Very Short Answer Type Questions
CBSE Class 12 – History
PART IV: Themes in Indian History – Part III (Modern India)
Chapter 13: Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement
Very Short Answer Type Questions (One Sentence Each)
CBSE Board Examinations | NCERT Based
Very Short Answer Questions with Answers
1. Who introduced satyagraha as a method of struggle in Indian nationalism?
Mahatma Gandhi introduced satyagraha as a method of non-violent resistance.
2. In which year did Mahatma Gandhi return to India from South Africa?
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915.
3. What does the term ‘satyagraha’ mean?
Satyagraha means holding firmly to truth through non-violent resistance.
4. Which was Gandhi’s first successful satyagraha in India?
The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was Gandhi’s first successful movement in India.
5. What was the main issue of the Champaran Satyagraha?
It was against the forced cultivation of indigo under the tinkathia system.
6. Which movement was related to mill workers in Gujarat?
The Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 involved mill workers.
7. Why was the Kheda Satyagraha launched?
It was launched to demand remission of land revenue after crop failure.
8. Which act allowed detention without trial in 1919?
The Rowlatt Act allowed detention without trial.
9. What incident shocked the nation in April 1919?
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre shocked the Indian nation.
10. Which movement marked the beginning of mass nationalism?
The Non-Cooperation Movement marked the beginning of mass nationalism.
11. In which year was the Non-Cooperation Movement launched?
The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in 1920.
12. Why did Gandhi withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement?
He withdrew it after the Chauri Chaura incident due to violence.
13. What was Gandhi’s view on violence?
Gandhi believed violence destroyed moral authority and social harmony.
14. What did ‘Swaraj’ mean to Gandhi?
Swaraj meant self-rule based on moral discipline and self-reliance.
15. Which symbol became central to the idea of swadeshi?
Khadi became the central symbol of swadeshi.
16. Who participated actively in Gandhian mass movements?
Peasants, workers, women, students, and tribals participated actively.
17. How did peasants interpret nationalism?
Peasants linked nationalism with reduction of taxes and relief from oppression.
18. What role did women play in nationalist movements?
Women participated in picketing, spinning khadi, and mass protests.
19. Which movement was launched with the breaking of the salt law?
The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched by breaking the salt law.
20. From where to where did Gandhi lead the Salt March?
Gandhi led the Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi.
21. In which year did the Civil Disobedience Movement begin?
The Civil Disobedience Movement began in 1930.
22. What was the main aim of the Salt Satyagraha?
It aimed to challenge colonial authority by violating unjust laws.
23. How did the British respond to Civil Disobedience?
They responded with arrests, repression, and negotiations.
24. What pact temporarily suspended the Civil Disobedience Movement?
The Gandhi–Irwin Pact led to its temporary suspension.
25. What issue arose regarding Dalits during the Civil Disobedience phase?
The issue of separate electorates for Dalits arose.
26. What was the outcome of Gandhi’s fast in Yeravada Jail?
It resulted in the Poona Pact.
27. What did the Poona Pact provide?
It provided reserved seats for Dalits within the general electorate.
28. Which movement was launched during the Second World War?
The Quit India Movement was launched during the Second World War.
29. In which year was the Quit India Movement launched?
The Quit India Movement was launched in 1942.
30. What slogan did Gandhi give during Quit India?
Gandhi gave the slogan “Do or Die”.
31. What was the nature of the Quit India Movement?
It was spontaneous, widespread, and decentralised.
32. How did the British government respond to Quit India?
The British responded with mass arrests and severe repression.
33. What role did students play in the nationalist movement?
Students boycotted schools and participated in protests.
34. Why was Muslim participation uneven in some movements?
Differences over political demands and communal issues affected participation.
35. How did workers participate in the national movement?
Workers joined strikes and demonstrations linked to economic demands.
36. What was Gandhi’s view on class conflict?
Gandhi believed class harmony was essential for national unity.
37. Why did Gandhi emphasise spinning khadi?
Spinning khadi promoted self-reliance and economic independence.
38. What limited the success of some mass movements?
Conflicting interests of social groups limited their success.
39. How did Gandhian nationalism transform Indian politics?
It turned nationalism into a mass-based moral and political movement.
40. Why is this chapter important for CBSE exams?
It explains mass nationalism, Gandhian ideology, and major freedom movements.