HELLO ADHYAPAK
India’s Long Road to Independence
Class 8 Social Science – Chapter 2 Part 2
1885 → 1947 — a long journey of struggle, sacrifice, unity and freedom.
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Chapter at a Glance
A quick timeline of the major milestones in India’s freedom struggle.
1885 → Indian National Congress formed
1905 → Partition of Bengal and Swadeshi Movement
1915 → Gandhi returned to India
1919 → Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh
1920–22 → Non-Cooperation Movement
1929 → Demand for Purna Swaraj
1930 → Dandi March and Civil Disobedience
1942 → Quit India Movement
1943 → INA reorganised under Subhas Chandra Bose
1946 → INA trials and Royal Indian Navy Mutiny
1947 → Independence and Partition
In One Line
India’s independence was the result of a long, collective struggle involving many leaders and ordinary people who used different methods such as reform, Swadeshi, boycott, Satyagraha, mass movements and revolutionary action.
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NCERT Question Answers
Click a question to reveal the answer.
A. True or False
Q1.Right from its inception, the Indian National Congress called for India’s independence.
False. When the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885, it did not demand complete independence. It mainly asked for greater Indian participation in government, civil rights and reforms.
Q2.Bal Gangadhar Tilak turned a Shivaji festival into a popular event.
True. Tilak used the Shivaji festival and Ganesh Chaturthi to bring people together and create national awareness against British rule.
Q3.The Ghadar Movement of 1914–15 aimed to start a mutiny within the British Indian Army while British troops were busy with World War I.
True.
Q4.Vallabhbhai Patel earned the title ‘Sardar’ for his leadership during the Satyagraha agitation in Gujarat.
True.
Q5.The Kakori train robbery of 1925 was carried out to fund the activities of the Hindustan Republican Association.
True.
Q6.The ‘Do or Die’ call was given by Mahatma Gandhi during the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920.
False. Gandhi gave the famous “Do or Die” call during the Quit India Movement in 1942, not during the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Q7.B.R. Ambedkar and Gandhi were in total agreement regarding the issue of ‘separate electorates’ for Dalits.
False. Gandhi and Ambedkar had different views on the issue of separate electorates for Dalits. They later reached an agreement through the Poona Pact.
Q8.Sir Stafford Cripps was sent to India in 1942 because Winston Churchill supported immediate independence for India.
False. The British government sent the Cripps Mission with proposals for India after the Second World War. It did not offer immediate independence.
Q9.Subhas Chandra Bose raised an army during his stay in Germany.
False. Bose later reorganised the Indian National Army (INA) in Southeast Asia.
Q10.The Radcliffe Line, which divided India and Pakistan, was announced a few weeks before Independence Day.
False. The Radcliffe Line was announced after India became independent, on 17 August 1947.
B. Who Am I?
Q1.Known as the ‘Lion of Punjab’.
Lala Lajpat Rai. He was badly injured in a police lathi charge while protesting against the Simon Commission. He died later because of his injuries.
Q2.“Swaraj is my birthright…”
Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He used newspapers and public festivals to spread national awareness and encourage people to resist British rule.
Q3.Leader of the Nationalist faction who wrote in Bande Mataram.
Aurobindo Ghose. He was associated with the Nationalist group and wrote strongly for India’s freedom and national autonomy.
Q4.Earned the nickname ‘Bagha’ after wrestling a tiger.
Jatindranath Mukherjee, popularly known as Bagha Jatin. He was a revolutionary leader who fought against British rule and died in a gunfight with the British.
Q5.Organised an attempt to throw a bomb at the Viceroy in 1912.
Rash Behari Bose. He later escaped to Japan and continued his efforts for India’s freedom.
Q6.Martyred at a young age after an attempt on the life of a British judge.
Khudiram Bose. He was arrested after the failed attempt to kill British judge Douglas Kingsford and was hanged at a very young age.
Q7.Martyred after throwing non-lethal bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly.
Bhagat Singh. Bhagat Singh and his associate threw low-intensity bombs to make the British government hear their protest. He was later hanged along with Rajguru and Sukhdev in 1931.
Q8.Turned the freedom struggle into a mass movement through ahimsa and satyagraha.
Mahatma Gandhi. He used ahimsa and satyagraha and led major movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement.
Q9.Sought help from the Axis powers during World War II to organise the Indian National Army.
Subhas Chandra Bose. He sought foreign support against British rule and became the leading figure of the INA.
Q10.A British lawyer who was given five weeks to draw the boundary between India and Pakistan.
Sir Cyril Radcliffe. He was appointed to draw the boundary that divided British India into India and Pakistan.
C–F. Short and Long Answer Questions
Q1.What kinds of sacrifices are needed to achieve freedom?
Freedom often requires great courage and sacrifice. During India’s freedom struggle, many people gave up their comfort, jobs, homes and even their lives. Many freedom fighters were arrested, injured or killed. Farmers, workers, students, tribals and ordinary people also suffered. People were willing to face these difficulties because they wanted India to become free from British rule.
Q2.What values does Tilak’s statement, “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it,” reflect?
Tilak’s statement shows courage, self-respect, determination and love for the country. He believed that Indians had the right to rule themselves. These values are still important today because young people should be confident, responsible and ready to work for the good of society.
Q3.How did peasants, workers, tribals and students contribute to the national movement?
Peasants, workers, tribals and students played an important role in the freedom struggle. Peasants joined protests against unfair taxes and British policies. Workers took part in strikes and movements. Tribals fought against British control over their land and rights. Students joined protests, boycotts and other national activities. Their participation made the freedom struggle a mass movement, not just a movement of political leaders.
Q4.What is meant by “redeem our pledge”?
“Redeem our pledge” means to fulfil a promise or commitment. In Nehru’s speech, it meant fulfilling India’s long-standing promise and struggle to achieve freedom. India had finally become free, so the people could begin building the nation they had dreamed of.
Q5.What is the ‘soul of a nation’?
The ‘soul of a nation’ means the shared spirit, hopes, values, culture and dreams of its people. In Nehru’s speech, it refers to the spirit of Indians that had remained strong despite years of British rule.
G. Imagine You Are a Freedom Fighter
Q1.Explain the method you support to achieve freedom.
I would support non-violence and Satyagraha. I would peacefully protest against unfair laws, boycott foreign goods and encourage people to use Indian-made products. I would also spread awareness among people and remain peaceful even when faced with difficulties.
Q2.What other methods might others support?
Some people might support revolutionary methods and armed resistance. Others might support peaceful protests, Satyagraha, boycotts and mass movements. Different freedom fighters believed in different methods.
Q3.What does this debate teach us about unity and disagreement?
It teaches us that people can have different opinions but still share the same goal. Freedom fighters often disagreed about the methods to be used, but many of them wanted India to become free. We should respect different opinions while working together for a common purpose.
H. News Report – Example
Q1.Swadeshi Movement Gains Strength in Bengal
Calcutta, 1905: The Swadeshi Movement has gained strength following the Partition of Bengal. People are protesting against the British decision and are refusing to buy foreign goods. Many people are buying Indian-made clothes and other products.
A student at a public meeting said, “We want to support our own industries and show that Indians can depend on their own products.”
The movement is important because it has encouraged people to develop self-reliance, national pride and unity.
I. Small Museum Exhibition
Q1.Title: India’s Journey to Freedom
1. A Freedom Fighter’s Letter
It would show the feelings, hopes and difficulties of people who fought for India’s freedom.
2. A Photograph of a Freedom Movement
It would show how ordinary people participated in protests and movements.
3. A Copy of a Nationalist Newspaper
It would show how newspapers spread ideas of freedom and informed people about British policies.
What should visitors learn?
Visitors should learn that India’s freedom was achieved after a long struggle and great sacrifice. They should understand that freedom was not achieved by one person or one movement. Millions of people contributed in different ways.
J. Citizenship Today
Q1.What responsibilities do citizens have today to protect and strengthen freedom?
Citizens have an important role in protecting our freedom. We should respect the Constitution and follow the laws of the country. We should respect people of different religions, languages and cultures. We should protect national unity and use our rights responsibly. We should also keep our surroundings clean, protect public property and help others. By being responsible citizens, we can make our country stronger and protect the freedom achieved through great sacrifice.
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Quick Revision
Key points to revise before a test.
- 1885: The Indian National Congress was formed.
- 1905: Partition of Bengal led to the Swadeshi Movement.
- 1915: Mahatma Gandhi returned to India.
- 1919: Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh marked a major turning point.
- 1920–22: Non-Cooperation Movement.
- 1929: Demand for Purna Swaraj.
- 1930: Dandi March and Civil Disobedience Movement.
- 1942: Quit India Movement and the ‘Do or Die’ call.
- 1943: Subhas Chandra Bose reorganised the INA in Southeast Asia.
- 1947: India became independent; Partition accompanied independence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common doubts students may have about the chapter.
Q1.When was the Indian National Congress formed?
The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885.
Q2.When did Gandhi return to India?
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915.
Q3.What was the ‘Do or Die’ call?
Mahatma Gandhi gave the ‘Do or Die’ call during the Quit India Movement in 1942.
Q4.What is Purna Swaraj?
Purna Swaraj means complete independence or full self-rule.
Q5.When was the Radcliffe Line announced?
The Radcliffe Line was announced on 17 August 1947, after India became independent.
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