Thus, among Gandhiji's admirers were both poor peasants and rich industrialists, although the reasons why peasants followed Gandhiji were somewhat different from, and perhaps opposed to, the reasons of the industrialists. Between 1917 and 1922, a group of highly talented Indians attached themselves to Gandhiji. They included Mahadev Desai, Vallabh Bhai Patel, J.B. Kripalani, Subhas Chandra Bose, Abul Kalam Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, Govind Ballabh Pant and C. Rajagopalachari. In turn, they inspired countless other Indians to join the Congress and work for it.
In the book, the text above is followed by lines on what Gandhiji did after his release from prison in February 1924. To which causes did he then choose to devote his attention?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → The promotion of khadi and the abolition of untouchability
Option (1) The promotion of khadi and the abolition of untouchability — Correct. After his release in February 1924, Gandhiji turned to <strong>home-spun cloth (khadi) and the abolition of untouchability</strong>. He was as much a social reformer as a politician, and wanted Indians to give up social evils and become self-reliant.
Option (2) The breaking of the salt law and the boycott of foreign cloth — Incorrect. Breaking the salt law came later, with the Salt March of 1930. The boycott of foreign cloth belongs to the earlier Non-cooperation programme of 1920-22.
Option (3) The revival of the Khilafat cause and the boycott of law courts — Incorrect. The Khilafat cause and the boycott of law courts belong to the Non-cooperation Movement of 1920-22. That movement had already been called off before his release.
Option (4) The setting up of Praja Mandals and of linguistic Congress committees — Incorrect. Praja Mandals and Congress committees based on language regions were ways the Congress was organised. They were not the two causes Gandhiji took up in 1924.
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