Social Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

Role of Business Classes in the Civil Disobedience Movement:

1. Background: During World War I, Indian merchants and industrialists earned huge profits and became economically powerful. They were keen to expand business but faced colonial restrictions.

1. Grievances: They wanted protection against imports of foreign goods and a favourable rupee-sterling exchange ratio to discourage imports.

1. Organisations formed: To unite business interests, they established the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress (1920) and FICCI (1927). Leaders like Purshottamdas Thakurdas and G.D. Birla led these bodies.

1. Support to the Movement: When Civil Disobedience was launched, they gave financial assistance and refused to buy or sell imported goods. They saw swaraj as freedom from colonial economic restrictions.

1. Later withdrawal: After the failure of the Round Table Conference, business groups became less enthusiastic. They feared militant activities, prolonged disruption of business, and growing socialist influence within the Congress.

Source: Chapter 2, Section 3.2 — How Participants saw the Movement

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Examiners look for: (1) their economic background/motive, (2) organisations they formed, (3) key leaders, (4) how they supported the movement, and (5) why they withdrew support later. Five clear points match the 5-mark weightage. Avoid vague generalizations — use specific names like FICCI, Birla, and Purshottamdas Thakurdas to score full marks.