Q1. [4]
The Independence Day Pledge, 26 January 1930
"We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life, so that they may have full opportunities of growth. We also believe that if any government deprives people of these rights and oppresses them, the people have a further right to alter it or abolish it. The British Government in India has not only deprived the Indian people of their freedom but based itself on the exploitation of the masses, and has ruined India economically, politically, culturally and spiritually. We believe, therefore, that India must sever the British connection and attain Purna Swaraj or Complete Independence."
Read the following source and answer the questions that follow :
- (35.1) Why was Swaraj considered as an inalienable right of the India ? [1]
- (35.2) Which type of government is supported in the source ? [1]
- (35.3) Explain any two effects of British rule in India. [2]
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2025 32/6/1 Q35
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 06:56 · grounding stimulus
Model Answer
(35.1) Swaraj was considered an inalienable right because every people has the right to freedom, to enjoy the fruits of their toil, and to have full opportunities of growth.
(35.2) The source supports a democratic/people-centred government — one that does not oppress people. If any government deprives people of their rights, the people have the right to alter or abolish it.
(35.3)
- Economic ruin: The British Government exploited the masses and ruined India economically, denying people the necessities of life.
- Political, cultural and spiritual destruction: British rule deprived Indians of their freedom and damaged India politically, culturally, and spiritually, leaving no opportunities for growth.
Source: The Nationalist Movement in Indo-China / The Age of Nationalism — Independence Day Pledge, 26 January 1930
---
Explanation
- (35.1) Quote directly from the passage — "freedom," "fruits of toil," "full opportunities of growth."
- (35.2) The passage implicitly supports a government accountable to the people; use the clue "right to alter or abolish."
- (35.3) The passage lists four effects (economic, political, cultural, spiritual) — pick any two and elaborate briefly (1 mark each). Don't just list; add a line of explanation.
- Keep answers text-bound; examiners reward accuracy to the source.
If a question refers to an image, map, graph or diagram that is not shown here, open the Study Guide single page app, go to
Library and find the actual CBSE question paper. The original papers are also available on the CBSE website:
cbse.gov.in.