Gandhi and His Early Movement

1. Gandhiji’s first major public appearance in India happened in which on

Gandhiji’s first major public appearance in India happened in which one of the following cities ?

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Bombay, 1908
Banaras, 1916
Surat, 1915
Delhi, 1915
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The correct answer is B) Banaras, 1916. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi returned to India in January 1915. On the advice of his political guru, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, he spent the initial year traveling across the country to understand the Indian situation. His first major public appearance and speech after his return took place at the inauguration ceremony of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in February 1916.
– Gandhiji returned to India on January 9, 1915, which is now celebrated as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
– His speech at BHU was notable for its frank criticism of the elite present, the prevalent poverty, and the lack of concern shown towards the masses.
While Gandhiji attended other events or met people earlier, the BHU inauguration is widely recognized as his first significant public platform in India where he addressed a large gathering on national issues, signaling his entry into the Indian political scene.

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2. Gandhiji’s first great experiment in Satyagraha was at

Gandhiji’s first great experiment in Satyagraha was at

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Champaran.
Ahmedabad Mill Strike.
Kheda Satyagraha.
Satyagraha against Rowlatt Act.
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While Mahatma Gandhi had developed the technique of Satyagraha in South Africa, his first major application of it in India after his return in 1915 was the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917. He championed the cause of the indigo cultivators against the oppressive practices of the British planters.
– Satyagraha was first developed by Gandhi in South Africa.
– Champaran Satyagraha in 1917 was his first major use of Satyagraha in India.
– It was a movement against exploitative indigo cultivation practices.
The success of the Champaran Satyagraha established Gandhi as a leader in India and provided him with experience in mass mobilization and non-violent resistance on Indian soil. The Ahmedabad Mill Strike and Kheda Satyagraha followed in 1918.

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3. On whose advice did Gandhiji spend a year travelling around India in 1

On whose advice did Gandhiji spend a year travelling around India in 1915 – 16 ?

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Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Lala Lajpat Rai
G.K. Gokhale
B.C. Pal
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Upon his return to India from South Africa in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi was advised by his political guru, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, to spend a year traveling across India to understand the country and its people before engaging in active political life.
Gokhale’s advice was crucial for Gandhi, allowing him to connect with the diverse realities of India and build a base of understanding and support before launching major campaigns.
Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society and was a leading moderate voice in the Indian National Congress. Tilak, Lajpat Rai, and B.C. Pal were prominent nationalist leaders, part of the extremist faction (Lal-Bal-Pal), but Gokhale held the position of Gandhi’s political mentor.

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4. Gandhiji’s ideology, best articulated in his seminal work, “Hind Swara

Gandhiji’s ideology, best articulated in his seminal work, “Hind Swaraj” written in 1909, expounds that

  • 1. ancient Indian civilization had immense assimilative power of absorbing foreigners who made India their home.
  • 2. industrial capitalism had a detrimental impact on human civilization.
  • 3. Parliamentary Democracy did not reflect the general will of the people, but of the political parties.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
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1 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3
3 only
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The correct answer is C. All three statements describe ideas or perspectives expounded by Gandhiji in his work “Hind Swaraj”.
– “Hind Swaraj” (Indian Home Rule) is a seminal work by Mahatma Gandhi written in 1909, presenting his views on Swaraj, modern civilization, industrialization, and the future of India.
– Statement 1: Gandhi discusses the resilience and strength of Indian civilization, noting its ability to absorb newcomers without losing its essence. He contrasts this with the perceived fragility of Western civilization. He cites examples like the absorption of Muslims and Parsis into India as evidence of this assimilative power. So, this statement is expounded in the book.
– Statement 2: A central theme of “Hind Swaraj” is Gandhi’s strong critique of industrial capitalism and machinery, which he saw as enslaving human beings and destroying traditional ways of life and morality. He argued that industrialization was detrimental to human civilization. This statement is expounded in the book.
– Statement 3: Gandhi was highly critical of the British parliamentary system, describing it as ineffective, expensive, and dominated by party interests rather than the true will of the people. He believed it did not represent the people but was manipulated by politicians and parties. This critique of representative democracy as practiced in the West is a significant part of the book. This statement is expounded in the book.
– As all three statements reflect arguments or views present in “Hind Swaraj”, all three are correct.
– “Hind Swaraj” was written in Gujarati during Gandhi’s sea voyage from London to South Africa. It is structured as a dialogue between a Reader and an Editor (representing Gandhi).
– The book outlines Gandhi’s vision of true Swaraj, which was not merely political independence from British rule, but self-rule based on moral and spiritual principles, rejecting the tenets of modern Western civilization, including its emphasis on materialism, machinery, and centralized political systems.

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5. Which one of the following measures was not a consequence of the succe

Which one of the following measures was not a consequence of the successful Champaran Satyagraha of 1917?

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The Sharabeshi rent was reduced by 26 percent
The Abwabs were declared illegal
The Thekedari system was allowed to continue as it was
The Tawan, a fine on peasants, was abolished
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While the Champaran Satyagraha brought significant reforms ending exploitative practices, it did not necessarily result in the complete abolition of the Thekedari system itself, although the practices of thekedars related to indigo were curtailed.
The Champaran Satyagraha led to the setting up of the Champaran Agrarian Enquiry Committee, whose recommendations were embodied in the Champaran Agrarian Act, 1917. As a direct consequence, the Tinkathia system was abolished, the Sharabeshi rent increase was reduced (typically stated as a 25% refund on illegal increases, effectively reducing the rent burden), Abwabs (illegal cesses) were declared illegal, and Tawan (fines for not planting indigo) was abolished. The Thekedari system was a system of land leasing and management, often involving European planters as thekedars (lessees of land revenue from zamindars), under which the exploitative indigo cultivation took place. While the Act dismantled the *exploitative indigo system* and curtailed the *power* of thekedars/planters, it did not abolish the Thekedari system itself as a land tenure arrangement. Therefore, statement C, that the Thekedari system was allowed to continue as it was, is the most accurate description of a measure *not* resulting from the Satyagraha, as the Satyagraha’s focus was on the *abuses* associated with indigo planting under this system, not the system’s structure itself.
The success at Champaran was Mahatma Gandhi’s first Satyagraha movement in India and a major victory against exploitative colonial economic practices. It demonstrated the effectiveness of non-violent civil disobedience in mobilizing peasants and achieving concrete reforms.

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6. Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champar

Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha ?

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Active all-India participation of lawyers, students and women in the National Movement
Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the National Movement
Joining of peasant unrest to India's National Movement
Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crops and commercial crops
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The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) was Mahatma Gandhi’s first major Gandhian movement in India.
The Champaran movement was specifically centered on the grievances of indigo cultivators, who were peasants exploited under the ‘tin kathia’ system imposed by British planters. Gandhi’s intervention in Champaran involved investigating the situation, organizing the peasants, and using non-violent civil disobedience (satyagraha) to challenge the oppressive system. Its success led to the abolition of the tinkathia system and brought relief to the peasants.
The most significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha was that it successfully linked the local, isolated peasant unrest against specific grievances (indigo cultivation system) to the broader Indian National Movement led by figures like Gandhi. It demonstrated the effectiveness of Gandhi’s method of non-violent protest (Satyagraha) in addressing socio-economic issues and mobilized the peasant class, a large segment of the population, into the fold of the national struggle for the first time in such a prominent and successful manner. While some lawyers assisted Gandhi (like Rajendra Prasad), it was not marked by widespread all-India participation of lawyers, students, and women (A). It focused on the specific peasant issues and did not primarily involve Dalit and Tribal communities as distinct leading groups (B). It led to the abolition of the indigo system in Champaran but not a general drastic decrease in all plantation/commercial crops across India (D).

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7. Which among the following statements about Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha

Which among the following statements about Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha is/are correct ?

  • It was during the course of his campaign against racialism in South Africa that Gandhiji first applied Satyagraha
  • The two vital ingredients of Satyagraha are ‘truth’ and ‘non-violence’
  • The Satyagrahi resists evil by inflicting suffering on himself and not by inflicting suffering on the opponent
  • In India, Satyagraha was first tried by Gandhiji in Champaran

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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1 and 4 only
2 only
4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
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Let’s examine each statement about Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha:
1. It was during the course of his campaign against racialism in South Africa that Gandhiji first applied Satyagraha: Correct. Gandhi coined the term ‘Satyagraha’ and developed its philosophy and techniques during his struggle against racial discrimination and unjust laws faced by Indians in South Africa between 1893 and 1914.
2. The two vital ingredients of Satyagraha are ‘truth’ and ‘non-violence’: Correct. Satyagraha literally means “holding onto truth” (Satya = truth, Agraha = holding firmly to). Ahimsa (non-violence) is the indispensable means or method through which truth is pursued and attained in Satyagraha.
3. The Satyagrahi resists evil by inflicting suffering on himself and not by inflicting suffering on the opponent: Correct. A core principle of Satyagraha is that the resister voluntarily accepts suffering (tapasya) to appeal to the conscience of the oppressor and expose the injustice, rather than resorting to violence which causes suffering to the opponent.
4. In India, Satyagraha was first tried by Gandhiji in Champaran: Correct. After returning to India in 1915, Gandhi’s first major public appearance was at the Benares Hindu University in 1916. His first application of Satyagraha as a tool for protest in India was in the Champaran district of Bihar in 1917, against the oppressive indigo cultivation system.
All four statements are correct.
– Satyagraha was developed in South Africa.
– Its pillars are truth and non-violence.
– Self-suffering is a key tactic.
– Champaran was the first Satyagraha movement in India led by Gandhi.
Satyagraha was a novel approach to passive resistance, emphasizing courage, moral force, and an active search for truth. It differed from mere passive resistance in its focus on positive action and moral persuasion rather than simply obstructing the opponent. Gandhi later successfully employed Satyagraha in various movements in India, including Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918), Kheda Satyagraha (1918), Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34), and Quit India Movement (1942).

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8. Which of the following statements about the Champaran Satyagraha is/ar

Which of the following statements about the Champaran Satyagraha is/are correct ?

  • 1. The Champaran region had a long tradition of anti-planter discontent and agitation
  • 2. Mahatma Gandhi gave all India publicity to the grievances of Champaran cultivators
  • 3. The cultivators of Champaran had protested against excessive taxation on sugar

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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The correct option is B.
The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was Mahatma Gandhi’s first major intervention in India.
– Statement 1: The forced indigo cultivation under the ‘tin kathia’ system and the exploitative practices of European planters had caused long-standing resentment among the cultivators in Champaran, leading to sporadic protests and agitations before Gandhi’s arrival. This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: Gandhi’s arrival in Champaran, his methodical inquiry into the grievances, and his use of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) attracted nationwide attention. His leadership effectively highlighted the plight of the Champaran cultivators and garnered support from across India, giving the local issue all-India publicity. This statement is correct.
– Statement 3: The cultivators were protesting against the compulsory cultivation of indigo on a fixed portion of their land (tin kathia system), unfair prices for indigo, and illegal cesses and fines imposed by the planters. The protest was related to indigo production and the exploitative system around it, not excessive taxation on sugar. This statement is incorrect.
The Champaran Satyagraha was a significant event as it marked the first successful application of Gandhi’s Satyagraha technique in India and brought him into direct contact with the masses. It led to the appointment of an inquiry committee and the eventual abolition of the ‘tin kathia’ system and the refund of some illegal exactions to the cultivators.

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9. Where and when did Mahatma Gandhi first use his method of hunger-strik

Where and when did Mahatma Gandhi first use his method of hunger-strike to achieve a desired goal ?

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At Natal in South Africa in the year 1906
At Champaran in the year 1917
At Ahmedabad in the year 1918
At Cape Town in South Africa in the year 1906
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The correct option is C.
Mahatma Gandhi’s first use of a hunger strike (fasting unto death) as a public protest method to achieve a specific desired goal occurred during the Ahmedabad Mill Strike in 1918. He undertook the fast to support the mill workers’ demand for a wage increase and to pressure the mill owners to agree to arbitration. While Gandhi experimented with fasting for self-purification earlier, including in South Africa, the Ahmedabad fast is widely recognized as his first instance of using it as a political weapon in India.
In South Africa, Gandhi developed his philosophy of Satyagraha (truth force), employing methods like non-violent resistance and civil disobedience (e.g., against the Black Act in 1906). Champaran (1917) was his first Satyagraha movement in India, focusing on the indigo cultivators’ issues, but did not involve Gandhi’s personal hunger strike as a primary tactic at that time.

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10. Mahatma Gandhi’s severe criticism of the Congress leadership at the op

Mahatma Gandhi’s severe criticism of the Congress leadership at the opening of the Benaras Hindu University was focused on

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the Congress strategy for opposing the government
the Congress accepting offices under the government
condemnation of Indian nationalism for being an elite phenomenon
All of the above
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In his speech at the opening of the Benaras Hindu University in February 1916, Mahatma Gandhi sharply criticized the Indian nationalist movement, including the presence of Congress leaders, for being disconnected from the vast majority of the Indian population – the poor and the peasants. He pointed out the opulence of the attendees, the use of English rather than Indian languages, and lamented that the movement was largely confined to the elite and urban middle class, failing to address the real grievances and aspirations of the masses. His criticism was a call to make nationalism a mass movement rooted in the lives of ordinary Indians.
– Gandhi spoke at the BHU opening in 1916.
– He criticized the nationalist movement for being elitist.
– He emphasized the need to connect with the masses and address their concerns.
This speech is considered an important moment marking Gandhi’s early articulation of his vision for the national movement, emphasizing the importance of involving the masses and focusing on social issues alongside political independence.

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