Shikhar Mains 2023 Day 2 - Answer English

Updated : 7th Jun 2023

Q1. असहयोग आंदोलन के कारणों की संक्षिप्त चर्चा कीजिये। साथ ही इसकी प्रकृति पर टिप्पणी कीजिये । (8 Marks)

Briefly discuss the causes of non-cooperation movement. Also, comment on its nature. (8 Marks)

Approach :

In introduction provide a brief background of the non-cooperation movement.
Discuss the reasons for the movement in detail.
Discuss the features of non-cooperation movement and explain its nature.
Conclusion can be written by discussing its future effects.

Answer-

Between 1919 and 1922, the Indian national movement entered a new phase, that is, mass politics and mass mobilization. The British rule was opposed in the form of non-cooperation movement in which the policy of non-violent struggle was adopted at the national level.

Causes of non-cooperation movement-

World War I: India was forcibly included in the war. Also the movement was inspired by the post-war economic situation. After the First World War, the middle class and lower class people living in towns and cities were affected by acute shortage of food grains, inflation, low industrial production, burden of taxes. Such circumstances strengthened the anti-British sentiments in the minds of the people.
The anti-Rowlett Act movement had affected the entire population equally, due to which Hindus and Muslims grew closer and anti-British sentiments were displayed strongly.
Events like the Martial Law in Punjab and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre exposed the brutal character of British rule.
The justification of the actions of General Dyer by the British Parliament and the recommendations of the Hunter Commission opened everyone's eyes.
Nationalists hoping for responsible government in 1919 were deeply disappointed by the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
The issue of Khilafat: The Muslims in India started the Khilafat movement to restore the Caliphate in Turkey. Despite emerging from different issues, both the movements adopted a similar plan of action.

Nature of non-cooperation movement

In December 1920, in the Nagpur session of the Congress, a resolution related to the non-cooperation movement was passed, in which instead of achieving self-government through constitutional and statutory methods, the goal was to achieve Swaraj through non-violent methods.
Some organizational changes were made in the Congress. A 15-member working committee was formed. All India, provincial committees were also formed.
Government educational institutions were boycotted.
Boycott of courts and Panchayati courts were used to settle the disputes.
Boycott of Legislative Councils: Elections to Legislative Councils were held in November 1920 and all Congress candidates boycotted the elections. Most of the voters also did not participate in these elections.
Boycott of foreign goods and promoting the use of Khadi in its place. Spinning of charkha was encouraged.
Relinquishment of official titles and unpaid posts.

Seeing the impact of this movement, Gandhiji had said that if the movement was carried out according to these programmes, then the goal of Swaraj would be achieved in one year. This movement gave a new direction to the Indian independence movement as well as played an important role in Hindu-Muslim unity.

Q2. प्लासी के युद्ध के कारणों का उल्लेख कीजिये। साथ ही, इसके परिणामों की व्याख्या कीजिए। (12 Marks)

Mention the causes of the Battle of Plassey. Also, explain its consequences. (12 Marks)

Approach -

Begin your answer with the background of the Battle of Plassey.
In main part, mention the reasons for the Battle of Plassey.
At last, write the events of the Battle of Plassey briefly and mention its consequences.

Answer -

The beginning of British political persecution in India is considered to be from the Battle of Plassey of 1757 when the army of the English East India Company defeated the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daula. Enthused by defeating the French in the Carnatic Wars, the British made better use of their experiences in this war. Bengal was then the richest and most fertile province of India. With all, The beneficial interests of the company and its employees were also attached to this. The Company was doing illegal trade using the royal decree granted by the Mughal Emperor in 1717, which was harming the economic interests of Bengal. In this background, Siraj-ud-daula took Kasimbazar and Calcutta under his control in 1756 and the British had to take refuge on the island named Fulta.

After that, with naval aid under the leadership of Watson and Clive, who came from Madras, the British again challenged Siraj-ud-daula and won back Calcutta. However, soon another decisive battle took place between the two sides at Plassey on June 23, 1757.

Reasons for the Battle of Plassey

Imperialist ambitions of the British;

Disputes regarding misuse of the decree of 1717 - Damage to the revenue of Bengal due to the right of dastak given by Farrukhsiyar and misuse of it by the employees of the company not to pay tax on private business, which angered the Nawab.
Challenge to the sovereignty of Siraj-ud-Daula - Enthused by the Second Carnatic War, the British challenged Siraj-ud-Daula's persecution, such as taxing Indian goods in Calcutta, fortifying Calcutta despite the Nawab's refusal, protecting the Nawab's opponents, etc. Siraj took this as a violation of his sovereignty.
Siraj-ud-daula's reaction- Siraj-ud-daula established control over Kasimbazar and Calcutta in June 1756 and the British officers had to take refuge in Fulta Island. Siraj-ud-daula handed over the responsibility of Calcutta to an officer named Manikchand, who betrayed.
Black-hole Incident - Holbel mentioned this incident. Although this has not been proved historically, yet it united the British to take vengeance from Siraj-ud-Daulah.
British control over Calcutta- In January 1757, under the leadership of Clive, British control of Calcutta was re-established. Siraj-ud-Daulah accepted the sovereignty of the British. Although the Nawab compulsorily accepted all the demands of the British, but the British wanted to put a confidant on the throne in his place.
Conspiracy by Clive - Clive plans to remove the Nawab. Along with the Chief General Mir Jafar, many other officers and big businessmen were also involved in this conspiracy. According to the plan, there was a confrontation between the two armies at a place called Plassey and within a few hours the British won.

Consequences of the Battle of Plassey

Political consequences

Rise of the British as a political power in the East (Bengal, Orissa).
Weakening of the political position of the Nawab of Bengal, due to which the influence of the British on the political administration of Bengal such as interference in the appointment of officers of the Nawab etc.
The ambition of the British increased and its effect was seen in the form of political intervention in other Indian regions.

Financial results

A huge amount to the British as compensation.
The British took a considerable amount of zamindari of 24 Parganas and also in the form of gifts. The British took advantage of the access to the rich resources of Bengal in the Third Carnatic War and the expansion of their territory in North India.
The employees of the company were also given the facility of free trade on private trade.
The English East India Company weakened the French and Dutch companies and acquired a monopoly on the trade and commerce of Bengal.

After the Battle of Plassey, the East India Company established itself not only as a commercial body but also as a military company. Now it had a huge land that could be kept safe only through a trained army. As a result of this, the company moved towards military consolidation and its political interference and dominance in different parts of India went on increasing.