Master the Gandhian Era: 25 High-Yield MCQs for UPSC Prelims
Gandhian movements transformed India’s freedom struggle by introducing non-violence, truth, and mass participation. Between 1915 and 1947, Mahatma Gandhi mobilized peasants, workers, women, and students, turning the national movement into a powerful moral force against British colonial rule across diverse regions of India.
These movements emphasized ethical politics, self-reliance, and civil resistance instead of violent rebellion. Gandhi’s leadership reshaped nationalist strategies, weakened British authority, and unified Indians across social divisions, ultimately accelerating India’s journey toward independence through disciplined, peaceful, and participatory struggle.
This topic is highly useful for UPSC and other competitive exams because it connects modern Indian history, political ethics, mass movements, and constitutional developments. Questions frequently test chronology, causes, consequences, and ideological principles of Gandhian movements across prelims, mains, and interview stages.
Keyword Definitions (UPSC / SSC / RRB / SEBI / IBPS / NDA Exams)
- Satyagraha: Satyagraha was Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent resistance based on truth and moral force. It aimed to convert the opponent through ethical appeal rather than coercion, violence, or hatred.
- Non-Cooperation Movement: Launched in 1920, this movement urged Indians to withdraw support from British institutions, titles, and goods, weakening colonial administration through peaceful non-participation.
- Civil Disobedience Movement: Initiated in 1930, it involved deliberate violation of unjust laws, such as the salt law, to challenge British authority through mass non-violent defiance.
- Quit India Movement: Started in 1942, it demanded immediate British withdrawal from India and marked the final mass uprising that seriously shook colonial control during World War II.
- Champaran Satyagraha: Gandhi’s first movement in India (1917) addressed exploitation of indigo farmers by British planters, highlighting agrarian distress and successful non-violent protest.
- Kheda Satyagraha: This 1918 movement supported peasants demanding tax remission due to crop failure, reinforcing Gandhian methods of collective resistance and negotiation.
- Ahmedabad Mill Strike: A labor movement led by Gandhi in 1918 where textile workers demanded wage increases, demonstrating peaceful industrial conflict resolution.
- Swadeshi: Swadeshi emphasized using indigenous goods and boycotting foreign products to promote self-reliance, economic nationalism, and reduction of colonial economic dependence.
- Salt Satyagraha: The 1930 Dandi March protested the British salt monopoly, transforming a simple commodity into a powerful symbol of mass resistance and civil disobedience.
- Constructive Programme: Gandhi’s social reform agenda included khadi promotion, village industries, removal of untouchability, and communal harmony alongside political movements.
- Harijan: A term used by Gandhi for the oppressed castes, meaning “children of God,” reflecting his efforts to eradicate untouchability and social discrimination.
Message to Students
Study Gandhian movements not as dates alone, but as ideas that shaped India’s moral and political foundation. Understanding concepts makes answering even complex exam questions easier and more confident.
MCQs on Gandhian Movements
1. Which was Mahatma Gandhi’s first satyagraha in India?
A. Kheda Satyagraha
B. Ahmedabad Mill Strike
C. Champaran Satyagraha
D. Bardoli Satyagraha
View Answer & Explanation
Champaran Satyagraha was Gandhi’s first Indian movement, addressing indigo farmers’ exploitation. It demonstrated successful non-violent resistance and introduced Gandhian methods to Indian political struggles. Answer: C
2. The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in which year?
A. 1917
B. 1919
C. 1920
D. 1922
View Answer & Explanation
The Non-Cooperation Movement began in 1920, encouraging Indians to boycott British institutions and goods, marking the first nationwide mass movement under Gandhi’s leadership. Answer: C
3. Which incident led to the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
A. Jallianwala Bagh massacre
B. Chauri Chaura incident
C. Simon Commission arrival
D. Dandi March
View Answer & Explanation
The Chauri Chaura incident involved violent clashes resulting in deaths, prompting Gandhi to withdraw the movement, emphasizing his commitment to strict non-violence. Answer: B
4. The Civil Disobedience Movement was formally launched with which event?
A. Simon Commission protest
B. Bardoli Satyagraha
C. Dandi March
D. Quit India Resolution
View Answer & Explanation
The Civil Disobedience Movement began with the Dandi March, where Gandhi violated the salt law, symbolizing defiance of unjust British authority through peaceful mass action. Answer: C
5. Which British law was directly challenged during the Salt Satyagraha?
A. Rowlatt Act
B. Arms Act
C. Salt Law
D. Vernacular Press Act
View Answer & Explanation
The Salt Law prohibited Indians from producing salt. Gandhi challenged this unjust monopoly, turning a common commodity into a powerful symbol of resistance. Answer: C
6. Which movement is known as the final mass struggle against British rule?
A. Non-Cooperation Movement
B. Civil Disobedience Movement
C. Quit India Movement
D. Swadeshi Movement
View Answer & Explanation
The Quit India Movement of 1942 was the last nationwide uprising demanding immediate British withdrawal, seriously weakening colonial administration. Answer: C
7. Which slogan is associated with the Quit India Movement?
A. Swaraj is my birthright
B. Do or Die
C. Inquilab Zindabad
D. Vande Mataram
View Answer & Explanation
“Do or Die” was Gandhi’s call during the Quit India Movement, urging Indians to make the ultimate sacrifice for immediate freedom. Answer: B
8. Which social group actively participated for the first time under Gandhian movements?
A. Princes
B. British officials
C. Masses including peasants and workers
D. Only educated elites
View Answer & Explanation
Gandhian movements mobilized peasants, workers, women, and students, transforming nationalism into a broad-based mass movement. Answer: C
9. Which principle formed the moral foundation of Gandhian movements?
A. Revolutionary violence
B. Non-violence and truth
C. Armed rebellion
D. Constitutional reforms only
View Answer & Explanation
Non-violence and truth were central to Gandhian ideology, emphasizing ethical resistance and moral pressure rather than violent confrontation. Answer: B
10. Which movement was withdrawn due to violence?
A. Civil Disobedience Movement
B. Quit India Movement
C. Non-Cooperation Movement
D. Swadeshi Movement
View Answer & Explanation
The Non-Cooperation Movement was withdrawn after the Chauri Chaura incident, as Gandhi strictly opposed any form of violence. Answer: C
11. Gandhian movements aimed primarily at achieving which goal?
A. Limited reforms
B. Dominion status only
C. Complete independence
D. Separate electorates
View Answer & Explanation
Over time, Gandhian movements shifted focus toward complete independence, rejecting limited reforms and partial self-rule. Answer: C
12. Which movement emphasized boycott of foreign goods?
A. Swadeshi Movement
B. Quit India Movement
C. Home Rule Movement
D. Khilafat Movement
View Answer & Explanation
The Swadeshi Movement promoted indigenous goods and boycott of foreign products to weaken British economic control. Answer: A
MCQs 13–25 cover: Gandhian philosophy, constructive programme, women participation, peasants’ movements, limitations, British response, and overall impact — maintaining the same structure and difficulty.
13. Which programme was an integral part of Gandhian movements to promote social reform?
A. Home Rule Programme
B. Constructive Programme
C. Revolutionary Programme
D. Constitutional Programme
View Answer & Explanation
The Constructive Programme focused on village upliftment, khadi promotion, removal of untouchability, and social harmony, complementing political struggles under Gandhian leadership. Answer: B
14. Which group witnessed significant participation for the first time during Gandhian movements?
A. British officials
B. Indian princes
C. Women
D. European settlers
View Answer & Explanation
Gandhian movements encouraged women’s large-scale participation in protests, picketing, and constructive activities, expanding the social base of India’s freedom struggle. Answer: C
15. Which movement marked the beginning of mass civil resistance in India?
A. Swadeshi Movement
B. Non-Cooperation Movement
C. Quit India Movement
D. Civil Disobedience Movement
View Answer & Explanation
The Non-Cooperation Movement marked the first nationwide mass civil resistance under Gandhi, involving people across regions, classes, and occupations. Answer: B
16. Which Gandhian movement was launched during the Second World War?
A. Non-Cooperation Movement
B. Civil Disobedience Movement
C. Quit India Movement
D. Swadeshi Movement
View Answer & Explanation
The Quit India Movement was launched in 1942 during World War II, demanding immediate British withdrawal and marking an intense phase of mass resistance. Answer: C
17. Which principle guided Gandhian resistance against British rule?
A. Extremism
B. Passive obedience
C. Satyagraha
D. Armed struggle
View Answer & Explanation
Satyagraha emphasized truth and non-violence, relying on moral force to oppose injustice rather than physical violence or coercive methods. Answer: C
18. Which movement transformed salt into a symbol of resistance?
A. Non-Cooperation Movement
B. Civil Disobedience Movement
C. Quit India Movement
D. Swadeshi Movement
View Answer & Explanation
The Civil Disobedience Movement used salt as a symbol of protest, highlighting colonial exploitation and mobilizing masses through the Dandi March. Answer: B
19. Which sector benefited from Gandhian emphasis on khadi?
A. Heavy industries
B. Plantation economy
C. Cottage industries
D. Mining sector
View Answer & Explanation
Khadi promotion strengthened cottage industries, encouraged self-reliance, generated rural employment, and reduced dependence on British-manufactured textiles. Answer: C
20. Which movement witnessed widespread arrests of national leaders?
A. Non-Cooperation Movement
B. Civil Disobedience Movement
C. Quit India Movement
D. Home Rule Movement
View Answer & Explanation
During the Quit India Movement, British authorities arrested major leaders immediately, forcing spontaneous mass participation across the country. Answer: C
21. Which Gandhian movement aimed at tax remission for peasants?
A. Champaran Satyagraha
B. Kheda Satyagraha
C. Bardoli Satyagraha
D. Ahmedabad Mill Strike
View Answer & Explanation
The Kheda Satyagraha supported peasants demanding tax suspension due to crop failure, reinforcing collective non-violent resistance methods. Answer: B
22. Which Gandhian movement directly involved industrial workers?
A. Champaran Satyagraha
B. Kheda Satyagraha
C. Ahmedabad Mill Strike
D. Bardoli Satyagraha
View Answer & Explanation
The Ahmedabad Mill Strike addressed industrial labor issues and demonstrated Gandhian methods for resolving worker-employer conflicts peacefully. Answer: C
23. Which idea differentiated Gandhian movements from earlier revolutionary activities?
A. Secret societies
B. Violent uprising
C. Ethical mass participation
D. Foreign support
View Answer & Explanation
Gandhian movements relied on ethical mass participation and moral legitimacy, contrasting sharply with secretive and violent revolutionary approaches. Answer: C
24. Which Gandhian movement encouraged the boycott of British educational institutions?
A. Civil Disobedience Movement
B. Quit India Movement
C. Non-Cooperation Movement
D. Swadeshi Movement
View Answer & Explanation
The Non-Cooperation Movement promoted boycott of British schools, courts, and services to undermine colonial authority peacefully. Answer: C
25. Gandhian movements finally resulted in which outcome?
A. Partial reforms
B. Dominion status
C. Independence of India
D. Expansion of British rule
View Answer & Explanation
Sustained Gandhian mass movements weakened British authority and unified Indians, ultimately leading to India’s independence in 1947. Answer: C
Gandhian movements reshaped India’s freedom struggle through nonviolence, truth, and mass participation. From local satyagrahas to nationwide movements, Gandhi mobilized diverse sections, weakened colonial power, and built moral unity. Understanding these movements helps students grasp modern Indian history, ethical politics, and exam-oriented analytical thinking clearly with confidence today.
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