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NCERT Class 10 Social Science Nationalism in India: Write in brief Solutions

Point-by-point answers for every question of Exercises: Write in brief in NCERT's Class 10 Social Science book, chapter “Nationalism in India”, written by Shishya. Each question is in our own short words; open the NCERT chapter for the exact wording and figures.

1. Write in brief Q1(a)

   Explain why the growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to an anti-colonial movement.

   1. People in the colonies discovered their unity while struggling against colonial rule.
   2. The shared experience of being oppressed created a bond that connected different social groups.
   3. This common struggle helped forge a new national identity and sense of belonging.

   Answer: Nationalism grew because the anti-colonial struggle united diverse groups through shared oppression and a common desire for freedom.

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2. Write in brief Q1(b)

   Explain how the First World War helped the national movement in India grow.

   1. The war created a new economic and political situation in India.
   2. Defence spending rose sharply and was paid for with war loans and higher taxes: customs duties were raised and income tax was introduced.
   3. Prices increased steeply through the war years, causing great hardship for common people.
   4. Villagers were angered by forced recruitment into the army, and crop failures and an influenza epidemic added to the suffering.
   5. This widespread anger and hardship made people more ready to join a national struggle against British rule.

   Answer: The war brought higher taxes, rising prices, forced recruitment and hardship, and the anger it caused among ordinary people helped the national movement grow.

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3. Write in brief Q1(c)

   Explain why Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act.

   1. The Rowlatt Act was passed quickly by the Imperial Legislative Council despite strong opposition from Indian members.
   2. It granted the government huge powers to suppress political activities and detain political prisoners without trial for two years.
   3. Indians were outraged because the law was unjust and violated basic rights, leading to a nationwide satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi.

   Answer: Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act because it allowed detention without trial and repressed political activities, which was seen as an unjust violation of their rights.

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4. Write in brief Q1(d)

   Explain why Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement.

   1. By early 1922 the movement was turning violent in many places; at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur a peaceful demonstration turned into a violent clash with the police.
   2. Gandhiji believed in non-violence and felt that satyagrahis needed to be properly trained before they could take part in mass struggles.
   3. So in February 1922 he decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement.

   Answer: Gandhiji withdrew the movement in February 1922 because it was turning violent, as at Chauri Chaura, and he felt satyagrahis needed proper training before mass struggles.

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5. Write in brief Q2

   What is meant by the idea of satyagraha?

   1. The concept of satyagraha highlights the strength of truth and the importance of seeking it.
   2. If a cause is just, physical force is unnecessary to fight against oppressors.
   3. Satyagrahis avoid aggression and instead appeal to the conscience of the oppressor.
   4. Violence is rejected in favor of persuasion to make people see the truth.
   5. Truth is expected to ultimately triumph through this non-violent struggle.

   Answer: Satyagraha is a method of mass agitation based on truth and non-violence, where one appeals to the conscience of the oppressor rather than using physical force.

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6. Write in brief Q3(a)

   Write a newspaper report on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

   1. Amritsar, 13 April 1919: Hundreds killed as General Dyer fires on crowd in Jallianwala Bagh.
   2. Martial law imposed after police fired on peaceful procession on 10 April.
   3. Crowd gathered for Baisakhi fair and to protest repressive measures.
   4. Exits blocked by soldiers before firing began.
   5. Dyer aims to create terror and awe among satyagrahis.
   6. News spreads, leading to strikes and clashes in north Indian towns.

   Answer: AMRITSAR, 13 April 1919: Hundreds killed as General Dyer's troops fire without warning on a crowd trapped inside Jallianwala Bagh; the massacre has sparked strikes and clashes across north India.

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7. Write in brief Q3(b)

   Write a newspaper report on the Simon Commission.

   1. The Simon Commission was established by the British Tory government in response to the nationalist movement.
   2. Its purpose was to review the constitutional system in India and propose changes.
   3. The commission faced strong opposition because it included no Indian members, only British officials.
   4. When it arrived in India in 1928, it was greeted with the slogan 'Go back Simon' by all major political parties.

   Answer: The Simon Commission was a British body formed to review India's constitution, but it was rejected by Indians because it had no Indian members and was met with protests in 1928.

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8. Write in brief Q4

   Compare the images of Bharat Mata in this chapter with the image of Germania in Chapter 1.

   Uses a figure printed in the NCERT book — open the chapter above to see it.

   1. Germania (Chapter 1) wears a crown of oak leaves for heroism and holds a sword for readiness to fight, with an olive branch around it for willingness to make peace; the breastplate with an eagle stands for the strength of the German empire and the broken chains for being freed.
   2. Abanindranath Tagore's Bharat Mata (1905) is an ascetic figure: calm, composed, divine and spiritual, dispensing learning, food and clothing, with a mala in one hand.
   3. A later popular image shows Bharat Mata with a trishul, standing beside a lion and an elephant, both symbols of power and authority, which is closer to the strong, armed Germania.
   4. Both are female figures that turn the abstract idea of the nation into an image people can identify with and feel devotion to.

   Answer: Both personify the nation as a woman; Germania is shown as a heroic, armed protector ready to fight or make peace, while Tagore's Bharat Mata is calm and spiritual, though later images gave Bharat Mata symbols of power too.

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