CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 10: The Changing World of Visual Arts NCERT Solutions

During the 1870s and 1880s, several British policies led to widespread dissatisfaction among the Indian populace. These included:

1. The enactment of the Arms Act in 1878, which prohibited Indians from possessing arms, thereby disarming the population and increasing feelings of subjugation.
2. The introduction of the Vernacular Press Act in the same year (1878). This act severely restricted the freedom of speech and expression for Indian newspapers published in local languages. It empowered the government to confiscate the property of newspapers, including their printing presses, if they published content deemed critical of the government's policies.
3. The introduction of the Ilbert Bill in 1883. This bill aimed to grant Indian judges the authority to try European or British offenders. It sought to establish legal equality between Indian and British judges. However, strong opposition from the European community forced the government to withdraw or significantly amend the bill, highlighting racial bias and inequality.

These measures collectively fueled resentment and a growing sense of injustice among Indians, contributing to the rising nationalist sentiments.

The Indian National Congress, established in 1885, aimed to represent the interests and aspirations of all the people of India, irrespective of their community, religion, or social background. It sought to be a voice for the entire nation and advocate for their rights and demands collectively.

The First World War (1914-1918) had significant and mixed economic impacts on India:

• Increased Defence Expenditure: The Government of India faced a massive increase in defence spending to support the British war effort. To meet these costs, taxes on individual incomes and business profits were raised significantly.
• Rise in Prices: The heightened military expenditure and the demand for war supplies led to a sharp increase in the prices of essential goods. This made it difficult for the common masses to afford even basic necessities, causing widespread hardship.
• Expansion of Indian Industries: Despite the hardships, the war created new opportunities for Indian industries. The demand for industrial products like jute bags (for packing supplies), cloth, and rails increased. Furthermore, imports from other countries declined as they were focused on the war. This led to the expansion of Indian industries, with many businesses earning huge profits during the war period.

The resolution passed by the Muslim League in 1940 put forth a significant demand concerning the political future of Muslims in India. It asked for the creation of "Independent States" for Muslims in the north-western and eastern regions of the country. It is important to note that this resolution did not explicitly mention the partition of India or use the name "Pakistan" at that time, but it laid the groundwork for future demands for a separate Muslim homeland.

The Moderates were an early group of leaders within the Indian nationalist movement, particularly prominent in the Indian National Congress during its initial phase. They were characterized by their cautious approach and deep faith in the British system of governance.

Their methods of struggle against British rule were primarily constitutional and persuasive:

• Belief in Gradualism: They believed that change would come slowly and steadily through persistent persuasion and appeals to the British sense of justice and fair play.
• Public Awareness: They focused on educating the Indian public about the unjust nature of British rule and its detrimental economic impact on the country. This was done through publishing newspapers, writing articles, and delivering speeches.
• Mobilizing Public Opinion: Moderate leaders travelled across the country to raise public awareness and mobilize support for their cause.
• Submitting Petitions and Resolutions: They believed in presenting their demands to the British government through petitions, resolutions, and sending representatives, expecting that the British, respecting ideals of freedom and justice, would eventually concede to their reasonable demands. They did not advocate for extreme actions or mass protests.

The Radicals, also known as the Extremists, within the Indian National Congress held fundamentally different views and proposed distinct methods compared to the Moderates:

• Emphasis on Action: Unlike the Moderates' reliance on petitions and persuasion, the Radicals believed in direct action and assertive struggle to achieve their goals. They felt that the foreigners (British) should be driven out of India as soon as possible.
• Criticism of Moderate Methods: They criticized the Moderates for their perceived passive approach, often referred to as the "politics of prayers," which they believed was ineffective in achieving meaningful change.
• Focus on Self-Reliance and Swaraj: The Radicals emphasized the importance of self-reliance and constructive work among the masses. They argued that true independence, or Swaraj, could only be achieved through a united struggle and active resistance against British rule, rather than by appealing to the British government.
• Call for Mass Mobilization: They believed that people must actively fight for their freedom and that independence would not be granted but won through collective, determined effort.

The Non-Cooperation Movement, launched in 1920, was a nationwide campaign that manifested in diverse ways across different regions of India, reflecting local grievances and aspirations. People often understood Gandhiji as a leader who could alleviate their suffering and bring about significant change.

Various forms the movement took include:

1. Peasant Movements: In Kheda, Gujarat, Patidar peasants organized non-violent campaigns against high land revenue demands imposed by the British.
2. Protests Against Liquor Shops: In coastal Andhra and interior Tamil Nadu, activists picketed liquor shops as part of the boycott of foreign goods and promotion of temperance.
3. Forest Satyagrahas: In the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, tribal and poor peasants protested against restrictive forest regulations. They engaged in forest satyagrahas, sometimes allowing their cattle to graze in forests without paying the required taxes, demanding the abolition of these rules.
4. Khilafat and National Movement Alliance: Muslim traders and peasants in Sind (now in Pakistan) and Bengal showed great enthusiasm for the Khilafat call, which merged with the Non-Cooperation Movement, fostering significant communal unity and strengthening the national movement.
5. Gurudwara Reform Movements: In Punjab, the Akali agitation aimed to remove corrupt priests ('mahants') from gurudwaras, often supported by the British. This movement became closely associated with the broader Non-Cooperation Movement.
6. Labour Movements: In Assam, tea garden labourers left British-owned plantations, aligning themselves with Gandhiji's movement.

Understanding of Gandhiji: Across these diverse groups, people often viewed Gandhiji as a 'messiah' figure. They believed he possessed the power to help them overcome their misery, poverty, and oppression, and that his leadership offered a path towards justice and self-rule.

Mahatma Gandhi decided to break the salt law as a central act of civil disobedience for several profound reasons:

• Injustice of the Salt Monopoly: The British government held a state monopoly over the manufacture and sale of salt. Gandhiji believed that it was morally wrong and sinful for the state to control and tax an item as essential as salt.
• Salt as a Basic Necessity: Salt is a fundamental component of food, indispensable for both the rich and the poor. Taxing such a basic necessity was seen as an oppressive measure that disproportionately affected the poor.
• Symbolic Significance: By challenging the salt law, Gandhiji aimed to unite people from all strata of society against a common injustice. Salt was a simple, everyday commodity that everyone could relate to, making the protest universally accessible and understandable.
• Catalyst for Mass Movement: Gandhi anticipated that this act would galvanize widespread support and participation from people across the country, making it a powerful tool to challenge British authority. His subsequent Salt March to Dandi became a highly successful and iconic event in the Indian freedom struggle.