Why were the dialogues at the Round Table Conference inconclusive?
The British Government has had the policy to review the progress of self-rule in India and bring reforms after the gap of ten years. This began in 1910 with Morley Minto Reform and was followed in 1920 with Montague Chemsford Report. Ten years later British government invited Round Table Conference in London for the way forward. The First Round Table Conference took place in November, 1930. The Conference failed as the most important stake holder of Indian Freedom Movement, the Indian National Congress was absent in the conference. The leaders of the Congress were behind bars due to civil disobedience movement. The Second Table Conference took pace in February 1931. One month earlier Mahatma Gandhi was released from the jail. Hence, he participated in the conference. Gandhi Irwin pact was signed and the British government agreed to withdraw salt law partly. But the agreement came under criticism as it did not talk about complete independence of India. Third and the most important Round Table Conference took place in the later part of 1931. The new constitutional developments were not agreed upon. The main reason was that the other participants of the conference described Congress as representative of small group of Indians and not the entire population. The major voice of dissent were, the Moslem League that claimed itself the sole representative of the Moslems in India, Dr B.R. Ambedkar claimed himself the sole representative of the low castes in India and the native rulers also claimed they would deal with the British independently and Congress could not have any say in that. To conclude divisive politics of Moslem League, Dr Ambedkar and the attitude of the princely states are the main reasons for the failure of the round table conferences.
Why was the charkha chosen as a symbol of nationalism?
How was non-cooperation a form of protest?
In what way did Mahatma Gandhi transform the nature of the national movement?
Find out about the route of the Dandi March. On a map of Gujarat plot the line of the march and mark the major towns and villages that it passed along the route.Find out about the route of the Dandi March. On a map of Gujarat plot the line of the march and mark the major towns and villages that it passed along the route.
How was Mahatma Gandhi perceived by the peasants?
How did Mahatma Gandhi seek to identify with the common people?
Why did the salt laws become an important issue of struggle?
What do private letters and autobiographies tell us about an individual? How are these sources different from official accounts?
Why are newspapers an important source for the study of the national movement?
Why was the jotedar a powerful figure in many areas of rural Bengal?
Why did the mutinous sepoys in many places turn to erstwhile rulers to provide leadership to the revolt?
To what extent are census data useful in reconstructing patterns of urbanisation in the colonial context?
What did the Muslim League demand through its resolution of 1940?
What were the ideals expressed in the Objectives Resolution?
How did zamindars manage to retain control over their zamindaris?
Discuss the evidence that indicates planning and coordination on the part of the rebels.
What do the terms “White” and “Black” Town signify?
Why did some people think of Partition as a very sudden development?
How was the term minority defined by different groups?
What do visual representations tell us about the revolt of 1857? How do historians analyse these representations?
On an outline map of India, trace the major rivers and hill ranges. Plot ten cities mentionedin the chapter, including Bombay, Calcutta and Madras, and prepare a brief note on why the importance of any two cities that you have marked (one colonial and one pre-colonial) changed in the nineteenth century.
Discuss the extent to which religious beliefs shaped the events of 1857.
Why was the revolt particularly widespread in Awadh? What prompted the peasants, taluqdars and zamindars to join the revolt?
What were the arguments in favour of greater power to the provinces?
What connection did some of the members of the Constituent Assembly make between the political situation of the time and the need for a strong Centre?
In what way was the livelihood of the Paharias different from that of the Santhals?
Examine the strengths and limitations of oral history. How have oral-history techniques furthered our understanding of Partition?
How was the term minority defined by different groups?
Why did some people think of Partition as a very sudden development?