Indian National Movements

• Indian national movements were pivotal in India's struggle for independence from British rule
• These movements encompassed a wide array of ideologies, strategies, and participants, all united by the common goal of self-governance

Early Resistance

• Initial resistance against British rule was localized and often spontaneous
• The Sanyasi and Fakir Rebellion (late 18th century) marked early armed resistance by monks and displaced peasants
• Tribal revolts, such as the Santhal Rebellion (1855-1856) and the Munda Rebellion (1899-1900) under Birsa Munda, demonstrated indigenous opposition to British policies
• The Vellore Mutiny of 1806, though short-lived, was a significant early military uprising against the British East India Company

Rise of Nationalism

• The mid-19th century witnessed the gradual rise of organized nationalism
• Contributing factors:
  • Introduction of modern education
  • Development of infrastructure like railways and communication networks
  • Socio-religious reform movements
  • Awareness of political and economic exploitation by the British
• Socio-religious reform movements aimed to address social ills and promote rationalism, influencing the nationalistic outlook
  • The Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, advocated for social and religious reforms
  • The Arya Samaj, founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, promoted a return to Vedic principles and challenged caste hierarchies
• The 1857 revolt:
  • Often called the First War of Independence
  • Triggered by controversial cartridges greased with animal fat, it quickly spread across North India
  • Leaders like Mangal Pandey, Rani Lakshmibai, and Tatya Tope became symbols of resistance
  • Though suppressed, it shook the foundation of British rule and led to significant changes in the administration of India

Formation of the Indian National Congress

• The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 by A.O. Hume
• Initially, the INC aimed to provide a platform for educated Indians to discuss their grievances and petition the government for reforms
• Early Congress leaders, like Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, and Surendranath Banerjea, adopted a moderate approach, advocating for constitutional reforms and Indian representation in government
• Dadabhai Naoroji's "Drain of Wealth" theory highlighted the economic exploitation of India by the British

Rise of Extremism

• By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a section within the INC grew dissatisfied with the moderate approach
• Extremist leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai (the "Lal-Bal-Pal" trio) advocated for more assertive methods, including Swaraj (self-rule)
• Tilak popularized the slogan "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!"
• The partition of Bengal in 1905 fueled widespread protests and strengthened the extremist movement
• The Swadeshi movement promoted the use of Indian-made goods and the boycott of foreign goods

The Gandhian Era

• Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi) emerged as the pre-eminent leader of the Indian national movement after World War I
• Gandhi introduced new techniques of non-violent resistance, including Satyagraha, non-cooperation, and civil disobedience
• Key Gandhian movements:
  • The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) aimed to boycott government institutions, schools, and courts
  • The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) was launched with the Dandi March, protesting the salt tax
  • The Quit India Movement (1942) demanded an immediate end to British rule
• Gandhi's emphasis on non-violence, social justice, and communal harmony mobilized mass participation in the national movement

Other Movements and Organizations

• The All India Muslim League was founded in 1906 to protect the rights and interests of Muslims in India
• The Ghadar Party, formed in 1913, aimed to overthrow British rule through armed revolution
• The Home Rule League, started by Annie Besant and Tilak, advocated for self-government within the British Empire
• Subhas Chandra Bose formed the Forward Bloc and later organized the Indian National Army (INA) to fight against the British during World War II
• Bhagat Singh and other revolutionaries advocated for complete independence and employed violent methods to achieve their goals

Partition and Independence

• After World War II, the British government decided to grant independence to India
• The partition of India in 1947 led to the creation of Pakistan as a separate Muslim-majority nation
• The partition resulted in widespread violence, displacement, and communal tensions
• India gained independence on August 15, 1947, marking the culmination of decades of struggle and sacrifice