Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) – Long Answer Questions
Medium Level (Application & Explanation)
Q1. Why was the Non-Cooperation Movement launched in 1920? Explain the major reasons.
Answer:
- The movement was launched under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership in 1920.
- It was a protest against the Rowlatt Act, which allowed arrests without trial.
- It condemned the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, where many innocent people died.
- It supported the Khilafat Movement to stand with Indian Muslims.
- It demanded Swaraj or self-rule for India.
- Gandhi believed cooperation with an unjust government was wrong.
- So, he asked people to withdraw support and become self-reliant.
Q2. Describe the main programmes of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Answer:
- People were asked to boycott British institutions and goods.
- Students left government schools and colleges in large numbers.
- Lawyers like C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru gave up practice in British courts.
- People boycotted foreign cloth, liquor shops, and British titles.
- Gandhi promoted khadi and charkha to build self-reliance.
- He encouraged village industries to reduce imports.
- The aim was to weaken British rule through non-violent non-cooperation.
Q3. Explain how Khadi and the charkha became symbols during the movement.
Answer:
- Gandhi urged people to spin on the charkha and wear khadi.
- Khadi became a symbol of nationalism and self-sufficiency.
- It reduced dependence on foreign cloth and imported goods.
- It gave work to poor villagers, especially women.
- The charkha stood for dignity of labour and simple living.
- Wearing khadi showed unity and patriotism.
- It made the movement visible in daily life.
Q4. How did different sections of society participate in the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer:
- The movement spread to urban and rural areas.
- Peasants protested against high rents and heavy taxes.
- Tribals opposed forest laws that restricted their rights.
- Students left schools and joined national institutions.
- Merchants and mill owners supported the boycott of foreign cloth.
- Common people joined rallies, picketing, and hartals.
- This wide support made it the first mass movement in India.
Q5. What happened at Chauri Chaura in 1922 and why did Gandhi call off the movement?
Answer:
- On 5 February 1922, police fired on protesters at Chauri Chaura (U.P.).
- The angry crowd set a police station on fire.
- Twenty-two policemen were killed in the incident.
- Gandhi saw this as a violation of non-violence.
- He believed the people were not yet ready for discipline and ahimsa.
- So, he suspended the movement in February 1922.
- Many supporters felt shocked and disappointed.
High Complexity (Analysis & Scenario-Based)
Q6. Analyse how the boycott of British institutions and goods affected India’s society and economy.
Answer:
- The boycott hit the British economy by reducing sales of foreign cloth.
- It boosted Indian industries, handlooms, and khadi production.
- Schools and courts faced disruption as students and lawyers withdrew.
- New national schools and arbitration courts emerged but were limited.
- Socially, people felt unity, pride, and national identity.
- But some families suffered loss of jobs and income.
- It showed that economic pressure could support political struggle.
Q7. Imagine you are a student in 1920. How would you participate in the Non-Cooperation Movement? What challenges might you face?
Answer:
- I would leave my government school to support the boycott.
- I would join a national school and wear khadi daily.
- I would attend peaceful rallies and help in spinning khadi.
- I might face family pressure to continue formal education.
- I could lose access to government jobs and facilities.
- There would be fear of police action during protests.
- Still, I would feel proud to aid Swaraj through non-violence.
Q8. Was Gandhi right in suspending the movement after Chauri Chaura? Give balanced arguments.
Answer:
- Gandhi was committed to non-violence and discipline.
- The incident showed the risk of a violent turn in a mass struggle.
- Stopping it protected people from larger repression and bloodshed.
- But many felt disappointed after so much sacrifice and effort.
- The withdrawal slowed the momentum against British rule.
- Yet it kept the moral authority of the movement intact.
- It also shifted focus to constructive work like khadi and social reform.
Q9. If the Chauri Chaura incident had not occurred, how might the movement have progressed? Discuss possibilities and risks.
Answer:
- The movement might have continued with wider participation.
- Boycott could have further weakened British institutions and trade.
- More national schools and local bodies might have grown.
- But the risk of violence and state repression would remain.
- The British might have used laws and arrests to crush it.
- Without strict discipline, crowds could still turn violent.
- Success would depend on strong non-violent training and leadership.
Q10. How did support to the Khilafat Movement influence Hindu–Muslim unity during the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answer:
- Gandhi supported Khilafat to unite Hindus and Muslims.
- Joint protests built a sense of brotherhood and shared purpose.
- It increased mass participation and widened the reach of the movement.
- Many leaders worked together for Swaraj and justice.
- This unity worried the British, who often used divide-and-rule.
- Though later tensions arose, this phase showed the power of unity.
- It taught that national goals need inclusive alliances.