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Civil Disobedience Movement

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Simon Commision (1928)

Q. How was the Simon commission greeted in India? [CBSE 2021-22]

Q. What was the objective of Simon Commission? Why was it opposed in India? (2012) 

Q. Simon Commission was greeted with slogan ‘Go back Simon’ at arrival in India. Support this reaction of Indians with argument. (2016) 

Ans. Simon Commission (1928) was set up with the objective to look into the functioning of the Constitutional System in India and suggest changes. It was opposed by Indians.

Objective

• The new Tory government in Britain constituted a Statutory Commission under Sir John Simon.
• It was set up in response to the nationalist movement. The commission was to look in to the functioning of the constitutional system in India and suggest changes.

Opposition

• The problem was that the commission didn’t have a single Indian member. They were 7 members but all were whites i.e. the British.
• Indians saw it as a violation of their right to self-determination and insult to their self-respect.
• When the Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928, the people showed their opposition by greeting with the slogan ‘Go back Simon’.
• All parties, including the congress and the Muslim League, participated in the demonstrations. 

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Salt March

Q. Explain in brief the ‘Dandi March’. (2016, 14)

Letter to viceroy: Mahatma Gandhi believed that salt could be a powerful symbol to unite the whole nation. Most of the people; including the British scoffed at the idea. Abolition of the salt tax was among many demands which were raised by Gandhiji through a letter to Viceroy Irwin. 

The Salt March: The Salt March or Dandi March was started by Gandhiji on 12th March 1930. He was accompanied by 78 volunteers. They walked for 24 days to cover a distance of 240 miles from Sabarmati to Dandi. Many more joined them on the way. On 6th April 1930, Gandhiji ceremonially violated the law by taking a fistful of salt.  

Peoples’ participation: The Salt March marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement. Thousands of people broke the salt law in different parts of the country. People demonstrated in front of government salt factories. Foreign cloth was boycotted. Peasants refused to pay revenue. Village officials resigned. Tribal people violated forest laws. 

Q. How did the Salt March become an effective tool of resistance against colonialism? Explain. (Term-II 2015)

Answer

(i) Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation.

(ii) Salt was the most essential item of food and was consumed by rich and poor alike.

(iii) Gandhiji sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands. The most stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax.

(iv) Irwin was unwilling to negotiate, so Gandhiji started Salt March with 78 volunteers. On 6th April he reached Dandi, violated law and made salt.

(v) Thousands in different parts of country broke the salt law, manufactured salt and demonstrated in front of government salt factories

(vi) As the movement spread, foreign cloth was boycotted, and liquor shops were picketed.

(vi) This March developed the feeling of nationalism as people and united them for a common cause which was evident from the large participation people.

Q. Explain the importance of the ‘Salt March’ of Gandhiji as a symbol to unite the nation. (2017)

Ans. Gandhiji’s salt march was undoubtedly a symbol to unite the nation because:

(i) All classes of Indian society came together as a united campaign.

(ii) Mahatma Gandhi broke the salt law with the march from Sabarmati to Dandi.

(iii) Thousands of others in different parts of the country broke the salt law, manufactured salt and demonstrated in front of government salt factories.

(iv) As the movement spread, foreign clothes were boycotted, and liquor shops were picketed.

(v) Peasants refused to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes.

(vi) Village officials resigned. (vii) In many places, forest people violated forest laws – going into Reserved Forests to collect wood and graze cattle.

(viii) The different social groups participated.

(ix) In the countryside, rich peasants and poor peasants were active in the movement.

(x) The business class workers of Nagpur and women also joined the Movement. 

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Spread of Civil-Disobedience Movement

Q. Define the term ‘Civil Disobedience Movement.’ Describe the participation of rich and poor peasant communities in the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement.’ (2019) 

Definition: Civil Disobedience is the active, professed refusal of a citizen to obey certain laws, demands, orders or commands of a government. It was a peaceful way of expressing their disapproval of these laws or taxes in order to persuade the government to change them. In India it refers to the movement led by Gandhiji against the British rule. Both the rich and the poor peasants did not participate in the Civil Disobedience movement because of varying reasons.

Rich Peasants:

(a) They were hit by depressed prices of the food grains.

(b) They were unable to pay the land revenue. Their demand for reduction in revenue was refused.

(c) For them fight for swaraj was fight against high revenue.

(d) They were disappointed with the calling off of civil disobedience movement. and were reluctant to joint it back upon its relaunch.

Poor Peasants:

(a) Economic depression made it very difficult for them to pay rent to the landlords

(b) Congress did not support their no rent campaign fearing that it would upset the rich farmers. 

Q. Describe the role of Poor Peasantry in the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement.’ (2020)  

Ans. The Peasants joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34) because the poor peasantry was not just interested in the lowering of the revenue but also remission of rent as many had rented land and had been unable to pay the rent during the years of depression and decreasing cash incomes.  

When the movement was called off in 1931, without the revenue rates being revised, the Farmers were highly disappointed. In some parts of the country, they launched ‘no rent’ campaign which was not supported by the congress because this might upset the rich peasant and the landlords.  

Many of them refused to participate when the movement was re-launched in 1932. These poor peasants joined a variety of radical movements, often led by Socialists and Communists. 

Q. Why did the different social groups join the Civil Disobedience Movement? Explain. (2016)

Ans. Different social groups joined in the Civil Disobedience Movement for different reasons:

(i) Rich Peasantry Group: The Patidar and Jats demanded reduction in revenue and participated in the boycott program.

(ii) Poor Peasantry Group: They wanted unpaid rent to be remitted, joined radical movement led by the socialist and communist.

(iii) Business Class Group: Prominent industrialist like Purshottam Das, G D Birla formed FICCI. They wanted protection against imports of foreign goods and stable rupee sterling exchange ratio and refused to sell imported goods.

(iv) Working Class Group: Nagpur workers adopted boycott of foreign goods, against low wages and poor working conditions.

(v) Women: Participated in the protest marches, manufacturing of salt and boycotted foreign goods.

Q. Evaluate the role of business classes in the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’. [2017, 15, 14] 

Ans. The role of business classes in the ‘Civil Disobedience’ Movement:

(i) Indian industrialists had made huge profits during the First World War.

(ii) They became powerful. They wanted to expand their business; they wanted protection against imports of foreign goods.

(iii) They formed the Indian Industries and Commercial Congress in 1920.

(iv) They formed Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries in 1927.

(v) Poorshotam Das, Thakurdas and G.D Birla attacked colonial control over the Indian economy and supported the Civil Disobedience Movement. (vi) They gave financial assistance to the movement and refused to buy or sell imported goods. 

Q. “The Congress was reluctant to include the demands of industrial workers in its programme of struggle.” Analyse the reasons. (2015) 

Ans. The Congress was reluctant to include workers’ demands as part of its program of struggle. It felt that this would alienate industrialists and divide the anti-imperial forces. As the industrialists came closer to the Congress, workers stayed aloof.

The industrial working classes did not participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement in large numbers, except in the Nagpur region. some workers did participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement, selectively adopting some of the ideas of the Gandhian program, like boycott of foreign goods, as part of their own movements against low wages and poor working conditions.

Q. How did the Civil Disobedience Movement come into force in various parts of the country? Explain with examples. (2016)

Ans. Civil Disobedience Movement came into force in various parts of the country:

(i) Gandhiji led the Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi with his followers starting the Civil Disobedience Movement.

(ii) Thousands in different parts of the country broke the Salt Law, manufactured salt and demonstrated in front of government salt factories.

(iii) In the country side, the rich Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Uttar Pradesh were active in the movement.

(iv) As rich peasant communities were very hard hit by the trade depression and falling prices, they became enthusiastic supporters of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

(v) As the depression continued and cash invoice dwindled, the small tenants found it difficult to pay the rent. They wanted the unpaid rent to the landlords to be waived off and thus they joined the movement.

(vi) Merchants and industrialists supported the movement by not giving the financial assistance and refused to buy and sell the imported goods.

(vii) The industrial working class of Nagpur region participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM

(viii) Railway workers, dock workers, coal mine workers of Chota Nagpur, etc. participated in protest rallies and boycott campaigns. (ix) Women also participated in large numbers.

Q. Explain any five factors which gave rise to the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930. (2012)

Ans. Factors that gave rise to the Civil Disobedience Movement were:

(i) The problem with the Simon Commission.

(ii) Irwin’s vague offer of Dominion Status for India in an unspecified future.

(iii) Salt Law.

(iv) Neglect of eleven demands of Gandhiji by the British.

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Women Participation

Q. How did women participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement? Explain. (2015) 

Ans. Participation of women in the Civil Disobedience Movement:

(i) Women in large number participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement.

(ii) During Salt March thousands of women came out of their homes to listen to Gandhiji.

(iii) They participated in protest marches, manufactured salt.

(iv) They picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops.

(v) Many went to jail.

(vi) They began to see service to the nation as a sacred duty of women. 

Q. Why was Congress reluctant to allow women to hold any position of authority within the organization? How did women participate in Civil Disobedience Movement explain? (2018) 

Answer.

Congress reluctant in participation of women:

(i) Congress was keen only on the symbolic presence of women within the organization.

(ii) Gandhiji was convinced that it was the duty of women to look after home and hearth, be good mothers and good wives.

Participation of women in Civil Disobedience Movement:

(i) During Gandhiji’s Salt March, thousands of women came out of their homes to participate in protest marches.

(ii) Manufactured salt and picketed liquor shops.

(iii) Boycotted foreign goods.

(iv) Many went to jail.

(v) Women were from high caste families and from rich peasant households participated.

(vi) Moved by Gandhiji’s call, they began to see service to nation as a sacred duty of women.

Q. What were Mahatma Gandhi’s views on women’s participation in the National Movements? [2016]

Answer:

(i) According to Gandhiji, the Woman is the companion of man and gifted with equal rights of freedom and liberty.

(ii) The Woman is more fit than a man to take exploration and bolder action in non-violence.

(iii) The Woman is the better half of humanity, not the weaker sex. 

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Calling off the Movement

Q. How did the Colonial Government repress the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’? Explain. (2017) 

Answer:

• Worried by the developments, the colonial government began arresting the Congress leaders one by one. This led to violent clashes in many places.
• When Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a devout disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, was arrested in April 1930, angry crowds demonstrated in the streets of Peshawar, facing armoured cars and police firing. Many were killed.
• A month later, when Mahatma Gandhi himself was arrested, industrial workers in Sholapur attacked police posts, municipal buildings, lawcourts and railway stations – all structures that symbolized British rule.
• A frightened government responded with a policy of brutal repression.
• Peaceful satyagrahis were attacked, women and children were beaten, and about 100,000 people were arrested

Q. Explain the circumstances under which Gandhiji decided to call off the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1931. (2011) 

Answer:

(i) When Indian leaders were arrested, angry crowds demonstrated in the streets of Peshawar, facing armoured cars and police firing. Many were killed.

(ii) A month later, when Gandhiji himself was arrested, industrial workers attacked police posts, government buildings, law courts and railway stations and all structures that symbolized the British rule.

(iii) A frightened government responded with a policy of brutal repression. Peaceful satyagrahis were attacked, women and children were beaten, and about 100,000 people were arrested.

(iv) To break the deadline between Congress and the government Lord Irwin invited Gandhiji for a peace pact i.e. Gandhi-Irwin pact.

(v) Under such a situation Gandhiji decided to call off the movement. 

Q. Why did Gandhiji relaunch the Civil Disobedience Movement after the Second Round Table Conference? Explain any three reasons. (2017) 

OR. Why did Mahatma Gandhi relaunch the Civil Disobedience Movement with great apprehension? Explain. (2016) 

Ans. Mahatma Gandhi relaunched the Civil Disobedience Movement with great apprehension because:

(i) In December, 1931 Gandhiji went to London for the Round Table Conference, but the negotiations broke down and he returned disappointed.

(ii) In India, he discovered that the government had begun a new cycle of repression.

(iii) Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Jawahar Lal Nehru were both in jail.

(iv) The Congress had been declared illegal.

(v) A series of measures had been imposed to prevent meetings, demonstration and boycotts. 

(vi) With great apprehension, Mahatma Gandhi relaunched the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Limitations of the Movement

Q. Explain the limitations of the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’. (2019) 

Ans. The limits of the Civil Disobedience Movement were –

• Dalit participation was limited. The Congress ignored the Dalits and the depressed classes in order to please the high caste Hindus. Hence, the participation of the depressed classes was Limited.
• The Congress was associated with the Hindu related Nationalist groups. So, the Muslim participation was less.
• There was distrust between the communities alienated by the Congress. Large sections of Muslims did not respond to the civil disobedience movement.
• The rich peasants were disappointed when the civil disobedience movement was called off in 1931 without the revenue rates being revised. The participation of the landless peasants was poor.
• The Congress was closer to and supported the business class due to which the industrial working class did not participate in the movement.

Q. “Some of the Muslim political organizations in India, were lukewarm in their response to the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’. Examine the statement. (2013) 

Ans. Large sections of Muslims were lukewarm in their response to the Civil Disobedience Movement due to the following factors:  

(i) The decline of Khilafat and Non-cooperation Movement led to alienation of Muslims from the Congress.  

(ii) From the mid 1920’s, the Congress was seen to be visibly associated with Hindu nationalist groups like the Hindu Mahasabha. All Parties Conference in 1928, M.R. Jayakar of the Hindu Mahasabha strongly opposed efforts for compromise with Muslim League. 

(iii) Relations between Hindus and Muslims worsened and communal riots took place.  

(iv) The Muslim League gained prominence with its claim of representing Muslims and demanding separate electorates for them. 

(v) Many Muslim leaders and intellectuals expressed their concern about the status of Muslims as a minority within India. They feared that the culture and identity of minorities would be submerged under the domination of a Hindu majority. 

Q. Dalit participation was limited in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Explain?

Answer:

(i) Initially, Congress had ignored the dalits for the fear of offending the sanatanis, the conservative high-caste Hindus.

(ii) But Mahatma Gandhi believed that swaraj would not come even after a hundred years if untouchability was not eliminated.

(iii) He called them ‘Harijans’ and he himself cleaned toilets to dignify the work of sweepers.

(iv) But many dalit leaders demanded reserved seats in educational institutions and a separate electorate.

(v) So dalit participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement was limited.

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Dr Ambedkar, Poona Pact, Untouchability 

Q. Describe the main features of ‘Poona Pact’. [2015] 

Ans. The main features of ‘Poona Pact’ were:  

(i) The Poona Pact (September 1932) gave Depressed Classes (later to be known as Scheduled Caste) reserved seats in Provincial and Central Legislative Councils.  

(ii) They were to be voted in by the general electorate.  

(iii) The Act came into force due to Gandhiji’s fast unto death.  

(iv) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar ultimately accepted Gandhiji’s stand.  

Q. Who had organized the Dalits into the ‘Depressed Classes Association’ in 1930? Describe his achievements. [2019] 

Ans. Depressed Classes Association was organized by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1930. Achievements:  

(i) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar raised the demand of separate electorate for Dalits.  

(ii) British Government conceded Ambedkar’s demand of separate electorates for Dalits.  

(ii) The depressed classes got reservation of seats in Provincial and Central Legislative Councils.  

(iv) Ambedkar accepted Gandhiji’s proposal and as a result Poona Pact was signed.  

Q. Explain the measures taken by Gandhiji to eliminate the problem of Untouchability. [2017] 

Ans. Following methods were adopted by Gandhiji to eliminate Untouchability:  

(i) Mahatma Gandhi declared that swaraj would not come for a hundred years if Untouchability was not eliminated.  

(ii) He called the ‘Untouchables’ Harijan or the Children of God.  

(iii) He organized satyagraha to secure their entry into temples and access to Public well, tanks, Roads and Schools.  

(iv) He himself cleaned Toilets to dignify the work of bhangi, the sweepers.  

(v) He persuaded upper castes to change their heart and give up ‘The Sin of Untouchability’. 

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Difference Between the Non-Cooperation and the Civil Disobedience Movements

Q. “The Civil Disobedience Movement was different from the Non-Cooperation Movement.” Support the statement with examples. (2016, 2012) 

Ans. The Civil Disobedience Movement was different from the Non-Cooperation Movement:

Non-Cooperation Movement:
(i) The people were asked not to cooperate with the government.
(ii) Foreign goods were boycotted.
(iii) Liquor shops were picketed.
(iv) Foreign cloth burnt in huge bonfires.
(v) In many places merchants and traders refused to trade on foreign goods or finance foreign traders.
(vi) Students left the government owned schools and colleges.
(vii) Lawyers gave up legal practices.

Civil Disobedience Movement:
(i) People were asked to break colonial laws.
(ii) The countrymen broke the salt law.
(iii) Peasants refused to pay revenue and chaukidari tax.
(iv) Village officials resigned from their jobs.
(v) Forest people violated forest rules and laws. 

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