Nationalism in India – Key Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key people, events, laws and concepts from the chapter 'Nationalism in India'.

Modern Indian Nationalism

A sense of collective identity that emerged in India during the struggle against British colonial rule.

Anti-colonial Movement

Political and social efforts aimed at ending foreign domination; in India it bound diverse groups through a common sense of oppression.

First World War (Indian Impact)

Created economic hardship through higher defence expenditure, war loans, increased taxes and soaring prices.

War Loans & Taxes

Financial measures (custom-duty hikes, new income tax) used by the British to fund WWI, burdening Indians.

Price Rise 1913-18

Doubling of prices during WWI, intensifying hardship for ordinary Indians.

Village Recruitment

Forced enlistment of rural men as soldiers during WWI, causing anger in villages.

Influenza Epidemic 1918-19

Deadly pandemic that, with famine, killed 12–13 million Indians (Census 1921).

Rowlatt Act (1919)

Law granting the colonial government power to imprison political activists without trial for up to two years.

Satyagraha

Gandhi’s method of non-violent resistance based on truth (satya) and firmness (agraha).

Mahatma Gandhi

Leader who unified diverse groups into mass movements using satyagraha, non-cooperation and civil disobedience.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22)

Nation-wide boycott of British institutions, goods and honours led by Gandhi after Jallianwala Bagh.

Withdrawal of NCM

Gandhi’s decision (Feb 1922) to call off the movement after violence at Chauri Chaura, citing need for discipline.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

13 Apr 1919 firing by Gen. Dyer on an unarmed Amritsar crowd, killing hundreds to instil ‘moral effect’.

Martial Law in Punjab

Military rule imposed after Jallianwala Bagh to crush dissent.

Simon Commission (1928)

British committee to review the Indian constitution; boycotted because it had no Indian member.

“Go Back Simon”

Nation-wide slogan raised when the Simon Commission landed in India.

Bharat Mata (Abanindranath Tagore)

Iconic painting of Mother India as a serene, ascetic figure symbolising the nation and divine motherhood.

Khadi

Homespun cloth promoted by Gandhi as a symbol of self-reliance and boycott of foreign textiles.

Boycott of Foreign Cloth

Economic weapon of NCM; imports fell from ₹102 crore to ₹57 crore (1921-22).

Oudh Kisan Sabha

Peasant organisation (1920) led by Jawaharlal Nehru & Baba Ramchandra to fight talukdar oppression.

Baba Ramchandra

Sanyasi leader of Awadh peasants demanding lower rent and end to begar.

Begar

Forced, unpaid labour extracted by landlords or colonial authorities.

Nai-Dhobi Bandh

Social boycott tactic (barbers & washermen strike) used against oppressive landlords in Awadh.

Alluri Sitaram Raju

Charismatic leader of the Gudem tribal rebellion who combined Gandhi’s ideas with armed resistance.

Gudem Rebellion

Militant tribal uprising in Andhra (early 1920s) against forest restrictions and colonial rule.

Assam Plantation Workers’ Exodus

Mass attempt by tea-garden labourers to return home during NCM, believing “Gandhi Raj” had come.

Salt March / Dandi March (1930)

Gandhi’s 240-mile walk to break the salt law, initiating Civil Disobedience Movement.

Civil Disobedience Movement

Campaign beginning 1930 to openly violate colonial laws (salt, forest, revenue) and refuse taxes.

Separate Electorates

Provision allowing minorities to elect their own representatives; demanded by Muslims and later dalits.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Dalit leader who sought separate electorates and organised the Depressed Classes Association (1930).

Poona Pact (1932)

Agreement between Gandhi and Ambedkar granting dalits reserved seats but within joint electorates.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Muslim League leader ready to drop separate electorates if assured proportional representation.

Hindu Mahasabha

Organisation whose opposition in 1928 derailed compromise on minority representation.

Swaraj

Concept of self-rule; for different groups it meant varied goals—from tax-free land to political freedom.