Nationalism in India (Class 10 NCERT History)

1. The First World War, Khilafat and Non-Cooperation

• World War I burdens (1914–18): Heavy war taxes, war loans and inflation (prices doubled by 1918)
caused widespread hardship. Crops failed and a deadly influenza (1920–21) led to ~13 million deaths
1 . Indians had supplied soldiers to the British army, causing rural anger.

• Mahatma Gandhi and Satyagraha: Gandhi returned (1915) from South Africa, promoting
satyagraha (mass non-violent protest based on truth). He led successful peasant satyagrahas:
Champaran (1917) against indigo plantation abuses, Kheda (1917) for tax relief after crop failure, and
a strike by Ahmedabad mill workers (1918) 2 . This showed non-violent mass action could succeed.
• Rowlatt Act (1919): The repressive Rowlatt Act allowed detention without trial. Gandhi called an all-
India hartal (strike) on 6 April 1919 3 . Cities saw strikes and rallies; the British arrested leaders and
banned gatherings.
• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (13 Apr 1919): British General Dyer ordered his troops to fire on a
peaceful crowd in Amritsar, killing hundreds 4 . This outrage led to ‘crawling orders’ and other
humiliations (people forced to crawl and serve British officials) 4 5 . Gandhi called off the
Satyagraha, but national anger grew.
• Khilafat Movement: Indian Muslims were alarmed at threats to the Ottoman Caliph (spiritual head).
In 1919 Gandhi allied with Khilafat leaders Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, aiming to unite Hindus
and Muslims. Congress (Calcutta, Sept 1920) decided to launch a joint Non-Cooperation movement
supporting Khilafat and demanding Swaraj (self-rule) 6 .
• Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22): Gandhi’s program (adopted Nagpur 1920) called for non-
cooperation with British rule: Indians surrendered titles, boycotted schools, courts, legislatures,
police and foreign goods 7 8 . In January 1921 the campaign formally began. Millions of students
left government schools, lawyers quit courts, and foreign cloth was burned in bonfires 9 . The
Congress refused provincial elections and Indians withdrew from British institutions.

2. Differing Strands in the Movement

• Urban participation: In towns the middle classes led: students, teachers and lawyers left schools
and courts 9 . Boycotts hit imports (foreign cloth) and liquor shops 10 . Indian industries and
handlooms boomed as people wore khadi (home-made cloth). However, without alternatives
(schools, courts), many eventually returned to British institutions.
• Peasants and rural struggle: In countryside new revolts merged with the national movement. In
Awadh (UP), Baba Ramchandra led peasants against landlords (high rents, forced labor) 11 . The
Oudh Kisan Sabha (1920) drew in 300+ villages. When Non-Cooperation began, some peasants
believed Gandhi had decreed no revenue collection, leading to attacks on landlords and
redistribution of land (though Gandhi disapproved) 12 .
• Tribal revolts: In Andhra’s Gudem Hills, tribal leader Alluri Sitaram Raju led an armed uprising
(1922–24) against British forest laws. Though inspired by Gandhi’s name (people adopted khadi,
chants of Swaraj), Raju insisted on armed struggle. He was captured and executed in 1924, becoming
a folk hero 13 .

1
 • Other movements: In Bardoli (Gujarat), Vallabhbhai Patel led successful peasant satyagraha in
1928-29 demanding tax relief. Industrial workers (e.g. tea plantation workers in Assam) attempted to
join swaraj, but many were arrested or beaten back 14 .
• Chauri Chaura (Feb 1922): A turning point occurred at Chauri Chaura (UP) when a peaceful Non-
Cooperation rally turned violent and a police station was burned 15 . After this, Gandhi suspended
the Non-Cooperation Movement (Feb 1922), convinced India was not yet ready for mass struggle.

Figure: The 1922 Chauri Chaura clash (burning of a police station) prompted Gandhi to withdraw Non-
Cooperation 15 .

• Swaraj Party: Disagreeing with the suspension, moderates C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru founded the
Swaraj Party (1923) to enter councils, obstruct British rule from within and keep politics alive.
Meanwhile, younger leaders (Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Bose) pushed for radical struggle 16 .

3. Towards Civil Disobedience

• Simon Commission (1928): A British commission with no Indian members was met with all-party
protests (“Simon Go Back”). Lala Lajpat Rai died after a police lathi-charge on a peaceful Simon
Commission march (Nov 1928). These events fueled nationalist anger.
• Lahore Congress (Dec 1929): Under Nehru’s presidency, Congress formally adopted Purna Swaraj
(Complete Independence) as its goal 17 . It declared 26 January 1930 as “Independence Day,” on
which Indians pledged to struggle for freedom (though early celebrations were limited) 17 .
• Salt March (Mar–Apr 1930): Gandhi chose salt as a unifying symbol. On 12 Mar 1930 he set out from
Sabarmati with 78 volunteers on the 240-mile Dandi Salt March 18 . Walking ~10 miles/day for 24
days, he drew thousands to meetings en route. On 6 Apr at Dandi, he broke the salt law by making
salt from seawater 19 . This act began the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).
• Thousands across India defied British laws: they made salt illegally, boycotted liquor shops, and
refused to pay taxes. Workshops and courts saw strikes. The British arrested leaders (e.g. Gandhi,
Nehru, Patel) and unleashed repression (jailings, beatings) to crush the movement 20 21 . In March
1931 Gandhi signed the Gandhi–Irwin Pact (release of prisoners, Congress agreed to attend Round
Table Conference), momentarily pausing the struggle. When talks failed, Gandhi relaunched CDM,
but by 1934 it had largely run out of steam.

Figure: The Dandi Salt March (1930): Gandhi led 78 followers 240 miles to defy the salt tax 19 . This act
sparked nationwide civil disobedience.

4. Participants and Impact of the Movement

• Peasants: Wealthy peasant communities (Gujarat Patidars, UP Jats) were hit by the economic
depression (falling crop prices) and heavy revenue demands. They enthusiastically joined CDM to
pressure for tax relief 22 . Many refused to pay revenue or chaukidari (village guard tax). However,
when the 1931 Pact left taxes unchanged, many withdrew support. Poor peasants (landless or tenant
farmers) focused on rent and debt relief, often joining radical ‘no-rent’ movements led by socialists.
Congress largely ignored these demands to avoid alienating big peasants, so small peasants
remained uncertain about Congress leadership 23 24 .
• Business and workers: Business leaders (e.g. G.D. Birla, Purshottamdas Thakurdas) formed
organizations (FICCI) demanding economic protectionism. Initially they funded CDM and boycotted

2
 imports, hoping Swaraj would ease trade restrictions. After 1931, fearing prolonged unrest and
socialist influence, many industrialists cooled on Congress 25 . Industrial workers generally stayed
aloof from CDM; some strikes (railway, dock) occurred, but Congress avoided embracing labor
demands. Still, in places like Chotanagpur (1930), workers wore Gandhi caps and joined protests in
spirit 26 .
• Women: For the first time thousands of Indian women joined public protests. Many high-caste and
well-off women marched, picketed liquor shops, and made salt 27 . They saw service to the nation as
a sacred duty. However, Gandhi still idealized their role in the home, and women were rarely given
leadership positions in Congress (only symbolic roles). Nonetheless, women like Sarojini Naidu led
salt satyagrahas and many were jailed 27 .

Figure: Women joining nationalist processions during the Civil Disobedience Movement 27 . Thousands of
women left home for the first time to picket shops, make salt and defy British laws.

• Revolutionaries: Not all nationalists believed in non-violence. The Hindustan Socialist Republican
Army (HSRA) emerged (1928) with leaders like Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt. In April 1929
Bhagat Singh and Dutt threw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly (courting arrest) 28 . Bhagat
Singh was executed in 1931; he famously said “Inquilab Zindabad” (“Long Live the Revolution”) 29 .
Their sacrifice inspired youth but did not derail the mainstream non-violent struggle.
• Dalits (“Untouchables”): Gandhi began calling Dalits Harijan (“children of God”) and led temple-
entry satyagrahas, but many Dalit leaders (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar) demanded political solutions. In 1930
Ambedkar formed the Depressed Classes Association. He attended the Round Table Conference
demanding separate electorates for Dalits. Gandhi strongly opposed this, fasted unto death, and
achieved the Poona Pact (1932): reserved seats for Dalits within the general electorate (no separate
electorates) 30 31 . Many Dalits joined CDM in limited areas (like Nagpur) but overall their
participation was constrained by these conflicts.
• Muslims: By the 1930s many Muslim leaders felt alienated from Congress (after Khilafat ended). The
Muslim League’s influence grew. During CDM, large sections of Muslims did not participate (some
opposed the movement’s Hindu-majority leadership) 32 30 . Communal distrust deepened in the
1930s, contributing to later division.

5. Symbols and Cultural Nationalism

• Bharat Mata (Mother India): Indian nationalists created icons to unite diverse people. Bankim
Chandra Chatterjee’s hymn “Vande Mataram” (1870s) inspired Abanindranath Tagore’s 1905 Bharat
Mata painting (a calm ascetic mother holding food and book) 33 . This image was widely reproduced
and fueled devotion to Mother India as a sacred figure. Leaders like Nehru were often depicted
offering themselves to Bharat Mata 33 .
• Flags and songs: The Swadeshi flag (1906 Bengal protest) and later Gandhi’s Swaraj flag (1921:
saffron, white, green with spinning wheel) became symbols of unity and defiance. People hoisted
these flags and sang patriotic songs (Raghupati Raghav, Vande Mataram, etc.) during processions and
meetings.
• Folk revival: Nationalists promoted India’s cultural pride. Rabindranath Tagore collected Bengali folk
songs and Rastrasangh, Natesa Sastri published Tamil folktales. These efforts showed a rich past
outside British narratives 33 .
• Religious symbols: Icons from Hindu, Muslim, and other traditions were framed together to show
unity (e.g. prints of Tilak surrounded by temple, mosque, church images 34 ). However, some
symbols (like Hindu-style Bharat Mata with trident 35 ) alienated minorities.

3
 • Slogans: Patriotic slogans like “Inquilab Zindabad” (Bhagat Singh) and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” became
common. These cultural symbols and slogans helped people of different backgrounds feel part of
one nation.

Figure: Bharat Mata (Mother India) painted by Abanindranath Tagore (1905). Nationalists saw devotion to
this gentle mother-figure as evidence of Indian nationalism 33 .

6. Quit India Movement and Independence

• World War II context: Britain’s unconsulted entry into WWII (1939) angered Indians. Congress
ministers resigned. The failed Cripps Mission (1942) provoked demand for immediate British
withdrawal.
• “Quit India” call (Aug 1942): On 14 July 1942 Gandhi and Congress passed the Quit India
Resolution (Wardha meeting); on 8 Aug 1942 at Bombay AICC session, Gandhi launched the
movement with the slogan “Do or Die” 36 . The demand: British must Quit India immediately.
• Mass participation: The Quit India movement brought millions into action: hartals (shut-downs),
protests, marches and strikes. Ordinary people (students, workers, peasants) joined, as well as
leaders like Aruna Asaf Ali and Jayaprakash Narayan. Women too marched en masse (e.g. Matangini
Hazra in Bengal) 36 . The British responded harshly: Gandhi and top leaders were jailed immediately,
thousands were arrested, and protests met with violence.
• Outcome: Quit India was brutally suppressed by 1943, but it showed Indian determination. The
movement, plus economic strain on Britain post-WWII, convinced the British that they could not hold
India. In 1947 the Indian Independence Act was passed, and India gained independence on 15
August 1947 37 . (Pakistan also became independent on 14 August 1947 37 .)

Figure: Women in a “Quit India” procession, Bombay 1942. The Quit India movement saw massive
participation (including women like Rama Devi, Matangini Hazra) calling “Do or Die” for freedom 36 .

Timeline of Key Events

• 1918–19: Bad harvests and flu epidemic; famine crises. Congress appeals to British for relief
(ignored) 1 .
• Apr 1919: Rowlatt Satyagraha hartal (6 Apr); Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (13 Apr) 38 39 .
• Jan 1921: Non-Cooperation and Khilafat movements formally launched 40 .
• Feb 1922: Chauri Chaura clash; Gandhi withdraws Non-Cooperation 15 41 .
• Dec 1929: Lahore Congress declares Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) 17 42 .
• Jan 1930: Independence Day (26 Jan) observed by Congress, taking pledge 17 42 .
• Mar–Apr 1930: Salt March (12 Mar start; 6 Apr Gandhi breaks salt law) 19 43 .
• Mar 1931: Gandhi–Irwin Pact (5 Mar); Civil Disobedience Movement halted 44 .
• Dec 1931: Gandhi attends Second Round Table Conference in London; CDM resumes afterward.
• 1932: Poona Pact (Sep) ends separate electorates for Dalits; Civil Disobedience relaunched in parts
30 .

• Aug 1942: Quit India Resolution (14 July); mass “Quit India” movement begins (8 Aug “Do or Die”) 36 .
• Aug 15, 1947: India becomes independent 37 .

Sources: Key points are from the NCERT Class 10 History textbook “Nationalism in India” 45 17 27 , along
with timelines of events 46 37 . These notes follow the NCERT chapter structure and use simple language
for clarity. Each bullet point is supported by cited NCERT text.

4
 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

33 34 35 36 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 SATHEE: Chapter 02 Nationalism in India

https://satheessc.iitk.ac.in/sathee-ssc/student-corner/ncert-books/class-10/social-science/india-and-the-contemporary-world-2/
chapter-02-nationalism-in-india/

5 temp-public-img-folder.s3.amazonaws.com
https://temp-public-img-folder.s3.amazonaws.com/sathee.prutor.images/sathee_image/
https___cdn_mathpix_com_cropped_2024_01_22_ed21c933942a98e4e90dg-540_jpg_height_979_width_748_top_left_y_253_top_left_x_1201.jpg

32 Indian Nationalism.pmd
https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/jess302.pdf

37 Timeline of Nationalism in India Class 10 NCERT (Free PDF Download) - mindmapstudy.com

https://mindmapstudy.com/timeline-of-nationalism-in-india-class-10-ncert/