Indian History: British Rule and Nationalism

The Indian National Congress was a political party founded in 1885 that strived to represent the interest of all Indian communities.

During the war, the Indian economy experienced a boom, with increased industrial production and profits for business groups. However, ordinary people faced financial hardship due to rising prices and the increased burden of taxes for war efforts.

The Muslim League's 1940 resolution demanded independent states for Muslims in the north-western and eastern regions of India. It did not explicitly mention partition or the name Pakistan.

The British government's Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was designed to suppress critical reporting by Indian-language newspapers. It allowed the government to seize assets and printing presses of publications deemed “objectionable.”

The Arms Act of 1878 prohibited Indians from possessing firearms without government permission, further fueling dissatisfaction with British rule and their perceived suppression of Indian rights.

The Ilbert Bill, proposed in 1883, aimed to allow Indian judges to preside over trials of British and European individuals, promoting equality in legal proceedings. However, the British backlash forced its withdrawal, igniting further unrest.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is a Hindu organization formed in the mid-1920s. It played a significant part in shaping the political landscape in India and has a strong influence on the Hindu nationalist movement even today.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) was established in 1925 as the first communist party in the country. It has played a significant role in Indian politics, promoting socialist ideals and advocating for a communist state.

The Muslim League's demand for 'Independent States' for Muslims in the north-western and eastern areas of the country stemmed from their belief of being a distinct nation from Hindus. This was fueled by the fear of being marginalized in a democratic structure dominated by Hindus, as well as the Congress's failure to effectively mobilize Muslim masses.

The tensions between Hindu and Muslim groups during the 1920s and 1930s, coupled with the League's perception of Muslims being a minority in a democratic system, solidified their belief in the need for a separate Muslim nation. This was further strengthened by the League's success in acquiring seats reserved for Muslims in the 1946 elections.

The failure of the British-led negotiations between the Congress and the League in 1945, combined with the League's insistence on being the sole representative of India's Muslims, exacerbated the situation. The Congress, unable to accept this claim, further fueled tensions, leading to the partition of India.

The Congress, aiming for a united India, proposed a loose confederation granting autonomy to Muslim-majority regions. However, the parties couldn't agree on specific details, ultimately making partition more likely.

The League's successful mobilization of Muslim voters in the 1946 elections and their relentless demand for

The failure of negotiations, combined with the rising demand for a separate Muslim nation, made the partition of British India into India and Pakistan inevitable. The British cabinet, through their mission in Delhi, recognized the growing need for a separate state for Muslims and ultimately granted independence to India and Pakistan.