CBSE Class 12 History NCERT Solutions: Chapter 13 - Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement

Solution: Mahatma Gandhi employed several strategies to deeply connect with and identify himself with the common people of India. His approach was multifaceted:

(a) Simple Lifestyle: He consciously adopted a very simple way of living. He wore simple, hand-spun clothes, often a dhoti, similar to what the poorest Indians could afford and wear, thereby symbolizing solidarity.

(b) Language and Communication: Gandhi made an effort to speak in the language of the local people, making his message accessible and relatable to the masses across different regions.

(c) Social Reform: He actively opposed the caste system and fought against the practice of untouchability. He personally lived with and worked for the upliftment of the 'Harijans' (people of God), as he called the Dalits.

(d) Dignity of Labour: Gandhi attached great importance and dignity to physical labor and manual work. He personally engaged in activities like spinning the charkha and cleaning toilets, demonstrating that no work was menial and encouraging self-reliance.

(e) Egalitarianism: He challenged the deeply ingrained sentiment of classifying people into 'high' and 'low' social strata, promoting a sense of equality and unity among all Indians.

Solution: Mahatma Gandhi was perceived by the Indian peasants, who formed the vast majority of the population, as a deeply sympathetic leader and often as a near-divine figure. His perception was shaped by several factors:

Understanding their plight: Gandhi recognized that India was a land of villages and that the freedom struggle must address the issues faced by farmers. He dressed like them and actively involved himself in their struggles, notably beginning his political journey in India with the Champaran Satyagraha, where he successfully resolved the farmers' grievances against oppressive British policies like high taxes and exploitative collection methods.

Supernatural Beliefs: Beyond his actions, a sense of mystery and awe surrounded Gandhi's personality. Many peasants believed he possessed supernatural powers. Stories circulated that those who spoke against him or his cause suffered misfortunes, reinforcing the belief in his extraordinary capabilities.

Saviour Figure: Consequently, peasants viewed Mahatma Gandhi as their savior, someone who understood their suffering and fought for their rights. This perception, combined with the belief in his miraculous abilities, made him a revered figure among the rural populace.

Solution: The salt laws enacted by the British government became a pivotal issue of struggle during the Indian nationalist movement for several critical reasons:

Basic Necessity: Salt is an essential ingredient in the food of the poorest of the poor in India. The imposition of taxes on salt placed a significant financial burden on the common populace.

Monopoly and Price Inflation: The British government's salt laws aimed to establish a monopoly over the production and distribution of salt. This control allowed them to artificially inflate prices, making salt unaffordable for many.

Restriction on Indigenous Production: The laws forbade Indians from making salt indigenously, even from natural sources available along the vast coastline. Large quantities of naturally occurring salt were destroyed, undermining local livelihoods and self-sufficiency.

Attack on Local Industry: These laws also dealt a blow to small-scale, local salt production industries in villages, further impacting the rural economy.

Due to these oppressive measures, the salt law was deeply unpopular and represented a direct attack on the basic needs and economic rights of the Indian people, making it a potent symbol for protest and a central issue in the struggle for independence.

Solution: Newspapers are considered an invaluable and important source for studying the national movement for several compelling reasons:

Voice of the Movement: Many contemporary newspapers were published by individuals actively involved in the freedom struggle. For instance, newspapers like 'National Herald' (by Motilal Nehru) and 'Dawn' (by M.A. Jinnah) served as mouthpieces for important leaders and organizations, articulating the movement's goals and ideologies.

Detailed and Timely Reporting: Newspapers provide daily reporting of events as they unfold. This immediacy often leads to more detailed accounts compared to other historical sources, and reporting on recent events reduces the likelihood of significant misrepresentation. Consulting a variety of newspapers also helps in achieving a more balanced and less biased understanding.

Local Perspectives: A significant number of newspapers were published in local Indian languages (vernacular languages). These publications often had limited circulation but offered unique local perspectives on events, capturing sentiments and issues that might be overlooked in English-language or international press.

Reflecting Public Mood and Shaping Opinion: Newspapers played a crucial role in reflecting the prevailing mood and opinions of the people. They also actively shaped public discourse by framing narratives and influencing how events were perceived. The accounts published in a London newspaper, for example, would likely differ significantly from those in an Indian nationalist paper, highlighting the diverse viewpoints available for historical analysis.

Solution: Mahatma Gandhi elevated the charkha (spinning wheel) to a powerful symbol of the Indian nationalist movement for several profound reasons:

Symbol of Manual Labour: The charkha represented the dignity and importance of manual labor, a concept Gandhi sought to instill in a society often divided by caste and occupation.

Respect for Work: By personally working on the charkha and encouraging others to do so, Gandhi aimed to attach respect to physical work done by one's own hands, countering the traditional disdain for manual occupations.

Economic Self-Sufficiency and Small Industries: The charkha was an affordable tool, requiring low investment, making it accessible to almost everyone. Its widespread use boosted small-scale, cottage industries, promoting economic self-reliance and providing a livelihood, especially in rural areas.

Challenging Caste System: By promoting the idea of self-sufficiency through spinning, the charkha indirectly challenged the caste system, which often dictated occupations. It encouraged people to engage in work that contributed to the nation's economic independence.

Boycott of British Goods: Crucially, the charkha became a tool for boycotting British imported cloth. By spinning their own yarn and weaving their own cloth (khadi), Indians could reduce their dependence on British textiles, striking at the economic heart of British rule. Thus, the charkha became a potent symbol of Indian nationalism, self-rule, and economic freedom.

Solution: Mahatma Gandhi believed that the British Empire in India could only sustain itself as long as the Indian people cooperated with the foreign rule. Therefore, non-cooperation was conceived as a powerful and effective form of protest aimed at weakening the British administration and asserting Indian self-rule. Its nature as a protest is evident in the following ways:

Unified Mass Action: The Non-Cooperation Movement, often linked with the Khilafat Movement, witnessed an unprecedented level of unity between Hindus and Muslims. This unified protest, cutting across religious and community lines, demonstrated the collective will of the people against British policies and demonstrated a formidable force that the British had not anticipated.

Boycott of British Institutions: A key aspect of non-cooperation was the systematic boycott of the institutions and symbols of British rule. This included boycotting law courts, government offices, educational institutions (colleges and schools), and legislative councils. Lawyers refused to appear in courts, students boycotted colleges, and government officials resigned from their posts, thereby paralyzing the administrative machinery.

Withdrawal of Support: By refusing to cooperate in any manner with the British government – whether through paying taxes, participating in administration, or supporting British economic interests – the movement aimed to withdraw the very foundation of British authority in India. This withdrawal of consent and support was a direct and potent challenge to the legitimacy of colonial rule.