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.