Analyzing the INCORRECT Statement on the Swadeshi Movement

The Swadeshi movement, a significant phase in India's struggle for independence, emerged primarily as a protest against the Partition of Bengal in 1905. It encouraged the use of domestic goods and the boycott of foreign products. Understanding the participation and support it received is key to identifying factual inaccuracies.

Understanding Participation in the Swadeshi Movement

Let's examine each statement to determine which one is factually incorrect regarding the Swadeshi movement:

• Statement 2: Labourers carried out strikes at different parts of the country.

  This statement is correct. The Swadeshi movement was marked by extensive participation from the working class. Labourers, including those in mills, railways, and other industries, organized numerous strikes and protests across various regions, showing solidarity with the national cause.

• Statement 3: Students participated in large numbers.

  This statement is correct. Students were at the forefront of the Swadeshi movement. They actively organized rallies, boycotts, and demonstrations, often facing disciplinary action from educational institutions and repression from the authorities. Their enthusiasm played a crucial role in mobilizing public opinion.

• Statement 4: Women participated in large numbers.

  This statement is correct. While initially perceived as a male-dominated movement, women progressively became active participants. They engaged in picketing shops selling foreign goods, promoting Swadeshi products, and organizing cultural events, contributing significantly to the movement's reach and impact.

• Statement 1: Received wide support from upper class Muslims.

  This statement is incorrect. Historical analysis indicates that the support from the upper-class Muslim community was divided and certainly not 'wide'. While some Muslims did participate, a significant portion, including many influential leaders and communities, particularly in East Bengal, remained neutral or were apprehensive about the movement. Factors like the growth of Muslim separatism and the formation of the All-India Muslim League later on contributed to this divergence. The movement garnered more significant support from Hindus and sections of other communities, but broad, unified support from the upper-class Muslim population was lacking.

Conclusion on INCORRECT Statement

Based on historical evidence, the claim that the Swadeshi movement received wide support from upper class Muslims is the INCORRECT statement among the options provided.