1.Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.
(Lala Lajpat Rai, Sane Guruji, Rakhmabai Janardan Save)
(1) Rakhmabai Janardan Save founded the Red Cross Society at Rajkot.
(2) Sane Guruji was the President of mill workers union at Ammalner.
(3) The President of the first session of AITUC was Lala Lajpat Rai.
2. Write short notes.
(1) Social work of Vitthal Ramji Shinde.
Ans. (1) In 1906, Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde started the ‘Depressed Classes Mission’ for the progress of the Dalits. (2) The important part of their work was to make the Dalits self-respectful, well-educated and engaged in work. They also worked to destroy the delusive ideas regarding dalits in the minds of the upper castes. (3) For this purpose he founded Marathi schools, work schools in parts of Parel, Deonarin Mumbai. (4) He actively took part for the benefit of Dalit class in the Satyagraha for entry in Parvati temple at Pune, Shetkari Parishad of Dalits, federal electorate etc.
(2) Reforms of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj in the state of Kolhapur.
Ans. (1) Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj made revolutionary declaration for reservation in the State of Kolhapur. (2) He made a law for free and compulsory primary education. (3) He did substantial work for the abolition of caste distinction. (4) He passed the Act of inter-caste marriage and gave it a legal acceptance in his State. (5) He abolished the ‘Balutedari System’.
3.Explain the following statements with reasons.
(1) The Government decided to crush down the communist movement.
Ans. (1) In 1925, the Communist Party was formed in India. (2) The work of building militant organisations of workers and peasants was done by the young Communists. (3) The British Government started feeling the danger of communist movement and therefore the Government decided to crush down the Communist Movement. (4) Prominent leaders such as Shripad Amrut Dange, Muzaffar Ahmed, Keshav Neelkanth Joglekar etc. were arrested.
(2) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar started newspapers like ‘Muknayak’ Bahishkrut Bharat etc.
Ans. (1) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar aimed at establishing a society based on principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. (2) He was convinced that the injustice to the Dalits and inequality would not end unless the caste system was completely uprooted. (3) Newspaper was an integral part of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s movement. (4) To create awakening in the society and to voice out their grief, he started newspaper like ‘Muknayak’, ‘Bahishkrut Bharat’, ‘Janata’, ‘Samata’ etc.
(3) There aroused a need of nation wide workers union.
Ans. (1) In the latter half of the 19th century, textile mills, railway companies and such industries were started in India. (2) The workers group had not aroused on large scale but in this period efforts were made to solve the problems of the workers. (3) Workers carried out strikes from time to time in various parts of the country to raise their demands. (4) After the First World War, due to industrialisation, there was a rise of worker class in India, and then a necessity for nation-wide worker union was felt.
4.Answer the following questions in brief.
(1) Why was the struggle for equality important in the making of Modern India ?
Ans. (1) In the progress of Modern India, struggle for political freedom was important. This struggle was based on the broad philosophy of man’s emancipation. (2) Therefore in the course of this struggle along with political dependence, there was opposition to things like feudalism, social inequality, and economic exploitation. (3) Like freedom the principle of equality is very important. From that point of view the contribution of movements by various social groups such as farmers, workers, women, dalits etc. as well as the stream of socialism giving importance to equality, proved to be significant. (4) Thus the struggle for equality had a prominent position in the making of Modern India.
(2) Write about the work of Sane Guruji in eastern Khandesh.
Ans. (1) In 1938, the crops in eastern Khandesh were destroyed due to heavy rains. The condition of the farmers was miserable. (2) In order to get the land revenue waived, Sane Guruji organised meetings and processions at many places. (3) He took out marches on the Collector office. The peasants participated in large numbers in the revolutionary period of 1942.
(3) How was the struggle built up by workers decisive for the national movement?
Ans. (1) In the latter half of 19th century, India witnessed the growth of industrialization and textile mills, railway companies, etc. This led to the emergence of Indian working class. But over the time, Indian working class faced exploitation. (2) Strikes and agitations were carried by workers throughout the country. (3) The rise of worker class in India, necessitated the need of a nationwide worker’s union. (4) With this necessity, in 1920, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was established. Lala Lajpat Rai, the President of the first session of AITUC urged the workers to actively participate in the national movement. (5) Many strikes were organised by the Mumbai Mill Workers, Union Railway workers, jute mill workers etc. Disturbed by the growing strength of the workers movement, the government passed legislations to suppress this movement. (6) Thus, the workers struggle by their support proved decisive for the national movement.
(4) Discuss the nature of reform movement related to women.
Ans. (1) In the Indian social system, women were given secondary position. Due to many evil practices, they were subjected to injustice. (2) Some of the male reformers took initiative in the reform movement related to women, while in the course of time women leaders started coming forward. (3) Independent institutes-organisations came to be established by women. (4) Pandita Ramabai established the ‘Arya Mahila Samaj’ and ‘Sharda Sadan’, similarly ‘Seva Sadan’ was founded by Ramabai Ranade. (5) This institutional work reached the national level by the establishment of ‘Bharat Mahila Parishad’ (1904) and ‘AH India Women’s Conference’ (1927). Issues such as right to inheritance, right to vote etc. were raised at these organisations. (6) During the 20th century, the participation of women in public life began to increase. Women’s participation in the national movement and revolutionary work was significant.