Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Mahatma Gandhi chose salt as the central symbol of the Civil Disobedience Movement for the following reasons:

1. Universal use: Salt was consumed by both the rich and the poor alike, making it an item every Indian could identify with.

1. Essential item: It was one of the most essential items of food, so a tax on it directly hurt all sections of society.

1. Symbol of British oppression: The government's tax on salt and its monopoly over salt production revealed, as Gandhi declared, "the most oppressive face of British rule."

1. Unifying factor: By choosing salt, Gandhi ensured that all classes — peasants, industrialists, women — could unite in a single common cause, making the movement truly nationwide.

Source: Chapter 2, Section 3.1 – The Salt March and the Civil Disobedience Movement

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Examiners look for three clear points: (1) universality — rich and poor both used salt, (2) essentiality — basic food item, (3) oppressive nature of the tax/monopoly. A fourth point on its unifying role adds value for full marks. Avoid writing a long essay — 4 crisp points with brief explanation each is the ideal format for a 3-mark answer. The phrase "most oppressive face of British rule" is a direct textbook quote worth including.