First Phase of the Indian National Movement Questions and Answers

  

I. Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options.

1. Dadabhai Naoroji presented which famous theory in his paper - 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India'?

(a) Deficit Theory

(b) Drain Theory

(c) Deprivation Theory

(d) Detriment Theory

Ans: b) Drain Theory

2. Methods used by Early Nationalists were - 

(a) Assertive in their approach.

(b) Constitutional within the framework of law.

(c) Non-violent but uncooperative to authority.

(d) Assertive in approach but within the framework of law.

Ans: b) Constitutional within the framework of law

3. What were the 3P's of the Early Nationalists?

(a) Petition, Protests and Passion

(b) Purpose, Persistence and Prayers

(c) Petition, Prayers and Protests

(d) Protests, Petition and Process

Ans: c) Petition, Prayers and Protests

4. Which of the following was the aim of the Early Nationalists?

(a) Eradication of British rule in India.

(b) Promotion of equality among the workers for the cause of India.

(c) Formulation of popular demands to be presented before the government.

(d) Organisation of a violent struggle for the political emancipation of India.

Ans: c) Formulation of popular demands to be presented before the government

5. Which of the following statement(s) is/are related to the aims of the Indian National Congress in the early phases?

(i) Eradication of all possible race, creed or provincial prejudices among Indians.

(ii) Organising public opinion against the British.

(iii) Formulation of popular demands.

(iv) Organisation of a violent struggle for the political emancipation of India.

(a) (i), (ii) and (iii)

(b) (i), (ii) and (iv)

(c) (iii) and (iv)

(d) (ii) and (iii)

Ans: a) (i), (ii) and (iii)

6. Early Nationalists demanded which of the following Civil rights?

(a) Restoration of Right to assemble and form associations.

(b) Restoration of Home Rule

(c) Restoration of National Education

(d) None of the above

Ans: a) Restoration of Right to assemble and form associations.

7. Which of the following was a demand of the Early Nationalists?

(a) Reduction in taxes and increase in government expenditure

(b) A larger share of Indians in the governance of the country

(c) Complete fusion of legislature and executive

(d) Employment of Indians at all posts in the administrative services.

Ans: b) A larger share of Indians in the governance of the country

8. Which of the following administrative demands were made by the Early Nationalists?

(a) Increase in the powers of local bodies

(b) Increase in official control over local bodies

(c) Increase in the British officers in the civil services

(d) Transfer of police service to local bodies.

Ans: a) Increase in the powers of local bodies

9. Which of the following reforms was a result of the efforts made by Early Nationalists?

(a) Withdrawl of the Partition of Bengal

(b) Simultaneous ICS exams in India and England

(c) Appointment of Lord Curzon as Viceroy

(d) Irish Home Rule Agitation

Ans: b) Simultaneous ICS exams in India and England

10. Which of the following was an achievement of the Early Nationalists?

(a) Withdrawal of the Partition of Bengal

(b) Promotion of self-reliance.

(c) Arousal of the feeling of one nation among the Indians.

(d) None of the above.

Ans: c) Arousal of the feeling of one nation among the Indians.

11. Dadabhai Naoroji is also known as ________.

(a) Father of Indian Nationalism

(b) Father of Moderates

(c) Grand Old Man of India

(d) Father of the Congress

Ans: c) Grand Old Man of India

12. Which of the following was achieved by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, as a Member of the Imperial Legislative Council?

(a) Reduction in land revenue

(b) Abolition of salt tax

(c) Primary education made compulsory

(d) Reduction in toll tax.

Ans: d) Reduction in toll tax.

13. The Early Nationalists initially believed that the British wanted to be just to India but were unaware of the real state of affairs. In this context which of the following statements are true?

(i) They believed that the British rüle had many benefits.

(ii) They believed that the main obstacle in India's progress was not the British Colonial rule but India's own social and economic backwardness.

(iii) They provided elaborate statistical data to prove that the British rule was responsible for India's poverty.

(a) (i) and (ii)

(b) (ii) and (iii)

(c) (i) and (iii)

(d) (i), (ii) and (iii)

Ans: a) (i) and (ii)

II. Short Answer Questions

1. Which period of the National Movement is known as the period of the 'Early Nationalists'? Name any two leaders of the Congress who are known as 'Early Nationalists'.

Ans: The period from 1885 to 1907 is known as the period of the 'Early Nationalists' (Moderates). Any two leaders of the Congress who were known as 'Early Nationalists' are:

1. Dadabhai Naoroji
2. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

2. Mention two reasons for the Early Nationalists' faith in the British sense of justice.

Ans: 

1. The Early Nationalists believed that the British people were just, fair-minded and freedom-loving, and would therefore grant Indians their legitimate rights.
2. They believed that British rule had benefited India by introducing modern education, political unity, law courts and democratic institutions.

3. What were the two methods adopted by the Early Nationalists in the freedom struggle?

Ans: The Early Nationalists adopted the following two methods:

1. Constitutional Agitation – They tried to achieve their demands through constitutional and peaceful means such as petitions, prayers, resolutions, meetings and deputations.
2. Political Education – They educated and politically awakened the Indian people about their rights and the harmful effects of British rule.

4. What was the belief of the Early Nationalists regarding the British rule in India?

Ans: The Early Nationalists believed that the British wanted to be just to India but were unaware of the real condition of the Indian people. They had faith in the British sense of justice, fair play, and liberal traditions and believed that if the grievances of Indians were brought to the notice of the British Government, suitable reforms would be introduced.

5. What, according to the Early Nationalists, was an obstacle in India's progress? What kind of self-government did the Early Nationalists demand?

Ans: According to the Early Nationalists, the main obstacle in India's progress was its social and economic backwardness, and not British rule. They demanded self-government (Swaraj) for India on the lines of the self-governing colonies of the British Empire, such as Canada and Australia.

6. State any two issues opposed by the Early Nationalists in the field of civil liberties.

Ans: The Early Nationalists opposed:

1. The restrictions imposed on the freedom of speech and the press.
2. The Preventive Detention Act, which allowed people to be arrested and detained without trial.
3. They demanded the restoration of the right to assemble and form associations.

7. Mention any two demands of the Early Nationalists that aimed at improving the lot of the peasants.

Ans: The Early Nationalists made the following demands to improve the condition of the peasants:

1. Reduction of land revenue and protection of peasants from the oppression of landlords and moneylenders.
2. Reduction of salt tax and other taxes that placed a heavy burden on the poor.

8. Mention any two constitutional demands made by the Early Nationalists.

Ans: The Early Nationalists made the following constitutional demands:

1. A larger share for Indians in the governance and administration of the country.
2. Expansion of the Legislative Councils and inclusion of more elected Indian representatives in them.

9. Name any two economic issues raised by the Early Nationalists.

Ans: The Early Nationalists raised the following economic issues:

1. The Drain of Wealth from India to Britain.
2. The growing poverty of the Indian people due to British economic policies.
3. Heavy land revenue imposed on peasants.
4. High salt tax and other burdensome taxes.

10. What did the Early Nationalists demand for the industrial growth of India?

Ans: The Early Nationalists demanded:

1. The development and promotion of modern industries in India.
2. Protection of Indian industries from foreign competition through suitable tariff policies.
3. More employment opportunities for Indians through industrial development.

11. Mention any two achievements of the Early Nationalists.

Ans: 

1. They created national awakening and promoted the feeling of national unity among the Indians.
2. They politically educated the people and exposed the true nature of British rule and its economic exploitation.
3. Appointment of the Public Service Commission (1886).
4. Resolution for simultaneous ICS examinations in India and England (1893).

12. Mention any two shortcomings of the Early Nationalists.

Ans: 

1. The Early Nationalists had excessive faith in the British sense of justice, fair play and generosity.
2. They failed to realise that the interests of the British and the Indians were not the same.
3. They did not involve the masses in the national movement.
4. Their methods of petitions, prayers and protests were too moderate and slow.

13. Who is known as India's unofficial ambassador and why?

Ans: Dadabhai Naoroji is known as "India's Unofficial Ambassador." He was given this title because:

1. He represented the interests and grievances of the Indian people in Britain.
2. Through the East India Association and his speeches and writings, he made the British people aware of the economic exploitation of India under British rule.

14. Who is the author of 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India'? Name the first Indian who passed the Indian Civil Service Examination.

Ans: Dadabhai Naoroji is the author of "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India". Surendranath Banerjee was the first Indian to pass the Indian Civil Service (ICS) Examination.

15. Against which two Acts did Surendranath Banerjee start an agitation?

Ans: Surendranath Banerjee started an agitation against:

1. The Vernacular Press Act (1878)
2. The Arms Act (1878)

He strongly criticised these Acts because they were discriminatory and curtailed the rights and freedoms of Indians.

16. List briefly any two causes that Gopal Krishna Gokhale supported.

Ans: Gopal Krishna Gokhale supported the following causes:

1. He worked for the spread of education and strongly advocated compulsory primary education.
2. He supported the reduction of land revenue, salt tax and other taxes that burdened the poor.
3. He worked for administrative and constitutional reforms for the welfare of Indians.

III. Structured Questions

1. The period from 1885 to 1905 was dominated by the Early Nationalists. In this context, answer the following questions:

(a) To which section of society did they belong? What were their demands?

Ans: The Early Nationalists mainly belonged to the educated middle class of Indian society. They included lawyers, teachers, journalists, doctors, and other educated professionals. Their demands were:

1. Constitutional Reforms – A larger share for Indians in the governance of the country and expansion of Legislative Councils.
2. Administrative Reforms – Indianisation of the civil services and increase in the powers of local bodies.
3. Economic Reforms – Reduction of land revenue and taxes, industrial development and protection of Indian industries.
4. Defence of Civil Rights – Freedom of speech and press, and the right to assemble and form associations.

(b) What methods did they adopt?

Ans: The Early Nationalists adopted constitutional and peaceful methods to achieve their objectives.

1. Constitutional Agitation – They submitted petitions, prayers, resolutions and memoranda to the British Government.
2. Delegations and Deputations – They sent representatives to England to place Indian grievances before the British Parliament and people.
3. Meetings and Public Discussions – They organised meetings to create awareness among the people.
4. Political Education – They used newspapers, speeches and writings to educate Indians about their rights and the harmful effects of British policies.
5. The Three P's – Their methods are often described as Petitions, Prayers and Protests.

(c) How did the Early Nationalists help in the growth of nationalism in India?

Ans: The Early Nationalists made an important contribution to the growth of nationalism in India.

1. They created political consciousness among the people and made them aware of their rights and duties.
2. They promoted a feeling of national unity and helped Indians realise that they belonged to one nation, irrespective of caste, religion or province.
3. They exposed the economic exploitation and unjust policies of the British Government.
4. They trained Indians in political work and prepared the ground for the later stages of the national movement.

2. The Early Nationalists were practical and wanted to win freedom by a gradual process. In this context, answer the following:

(a) How did they expose the true nature of British rule in India?

Ans: The Early Nationalists exposed the true nature of British rule in the following ways:

1. They showed that the British were exploiting India's economic resources for their own benefit and were responsible for the poverty of the Indian people.
2. They criticised the British Government for following discriminatory policies and denying Indians a proper share in the administration of their own country.
3. Through speeches, newspapers, books and public meetings, they made the people aware of the harmful effects of British rule.
4. Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji exposed the Drain of Wealth and proved with facts and statistics that British rule was causing India's economic backwardness.

(b) What was the attitude of the Early Nationalists towards the British? Why did they develop such an attitude?

Ans: The Early Nationalists had faith in the British sense of justice, fair play and liberal traditions. They believed that the British wanted to be just to India and would grant reforms if Indian grievances were properly presented before them.

They developed such an attitude because:

1. They believed that British rule had benefited India by introducing modern education, political unity, law courts and means of communication.
2. They were influenced by Western education and admired British democratic institutions and political ideals.
3. They felt that the British people were fair-minded and would respond positively to reasonable demands.

(c) What were the reasons for the partial failure of their methods?

Ans: The methods of the Early Nationalists achieved only partial success due to the following reasons:

1. They had excessive faith in the British sense of justice, fair play and generosity.
2. They failed to realise that the interests of the British and the Indians were opposed to each other.
3. Their methods of petitions, prayers and protests were slow and had limited impact on the British Government.
4. Their movement was confined mainly to the educated middle class and did not involve the masses.

3. Surendranath Banerjee's was popularly known as the father of Indian Nationalism. In this context answer the following questions:

(a) Trace his contribution towards the formation of the Indian National Congress.

Ans: Surendranath Banerjee played an important role in preparing the ground for the formation of the Indian National Congress.

1. In 1876, he founded the Indian Association along with Anand Mohan Bose to unite the Indian people on a common political platform.
2. He organised political campaigns against the Vernacular Press Act and the Arms Act, thereby creating political awareness among Indians.
3. In 1883, he convened the Indian National Conference at Calcutta, which brought together political workers from different parts of India.
4. The Indian National Conference helped in developing the idea of an all-India political organisation and paved the way for the establishment of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

(b) What was India's political goal according to him? What were the methods he advocated to attain it?

Ans: According to Surendranath Banerjee, India's political goal was self-government (Swaraj) within the British Empire, similar to the self-governing colonies like Canada and Australia. Methods advocated by him to attain it:

1. Constitutional and peaceful methods should be used to achieve political rights.
2. Political education and public awareness should be spread among the people.
3. Petitions, meetings, speeches and public agitation should be used to place Indian demands before the Government.
4. National unity among Indians should be strengthened irrespective of caste, religion or province.

(c) What was his contribution to India's freedom struggle?

Ans: Surendranath Banerjee made a significant contribution to India's freedom struggle.

1. He founded the Indian Association in 1876, which helped unite Indians and promote political awareness.
2. He started agitations against the Vernacular Press Act and the Arms Act and opposed the Partition of Bengal.
3. Through his newspaper, The Bengalee, he spread nationalist ideas and educated the people about their rights.
4. He organised the Indian National Conference in 1883, which helped prepare the ground for the formation of the Indian National Congress.
5. By his speeches and writings, he inspired Indians and earned the title "Father of Indian Nationalism."

4. Gopal Krishna Gokhale, the political mentor of Gandhiji, was one of the most popular Early Nationalist leaders. In this context, answer the following:

(a) State three policies of the imperial regime which were opposed by Gokhale.

Ans: Gopal Krishna Gokhale strongly opposed several policies of the British Government. He opposed:

1. The heavy land revenue system, which placed a great burden on the peasants.
2. The salt tax and other taxes imposed on the poor people.
3. The excessive expenditure on the British army and administration at the expense of Indian welfare.
4. He criticised the neglect of education and worked for compulsory primary education.

(b) What role did he play as a member of Imperial Legislative Council?

Ans: As a member of the Imperial Legislative Council, Gopal Krishna Gokhale worked for the welfare of the Indian people.

1. He strongly advocated compulsory primary education and introduced a Bill for this purpose.
2. He demanded the reduction of land revenue, salt tax and other taxes that burdened the poor.
3. He criticised the Government's excessive expenditure on the army and urged it to spend more on education and public welfare.
4. He fearlessly exposed the defects of British policies and worked for administrative and constitutional reforms.

(c) How did he try to arouse national awakening?

Ans: Gopal Krishna Gokhale tried to arouse national awakening in the following ways:

1. He educated the people about their rights and duties through his speeches, writings and public activities.
2. In 1905, he founded the Servants of India Society to train dedicated workers for the service of the nation and to spread political education among the people.
3. He encouraged Indians to take an active interest in public affairs and work for the progress of the country.
4. Through his moderate and constitutional approach, he inspired people to participate in the national movement.