History & Civics
Bipin Chandra Pal was said to be 'One of the mightiest prophets of nationalism'. In this context:
(a) Mention his political aims.
(b) State his ideas on National Education.
(c) What remedies did he propose to eradicate India's poverty and unemployment?
Answer
(a) Bipin Chandra Pal started his political career as a social reformer attached to the Brahmo Samaj, visited a number of European countries and the United States of America.
- It was during these visits that he observed how people resisted foreign domination.
- In 1886 he joined the Indian National Congress.
- He belonged to the Assertive Nationalist group.
- He wanted complete independence from the British.
- As a journalist he worked for Bengal Public Opinion, The Tribune and New India to propagate his brand of nationalism.
(b) Bipin Chandra Pal wanted National Education to be the basis of the freedom movement.
- It would arouse nationalistic passions and become an effective instrument of social progress.
- Educating women, he believed, was the most effective way of elevating their position.
(c) Bipin Chandra Pal proposed the following remedies to eradicate India's poverty and unemployment-
- He stressed the need to develop indigenous industries in the country.
- He preached the use of Swadeshi and the Boycott of foreign goods to eradicate poverty and unemployment.
- To establish equality in society, he wanted to tax the rich more heavily than the poor
- He demanded forty-eight hours of work in a week and an increase in the wages.
Related Questions
With reference to the Surat Split of 1907, answer the following questions:
(a) What were the issues on which the two wings of the Congress had differences of opinion? How did the British exploit the differences between the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists?
(b) What was the effect of the split between the two wings of the Congress on the National Movement?
(c) Why did the Assertive Nationalists adopt the policy of non-cooperation with the British Government? Name the assertive nationalist leader who organised akharas and lathi clubs. Why were these organised?
In the second phase of the national movement, there emerged a new younger group of leaders within the Congress who did not agree with the old leadership. In this context, answer the following questions:
(a) Explain how the repressive policies of Lord Curzon and influence of International events led to the Assertive nationalism.
(b) Name the Assertive Nationalist leader who was wounded when he was leading a protest against Simon Commission. How were his words, when he was wounded, prophetics?
(c) Differentiate between the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists in their objectives and achievements, stating one objective and two achievements of each wing of the Congress.
Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:
It is a mistake to suppose that the Swadeshi movement requires sacrifice from poor people. We, the middle classes are the greatest offenders in this respect. The poor Kumbi villagers, require not many foreign articles at all, — probably none at all. It is we, the middle classes, who are the consumers of foreign goods; and since this Government is not going to stop the drain by imposing a protective duty it becomes imperatively necessary to adopt a measure by which we can do ourselves what the Government is bound to do and what the government ought to have done long ago. That one point was self-help and another point was determination; and the third sacrifice. You will find that all this included in this resolution, joined with the declaration made in the Presidential address that Swadeshism is a forced necessity in India owing to unnatural economic conditions in India, makes up a complete case for you. I trust that resolution of self-help adopted this year will form the basis of other resolutions of self-help in years to come.’
— Bal Gangadhar Tilak (At the 1906 session of Indian National Congress, where the resolution on Swadeshi was moved.).
(a) What was the main aim of Swadeshi as referred to in the extract? How does, it relate to 'boycott'?
(b) What are the reasons for focussing on Swadeshi?
(c) In what ways is the speaker of this extract the forerunner of Gandhiji?
(a) Identify the persons 'A' and 'B' given below. To which section of the Congress did each belong and what were their ultimate objectives?
(b) Highlight three different methods of struggle adopted by each section of the Congress.
(c) State two contributions of persons 'A' and 'B' in the freedom struggle.