Civil Disobedience Movement MCQs Quiz | Class 10
This quiz on the Civil Disobedience Movement is designed for Class X History students, covering the Unit Nationalism in India. Test your knowledge on key events like the Dandi March and the Salt Law. Attempt all 10 multiple-choice questions, then submit to see your score and review answers. You can also download a comprehensive answer PDF.
Understanding the Civil Disobedience Movement
The Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) was a pivotal phase in India’s struggle for independence, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930. Unlike the Non-Cooperation Movement, this movement aimed not just at non-cooperation but at direct defiance of unjust British laws. It galvanized millions across India, highlighting the British government’s oppressive policies and strengthening the resolve for Swaraj (self-rule).
The Dandi March: A Symbol of Defiance
The movement began dramatically with the Dandi March (Salt March). On March 12, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi, accompanied by 78 of his trusted volunteers, commenced a 240-mile journey from his Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal town of Dandi in Gujarat. The march lasted for 24 days, with thousands joining along the way.
Upon reaching Dandi on April 6, 1930, Gandhi ceremonially broke the Salt Law by picking up a handful of natural salt from the seashore. This simple act was a profound challenge to British authority, as the Salt Law gave the British a monopoly over salt production and imposed a heavy tax on this essential commodity, affecting the poorest Indians the most.
Significance of the Salt Law
The British government’s monopoly on salt production and its taxation policy made salt a symbol of colonial oppression. Gandhi chose salt as the focal point because it was a basic necessity for everyone, regardless of caste, creed, or economic status. By breaking the salt law, Gandhi aimed to:
- Expose the unjust nature of British rule.
- Unite Indians from all walks of life against a common grievance.
- Demonstrate that non-violent civil disobedience could challenge powerful imperial laws.
Expansion of the Movement
Following the Dandi March, the CDM spread rapidly across the country:
- Salt Satyagrahas: Similar protests erupted in various parts of India, with people manufacturing salt and defying the law.
- Boycotts: Foreign cloth and liquor shops were picketed.
- Forest Laws: Peasants refused to pay taxes and revenue, and violated forest laws.
- Women’s Participation: Women participated on a large scale, marching, picketing, and facing imprisonment.
- Industrial Workers: Workers in Nagpur and Sholapur staged protests and strikes.
Key Events and Dates
| Event | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Dandi March Begins | March 12, 1930 | Start of the Civil Disobedience Movement |
| Gandhi Breaks Salt Law | April 6, 1930 | Symbolic defiance of British authority |
| First Round Table Conference | Nov 1930 – Jan 1931 | Congress boycotted |
| Gandhi-Irwin Pact | March 5, 1931 | Agreement between Gandhi and Viceroy Irwin, temporary suspension of CDM |
| Second Round Table Conference | Sept – Dec 1931 | Gandhi attended but returned disappointed |
| CDM Relaunched | 1932 | After Gandhi’s return, faced severe repression |
| CDM Withdrawn | 1934 | Officially withdrawn |
Impact and Legacy
The Civil Disobedience Movement significantly impacted the Indian independence struggle:
- It broadened the base of the national movement, involving women, peasants, and workers.
- It demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance on a mass scale.
- It pressured the British government to acknowledge the demands of Indian nationalists, leading to talks and agreements like the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
- It instilled a sense of confidence and unity among Indians, paving the way for future movements.
Quick Revision Checklist:
- Initiation: Mahatma Gandhi, 1930.
- Key Event: Dandi March (March 12 – April 6, 1930).
- Symbol: Salt and the Salt Law.
- Objective: Complete independence (Purna Swaraj) and defiance of unjust laws.
- Participants: Wide range including women, peasants, tribals, students.
- Outcome: Increased national consciousness, Gandhi-Irwin Pact, Round Table Conferences.
Extra Practice Questions:
- Explain why Mahatma Gandhi chose salt as the symbol for the Civil Disobedience Movement.
- Describe the main features of the Civil Disobedience Movement. How was it different from the Non-Cooperation Movement?
- Discuss the role of women in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
- What were the terms and significance of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact?
- Analyze the impact of the Civil Disobedience Movement on the Indian national struggle for independence.
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