Freedom Struggle in Tamil Nadu
10th Social Science : History : Chapter 9
This section provides detailed answers for the 'Answer in detail' questions from Chapter 9: Freedom Struggle in Tamil Nadu, based on the Samacheer Kalvi 10th Social Science History textbook.
VI. Answer in detail
1. Discuss the response to Swadeshi Movement in Tamil Nadu.
- The partition of Bengal led to the Swadeshi Movement.
- The Swadeshi movement had its deep impact in Tamil Nadu.
- The Congress carried on a vigorous campaign for boycott of foreign goods.
- V.O.Chidambaranar, V.Chakkaraiyar, Subramania Bharathi and Ethiraj Surendranath Arya were some of the prominent leaders in Tamil Nadu.
- Public meetings were organized in various parts of Tamilnadu. Thousands of people attended them.
- Subramania Bharathi's patriotic songs stirred patriotic emotions.
- Many journals were started to propagate-Swadeshi ideals.
- Swadeshamitran and India were prominent journals.
- Bipin Chandra Pal toured Madras and delivered lectures which inspired the youth.
- Students and youths participated widely in the Swadeshi movement.
- V.O.Chidambaranar started Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in Thoothukudi. He purchased two ships Gallia and Lavo and plied them between Thoothukudi and Colombo.
Tirunelveli uprising:
- The arrest of V.O.C and Subramania Siva led to Tirunelvely uprising.
- In Tirunelveli a police station, court building and municipal office were burnt.
- Four people were killed in police firing.
- V.O.C. was treated harshly in prison. He was made to pull the heavy oil press.
- To avoid imprisonment Subramania Bharati moved to Pondicherry which was under French rule.'
- Many other leaders like Aurobindo Ghose and V.V. Subramanianar followed Bharati and left Tamil Nadu.
2. Examine the origin and growth of Non-Brahmin Movement in Tamil Nadu.
Madras Dravidian Association:
- The non - Brahmin's organised themselves into political organisations to protect their interest.
- In 1912 Madras Dravidian Association was founded .
- Its secretary C. Natesanar established the Dravidian Association Hostel for Non-Brahmin students.
The South Indian Liberal Federation:
- On 20 November 1916 a meeting of about thirty non-Brahmins was held in Chennai under the leadership of P.Thyagarajar, T.M.Nair and C. Nateranar at Victoria Public Hall, Chennai.
- The South Indian Liberal Federation was founded to promote the interest of the non-Brahmins.
- The Justice party won 63 out of 98 elected seats in the legislative council.
- A. Subburayalu of the Justice party became the first Chief Minister.
3. Describe the role of Tamil Nadu in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
- The Viceroy did not accept the demands put forward by Gandhi.
- So Gandhi launched the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Salt March to Vedaranyam:
- Rajaji organised and led a salt Satyagraha march to Vedaranyam.
- The march started from Tiruchirappalli on 13 April 1930 and reached Vedaranyam on 28th April.
- A special song was composed for the march by Namakkal V. Ramalinganar.
- There was a warm welcome to the Satyagrahis by the people all along the route.
- On reaching Vedaranyam 12 volunteers under the leadership of Rajaji broke the salt law by picking up salt.
- Rajaji was arrested for breaking the salt laws.
- Leaders like T.S.S.Rajan, Rukmani Lakshmipathi, Sardar Vedarathnam and K.Santhanam participated in the Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha.
Agitations in Tamil districts:
- Under the leadership of T.Prakasam, the Satyagrahis set up a camp at Udayavanam. The police arrested them. It led to hartal in Madras. There were clashes with the police in Tiruvallikeni.
- People tried to break salt law at Rameswaram, Anjengo, Veppalodai, Thoothukudi and Tharuvaikulam were stopped by the police.
- Rukmani Lakshmipathi was the first woman to pay fine for taking part in the Satyagraha.
- Leaders like Bhashyam, Satyamurti and Kamaraj also played an important role.
- But the police used brutal force to suppress the movement.
Role of Tirupur Kumaran:
- In Tirupur a procession which was going on carrying national flag was brutally beaten by the police. Tirupur Kumaran fell dead holding the national flag aloft.
- He is hailed as Kodikatha Kumaran.
VII. Activity
- Students can be asked to write a sentence or two about the important places of freedom struggle in Tamil Nadu.
- Role Play: Students can be divided into groups and asked to debate the views of the Moderates, Extremists, Revolutionaries, Annie Besant’s supporters, Justice Party, and British Government.