Growth of Indian Nationalism — Question Answer
Welcome to HSLC Guru. This post provides complete ASSEB Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 2 solutions for Growth of Indian Nationalism.
সাৰাংশ: ঊনবিংশ শতিকাত ভাৰতত জাতীয়তাবাদৰ উন্মেষ ঘটিছিল। পাশ্চাত্য শিক্ষা, ৰেল-ডাক-টেলিগ্ৰাফ আদি আধুনিক যাতায়াত আৰু যোগাযোগ ব্যৱস্থাৰ বিকাশ, ছপাশাল আৰু সংবাদপত্ৰৰ প্ৰসাৰ, ১৮৫৭ চনৰ মহাবিদ্ৰোহ, আৰু সমাজ-ধৰ্ম সংস্কাৰ আন্দোলনে ভাৰতীয়সকলৰ মাজত জাতীয় চেতনা জগাই তুলিছিল। ৰাজা ৰামমোহন ৰায়, দয়ানন্দ সৰস্বতী, ৰামকৃষ্ণ পৰমহংস, এনি বেছান্ত আদি সংস্কাৰকসকলে এই জাতীয় জাগৰণত গুৰুত্বপূৰ্ণ ভূমিকা লৈছিল। শেষত ১৮৮৫ চনত ভাৰতীয় জাতীয় কংগ্ৰেছৰ প্ৰতিষ্ঠাৰ জৰিয়তে এই জাতীয়তাবাদে সাংগঠনিক ৰূপ লাভ কৰিছিল।
Summary: Indian nationalism grew during the nineteenth century as a result of several interconnected forces. The spread of Western education, the development of modern transport and communication, the growth of the printing press and newspapers, the Revolt of 1857, and the socio-religious reform movements together awakened a sense of national consciousness among Indians. Reformers such as Raja Ram Mohun Roy, Dayanand Saraswati, Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Annie Besant played an important role in this national awakening. This growing nationalism finally found organised expression with the foundation of the Indian National Congress in 1885.
Textbook Questions and Answers
Short Answer
1. Who was the writer of ‘Anandamath’?
Answer: The writer of ‘Anandamath’ was Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (Chatterjee).
2. Who composed the song ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’?
Answer: The song ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’ was composed by the Urdu poet Muhammad Iqbal.
3. Where and during whose rule was the first railway line in India constructed?
Answer: The first railway line in India was constructed in 1853 between Bombay (Mumbai) and Thane during the rule of Lord Dalhousie.
4. When and where was the first telegraph line in India constructed?
Answer: The first telegraph line in India was constructed in 1851 between Calcutta and Diamond Harbour.
5. When and where was the first printing press established in India?
Answer: The first printing press in India was established in 1556 at Goa by the Portuguese missionaries.
6. When was the Calcutta Presidency College established? By what name was it known earlier?
Answer: The Calcutta Presidency College was established in 1817, and earlier it was known as the Hindu College.
7. Mention two important social reforms of Lord William Bentinck.
Answer: Two important social reforms of Lord William Bentinck were—(a) the abolition of the Sati system in 1829, and (b) the suppression of female infanticide and the Thuggee.
8. Name the first newspaper published in India.
Answer: The first newspaper published in India was the ‘Bengal Gazette’ (Hicky’s Bengal Gazette).
Long Answer
9. Write briefly how the Revolt of 1857 led to the growth of Indian nationalism.
Answer: The Revolt of 1857 was the first great struggle of the Indian people against British imperialism. Although the revolt failed, it awakened a strong desire for freedom in the minds of Indians. During the revolt, Hindus and Muslims fought together against the British, which created a sense of national unity. The sacrifices of heroes such as Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Nana Saheb and Tantia Tope inspired the freedom fighters of later years. The revolt made Indians realise the need for a united struggle against foreign rule. Thus, the Revolt of 1857 laid the foundation for the growth of Indian nationalism.
10. Write about six important reasons for the growth of Indian nationalism.
Answer: Six important reasons for the growth of Indian nationalism were—(1) The spread of Western education, which introduced Indians to the ideas of liberty, equality and nationalism. (2) The development of modern means of transport and communication such as railways, post and telegraph, which brought people of different parts of the country closer. (3) The spread of the printing press and newspapers, which spread national consciousness. (4) The socio-religious reform movements, which awakened self-respect and unity among Indians. (5) The Revolt of 1857, which paved the way for national awakening. (6) The economic exploitation and discriminatory policies of the British, which created discontent among Indians.
11. Write at least four effects of the introduction of western education in India.
Answer: Four effects of the introduction of Western education in India were—(1) The English language became a common medium of communication, which enabled educated Indians of different provinces to exchange ideas with one another. (2) Through Western education, Indians became familiar with the ideas of liberty, equality and democracy of thinkers such as Rousseau, Voltaire and Mill. (3) Educated Indians realised the causes of their country’s backwardness and became interested in social reform. (4) Western education gave birth to a new educated middle class, which later led the national movement.
12. Discuss the impact of western education towards the growth of Indian Nationalism.
Answer: Western education was a powerful factor for the birth of Indian nationalism. During the early part of the nineteenth century, Christian missionaries and progressive Indians established schools and colleges in Bengal and other parts of India. Through this education, Indians became familiar with the ideals of nationalism, liberty and democracy of Europe. The English language built a common bridge of communication among Indians who spoke different languages. Educated Indians drew inspiration for the freedom struggle from the history of the Western countries. It was this educated class that later led the Indian national movement. Thus, Western education made an immense contribution to the growth of Indian nationalism.
13. How did the development of transport and communication lead to the growth of nationalism in India?
Answer: During British rule, modern means of transport and communication such as railways, metalled roads, post and telegraph developed in India. Although the British built these for their own administrative and commercial convenience, they helped in the growth of Indian nationalism. Railways and roads brought people of different parts of the country closer and made the exchange of ideas easier among them. The postal and telegraph systems made rapid communication possible between distant places, which enabled national leaders to organise movements throughout the country. This communication network awakened a sense of unity and oneness among Indians. Thus, the development of transport and communication played an important role in the growth of nationalism.
14. Discuss the contribution of Raja Ram Mohun Roy in the growth of Indian nationalism.
Answer: Raja Ram Mohun Roy is called the Father of Modern India. In 1828 he founded the Brahmo Samaj and began a movement for social and religious reform. He fought strongly against the Sati system, child marriage, polygamy and the caste system. It was through his efforts that Lord Bentinck abolished the Sati system in 1829. He gave importance to women’s education and the spread of Western education, and struggled for the freedom of the press. Through these reforms, he awakened self-respect and national consciousness among Indians. Thus, Raja Ram Mohun Roy played a pioneering role in the growth of Indian nationalism.
15. Discuss the contribution of Dayanand Saraswati in the growth of Indian nationalism.
Answer: Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875. He gave the call to ‘go back to the Vedas’ and regarded the Vedas as the foundation of Indian culture. He campaigned against idol worship, the caste system, child marriage and superstitions. He spread the idea of ‘Swaraj’ and encouraged the spirit of Swadeshi. The Arya Samaj awakened self-confidence and a sense of national pride in Hindu society. His teachings and reforms helped in spreading nationalist consciousness among Indians.
16. Discuss the contribution of Keshav Chandra Sen in the growth of Indian nationalism.
Answer: Keshav Chandra Sen was an influential leader of the Brahmo Samaj. He spread the ideals of the Brahmo Samaj in different parts of India. He struggled against the caste system, child marriage and the degradation of women, and supported women’s education and widow remarriage. It was through his efforts that the Brahmo Marriage Act was passed in 1872, which checked child marriage. Through his lectures and writings, he awakened social and national consciousness among Indians. Thus, Keshav Chandra Sen contributed to the growth of Indian nationalism through social reform.
17. Discuss the contribution of Ramakrishna Paramhansa in the growth of Indian nationalism.
Answer: Ramakrishna Paramhansa was a great saint and religious teacher of the nineteenth century. He preached that the essential truth of all religions is one and laid emphasis on religious tolerance. His teachings awakened a sense of pride among Indians in their own religion and culture. His disciple Swami Vivekananda spread these ideals throughout the world and upheld the glory of Indian spirituality on the world stage. This spiritual awakening created self-confidence and a sense of national pride among Indians. Thus, Ramakrishna Paramhansa indirectly contributed to the growth of Indian nationalism.
18. Discuss the contribution of Anne Besant in the growth of Indian nationalism.
Answer: Annie Besant was a great lady born in Ireland who played an important role in India’s freedom movement. She was associated with the Theosophical Society and contributed to the revival of Indian culture and religion. In 1916 she founded the ‘Home Rule League’ and raised the demand for self-government in India. In 1917 she became the first woman president of the Indian National Congress. Through newspapers and lectures, she awakened national consciousness among Indians. Thus, Annie Besant made a notable contribution to the growth of Indian nationalism.
19. What is the Aligarh Movement? To what extent did it develop a modern outlook and thinking among the Indian Muslims?
Answer: The Aligarh Movement was a social and educational reform movement started among the Indian Muslims under the leadership of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. In 1875 he established the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh, which later grew into the Aligarh Muslim University. Through this movement, he spread Western education and modern thinking among the Muslims. He called upon the Muslims to give up superstitions and to accept education based on science and reason. This movement developed a modern outlook and self-awareness among the Indian Muslims to a considerable extent. Thus, the Aligarh Movement played an important role in the modernisation of Muslim society.
20. How did the printing press in India lead to the growth of Indian nationalism? Discuss.
Answer: The spread of the printing press played a very important role in the growth of nationalism in India. Through the printing press, newspapers, periodicals, books and pamphlets could be supplied to a large number of people at a low cost. The newspapers published in different regional languages exposed the exploitation and injustice of British rule before the public. These newspapers awakened national consciousness and a sense of unity among Indians. Literature such as Bankim Chandra’s ‘Anandamath’ instilled the spirit of patriotism. Thus, the printing press and newspapers made an immense contribution to the growth of Indian nationalism by shaping public opinion.
21. Discuss briefly the factors that led to the birth of the Indian National Congress.
Answer: Many factors lay behind the birth of the Indian National Congress. The spread of Western education gave birth to an educated middle class that became conscious of its political rights. The economic exploitation and discriminatory policies of the British created discontent among Indians. The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 and the Ilbert Bill controversy increased the resentment of Indians. The development of transport, communication and the printing press helped the people of different parts of the country to unite. In these circumstances, the Indian National Congress was founded at Bombay in 1885 through the efforts of the retired British official A. O. Hume. Thus, various political, economic and social factors paved the way for the birth of the Congress.
22. Give a brief account of the working of the Indian National Congress during the early years of its formation.
Answer: After its foundation in 1885, the Indian National Congress was a moderate organisation during its early years. Its first session was held at Bombay and Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee (W. C. Bonnerjee) became its first president. The early leaders carried on the movement through constitutional methods while remaining loyal to British rule. They placed the demands of Indians before the British government through petitions, memoranda and resolutions. Greater participation of Indians in the administration, holding of the Civil Service examination in India, and economic reforms were among their main demands. Although the activities of the Congress were limited during this period, it awakened political consciousness and a sense of unity among Indians.
Extra Questions and Answers
1. When, where and through whose efforts was the Indian National Congress founded?
Answer: The Indian National Congress was founded on 28 December 1885 at Bombay through the efforts of the retired British official A. O. Hume.
2. Who founded the Brahmo Samaj and when?
Answer: The Brahmo Samaj was founded in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohun Roy.
3. What institution did Swami Vivekananda found, and how did he help nationalism?
Answer: Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897. At the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893, he preached the glory of Indian spirituality and awakened self-confidence and national pride among Indians.
4. When and why was the Vernacular Press Act enacted?
Answer: The Vernacular Press Act was enacted in 1878 by Lord Lytton, with the aim of curbing the freedom of the regional-language newspapers.
Key Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Nationalism | A feeling of deep love and loyalty towards a particular nation or country. |
| Revolt of 1857 | The first great armed uprising of the Indian people against British rule in 1857. |
| Sati system | An evil custom of burning a widow on the funeral pyre after the death of her husband. |
| Brahmo Samaj | A religious reform organisation founded by Raja Ram Mohun Roy in 1828. |
| Arya Samaj | A Hindu reform movement founded by Dayanand Saraswati in 1875. |
| Printing press | A machine or establishment used for printing books, newspapers and other materials. |