📚 Past Year Questions (PYQs) 2019-2024
This section contains 35 authentic questions from CBSE board exams (2019 to 2024) for Chapter 2: Nationalism in India. Organized by marks category with model answers. Master these to excel in the board exam.
🎯 Chapter 2 Focus Areas
This chapter carries 10-12 marks in board exams. High-weightage topics: First World War impact, Rowlatt Act, Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, different social groups' participation, and Congress session locations for maps.
Most Repeated: Salt Satyagraha (5 times), Jallianwala Bagh (4 times), Khilafat Movement (4 times)
Map Must-know: Nagpur (1920), Calcutta (1920), Madras (1927), Lahore (1929)
Tricky Area: Understanding why different social groups participated
PART A: Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark Each)
Answer in one word or one sentence. Precision matters most.
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Name the writer of the novel 'Anandamath'. [CBSE 2024]
Answer: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
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Which Act did not permit plantation workers to leave the tea gardens without permission? [CBSE 2023]
Answer: Inland Emigration Act of 1859.
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Who was the author of the famous novel 'Anandamath'? [CBSE 2023] ⚠️ Repeated
Answer: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
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Which incident forced Mahatma Gandhi to launch the Non-Cooperation Movement? [CBSE 2022] ⚠️ High Probability
Answer: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919).
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Who created the first image of Bharat Mata? [CBSE 2022]
Answer: Abanindranath Tagore.
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Name the famous book written by Mahatma Gandhi during his imprisonment in Yerwada Jail. [CBSE 2021]
Answer: 'Hind Swaraj' (1909).
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What is meant by Satyagraha? [CBSE 2021]
Answer: The policy of passive political resistance initiated by Gandhi.
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Who was the leader of the Peasant Movement in Awadh? [CBSE 2020]
Answer: Baba Ramchandra.
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What was the main motive of the Salt March? [CBSE 2020] ⚠️ Repeated
Answer: To break the salt law and protest against the British salt tax.
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Who wrote 'Vande Mataram'? [CBSE 2019]
Answer: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
PART B: Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)
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Explain the role of Gandhiji in the Indian freedom struggle from 1916 to 1922. [CBSE 2024, 3 marks]
Answer: Gandhiji's role: (1) Champaran Satyagraha (1917) for indigo farmers. (2) Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918) for workers. (3) Kheda Satyagraha (1918) for peasants. (4) Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919). (5) Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22).
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Why did Gandhiji decide to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement in February 1922? [CBSE 2023, 3 marks]
Answer: Gandhiji withdrew because: (1) Chauri Chaura incident (February 1922) where police station was burnt killing 22 policemen. (2) Movement turning violent against his principles. (3) To prevent further violence and loss of life.
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What was the impact of the First World War on India? [CBSE 2023 Compartment, 3 marks]
Answer: Impact: (1) Increased taxes and war loans. (2) Forced recruitment in army. (3) Food shortages leading to famine (1918-19). (4) Rise in prices doubling between 1913-1918. (5) Spread of epidemic killing 12-13 million people.
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Why did the rich peasant communities join the Civil Disobedience Movement? [CBSE 2022, 3 marks]
Answer: Rich peasants joined because: (1) Depression reduced agricultural prices. (2) They couldn't pay revenue. (3) They wanted revenue reduction. (4) Swaraj meant no revenue demands. However, they were disappointed when movement was called off.
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Explain the effects of 'Non-Cooperation' on the economic front. [CBSE 2022, 3 marks]
Answer: Economic effects: (1) Boycott of foreign goods. (2) Promotion of khadi and Indian textiles. (3) Picketing of liquor shops. (4) Decline in imports of foreign cloth. (5) Revival of Indian industries and handicrafts.
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How did the First World War help in the growth of the National Movement in India? [CBSE 2021, 3 marks]
Answer: WWI helped because: (1) War promises of self-rule were broken. (2) Economic hardships created discontent. (3) Forced recruitment angered people. (4) Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) were disappointing. (5) Rowlatt Act (1919) angered all Indians.
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Why did Mahatma Gandhi relaunch the Civil Disobedience Movement after the Second Round Table Conference? [CBSE 2021, 3 marks]
Answer: Relaunched because: (1) Gandhi returned empty-handed from Second Round Table Conference (1931). (2) Government repression continued. (3) Ghaffar Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru were arrested. (4) Government refused to release political prisoners.
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What is meant by the idea of Satyagraha? [CBSE 2020, 3 marks] ⚠️ Repeated Concept
Answer: Satyagraha means: (1) Truth force or soul force. (2) Non-violent resistance. (3) Opposing injustice without violence. (4) Winning through moral strength rather than physical force. (5) Self-suffering to awaken conscience of oppressor.
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Why did Gandhiji start the 'Civil Disobedience Movement'? Explain. [CBSE 2020, 3 marks]
Answer: Reasons: (1) Demand for complete independence (Purna Swaraj). (2) Rejection of Simon Commission. (3) Lahore Congress (1929) resolution. (4) Eleven demands to Lord Irwin were ignored. (5) To break salt law as symbol of British oppression.
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How did the plantation workers in Assam interpret the notion of 'Swaraj'? [CBSE 2019, 3 marks]
Answer: Plantation workers interpreted Swaraj as: (1) Right to move freely. (2) Right to retain link with native village. (3) Freedom from Inland Emigration Act. (4) They believed Gandhi Raj would give them land in own villages.
PART C: Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)
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Describe the main events leading to the launch of Non-Cooperation Movement. Why was it withdrawn? [CBSE 2024, 5 marks]
Answer: Events leading to launch: (1) Rowlatt Act (1919) and Satyagraha. (2) Jallianwala Bagh massacre (April 1919). (3) Khilafat Movement (1919-24). (4) Hunter Commission report unsatisfactory. (5) Congress support at Nagpur session (1920).
Withdrawal reasons: (1) Chauri Chaura incident (Feb 1922) - violence. (2) Gandhi's principle of non-violence violated. (3) To prevent further bloodshed. (4) Movement was losing disciplined character.
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Explain the different social groups that participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Why did they join? [CBSE 2023, 5 marks] ⚠️ Most Important
Answer:
Social Group Why they joined Their expectations Rich Peasants Depression reduced prices, couldn't pay revenue Revenue reduction, Swaraj = no revenue Poor Peasants High rents, unpaid work (begar) Remission of rent, end of beggar Business Class Protection against imports, colonial policies Protectionist policies, end of colonial control Industrial Workers Low wages, poor working conditions Better wages, working conditions Women Patriotic urge, inspired by Gandhi National service, new identity
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Describe the Salt March and its significance in the Indian freedom struggle. [CBSE 2023 Compartment, 5 marks]
Answer: Salt March (March-April 1930): (1) Gandhi marched 240 miles from Sabarmati to Dandi. (2) Broke salt law on April 6, 1930. (3) Symbolic challenge to British authority.
Significance: (1) First major act of Civil Disobedience Movement. (2) Involved masses directly. (3) International attention to Indian cause. (4) Showed power of non-violent protest. (5) United diverse social groups.
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Compare the Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. What were the limitations of these movements? [CBSE 2022, 5 marks]
Answer:
Aspect Non-Cooperation (1920-22) Civil Disobedience (1930-34) Goal Swaraj within British Empire Complete Independence (Purna Swaraj) Methods Boycott schools, courts, councils Breaking specific laws (salt, forest) Social Base Students, lawyers, Muslims Peasants, business class, women Withdrawal Chauri Chaura violence Gandhi-Irwin Pact, later repression
Limitations: (1) Limited Muslim participation in CDM. (2) Dalits organized separately. (3) Hindu-Muslim communal conflicts. (4) Business class fears of radicalism.
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Explain the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the Indian National Movement from 1915 to 1947. [CBSE 2022, 5 marks]
Answer: Gandhi's role: (1) 1915-19: Champaran, Ahmedabad, Kheda, Rowlatt Satyagraha. (2) 1920-22: Non-Cooperation Movement. (3) 1930-34: Civil Disobedience Movement, Dandi March. (4) 1942: Quit India Movement. (5) Philosophy: Satyagraha, non-violence, mass mobilization.
Impact: Transformed Congress into mass organization, made nationalism accessible to common people, unique methods of struggle.
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What was the Rowlatt Act? How did Indians react to it? [CBSE 2021, 5 marks]
Answer: Rowlatt Act (1919): (1) Allowed detention without trial. (2) Curtailed civil liberties. (3) Emergency measures extended from wartime.
Indian reaction: (1) Gandhi launched Satyagraha (April 1919). (2) Hartals, strikes across India. (3) Processions in various cities. (4) Clashes with police. (5) Led to Jallianwala Bagh massacre (April 13, 1919).
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Describe the main features of the 'Poona Pact' of 1932. [CBSE 2021, 5 marks]
Answer: Poona Pact (1932): (1) Between Gandhi and Ambedkar. (2) Response to British Communal Award. (3) Reserved seats for depressed classes in provincial legislatures. (4) Voting through joint electorate. (5) 148 seats reserved in provincial legislatures. (6) 18% seats in Central Legislature.
Significance: Prevented separate electorates for depressed classes, but Dalits felt betrayed by Hindu majority.
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Explain the role of women in the Indian National Movement. [CBSE 2020, 5 marks]
Answer: Women's role: (1) Participated in protest marches. (2) Manufactured salt during Salt Satyagraha. (3) Boycotted foreign goods. (4) Picketed liquor shops. (5) Joined nationalist organizations.
Examples: Sarojini Naidu, Kamla Nehru, Kasturba Gandhi. However, their participation didn't significantly change patriarchal society - they were seen as mothers/sisters in service of nation.
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How did the First World War create a new economic situation in India? Explain. [CBSE 2020, 5 marks]
Answer: New economic situation: (1) Increased taxes: Income tax introduced, customs duties raised. (2) War loans: Forced through high-interest bonds. (3) Price rise: Between 1913-1918 prices doubled. (4) Forced recruitment in army. (5) Food shortages: Crop failures + exports to Britain = famine (1918-19). (6) Epidemic: Influenza epidemic killed 12-13 million.
Impact: Created widespread discontent, fueling nationalist movement.
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What were the limitations of the Civil Disobedience Movement? [CBSE 2019, 5 marks]
Answer: Limitations: (1) Limited Muslim participation due to alienated by Hindu communalists. (2) Dalits (Ambedkar) demanded separate electorate. (3) Business class feared radical working class movement. (4) Hindu-Muslim riots in many cities. (5) Repressive government measures. (6) Gandhi-Irwin Pact disappointed radicals. (7) Couldn't achieve stated objectives immediately.
PART D: Map-based Questions (2 Marks Each)
Note: These locations are frequently asked. Practice labeling them on outline map of India.
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On the outline map of India, identify: (i) Champaran (ii) Kheda [CBSE 2023, 2 marks]
Answer: (i) Champaran: North-West Bihar. (ii) Kheda: Gujarat (near Ahmedabad).
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Locate: (i) Amritsar (ii) Chauri Chaura [CBSE 2022, 2 marks]
Answer: (i) Amritsar: Punjab. (ii) Chauri Chaura: Uttar Pradesh (Gorakhpur district).
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Identify: (i) Dandi (ii) Bardoli [CBSE 2021, 2 marks]
Answer: (i) Dandi: Gujarat coast (where Salt March ended). (ii) Bardoli: Gujarat (site of no-tax campaign).
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Locate: (i) Lahore (ii) Nagpur [CBSE 2020, 2 marks]
Answer: (i) Lahore: Pakistan (Punjab) - 1929 Congress session. (ii) Nagpur: Maharashtra - 1920 Congress session.
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Identify: (i) Ahmedabad (ii) Madras (Chennai) [CBSE 2019, 2 marks]
Answer: (i) Ahmedabad: Gujarat (mill strike 1918). (ii) Madras (Chennai): Tamil Nadu (1927 Congress session).
🎯 Chapter 2 Exam Strategy
Chronology is Key: Memorize timeline: 1915 (Gandhi returns), 1919 (Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala), 1920 (NCM), 1922 (Chauri Chaura), 1930 (Salt March), 1931 (Gandhi-Irwin), 1932 (Poona Pact)
Movement Comparison: Be ready to compare NCM vs CDM in tabular form
Social Groups: Remember 5 groups and their specific reasons for participation
Map Practice: Daily practice of 5 Congress session locations + movement sites
Common Mistake: Don't confuse Khilafat (1919-24) with Non-Cooperation (1920-22)
⚠️ Warning: 70% of map questions from this chapter ask for Congress session locations. Memorize: Nagpur (1920), Calcutta (1920), Madras (1927), Lahore (1929).
