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Read the source… (Class 10 Social Science SQP 2023-24, Q34)

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Social ScienceCBSE Class 10 · Sample paper, session 2023-24 · 4 marks · Case-based

CBSE Class 10 Social Science sample paper 2023-24: question 34

From the official CBSE sample question paper for 2023-24, section E, question 34, for 4 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q34 · 4 marks · Case-basedCompetency-basedNationalism in India

Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:

It is said of "passive resistance" that it is the weapon of the weak, but the power which is the subject of this article can be used only by the strong. This power is not passive resistance; indeed, it calls for intense activity. The movement in South Africa was not passive but active …

'Satyagraha is not physical force. A satyagrahi does not inflict pain on the adversary; he does not seek his destruction … In the use of satyagraha, there is no ill will whatever. 'Satyagraha is pure soul force. Truth is the very substance of the soul. That is why this force is called satyagraha. The soul is informed with knowledge. In it burns the flame of love. … Nonviolence is the supreme dharma …' It is certain that India cannot rival Britain or Europe in force of arms. The British worship the war god and they can all of them become, as they are becoming, bearers of arms. The hundreds of millions in India can never carry arms. They have made the religion of non-violence their own …

In his famous book Hind Swaraj (1909) Mahatma Gandhi declared that British rule was established in India, with the cooperation of Indians, and had survived only because of this cooperation. If Indians refused to cooperate, British rule will collapse within a year.

  1. (1)

    Why did Gandhiji say that passive resistance is not the weapon of the weak?

    1 mark
  2. (2)

    "Satyagraha is pure soul-force." Substantiate this statement in 20 words.

    1 mark
  3. (3)

    What according to Mahatma Gandhi is the best weapon to use to collapse British rule in India?

    2 marks

Source: official sample paper from cbseacademic.nic.in (PDF). See it in the full Sample paper 2023-24.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

Reread the first lines of the passage about who can use this power.

Hint 2

Use the words truth, soul and non-violence in about 20 words.

Hint 3

Which of Gandhiji's ideas in Hind Swaraj says the British depended on Indians?

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. (1) Gandhiji said passive resistance is not a weapon of the weak because it calls for intense activity and great inner strength. Only a strong person can use it.

    1 mark

  2. (2) Truth is the very substance of the soul, which is full of knowledge and love. A satyagrahi fights with truth and non-violence, not physical force, so satyagraha is pure soul-force.

    1 mark

  3. (3) Gandhiji considered non-cooperation (satyagraha) the best weapon to end British rule.

    1 mark

  4. In Hind Swaraj he declared that British rule was established, and survived, only with Indians' cooperation. If Indians refused to cooperate, it would collapse within a year.

    1 mark

Answer: (1) It needs intense activity and inner strength. (2) Truth is the substance of the soul, and satyagraha uses love and non-violence, not force. (3) Non-cooperation, because British rule depended on Indian cooperation.

Where the marks are

  • Passive resistance requires intense activity and strength (1 mark)
  • Satyagraha is soul-force based on truth, with no physical force (1 mark)
  • Non-cooperation is the best weapon (1 mark)
  • British rule survived only through Indian cooperation and would collapse without it (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Nationalism in India, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paperSample paper 2023-24: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.