Indian Independence Movement

Indian Independence Movement

Causes of the Movement

• Economic exploitation: British rule led to poverty, unemployment, and draining of India's wealth.
• Social reform: Indians sought an end to social evils like child marriage, sati, and untouchability.
• Political awakening: Inspiration from Western ideals of liberty, equality, and democracy.
• Nationalist sentiment: Pride in India's rich cultural heritage and desire for self-rule.

Early Nationalist Phase (1885-1905)

• Indian National Congress (INC): Founded in 1885 by A.O. Hume to promote Indian participation in government.
• Moderate phase: Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Mahadev Govind Ranade focused on petitions, meetings, and negotiations with the British.

Extremist Phase (1905-1918)

• Swadeshi movement: Boycott of British goods, promotion of Indian industries, and self-reliance.
• Radical leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal advocated for more aggressive methods, including civil disobedience.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)

• Mahatma Gandhi: Returned to India in 1915, popularized non-violent resistance, and led the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Salt March (1930): Gandhi's 24-day march to protest the salt tax, highlighting the movement's commitment to civil disobedience.

Quit India Movement (1942-1944)

• Gandhi's call to action: "Do or Die" speech, urging Indians to demand immediate independence from British rule.
• Mass arrests and repression: British responded with force, arresting Gandhi and other leaders.

Final Years of British Rule (1945-1947)

• ** Transfer of power negotiations**: Indian leaders, including Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah, negotiated with the British for independence.
• India's independence: August 15, 1947, India gained independence, with Jawaharlal Nehru hoisting the national flag.

Causes of Indian Independence Movement

• British rule led to poverty, unemployment, and draining of India's wealth, causing economic exploitation.
• Indians sought to end social evils like child marriage, sati, and untouchability, driving social reform.
• Inspiration from Western ideals of liberty, equality, and democracy sparked political awakening.
• Pride in India's rich cultural heritage and desire for self-rule fueled nationalist sentiment.

Early Nationalist Phase (1885-1905)

• The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 by A.O. Hume to promote Indian participation in government.
• Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Mahadev Govind Ranade focused on petitions, meetings, and negotiations with the British during the moderate phase.

Extremist Phase (1905-1918)

• The Swadeshi movement emerged, promoting the boycott of British goods and self-reliance.
• Radical leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal advocated for more aggressive methods, including civil disobedience.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)

• Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and popularized non-violent resistance, leading the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Gandhi's 24-day Salt March in 1930 protested the salt tax, highlighting the movement's commitment to civil disobedience.

Quit India Movement (1942-1944)

• Gandhi's "Do or Die" speech in 1942 urged Indians to demand immediate independence from British rule.
• The British responded with force, arresting Gandhi and other leaders, leading to mass arrests and repression.

Final Years of British Rule (1945-1947)

• Indian leaders, including Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah, negotiated with the British for independence.
• India gained independence on August 15, 1947, with Jawaharlal Nehru hoisting the national flag.

Learn about the causes of the Indian Independence Movement, including economic exploitation, social reform, political awakening, and nationalist sentiment.