Class 8 Social Science (Our Past III) Chapter 8 The Making Of the National Movement: 1870s-1947

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I. Chapter Summary:

This chapter traces the evolution of the Indian national movement from its early beginnings in the 1870s to India’s independence in 1947. It highlights the formation of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885 and the diverse strategies adopted by leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Mahatma Gandhi, and Subhas Chandra Bose. The chapter emphasizes how mass participation, civil disobedience, non-cooperation, and Quit India movements shaped the freedom struggle.

It also explains the role of revolutionaries, women, students, and peasants, while noting the partition of Bengal, Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and communal tensions leading to the partition of India. The chapter ends with the transfer of power in 1947 and reflects on the long and multi-dimensional struggle for freedom.

II. Key Concepts Covered:

III. Important Questions:

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark):

1. In which year was the Indian National Congress founded?
   a) 1857
   b) 1875
   c) 1885 ✔️
   d) 1905

2. Who led the Salt March from Sabarmati to Dandi?
   a) Jawaharlal Nehru
   b) Subhas Chandra Bose
   c) Mahatma Gandhi ✔️
   d) Bhagat Singh

3. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred in:
   a) 1918
   b) 1919 ✔️
   c) 1920
   d) 1921

4. What slogan did Subhas Chandra Bose give?
   a) Swaraj is my birthright
   b) Quit India
   c) Vande Mataram
   d) Give me blood, I will give you freedom ✔️

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks):

1. What were the main demands of the early Congress leaders? (PYQ 2020)

2. Explain the significance of the Swadeshi Movement.

3. What was the impact of the Jallianwala Bagh incident on Indian politics? (PYQ 2021)

4. Why did Gandhiji launch the Civil Disobedience Movement?

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks):

1. Describe the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the Indian freedom struggle. (PYQ 2022)

2. Discuss the reasons behind the partition of Bengal and its consequences.

3. How did different sections of Indian society contribute to the national movement?

4. Compare the strategies of Moderates and Extremists in achieving independence.

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills):

1. Do you think non-violence was the best strategy for India’s freedom? Justify with examples.

2. How would India’s freedom struggle have been different without mass participation?

IV. Key Concepts (with Definitions and Examples):

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026):

No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks (ncert.nic.in).

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026):

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs):

VIII. Real-World Application Examples to Connect with Topics:

• Civic Education: Understanding how democratic participation leads to real change.

• Voter Awareness: Tracing how rights were earned and why voting matters today.

• Street Plays/Role Play: Students can enact historical events to connect emotionally.

• Critical Thinking: Comparing Gandhian methods to global leaders (like Mandela or MLK Jr.)

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success:

 Time Management:

• Divide the chapter into Time Periods: 1870s–1905 → 1905–1919 → 1919–1935 → 1935–1947

• Use timelines and flashcards to remember events and leaders.

 Exam Preparation:

• Practice map-based questions (e.g., Dandi, Jallianwala Bagh).

• Write cause-effect tables for major movements (Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India).

 Stress Management:

• Use group discussions to ease learning.

• Watch short documentaries or biographies to visualize history.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration (Class-Specific):

For Classes 9–10:

 Encourage participation in MUNs, quiz competitions, and history exhibitions.

XI. Important Notes:

• Refer to the official CBSE website regularly for updates: https://cbseacademic.nic.in

•  Focus on timeline clarity, cause-effect chains, and leader-based contributions.

•  Don’t memorize dates blindly — understand context and sequence of events for better recall.