Gandhi and His Early Movement

11. Which of the following political methods was/were incorporated by Maha

Which of the following political methods was/were incorporated by Mahatma Gandhi?

  • 1. Petitioning to the British
  • 2. Village reconstruction
  • 3. Gheraos
  • 4. Fasts

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”4 only” option2=”1, 2 and 4 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option2″]

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Mahatma Gandhi employed various political methods in his struggle for independence. Petitioning was a common method used, especially in the early stages, to appeal to the authorities. Village reconstruction formed a crucial part of his constructive programme aimed at empowering rural India and achieving Swaraj from the grassroots. Fasts were frequently used by Gandhi as a moral weapon and a form of protest to exert pressure and appeal to conscience. However, ‘Gherao’ is a tactic of surrounding someone, often physically, to compel them to agree to demands, which is generally considered coercive and not aligned with Gandhi’s core principles of non-violent Satyagraha which focused on persuasion and moral force rather than physical constraint or coercion.
Gandhi’s methods primarily revolved around Satyagraha (truth force) and Ahimsa (non-violence), encompassing civil disobedience, non-cooperation, fasting, peaceful persuasion, and constructive work.
Gandhi’s constructive programme included promoting Khadi and village industries, Hindu-Muslim unity, removal of untouchability, prohibition, basic education, and women’s empowerment, all integral to his vision of self-rule (Swaraj).

12. Where did Gandhiji initially forge the techniques of Satyagraha ?

Where did Gandhiji initially forge the techniques of Satyagraha ?

[amp_mcq option1=”England” option2=”South Africa” option3=”North Africa” option4=”India” correct=”option2″]

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The correct answer is B) South Africa.
Mahatma Gandhi spent over two decades in South Africa (1893-1914) and it was during this period that he developed and first employed the philosophy and techniques of Satyagraha (nonviolent resistance) against racial discrimination and injustice faced by Indians.
His experiences in South Africa, particularly the resistance against discriminatory laws like the Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance (the ‘Black Act’), led him to formulate the principles of Satyagraha which he later effectively used in the Indian freedom struggle.

13. Which among the following struggles, based on Gandhi’s philosophy of S

Which among the following struggles, based on Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha, involved the industrial working class ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Champaran” option2=”Kheda” option3=”Ahmedabad” option4=”Bardoli” correct=”option3″]

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The Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 was a movement led by Gandhi involving textile mill workers in Ahmedabad who were demanding a wage increase. Gandhi used the method of hunger strike for the first time during this protest, appealing to the conscience of the mill owners. This struggle directly involved the industrial working class. The Champaran, Kheda, and Bardoli Satyagrahas primarily involved peasants or farmers.
Gandhi’s early Satyagraha movements in India targeted different groups and issues: Champaran (peasants against indigo planters), Kheda (peasants against revenue collection), and Ahmedabad (industrial workers against mill owners).
The Ahmedabad Mill Strike was a significant event as it marked Gandhi’s engagement with the industrial working class and demonstrated the applicability of Satyagraha principles to labour disputes. Anusuya Sarabhai and Ambalal Sarabhai (one of the mill owners) were key figures involved in this dispute.

14. In April 2017, India celebrated 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s

In April 2017, India celebrated 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s

[amp_mcq option1=”Satyagraha in Kheda” option2=”Dandi March” option3=”Satyagraha in Champaran” option4=”Return from South Africa” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is Satyagraha in Champaran.
The Champaran Satyagraha began in April 1917. Therefore, in April 2017, India commemorated 100 years of this significant movement, which is considered Mahatma Gandhi’s first Satyagraha on Indian soil.
Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa in January 1915. The Kheda Satyagraha took place in 1918. The Dandi March, which initiated the Salt Satyagraha, occurred in 1930. Only the Champaran Satyagraha aligns with the 100-year anniversary in 2017.

15. Where and when did Mahatma Gandhi make his first public appearance in

Where and when did Mahatma Gandhi make his first public appearance in India on coming back from South Africa after two decades ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Champaran in 1917″ option2=”Lucknow in 1916″ option3=”Banaras Hindu University in 1916″ option4=”Ahmedabad in 1918″ correct=”option3″]

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Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in January 1915. After spending a year travelling across India and observing the situation, his first major public speech was delivered at the opening ceremony of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on February 4, 1916.
The BHU speech in 1916 marked Gandhi’s first significant public address in India after his return, where he spoke about the need for Indian nationalism, poverty, and sanitation, among other topics.
Champaran in 1917 was the location of Gandhi’s first Satyagraha movement in India. Lucknow in 1916 refers to the Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress, which Gandhi attended but his major public speech predates this. Ahmedabad in 1918 was the site of the Ahmedabad Mill Strike, one of his early campaigns.

16. Which Indian businessman favoured ‘healthy capitalism’ in helping Gand

Which Indian businessman favoured ‘healthy capitalism’ in helping Gandhiji to work towards a ‘common object’ ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Ghanshyam Das Birla” option2=”Ambalal Sarabhai” option3=”Sir Biren Mookerjee” option4=”T. T. K. Krishnamachari” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is (A) Ghanshyam Das Birla.
Ghanshyam Das Birla was a prominent Indian businessman and a close associate and supporter of Mahatma Gandhi. He favoured what he saw as ‘healthy capitalism’, believing that business, conducted ethically, could contribute to national development and support the freedom struggle.
G.D. Birla provided significant financial support to Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. He often acted as a mediator between Gandhi and the British government and used his position to advocate for India’s independence. He articulated a vision of Indian capitalism that was socially responsible and aligned with nationalist goals, contrasting it with exploitative forms of capitalism.

17. Which of the following thinkers and movements influenced the developme

Which of the following thinkers and movements influenced the development of Gandhiji’s political ideas?

  1. Henry David Thoreau
  2. John Ruskin
  3. John Milton
  4. Jainism

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1, 2 and 3 only” option3=”1, 2 and 4 only” option4=”2 and 4 only” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is C) 1, 2 and 4 only.
Statement 1 is correct. Henry David Thoreau’s essay ‘Civil Disobedience’ profoundly influenced Gandhi’s concept and practice of Satyagraha (non-violent civil resistance).
Statement 2 is correct. John Ruskin’s book ‘Unto This Last’ had a transformative effect on Gandhi. It inspired his economic philosophy, emphasizing the dignity of labour, the value of manual work, and the idea that the welfare of the individual is contained in the welfare of all (Sarvodaya).
Statement 3 is incorrect. While Gandhi was widely read, the 17th-century English poet John Milton is not considered one of the key direct influences on his political ideas. His major influences in Western thought included Tolstoy, Ruskin, and Thoreau.
Statement 4 is correct. Gandhi was born into a family influenced by Jainism and its strong emphasis on Ahimsa (non-violence). This principle was fundamental to his entire philosophy, particularly Satyagraha.
Gandhi’s political and philosophical ideas were shaped by a confluence of influences from various religious traditions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam), Western thinkers (Thoreau, Ruskin, Tolstoy), and his own experiences in South Africa and India. His synthesis of these diverse sources resulted in the unique philosophy of Satyagraha and his vision of Swaraj.

18. In India, the first major public appearance of Mahatma Gandhi was in

In India, the first major public appearance of Mahatma Gandhi was in

[amp_mcq option1=”Champaran (1917)” option2=”Kheda (1918)” option3=”Inauguration of Banaras Hindu University (1916)” option4=”Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919)” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is Inauguration of Banaras Hindu University (1916).
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in January 1915. Following the advice of his political guru Gopal Krishna Gokhale, he spent the initial year travelling across India to understand the country’s situation. His first major public speech in India after his return was delivered at the inauguration ceremony of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on February 4, 1916. This event provided him a national platform and is considered his first significant public appearance in Indian politics before he started leading specific movements.
The Champaran Satyagraha (1917), Kheda Satyagraha (1918), and the Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919) were important early movements led by Gandhi that solidified his position as a mass leader in India. However, the BHU speech in 1916 predates these movements as his initial major public address on a national stage.

19. Arrange the following events chronologically starting from the earlies

Arrange the following events chronologically starting from the earliest :

  • 1. Ahmedabad Mill Strike
  • 2. Champaran Satyagraha
  • 3. Foundation of the Satyagraha Sabha
  • 4. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2, 3, 4″ option2=”2, 1, 3, 4″ option3=”2, 4, 1, 3″ option4=”4, 2, 1, 3″ correct=”option2″]

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The correct chronological order of the events is Champaran Satyagraha, Ahmedabad Mill Strike, Foundation of the Satyagraha Sabha, and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
1. Champaran Satyagraha: April 1917 – Gandhi’s first Satyagraha in India, against the tinkathia system in Bihar.
2. Ahmedabad Mill Strike: March 1918 – Gandhi’s second major intervention, related to a wage dispute between mill workers and owners.
3. Foundation of the Satyagraha Sabha: February 1919 – Formed by Gandhi to launch a Satyagraha against the oppressive Rowlatt Act.
4. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: April 13, 1919 – Occurred in Amritsar during the protests against the Rowlatt Act.
These events represent some of the initial major campaigns led by Mahatma Gandhi after his return to India from South Africa in 1915, marking his emergence as a prominent leader in the Indian nationalist movement.

20. In 1921, during which one of the following tours, Gandhiji shaved his

In 1921, during which one of the following tours, Gandhiji shaved his head and began wearing loincloth in order to identify with the poor?

[amp_mcq option1=”Ahmadabad” option2=”Champaran” option3=”Chauri Chaura” option4=”South India” correct=”option4″]

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The correct answer is D.
In September 1921, while on a tour of South India, Mahatma Gandhi witnessed the abject poverty of people in Madurai. He was deeply moved by their inability to afford adequate clothing. In solidarity with the poor and as a symbol of his commitment to Swadeshi and simple living, he decided to shave his head and adopt the loincloth as his permanent attire. This change marked a significant moment in his life and struggle.
The Champaran movement took place in 1917. The Ahmedabad mill strike happened in 1918. The Chauri Chaura incident occurred in February 1922, leading to the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement. Gandhiji’s adoption of the loincloth happened in September 1921, during his tour of South India.
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