NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 2: Nationalism in India
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 History Chapter 2, Nationalism in India, examines how a collective national consciousness emerged in colonial India through a combination of mass political movements, economic grievances, and cultural symbols. The chapter begins by linking the growth of Indian nationalism to the broader experience of colonialism and the shared experience of subjugation that brought diverse groups together under common leadership. It then details the First World War period, when rising prices, forced recruitment into the British army, and wartime hardships created widespread resentment that Mahatma Gandhi channelled through the technique of Satyagraha. Must check NCERT solutions prepared by Myclass24 Experts for NCERT Solutions for Class 10 and NCERT Solutions for Class 10 History.
Students study the Non-Cooperation Movement launched in 1920 in response to the Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and how it merged with the Khilafat issue to bring Hindus and Muslims onto a shared platform. The chapter explains why the movement was withdrawn after the Chauri Chaura incident, and how different social groups, including peasants, tribals, and plantation workers, interpreted Swaraj according to their own local concerns. Later sections cover the Civil Disobedience Movement that began with the Salt March in 1930, the differing positions of business groups, industrial workers, and women within the nationalist movement, and the limits of unity exposed by the demands of Dalit leaders such as B.R. Ambedkar. The chapter closes by exploring how a sense of collective belonging was created through history, fiction, folklore, and the image of Bharat Mata.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 2: Nationalism in India
Below are simplified explanations of the chapter's textbook exercises and source-based questions, structured for quick revision before exams.
Key Points of the Chapter
- The First World War increased defence expenditure and was financed through war loans and increased taxes, leading to a sharp rise in prices that caused hardship for the common people.
- The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was passed despite strong opposition, giving the government enormous powers to repress political activities and curtail civil liberties.
- The Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in April 1919 led to widespread outrage and was a major trigger for the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- Mahatma Gandhi's idea of Satyagraha emphasised the power of truth and the need for non-violent resistance against injustice without seeking vengeance.
- The Khilafat Movement and Non-Cooperation Movement merged in 1920 to bring together Hindu and Muslim grievances against British rule.
- Peasants in Awadh fought against high rents and unfair levies imposed by landlords, while plantation workers in Assam interpreted freedom as the right to move freely.
- The Salt March from Sabarmati to Dandi in March 1930 became a powerful symbol of resistance against the British monopoly on salt production.
- The Civil Disobedience Movement saw active participation by business groups through organisations such as the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
- Dalit leaders, especially B.R. Ambedkar, demanded separate electorates for depressed classes, leading to the Poona Pact of 1932 between Ambedkar and Gandhi.
- A collective identity was built through icons like Bharat Mata, the tricolour flag, the revival of folklore and the writing of nationalist history.
Comparative Tables: Chapter 2 Summary
These tables organise the major movements and key social groups discussed in the chapter for easy comparison.
| Movement | Period | Immediate Trigger |
| Non-Cooperation Movement | 1920-1922 | Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh massacre; merged with Khilafat issue |
| Civil Disobedience Movement | 1930-1934 | Demand for Poorna Swaraj after Lahore Session and the Salt Law |
| Khilafat Movement | 1919-1922 | Treatment of the Ottoman Caliph after the First World War |
| Chauri Chaura Incident | February 1922 | Violent clash leading Gandhi to call off the Non-Cooperation Movement |
| Social Group | Form of Participation |
| Peasants (Awadh) | Refused to pay revenue, demanded reduction of begar and unfair cesses |
| Plantation Workers (Assam) | Left plantations defying the Inland Emigration Act, viewing free movement as Swaraj |
| Business Classes | Supported Civil Disobedience financially through trade bodies, opposed colonial trade policies |
| Women | Participated in marches, picketing, and prison terms, though largely in a supportive role |
| Dalits | Sought political representation and rights, leading to debate captured in the Poona Pact |
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science (History) Chapter 2: Nationalism in India
The Non-Cooperation Movement united Indians from different backgrounds in a common struggle against British rule. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, the movement encouraged people to boycott foreign goods, government institutions, and British titles. It gave ordinary citizens an opportunity to participate in the freedom struggle. Students left government schools, lawyers gave up legal practices, and people promoted the use of local products. This mass participation created a strong feeling of national unity. Although the movement was eventually withdrawn, it demonstrated the power of collective action and helped nationalism reach villages, towns, and cities across India.
The Salt March was a significant event because it challenged an unjust British law that taxed salt, a basic necessity used by everyone. Mahatma Gandhi led the march from Sabarmati to Dandi in 1930, where he symbolically broke the salt law. The movement attracted widespread attention and encouraged people from different regions to join the struggle for independence. It showed that even a simple everyday item could become a symbol of resistance against colonial rule. The Salt March strengthened the national movement, increased public participation, and highlighted the demand for self-government in India.
Indian nationalism grew through the participation of various social groups, including peasants, workers, students, women, and business communities. Each group joined the movement for its own reasons but shared the common goal of ending colonial rule. Peasants sought relief from high taxes, workers demanded better conditions, and business groups wanted economic freedom. Women actively participated in protests, meetings, and campaigns. Their combined efforts transformed nationalism into a mass movement. This broad participation made the freedom struggle stronger and demonstrated that independence was not just the concern of political leaders but of society as a whole.