Non-Cooperation & Civil Disobedience — Set 3

Correct Answer: C. Dandi

The Dandi March ended at Dandi, a coastal village in Gujarat. On April 6, 1930, Gandhi picked up a lump of salt from the seashore, symbolically breaking the British salt law. This act of civil disobedience launched the Civil Disobedience Movement across India.

Correct Answer: B. Made salt from seawater violating British salt law

At Dandi on April 6, 1930, Gandhi picked up natural salt from the seashore, symbolically violating the British salt law which gave the government a monopoly over salt production and sale. This simple act of breaking an unjust law galvanised millions of Indians into action. The Civil Disobedience Movement spread rapidly across the country following this symbolic gesture.

Correct Answer: B. Salt was used by every Indian regardless of class or religion

Gandhi chose salt because it was a basic necessity used by every Indian — rich or poor, Hindu or Muslim, from every region. The British salt tax was deeply resented as it taxed the most essential commodity. By choosing salt, Gandhi found an issue that could unite all Indians across class, caste, and religious lines.

Correct Answer: C. 11

Gandhi presented 11 demands to Viceroy Lord Irwin in his famous letter of March 2, 1930, before starting the Dandi March. These demands included abolition of the salt tax, reduction of land revenue, reduction of military expenditure, and release of political prisoners. When Irwin rejected these demands, Gandhi proceeded with the march.

Correct Answer: B. Lord Irwin

Lord Irwin (later Lord Halifax) was the Viceroy of India when Gandhi launched the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. Gandhi wrote his famous letter of 11 demands to Irwin before the Dandi March. Irwin later negotiated the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of March 1931 that temporarily suspended the movement.

Correct Answer: C. 1931

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on March 5, 1931. Under this pact, Gandhi agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement, and the British agreed to release political prisoners arrested during the movement and allow salt manufacture along the coast. The pact was criticised by many Congress leaders as insufficient.

Correct Answer: B. Release political prisoners and allow coastal salt manufacture

Under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of March 1931, the British agreed to release political prisoners arrested during the Civil Disobedience Movement and permit people living near the coast to manufacture salt for personal use. Gandhi agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement and attend the Second Round Table Conference. The pact was controversial as many nationalists felt Gandhi conceded too much.

Correct Answer: B. Second Round Table Conference 1931

Gandhi attended the Second Round Table Conference in London in 1931 as the sole representative of the Indian National Congress. The Congress had boycotted the First Round Table Conference in 1930. The Second Conference failed to reach agreement, particularly on the question of minority representation, leading Gandhi to return disappointed.

Correct Answer: B. Congress was engaged in the Civil Disobedience Movement

Congress boycotted the First Round Table Conference (November 1930–January 1931) because most Congress leaders were imprisoned during the Civil Disobedience Movement. The Congress considered it futile to attend without the primary independence demand being addressed. The Second Round Table Conference (1931) was attended by Gandhi after the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.

Correct Answer: C. B.R. Ambedkar

The Poona Pact of September 24, 1932 was signed between Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar. The British had announced the Communal Award granting separate electorates for depressed classes (Dalits). Gandhi opposed separate electorates and went on a fast-unto-death, leading to the Poona Pact compromise.