With the CBSE Class 10th board exams 2026 starting from 17 February and the Social Science paper scheduled on 10 March 2026, students need focused and concept-based revision of History chapters. Class 10 Nationalism in India notes explain the growth of national consciousness among Indians during the struggle against British colonial rule. These notes cover important movements, events, and leaders that shaped India’s freedom movement.
Aligned with the CBSE Class 10 syllabus, they help students understand the unique nature of Indian nationalism and prepare effectively for the board examination. These class 10 history chapter 2 notes explore how this feeling grew. It covers major movements and figures that shaped India's path to independence, highlighting the unique aspects of nationalism in India class 10 context.
Nationalism in India Class 10 Notes
Nationalism in India Class 10 notes provide a concise and clear overview of India’s freedom struggle, key movements, and major events to help students prepare effectively for exams.
Introduction to Modern Nationalism
Modern nationalism relates to the formation of nation-states. In India, its rise was deeply linked to the anti-colonial struggle. People discovered shared identity and unity during their fight against British colonialism.
First World War, Khilafat, and Non-Cooperation
After 1919, the national movement spread, involving new groups and methods. World War I created severe economic and political issues for India. This included higher defense spending, increased income tax, rising prices, and forced recruitment in rural areas. Crop failures and continued hardships followed the war.
The Idea of Satyagraha
Satyagraha offered a new way to resist colonial rule. It meant insisting on truth through non-aggressive, peaceful mass protests against injustice. Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in January 1915. He launched Satyagraha campaigns in Champaran, Bihar (1917), Kheda district, Gujarat (1918), and among Ahmedabad cotton mill workers (1918).
The Rowlatt Act (1919)
This Act granted the government vast powers. It allowed repression of political activities. It also permitted detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
On April 13, 1919, a large crowd gathered in Jallianwala Bagh. General Dyer blocked exit points and fired on the crowd, killing hundreds. As news spread, strikes, clashes, and attacks on government buildings started. The government responded with brutal force. Gandhi ended the Rowlatt Satyagraha due to the widespread violence.
Khilafat Movement
The Khilafat Movement was led by brothers Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali. A Khilafat Committee formed in Bombay in March 1919. Its goal was to defend the Khalifa's temporal powers. In September 1920, at the Calcutta session, Gandhi persuaded Congress to support this movement. They agreed to start a Non-Cooperation Movement for Khilafat and Swaraj.
Why Non-Cooperation?
In Hind Swaraj (1909), Mahatma Gandhi stated British rule in India depended on Indian cooperation. The Non-Cooperation program was adopted at the Nagpur Congress session in December 1920. Gandhi suggested the movement unfold in stages. It would start with surrendering titles and boycotting civil services, army, police, courts, councils, schools, and foreign goods. A full civil disobedience campaign would follow if repression occurred.
Differing Strands within the Movement
The Non-Cooperation-Khilafat Movement began in January 1921. Various social groups participated, each with specific goals. All answered the call for Swaraj, but the term meant different things to different people.
Movement in the Towns
It started with middle-class involvement in cities. Students, teachers, and lawyers gave up their studies, jobs, and legal practices. They joined the movement. Council elections were boycotted. Foreign goods were also boycotted, and liquor shops were picketed. However, the movement failed in towns. Khadi cloth was too expensive for the poor. Indian institutions were slow to emerge. Many people returned to British institutions.
Rebellion in the Countryside
Peasants and tribal communities took up the struggle, which became violent. Baba Ramchandra led the peasant movement in Awadh against landlords. The Oudh Kisan Sabha was set up in 1920. Jawaharlal Nehru and Baba Ramchandra headed it. In Andhra Pradesh, Alluri Sitaram Raju led guerrilla warfare in the Gudem Hills. Rebels attacked police stations. Raju was captured and executed in 1924.
Swaraj in the Plantations
For plantation workers, Swaraj meant freedom to move. They protested the Inland Emigration Act (1859). This Act prevented them from leaving plantations without permission. Each group interpreted "Swaraj" in their own way.
Towards Civil Disobedience
In February 1922, at Chauri Chaura, Gorakhpur, a peaceful protest turned violent. It clashed with the police. Mahatma Gandhi stopped the Non-Cooperation Movement. He felt it was becoming violent, and Satyagrahis needed better training. Leaders like C. R. Das and Motilal Nehru formed the Swaraj Party. They wanted to return to council politics. Younger leaders, like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, pushed for radical mass agitation and full independence.
Factors Shaping Politics in Late 1920s
The worldwide economic depression caused agricultural prices to collapse after 1930. Demand for goods fell, and exports declined. The Simon Commission, formed by Britain's Tory government, arrived in India in 1928. It aimed to address nationalist demands. Congress protested against this commission. In December 1929, under Jawaharlal Nehru's presidency, the Lahore session of Congress demanded Purna Swaraj (complete independence).
The Salt March and the Civil Disobedience Movement
Gandhi chose salt as a symbol to unite the nation. Everyone consumed salt.
Salt March (Dandi March)
The Salt March began on March 12, 1930, from Sabarmati Ashram. On April 6, 1930, Gandhi reached Dandi, a village in Gujarat. He broke the Salt Law by boiling water and making salt. This started the Civil Disobedience Movement. Unlike Non-Cooperation, people were asked to break colonial laws, not just refuse cooperation. Boycotting foreign goods, not paying taxes, and breaking forest laws were key features. The British government responded with brutal repression. They arrested all leaders, including Gandhi and Nehru. Mahatma Gandhi eventually called off the movement.
Gandhi-Irwin Pact
On March 5, 1931, Lord Irwin, the Viceroy, signed a pact with Gandhi. In December 1931, Gandhi went to London for the Second Round Table Conference but returned disappointed. Gandhi relaunched the Civil Disobedience Movement, but it lost momentum by 1934.
How Participants Saw the Movement
Rich peasants expected lower revenue demands. They joined when the British refused. They did not rejoin when the movement was called off without revenue rate revisions. Poor peasants wanted rent remission. Congress was hesitant to support "no rent" campaigns, fearing alienation of rich peasants. Business classes faced reduced profits after the war. They wanted protection against foreign imports. They formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress (1920) and FICCI (1927). Women also joined protests, made salt, and picketed shops. However, Congress was reluctant to give women leadership roles.
Limits of Civil Disobedience
The Dalits (Untouchables) did not actively participate. They demanded reserved seats and separate electorates. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, their leader, formed the Depressed Classes Association in 1930. The Poona Pact (1932) between Gandhi and Ambedkar granted reserved seats in provincial and central councils. These seats were to be voted on by the general electorate. Muslim League leader M.A. Jinnah sought reserved seats for Muslims in the Central Assembly. Large sections of Muslims did not participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
The Sense of Collective Belonging
The feeling of collective belonging came partly from shared struggles. History, fiction, folklore, songs, popular prints, and symbols all played a role. By 1921, Gandhi designed the Swaraj flag. It was a tricolour (red, green, white) with a spinning wheel in the center.
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