Indian History: National Anthem and Independence

Study Notes

Class 10th history chapter titled "National Anthem in India"
National Anthem meaning: love and devotion towards one's country, fostering patriotism
Chapter begins with World War I, two sides fighting: Allied Powers (Russia, Britain, America, Japan) and Central Powers (Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire)
India involved due to being a British colony at the time
Impact of WWI on India: British government increased defense expenditure, raised custom duties and income tax, causing inflation and increased prices
Crop failure due to lack of rain, resulting in famine and death
Spanish flu pandemic in 1918, causing millions of deaths in India
Mahatma Gandhi brings "Satyagraha" (nonviolent resistance) concept from South Africa to India
Gandhi's successful Satyagraha in South Africa against the racist system, increasing his popularity
In India, Gandhi starts three separate Satyagraha movements: Champaran (Bihar) in 1917 against forced indigo cultivation, Kheda (Gujarat) in 1918 for farmers' rights, and Ahmedabad in 1918 for mill workers' rights
Congress leaders demand complete independence (Purna Swaraj) rather than Dominion status
Non-cooperation movement initiated by Gandhi in 1920, aiming to boycott British institutions and goods
Movement gains momentum in cities with middle-class participation, boycotting British schools, colleges, and services
Rural areas and tribal populations also join the movement, facing different issues such as oppressive landlords and loss of forest rights
Movement begins to decline due to high cost of Indian-made goods, lack of alternative institutions, and increasing violence
Chauri Chaura incident in 1922 leads to Gandhi calling off the movement due to violence
Civil Disobedience Movement initiated by Gandhi in 1930, starting with the Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, Gujarat
People across India begin breaking salt laws and other British-imposed restrictions
Gandhi arrested along with many participants; movement eventually loses momentum
Round Table Conference in London attended by Gandhi, but no agreement reached between Indian leaders and British government
Gandhi-Irwin Pact signed in 1931, agreeing to release political prisoners and attend future conferences in exchange for ending civil disobedience movement
Ultimately, Indian independence achieved in 1947 after further struggles and negotiationsHere is a summary of the text in detailed bullet points:

• The Civil Disobedience Movement was started by Gandhi, and people from various classes participated, including farmers who were affected by the economic depression.

• The movement was launched to protest against the British government's policies, which were harming Indian industries and economy.

• Business classes, including merchants and industrialists, supported the movement, and many industrialists, such as GD Birla, participated in the movement.

• The Indian National Congress, led by Gandhi, also supported the movement, but the Congress did not support the movement wholeheartedly because it was afraid of losing the support of the big industrialists.

• Many women participated in the movement, and thousands of women came out of their homes to support Gandhi's march.

• The Dalit community did not participate in the movement initially because the Congress did not support their demands, but later, Gandhi supported the Dalits and tried to unite them with the rest of the society.

• The Muslim community did not participate in the movement because of the differences between Hindus and Muslims, and the Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had different demands from the Congress.

• The Muslim League wanted separate electorates for Muslims, but the Congress did not agree to this demand, which led to a rift between the two organizations.

• The movement was successful in uniting people from different backgrounds and classes, and it created a sense of collective identity among Indians.

• The movement used various symbols, such as the national flag, to represent the country and unite people.

• The movement was also influenced by cultural processes, such as the use of regional languages and folk songs, which helped to create a sense of national identity.

• The movement was successful in creating a sense of collective identity among Indians and paved the way for India's independence from British rule.