Gandhi’s Role – Long Answer Questions
Medium Level (Application & Explanation)
Q1. Explain the idea of Satyagraha. How does it use moral force to fight injustice?
Answer:
- Satyagraha means holding firmly to truth.
- It uses moral force, not physical force.
- People refuse to obey unjust laws and accept punishment calmly.
- They keep discipline and avoid violence even when provoked.
- The aim is to touch the conscience of the opponent and the public.
- It tries to win over the opponent through truth and non-violence.
Q2. Describe Gandhi’s return from South Africa in 1915. How did his experience shape his work in India?
Answer:
- Gandhi returned in 1915 after fighting racial discrimination in South Africa.
- He brought the ideas of Satyagraha and Ahimsa to India.
- He believed mass movements must be non-violent and truthful.
- He focused on peasants, workers, and common people.
- He used moral persuasion and peaceful protest instead of force.
- His early campaigns showed these methods work in Indian conditions.
Q3. Explain the Champaran Satyagraha (1917). What were its causes, methods, and results?
Answer:
- Cause: Indigo farmers were forced to grow indigo under oppressive British planters.
- Gandhi went to Bihar and studied the peasants’ problems.
- He used Satyagraha with non-violent methods.
- He relied on truth, public inquiry, and negotiations.
- Result: Planters agreed to reduce demands and compensate peasants.
- It proved that peaceful resistance could bring justice.
Q4. What happened in the Kheda Satyagraha (1918)? Explain the issue and the outcome.
Answer:
- Issue: Poor harvest and famine in Kheda district of Gujarat.
- Peasants could not pay land revenue.
- Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel supported the peasants.
- They demanded tax remission due to crop failure.
- The movement was disciplined and non-violent.
- Result: The government agreed to suspend revenue collection.
Q5. Describe the Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918). How did Gandhi support the workers?
Answer:
- Issue: Textile mill workers demanded better wages.
- Gandhi guided them to keep the strike peaceful and orderly.
- He used a hunger strike to press for justice.
- He appealed to the moral sense of the mill owners.
- Workers showed unity and discipline throughout.
- Result: Workers got a wage hike, proving non-violence can work.
High Complexity (Analysis & Scenario-Based)
Q6. Why does accepting punishment willingly make Satyagraha stronger? Analyze its impact.
Answer:
- It shows that protesters respect law but resist unjust laws.
- It gives them the moral high ground before the public.
- The suffering of peaceful people creates sympathy and support.
- It exposes the injustice of the rulers to society.
- It keeps the movement disciplined and prevents violence.
- It pushes authorities towards negotiation and reform.
Q7. Compare Champaran, Kheda, and Ahmedabad movements. How did methods and goals differ?
Answer:
- Champaran: Peasants vs. planters over indigo oppression; used inquiry and negotiation.
- Kheda: Peasants vs. government over tax during famine; demanded tax suspension.
- Ahmedabad: Workers vs. mill owners for wages; used strike and hunger strike.
- All three were non-violent and based on truth and discipline.
- Methods adapted to the issue: inquiry, petitions, strike, and fast.
- Outcomes matched goals: compensation, tax relief, and wage hike.
Q8. Imagine a new district faces crop failure but heavy taxes continue. Using Gandhi’s approach, how should the people proceed?
Answer:
- First, collect truthful evidence of crop failure.
- Form a discipline committee and pledge non-violence.
- Send petitions and seek talks with officials.
- If refused, plan peaceful non-payment with unity and courage.
- Be ready to accept punishment without anger.
- Keep the goal clear: tax remission and respect for justice.
Q9. How did the early successes prepare the ground for the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer:
- They proved that Satyagraha works in Indian conditions.
- People learned discipline, unity, and non-violence.
- Gandhi became a respected national leader.
- Peasants and workers gained confidence to join mass actions.
- Leaders like Sardar Patel built local organization and support.
- This foundation made larger, national movements possible.
Q10. If planters in Champaran had refused to negotiate, what non-violent options remained? What risks were involved?
Answer:
- Continue peaceful protests and public meetings.
- Use truth campaigns to inform the nation about the injustice.
- File legal cases and seek independent inquiries.
- Use boycott of planter-controlled markets if needed.
- Keep strict non-violence and accept arrests calmly.
- Risks: Suffering, delay, and provocations, but moral force would grow.