How did the experience of the First World War contribute to economic hardship and political discontent among Indians between 1913 and 1921?
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:37 · grounding rag
Model Answer
The First World War led to a huge increase in defence expenditure, financed through war loans, higher customs duties, and income tax. Prices doubled between 1913 and 1918, causing extreme hardship. Forced recruitment of soldiers angered rural people. Crop failures in 1918–21 and an influenza epidemic further worsened conditions, causing 12–13 million deaths.
Source: The First World War, Khilafat and Non-Cooperation, Chapter 2
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Explanation
- The question asks specifically about economic hardship and political discontent — cover both briefly.
- Key facts examiners look for: price doubling (1913–1918), war taxes, forced recruitment, crop failures, and epidemic deaths (12–13 million).
- Don't go beyond 1921 or bring in Non-Cooperation details — keep it focused on causes, not consequences.
- Mentioning forced recruitment covers political discontent (rural anger), while rising prices/taxes cover economic hardship — both aspects addressed efficiently.