Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Significance of the Non-Cooperation Movement:

1. Theoretical Basis: Gandhiji argued in Hind Swaraj that British rule survived only because of Indian cooperation. If Indians refused to cooperate, British rule would collapse and swaraj would come.

1. Mass Participation: The movement (January 1921) united diverse social groups — peasants, tribals, workers, and the middle class — under one national struggle, showing the breadth of anti-colonial feeling.

1. Boycott of British Institutions: Indians surrendered titles, boycotted civil services, courts, legislative councils, schools, and foreign goods, directly weakening colonial authority.

1. Workers and Tribals: Plantation workers in Assam defied the Inland Emigration Act and left tea gardens; tribals linked their local struggles to the national movement, widening its social base.

1. National Unity: It forged emotional and organisational unity among people with varied aspirations, all responding to the call of swaraj.

Source: Chapter 2, Sections 1.3 and 2

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• Examiners expect named examples (Assam plantation workers, Chauri Chaura, etc.) — not just general statements.
• Cover: Gandhi's idea behind non-cooperation → stages of the movement → who participated → impact/significance.
• Mention Hind Swaraj for theoretical grounding; it shows conceptual understanding.
• Avoid writing lengthy descriptions of one point at the expense of others — spread marks across distinct points.
• 5 marks = roughly 5 crisp points with supporting detail, which this answer provides.