FYUG Even Semester Exam, 2025
History of India (1857-1947 CE)
Subject Code: HISDSC-251

When and by whom was the Indian Association established?

The Indian Association was established on July 26, 1876. It was founded by Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose.

Name two moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress.

• Dadabhai Naoroji
• Gopal Krishna Gokhale

What were the factors responsible for the growth of Indian nationalism?

The growth of Indian nationalism in the 19th century was the result of a combination of political, economic, and social factors:

• Political Unification: The British rule established a uniform system of administration and law, which unified the country for the first time in centuries.
• Economic Exploitation: The drain of wealth theory, highlighted by leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, made Indians realize that British policies were systematically impoverishing India.
• Western Education: Exposure to European liberal thoughts, ideas of democracy, and liberty inspired the Indian intelligentsia to seek similar rights for their own country.
• Development of Transport and Communication: The introduction of Railways, Telegraphs, and a modern Postal system connected people across different regions, facilitating the exchange of nationalistic ideas.
• Role of the Press: Vernacular and English newspapers criticized British policies and helped build public opinion against colonial rule.
• Racial Arrogance: The discriminatory behavior of the British toward Indians (e.g., the Ilbert Bill controversy) fueled resentment and a sense of shared national identity.

Conclusion: These factors created a conducive environment for organized political movements, leading to the formation of the INC.

Trace the circumstances leading to the formation of the Indian National Congress.

The formation of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885 was not an isolated event but the culmination of several political developments:

• Early Political Associations: Prior to the INC, organizations like the British Indian Association and the Indian Association (1876) had already begun mobilizing public opinion.
• The Safety Valve Theory: Some historians argue that A.O. Hume, a retired British officer, initiated the INC as a "safety valve" to release the growing discontent among Indians.
• Need for an All-India Body: By the early 1880s, Indian leaders felt the urgent need for a national platform to present their grievances to the British government.
• The Role of A.O. Hume: Hume played a pivotal role in organizing the first meet and securing the support of prominent Indian leaders.
• The First Session: The session was initially planned for Pune but was moved to Bombay due to a cholera outbreak. 72 delegates from across India attended, marking the birth of a formal national movement.

Who partitioned Bengal and when?

Bengal was partitioned by Lord Curzon in the year 1905.

By whom were the Home Rule Leagues founded in 1916?

The Home Rule Leagues were founded by Bal Gangadhar Tilak (April 1916) and Annie Besant (September 1916).

Give an account of the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal.

The Swadeshi Movement was a direct fallout of the Partition of Bengal in 1905. It was a milestone in the history of Indian independence.

• Core Principles: The movement was based on Boycott of foreign goods and the promotion of Swadeshi (Indigenous) products.
• Mass Participation: It saw massive participation from students, women, and the urban middle class. Public bonfires of foreign cloth were organized.
• National Education: Institutions like the National Council of Education were set up to provide education outside British control.
• Impact on Industry: Swadeshi enterprises like soap factories, textile mills, and banks (e.g., Bengal Chemicals) flourished.
• Cultural Impact: The movement inspired patriotic songs (like Rabindranath Tagore’s 'Amar Sonar Bangla') and literature.

Trace the history of revolutionary activities in Bengal.

Revolutionary activities in Bengal were driven by the youth who believed that non-violent methods were insufficient to gain freedom.

• Anushilan Samiti: Founded in the early 20th century, it was one of the most prominent secret revolutionary societies.
• Jugantar Group: An inner circle of the Anushilan Samiti that started the 'Jugantar' weekly to preach revolutionary ideas.
• The Alipore Bomb Case: Following the attempt on Magistrate Kingsford's life by Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki, many leaders including Aurobindo Ghosh were arrested.
• Role of Leaders: Leaders like Bagha Jatin and Rash Behari Bose organized armed resistance and planned international support during WWI.
• Chittagong Armoury Raid: Later, in 1930, Surya Sen (Masterda) led a successful raid on the British armory, signifying the continued spirit of revolution in Bengal.

What was the Rowlatt Act?

The Rowlatt Act (1919) was a legislative act that allowed the British government to imprison any person suspected of "terrorist" activities for up to two years without trial.

When and by whom was the Swaraj Party founded?

The Swaraj Party was founded in January 1923 by Chittaranjan Das (President) and Motilal Nehru (Secretary).

Elucidate the episode of the Non-Cooperation Movement in India.

Launched in 1920 under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the Non-Cooperation Movement aimed at 'Swaraj' through peaceful means.

• Causes: Resentment against the Rowlatt Act, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, and the Khilafat Issue.
• Programs: Surrender of British titles, boycott of government schools, courts, and foreign clothes. Promotion of Khadi and Charkha.
• Success: It became the first true mass movement, uniting Hindus and Muslims.
• Withdrawal: Gandhi abruptly called off the movement in February 1922 following the Chauri Chaura incident, where a peaceful procession turned violent and burned a police station.

Discuss the objectives and activities of the Swarajya Party.

After the suspension of Non-Cooperation, the 'Pro-changers' within the Congress formed the Swarajya Party.

• Objectives: To enter the Legislative Councils and "wreck the reforms from within" by obstructing government business.
• Activities: They contested elections in 1923 and won many seats. They successfully blocked many unfair bills and exposed the limitations of the colonial administrative system.
• Significance: They kept the political struggle alive during a period of relative inactivity in the mass movement.

Trace the history of the Civil Disobedience Movement in India.

The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) was a significant phase of the struggle for independence.

• The Dandi March: The movement began with Gandhi’s 240-mile march from Sabarmati to Dandi to break the salt law.
• Spread: Breaking of salt laws spread across the coastlines. Boycott of liquor and foreign cloth became widespread again.
• Gandhi-Irwin Pact: The movement was suspended in 1931 after a pact where the British agreed to release political prisoners, and Gandhi agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference.
• Renewal: The movement was restarted in 1932 after the failure of the conference but eventually lost momentum and was officially withdrawn in 1934.

Write a note on the Working Class Movement in India from 1920 to 1935.

The Indian working class became a conscious political force during this period:

• Formation of AITUC: The All India Trade Union Congress was founded in 1920 with Lala Lajpat Rai as its first president.
• Influence of Communism: The 1920s saw the rise of socialist and communist ideas, leading to the formation of many trade unions.
• Major Strikes: Frequent strikes occurred in railways, textile mills (especially in Bombay and Ahmedabad), and tea gardens.
• Government Repression: The British passed the Trade Disputes Act and Public Safety Bill to curb the growing labor unrest.
• Integration with National Movement: The working class actively supported the Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience movements.

State two causes of the Revolt of the Royal Indian Navy.

• Racial discrimination and bad quality of food provided to Indian ratings.
• Influence of the INA trials and the spirit of nationalism spreading to the armed forces.

Name two members of the Cabinet Mission.

• Lord Pethick-Lawrence
• Sir Stafford Cripps (also A.V. Alexander)

Analyse the role of the Indian National Army under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The Indian National Army (INA) or Azad Hind Fauj played a crucial psychological and military role in the freedom struggle.

• Leadership: Netaji took command in 1943 and reorganized the INA in Singapore with the famous slogan "Chalo Delhi."
• The Rani of Jhansi Regiment: He established an all-women regiment, showing a progressive vision for India.
• Military Campaigns: The INA fought alongside Japanese forces in the Imphal and Kohima sectors. Although they failed militarily, they succeeded in capturing Indian imagination.
• Post-War Impact: The INA trials at Red Fort in 1945 sparked nationwide protests and led to the Royal Indian Navy mutiny, making the British realize they could no longer rely on Indian soldiers to maintain colonial rule.

Trace the circumstances leading to the Partition of India.

The partition of 1947 was the result of a long-drawn political and communal process:

• Divide and Rule: British policies like separate electorates (1909) deepened the rift between Hindus and Muslims.
• Two-Nation Theory: Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League popularized the idea that Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations.
• Failure of Negotiations: The rejection of the Cabinet Mission Plan and the failure of the Shimla Conference made a unified India look impossible.
• Direct Action Day: In 1946, the League’s call for Direct Action led to large-scale communal violence, particularly in Calcutta.
• The Mountbatten Plan: Finally, Lord Mountbatten proposed the partition plan as the only way to avoid a full-scale civil war, which was accepted by both the Congress and the League.