Class 8 History Notes
Chapter: The Making of the National Movement (1870–1947)
1. The Emergence of Nationalism
Around 1870–1880, an important change started in India.
Before this time, people in India were divided by regions, languages, and communities. Very few people thought that all Indians belonged to one nation.
But slowly, the policies of the British government made Indians realize that they were being treated unfairly.
Because of this, people began to feel that they must unite and demand their rights.
Hard Words Meaning
Emergence – उदय Regions – क्षेत्र Communities – समुदाय Policies – नीतियाँ Unfairly – अन्यायपूर्ण Unite – एकजुट होना Demand – मांग करना Rights – अधिकारDiscriminatory Laws Made by the British
The British government passed some laws that treated Indians unfairly.
1. Arms Act (1878)
This law said that Indians were not allowed to keep weapons, but British people could.
This made Indians feel that the British wanted to keep them weak and powerless.
2. Vernacular Press Act (1878)
This law controlled newspapers written in Indian languages.
If any newspaper criticized the British government, it could be closed down.
Because of this law, Indians felt that the British were trying to suppress their freedom of expression.
Hard Words Meaning
Discriminatory – भेदभावपूर्ण Weapons – हथियार Vernacular – स्थानीय भाषा Press – समाचार पत्र Criticized – आलोचना करना Suppress – दबाना Freedom of Expression – अभिव्यक्ति की स्वतंत्रताResult: Rise of Nationalist Feeling
These laws made Indians feel that their rights were being taken away.
Slowly people began to think:
This feeling gave rise to nationalism in India.
Hard Words Meaning
Nationalist – राष्ट्रवादी Rise – वृद्धि / उदय Voice – आवाज Together – एक साथ2. Formation of the Indian National Congress
As dissatisfaction grew, some educated leaders thought that Indians needed an organization to represent their problems before the government.
So in 1885, the Indian National Congress was established.
Important leaders involved in its formation were:
- Dadabhai Naoroji
- Allan Octavian Hume
Main Objectives of Congress
- To present Indian problems to the government
- To demand rights and reforms for Indians
- To spread awareness among people
This was the time when nationalism slowly started growing in India.
Hard Words Meaning
Formation – स्थापना Organization – संगठन Represent – प्रतिनिधित्व करना Objectives – उद्देश्य Reforms – सुधार Awareness – जागरूकता3. A Nation in the Making
At that time India was facing many problems.
For example:
- Good government jobs were mostly given to British people.
- Indians were given low positions.
- Farmers had to pay heavy taxes.
- Workers were forced to work very hard for low wages.
- Forest dwellers lost their traditional rights.
- Sometimes there were famines and food shortages.
This helped people feel that they belonged to one nation.
Hard Words Meaning
Positions – पद Taxes – कर Wages – मजदूरी Dwellers – रहने वाले Famines – अकाल Shortages – कमी8. Rowlatt Satyagraha
In 1919, the British government passed the Rowlatt Act.
According to this law:
- Police could arrest people without a trial.
- People's freedom was greatly restricted.
This law was considered very unjust.
So Gandhi started a nationwide protest called Satyagraha.
Hard Words Meaning
Arrest – गिरफ्तार करना Trial – मुकदमा Restricted – सीमित Unjust – अन्यायपूर्ण Nationwide – पूरे देश में Protest – विरोध9. The Tragic Jallianwala Bagh Incident
During the protest against the Rowlatt Act, a very tragic event happened.
It is known as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
On 13 April 1919, many people had gathered peacefully in Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar.
A British officer named Reginald Dyer ordered soldiers to open fire on the crowd.
Many innocent people were killed and many others were injured.
This incident shocked the entire nation and increased anger against British rule.
Hard Words Meaning
Tragic – दुखद Incident – घटना Massacre – नरसंहार Gathered – इकट्ठा हुए Innocent – निर्दोष Injured – घायल✅ Short Conclusion
- British policies created dissatisfaction in India.
- Congress helped spread awareness and unity.
- After World War I, common people joined the movement.
- Gandhi led many peaceful struggles.
- Events like Jallianwala Bagh made Indians more determined to fight for freedom.
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