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India's Long Road to Independence – Class 8 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 8 Social Science, chapter 9. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

India's struggle for freedom stretched over nearly a century, from the revolt of 1857 to independence on 15 August 1947. It included early revolts by peasants and tribals, the founding of the Indian National Congress, mass movements led by Mahatma Gandhi, revolutionary activities and the efforts of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army.

Early resistance and the Congress

Revolts such as the Paika rebellion in Odisha (1817), the Santhal Hul (1855) and the revolt of 1857 challenged British rule.
The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885; early leaders (Moderates) used petitions and debates, while later leaders such as Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal (Extremists) demanded swaraj.
The Partition of Bengal (1905) led to the Swadeshi movement and boycott of British goods.
Birsa Munda led the Ulgulan (great tumult) of the Munda tribals in 1899–1900.

The Gandhian era

The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22), Civil Disobedience Movement with the Salt March (1930) and the Quit India Movement (1942) involved millions.
Revolutionaries such as Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad and Surya Sen also fought British rule.

Final phase

Subhas Chandra Bose led the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) and formed the Azad Hind government in 1943.
The Royal Indian Navy revolt (1946) and mass protests weakened British control.
India became independent on 15 August 1947, but the country was partitioned, causing great violence and migration.

Key terms

Swaraj: self-rule or independence
Swadeshi: using goods made in one's own country
Quit India Movement: the 1942 mass movement demanding that the British leave India immediately
Indian National Army: the army led by Subhas Chandra Bose to free India from British rule

Important questions with answers

What was the Swadeshi movement?2 marks

The Swadeshi movement began after the Partition of Bengal in 1905. People boycotted British goods, burned foreign cloth and used goods made in India. Indian industries, schools and national institutions were set up, and the movement spread national feeling widely.

Explain the role of Subhas Chandra Bose in the freedom struggle.3 marks

Subhas Chandra Bose was a radical Congress leader who believed in armed struggle. During the Second World War he organised the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) with Indian soldiers and civilians in South-East Asia, formed the Azad Hind government in 1943 and gave the slogan 'Delhi Chalo'. The INA trials later aroused great national feeling.

Trace the main stages of India's long road to independence from 1857 to 1947.5 marks

The revolt of 1857, preceded by uprisings such as the Paika rebellion in Odisha (1817) and the Santhal Hul (1855), was the first large challenge to British rule; after it, the Crown took direct control. In 1885 the Indian National Congress was founded; early Moderate leaders used petitions, while Extremists such as Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal demanded swaraj. The Partition of Bengal in 1905 led to the Swadeshi movement and boycott of foreign goods. Tribal movements such as Birsa Munda's Ulgulan (1899–1900) resisted exploitation. After 1919, Mahatma Gandhi led mass movements: Non-Cooperation (1920–22), Civil Disobedience with the Salt March (1930) and Quit India (1942), drawing in peasants, workers, women and students. Revolutionaries such as Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad inspired youth. Subhas Chandra Bose led the Indian National Army and formed the Azad Hind government in 1943. The Royal Indian Navy revolt and mass protests in 1946 showed that Britain could no longer hold India. India became independent on 15 August 1947, though Partition caused violence and the migration of millions.

Quick revision

Revolt of 1857; Congress 1885.
Partition of Bengal 1905 → Swadeshi.
Non-Cooperation 1920, Salt March 1930, Quit India 1942.
Independence 15 August 1947, with Partition.

Exam tips

Make a timeline: 1857, 1885, 1905, 1919, 1920, 1930, 1942, 1943, 1946, 1947.
Include tribal and regional movements (Paika, Santhal, Birsa Munda) in long answers.

Practice MCQs

The Indian National Congress was founded in
1. 1857
2. 1885
3. 1905
4. 1920
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1885. It became the leading organisation of the national movement.
India became independent on
1. 26 January 1950
2. 2 October 1947
3. 15 August 1947
4. 9 August 1942
Show answer
Answer: (c) 15 August 1947. Independence came with Partition.
The Quit India Movement was launched in
1. 1920
2. 1930
3. 1942
4. 1946
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1942. Gandhi gave the call 'Do or Die'.
The Swadeshi movement began after the
1. Jallianwala Bagh massacre
2. Partition of Bengal (1905)
3. Salt March
4. revolt of 1857
Show answer
Answer: (b) Partition of Bengal (1905). People boycotted British goods.
The Indian National Army was led by
1. Bhagat Singh
2. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
3. Subhas Chandra Bose
4. Jawaharlal Nehru
Show answer
Answer: (c) Subhas Chandra Bose. He formed the Azad Hind government in 1943.
Birsa Munda led a tribal movement called
1. Paika rebellion
2. Swadeshi
3. Hul
4. Ulgulan
Show answer
Answer: (d) Ulgulan. It took place in 1899–1900.
Which leaders were known as the 'Extremists'
1. Gokhale and Naoroji
2. Jinnah and Iqbal
3. Nehru and Patel
4. Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal
Show answer
Answer: (d) Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal. They were called Lal–Bal–Pal.
The Royal Indian Navy revolt took place in
1. 1857
2. 1919
3. 1946
4. 1950
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1946. It showed that the armed forces were no longer loyal to the British.

All chapters of Class 8 Social Science

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.