Indian National Movement: Early Nationalism

• The Indian National Movement was a mass movement involving various sections of society
• It aimed to achieve self-governance and later, complete independence from British rule
• It was characterized by different ideologies, strategies, and phases

Early Nationalism (1885-1905)

• The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 by A.O. Hume
• The INC's initial goal was to provide a platform for educated Indians to voice their opinions and grievances to the British government
• Early nationalists, also known as moderates, believed in constitutional methods such as petitions, appeals, and peaceful protests
• Key leaders included Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale
• They focused on issues like administrative reforms, Indian representation in government, and civil rights
• The economic critique of British rule was a significant contribution of early nationalists, highlighting the drain of wealth from India to Britain

Rise of Extremism (1905-1917)

• Dissatisfaction with the slow pace of reforms and the repressive policies of the British led to the emergence of extremist nationalism
• Key leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai (Lal-Bal-Pal)
• Extremists advocated for Swaraj (self-rule) and believed in more assertive methods such as boycotts, strikes, and mass mobilization
• The partition of Bengal in 1905 fueled the Swadeshi movement, promoting indigenous goods and industries while boycotting foreign products
• Tilak popularized the slogan "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it"
• The extremist phase saw the growth of revolutionary activities, with figures like Bhagat Singh and Khudiram Bose resorting to violence to overthrow British rule

Gandhian Era (1917-1947)

• Mahatma Gandhi's arrival in India in 1915 marked a new phase in the national movement
• Gandhi introduced the principles of Satyagraha (truth force) and non-violent resistance
• Key movements led by Gandhi:
  • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922): aimed to boycott British institutions, including schools, courts, and government services
  • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934): involved defying British laws, such as the salt tax, and promoted mass participation
  • Quit India Movement (1942): demanded an immediate end to British rule in India, leading to widespread arrests and suppression
• Gandhi's leadership transformed the national movement into a mass movement involving people from all sections of society, including peasants, workers, and women
• Other leaders during this era included Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Subhas Chandra Bose
• The Government of India Act 1935 introduced provincial autonomy, giving Indians more control over local governance
• Subhas Chandra Bose formed the Forward Bloc and later allied with the Axis powers during World War II, seeking their support for Indian independence

Towards Independence

• The end of World War II weakened British control over India
• The Labour Party came to power in Britain, favoring Indian independence
• The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) proposed a framework for a united India with a federal structure, but it was rejected by both the Congress and the Muslim League
• The Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, demanded a separate state for Muslims, leading to the partition of India
• India gained independence on August 15, 1947, but the partition resulted in widespread violence and displacement
• Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a crucial role in integrating the princely states into the Indian Union

Key Figures

• Mahatma Gandhi: Advocate of non-violent resistance and leader of the Indian National Congress
• Jawaharlal Nehru: First Prime Minister of India, known for his socialist and secular ideas
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: Instrumental in integrating princely states into India
• Subhas Chandra Bose: Nationalist leader who formed the Forward Bloc and sought support from Axis powers
• Muhammad Ali Jinnah: Leader of the Muslim League and founder of Pakistan
• Bhagat Singh: Revolutionary socialist who advocated for complete independence
• Dadabhai Naoroji: Early nationalist leader and economist who highlighted the economic drain of British rule
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Extremist leader who popularized the slogan "Swaraj is my birthright"

Ideologies

• Moderate Nationalism: Believed in constitutional methods and gradual reforms
• Extremist Nationalism: Advocated for assertive methods and complete independence
• Gandhianism: Emphasized non-violent resistance and mass mobilization
• Socialism: Focused on economic equality and social justice
• Communalism: Promoted the interests of a particular religious community, leading to the partition of India

Significance

• The Indian National Movement played a crucial role in ending British colonial rule in India
• It inspired other colonized countries to fight for their independence
• The movement shaped the political, social, and economic landscape of independent India
• The legacy of the movement continues to influence Indian politics and society

The Indian National Movement was a mass movement aimed at self-governance and independence. The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885. Early nationalists believed in constitutional methods and focused on administrative reforms and civil rights.