Indian Independence Movement Quiz

The Making of the National Movement (1870s-1947)

• British conquest of territories and takeover of kingdoms during the 1870s-1947 period
• Introduction of new laws and administrative institutions
• Changes in the lives of peasants and tribals
• Nineteenth-century educational reforms
• Debates about the condition of women
• Challenges to the caste system
• Social and religious reforms
• The 1857 revolt and its aftermath
• Decline of craft industries and rise of industries
• Indian discontent with British rule

Emergence of Nationalism

• Questioning of India's identity and purpose
• The rise of the people of India irrespective of class, colour, caste, creed, language, or gender.
• The British exercising control over India's resources and people's lives
• Awareness of British control as a key factor preventing India from being for Indians.
• New political associations formed after 1850, emphasizing all people of India.
• Leadership by English educated people like lawyers, prominent in the associations.
• Associations like Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, Indian Association, Madras Mahajan Sabha, Bombay Presidency Association and the Indian National Congress.
• The word “sarvajanik” literally means "of or for all the people."
• The desire for Indian people to be sovereign, to make decisions concerning their own affairs
• Increasing dissatisfaction with British Rule in the 1870's and 1880s
• Arms Act 1878 forbid Indians from possessing arms
• Vernacular Press Act of 1878, curbed government critics
• Ilbert Bill 1883, controversy highlighting racial attitudes towards Indians

The Emergence of Nationalism Continued

• The Indian National Congress formation

• Established in 1885 with 72 delegates from across India

• Initial leadership includes prominent figures from Bombay and Calcutta like Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Badruddin Tyabji, W.C. Bonnerji, among others.

• British officials and businessmen involved in the administration were the main drivers

• Aims included greater representation of Indians in government and administration, increased Indian participation in high government positions and civil service examinations in India, not only in London.

The Emergence of Mass Nationalism

• Increased involvement of peasants, tribal people, students, women and even factory workers in the movement after 1919.
• Economic and political changes due to World War one
• Government increased defense spending which increased taxes on incomes and business profits.
• Demand for industrial goods increased
• Decline of imports from foreign countries.
• Indian industries expanded and demanded opportunities for growth

Partition of Bengal-1905

• Viceroy Curzon divided Bengal in 1905
• British administration for convenience
• Increased opposition and anger throughout India
• The Swadeshi movement arose in resistance
• The movement aimed at encouraging self-help, Indian enterprise, national education, and the use of Indian languages.

Revolutionary Violence

• Use of violence to achieve radical social change
• Individuals, groups began advocating for revolutionary violence, in opposition of British rule and wanting independence.
• Emergence of extremist groups

The Rowlatt Satyagraha

• Gandhiji called a Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act.
• Government restricted freedoms of expression
• People launched the movement against the British Government
• Rowlatt Act was seen as a tyrannical move
• The protest movement began in 1919, highlighting the grievances in India
• The demonstrations and protests were followed by violent actions and arrests
• Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919

Khilafat Movement & Non-Cooperation

• Khilafat issue in 1920
• Growing tensions between the British and the Muslims in India
• The leaders of the Khilafat movement wanted to initiate a full-fledged Non-Cooperation Movement
• Gandhiji supported their call
• Congress campaigned against Punjab wrongs

The March to Dandi (1930)

• Gandhiji's initiative to break the salt law
• The Salt Law gave the British a monopoly on salt production
• The March was intended to appeal to people's shared grievance about the tax and freedom from British rule
• Satyagrah to gain Independence from British rule
• Diverse groups participating in the movement

Quit India Movement (1942)

• Mahatma Gandhi's call for India's immediate independence
• British had imposed heavy taxes and restrictions on the people of India during World War II
• British oppression of peaceful protest
• Mass civil disobedience with significant violent actions
• Large arrests by the British Government

Formation of INA

• Formation of the Indian National Army (INA)
• Subhas Chandra Bose, leader of INA, wanted to fight for Indian independence through forceful measures.
• Allied with the Axis powers during World War II
• The trials of INA members became a symbol of popular resistance

The Making of a New Nation

• Formation of the Muslim league by Mohammad Ali Jinnah in 1940
• Creation of Pakistan
• Growing communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims
• Violence during the partition
• Resulting in the formation of Pakistan in 1947
• Large scale migration and displacement of the people of India.