Nationalism in India — Class 10 MCQs with Answers

Nationalism in India — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 10 History)

6 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. Tap an option to check yourself.

0 of 6 answered

1. Q1 of 6Easy

   Satyagraha was the method introduced by:

   ATilakBNehruCGandhiDBose
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   Answer: Gandhi

   Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi fought the racist regime in South Africa with a novel method of mass agitation which he called satyagraha. After returning to India he organised satyagraha movements in various places.

2. Q2 of 6Easy

   In 1917, Mahatma Gandhi travelled to which place to inspire the peasants to struggle against the oppressive plantation system?

   AKheda, GujaratBBardoli, GujaratCChamparan, BiharDAhmedabad, Gujarat
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   Answer: Champaran, Bihar

   Explanation: In 1917 Gandhiji travelled to Champaran in Bihar to inspire the peasants against the oppressive plantation system. Kheda and Ahmedabad were his satyagrahas of 1918, and the Bardoli movement of 1928 was led by Vallabhbhai Patel.

3. Q3 of 6Medium

   In the late 19th century, Indian nationalists began recording and using folklore, folk tales and folk songs because they believed this would:

   APromote the English languageBEncourage migration to citiesCHelp restore a sense of pride in the nation's past and reveal a true national culture corrupted by outside forcesDSupport British rule in the countryside
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   Answer: Help restore a sense of pride in the nation's past and reveal a true national culture corrupted by outside forces

   Explanation: Nationalists felt folk traditions gave a picture of traditional culture that had been damaged by outside forces; preserving them would restore national pride. In Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore led such efforts.

4. Q4 of 6Medium

   The peasant movement in Awadh, led by Baba Ramchandra, developed in forms that the Congress leadership was unhappy with. What happened as it spread in 1921?

   APeasants joined the Justice Party and contested council electionsBTalukdars' houses were attacked and bazaars and grain hoards lootedCPeasants gave up khadi and went back to drinking in large numbersDPeasants demanded a separate electorate for tenants in the councils
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   Answer: Talukdars' houses were attacked and bazaars and grain hoards looted

   Explanation: As the movement spread in 1921, the houses of talukdars and merchants were attacked, bazaars were looted and grain hoards were taken over. Local leaders even told peasants that Gandhiji had declared no taxes were to be paid, which the Congress leadership was unhappy with.

5. Q5 of 6Hard

   Which of the following statements about the Quit India Movement is NOT correct?

   AIt followed the failure of the Cripps Mission and the effects of World War IIBGandhiji delivered his famous 'Do or Die' speech on this occasionCWomen such as Matangini Hazra and Kanaklata Barua took an active partDIt stayed confined to leaders, while students and peasants kept away
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   Answer: It stayed confined to leaders, while students and peasants kept away

   Explanation: The Quit India Movement was truly a mass movement that brought thousands of ordinary people – students, workers and peasants – into its ambit, so the claim that it stayed confined to leaders is wrong. The chapter does say it followed the failure of the Cripps Mission and the effects of World War II, that Gandhiji gave his 'Do or Die' speech on this occasion, and that women such as Matangini Hazra and Kanaklata Barua took an active part.

6. Q6 of 6Hard

   Assertion (A): After the Rowlatt satyagraha, Mahatma Gandhi felt the need to launch a more broad-based movement in India. Reason (R): The Rowlatt satyagraha had spread widely across the villages of India.

   ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of ABBoth A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of ACA is true but R is falseDA is false but R is true
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   Answer: A is true but R is false

   Explanation: A is true. R is false: although the Rowlatt satyagraha had been a widespread movement, it was still limited mostly to cities and towns, which is why Gandhiji felt the need for a more broad-based movement.

Nationalism in India notes: key concepts (Class 10 History)

Covers India's freedom struggle under Gandhi from 1917 to the 1930s: the Rowlatt Act, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919), the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation movements, their withdrawal after Chauri Chaura, the Salt March and Civil Disobedience, and how symbols like Bharat Mata forged a shared sense of nationhood.

Satyagraha

Gandhi's method of mass non-violent resistance based on truth and soul-force; first used in South Africa, then in India from 1917.

Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad (1917–18)

Gandhi's first Indian satyagrahas: Champaran indigo planters (Bihar), Kheda peasants (Gujarat) and Ahmedabad mill workers.

Rowlatt Act (1919)

Gave the government power to detain political prisoners without trial for two years; provoked Gandhi's nationwide Rowlatt Satyagraha.

Jallianwala Bagh (13 April 1919)

General Dyer opened fire on an unarmed crowd in Amritsar, killing hundreds; the massacre inflamed anger across India.

Khilafat Movement

Led by Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali to defend the Ottoman Caliph; Gandhi joined it to unite Hindus and Muslims against British rule.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)

Adopted at the Nagpur Congress (Dec 1920): boycott of schools, courts, titles and foreign goods to make British rule collapse.

Chauri Chaura (Feb 1922)

A mob burned a police station in this UP town; a shaken Gandhi called off Non-Cooperation because the movement had turned violent.

Simon Commission (1928)

An all-white British commission on reforms; met with 'Simon Go Back' protests because it had no Indian member.

Salt March / Dandi (1930)

Gandhi walked about 240 miles from Sabarmati to Dandi (began 12 March 1930), breaking the salt law to launch Civil Disobedience.

Gandhi–Irwin Pact (1931)

Gandhi agreed to end Civil Disobedience and join the Second Round Table Conference; Irwin agreed to release political prisoners.

Poona Pact (Sept 1932)

Agreement between Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar: gave the Depressed Classes reserved seats within the general electorate, not separate ones.

Bharat Mata

The image of Mother India personifying the nation, first created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay; Abanindranath Tagore painted her as a calm, divine, ascetic figure.

Vande Mataram

Hymn to the motherland written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay; sung widely during the Swadeshi movement in Bengal.

Swaraj Flag

A tricolour of red, green and white with a spinning wheel at the centre, designed by Gandhi by 1921; carrying it became a mark of defiance.