Indian Independence Movement Quiz

A movement advocating for Indians to hold more positions of power in the British administration, primarily led by the Indian National Congress.

A key demand of the Indian National Congress, calling for civil service exams to be held in India, not just in London, to make it easier for Indians to join the British bureaucracy.

An argument for Indianisation, stating that it would reduce the amount of money leaving India and going to England, which was a significant drain on the Indian economy.

A demand for separating the judiciary and executive powers, a key reform aimed at preventing corruption and ensuring a fair justice system.

The Moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress believed the British respected freedom and justice and would listen to reasonable demands. They aimed to raise awareness about the injustices of British rule and persuade the British government to adopt reforms.

A group of Indian nationalist leaders, including Bepin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Lala Lajpat Rai, who criticized the Moderate approach as too passive and advocated for more radical measures to achieve independence.

The Extremist criticism of the Moderate approach, referring to their reliance on petitions and appeals to British sense of justice.

The Moderate leaders believed in using peaceful methods to influence the British government. They focused on raising awareness, sending petitions, and appealing to British values of justice and fairness.

The Congress Party, a major political force in India, split in 1907 due to disagreements on strategies for fighting British rule. The Moderates, who favored gradual reform and working within the British system, dominated the party after the split.

The Lucknow Pact, signed in 1916, marked a significant step towards unity between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. Both parties agreed to work together for self-government in India, demonstrating a shared vision for independence.

The First World War had a profound impact on India, leading to inflation, increased taxes, and a growing desire for independence. The war also led to the expansion of the British army, with many Indian soldiers returning home with a new understanding of colonialism and an urge to resist it.

Indian businesses took advantage of the war-related boom, expanding their operations and demanding greater autonomy. The increased demand for Indian goods during the war contributed to the growth of Indian industries.

The 1917 Russian Revolution inspired Indian nationalists as news of workers' and peasants' struggles for a socialist system spread. This exposure to revolutionary ideas strengthened the fight against British rule.

Mahatma Gandhi, a renowned leader in South Africa, returned to India in 1915. He had already gained international recognition for his successful non-violent campaigns against racial discrimination in South Africa, paving the way for his leadership in the Indian independence movement.

Gandhi's leadership spurred the Indian independence movement into a mass movement, with people from diverse backgrounds, including peasants, tribals, students, women, and factory workers, joining the fight for freedom. The movement gained momentum and strength through Gandhi's inspirational leadership.

The Indian independence movement transitioned from a movement driven by educated elites to a mass movement, involving people from all walks of life. The movement became more widespread and powerful with the participation of various social groups.

The Rowlatt Act (1919) was a British law that allowed the government to arrest people without trial and limit fundamental rights like freedom of speech. It was a response to the unrest caused by the Indian nationalist movement after World War I.

The Rowlatt Satyagraha, led by Mahatma Gandhi, was a nationwide protest against the Rowlatt Act. It became the first major nationwide struggle against British rule, highlighting the desire for independence and civil liberties.

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred in Amritsar, India on April 13, 1919, when British troops under General Dyer fired indiscriminately on unarmed civilians assembled at the Bagh. This event sparked widespread outrage and strengthened the movement for Indian independence. It is considered one of the most brutal actions taken by the British during their colonial rule in India.

The Khilafat Movement was a campaign launched by Indian Muslims to protect the Ottoman Empire's Caliph (leader) from British interference. After World War I, the British imposed a harsh treaty on Turkey, which angered many Muslims in India. This movement, along with the Rowlatt Satyagraha, contributed to the growth of Indian nationalism and the formation of the Non-Cooperation Movement.

The Non-Cooperation Movement was a nationwide movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 to protest British rule. It encouraged Indians to boycott British institutions and goods, including schools, courts, and legislatures. This movement was a significant step towards Indian independence and paved the way for further protests.

The Non-Cooperation Movement involved various forms of protest, including refusing to send their children to government schools and colleges, lawyers giving up their practice, and people boycotting British goods. The movement aimed to pressure the British government by disrupting their administrative and economic structures.

The Khilafat movement and the Rowlatt Satyagraha united Hindus and Muslims in their fight against British rule, reflecting the common cause against colonial oppression. Gandhi's leadership emphasized unity and challenged the divide-and-rule strategy employed by the British.

Gandhi's leadership during the Rowlatt Satyagraha and the Khilafat Movement encouraged unity between Hindus and Muslims, demonstrating the importance of Hindu-Muslim unity in the struggle for independence. This message of unity and shared goals was fundamental to the success of later nationalistic movements.

A movement emphasizing non-violent protest against British rule, involving various forms of resistance, including boycotts, picketing, and public displays of defiance. It resonated with diverse groups, each interpreting and adapting Gandhiji's call to their local grievances.

In Kheda, Gujarat, Patidar peasants organized non-violent campaigns to protest against the high land revenue demanded by the British government.

The act of protesting against the sale of alcohol, often by picketing liquor shops, was a common form of non-violent resistance during the Non-Cooperation Movement.

In the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, tribals and poor peasants organized protests against restricted access to forest resources. They sought to regain their rights to forests by demanding lower taxes and abolishing regulations.

The Khilafat movement in Sind (now in Pakistan) aligned with the Non-Cooperation Movement, mobilizing Muslim traders and peasants against injustices faced by Muslims during British rule.

The alliance between the Khilafat movement and the Non-Cooperation Movement brought a significant degree of unity and strength to the nationalist movement in Bengal, furthering the fight against British rule.

A movement primarily focused on removing corrupt religious leaders from Sikh gurdwaras, seeking to maintain the sanctity of religious institutions and resisting British influence.

Tea garden laborers in Assam, inspired by Gandhiji's message of non-cooperation, protested against their low wages and left British-owned plantations, highlighting the movement's impact on labor rights.

Gandhiji's belief in building unity among different social classes, rather than creating conflict or division.

The belief that Gandhiji would help peasants in their fight against landlords (zamindars), even though he aimed for unity rather than conflict.

The belief that Gandhiji would provide land to agricultural laborers, although his focus was on achieving Indian independence.

Gandhiji suddenly ended the Non-Cooperation Movement after a violent incident in Chauri Chaura in 1922, where a crowd of peasants set fire to a police station.

A commission appointed by the British government in 1927 to determine India's political future, but with no Indian representation, leading to widespread outrage.

The widespread protest against the Simon Commission, with Indians calling for it to 'go back'.

Gandhiji’s followers emphasized focusing on social work in rural areas after the Non Cooperation movement, while others advocated for participating in elections.

The Salt March, led by Gandhiji in 1930, was a key part of the Civil Disobedience Movement, challenging the British salt tax and uniting people through a shared grievance.

The Muslim League argued that Muslim interests were not represented in a united India and that Muslims would always be a minority, leading to a second-class status in any democratic setup.

The Muslim League's desire to form a joint government with the Congress in the United Provinces was rejected, fueling their belief that the Congress was not truly committed to Muslim representation.

By declaring itself as the sole spokesperson of India's Muslims, the Muslim League aimed to dominate the post-independence political landscape, asserting its authority over all Muslims in the future.

The 1946 elections saw the Muslim League winning a vast majority of seats reserved for Muslims, strengthening their demand for a separate Muslim homeland - Pakistan.

The Cabinet Mission Plan, a British attempt to address the League's demand for Pakistan, proposed a loose confederation with some autonomy for Muslim-majority areas, aiming to keep India united.

The League's Direct Action Day, a call for mass agitation, resulted in widespread riots in Calcutta, ultimately exacerbating tensions and fueling violence that would lead to Partition.

The Partition of India in 1947 led to the creation of Pakistan, resulting in immense displacement, bloodshed, and the suffering of millions who were forced to flee their homes.

The joy of Indian independence was overshadowed by the violence and pain of Partition, highlighting the complex and tragic legacy of this historical event.