Detailed explanations in West Bengal Board Class 8 History Book Solutions Chapter 6 The Beginning of Nationalism offer valuable context and analysis.
WBBSE Class 8 History Chapter 6 Question Answer – The Beginning of Nationalism
Think and Find –
1. Choose the correct alternatives :
a. The first session of National congress was held at _______ (Bombay/Goa/Madras)
Answer:
Bombay.
b. The Moderates demanded that the eligible age for civil Service examination should be ________ (20 / 23 / 21) years.
Answer:
23 years.
c. Partition of Bengal was planned by _________ (Dufferin/Curzon/Minto)
Answer:
Curzon.
d. The newspaper associated with revolutionlary activities in Bengal was __________ (Jugantar/ Hindu Patriat/Somprokash).
Answer:
Jugantar.
2. Choose which statement is right and which wrong
Question a.
Umesh Chandra Banerjee was the first President of Congress.
Answer:
Right.
Question b.
Moderates called the activities of the Extremists; ‘three day tamasha’.
Answer:
Wrong.
Question c.
Economic nationalism was proposed by Arabindo Ghosh.
Answer:
Wrong.
Question d.
Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki attempted to murder Kingsford.
Answer:
Right.
3. Answer briefly (30-words)
Question a.
What is meant by the age of ‘Sabha samities’?
Answer:
The period from 1857 to 1885 before the foundation of National Congress is called the age of Sabh-samities. In this period different organizations were found in different parts of India. Though they were established for the interest of particular group played an important role in spreading of nationalism on regional basis.
Question b.
Discuss the main differences between Moderates and the Extremists.
Answer:
There were two differences between Moderates and Extremists-i) Moderates kept faith on the policy of appeal, pitition etc, on the other hand extremists belived in active movement. ii) Moderates did think of ‘Swaraj’ or indipendence but the Extremists demanded ‘Swaraj’ or Comple indipendence.
Question c.
What is the importance of the Surat session (1907) of the Congress?
Answer:
in the Surat session the conflict between Extremists and the Moderates became very prominent. In this session congress was divided into two. Lesdership of congress went to the Moderates. Extremists left the congress and continued active national movement under the leadership of Tilak.
Question d.
Why did secret societies grow up in Bengal in the beginning of twentieth century?
Answer:
To promote anti Britisih activities many hidden societies were founded, Those societies were apparently the body building institution but they were involvded in revolutionary activites. Among those the famous was ‘Anushilan Samity’ founded by Sotish Chandra Bose. Pulinbihari Das founded Dhaka Anushilan Samiti in 1906. Besides swadeshi to collect wealth making bomb was also continuing.
4. Write in your own words (120-160 words)
Question a.
Make a critical analysis of humes rolein the foundation of the Congress. Do you think Congress could have been formed without Hume? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
According to Hume a violent anti-british movement could be arisen from the rapid increasing of discontent among Indians. Hume was the assistant secretary of Indian government. Before his retirement he came to know from the police and other sources that a violent anti British revolt might be arisen from the discontent of Indians in which the educated Indians were ready to join. So he planned to establish an all Indian association with the leaders and educated Indians to remove the grudge of the Indian people.
Through this association there would be a chance to remove the various social and administrative discontent of India by discussion. After that by his effort of Jume the first session of congress was arranged at Bombay in 1885. Umesh Chandra Banerjee was its president. In case of establishing Congress Hume was wrongly genen much importance.
In 1877 the representatives of different parts of India gathered at Delhi from there Surendranath planned or an all India association. In 1883 as all India exhibition was arranged at Kolkata. The representatives from various parts of India were present there. To utilise the chance Surendranath called for a national conference. This conference paved the path of foundation of National Congress. Therefore without Hume Congress would be founded surely.
Question b.
What was the main position of economic nationalism? De you find any similarity in its stand with that of boycott and Swadeshi movement. Give reasons.
Answer:
The main factor of economic nationalism was to find out the relation between Indian poveriy and the British rule. From Indian agricultural raw materials like indigo, cotton were sent to Britain at very low cost. Industrial goods were made at Britain from these raw materials. Then these goods were sent to Indian market for sale. In case of textile industry, clothes were manufactured in the mills of Britain at low cost.
In competition with those clothes Indian made clothes could not achieve success. For that reason Indian cotton textile industry was totally destroyed. Low tax was imposed on impotirng goods from Britain and high tax was imposed on exporting goods from India to destroy the Indian industry in pre-planned way. India became an open market of British goods. The British invested their capital in India and took away the profit to Britan.
Economic nationalism was surely related with swadeshi and boycott movement. The main object of swadeshi movement was to stop importing goods from Britain and to minimize the use of foreign goods. Pecketing hartal were continuing. The people started to boycott foreign goods. On the other hand swadeshi organisations were set up to fulfil the demand of the country. These were not enough in compare to the demand. Still the effort was continuing.
Question c.
What was the main proposal of Extremist movement? Do you support the use of religious symbols in their movement? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
The extremists policy within Congress was originated from the inactiveness of the moderate leaders. The Extremists realised that without active movement the economical exploitation and the misuse of resoures by the British could not be stopped. To achieve legal rights active movement was necessary. The extremists did not want any movement without common people like moderates. According to Tilak swaraj was our birth right, we should attain it by own power not by begging. As the Extremists were against the British rule they started criticise the concept of nationalism originated from western education.
They random praised the glorious cultural heritage of India’s past. This praising turned into praising of Hindus. The concept of hinduism was spread as the concept of nationalism. There lived different religious people in India. Any religious symbol should not be used so that people of all religion could join the national movement use of particular religious symbol can put a bar to join different regions of people under a same banner. So I do not support using religious symbol.
Question d.
What was the background of revolutionary terrorism? Why did it largeky fail?
Answer:
Revolutionary terrorism was a part of extreme nationalism. The supporter of revolutionary terrorism used arms and revolver. They were inspired by the idea of Matsine, Garriboldy, Vivekananda, Bankimchandra and Arabindo. They originated movement against the partition of Bengal turned into the movement for ending British rule in India. The Boycott movement was gradually losing its strength under the pressure of torture of police. Terrorism had grown against this torture.
Revolutionary works continued by establishing revolutionary samity at different parts of Bengal. Sree Arabindo inspired those much. Not only in Bengal, revolutionary activities were rapidly increasing in Punjab, Maharashtra. This activities erassed the boundary of the country and spread our the foreign lands.
In most of the cases the revolutionary activities were failed to achieve their goal. There were different factors behind it. Many secret plans were revealed. Many leaders were arrested. for the treachery of others. As their agenda was secret the rebellions could not adopt the plan of social movement. They could not reasised that without the cooperation of mass any movement could not be successul.
5. Imagine and write (within 200 words) :
Question a.
Suppose you are an Extremist leader. You have to organise movement in different parts of Bengal. Make a rough draff of the lecture you want to present to the public.
Answer:
Friends,
You know the policy of appeal and petition of congress has not given any favourable result to the people of India. We have no faith on it. We are influenced by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lata Lajpat Roy, Bipin Chandra Pal, Arabindo Ghosh etc. you know Indian economic structure has been broken down for economical exploitation of British Government. We will not tolerate the pressure of taxes and reveneus, discrimination between the policy of importing and exporting and other discrimination in different fields.
The defeating of great power Russia against Japan and the anti British movement in Ireland have encouraged us. The government has curtailed of our freedom of speech. The freedom of press has been also restricted. They have controled even local self government or educational institution. Besides Illbert bill, Calcutta Municipal Act Indian University Act have a great influence on the people and society. The speech of Vivekananda and Bankimchandra carry the seed of nationalism. We can not ignore the call of Arabindo or Bankimchandra for organising active movement. Friends let us be part of the extreme movement and make free the India from the curse of bondage. This is the right time now.
Question b.
Suppose you have joined Swadeshi movement at the leadership of Rabindranath Tagore. Narrate your experience on the Raksha-bandhan in a letter to your friend.
Answer:
Calcutta
October, 1905
Dear Bimal,
Hope you are well. Today is a day of rejoice, You know a movement has started today to protest against the partition of Bengal. In the mean time Rabindranath has diclared to hold rakhi binding festival as the symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity. You know we all are involved with Swadeshi movement. I was present there ear’y morning. We all start for Jagannath ghat with Rabindranath. All are walking towards Jagannath ghat. He has said we will tie rakhis on every ones hands after a bath in Ganges. People gather on the roof tops and the footpaths. Women are showering parched rice, blowing conch, as of this is a parade. We all are singing-Bengal’s soil, Bengal water/Bengal’s air Bengal’s fruit…/ let them be blessed let them be blessed Oh God.
The craziness can not be explained bt me. People have gathered in the ghat to see Rabindranath. After we have completed bathing. All have tied rakhi on each other’s hand. Rakhi is also tied on to those who are near to us. It is a great incident at Ganges ghat. Sudenly Rabindranath though of binding rakhi to the Muslims of Chitpur Masjid. We all start towards Chitpur Masjid. In this way Rakhi binding festival has observed in a splendour manner.
No more today. Reply soon. I shall wait for your letter.
Yours
Harish
Class 8 History Chapter 6 Question Answer West Bengal Board – The Beginning of Nationalism
Multiple Choice Questions & Answers :
Question 1.
The first session of the National Congress took place in-
i) Calcutta
ii) Bombay
iii) Surat
iv) Nagpur
Answer:
ii) Bombay
Question 2.
The meeting was presided by-
i) Subhas Chandra
ii) Gandhiji
iii) Surendranath
iv) Woomesh Chandra
Answer:
iv) Woomesh Chandra
Question 3.
Landlord’s Society was established in-
i) 1838
ii) 1858
iii) 1828
iii) 1848
Answer:
i) 1838
Question 4.
Indian Leage was established in-
i) 1835
ii) 1845
iii) 1825
iv) 1875
Answer:
iv) 1875
Question 5.
The Cernacular Press Act was passed by-
i) Lord Ripon
ii) Duffrin
iii) Lord Lytton
iv) Lord Curzon
Answer:
iii) Lord Lytton
Question 6.
The moderates in Congress had no programme for the-
i) peasants
ii) zaminders
iii) merchants
i) moneylenders
Answer:
i) peasants
Question 7.
The supporters of extremist politics within the congress came to be known as-
i) revilutionary
ii) extremist
iii) moderate
Answer:
ii) extremist
Question 8.
Shivaji Festival was started by-
i) Lala lajpat Rai
iii) Bipin Chandra pal
iii) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
iv) Sarala Devi
Answer:
iii) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Question 9.
Sarala Deci started-
i) Ganapati Festival
ii) Durga Festival
iii) Pratapaditya Festival
iv) Rakhi Festival
Answer:
iii) Pratapaditya Festival
Question 10.
In 1906 session of Congress Extrimists won and accept the proposal-
i) Swaraj
ii) Swadeshi
iii) boycott
iv) all these
Answer:
iv) all these
Question 11.
The plan of partition of Bengal was put into execution in 1905 on-
i) 16 October
ii) 19 July
iii) 1 July
iv) 1 October
Answer:
i) 16 October
Question 12.
In Bengal famine and plague broke out in-
i) 1880
ii) 1890
iii) 1800
iv) 1810
Answer:
ii) 1890
Question 13.
The Banga Lakshmi cotton mill was started in-
i) 1806
ii) 1890
iii) 1906
iv) 1960
Answer:
iii) 1906
Question 14.
The National Council of Education was established in-
i) 1806
ii) 1810
iii) 1950
iv) 1906
Answer:
iv) 1906
State whether True or False :
1. Anti-partition movement was withdrawn in 1908.
Answer:
False
2. A bomb factory was set up at Hathibagan
Answer:
False.
3. Pulinbehari Das founded the Dhaka Anushilan Samity in 1906.
Answer:
True.
4. The nawspaper Jugantar became the mouthpiece of the revolutionaries.
Answer:
True.
5. Jatindranath Mukhopadhyay was known as Bagha Jatin.
Answer:
True.
6. The production rate of swadeshi goods were very high.
Answer:
False.
7. Swadeshi Movement took place to prevent Lord Curzon’s attept to divide Bengal.
Answer:
True.
8. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was an Extremist leader of Congress.
Answer:
True.
9. Rabindranath was ready to accept Pratapaditya as a national hero.
Answer:
False.
10. Tiak started Shivaji festival in Bengal.
Answer:
False.
11. Congress had to keep in mind the interest of the zaminders.
Answer:
True.
12. Dadabhai Naoroji was a businessman.
Answer:
True.
13. The moderates suported the use of British indian army in war in various places.
Answer:
False.
14. The colonia! rulers did not bother much about the opinion of the Moderates.
Answer:
True.
Fill in the blanks :
1. Hume was familiar with the political leaders of various ______.
Answer:
provinces.
2. Many have called the period from 1857-85 the age of ______.
Answer:
sabha samitis.
3. Not all types of people from the Indian society came under the ______.
Answer:
Congress.
4. Judged by the activities of the first two decades, the early Congress leadership may be called ______ and North West India.
Answer:
Moderates.
5. The moderates wanted partial ______ for india within the fold British empire.
Answer:
autonomy.
6. The agro-based economy of India was used mainly for Britain’s colonial ______.
Answer:
interests.
7. British government did not take the National Congress ______.
Answer:
seriously.
8. In various places in bengal Sxtremist leaders had opened ______.
Answer:
gymnasiums.
9. Around 1906-07 the conflict between Extremist and Moderate groups in various parts of India became ______.
Answer:
serious.
10. ______ decided to partition Bengal.
Answer:
Lord Curzon.
11. The spread of national education was ______ due to lack of funds.
Answer:
halted.
12. Anti-partition movement was withdrawn in ______.
Answer:
1911.
13. The line of terrorism was not ______ by all.
Answer:
accepted.
14. Kshudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki made an attempt to ______ Magistrate kingaford of Bengal Presidency.
Answer:
assassinate.
15. Baghajatin tried to procure ______ from germany.
Answer:
arms.
a. Match the column A with column B.
| A | B |
| 1. Allan octavian Hume was | a. was a Civil Servant |
| 2. In 1876 | b. led to the rise of Extremists |
| 3. Colonial rulers granted none | c. a retired English Civil Servant |
| 4. Ramesh Chandra Dutta | d. Willim Wedderburn |
| 5. Internal classes within the congress | e. the indian Association was formed |
| 6. Hume’s biography was written by | f. was a judge |
| 7. Lord Litton Passed | g. of the demands made by the Moderates |
| 8. Mahadev Gobinda Ranade | h. the Arms Act |
Answer:
- Allan octavian Hume was a retired English Civil Servant.
- In 1876 the indian Association was formed.
- Colonial rulers granted none of the demands made by the Moderates.
- Ramesh Chandra Dutta was a Civil Servant.
- Internal classes within the congress led to the rise of Extremists.
- Hume’s biography was written by Willim Wedderburn.
- Lord Litton Passed the Arms Act.
- Mahadev Gobinda Ranade was a judge.
Answer in a sentence :
Question 1.
When and where was the first session of National Congress held?
Answer:
The first session of National Congress was helf in Bombay in 1885.
Question 2.
Who presided overthe first session of National Congress?
Answer:
The meeting was presided over by Woomesh Chander banerjee.
Question 3.
Which was the first nationalist organisation?
Answer:
Bangabhasa Publishing Society was the first nationalist organisation.
Question 4.
When was Landholder’s society organised?
Answer:
Landholder’s society was organised in 1838.
Question 5.
Which period is called the ‘age of sabha samities’?
Answer:
From 1857-85 is called the ‘age of sabha samities’.
Question 6.
Who was the founder of Hindumela?
Answer:
Nabagopal mitra was the founder of Hindumela.
Question 7.
When and Who established Indian League?
Answer:
Sisir kumar Ghose established Indian League in 1975.
Question 8.
Who established Bharat Sabha?
Answer:
Surendranath Bandopadhyay and Anandanohan bose established Bharat Sabha.
Question 9.
Who wrote the biography of hume?
Answer:
William wedderburn wrote the biography of hume.
Question 10.
Who called the Congress ‘Representatives of the minority’?
Answer:
Dufferin called the Congress ‘Representatives of the minority’
Question 11.
Who were Moderates?
Answer:
Congress leadership of first two decades was called Moderates.
Question 12.
‘Congress was no anti-Briyish conspirational platform’-Who told this and when?
Answer:
Womesh Chunder Bonerjee told this in the first session of Congress.
Question 13.
Why the British government did not take the National Congress seriously?
Answer:
Because the nasses had no role to play in the National Congress.
Question 14.
Who are known as extremists?
Answer:
The supporters of extremistpolitics within the Congress came to be known as extremists.
Question 15.
Who started Shivaji festival?
Answer:
Bal gangadhar Tilak started Shivaji festival.
Question 16.
Who started Pratapaditya Festival?
Answer:
Sarala Devi Chaudhurani started Pratapaditya Festival.
Question 17.
Who did not accept Pratapaditya as a national hero?
Answer:
Rabindranath Tagore did not accept Pratapaditya as a national hero.
Question 18.
What was the Extremist’s concept of Swaraj?
Answer:
Bipin Chandra pal regarded Swaraj as complete independence.
Question 19.
Who were Lal-Bal-Pal?
Answer:
Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chendra Pal.
Question 20.
What was the Extremist’s concept of Swaraj?
Answer:
Bipin Chandra pal regarded Swaraj as complete independence.
Question 21.
When was partition of Bengal executed?
Answer:
Partition of Bengal was executed on 16th October, 1905.
Question 22.
When was Bangalakshmi Cotton Mill estabished?
Answer:
Bangalakshmi Cotton Mill was established in 1906.
Question 23.
Who was the founder of Anusilan Samiti?
Answer:
Satish chandra basu was the founder of Anusilan Samiti.
Question 24.
When and by whom Dhaka Anusilan Samiti was founded?
Answer:
Pulinbehari das founded Dhaka Anusilan Samiti in 1906.
Question 25.
When was anti-partition movement withdrawn?
Answer:
Anti-partition movement was ivithdrawn in 1911.
Question 25.
Name the newspaper which was the mouthpiece of the revolutionaries.
Answer:
‘Jugantar’ was the mouthpiece of the revolutionaries.
Question 26.
Where was the bomb factory set up?
Answer:
A bomb factory was set up at Maniktala.
Question 27.
Who made an attempt to kill kingsford?
Answer:
Kshudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki made an attempt to kill Kingsford.
Answer in brief :
Question 1.
Write a short note on Indian association.
Answer:
The Indian Association of Kolkata was an important nationalist organisation. In 1876 Surendranath and Anandamohan formed the Indian Association. Its aim was to organise Indians into a unified political agitation. A national conference was held in kolkata in 1883 on the initiative of Indian Association. The conference was chaired by Ramtanu Lahiri.
Question 2.
What is Ilbert Bill Controversy?
Answer:
No Indian judge could try a Europesn accused. C. P. Ilbert, a member of viceroy’s law organisation, sought todo away with this discrimination. he proposed a bill which allowed Indian judges to try to try Europeans. The Europeans protested against this bill. The bill was withdrawn. Then Indians started agitation in support of the bill. Tis is known as Ilbert Bill Controversy.
Question 3.
Write a note on Vernacular Press Act.
Answer:
Lord Lytton took a number of steps for the expansion of British empire. The Indian newspapers criticised him for this. As a result Lytton passed The Vernacular Press Act (1878). This law dictated that native newspapers could not print any anti-government statements. Otherwise the government would confiscate the newspaper. This law caused discontent all over the country.As a result. Viceroy Lord Ripon repealed the law in 1881.
Question 4.
Mention the activities of the first two decades of Indian National Congress.
Answer:
The activitiec of the first two decades Congress leadership may be called ‘Moderates’. Congress programme was then confined to annual sessions. It was satirically called ‘a three day tamasha.’ Various representatives in these sessons put forward opinions and proposals. But round the year there was effort to organise movements on the basis of the accepted proposals. Most of the leaders were busy with their own profession.
Question 5.
What is Economic Nationalism?
Answer:
The chief aim of sconomic nationalism was to assess the relation between Indian poverty and British rule. The moderates argued that the character of colonial rule in India had changed. India had become a place for Britain’s acquisation of agricultural raw material. The agro-based economy of India was used mainly for Britain’s colonial interest.
Question 6.
Why was a national protest under the leadership of the Extremists flourished?
Answer:
Some administrative reforms of Lord Curzon made evident the failure of the moderate Congress leadership. Curzon decreased the number of elected members to the Salcutta municipality in 1899. The freedom of the press was curbed by laws. Surveillance was increased over the universities. Curzon also made an attempt to divide Bengal. In opposition to these steps there flourished a national protest under the leadership of the Extremists.
Question 7.
What was Extremist’s concept of Swaraj?
Answer:
Bipin Chandra pal regarded Swaraj as complete independer ce. Aurobinda Ghosh had a similar opinion. Most of the leaders understood Swaraj to be self-rule within British imperialism. Thus Extremist movement took the policy of organising passive resistance instead of the policy of prayer and petition. There was a call to protest against British rule by disobeying the unjust laws imposed by the British government.
Question 8.
What was the main cause of partition of bengal?
Answer:
The colonial government had firmly put the administrative logic forward. The nationalist leaders blamed the divide and rule policy of the government for the division based on religious communities. It was clear that partition of Bengal had been initiated to weaken united Bengal and Bengalis’ political opposition.