Differing Strands within the Movement
Introduction
In NCERT Class 10 History Chapter 2, Section 2 shows that the Non-Cooperation Movement was not the same everywhere. People joined it, but each group had its own meaning of swaraj (self-rule) and its own local problems. That is why this section is called “Differing Strands within the Movement”—because peasants, tribals, and plantation workers participated, but their goals were sometimes different from Congress’s main programme.
Why “differing strands”?
NCERT explains that as the movement spread from cities to the countryside, it became a mass movement, but different social groups interpreted it differently. In many places, people connected Gandhi’s message with their local issues—like high rent, begar (forced labour), forest restrictions, or plantation rules.
Movement in the countryside: Peasants (Awadh)
What were peasants fighting for?
In Awadh, the peasant movement was mainly against talukdars and landlords who demanded high rents and many extra payments from peasants. Peasants were also forced to do begar (unpaid labour).
Leader: Baba Ramchandra
NCERT mentions that the peasant movement in Awadh was led by Baba Ramchandra, a sanyasi who had earlier been an indentured labourer in Fiji. He helped peasants organize and raise their demands.
Oudh Kisan Sabha:
The Oudh Kisan Sabha was set up (with leaders like Baba Ramchandra and others), and it spread quickly in the region.
Methods used-
It highlights the idea of “nai-dhobi bandhs”—a social boycott where local service providers like barbers and washermen refused services to landlords. This was used to pressurize oppressive landlords.
Quick table: Awadh peasants
|
Point |
NCERT-aligned facts |
|
Region |
Awadh (United Provinces) |
|
Main issue |
High rents, cesses, begar by landlords/talukdars |
|
Leader |
|
|
Organisation |
Oudh Kisan Sabha |
|
Methods |
Social boycott like nai-dhobi bandhs |
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Tribal people and the movement (Gudem Hills, Andhra)
What did “swaraj” mean to tribals?
For tribal communities, swaraj often meant freedom to use forests the way they had traditionally done. They were angry because colonial forest policies restricted grazing, collection of forest produce, and movement inside forests.
Alluri Sitaram Raju (key personality)
A tribal guerrilla movement in the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh, led by Alluri Sitaram Raju. He claimed special powers and spread the message that India could be liberated, sometimes even through force, which differed from Gandhiji’s idea of non-violence.
What happened in the movement?
The rebels attacked police stations and used guerrilla warfare methods, showing that tribal participation did not always follow the same non-violent pattern.
Quick table: Tribal interpretation
|
Point |
NCERT-aligned facts |
|
Region |
Gudem Hills, Andhra Pradesh |
|
Main issue |
Forest restrictions; control by colonial government |
|
Leader |
Alluri Sitaram Raju |
|
Nature |
Guerrilla movement; not fully non-violent |
|
Idea of swaraj |
Freedom linked to forests and local life |
Complete Notes on Nationalism in India (First World War, Khilafat & Non-Cooperation Movement)
Plantation workers in Assam and Non-Cooperation
Why did plantation workers join?
Plantation workers in Assam had their own understanding of freedom and swaraj. Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, they were not allowed to leave tea gardens without permission.
What did they do during the movement?
When they heard about the Non-Cooperation Movement, thousands of workers defied authorities and left plantations to go back to their villages. They believed that “Gandhi Raj” would bring them land in their villages and freedom to move.
What was the result?
NCERT-linked explanations mention they did not always reach home and many were stranded on the way due to transport disruptions (like strikes).
Quick table: Plantation workers
|
Point |
NCERT-aligned facts |
|
Region |
Tea plantations, Assam |
|
Main issue |
Restricted movement due to Inland Emigration Act (1859) |
|
What they did |
Left plantations, tried to return home |
|
Their meaning of swaraj |
Freedom to move + land in village (belief) |
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Why did these “strands” create limits?
The main idea here is: different groups joined with different expectations, and sometimes Congress could not satisfy all their demands. So, even though the movement became wide, unity was not perfect everywhere because local demands could go beyond the Congress programme.
MCQs for Practice (CBSE Board PYQs)
1. The peasant movement in Awadh during Non-Cooperation was led by:
A. C.R. Das
B. Baba Ramchandra
C. Alluri Sitaram Raju
D. Motilal Nehru
Ans: B
2. “Nai-dhobi bandhs” were organised to:
A. Promote spinning of khadi
B. Deprive landlords of services like barbers and washermen
C. Stop plantation work in Assam
D. Break the salt law
Ans: B
3. Plantation workers in Assam were not permitted
to leave tea gardens without permission due to the:
A. Rowlatt Act
B. Inland Emigration Act (1859)
C. Vernacular Press Act
D. Arms Act
Ans: B
4. The tribal movement in the Gudem Hills of Andhra
Pradesh was led by:
A. Baba Ramchandra
B. Alluri Sitaram Raju
C. Muhammad Ali
D. Jawaharlal Nehru
Ans: B
5. For plantation workers in Assam,
“freedom/swaraj” mainly meant:
A. Right to vote in councils
B. Right to move freely in and out of tea gardens and keep link with village
C. Only boycott of foreign cloth
D. Joining Congress committees
Ans: B
6. Which pair is correctly matched?
A. Awadh – Inland Emigration Act
B. Assam – Nai-dhobi bandhs
C. Gudem Hills – Alluri Sitaram Raju
D. Awadh – Salt March
Ans: C
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Very Short Answer Questions - CBSE Board PYQs
Q1.
Name the leader who led the Awadh peasant movement.
Answer:
Baba Ramchandra.
Q2. What were “nai-dhobi bandhs”?
Answer:
A social boycott where panchayats stopped services of barbers (nai) and
washermen (dhobi) to deprive landlords of services.
Q3. Name the Act that restricted the
movement of plantation workers in Assam.
Answer:
Inland Emigration Act, 1859.
Q4. Name the leader of the tribal
guerrilla movement in the Gudem Hills.
Answer:
Alluri Sitaram Raju.
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Short Answer Questions - CBSE Board PYQs
Q1) Why did the peasants of Awadh join the Non-Cooperation Movement? Explain any three reasons.
Answer (Any three points):
They were fighting against landlords and talukdars due to exploitation.
They demanded reduction of revenue/rents and abolition of begar.
They used methods like nai-dhobi bandhs and social boycott to pressurize landlords.
Q2) “Tribal peasants interpreted the message of Mahatma Gandhi and the idea of Swaraj in another way.” Justify.
Answer:
Tribal communities connected Swaraj with their local issues like control over forests and livelihood.
In Gudem Hills (Andhra Pradesh), a militant/guerrilla movement spread under Alluri Sitaram Raju.
This showed their participation was not always based on strict non-violence, reflecting a different understanding of Swaraj.
Q3) Explain the response of plantation workers in Assam to the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Answer:
Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, they could not leave tea gardens without permission.
When they heard about Non-Cooperation, thousands defied authorities, left plantations, and headed home.
They believed “Gandhi Raj” was
coming and they would get land in their own villages, but many did not reach
home due to disruptions.
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Long Answer Questions - CBSE Board PYQs
Q1) Explain “Differing Strands within the Movement” with reference to Awadh peasants, Gudem Hills tribals and Assam plantation workers.
Answer (Write in points):
· It explains that different social groups joined the Non-Cooperation Movement, but each interpreted Swaraj according to local needs, creating “differing strands.”
· In Awadh, peasants led by Baba Ramchandra fought against landlords/talukdars and used methods like nai-dhobi bandhs as part of their struggle.
· In the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh, tribals participated under Alluri Sitaram Raju, and the movement often took militant/guerrilla forms.
· In Assam plantations, workers restricted by the Inland Emigration Act (1859) left tea gardens when they heard of the movement, believing Gandhi Raj would bring freedom and land in villages.
· Thus, the movement spread widely, but its meaning and methods differed across regions and groups.
Q2) “The idea of Swaraj was interpreted differently by different social groups in India.” Explain with example. (5 marks)
Answer:
· For Awadh peasants, Swaraj meant relief from landlord oppression, reduced rents/revenue, and end of begar.
· For Gudem Hills tribals, Swaraj meant protection of forest-based livelihood and freedom from restrictive colonial control; the movement could become militant.
· For Assam plantation workers, Swaraj meant freedom of movement (leaving tea gardens) and maintaining ties with their villages, restricted earlier by the Inland Emigration Act.
· These examples
show that while the national movement was one, the understanding of freedom
depended on local conditions.
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Conclusion
Section 2 teaches a very important exam idea: a national movement becomes strong when many groups join, but unity becomes challenging when each group has its own problems and meaning of swaraj. Awadh peasants, Andhra tribals, and Assam plantation workers all participated, but their demands were shaped by local life and local struggles.
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