WBBSE 10th Class Social Science Solutions History Chapter 7 Movements Organized By Women, Students And Marginal People In 20th Century India: Characteristics and Analyses

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West Bengal Board 10th Class Social Science Solutions History Chapter 7 Movements Organized By Women, Students And Marginal People In 20th Century India: Characteristics and Analyses

WBBSE 10th Class History Solutions

Salient points – At a glance

Womens’ movements, students’ movements and Dalit movements occupy important places in the history of India. While the men were fastening their belt to join the struggle for freedom, the Indian women were not sitting idle either. They plunged themselves into the movements against the British for the attainment of independence.
During the Anti-Partition agitation which started in 1905, women boycotted British goods and began to use indigenous goods. Leaders like Sarala Devi, Kumudini Mitra and Nirmala Sarkar gave a call to the women community to join the movement against the British.
During the Non-Cooperation Movement, women responded enthusiastically to the call of Gandhiji. They joined meetings and procession and boycotted foreign goods. They voluntarily courted arrest. Women like Basanti Devi, Urmila Devi, Leela Roy, who were from respectable families, defied the British authority as well. Along with Hindu women, Muslim women joined the movement.
When Mahatma Gandhi started the Civil Disobedience Movement, women got themselves involved in the movement. Picketing and open-air protest marked the uprising against the British. The boycott of foreign goods and purchase of indigenous goods continued along with the presence of women supporters. Even the middle and upper class Muslim women participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
The participation of women in the Quit India Movement took different forms. They fought with true spirit and faced various tortures. The names of Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kripalani, Usha Mehta deserve special mention here. In the context, mention might be made of Matangini Hazra, who with six thousand supporters, mostly women, attacked the Tamluk Police Station.
Women also played an important role in the armed revolutionary movements in India. Here mention may be made of Pritilata Waddedar, Bina Das, Kalpana Joshi who sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom.
Side by side with the women, the student community also played an important role. During the Anti-Partition agitation, students left their schools and colleges and plunged into the Anti-Partition Movement. The National Council of Education was established with the objectives of organising an elaborate system of education on national lines and under national control.
During the Non-Cooperation Movement, students of Gandhiji came out of their classes and boycotted schools and colleges. They picketed in front of shops selling British goods. The students movement spread outside Bengal to provinces like Bombay, Punjab, Bihar etc.
The day Gandhiji started his Dandi March (March 12, 1930), the students observed it as a special day. Students joined the meeting held by different leaders like Jyotindra Mohan Sengupta. Students of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar joined the movement.
Young students of different revolutionary organisations also joined the armed revolutionary movement. In this connection, mention may be made of Benoy, Badal and Dinesh. These young students took to violence to fight against the British. The British officers, in a desperate attempt to suppress the attack resorted to inhuman torture on the revolutionaries.
Another important movement that needs to be mentioned here is the Dalit or Namasudra movement. In the Bengali Hindu Society, the Namasudras were regarded as untouchables. Mention might be made of Harichand and Guruchand, the social reformers who worked for the upliftment of the namasudras. They were leaders of the ‘Matua’ movement.

TOPIC – A

Women’s Movement in the Twentieth Century

Explanatory Answer (EA) Type Questions

Answer in 15 to 16 sentences

1. What was the role played by women in the Anti-Partition Agitation? What were the limitations of their movement?

Ans. Bengal was partitioned in 1905 by Lord Curzon. The Indians resisted the plan of partition to pressurize the British government to repeal the partition. In this context, women played an important role in the Anti-Partition agitation. They were encouraged to come out of seclusion and take rightful steps in the national struggle. Women boycotted British goods and began to use indigenous goods. On the day of partition (October 16, 1905), they observed ‘Arandhan’ day. Sarala Devi Chaudhurani, through her. journal ‘Bharati’, encouraged the women community to take part in the Anti-Partition Movement. Sarojini Naidu travelled to various places and involved women to participate in the boycott movement. Khairunnisa, through the journal ‘Nabanoor’, promoted the idea of Swadeshi among women as well. Women took part in the ‘Raksha Bandhan Utsav’ (October 16, 1905). Women even donated money and ornaments to the Swadeshi fund. Among them, mention may be made of Kumudini Mitra, Lilabati Mitra, Nirmala Sarkar etc. The Maharani of Natore also gave a call to the women community to boycott British goods. Ambujasundari Dasgupta of Jalpaiguri, the widow of Laxman Chandra (the zamindar of Mangalganj, Nadia), Punjalata Gupta of Mymensingh, Hemangini Das of Calcutta also made appeals to reject British-made goods. Muslim women, however, did not directly participate in the movement, but only cooperated with their male counterparts.

Women in large numbers did not participate in the Swadeshi Movement. The participation of women was confined to women of high caste Hindu family. The movement could not spell its charm to attract low class hindu and muslim women.

Women did not have any effective organisation and party of their own. Plans and programmes of the Swadeshi Movement were determind by their male counter parts in which they had no role to play.

Though the Swadeshi Movement was a mass movement women’s activities were resented by the conservative section of the society which discouraged many of them from taking part in the swadeshi movement.

2. What was the role of women in the Non-Cooperation Movement?

Ans. The Non-Cooperation Movement was started in 1920 under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. The leaders of the movement adopted the policy of passive resistance. Women responded enthusiastically to the call of Gandhi. They came out of their lives of seclusion and attended meetings of different leaders, marched in processions and picketed in different parts of the country. They even voluntarily courted arrest while picketing in front of government offices, courts and shops selling British-made goods. The entry of ladies like Basanti Devi, Urmila Devi, Lila Roy, of the respectable families of Calcutta, into the political area and the organised attempts on their part to defy authority added importance to the movement. Spinning and weaving were popularised by Urmila Devi among the women of the nation. Along with Hindu women, Muslim women also joined meetings, processions and boycotted foreign goods. Nellie Sengupta gave leadership in the strike of steamers in 1922. Rokeya Begum also spread the message of Swadeshi among the women. Thousands of women participated in the demonstrations against the Prince of Wales when he visited Bombay. The role of Marwari women in the movement deserves special mention in this context. At a meeting of Marwari women in Calcutta on January 29, 1921, Gandhi collected Rs. 10,000 in cash and ornaments for the Tilak Memorial Swaraj Fund. Thus, the participation of women constitutes an important chapter in the history of freedom movements against the British in India.

3. Give an account of the role played by women during the Quit India Movement.

Ans. Women of India fought with true spirit and faced various tortures to earn freedom for India. The participation of women in the Quit India Movement took many different forms. Usha Mehta set up a radio transmitter called ‘The Voice of Freedom’ to disseminate information about the war of freedom.

Another leader, Aruna Asaf Ali, broke the self law. Consequently she was arrested, sentenced and imprisoned in Lucknow. Sucheta Kripalani was another prominent leader of the Quit India Movement. Sucheta’s job was to establish contact with groups which were acting throughout India and to encourage them in their anti-British activities. In a variety of disguises, she travelled from province to province to keep the leaders in touch with one another. Matangini Hazra, a widow of 72 years deserves mention here. She led six thousand supporters, mostly women volunteers, to occupy the Tamluk police station. She became a martyr by carrying the national flag towards the Tamluk Court and embracing bullets till her death, chanting the slogan ‘Bande Mataram’. She is rightly called ‘Laxmi Bai of Midnapore’ and ‘Gandhi Budi’ as she was powerfully attracted to Gandhi’s ideas. There were other women leader like Sumita Sen, Nandita Kripalani, Ela Dutta, Santi Dasgupta, Kanaklata Barua, Rani Chanda, who also joined the Quit India Movement in the course of time. A large number of peasant women also joined the movements, protesting against tax and land revenue. Their resentments made them openly resist the British, which further fueled the movement.

4. Why is Matangini Hazra remembered?

Ans. Among the women who laid down their lives for the freedom of India, the name of Matangini Hazra (1869-1942), a peasant widow, deserves special mention.

She became actively interested in the Indian Independence Movement as a Gandhian. She tooks part in the Civil Disobedience Movement and joined the Salt Satyagraha, travelling on foot to attend various Congress meetings, interacting with many Congress men. She was an active member of the INC and took to spinning her own khadi. She also clashed with the British authority on several occasions. In 1933, Sir John Anderson, the then Governor of Bengal, came to Tamluk to address a gathering. Here in spite of heavy security, Matangini managed to show a black flag demonstration in front of the Governor. She was arrested and sentenced to 6 months’ rigorous imprisonment. During the Quit India Movement in 1942, she led six thousand supporters, mostly women volunteers, to occupy the Tamluk Police Station. She became a martyr by carrying the national flag towards the Tamluk Court and embracing bullets till her death, shouting the slogan ‘Bande Mataram’. She is rightly called the ‘Laxmi Bai of Midnapore’ and ‘Gandhi Budi’ because she was deeply influenced by Gandhi’s ideas.

5. Why is Bina Das remembered?

Ans. In 1932, when the Civil Disobedience Movement was repressed, a spate of political crime broke out in Calcutta. This year resulted in an enormous rise in the rate of crimes, which included murderous attacks on officials. On February 6, 1932, the day Calcutta University had its convocation, Bina Das, a student of Diocesan College, and a member of a revolutionary organisation was one of the recipient of the degree of Bachelor of Arts. As the Governor, Sir Stanley Jackson, got up to address the convocation, she fired five shots in an attempt to shoot him. She was finally overpowered by Sir Hasan Suhráwardy, the Vice Chancellor, although she managed to discharge two more bullets. His Excellency was unhurt, but a Bengali professor was slightly injured. Bina’s act was to rouse people to action because she was a Bengali girl driven to an unnatural act by the oppressive British Raj. Following this action on the part of Bina Das, a number of arrests were made. A search of her belongings was conducted at Diocesan College and a number of documents came into the hands of the police. She was sentenced to nine years rigorous imprisonment, but was saved from transportation to the Andamans by the petitions of C F Andrews and Rabindranath Tagore. Bina, inspired to take the path of violence, was involved in the historic youth upsurge in Calcutta (November 1945) for the release of the INA prisoners. While the senior Congress leaders vacillated, she remained with the agitating youth for the entire campaign.

6. Discuss the role of women in armed revolutionary movement in the 20th century.

Ans. Women played an important role in armed revolutionary movement. In this connection mention may be made here of women revolutionaries like Kalpana Datta, Pritilata Waddedar, Bina Das, Santi Ghosh, Suniti Chaudhury, Laxmi Swaminathan etc.

Deepali Sangha: In 1923 Lila Nag established Deepali Sangha, an association for women, where the members are taught drill, parade, sword fighting etc.
Chittagong Armoury Raid: During the Chittagong Armoury Raid under the leadership of Surya Sen, Pritilata Waddedar played an important role. She fought bravely in the Jalalabad encounter with the police and escaped.
Attack on European Club: In 1931 Surya Sen entrusted Kalpana Datta along with Pritilata to attack the Europen Club in Chittagong. Pritilata succeeded in attacking the European Club (1932) but was chased by the police. She was fatally wounded and was caught. Pritilata committed suicide.
Governor Stanley Jackson Shot: In 1932, Bina Das made an abortive attempt on the life of Governor of Bengal, Stanley Jackson during the convocation ceremony of Calcutta University. She was sentenced to 9 years rigorous imprisonment.
Jhansi Rani Regiment: Dr. Laxmi Swaminathan was the captain of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, the women’s regiment of the Indian National Army. After the surrender of Azad Hind Fauj, Laxmi was arrested by the police.

The participation of women in armed revolutionary movement was significant. The police repression, assaulting and tormenting the women revolutionaries was indeed quite alarming.

7. Why is Kalpana Datta remembered?

Ans. Kalpana Datta (later known as Kalpana Joshi) was born at Sripur in Chittagong district on July 27, 1913. She played an important role in the armed revolutionary movement. She joined the Chhatri Sangha (Women Students’ Association), a semi-revolutionary organisation. She joined the Indian Republican Army, Chattagram branch, the armed resistance group led by Surya Sen. She was entrusted with the carrying of explosives to and from Calcutta and the making of gun cotton. After the Chittagong Armoury Raid on April 18, 1930 many of the leaders of the raid were arrested

and pending trial. Kalpana planned to plant a dynamic fuse under the court building and inside the jail to free the revolutionary leaders, who were being tried in a special tribunal. The plot was disclosed and certain restrictions were imposed on Kalpana’s movements. In September, 1931, Surya Sen entrusted her along with Pritilata Waddedar to attack the European Club in Chittagong. A week before the action, Kalpana was arrested while moving out for a survey in a boy’s attire. Being released on bail, she went underground at the biding of Surya Sen. On February 17, 1933, the police encircled her hiding place, but Kalpana was somehow able to escape.

In May, 1933, Kalpana, along with some comrades, was arrested. In the second supplementary trial of the Chittagong Armory Raid Case, she was sentenced to transportation for life. However, she was released in 1939.

Analytical Answer (AA) Type Questions

Answer in 7 to 8 sentences

1. Explain the role of women in the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Ans. Mahatma Gandhi started the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930 by conducting the historic Dandi March. Women’s historical involvement in this movement ushered a new chapter in the history of freedom movement. During Gandhiji’s salt march, thousands of women came out of their homes to join the movement. Sarojini Naidu, with the courage of a fighter, stormed the Darshana Salt Works. Consequently the British Government arrested her. Women participated in protest marches, manufactured salt and picketed in front of the shops selling foreign cloth and liquor. The boycott of foreign goods and purchase of Indian products continued along with the presence of women supporters to boost up the movement. Many were arrested.

In Bengal the nationalistic enthusiasm among women was memorable. Basanti Devi, Urmila Devi, Lila Nag, Sarala Devi joined the movement. In Bengal, different organisations of women cropped up Women Satyagraha Committee, Nari Satyagraha Samity.

The participation of Muslim women was significant. Even the middle and upper class Muslim women were active in the movement. Among them, mention might be made of Daulatunnisa Khatun, Razia Khatun, Halima Khatun, Rokeya Begum etc.

The police oppression assaulting and tormenting the women nationalists during this movement was indeed quite alarming.

2. Write a note on the Deepali Sangha.

Ans. In 1923, Lila Nag, a freedom fighter and a crusader for women’s education, established the Deepali Sangha, an association for women. Its main objectives were to-

[1] enhance women’s education, [2] liberate women from the clutches of evil social customs, [3] create a feminist consciousness, [4] arouse women’s political and social awareness, [5] develop women in all fields of life. It became a centre for initiating various activities by women and its branches were established in different parts of Dacca. Within a short time, Lila Nag started a high school for girls in Dacca under the auspices of Deepali Sangha. Its units were opened at almost every place and members were taught drill, parade, sword fighting and lathi wielding. It instilled revolutionary political ideas in the minds of the members of the Deepali Sangha.

3. Discuss the nature of women’s participation in armed revolutionary movement.

Ans. The failure of the policy of ‘Prayer and Petition’ disappointed a section of the national leaders who made a strong demand for more vigorous political agitation against the British and this gave rise to armed revolutionary movement in which women also took part. Many women maintained close contact with secret revolutionary organisations like the Anusilan Samity, Yugantar, Bengal Volunteers etc. Some of them were associated with Deepali Sangha, an association for women which instilled revolutionary political ideal in the minds of its members.

Sometimes women provided shelter to the revolutionaries, acted as messengers to different secret organisations. They were sometimes entrusted with the work of carrying explosive. In the beginning women like Swarnakumari Devi, Sarojini Naidu, Indumati Devi, Sarala Devi were associated with different revolutionary works. Later on the nature of the participation of women changed and they fought against the British with guns in their hands like Pritilata Waddedar, Bina Das etc.

Thus women were either directly or indirectly connected with armed revolutionary movement and sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom.

4. What was the role of Pritilata Waddedar in the armed revolutionary movement?

Ans. Pritilata Waddedar (‘Waddedar’ was a title conferred to an ancestor of the family who originally had the surname Dasgupta.) was a Bengali revolutionary who became a martyr for the liberation of the motherland. She associated herself with a secret women’s revolutionary organisation known as Deepali Sangha in Dacca. Surya Sen selected Pritilata to lead his plan along with a team to attack the Pahartali European Club. She went to Kotuwali seaside for arms training and chalking out plans to organise a guerilla attack on the Club (September 24, 1932) which had a signboard that read “Dogs and Indians are not allowed”. Pritilata succeeded in attacking the European Club but she and the other revolutionaries were chased by the police, which resulted in a direct fight between the revolutionaries and the police. Many of the revolutionaries escaped, but Pritilata was fatally wounded and there was no way of escape from the British and she was caught. To avoid getting arrested, Pritilata consumed potassium cyanide and committed suicide. Her martyrdom is remembered with honour and respect.

Short Answer (SA) Type Questions

Answer in 2 to 3 sentences

1. What role did Sarala Devi Chaudhurani play in the Anti-Partition Movement?

Ans. Sarala Devi Chaudhurani, the niece of Rabindranath Tagore, spread the gospel of nationalism in Punjab. She exposed the strength of women in her essays, in the paper ‘Bharati’. For physical training, she set up a gymnasium in her own house. She also maintained close contact with the Suhrid Samiti of Mymensingh, a secret revolutionary society.

2. What role did Khairunnisa play in the Swadeshi Movement?

Ans. Khairunnisa, a Muslim woman wrote a poem named ‘Swadeshanurag’ in the paper ‘Nabanoor’ (1905) to inspire women for the cause of nationalism during the Swadeshi Movement.

3. Who was called Gandhi Budi? Why was she famous?

Ans. Matangini Hazra, a peasant widow of 72 years of Midnapore, was called ‘Gandhi Budi’.

She led a crowd, mostly of women to occupy the Tamluk Police Station during the Quit India Movement.

4. Why was the ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ set up?

Ans. Saraladebi started the ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ in 1897. It was said that Devi Lakshmi had left home due to the Partition of Bengal. So, women in the houses of Bengal were given a Lakshmi Bhandar and told to keep a handful of rice in it everyday.

5. What role did Matangini Hazra play in the August Movement of 1942?

Ans. Among the women who laid down their lives during the Quit India Movement was Matangini Hazra, a widow of 72 years, endearingly called ‘Gandhi Budi’. She led a crowd to occupy the Tamluk Police Station during the movement. She became a martyr by carrying the national flag towards the Tamluk Court and embracing bullets till her death, shouting “Bande Mataram”. She is rightly called ‘Laxmi Bai of Midnapore’.

6. In which year was Deepali Students’ Sangha established? Name some of the important leaders of the Sangha.

Ans. Deepali Students’ Sangha was established in 1926.

Some of the famous members of the Sangha were Renuka Sen, Pritilata Waddedar, Sakuntala Ray, Binapani Ray, Usharani Ray and others.

7. Who set up the ‘Voice of Freedom’ and why?

Ans. Usha Mehta set up the ‘Voice of Freedom’. It was a radio transmitter to broadcast the news of the war of independence among the people of the country.

8. What were the main aims or objectives of the Deepali Sangha?

Ans. Deepali Sangha, organized by Leela Ray in Dacca, was set up with the aim of promoting womens’ education. However the real motive of this association was to inculcate self-reliance among women.

9. What were the works undertaken by ‘Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar’?

Ans. ‘Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar’ was established in 1942 during the Quit India Movement by Satish Chandra Samanta. It was an independent parallel government. It set up police department, military department, education, agriculture and health departments, courts etc. Even a system of revenue collection was set up. In addition to political work it undertook relief works for the people, gave grants to schools. It also set up an armed independent wing known as ‘Vidyut Vahini’.

10. Why is Nanibala Devi remembered?

Ans. Nanibala Devi was a female revolutionary. She was a member of Jugantar Party. She gave shelter to the underground revolutionaries in Chandannagore. She posed as the wife of Ramchandra Majumdar, a freedom fighter and leaked information to imprisoned revolutionaries. To escape from the eyes of police she escaped to Peshwar. Her acts inspired the women of Midnapore to take up arms against the British and fire at them.

11. Why did the women of Bengal observe ‘Arandhan’ (Non-cooking) on 16th October 1905?

Ans. Bengal was partitioned in 1905 by Lord Curzon. Women of Bengal resisted the plan of partition to pressurize the British Government to repeal the partition. On the day of partition (16 October, 1905) they observed ‘Arandhan’ day (non-cooking) as a mark of protest against the partition.

Very Short Answer (VSA) Type Questions

Answer in one sentence

1. In which year was Bengal partitioned?

Ans. Bengal was partitioned in 1905.

2. Who was the Governor-General when Bengal was partitioned?

Ans. Lord Curzon was the Governor-General when Bengal was partitioned.

3. What was the name of the newly created province after the Partition of Bengal?

Ans. The name of the newly created province after the Partition of Bengal was Eastern Bengal and Assam.

4. When was the Partition of Bengal annulled?

Ans. The Partition of Bengal was annulled in the year 1911.

5. Name two women leaders associated with the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal.

Ans. Two women leaders associated with the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal were Kumudini Mitra and Nirmala Sarkar.

6. What is the full name of ‘Gandhi’?

Ans. The full name of Gandhi is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

7. Name one leader of Labangola Satyagraha.

Ans. Sarojini Naidu was one of the leaders of Labangola Satyagraha.

8. Which incident brought the Non-Cooperation Movement to an end?

Ans. The Non-Cooperation Movement was brought to an end by Chauri Chaura incident.

9. Where is Chauri Chaura?

Ans. Chauri Chaura is a village in the Gorakhpur district of UP.

10. In which year did the Chauri Chaura incident take place?

Ans. The Chauri Chaura incident took place in 1922.

11. In which year did the Quit India Movement start?

Ans. The Quit India Movement started in 1942.

12. Which movement had, as its battle cry, ‘Do or die’?

Ans. Quit India Movement had, ‘Do or die’ as its battle cry.

13. Who gave the call ‘Do or die’?

Ans. Mahatma Gandhi gave the call ‘Do or die’.

14. By what other name was the Quit India Movement known?

Ans. The Quit India Movement was also known as August Revolution.

15. When was the Quit India Resolution adopted by the Congress?

Ans. The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the Congress on August 8, 1942.

16. Why is the ‘Quit India Movement’ also known as ‘August Revolution’?

Ans. The Quit India Movement is also known as the ‘August Revolution’ because it had occurred in the month of August (1942).

17. What is meant by ‘Do or die’?

Ans. The meaning of the mantra ‘Do or Die’, according to Gandhiji was “We shall either free India or die in the attempt; we shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery …..”

18. Who was the head of ‘Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar’?

Ans. Satish Chandra Samanta was the head of ‘Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar’.

19. Name the woman revolutionary who made an attempt on the life of the Bengal Governor Stanley Jackson.

Ans. Bina Das, a woman revolutionary, made an attempt on the life of the Bengal Governor Stanley Jackson.

20. Who was the editor of the paper ‘Jayasree’?

Ans. Leela Nag was the editor of the paper ‘Jayasree’.

21. Who organised the Deepali Sangha.

Ans. Leela Roy organised the Deepali Sangha.

22. How was the Deepali Students’ Sangha established?

Ans. Sri Sangha of Anil Ray merged with Deepali Sangha and the Deepali Students’ Sangha was formed in 1930.

23. In which year and where was Deepali Sangha established?

Ans. Deepali Sangha was established in Dacca in 1924.

24. In which year was Chhatri Sangha established and where?

Ans. Chhatri Sangha was established in Calcutta in 1928.

25. Name two revolutionary secret societies of Bengal.

Ans. Two revolutionary secret societies of Bengal were Anushilan Samity and Bengal Volunteers.

26. Name two prominent members of Anushilan Samity.

Ans. Pulin Behari Das and Aurobindo Ghosh were two prominent members of Anushilan Samity.

27. Name two revolutionaries who were asso-ciated with the Chittagong Armoury Raid.

Ans. Two revolutionaries who were associated with the Chittagong Armoury Raid were Lokenath Bal and Ganesh Ghosh.

28. With which organisation was Leela Nag (Roy) associated?

Ans. Leela Nag (Roy) was associated with Deepali Sangha.

29. With which movement was Usha Mehta associated?

Ans. Usha Mehta, a Gandhian and freedom fighter of India, was associated with the Quit India movement organised by Gandhiji in 1942.

30. Name some Muslim women who took part in the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Ans. Daulatunnisa Khatun, Razia Khatun, Halima Khatun, Hasenara Begum were the Muslim women who took part in Civil Disobedience Movement.

31. Name some women leaders of Bengal who participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Ans. The women leaders of Bengal who took part in the Civil Disobedience Movement were Kumudini Bose, Hemlata Tagore, Latika Ghosh and others.

Fill in the blanks

1. The journal ‘Antahpur’ was edited by ………..

Ans. Hemanta Kumari Chowdhury

2. In Khulna a large number of women attended a meeting addressed by ……… and broke their glass bangles symbolizing the boycott of foreign goods.

Ans. Kaliprasanna

3. Urmila Debi was a close political associate of ……….

Ans. Basanti Debi

4. Sarojini Naidu became the Congress President in ………..

Ans. 1926

5. The President of the Bengal Provincial Congress in 1921 was ……….

Ans. Basanti Debi

6. The Home Rule League was founded by ……….. in 1916.

Ans. Annie Besant

7. ‘Voice of Freedom’, a radio transmitter, was set up by …………

Ans. Usha Mehta

8. The paper ‘Jaysree’ was published in ……….

Ans. 1930

9. One objective of Deepali Sangha was ………..

Ans. to create self-awareness

10. Pritilata Waddedar attacked the Assam Bengal Railway European Club at …………

Ans. Chittagong

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

1. Sarala Devi Chaudhurani spread the gospel of nationalism in-

A. Punjab

B. Bengal

C. Maharashtra

D. Gujarat

Ans. A

2. The woman who went from house to house encouraging women to join the Swadeshi cause was-

A. Sarala Devi Chaudhurani

B. Hemanta Kumari Chowdhury

C. Ava Maity

D. Ashalata Sen

Ans. D

3. Mrs. Annie Besant became the President of the Indian National Congress in-

A. 1918

B. 1907

C. 1919

D. 1917

Ans. D

4. During the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Bengali women were led by-

A. Sarala Devi Chaudhurani

B. Basanti Debi

C. Matangini Hazra

D. Kalpana Datta

Ans. B

5. Deepali Sangha was organized by Leela Roy in Dacca during the-

A. Non-Cooperation Movement

B. Civil Disobedience Movement

C. Quit India Movement

D. Namasudra Movement

Ans. A

6. Women’s National Party was established in 1927 under the leadership of-

A. Prabhabati Basu

B. Latika Ghosh

C. Kadambini Ganguly

D. Sushila Basu

Ans. B

7. Kalpana Datta was associated with a students’ organisation in Calcutta named-

A. Deepali Sangha

B. Chhatri Sangha

C. Suhrid Samiti

D. Bengal Volunteers

Ans. B

8. The woman who gave the lead in capturing the court and the police station of Tamluk was-

A. Latika Ghosh

B. Pritilata Waddedar

C. Matangini Hazra

D. Kumudini Bose

Ans. C

9. Pritilata Waddedar made a daring attack at the Assam Bengal Railway European Club in-

A. Chittagong

B. Dacca

C. Mymensingh

D. Comilla

Ans. A

10. Deepali Sangha was established by-

A. Kalpana Datta

B. Lila Nag

C. Basanti Devi

D. Bina Das

Ans. B

11. ‘Nari Karma Mandir’ was founded by-

A. Urmila Devi

B. Basanti Devi

C. Kalpana Datta

D. Lila Roy (Nag)

Ans. A

12. Who among the following took part in Civil Disobedience Movement?

A. Bina Das

B. Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay

C. Kalpana Datta

D. Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain

Ans. B

13. Matangini Hazra took part in Quit India Movement in-

A. Tamluk

B. Sutahata

C. Barisal

D. Purulia

Ans. A

14. Nari Satyagraha Samiti was founded during-

A. The Anti-Partition Movement in Bengal

B. The Non-Cooperation Movement

C. The Civil Disobedience Movement

D. The Quit India Movement

Ans. C

15. An attempt to assassinate Stanley Jackson, the Governor of Bengal was made by-

A. Bina Das

B. Kalpana Datta

C. Pritilata Waddedar

D. Suniti Chowdhury

Ans. A

TOPIC – B

Students’ Movement in the Twentieth Century

Explanatory Answer (EA) Type Questions

Answer in 15 to 16 sentences

1. Discuss the role played by students in the Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobe-dience Movements.

Ans. The Non-Cooperation Movement started in 1920 by Mahatma Gandhi is an important chapter in the history of India’s struggle for freedom. Students enthusiastically responded to the movement and they boycotted schools and colleges. They came out of their classes and raised slogans such as ‘Gandhi ki jai’ and ‘Bande Mataram’. They picketed in front of shops selling British goods and made bonfires of British goods. The demand for nationalisation of colleges started; students withdrew in large number from government colleges and the agitation spread rapidly. On November 17, 1921 when the Prince of Wales reached Bombay, the students observed a strike in protest. Under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Bose students showed black flags to the Prince of Wales. The students’ movement spread from Calcutta to Dacca, Chittagong, Mymensingh, Medinipur, Faridpur. The Calcutta Students’ Association (1924) was established under the Presidentship of Prafulla Chandra Roy. The students’ movement spread outside Bengal to different provinces like Bombay, Punjab, Bihar, Orissa and Assam.

Students also played an important part during the Civil Disobedience Movement. When Gandhi started his Dandi March (March 12, 1930), the students of Calcutta observed it as a special day. A meeting was held in the Hall of Calcutta under the Presidentship of Jyotindra Mohan Sengupta, and, about 700 students attended the meeting. Students of different colleges got arrested while picketing. In Tamluk and Kanthi district of Midnapore, girls boycotted schools and colleges for about six months. In the second phase of the Civil. Disobedience Movement also, students plunged themselves into the movement. Students of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar joined the movement and courted arrest.

2. What was the role of the members of Bengal Volunteers in the armed revolutionary movement?

Ans. Bengal Volunteers was a militant nationalists organisation of Bengal. It was founded under the initiative of the revolutionary Hemchandra Ghosh. Benoy Krishna Bose, Badal Gupta (alias Sudhir) and Dinesh Gupta were three of the members of the Bengal Volunteers. These members of the Bengal Volunteers were involved in different revolutionary activities. In 1930 Benoy Bose killed Mr. Lowman, the Inspector-General of Bengal Police and wounded Mr. Hudson, the Sub-Inspector of Police, Dacca. This was followed by a daring attack on the Writers’ Building on December 8, 1930. Benoy Bose, with two of his friends, Badal Gupta and Dinesh Gupta fatally shot Colonel Simpson, the Inspector-General of Prisons. The three were engaged in war in the corridor of the Writers’ Building with the British force. This incident is known in history as ‘Corridor Warfare’. They were eventually overpowered by the police. Benoy and Badal shot themselves while Dinesh was tried and executed. After this incident, the British Government got alarmed and Governor of Bengal, Sir Stanley Jackson, applying several impressive policies, tried to calm down the revolutionaries.

In 1931, on April 7, Mr. Peddie, the district magistrate of Midnapore, was shot at and killed by two members of the Bengal Volunteers- Bimal Dasgupta and Jyoti Jiban Ghosh. This incident inspired the other members of the terrorist organisation and the British Government soon appointed a new district magistrate, Mr. Robert Douglas to suppress the struggle.

On April 30, 1922 two other members of Bengal Volunteers-Prodyot Bhattacharya and Prabhatangshu Pal gunned down Robert Douglas. On September 2, 1932, the next District Magistrate of Midnapore, E J Burge was shot dead by two Bengal Volunteer members- Anath Bandhu Panja and Mrigen Dutta. The British officers, in a desperate attempt to suppress the terrorist attacks, resorted to inhuman torture on the revolutionaries.

3. Why is Surya Sen remembered?

Ans. Surya Sen, popularly known as ‘Masterda’ was an Indian independence activist and a prominent Bengali freedom fighter, an architect of the freedom movement, centred in Chittagong, Bengal (now in Bangladesh). He was the leader of the Chittagong Armoury Raid.

On April 18, 1930, Surya Sen along with other revolutionaries like Ananta Singh, Ganesh Ghosh, Lokenath Bal, Ambika Chakraborty and 54 teenagers captured two British armouries in Chittagong shouting slogans ‘Inquilab Zindabad’, ‘Down with Imperialism’. Surya Sen, dressed in white Khadi dhoti and a longcoat, and Gandhi cap took a military salute, hoisted the national flag among shouts of ‘Bande Mataram’ and proclaimed Indian Republican Government at Chittagong. They also succeeded in capturing a telegraph communication and disrupting railway lines. Sixty-five revolutionaries were involved which was undertaken in the name of the Indian Republican Army, Chittagong Branch. When the British police got the news they reached Chittagong to take repressive actions. The revolutionaries escaped to the Jalalabad Hills and fought bravely against the British police for 3 days. Twelve of the revolutionaries died fighting the British police force. Surya and a few others escaped. Later on, Surya Sen was arrested and put to death.

Surya Sen’s leadership gave a fillip to the younger section of the revolutionaries who were already fired with enthusiasm to drive out the British from India by force. He is remembered for the heroic fight against the British, which kindled the fire of patriotism among the revolutionaries.

4. Give an account of the students’ movement during Anti-Partition Movement of 1905.

Ans. The imperialist British ruler Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal in 1905 to weaken the anti-British sentiments of the Bengalees. The powerful movement which started against such decision involved the active participation of the students of Bengal as well as from the whole of India.

Boycott of educational institution: The students enthusiastically left the government institutions and joined the national institutions. On observing such fervour among the students, Surendranath Banerjee commented that students were the self-employed propagandist of this movement.
Organisation: Different students and youth leaders assembled the students together to urge them to participate in the movement. The Dawn Society (1902) of Satish Chandra Mukhopadhayay and Anti- Circular Society of Sachindra Prasad Bose played an important role in involving students in the movement. The student representatives of different colleges in Calcutta formed the ‘Kendriya Chhatra Sangram Committee’.
Boycott: The students boycotted all foreign goods and picketed the shops selling British items like salt, sugar, cloth etc. They campaigned in favour of boycotting foreign goods and even set fire to such goods. They went from door to door campaigning for the use of indigenous goods.
Meetings: The students came out of their schools and colleges and participated in different meetings and demonstrations. About 5000 students walked in a procession to join a meeting at the Town Hall on 7th August. In spite of being a powerful movement, it receieved a set- back in 1910.

5. Write a note on Anti-Circular Society.

Ans. The Anti-Partition Movement in 1905 became quite powerful due to the participation of students in large number. In order to suppress the movement, the Chief Secretary of Bengal, R W Carlyle, issued a repressive circular which is known as Carlyle circular.

Background: The Carlyle circular prohibited the students from participating in meetings, processions and demonstra-tions and even chanting the slogan ‘Bande Mataram’ was banned. So the students form the Anti-Circular Society (Novemver 1905) as a protest against such repressive measures.
Foundation: Sachindra Prasad Bose, a student leader of Ripon College (present Surendra Nath College) and a follower of Surendranath Bandyopadhayay, founded the Anti-Circular Society in November 1905 as a protest against the Carlyle’s circular. Its president and secretary were Krishna Kumar Mitra and Sachindra Prasad Bose.
Objectives: The main objectives of the society were-[i] unite the students and keep them involved in the movement, [ii] encourage the students, [iii] arrange for alternative education of the students who have been expelled from the government schools and colleges.
Activeness: The anti-British student movement gained momentum due to the initiative of Anti-Circular Society. Sachindra Prasad also designed a flag in 1906. He continuously tried to keep the students unite and so the enraged government arrested him in 1906 and sent him to Rawalpindi prison.

6. What was the contribution of Khudiram in revolutionary movements?

or, Why is Khudiram remembered in Indian history?

Ans. Khudiram Bose of Bengal (1889-1908) is an extraordinary example of self-sacrifice in the revolutionary movement of India.

Beginning of revolutionary life: As a student, Khudiram Bose was highly influenced by the ideology of his teacher Satyendra Nath Bose and joined the Jugantar group to carry on revolutionary activities. He was imprisoned for three years for Muzaffarpur Bomb Case (1905). After being released, he participated in a train robbery (1907) to collect funds for the Jugantar group.
Responsibilty of assassinating Kingsford: Barindra Kumar Ghosh of Jugantar group assigned the task of assassinating the tyrant Magistrate Kingsford to Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose. However, Kingsford was transferred from Calcutta to Muzaffarpur in the meantime and soon the two revolutionaries went there. In an attempt to kill Kingsford, they mistakingly threw a bomb on a carriage carrying Mrs. Kennedy and her daughter Ms. Kennedy.
Death sentence: After the two ladies were killed, Prafulla Chaki committed suicide but Khudiram was arrested. He was tried in the Alipore Bomb Case (1908) and was hanged (August 11, 1908). He embraced his end fearlessly.
Inspiration: Khudiram proved that death was nobler than life by sacrificing himself on the altar of freedom. He showed that the Indians were ready to pay any price to attain freedom. His dauntless activities and self-sacrifice established an exceptional example which inspired the Indian youths to fight and lay down their lives for the sake of their country.

7. What was the contribution of Prafulla Chaki in the revolutionary movement?

or, Why is Prafulla Chaki remembered in Indian history?

Ans. Prafulla Chaki was one of the revolutionaries who left an indelible impression in the history of Indian freedom struggle (1880-1908).

Beginning of revolutionary life: Prafulla Chaki began his revolutionary activities in 1903 by joining the Bandhab Samity. During the Swadeshi Movement, he trained the students of Rangpur Jatiya Vidyalaya in ‘lathi khela’ and boxing. In 1906, Barindra Kumar Ghosh entrusted Prafulla with the task of assassinating the Chief Commissioner Bamfield Fuller.
Responsibilty of assassinating Kingsford: Barindra Kumar Ghosh of Jugantar group assigned the task of assassinating the tyrant Magistrate Kingsford to Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose. Since Kingsford was transferred to Muzaffarpur, Khudiram and Prafulla went there. But by mistake they hurled a bomb on a carriage carrying Mrs. Kennedy and her daughter Ms. Kennedy and failed to kill Kingsford.
Prafulla Chaki committed suicide: When the two ladies were killed, Prafulla Chaki shot himself to avoid. arrest. Khudiram Bose was caught and hanged.
Inspiration: The self-sacrifice of Prafulla Chaki inspired the Indian youths to join the revolutionary movement. He proved that youths were ready to liberate their motherland at any cost.

Analytical Answer (AA) Type Questions

Answer in 7 to 8 sentences

1. What was the role of students in the Anti-Partition Movement.

Ans. Bengal was partitioned in 1905 during the Viceroyalty of Lord Curzon. Anti-Partition Movement started, against this Partition of Bengal, in which students took an active part. They boycotted schools and colleges and organized picketing of shops selling foreign goods. This drew upon them the wrath and violence of the British Raj. The British Government passed the infamous Carlyle Circular, prohibiting the students from joining the agitation. The students of Bengal took up the challenge. The action of the authorities led to a movement among the students to boycott the Calcutta University. At a conference attended by eminent personalities, the National Council of Education was founded with the objective of organising an elaborate education system on national lines and under national control. Satish Chandra Mukherjee established the Dawn Society (1905). The society functioned as a training ground for the youths and a nursery of patriotism. Many Muslim students joined the national education movement and acted as volunteers in the national schools. However it should also be noticed that many Muslim students, in the hope of getting jobs in government offices, supported the Partition of Bengal.

2. What was the role of Anushilan Samity in the revolutionary movement in Bengal?

Ans. A number of secret revolutionary associations grew up in Bengal at the beginning of 20th century. One of the notable associations was Anushilan Samity.

Foundation: Anushilan Samity was an armed revolutionary organisation of Bengal founded on the revolutionary ideals of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. Satish Chandra Bose founded the association at 12, Madan Mitra Lane in Calcutta on March 24, 1902, with the help of a lawyer, Pramathanath Mitra.
Members: A number of contemporary revolutionaries of Bengal were members of this organisation. Some of them were Aurobindo Ghosh, Barindra Kumar Ghosh, Chittaranjan Das, Sashibhushan Roychowdhury, Jatindra Nath Bandyopadhyay etc.
Activities: The prime objective of the Anushilan Samity was to attain freedom through armed revolution. So the members were trained in ‘lathi khela’, exercises, etc., along with training in bomb manufacturing and using of firearms. Here, plots were also made to kill tyrant British officials.
Branches: The activities of Anushilan Samity increased manifold when the Anti- Partition Movement started in 1905. So, branches of this association grew up in Dacca, Mymensingh, Comilla, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chittagong and other districts. The Dacca Anushilan Samity (1906) became very powerful under the initiative of Pulin Behari Das.

3. Write a note on the armed revolutionary movement in Bengal during the First World War.

Ans. Towards the end of Anti-Partition Movement in 1905, the armed revolutionary movement in Bengal began to raise its head and remained in motion till the First World War.

Establishment of secret revolutionary societies: Some secret revolutionary societies grew up in different parts of Bengal since the time of the Anti-Partition Movement. Some of these societies like Anushilan Samity, Jugantar Samity, Mukti Sangha, Brati Samity, Sadhana Samity, Suhrid Samity etc. inspired revolutionary ideals among the students.
Bomb factory at Maniktala: Hemchandra Kanungo went abroad to receive political and millitary training. He returned in 1908 and set up a factory to manufacture bombs at Maniktala.
Attempt to murder Kingsford: In 1908, Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki hurled a bomb to kill the tyrant British judge Kingsford but by mistake, Mrs. Kennedy and her daughter were in the blast. Then Prafulla Chaki shot himself and Khudiram was caught and hanged on August 11, 1908.
Conspiracy case: Barindra Kumar Ghosh, Ullaskar Dutta were deported in the Alipore Bomb Case trial (1908). Apart from these, many revolutionaries were punished in the Dacca Conspiracy Case (1910), Howrah Conspiracy Case (1910) and Barishal Conspiracy Case (1912-13).
Battle of Buribalam: Jatindra Nath Mukhopadhayay (Baghajatin) went Orissa to collect firearms brought from Germany. There he was injured at police firing in the battle of Buribalam in Baleshwar and died a little later.

4. Write a note on Lahore Conspiracy Case.

Ans. The armed revolutionary movement against the British rule spread over wide areas before the First World War. When the World War began (1914), Rashbehari Bose planned a military coup against the British government in India, with the help of the members of Gadar Party.

Initiation of the case: The day of the coup under the leadership of Rasbehari Bose was fixed on February 21, 1950. However, a member of the Gadar Party named Kripal Singh betrayed the plan. Several revolutionaries were arrested and the Lahore Conspiracy Case (1950) was filed against them.
Accused: 291 revolutionaries were accused in the Lahore Conspiracy Case (1950). Some of them were Rashbehari Bose, Vishnuganesh Pingle, Bhai Paramanand, Kartar Singh, Harnam Singh etc.
Verdict: The court gave different verdicts for the accused revolutionaries. Kartar Singh, Vishnuganesh Pingle, Harnam Singh and some others were hanged, 114 were sentenced to life imprisonment and 93 were given prison sentences of varying terms. 42 of them were aquitted. The chief accused Rashbehari Bose escaped to Japan by sea route under the pseudonym of P N Tagore.

5. Why are the revolutionariés Benoy-Badal-Dinesh remembered?

or, Give an account of Writers’ Building attack.

or, What do you know about Corridor Warfare?

Ans. The daring attack on the Writers’ Building by three youths – Benoy Bose, Badal Gupta and Dinesh Gupta, who came from three adjoining villages of Dacca is a scintillating episode in the history of armed revolutionary struggle in Bengal as well as in India. After killing the tyrant police inspector Lowman (1930) Benoy, Badal, Dinesh attacked the Writer’s Building within a few days.

The Attack: Benoy-Badal-Dinesh, the three members of the Bengal Volunteers attacked the Writers’ Building in Calcutta on December 8, 1930. They fired indiscriminately and killed the notorious jailor N G Simpson.
Corridor warfare: The security force of the Writers’ Building and the huge police force from Lalbazar immediately started a counterattack against the revolutionaries. Intense exchange of bullets took place on the corridor of the building and so this episode is remembered in history as ‘Corridor Warfare (1930)’.
Defeat: Benoy-Badal-Dinesh fought valiantly in spite of intense attack from the government forces. Dinesh fought bravely ignoring injury on the back but they fell into a crisis as they ran short of ammunition.
Consequence: Badal swallowed potassium cyanide to avoid arrest. Benoy and Dinesh tried to shoot themselves and were wounded. Benoy died in the hospital. Dinesh was cured and hanged in 1931. They had, in fact, conquered death for the sake of liberating their beloved motherland.

6. Write a note on the Gadar party.

Ans. The word ‘Gadar’ means revolution. The Gadar Party has made an invaluable contribution to the history of anti-British revolutionary movement.

Foundation: Lala Har Dayal founded Gadar Party in San Francisco (USA) in 1913 with the help of NRI Sohan Singh Bhakna. 15000 NRIs from different communities became members of Indian Gadar Party. Sohan Singh Bhakna was the first president of the party and Mohammad Barkatullah and Lala Har Dayal were the Vice President and Secretary respectively.
Journal: The Gadar party published a journal named ‘Gadar’ on November 1, 1913. This journal helped to spread revolutionary ideas in different languages such as Hindi, English, Gujarati, Urdu etc.
Spread of the revolution: When the First World War (1914) began, the Gadar Party took the opportunity of putting their plan of uprooting the British rule into action with the help of revolutionary activities in India. So, many party members from USA and Canada started returning to India.
Attempt for a coup: Rashbehari Bose planned a coup against the British Government on February 21, 1905 with the help of the members of Gadar Party. However the plan failed since one Kripal Singh betrayed the plan.
Conspiracy case: The USA government declared Lala Hardayal an anarchist and brought him to trial. So he left USA and went to Switzerland. The Hindu conspiracy case was filed against the Gadar party in 1914.
Ban on party: After the trial the government banned the Gadar party. The members of Gadar Party were mostly deported. Most of the members in USA could not return to India during the reign of the British.

7. Write a note on the activities of the Indian revolutionaries in Germany.

Ans. In the first half of the twentieth century, the Indians residing in Germany initiated several revolutionary activities there.

Formation of the Berlin Committee: A revolutionary organisation named Berlin Committee was formed in 1914 in Germany, in order to aid the revolutionary activities in India. Some of the significant members of this group were Bhupendranath Dutta, Birendranath Chattopadhyay, Mahendrapratap, etc. The main objective of this organisation was to collect monetary funds in order to support the revolutionaries in India.
Activities of the Berlin Committee: The Berlin Committee took part in several revolutionary activities. [i] A revolutionary uprising was arranged in Iran under the initiative of the Berlin Committee. [ii] Representatives of the Berlin Committee met the Russian Communist leader Lenin in 1919. [iii] Sheikh Muhammadul Hasan, Maulana Abdullah and several others organised protests against the British rule in India from Kabul.
Formation of the Indian Independence Committee: The Indian revolutionaries in Germany formed the German Union of Friendly India in 1914. Later, when a link was formed between this party and the American Gadar Party, the former came to be known as the Indian Independence Committee (1915).

8. What was the Alipore Bomb Case?

Ans. The police carried on a massive search and investigation in the context of the death of Mrs. Kennedy and her daughter Ms. Kennedy, who were killed at Muzaffarpur by the bomb thrown by Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki.

Arrest of revolutionaries: Police carried on a thorough search at the garden house in Muraripukur, which was the centre of secret activities and found the weapons as well as ingredients for making bombs. So, they arrested 47 revolutionaries including Aurobindo Ghosh and his brother Barindra Kumar Ghosh on suspicion.
Beginning of the trial: The arrested revolutionaries were brought to trial in Alipore session court on May 21, 1908, and this case came to be known as the famous Alipore Bomb Case. It was the first conspiracy case brought against the Indian revolutionaries by the British Governement.
Judges: The judge who was involved in this case was P C Beachcroft, who was Aurobindo’s classmate. There were two more Indian judges-Lathuni Prasad and Janki Prasad.
Verdict: The verdict of the case came out on May 6, 1909. According to the verdict, Barindra Kumar Ghosh and Ullaskar Dutta were sentenced to death but were later on sentenced to deportation for life due to various appeals. Hemchandra Kanungo, Avinash Bhattacharya, Indu Bhushan Roy and others were sentenced to deportation for different terms. Only Aurobindo Ghosh was aquitted.

9. Describe the students’ movement in India during the phase of Quit India Movement or August Movement (1942).

Ans. Different circumstances led the National Congress to start the Quit India Movement under the leadership of Mahatama Gandhi. The students spontaneously joined the movement everywhere in India.

Lack of proper leadership and organisation: As soon as the Quit India Movement was launched, the students started their agitation in their own ways. They participated in large numbers in movements in Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa and other provinces. However, they lacked efficient leadership and proper organisation.
Movements in Uttar Pradesh: The students of Allahabad University and Benaras Hindu University held on vigorous campaigns in support of the movements and inspired the common people to join them. However, they got involved in destructive activities in the course of the campaigns. The students of Benaras had practically paralysed the administrative machinery for five days.
Movement in south India: In south India, the students carried on continuous strikes and five students were killed by police firing on the banks of Godavari.
Movement in other states: The clash between the students and the army, which followed an event of hoisting the National Flag in Bihar, caused the death of seven students. The movemnent gained momentum in Bengal and the students of Calcutta and Midnapore participated enthusiastically in it. In Gujarat, an association of school students called ‘Vanar Sena’ grew up.

Short Answer (SA) Type Questions

Answer in 2 to 3 sentences

1. What was Carlyle Circular?

Ans. In 1905, a circular was issued by the British Government which forbade students of schools and colleges to associate themselves with any political movement. It was said that they would be punished for taking part in the Swadeshi Movement. This was known as the Carlyle Circular.

2. What were the objectives of the Anti-Circular Society?

Ans. The objectives of the Anti-Circular Society (1905) organised by Sachindra Prasad Basu were to encourage the students to participate in the Swadeshi Movement. Moreover, its object was to sell indigenous goods and to impart education to those who were expelled from school run by the British Government.

3. What were the objectives behind the establishment of Dawn Society?

Ans. The Dawn Society established in 1902 by Satish Chandra Mukherjee played a great role in initiating the national education movement in Bengal. Its objective was to make students of Bengal ‘perfect man’, through all round, physical, mental and spiritual development. Absorbing the benefits of modern science, spreading science to the masses and offering job oriented technical education were its other objectives.

4. Which day was observed as the ‘Rakhi Bandhan Day’ and why?

Ans. October 16, 1905 was observed as the ‘Rakhi Bandhan Day’ under the inspiration of Rabindranath Tagore. It was on this day that the Partition of Bengal was to take effect. On this day, the people of the Bengali community tied rakhis on one another’s wrist and celebrated Raksha Bandhan Day as a symbol of unity, refusing the political boundary between Bengal and Eastern Bengal and Assam.

5. What is the meaning of the word ‘Swadeshi’?

Ans. The word ‘Swadeshi’ literally means ‘of one’s own country’. In a broader sense, it means national self-sufficiency and Swaraj or self-rule.

6. What is the meaning of the word ‘boycott’?

Ans. A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining or preventing from using, dealing or buying with a country organisation or a person as a protest usually for political or social reasons.

7. Write a note on Corridor Warfare.

Ans. According to the plan of Bengal Volunteers, Benoy Basu, Badal Gupta and Dinesh Gupta attacked the Writers’ Building (December 8, 1930). Benoy Basu killed Simpson, the Inspector-General of Prison. An encounter took place between the police and the militant nationalists trio inside the Writers’ Building. This is famous in history as ‘Corridor Warfare’.

8. What was the programme of the Non- Cooperation Movement?

Ans.The The Non-Cooperation Movement was started in 1920 under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. The programmes of the movement were to [1] boycott British law courts, schools and colleges, [2] boycott foreign goods and adopt Swadeshi, [3] renunciate British titles, [4] boycott elections and other government functions and [5] do away with untouchability and promote communal harmony.

9. What role did the Mitra Mela play in the revolutionary movement in Maharashtra?

Ans.The Mitra Mela Society, established by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar at Nasik in 1899, proved to be an important centre of revolutionary activities in Maharashtra. The society arranged for physical training of its members. Composition of patriotic poems and songs were encouraged by the society. The members of this society discussed the biographies of the various personalities like Mazzini and Garibaldi. In 1904, the society was transformed and renamed ‘Abhinaba Bharat’. Savarkar also sent literature containing revolutionary ideas and firearms to Maharashtra to help the spread of revolutionary activities.

10. What was the route of the Dandi March?

Ans. The starting point of the Dandi March was Sabarmati Ashram and the ending point was Dandi, a village on the Gujarat coast.

11. What was the ‘Dandi March’?

Ans. Gandhiji, along with 78 followers, started marching on foot from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, a village on the coast of Gujarat. This is famous in history by the name Dandi March. There he violated the existing salt laws by manufacturing salt from sea water.

12. Who established Bal Samaj? What was its objective?

Ans. Some students inspired by the ideals of Bal Gangadhar Tilak established a revolutionary society named Bal Samaj.

Its objective was to spread nationalist revolutionary ideals among students.

13. Why was February 11 celebrated as the Rashid Ali Day?

Ans. Various students’ movements started in Calcutta in protest against the judgement given to Abdul Rashid, the captain of the Azad Hind Fauj. Rashid Ali was given 7 years of rigorous imprisonment in the trial which was held in the Red Fort at Delhi. In protest against this, the Muslim Students’ League and the All India Students’ Federation called a Students’ Strike for the release of Captain Rashid Ali from prison. This day was later celebrated as the Rashid Ali Day.

Very Short Answer (VSA) Type Questions

Answer in one sentence

1. Who proposed the ‘Rakhi Bandhan’ on the day of partition?

Ans. Rabindranath Tagore, the famous poet, proposed the ‘Rakhi Bandhan’ on the day of partition.

2. Who first recommended the ‘boycott’ of British goods on the occasion of Partition?

Ans. Krishna Kumar Mitra, in his Bengali weekly ‘Sanjibani’ first recommended the boycott of British goods on the occasion of partition.

3. When was the Dawn Society established?

Ans. The Dawn Society was established in 1902.

4. In which year was the Carlyle Circular issued?

Ans. The Carlyle Circular was issued on October 10, 1905.

5. Which organisation was established to fight against the Carlyle Circular?

Ans. Anti-Circular Society was established to fight against the Carlyle Circular.

6. In which year was Morley-Minto Reforms passed?

Ans. Morley-Minto Reforms was passed in 1909.

7. What was the date of Dandi March?

Ans. The date of Dandi March was March 12, 1930.

8. In which year was the Non-Cooperation Movement started?

Ans. The Non-Cooperation Movement was started in 1920.

9. Who represented India in the Second Round Table Conference?

Ans. Mahatma Gandhi and Sarojini Naidu represented India in the Second Round Table Conference.

10. In which year was Gandh-Irwin Pact signed?

Ans. Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed in 1931.

11. Who was Ramsay MacDonald?

Ans. Ramsay MacDonald was the British Prime Minister who announced the Communal Award in 1932.

12. Who started the Civil Disobedience Movement?

Ans. Mahatma Gandhi started the Civil Disobedience Movement.

13. In which year was the Civil Disobedience Movement started?

Ans. The Civil Disobedience Movement was started in 1930.

14. Who was the Governor General of India when the Civil Disobedience Movement started?

Ans. Lord Irwin was the Governor General of India when the Civil Disobedience Movement started.

15. In which year was the Civil Disobedience Movement withdrawn?

Ans. The Civil Disobedience Movement was withdrawn in 1934.

16. In which year was Chittagong Armoury raided by Surya Sen?

Ans. Chittagong Armoury was raided by Surya Sen in 1930.

17. When was Surya Sen hanged?

Ans. Surya Sen was hanged in 1934.

18. Who became famous for attacking the Writers’ Building in 1930?

Ans. Benoy Bose, Badal Gupta and Dinesh Gupta became famous for attacking Writers’ Building in 1930.

19. What was the real name of Bagha Jatin?

Ans. The real name of Bagha Jatin was Jatindranath Mukhopadhyay.

20. When was the Assam-Bengal Railway European Club attacked?

Ans. The Assam-Bengal Railway European Club was attacked on September 24, 1932.

21. Who founded the Mitra Mela?

Ans. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar founded the Mitra Mela.

22. Who formed the Binashi Sangha?

Ans. Two brothers named Damodar Hari Chapekar and Balkrishna Hari Chapekar formed a secret society known as the Binashi Sangha.

Fill in the blanks

1. The President of Calcutta Students’ Association was ………

Ans. Prafulla Chandra Roy

2. Bharatiya Vidyalaya was established in Maharashtra by ………

Ans. Aurobindo Ghosh

3. Anti-Circular Society was organised by ………..

Ans. Sachindra Prasad Basu

4. An association called Chapekar Club was established by ……….

Ans. Damodar Hari Chapekar and Balkrishna Hari Chapekar

5. The Indian Republican Army was formed by ……….

Ans. Surya Sen

6. Benoy-Badal-Dinesh, the members of the Bengal Volunteers, were involved in killing ………

Ans. Colonel Simpson

7. ……….. was known as ‘Masterda’.

Ans. Surya Sen

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

1. Writers’ Buildings was attacked on-

A. December 8, 1930

B. December 8, 1933

C. November 8, 1930

D. December 18, 1930

Ans. A

2. Rashid Ali Day was celebrated on-

A. February 11, 1946

B. February 21, 1946

C. February 10, 1946

D. February 11, 1948

Ans. A

3. Anushilan Samity was founded by-

A. Pulin Behari Das

B. Jatindranath Mukhopadhyay

C. Ajit Singh

D. Pramathanath Mitra

Ans. D

4. The revolutionary movement first started in-

A. Bengal

B. Punjab

C. Maharashtra

D. Bihar

Ans. C

5. The Quit India Resolution was approved by the All India Congress at its historic meeting in-

A. Bombay

B. Delhi

C. Calcutta

D. Madras

Ans. A

6. The leader of Chittagong Armoury Raid was-

A. Bhagat Singh

B. Binay Basu

C. Surya Sen

D. Rash Behari Basu

Ans. C

7. The Secretary of Anti-Circular Society was-

A. Sachindra Prasad Basu

B. Krishna Kumar Mitra

C. Chittaranjan Das

D. Ananda Mohon Basu

Ans. A

8. The revolutionary organisation established by Surya Sen was-

A. Anusilan Samiti

B. Gadar Party

C. Indian Republican Army

D. Bengal Volunteers

Ans. C

9. The person known as ‘Masterda’ was-

A. Beni Madhav Das

B. Surya Sen

C. Krishna Kumar Mitra

D. Hem Chandra Ghosh

Ans. B

10. Carlyle Circular was issued by the British Government in-

A. 1900

B. 1905

C. 1907

D. 1909

Ans. B

11. Corridor Warfare was happened in-

A. Kakori Railway Station

B. Writers’ Building

C. Howrah Station

D. Parliament

Ans. B

TOPIC – C

Dalit Politics and Movement in the Twentieth Century

Explanatory Answer (EA) Type Questions

Answer in 15 to 16 sentences

1. What were the teachings of Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur?

Ans. Harichand Thakur was a social réformer of Bengal. He was a devoted Vaishnav. His philosophy was ‘Matuaism’ and his followers were called ‘Matua’. The teachings of Harichand were-[1] always speak the truth, [2] treat women as your mother, [3] remain liberal to all the religions, [4] respect your parents like Gods, [5] love the world, [6] never discriminate on racial grounds, [7] sit in prayer everyday, [8] sacrifice yourself for God, [9] utter the name of your Lord while working with your hands, [10] hold the six cardinal passions in check, [11] do not practice asceticism in a garb, [12] try to establish Harimandir (temple of the Lord).

After the death of Harichand, the leader of Matua movement, the leadership passed on to his son Guruchand. Under the leadership of Guruchand, the Matua movement made considerable progress. He is known as the ‘Father of Namasudra Renaissance’. He advised his people to start schools in the areas densely populated by them. His next movement was to remove the disgraceful term ‘Chandal’ (which was then attributed to the Namasudras by the higher caste Hindus) from the census report. He was successful in doing the same. Harisabhas were organised for social upliftment of the Namasudras. In 1907, under the leadership of Guruchand, a delegation met the then Governor of Bengal and Assam and appraised him about the plight of the Namasudras. He also appealed for employment of the Namasudras in government services.

2. Give a brief description of the Namasudra Movement in Bengal.

Ans. ‘Namasudra’ is an Indian ‘avarna’ community which was earlier known as ‘chandala’. They lived outside the four-tier system and thus were outcastes.

Causes of Namasudra Movement: In the Bengali Hindu society, the Namasudras were regarded as untouchables. They had no religious rights. They were forbidden by caste Hindus to enter places of worship to draw water from public wells or to wear shoes in presence of caste Hindus. They were made to dispose dead animals, dig village graves and were relegated to the most menial tasks of manual scavengers, leather workers, street sweepers and cobblers. They suffered from severe economic crisis as well.
Objective of the Namasudra Movement: The objective of the Namasudra Movement was to acquire special rights to strengthen the social and political position of the Namsaudra and attain the perfect peace of mind.
Beginning of the movement: The Namasudra Movement started in the 1870s when the chandalas of Bakarganj and Faridpur started a boycott of caste Hindus when their high caste neighbours refused to dine from a chandala headman. The Namasudras severed all sorts of social and economic relationship with the higher caste Hindu.
Matua Movement: Harichand Thakur, the leader of the Namasudras, started the Matua Movement, the aim of which was upliftment of the downtrodden, attainment of peace of mind and eradication of inequalities in the society. After the death of Harichand the leadership of the Matua passed on to his son Guruchand who came to be known as the ‘Father of Namasudra Renaissance’. He was successful in removing the disgraceful term ‘chandala’ which was then attributed to the Namasudras. Harisabhas were organised for social upliftment of the Namasudras. He appealed for employment of the Namasudras in government services.
Namasudra Welfare Organisations: Various social welfare organisations like Bengal Namasudra Organisation, Namasudra Welfare Association, Bengal Depressed Classes Organisation carried out active movements demanding proper rights for the Namasudras.

The Namasudras were successful in wresting some social and political rights. After the partition of India their movement slowed down.

3. Write a note on the debate between Mahatma Gandhi and BR Ambedkar regarding Dalit rights.

Ans. ‘Dalits’ or the ‘untouchables’ were excluded from the four-fold varna system and formed the unmentioned fifth varna, and so they were also called ‘Panchama’.

Both Mahatma Gandhi and B R Ambedkar were very much aware of the problem of untouchability of the Dalits but they held two opposite viewers regarding the Dalit issue. To Gandhiji, the untouchables, who came to be known as ‘Dalits’, were an integral part of Hindu fold. However, to Ambedkar, the ‘Dalits’ were not a part of the Hindus.

Gandhiji was against separating Dalits from Caste Hindus by creating a separate electorate for them. To Ambedkar, Dalits were ‘a part apart’ a group of uniquely oppressed people and stood for annihilation of caste. In the First and Second Round Table Conferences, Ambedkar supported separate electorates for the Dalits, but to Gandhiji, the untouchables (Dalits) were a part of Hinduism and a separate electorate for them would create a division in Hinduism.

When Ramsay MacDonald’s Communal Award was announced, giving separate electorates to Dalits, Gandhiji protested with a fast unto death, and this brought him into direct confrontation with Ambedkar. For Ambedkar, the problem was simple. He argued that after Gandhiji’s death, in villages throughout India, there would be programmes directed against Dalits and massacres. Ambedkar surrendered and the Poona Pact formalised this with reserved seats for Dalits. According to the Poona Pact (24th September, 1932) the system of a separate electorate for the Dalits was cancelled. In exchange, the reserved seats for the Dalits were increased from 71 to 147. In the Central Legislature 18% of the seats which were allotted to the general electorate for British India, were reserved for the Dalits. After the release from Poona Jail, Gandhiji engaged himself with the movement of the Dalits whom he called ‘Harijan’. On the other hand, Ambedkar could not accept the Poona Pact from the core of his heart. So he continued to keep away from the Congress, dominated by the leaders belonging to the upper caste. On the other hand he took initiatives to safeguard the interests of the Dalits separately. With this end in view he established a political association named ‘Independent Labour Party’. In order to unite all the Dalit groups of different regions of India, he formed All India Scheduled Caste Federation in July, 1942. At last he challenged Gandhi in 1956 and gave up all relations with Hinduism.

4. Write a note on the various movements by the Dalits demanding equal rights in the early part of the 20th century.

Ans. Since ancient times, the Hindu Dalit community fell victim to several acts of violence, exploitation, etc., at the hands of the upper class Hindus. They were even barred from entering temples. Various political and social welfare organisations carried out active movements demanding proper rights for the Dalits.

The Dalits became politically conscious and joined the movements demanding equal rights and dignity for themselves.

South India: In Maharashtra, the Dalit leader Jyotiba Phule formed the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873, and in Madras, T M Nayar and P Theagaraya Chetty formed the Justice Party in 1917.
Punjab: Under the initiative of the Sikh community, movements such as the Akali movement and the Nankana movement were started in Punjab in order to secure equal rights and dignity for the Dalits.
Movements by the Congress: Under the leadership of Gandhiji, the Congress started making demands for equal rights for the Dalits in the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22). Gandhiji too started the Harijan movement in support of the Dalits.
Dissatisfaction among the Dalits: The movements that were started by various political parties, demanding that Dalits be allowed into temples, and for removal of the practice of untouchability, did not satisfy the Dalit leaders. They themselves launched several movements demanding equality in the fields of education, government jobs, and social dignity.
Initiative taken by the Dalits: In the 20th century, the Dalits took part in several protest movements, demanding equal rights and social dignity. Among these movements, mention might be made of the Vaikom Satyagraha by Narayan Guru in Kerala, the movement for allowing entry in the Guruvayur Temple, etc.

Analytical Answer (AA) Type Questions

Answer in 7 to 8 sentences

1. Who were the ‘Namasudras’? What was th position in the society?

Ans. ‘Namasudra’ is an Indian ‘avarna’ community which was earlier known as ‘chandala’. They lived outside the four-tier system and thus were outcastes.

Namasudras mainly lived in the eastern districts of Dacca, Bakerganj, Faridpur, Mymensingh, Jessore and Khulna. When these districts were ceded to East Pakistan during the partition of India, the inhabitants were forced to migrate across the new territorial boundary to the states of West Bengal.

In the Bengali Hindu Society, the namasudras were regarded as untouchables. They had no religious rights. They were forbidden by caste Hindus to enter places of worship, to draw water from public wells or to wear shoes in presence of caste Hindus. They were made to dispose dead animals, dig village graves and even use separate tea cups in tea stalls due to their caste status. They were relegated to the most menial tasks of manual scavengers, leather workers, street sweepers and cobblers. Children were sold to pay off debts to upper caste creditors. Children and women had to work as agricultural labourers. They suffered from severe economic crisis as well. They were barely able to feed their families properly.

2. Who are called the ‘Matua’? What were the primary aims of ‘Matua’ movement?

Ans. Harichand Thakur was a social reformer of Bengal. He was a devoted Vaishnav. He preached the love-devotion theory of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. His philosophy was ‘Matuaism’ and his followers are called Matua. The meaning of Matua is ‘remain in joy’-those who remain delighted by chanting God’s name or ‘Harinam’. Some others are of the opinion that ‘Matua’ means those who have consent. Those who have faith in god, respect in Guru affection towards God and who chant the name of God.

Fruitfulness, love and chastity are the three main pillars of Matuaism. The aims of the movement started by Harichand were- [1] upliftment of the downtrodden, [2] attain- ment of peace of mind, [3] eradication of inequalities in the society.

3. Who announced the Communal Award and where? What were the provisions of the Communal Award? How did Gandhiji react to it?

Ans. The Communal Award was announced by the British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. By the second half of 1932, the Civil Disobedience Movement was petering out. To weaken the movement further, Ramsay MacDonald on August 17, 1932 announced the communal Award in Provincial Legislature.

Provisions were made for separate communal electorate for Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Europeans and Anglo-Indians and also divided the Hindu voters into two categories, viz. [1] the caste Hindu or Varna Hindus and [2] the depressed or backward class Hindus.

Gandhiji resented this division of the Hindus into two artificial classes. As a mark of protest, he undertook a fast unto death on September 20, 1932.

The result was the Poona Pact of September 25, 1932 by which the Communal Award was modified. By this pact 148 seats were reserved for the untouchables in the provincial legislatures. It provided that election to these seats was to be through joint electorates.

4. Write a note on the identity and rights of the Dalits in India in the early 20th century.

Ans. Since ancient times, the upper classes of the India society have always enjoyed adequate rights and dignity. On the contrary, the Dalits were always deprived of most of their basic rights and dignity.

Identity: The first census in India, which took place during the British rule (1911), divided the Hindus on the basis of birth and social dignity. Due to this, several classes of the lower stratum-Mahar, Nadar, Chamar, Harijan, Namasudra, ljhava-were categorised as ‘Dalits’. According to the first census, 13 per cent of the Hindus were untouchables in the Indian society.
Rights: Though the upper class Hindus enjoyed adequate rights, the rights of the Dalits were severely restricted. These Dalit Hindus thus became victims of exploitation, torture and contempt of the upper classes. They were restricted from entering temples, using the same ponds and water sources as the upper class Hindus. They were even discriminated against in educational institutions and were not allowed in social gatherings. In the 20th century, under the leadership of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the Dalits in India organised several movements demanding their rights.

Short Answer (SA) Type Questions

Answer in 2 to 3 sentences

1. Who formed the All India Scheduled Caste Federation and when?

Ans. B R Ambedkar formed the All India Scheduled Caste Federation in July, 1942.

2. Who conducted the Kalaram Mandir Satyagraha and when?

Ans. Babasaheb Ambedkar conducted the Kalaram Mandir Satyagraha in 1934.

3. What was the objective of the Namasudra Movement?

Ans. The objective of the Namasudra Movement was to acquire special rights to strengthen the social and political position of the Namasudras and attain the perfect peace of mind.

4. When and under whose leadership was the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha formed? What was its objective?

Ans. Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha was formed in 1924 under the leadership of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Its objective was to spread education and to improve the financial condition of the depressed classes.

5. Who formed the Independent Labour Party? What was its objective?

Ans. B R Ambedkar formed the Independent Labour Party.

Its object was to safeguard the interest of the Dalits/labourers.

6. Under whose leadership and when was the Vaikom Mandir Satyagraha started?

Ans. Vaikom Mandir Satyagraha was started in 1926 under the Ideadership of the Congress leader E V Ramaswami Naicker.

7. When and betweerb whom was the Poona Pact signed?

Ans. The Poona Pact was signed on September 25, 1932 between Caste Hindu, represented, by Rajendra Prasad and Bhimrao Ambedkar, Srinivasan etc., on behalf of the Hindu depressed classes.

8. Who formed the Self-Respect League and when?

Ans. E V Ramaswami Naicker, an eminent Congress leader, formed the Self-Respect League in 1926.

9. What were the terms of the Poona Pact?

Ans. The signatories of the Poona Pact agreed upon a common electorate of all the Hindus, on condition that one hundred and forty-eight seats were reserved for the depressed classes in different provincial legislatures. Moreover, 18% of the seats in the Central Legislatures, which were allotted to the general electorate for British India, were similarly reserved for them. Another provision was that there would be a primary election by the voters of the depressed classes alone, of four candidates for each reserved seat and the election of the general Hindu constituencies was restricted to these alone.

10. What was the contribution of E V Ramaswami Naicker in the Dalit Movement?

Ans. The Congress leader, E V Ramaswami Naicker left the Congress and joined the Dalit Movement. In 1920, the Vaikom Mandir Satyagraha was started under his leadership. Later, he formed the Self-Respect League in 1926 and carried on the movement in the whole of Tamil Nadu.

11. Who were known as Dalits?

Ans. From 1930, non-Brahmins, low caste Hindus and the untouchables came to be known as ‘Dalits’. Gandhiji termed them as Harijans. They represented the most exploited and poorest section of the society.

12. Under whose leadership was the Mahad Satyagraha started and why?

Ans. Mahad Satyagraha (1927) was started under the leadership of Babasaheb Ambedkar. It started over the use of drinking water in the district of Kolaba in Maharashtra.

13. Who announced the Communal Award and when?

Ans. The British Prime Minister Ramsay Mac Donald announced the Communal Award in 1932.

14. When and under whose leadership was the All India Depressed Classes League formed?

Ans. All India Depressed Classes League was formed in 1935 under the leadership of Babu Jagjivan Ram.

15. Against which incident Gandhiji undertook fast unto death?

Ans. When the British Prime Minister announced Communal Award in 1932 Gandhiji undertook fast unto death.

Very Short Answer (VSA) Type Questions

Answer in one sentence

1. Name some important Dalit groups.

Ans. Some important Dalit groups are ljhabha and Pulaya of Kerala, Nadar of Tamil Nadu, Mahar of Maharashtra, Chamar of Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Matua, Sahebdhani and Balahari of Bengal.

2. Who formed the Independent Scheduled Caste Party?

Ans. The Namasudras under the leadership of Pramatharanjan Thakur and Jogendranath Mondal formed the Independent Scheduled Caste Party.

3. In which year was All India Scheduled Caste Federation formed?

Ans. All India Scheduled Caste Federation was formed in July, 1942.

4. In which year was Bengal Namasudra Association established?

Ans. Bengal Namasudra Association was established in 1912.

5. Who is regarded as the ‘Father of Namasudra Renaissance’?

Ans. Guruchand Thakur is regarded as the ‘Father of Namasudra Renaissance’.

6. Who introduced the Matua religion?

Ans. The Matua religion was introduced by Harichand Thakur.

7. Who established the Namasudra welfare Association?

Ans. Guruchand Thakur established the Namasudra Welfare Association.

8. Why did Guruchand meet the then Governor of Bengal and Assam in 1907?

Ans. In 1907, under the leadership of Guruchand, a delegation met the then Governor of Bengal and Assam and appealed for employment of the Namasudras in Government services.

9. When did Namasudra movement first start?

Ans. Namasudra movement first started in 1872-73 AD.

10. Where did Namasudra movement first start?

Ans. Namasudra movement first started in Faridpur Bakrgunje region.

11. In which conference there arose a sharp difference of opinion between Gandhiji and Ambedkar regarding the rights of the Dalits?

Ans. In the Second Round Table Conference (1931) there arose a sharp difference of opinion between Gandhiji and Ambedkar.

12. Name one important leader of Namasudra movement in Bengal.

Ans. Guruchand Thakur was an important leader of Namasudra movement in Bengal.

13. In which year was the Independent Scheduled Caste Party formed?

Ans. The Independent Scheduled Caste Party was formed in 1938.

Fill in the blanks

1. Harichand Thakur launched the Namasudra Movement in ………..

Ans. 1872

2. The Bhakti Movement in Bengal was started by …………

Ans. Sri Chaitanya

3. In 1907, a delegation about the plight of the Namasudras met the governor of Bengal and Assam under the leadership of ………

Ans. Guruchand Thakur

4. The religious Guru of the Matuas was ………..

Ans. Harichand Thakur

5. According to Morley-Minto Reforms, …………. seats were reserved for the Dalits in the Madras Legislative Council.

Ans. 28

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

1. The person who first used the term Dalit to mean ‘Depressed Class’ or ‘Scheduled Caste’ was-

A. B R Ambedkar

B. Jyotiba Phule

C. Mahatma Gandhi

D. Guruchand Thakur

Ans. B

2. The Mahad Satyagraha was organised in 1927 by-

A. Mahatma Gandhi

B. Guruchand Thakur

C. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar

D. Jyotiba Phule

Ans. C

3. Namasudra Movement was launched in 1872 by-

A. Harichand Thakur

B. Guruchand Thakur

C. Babasaheb Ambedkar

D. Jyotiba Phule

Ans. A

4. Communal Award was announced by-

A. Lord Curzon

B. Lord Mountbatten

C. Ramsay MacDonald

D. B R Ambedkar

Ans. C

5. Communal Award was announced in-

A. August, 1932

B. August, 1923

C. July, 1932

D. July, 1934

Ans. A

6. Dalits were called ‘Harijans’ by-

A. Jotiba Phule

B. Narayan Guru

C. Gandhiji

D. Dr. Ambedkar

Ans. C

7. Who were called ‘chandalas’ in the eighteenth century?

A. Fishermen

B. Namasudras

C. Dumes

D. Sweepers

Ans. B

8. The Vaikom Satyagraha took place in-

A. Malabar

B. Madras

C. Maharashtra

D. Godavari Valley

Ans. A

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