Class 11 History - ISC
Gandhian Nationalism (1927-1937)
The chapter 'Gandhian Nationalism (1927-1937)' covers a crucial decade in India's freedom struggle under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership. It explores the transition from the Simon Commission boycott and the Nehru Report to the momentous Civil Disobedience Movement, the Salt Satyagraha, and the Round Table Conferences. Students will also study the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, the Communal Award, the Poona Pact, and the 1937 provincial elections. For ISC Class 11 History, this chapter is vital for understanding how mass mobilization evolved and how constitutional reforms paved the way toward ultimate independence, frequently appearing in both short-answer and long essay questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Simon Commission (1927)
A group of British MPs sent to India to report on constitutional reform, which was universally boycotted by Indians because it included no Indian members, leading to widespread protests and the slogan 'Simon Go Back'.
Civil Disobedience Movement & Salt Satyagraha (1930)
A mass movement launched by Gandhi with the Dandi March to defy the unjust salt laws, symbolizing direct action and widespread refusal to cooperate with British rule.
Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)
An agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and Viceroy Lord Irwin where the Congress agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement and attend the Second Round Table Conference in exchange for the release of political prisoners.
Poona Pact (1932)
An agreement between B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi on behalf of depressed classes, settling for reserved seats in the legislature instead of separate electorates while fasting in Yerwada Jail.
Government of India Act 1935 & 1937 Elections
The Act provided for provincial autonomy and led to the 1937 elections, where the Indian National Congress formed ministries in a majority of provinces, marking a shift toward parliamentary politics.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the ISC Class 11 History exam, this chapter typically carries 10 to 15 marks. Questions often appear as structured short-answer questions (identifying dates, leaders, and pacts) and 10-mark essay questions focusing on the causes and impact of the Civil Disobedience Movement or the significance of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Simon Commission boycotted by all Indian political parties?
The Simon Commission was boycotted because it was an all-white commission with zero Indian members, which Indians viewed as a blatant violation of their right to determine their own constitutional future.
What was the main significance of the Lahore Session of 1929?
Under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, the Congress passed the historic 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) resolution and decided to celebrate January 26 as Independence Day every year.
How did the Poona Pact resolve the issue of representation for depressed classes?
Instead of separate electorates which Gandhi opposed as socially divisive, the Poona Pact agreed to reserved seats for the depressed classes within the general electorate, along with an increased number of total reserved seats.
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