility of tax-free trade. The Indian textiles lagged behind in the competition and finally decayed.

Indian Initiative

1. Setting up banks:

The Indian capitalists were deprived of bank loans. Even if they were provided loans in a few cases, they had to comply with rigid rules and regulations.

There was also discrimination regarding the rate of interest payable against the loan. The Indian industrialists and traders had to pay comparatively high rates of interest.

So, the Indian traders and industrialists decided to set up their own banks to avail of loans.

2. Setting up insurance companies:

The British government was hesitant to bring the Indian industrial and trade institutions under the purview of the insurance system.

If the native industrial institutions were affected by any accident or natural disaster or if the native production was hampered then the government did not provide any aid.

So, the Indian industrialists and traders took up the initiative of establishing an indigenous insurance company.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

Question 5. Discuss the expansion of colonial rule in India with regard to railways and telegraph systems.
Answer:

Expansion Of Colonial Rule In India With Regard To Railways And Telegraph Systems:-

Imagine And Write

Question .1 Suppose you are travelling by train for the first time. Describe your pre-boarding and post-boarding experience in a letter addressed to your friend.
Answer:

Pre-Boarding And Post-Boarding Experience In A Letter Addressed To My Friend:-

Dear Asit,

Hope you are doing well. I also hope that all your family members are well by the grace of God. We are all in the best of spirits here.

I think you are aware of the fact that railways have been introduced in our country. Well, I was quite curious about the train and wanted to know how such a gigantic vehicle plied so fast.

We are habituated to travelling by bullock carts and horse carriages but today all my curiosity, hope and anxiety came to an end. Today I boarded a train for the first time and I want to share my experience with you.

So long I had been watching the train. whistling and rushing through the field. Today I had a joy ride on it. I first took a ticket from the counter.

Then the train arrived at its appointed time. At first, I and some others were scared and stepped back. Then I got into it with a beating heart.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

On seeing a blue lantern the train began to move, whistling and emitting black smoke at the same time. It moved over the iron rails with some jerks.

It seemed as if all the trees and huts were receding at a great speed. I and some others were highly excited and began to shout. Soon we reached our destination.

Really Asit, I never thought that so many. people can be carried so quickly and so comfortably. Come to my place one day and we Telegraph the news of revolts could reach the administrative centres beforehand and appropriate measures could be taken.

will board the train together. We will have a good ride and you will also be able to overcome your fear. Let me stop here today. Reply soon. Yours affectionately Rohan

Question 2. Suppose you are a resident of the Deccan in the 1870s. Record in your personal diary the discontent of the peasants of the region regarding cotton cultivation.
Answer:

The Discontent Of The Peasants Of The Region Regarding Cotton Cultivation:-

1. June 13, 1873, 9 p.m.::

This year I am highly anxious about cotton cultivation. There is no capital. I am also scared of going to the Mahajan.

Last year’s paddy is also exhausted. Nowadays Gujarati, Marwari, Lingayat and Kulkarnis are carrying on the money lending business.

I think I have to borrow seeds from some Mahajan. I don’t know what’s in store for me.

2. July 14, 1873; 10 p.m.:

I heard that the company has decided to reform the land revenue system which has been implemented over a wide area of Deccan to increase the government’s income.

The Patels, who have been entrusted with the task of collecting revenue, are torturing the peasants in various ways.

If the peasants cannot pay the revenue, their houses and property are confiscated. Since the farmers do not have tenancy rights they are suffering a lot.

3. September 10, 1874, 11 p.m. :

The price of cotton has suddenly fallen. So cotton cultivators like me will be in great trouble.

I have heard that after the end of the Civil War in America, England is importing cotton from there.

So the rate of export of cotton from India has decreased and consequently, the price has fallen.

On the other hand, the rates of land revenue and interest on loans taken from money lenders are continuously increasing.

4. December 10, 1874:

10 p.m.: The economic crisis has intensified. We the farmers are in great misery because of drought and crop failure.

The fall in the price of agricultural products is making our condition more pathetic. Again the Bombay government has increased the rent considerably.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

5. December 20, 1874:12 midnight:

Today a terrible peasant revolt has broken out in the Deccan. It started in Karde village in the Singur Taluka of the Poona district.

A Mahajan named Kaluram has purchased the house and landed property of an indebted farmer named Babasaheb Deshmukh at just rupees one hundred and fifty.

So the angry villagers started revolting in Deccan under the leadership of Kengliya.

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Topic C Miscellaneous Strike The Odd One Out

Question 1. Allan Octavian Hume, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Ananda Mohan Basu, Nabagopal Mitra.
Answer: Allan Octavian Hume

Question 2. Hindu Mela, Bharat Sabha, National Congress, Indian League.
Answer: National Congress

Question 3. Ilbert Bill, Arms Act, Vernacular Press Act, Dramatic Performance Act
Answer: Ilbert Bill

Question 4. Ripon, Lytton, Duffrein, Dadabhai Naoroji.
Answer: Dadabhai Naoroji

Question 5. Lahore, Amritsar, Jamaica, Kanpur.
Answer: Jamaica

Read and Learn More WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 History

Question 6. Womesh Chunder Banerjee, Surendranath Banerjee, Dadabhai
Gangadhar Tilak.
Answer: Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Question 7. Surendranath Banerjee, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal.
Answer: Surendranath Banerjee

Question 8. Anushilan Samity, Indian League, Indian Association, Theosophical Society.
Answer: Anushilan Samity

Question 9. Sanjivani Patrika, Vandemataram Patrika, Jugantar, Daily News.
Answer: Daily News

Question 10. Zamindar Sabha, Bharat Sabha,Puna Sarvajanik Sabha, Bangabhasha Prakashika Sabha.
Answer: Puna Sarvajanik Sabha

History Class 8 WBBSE

Question 11. Swaraj, Swadeshi, Boycott, Picketing.
Answer: Picketing.

Question 12. Kshudiram Basu, Prafulla Chaki, Bagha Jatin, Bipin Chandra Pal.
Answer: Bipin Chandra Pal

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Topic C Miscellaneous Match The Columns

Answer: A-1,B-4,C-5,D-3,E-2

Answer: A-3,B-4,C-1,D-5,E-2

Answer: A-5,B-3,C-4,D-1,E-2

Answer: A-4,B-1,C-5,D-2,E-3

Answer: A-2,B-1,C-3,D-5,E-4

Answer: A-3,B-2,C-5,D-4,E-1

Answer: A-5,B-4,C-3,D-2,E-1

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Topic C Miscellaneous Choose The Correct Alternatives

Question 1. The first session of the National Congress was held at
(Bombay/Goa/Madras).
Answer: Bombay

Question 2. The Moderates demanded that the eligible age for Civil Service examinations should be (20/23/21) years.
Answer: 23

Question 3. Partition of Bengal was planned by(Dufferin/Curzon/Minto).
Answer: Curzon

Question 4. The newspaper associated with revolutionary activities in Bengal was (Jugantar/Hindu Patriot/Sompraksash)
Answer: Jugantar

Chapter 6 The Beginnings Of Nationalism Topic C Miscellaneous Choose Which Statement Is Right And Which Wrong

Question 1. Womesh Chunder Banerjee was the first President of Congress.
Answer: Right

Question 2. Moderates called the activities of the Extremists, ‘three-day tamasha’.
Answer: Right

Question 3. Economic rationalism was proposed by Aurobindo Ghosh.
Answer: Wrong

Question 4. Kshudiram Bose and Profulla Chaki attempted to murder Kingsford.
Answer: Right

History Class 8 WBBSE

Answer Briefly

Question 1. What is meant by the Age of “Sabha samitis’?
Answer:

1. Period:

The period from the Great Revolt (1857) to the establishment of the National Congress (1885) is generally referred to as the age of councils (Sabhas) and associations (Samities).

2. Councils and associations:

Some important councils and associations were the Indian League of Sisir Kumar Ghosh, Indian Association of Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose,

Hindu Mela of Nabagopal Mitra, Poona Sarvajanik Sabha of Gopal Hari Deshmukh, and Madras Mahajan Sabha of Subrammaniya layer.

3. Role:

The councils and associations first tried to safeguard their own interest. Then they tried to spread nationalism at the regional level.

Question 2. Discuss two main differences between the Moderates and the Extremists.
Answer:

Question 3. What is the importance of the Surat session (1907) of Congress?
Answer:

1. Disgrace of the Congress:

The split in the Congress at the Surat session brought considerable disgrace upon this political organization,

2. Decay of strength:

The Congress became weak when it split up into two groups. So the national movement lost its momentum till Gandhi emerged as a leader.

History Class 8 WBBSE

3. Rise of Extremists:

As a far-reaching effect of the Surat split, Indian politics from the early phase of the Congress till the rise of Gandhi was chiefly dominated by the Extremists.

Question 4. Why did secret societies grow up in Bengal at the beginning of the twentieth century?
Answer:

1. Spread of revolutionism:

The revolutionaries who believed in armed struggle formed many secret organizations to spread revolutionist ideas.

2. Collect funds:

The revolutionaries needed. money to collect arms and conduct their activities. So many secret societies grew up to collect funds.

3. Unification of revolutionaries:

Many secret societies grew up to unify the revolutionaries and train them.

Some of these were Anushilan Samity, Dhaka Anushilan Samity, Jugantar Samity, Sadhana Samity, Suhrid Samity, and Brati Samity.

Write In Your Own Words

Question 1. Make a critical analysis of Hume’s role in the foundation of Congress. Do you think Congress could have been formed without Hume? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:

Controversy over the foundation of the National Congress

The chief credit for establishing the National Congress goes to Allen Octavian Hume, a retired English official.

However, modern historian Dr. Amalesh Tripathy does not want to accept Hume as the founder of the National Congress.

He thinks that Hume had no role in establishing the National Congress because the background had already been created before he took up the initiative. The reasons are

1. Duffrein had no regard for Hume and so the Hume Duffrein conspiracy was baseless.
2. Hume was the Secretary of the Revenue, Agriculture, and Commerce Department. So it was not possible for him to examine the documents of the Home departments and formulate the Safety Valve theory.
3. Again, there is no justification as to why Hume took up the initiative of establishing the National Congress as an antidote for destructive forces in India after six years of his retirement.

So it can be said that the role of Hume in establishing the National Congress is merely an exaggeration.

Hume’s Contribution To The Establishment Of the National Congress-

1. Introduction of ‘safety valve’ theory:

Allan Octavian Hume had worked as a secretary of the British government at Simla for some time. At that time he saw some documents from the Home department.

He concluded that there was some dissatisfaction among the lower-class Indians against British rule and revolts could occur at any time.

So he tried to establish the National Congress as a safety value.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

2. Open letter:

Hume tried to give shape to his ‘safety valve’ theory. So he wrote an open letter to the graduates of Kolkata University on March 1, 1883, urging them to organize

themselves for the social, political, mental, and moral progress of their country

3. Establishment of Indian National Union:

Hume made a ceaseless attempt to build up an all-Indian political organization. He contacted the Indian leaders in different parts of India.

As a first step in building an all-Indian political organization, he founded Indian National Union in 1883. In the same year, he also arranged for an all-India. conference in Poona.

4. Hume Dufferin conspiracy:

Some historians like Girija Prasad Mukherjee and C.F. Andrews think that Hume had met Duffrein and submitted a proposal of building an all-India political organization.

The Marxist writer Rajani Pam Dutta thinks that the Congress was the outcome of the HumeDuffrein conspiracy.

Question 2. What was the main position of economic nationalism? Do you find any similarity in its stand with that of the Boycott and Swadeshi movement? Give reasons.
Answer:

Main Gist Of Economic Nationalism

See Salient Points.

Link Between Economic Nationalism And Boycott And Swadesh Movement

1. The advocates of economic nationalism blamed the British administrative policy for the financial crisis in India. The British used the Indian markets to sell goods.

manufactured in Britain. So the sale of Indian commodities was adversely affected. There was a link between

economic nationalism and Boycott and Swadeshi movements because it was on this background that

the issues of buying native goods and discarding foreign goods had found a place in the agenda of the two movements.

2. The economic nationalists said that the agro-based Indian economy was being used to protect the financial interest of Britain.

As a result, native agriculture and industry were being destroyed. Therefore, attempts were made to set up indigenous industries with

the help of native capital so that India did not become the sole investment ground of the British.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

Question 3. What was the main proposal of the Extremist movement? Do you support the use of religious symbols in their movement? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:

Main Idea Of Extremist Movement-

1. Aim:

The Extremists aimed at attaining Swaraj but the concept of ‘Swaraj’ had been explained by different leaders in different ways.

According to Bipin Chandra Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh ‘Swaraj’ meant complete freedom which could not be achieved under British rule.

Tilak felt that it was possible to establish ‘Swaraj’ if the administrative machinery could be brought under the control of the Indians.

2. Policy:

The Extremists followed the policy of Swadeshi, boycott, and self-sacrifice.

3. Ideals:

The idea of the Extremists was to follow Hinduism, past history, and complete patriotism.

4. Method:

The Extremists wanted to have their demands fulfilled through direct struggle. They wanted to become self-dependent and attain complete independence.

Dispute Over The Use Of Religious Symbols By The Extremists

1. Many Extremists leaders described the past history of India as fully glorious. However, such an explanation turned out to be a glorification of Hinduism.

Tilak composed a treatise on Gita (Gita rahasya) Aurabindo’s writings reflect the flawlessness of The Gita.

Lajpat Rai wrote the biography of Shri Krishna in Urdu, Brahma Bandhav wrote ‘Sri Krishna tattva in Bengali, and Ashwini Kumar Dutta wrote ‘Bhakti Yoga’.

Thus an attempt was made to spread extremist thinking among the people by following The Gita and by describing the character of Shri Krishna as an example.

2. The Extremists also tried to present the valiant picture of the Maratha hero Shivaji before the people.

They thought that Shivaji was not only a symbol of political struggle or struggle for independence but also a symbol of noble ideals.

Tilak started the Ganapati and Shivaji festivals in Maharashtra.

3. The Punjabis were once again stirred by the reminiscence of Ranjit Singh. Again, people in Bengal were inspired by the stories of the struggle of Pradapaditya and Sitaram.

4. The Extremists tried to compare the Aryans, Hindu kingdoms, and native heroes to Anglo- Saxons, Western countries, and European heroes respectively.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

They tried to establish the superiority of the Indians over the Europeans and in doing so, they became prejudiced toward the Hindu religion.

Comment: All the above reasons show that the use of religious symbols in the Extremist government is not justifiable.

The revival of Hinduism created an adverse effect on the Muslims and made them biased.

Question 4. What was the background of revolutionary terrorism? Why did it largely fail?
Answer:

Background for Terrorist Activities

1. Foundation of different secret societies:

Terrorist activities started and spread through different secret societies.

The Anushilan Samity emerged as the first center of revolutionary activities.

Other secret associations were ‘Sadhana Samity’ and ‘Suhrid’ Samity of Mymensingh, ‘Brati Samity’ of Faridpur, and ‘Mukti Sangha’ of Dhaka.

Such associations were also set up at Saharanpur in Punjab and ‘Nasik, Pune, and Nagpur in Maharashtra.

The members were initiated into revolutionist ideals and then they carried out different revolutionary activities.

2. Failure of the Swadeshi Movement:

terrorist movements started only after the failure of the Swadeshi movement.

As passive resistance failed under the tremendous pressure of the repressive policies of the government,

revolutionary terrorism or violent struggle emerged as an alternative. In the context of armed revolutionary activities in Bengal, Punjab.

and Maharashtra Gandhiji said that the awareness created by the Swadeshi and Boycott movements in Bengal had spread from Punjab in the North to Kanyakumari in the South.

3. Weakness of Congress movement:

The young leaders of the Congress lost faith in the ‘Political beggary’ i.e. prayer and petition policy of the Moderates and initiated the Extremist or militant nationalistic ideals.

When extremist activities also failed, a background was created for the rise of revolutionary ‘terrorism based on violence.

4. Economic exploitation by the government:

The Indigenous industries, agriculture, and trade were almost ruined due to the colonial exploitation policy of the government.

This policy prepared the grounds for the rise of revolutionary terrorism.

5. Repressive measures of the British:

The British government usurped the independence of the Indians by passing some repressive acts.

The Dramatic Performance Act was passed by Northbrook in 1878.

The Vernacular Press Act was passed by Lytton in 1878.

The Arms Act of 1878, Curzon’s Municipality Act of 1899, and the University Act of 1904 compelled the younger generation to adopt a combative attitude towards the British.

6. Influence of international events:

The younger generation was highly influenced by Italy’s defeat in Italy Abyssinian War,

the defeat of England in the Anglo-Boer War, Russia’s defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, the French Revolution, the American War of Independence, the Nihilist movement against Tzardom in Russia, and the nationalist struggle of Ireland.

They thought that British domination could be removed only through armed struggle.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

Reasons For Failure

1. Organisational weakness:

The organization of the secret societies and other associations was quite weak.

We may mention Anushilan Samity, Jugantar Dal, Sadhana Samity, Suhrid Samity, and Brati Samity in this context.

They tried to gather foreign assistance to shield their weaknesses but, in most cases, their attempts failed.

2. Role of betrayers:

An important reason for the failure of the revolutionary movement in India was the role of betrayers like Naren Gosai, Kripal Sinha, and others.

They used to leak out plans and information which helped the English espionage and police a lot. As the government could know about

the plans of the revolutionaries beforehand they could easily take up measures to foil the plans.

3. Difference of opinion and inner conflict:

Though the objective of all the revolutionist groups was the same yet they differed in their methods.

There was a lack of unity and integrity from the very beginning.

Pramathanath Mitra and Jadugopal Mukherjee tried to make it a mass movement while Barindra Kumar Ghosh, Bhupendranath Dutta, and Pulin Behari Das directed the movement toward secret murders and terrorism.

4. Regional confinement:

The revolutionary movement took place in different places sporadically. The armed movements were mostly witnessed in Bengal,

Punjab, Maharashtra, and to some extent in Bihar, Madras, Orissa, and U.P. but this movement could never assume an all-India character.

5. Domination of Hinduism:

The revolutionaries did not come from all sections of society. About ninety percent of them were Hindus.

As those movements were mainly led by the Hindus, a large section of Muslims remained aloof.

6. Lack of popular base:

The participants in the revolutionary movement were mainly upper-class people who were small landlords, teachers, clerks, traders, doctors, journalists, and young students.

However, a large section of society consisting of farmers and laborers kept themselves away. So there was a lack of a popular base which rendered the movement a failure.

Imagine and write

Question 1. Suppose you are an Extremist leader. You have to organize a movement in different parts of Bengal. Make a rough draft of the lecture you want to present to the public.
Answer:

Dear friends,

Today all of you have assembled in this meeting for a noble purpose, i.e., to take a vow to free Mother India from the shackles of slavery.

You know that the activities of Moderate leaders have failed. Their method of prayer, please, and the petition is nothing but political beggary.

So let us aim for complete independence which will be absolutely free of British control. So we have to launch direct movements against the British to achieve our aim.

We, the extremists, believe in swadeshi, boycotts and spiritual power, and self-sacrifice. Therefore, we appeal to you to keep faith in us and our policies.

We can not forget the noble sacrifices and patriotism of Rana Pratap, Shivaji, and Laxmibai. of Jhansi.

Today the British government is unduly imposing the Dramatic Performance Act, Vernacular Press Act, and Arms. Act, Municipality Act, and University Act on us.

They are developing the industries of their country by using the raw materials of our country. Again,

they are destroying our industries by selling the goods manufactured in England in our markets. Our only companions are poverty, starvation, and famine.

Class 8 History Solution WBBSE

We have to disentangle ourselves from these. We cannot let this happen anymore. Friends, we are not alone in this struggle.

We have leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Aurobindo Ghosh with us.

You must remember that Swaraj is our birthright and we must have it. It’s not only my call to you but swami Vivekananda has called you saying, “Awake, arise.

Your motherland is praying for your noble sacrifice. Let us say together “Vande Mataram,” “Vande Mataram,”, “Vande Mataram.”

Question 2. Suppose you have joined the Swadeshi movement under the leadership of Rabindranath Tagore. Nar rate your experience on Raksha Bandhan day in a letter to your friend.
Answer:

Dear Neel,

Hope you and your family members are keeping well. I, along with my family, am in the best of spirits.

The Swadeshi movement started in Kolkata under the leadership of Kaviguru Rabindranath Tagore. I hope you have already seen it in the Amrita Bazar Patrika.

I have also joined the movement. Today, October 16, was the day of bringing the partition of Bengal into force.

Today the Bengalees expressed their grievances and anguish through various solemn programs.

The Raksha Bandhan planned by Rabindranath Tagore was the main part of this program.

The residents of both parts of Bengal tied yellow threads on each other’s wrists after a holy bath in the Ganges.

They did this to keep their fraternal bonds intact and to maintain the unity of their motherland.

We sang the ‘Vande Mataram’ under the leadership of Rabindranath. Then we sang some of his patriotic compositions. These songs inspired us with patriotic feelings.

While singing these songs we also walked in a barefooted procession. Along with us, i.e., the students there were many eminent persons and leaders.

I had the fortune of meeting some great personalities and teachers of Shantiniketan. I also took blessings from the Kavi guru.

I shall always remember this day throughout my life. Keep well. Waiting for your reply.

Yours lovingly,

Dev