Nationalism in India - Grade 10

Introduction

• Modern nationalism in India began with the formation of nation-states connected to anti-colonial movements.
• The struggle against colonialism fostered a sense of unity among diverse Indian communities.

The First World War, Khilafat and Non-Cooperation

• Post-1919, the national movement expanded into new social groups and methods of struggle.
• Economic issues during the war included increased defense expenditure, income tax, and rising prices, along with forced recruitment and crop failures.
• Satyagraha emerged as a novel, non-violent form of resistance, emphasizing truth and moral force.
• Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and initiated Satyagraha movements in Champaran, Kheda, and Ahmedabad.
• The Rowlatt Act of 1919 granted the government powers to suppress political activism and detain individuals without trial for two years.
• The Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, marked a turning point, leading to widespread protests and government repression.
• The Khilafat Movement was spearheaded by Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali to defend the Khalifa's powers. The Congress joined in September 1920, catalyzing the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Differing Strands Within the Movement

• The Non-Cooperation-Khilafat Movement began in January 1921, attracting diverse social groups, each interpreting 'Swaraj' differently.
• Urban participants included students, teachers, and lawyers who boycotted foreign goods and institutions, though the movement faltered due to economic constraints.
• In the countryside, peasants led by leaders like Baba Ramchandra in Awadh and Alluri Sitaram Raju in Andhra Pradesh took a more violent stance.
• Plantation workers protested against restrictive legislation, interpreting Swaraj as the freedom to move.

Towards Civil Disobedience

• The Chauri Chaura incident in February 1922 prompted Gandhi to halt the Non-Cooperation Movement, citing escalating violence.
• Political divides emerged within the Congress, with some advocating for council politics and others pushing for radical change.
• The worldwide economic depression and the Simon Commission, which sparked protests, set the stage for increased political mobilization, culminating in the call for Purna Swaraj in December 1929.

The Salt March and the Civil Disobedience Movement

• Gandhi's Salt March on March 12, 1930, symbolized a unifying struggle against colonial laws.
• The movement called for active resistance, including tax refusal and breaking colonial regulations, leading to mass arrests by British authorities.
• The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on March 5, 1931; however, subsequent Round Table Conferences did not yield significant results, leading to a decline of the movement by 1934.
• Various social classes had different motivations: rich peasants sought tax relief, poor peasants advocated for rent deductions, businesses aimed for protection from imports, while women's participation varied.

Limits of Civil Disobedience

• Dalits were largely excluded from active participation, advocating instead for representation and separate electorates.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar aimed for social reforms through the Depressed Classes Association, leading to reservations in 1932 under the Poona Pact, voted by the general electorate.
• The Muslim League, under M.A. Jinnah, sought reserved seats for Muslims, yet many Muslims did not join the movement.

The Sense of Collective Belonging

• Nationalism was fostered through shared experiences, folklore, songs, and symbols, enhancing collective identity.
• By 1921, Gandhi introduced a tricolor Swaraj flag featuring a spinning wheel, symbolizing unity and the nationalist cause.