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Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement – Class 12 History notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 History, chapter 11. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915 and transformed the national movement into a mass movement. He led local struggles at Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad, then the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22), the Civil Disobedience Movement beginning with the Salt March (1930) and the Quit India Movement (1942). Historians study his role through sources such as his writings, government records, newspapers and private letters.

Gandhi's early role

In South Africa Gandhi developed satyagraha, non-violent resistance based on truth.
In 1917–18 he led struggles for indigo cultivators at Champaran, peasants at Kheda and mill workers at Ahmedabad.
His opposition to the Rowlatt Act (1919) led to nationwide protests; the Jallianwala Bagh massacre at Amritsar on 13 April 1919 deeply affected Indians.

Mass movements

The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22), combined with the Khilafat movement, involved boycotting foreign goods, schools, courts and titles; it was withdrawn after the violence at Chauri Chaura in February 1922.
The Salt March from Sabarmati to Dandi (12 March to 6 April 1930) began the Civil Disobedience Movement; Gandhi attended the Second Round Table Conference in 1931.
The Quit India Movement was launched in August 1942 with the call 'Do or Die'; leaders were arrested and the movement became a mass upsurge.

Gandhi's ideas and last years

Gandhi promoted khadi, swadeshi, Hindu–Muslim unity, the removal of untouchability and village self-reliance.
He lived simply, spoke in local languages and was seen by many peasants as a saviour, around whom many rumours developed.
He worked to stop communal violence during Partition and was assassinated on 30 January 1948.

Key terms

Satyagraha: non-violent resistance based on truth
Swadeshi: using goods made in one's own country
Khilafat movement: a movement by Indian Muslims in support of the Turkish Caliph
Civil disobedience: deliberately breaking unjust laws peacefully
Round Table Conference: meetings in London to discuss constitutional reform in India

Important questions with answers

What is satyagraha?2 marks

Satyagraha, meaning 'insistence on truth', was Gandhi's method of non-violent resistance to injustice. It relied on moral force, peaceful protest and the willingness to suffer rather than to inflict harm, in order to change the opponent's heart.

Why was the Non-Cooperation Movement withdrawn?3 marks

In February 1922 a crowd at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district clashed with the police and set fire to a police station, killing several policemen. Gandhi felt that people were not yet ready for non-violent mass struggle and withdrew the movement.

How did Gandhi transform the national movement into a mass movement?5 marks

Before Gandhi, the national movement was largely limited to educated, urban elites. After returning from South Africa in 1915, Gandhi travelled across India and identified with ordinary people, wearing simple clothes, speaking in local languages and living simply. He led local struggles for indigo cultivators in Champaran, peasants in Kheda and mill workers in Ahmedabad, showing that the Congress cared about their problems. His opposition to the Rowlatt Act of 1919 brought nationwide protest. In the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1920–22, joined with the Khilafat movement, he united Hindus and Muslims and drew in students, lawyers, peasants, workers and tribal people through boycotts and non-violent protest. He reorganised the Congress with branches across the country and membership open to all. The Salt March of 1930, against a tax that affected everyone, captured national and international attention and began the Civil Disobedience Movement, in which women participated in large numbers. The Quit India Movement of 1942 became a mass upsurge. Gandhi's constructive programme of khadi, removal of untouchability and Hindu–Muslim unity gave people a way to participate in daily life. Peasants saw him as a saviour, and rumours of his powers spread. Thus, through his methods, ideas and personal example, Gandhi turned nationalism into a mass movement.

Quick revision

Return 1915; Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad.
Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh 1919.
Non-Cooperation 1920–22; Salt March 1930; Quit India 1942.
Khadi, swadeshi, unity; assassination 1948.

Exam tips

Make a timeline: 1915, 1917, 1919, 1920, 1922, 1930, 1931, 1942, 1948.
Explain why salt was chosen as a symbol of protest.

Practice MCQs

Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in
1. 1909
2. 1915
3. 1920
4. 1930
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1915. He then travelled across India.
The Salt March ended at
1. Dandi
2. Sabarmati
3. Champaran
4. Bardoli
Show answer
Answer: (a) Dandi. Gandhi broke the salt law there.
The Quit India Movement was launched in
1. 1920
2. 1930
3. 1942
4. 1947
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1942. Its slogan was 'Do or Die'.
Gandhi's first major satyagraha in India was at
1. Kheda
2. Ahmedabad
3. Champaran
4. Bardoli
Show answer
Answer: (c) Champaran. It was for indigo cultivators.
The Non-Cooperation Movement was withdrawn after the incident at
1. Chauri Chaura
2. Jallianwala Bagh
3. Dandi
4. Meerut
Show answer
Answer: (a) Chauri Chaura. Violence occurred there in 1922.
Gandhi attended the Second Round Table Conference in
1. 1928
2. 1931
3. 1935
4. 1942
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1931. It was held in London.
Why was salt an effective symbol for civil disobedience
1. only the rich used it
2. it was banned in India
3. it was used by everyone and the tax on it affected the poor
4. it had no tax
Show answer
Answer: (c) it was used by everyone and the tax on it affected the poor. It united people across classes.
Which source helps historians understand Gandhi's views directly
1. inscriptions
2. only British cartoons
3. coins
4. his own writings and speeches
Show answer
Answer: (d) his own writings and speeches. Other sources show how others saw him.

All chapters of Class 12 History

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.