Q16 of 29 Page 1

“Tomorrow we shall break the salt tax law”

On 5 April 1930, Mahatma Gandhi spoke at Dandi:


When I left Sabarmati with my companions for this seaside hamlet of Dandi, I was not certain in my mind that we would be allowed to reach this place. Even while I was at Sabarmati there was a rumour that I might be arrested. I had thought that the Government might perhaps let my party come as far as Dandi, but not me certainly. If someone says that this betrays imperfect faith on my part, I shall not deny the charge. That I have reached here is in no small measure due to the power of peace and non-violence: that power is universally felt. The Government may, if it wishes, congratulate itself on acting as it has done, for it could have arrested every one of us. In saying that it did not have the courage to arrest this army of peace, we praise it. It felt ashamed to arrest such an army. He is a civilised man who feels ashamed to do anything which his neighbours would disapprove. The Government deserves to be congratulated on not arresting us, even if it desisted only from fear of world opinion. Tomorrow we shall break the salt tax law. Whether the Government will tolerate that is a different question. It may not tolerate it, but it deserves congratulationthe patience and forbearance it has displayed in regard to this party. … What if I and all the eminent leaders in Gujarat and in the rest of the country are arrested? This movement is based on the faith that when a whole nation is roused and on the march no leader is necessary.


(i) Why did Gandhiji start the Dandi March?


(ii) Why was Salt March notable?


(iii) The power of peace and non-violence was universally felt. Why did Gandhiji say so?

(i)the state monopoly over salt caused great unrest among the people. It prohibited people from manufacturing salt and thus imposed high taxes. Gandhiji thus started Dandi March as salt was an indispensable item.

(ii) Salt March was notable as it was a major non-violent protest movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma chose salt as a tool to mobilize the Indian population, as it was an indispensable tool and was used in every household. The monopoly of the state over salt roused the whole nation. The army of peace was thus successful in challenging the British authorities.


(iii) The Salt March mobilized people from all walks of life. Everyone came on the street to peacefully protest against the Salt law. It was not just the Indian people but the British government also followed the path of peace and non-violence. It did not arrest anyone of them or caused any hurdle in their march. Thus, the principle of peace and non- violence widely gained acceptance.


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14

Draupadi’s Marriage

Drupada, the king of Panchala organised a competition where the challenge was to string a bow and hit a target; the winner would be chosen to marry his daughter Draupadi. Arjun was victorious and was garlanded by Draupadi. The Pandavas returned with her to their mother Kunti, who even, before she saw them asked them to share whatever they had got. She realised her mistake when she saw Draupadi, but her command could not be violated. After much deliberation, Yudhisthira decided that Draupadi would be their common wife. When Drupada was told about this, he protested. However, the Seer Vyasa arrived and told him that Pandavas in relaity were incarnations of Indra, whose wife had been reborn as Draupadi and they were thus, destined for each other. Vyasa added in another instance that a young woman had prayed to Shiva for a husband, and in her enthusiasm, had prayed five times instead of one. This woman has reborn as Draupadi, and Shiva had fulfilled her prayers. Convinced by these stories, Drupada consented to marriage.


(i) How does the story reveal that the mother was considered as the highest guru?


(ii) Why didn’t Kunti save Draupadi from the dire situation?


(iii) Why did Drupada and Sage Vyasa decide Draupadi’s strange marriage with five men?

 15

A warning for europe

Berinier warned that if European kings followed the Mughal model:


Their kingdoms would be very from being well-ciltivated and peopled, so well built, so rich, so polite and flourishing as we see them. Our kings are otherwise rich and powerful; and we must avow that they are much better and more royally served. They would soon be kings of deserts and solitudes, of beggars and barbarians such as those whom I have been representing(Mughals). We should find the great cities and great Borroughs (boroughs) rendered uninhabitable because of ill air; and to fall to ruine (ruin) without any bodies (anybody) taking care of repairing them; the hillocks abondon’d and field overspread with bushes or fill’d with pestilential marishes (marshes), as hath been already intimidated.


(i) In what ways did Bernier condemn the Mughal rulers?


(ii) What contrast does the account of Bernier and Abu’l Fazl’s Ain-i-Akbari?


(iii) Pride has its fall if power and negligence of duty rule anyone. Explain the statement in relevance to the Bernier’s warning.

 17

Map Question

(1)(a) The place where Gandhiji called off the Non- Cooperation Movement.


(b) Agra, the imperial capital of Mughal.


(2) On the same outline map of India three places related to mature harappan sites are marked as A, B, C. identify them and write their correct names on the lines drawn near them.


 1

Why were Europeans during the 19th century interested in Stupas? Give two reasons.