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2. Class 10 - Total History & Civics Solutions
3. First Phase of the Indian National Movement
Section A — Chapter 3

First Phase of the Indian National Movement

Class 10 - Total History & Civics Solutions

Multiple-Choice Questions

Question 1

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

1. Deficit Theory
2. Drain Theory
3. Deprivation Theory
4. Detriment Theory

Answer

Drain Theory

Question 2

Methods used by Early Nationalists were

1. Assertive in their approach.

2. Constitutional within the framework of law.
3. Non-violent but uncooperative to authority.
4. Assertive in approach but within the framework of law.

Answer
Constitutional within the framework of law.

Question 3

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

1. Petition, Protests and Passion

2. Purpose, Persistence and Prayers
3. Petition, Prayers and Protests
4. Protests, Petition and Process

Answer

Petition, Prayers and Protests

Question 4

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

1. Eradication of British rule in India.

2. Promotion of equality among the workers for the cause of India.
3. Formulation of popular demands to be presented before the government.
4. Organisation of a violent struggle for the political emancipation of India.

Answer

Formulation of popular demands to be presented before the government.

Question 5

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

1. Reduction in taxes and increase in government expenditure

2. A larger share of Indians in the governance of the country
3. Complete fusion of legislature and executive
4. Employment of Indians at all posts in the administrative services.

Answer

A larger share of Indians in the governance of the country

Question 6

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

1. Increase in the powers of local bodies

2. Increase in official control over local bodies
3. Increase in the British officers in the civil services
4. Transfer of police service to local bodies.

Answer

Increase in the powers of local bodies

Question 7

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

1. Withdrawal of the Partition of Bengal

2. Simultaneous ICS exams in India and England
3. Appointment of Lord Curzon as Viceroy
4. Irish Home Rule Agitation

Answer

Simultaneous ICS exams in India and England

Question 8

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

1. Reduction in land revenue

2. Abolition of salt tax
3. Primary education made compulsory
4. Reduction in toll tax.

Answer

Reduction in toll tax.

Question 9

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 rule 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.

1. (i) and (ii)

2. (ii) and (iii)
3. (i) and (iii)
4. (i), (ii) and (iii)

Answer

(i) and (ii)

Question 10

Dadabhai Naoroji : London India Society :: Gopal Krishna Gokhale : ...............

1. Servants of India Society

2. East India Association
3. Indian Association
4. Indian National Conference.

Answer

Servants of India Society

Assertion (A) & Reason (R)

Question 1

(A) The Early Nationalists believed in moderate politics.

(R) They asked for constitutional and other reforms within the framework of British rule.

1. (R) contradicts (A)

 2. (A) is the reason for (R)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other

Answer

(A) is the reason for (R)

Explanation — The Early Nationalists believed in moderate politics that is why they asked for
constitutional and other reforms within the framework of British rule as they had faith in British
sense of justice.

Question 2

(A) The Early Nationalists created national awakening among people that they belonged to one
common country — India.

(R) The Early Nationalists drew the masses into the mainstream of the national movement.

1. (R) contradicts (A)

2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other

Answer

(A) is true but (R) is false

Explanation — The Early Nationalists failed to draw the masses into the mainstream of the
national movement.

Question 3

(A) A few government officials attended the First session of the Congress and took part in its
deliberations.

(R) British officials later on criticised the Congress and branded its leaders as 'disloyal babus'
and 'violent villians'.

1. (R) contradicts (A)

2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other
Answer

(R) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — Government officials initially supported the congress but later went against it
because they did not like the participation of congress in political affairs.

Question 4

(A) The British followed a policy of granting minor concessions to separatists to quell the
growth of nationalism.

(R) The British realised that the growing unity of the Indians posed a major threat to their rule.

1. (R) contradicts (A)

2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other

Answer

(R) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — The British knew that growing nationalism and unity is dangerous for their
government. Therefore, they granted minor concessions to put down the growth of nationalism.

Short Answer Questions

Question 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'.

Answer

The period of the national movement from the year 1885 to 1907 is known as the period of the
'Early Nationalists'.

Two leaders of the Congress who are known as 'Early Nationalists' are-

1. W.C. Bonnerjee
2. Dadabhai Naoroji
Question 2

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

Answer

Two reasons for the Early Nationalists' faith in the British sense of justice were-

1. They were of the opinion that the British would help Indians govern themselves
according to western standards.
2. They believed that continuation of the British connection with India was in the
interest of both England and India.

Question 3

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

Answer

The Early Nationalists believed the following regarding the British rule in India:

1. The Early Nationalists had faith in the sense of justice, fair play, honesty and
integrity of the British.
2. It was their hope that the British would grant 'Home Rule' to Indians. They relied on
the solemn pledges made by the British government.
3. They believed that the British rule had many benefits. For example, it aided in
cleansing social ills like sati, untouchability and child marriage.
4. They were of the opinion that Britain would help Indians govern themselves
according to western standards.

Question 4

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

Answer

According to the Early Nationalists, the main obstacle in India's progress was social and
economic backwardness of Indians and not the British colonial rule.

The Early Nationalists demanded Self-government or Swaraj within the British empire like the
self-governing colonies of Canada and Australia.
Question 5

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

Answer

Two issues opposed by the Early Nationalists in the field of civil liberties were-

1. Removal of the restrictions imposed by the British Government on the freedom of

speech, and the freedom of the press.
2. Abolition of the Preventive Detention Act and restoration of individual liberties.

Question 6

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

Answer

Two demands of the Early Nationalists that aimed at improving the lot of the peasants were-

1. Reduction in land revenue and protection of peasants against unjust demands of

the zamindars.
2. Reduction in expenditure on the army and the money thus saved to be spent on
welfare activities such as health and education.

Question 7

Mention any two constitutional demands made by the Early Nationalists.

Answer

Two constitutional demands made by the Early Nationalists were-

1. Abolition of India Council.

2. Expansion of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assemblies — both at the
Centre and in the Provinces.

Question 8

Name any two economic issues raised by the Early Nationalists.

Answer

Two economic issues raised by the Early Nationalists were-

 1. Reduction in land revenue and protection of peasants against unjust demands of
the zamindars.
2. Reduction in expenditure on the army and the money thus saved to be spent on
welfare activities such as health and education.

Question 9

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

Answer

The Early Nationalists demanded industrial growth through trade protection. That means that a
heavy tax should be imposed on imported goods and the government should give loans for the
development of iron, coal, paper and sugar industries in India.

Question 10

Mention any two achievements of the Early Nationalists.

Answer

Two achievements of the Early Nationalists were-

1. The Early Nationalists trained people in politics by popularising the ideas of

democracy, civil liberties, secularism and nationalism.
2. The Early Nationalists did pioneering work by exposing the true nature of the British
rule in India. They made people realise the economic content and character of
British imperialism. By doing so, they weakened the foundations of the British rule in
India.

Question 11

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

Answer

Dadabhai Naoroji is known as India's unofficial ambassador because during his stay in England,
he fought for the cause of his country.

Question 12

Name the author of

(i) Poverty and Un-British Rule in India
(ii) A Nation in the making.
Answer

(i) Dadabhai Naoroji is the author of 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India'.

(ii) A Nation in Making was written by Surendranath Banerjee.

Question 13

Name the two Acts that Surendranath Banerjee agitated against?

Answer

Surendranath Banerjee started an agitation against the Licence Act and the Vernacular Press Act.

Question 14

List briefly any two causes that Gopal Krishna Gokhale supported.

Answer

Two causes that Gopal Krishna Gokhale supported were-

1. Reduction in salt duty and the abolition of excise duty on cotton goods.
2. Reduction in land revenue.

STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Question 1

(a)
The Early Nationalists mostly came from the educated middle class—lawyers, teachers, officials,
and professionals. Many were educated in England and admired British democratic ideals. They
believed the British were unaware of Indian problems and sought justice through peaceful
means.
Their key demands included:

• More Indian representation in government

• Indianisation of civil services
• Reduction of taxes and government spending
• Protection of Indian industries
• Separation of executive and judiciary
• Civil rights for all citizens

(b)
The Early Nationalists adopted peaceful and constitutional methods:
 • They held public meetings, gave speeches, and passed resolutions to raise awareness.
• Used newspapers and journals to criticise British policies and inform people.
• Sent petitions and memorandums to British officials and Parliament, backed with facts.
• In Britain, they used the “Three Ps” – Petitions, Prayers, and Protests.
• They set up the British Committee of the Indian National Congress in London (1889) and
published the journal India to influence British opinion.
• Indian leaders also travelled to Britain to explain Indian issues directly.

(c)
The Early Nationalists played a vital role in the rise of Indian nationalism:

• They awakened a sense of unity and political awareness among Indians.

• Introduced modern political ideas like democracy, secularism, and civil rights.
• Exposed the economic exploitation under British rule.
• Laid the foundation for future national movements by promoting reform and self-rule.
• Their efforts led to early reforms like:
o Public Service Commission (1886)
o ICS exams held in India and London (1893)
o Welby Commission on Indian expenditure (1895)
o Indian Councils Act (1892)

Question 2

(a)
The Early Nationalists revealed the truth of British exploitation in many ways:

• Dadabhai Naoroji’s Drain Theory showed how India’s wealth was transferred to Britain.
• Under his leadership, Congress passed resolutions on Swadeshi, Boycott, and National
Education.
• Newspapers and journals criticised unjust British laws.
• Surendranath Banerjee protested against the License Act, Arms Act, and Vernacular
Press Act, making people aware of British injustice.

(b)
The Early Nationalists were loyal to the British Crown and believed in moderate methods.

• They had faith in British justice and expected fair treatment.

• Believed British rule helped remove social evils like sati and untouchability.
• Hoped for gradual self-rule under British guidance.
• They trusted British promises and relied on peaceful means like petitions and
negotiations.
This attitude developed because they believed British rule benefited India and would lead
to self-government.
(c)
Reasons for partial failure of their methods:

• Their approach depended too much on British goodwill, not on Indian strength.
• Failed to realise that British rule was based on economic exploitation.
• They did not include the masses in the movement—support was limited to educated elites
in cities.

Question 3

(a)
Surendranath Banerjee played a key role in the formation of the Indian National Congress.

• He founded the Indian Association in 1876 to fight British policies.

• Organised the Indian National Conference in 1883, which aimed at forming a national
political platform.
• His conference later merged with the Indian National Congress in 1886.
• He also presided over Congress sessions in 1895 and 1902.

(b)
Banerjee believed India’s goal was self-government.

• He supported peaceful and constitutional means.

• Famous for saying: “Opposition where necessary, co-operation when possible.”
• Promoted national awareness through the Indian Association and Indian National
Conference.
• Edited The Bengalee newspaper to mobilise public opinion.
• His book Nation in the Making explained his ideas on self-rule.

(c)
His contributions to India’s freedom movement include:

• Founding the Indian Association (1876) to protest British injustice.

• Organising Indian National Conference (1883), which merged with Congress.
• Starting agitation against unjust laws like the License Act and Arms Act.
• Opposing lowering the age limit for the ICS exam.
• Fighting the partition of Bengal (1905) and opposing the communal Morley-Minto
Reforms (1909).
• Promoting national awareness through his writings and speeches.
Question 4

(a)
Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the “Grand Old Man of India,” was a political leader, writer, and
Congress President. He explained how British rule drained India’s wealth in his book Poverty
and Un-British Rule in India.
According to him, life and property were secure only from internal violence, not from British
economic exploitation.

(b)
England was ‘perfectly safe and secure’ because it was draining India’s wealth every year ($30–
40 million), using it for its benefit while India suffered poverty and famine.

(c)
He proposed the Drain Theory to describe British exploitation.
The last line means that millions of Indians lived in poverty, starvation, and disease because of
the constant drain of wealth by the British, which left no resources for their welfare.