Key Concepts
- 1What was the Salt March (Dandi March) and why was it significant?
- 2What were the different perspectives within the Indian national movement?
Important Formulas & Facts
Gandhi's march from Sabarmati to Dandi (390 km, 12 Mar – 6 Apr 1930) to break the salt law by making salt from sea water. Significance: (1) Simple, universal issue — everyone uses salt. (2) Violated an unjust law non-violently. (3) Sparked mass Civil Disobedience Movement. (4) Brought international attention. (5) United all classes — from peasants to industrialists.
Multiple groups had different visions: (1) Congress — united India, democratic governance (Gandhi, Nehru). (2) Muslim League — separate Muslim homeland (Jinnah). (3) Dalits — Ambedkar wanted separate electorates, reserved seats. (4) Industrialists — wanted protection from foreign goods, Indian control of economy. (5) Workers/peasants — wanted land reforms, better wages. (6) Women — wanted equality but were mostly confined to symbolic roles.
Must-Know Questions
Q1Who wrote 'Hind Swaraj'?
Mahatma Gandhi wrote 'Hind Swaraj' in 1909, in which he declared that British rule was established in India with the cooperation of Indians and had survived only because of this cooperation.
Q2The Rowlatt Act was passed in the year:
The Rowlatt Act was passed in 1919 by the Imperial Legislative Council. It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.
Q3On which date did Gandhiji begin the Dandi March?
Gandhiji started the Dandi March (Salt March) on 12 March 1930, walking from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi (about 240 miles) to break the salt law.
Q4The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on:
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on 13 April 1919 in Amritsar, when General Dyer ordered troops to fire on a peaceful gathering, killing hundreds of people.
Q5Who among the following led the peasants of Awadh during the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Baba Ramchandra, a sanyasi who had earlier been to Fiji as an indentured labourer, led the peasants of Awadh. He demanded reduction of revenue, abolition of begar, and social boycott of oppressive landlords.
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