Indian Struggle Against Colonialism PDF

Indian Struggle Against Colonialism Struggles Before 1857:- Khandesh/ Bhils Revolt:- Q. How did Lt. Owen weaken the Bhil opposition ?.... ➔ Lt. Owen adopted measures like declaration of amnesty, land grants, agricultural loans (tagai), reprieve from the past crimes and recruitment in the...

Indian Struggle Against Colonialism Struggles Before 1857:- Khandesh/ Bhils Revolt:- Q. How did Lt. Owen weaken the Bhil opposition ?.... ➔ Lt. Owen adopted measures like declaration of amnesty, land grants, agricultural loans (tagai), reprieve from the past crimes and recruitment in the army to weaken the opposition from Bhils. Nanded- Hansaji Naik :- - Ruled the region of Nanded. - Refused to merge his territory into the Nizam's dominion. - Conquered some forts belonging to the Nizam. - This refusal and territorial conquest led to an inevitable war. - Major Pitman, Captain Evans, Captain Taylor, along with a regiment of 400 soldiers joined the Nizam for his protection. - The war lasted for 25 days. - Ultimately, Hansaji Naik was defeated in the war. Satara: Ramoshi Community:- 1828:- Phondesawant Tandulwadikar, Killedar of Mahadegadh rebelled. However, the British promptly crushed it. Sawantwadi Aristocracy Revolt:- Angered by British policies, Sawantwadi aristocracy revolted against the British. However, Spooner was successful in crushing it. There was one more attempt for a revolt but the British had imposed military law in that area. Outram finally ended the revolt permanently. Kolhapur Gadkari Revolt:- British government takes away authority and salary of Gadkaris in Kolhapur state First resistance raised at Samangadh near Kolhapur Captain Outram arrives with platoons Rebels successfully take charge of Panhala, Pavangadh, and Vishalgad. More platoons arrive from Madras (Chennai) Gadkaris forced to surrender Freedom Struggle of 1857:- Reasons for Freedom Struggle:- iii) Land Revenue Systems:- Q. How did the introduction of new land revenue systems by the British government affect the lives of Indian farmers?.... ➔ - The British government introduced new land revenue systems (e.g., Kayamdhara, Ryotwari, Mahalwari) in India without consideration for Indian traditions, cropping cycles & climate. - These systems made common farmers impoverished while enriching the government and landlords. - Earlier, land tax could be paid with food grains and commodities, but now it had to be paid in cash regardless of harvest conditions. - Farmers were forced to pay taxes even during famines, leading to dire conditions. - Droughts and epidemics affected people and animals, with British authorities showing little sympathy. - Farmers became caught between the government and moneylenders. - Previously, agricultural land could not be sold, but British policies allowed its sale. - Farmers in dire state were compelled to sell land to obtain cash, which was then used by British owners to cultivate cash crops like indigo, exploiting labourers severely. - Unemployment, despair, & disbelief pervaded India, making life difficult for common people. iv) Forced Religious Conversions:- In addition to economic exploitation, forced religious conversions and British interference in Indian customs fueled growing discontent among the Indian population. Immediate Causes:- Q. Why did Indian soldiers in the British army refuse to use the new Enfield rifles and cartridges in 1856?.... ➔ - In 1856, Indian soldiers in the British army were issued long-range Enfield rifles and new cartridges. - Rumours spread among the soldiers that these cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat. - To load the rifle, soldiers had to bite off the end of the cartridge. - This act was deeply offensive to Hindu and Muslim soldiers due to religious beliefs. - Soldiers who refused were forced by the British to use the cartridges, leading to widespread discontent and anger among Indian troops. Q. Who led the 1857 Indian Rebellion, and where did their influence extend, including Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, and parts of West Bihar?..... ➔ - Indian soldiers captured Delhi on May 12, 1857, placing it under their control. - They conferred leadership of the uprising to the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah, declaring him 'Shahanshah-i-Hindostan' - However, the actual leaders of the rebellion were figures like Nana Sahib, Tatya Tope, Rani Lakshmibai, Maulavi Ahmadullah, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Kunwar Singh, and Senani Bakht Khan. - Bakht Khan took responsibility for securing Delhi. - The uprising was particularly intense in Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, and parts of West Bihar. 27th May 1857:- British army attacked Delhi to recapture it. Brigadier John Nicolas was killed in the battle. They conquered Delhi bcoz of John Lawrance & the Sikh platoon. General Hudson arrested Bahadur Shah & was sent to Rangoon. 1862:- He died there. Q. Where did the uprising spread before the capture of Delhi, and who were the key leaders involved in leading the revolt? ➔ - Dissatisfaction spread before the capture of Delhi. - Riot intensified in Ayodhya, Lucknow, and Northwestern province. - Spread rapidly to Aligarh, Itawa, Mathura, Bareli, Azamgadh, Faizabad, Kanpur, Jhansi, and Ahmedabad. - Indian soldiers in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Multan, Sialkot (Punjab) actively joined the uprising. - Similar instances in Gwalior, Indore, Mhow, and Sagar (Madhya Pradesh). - Reached Nasirabad Cantonment and the rest of Rajasthan. - Spread to Dhaka, Chittagong, and Madariganj (presently in Bangladesh) and Bhagalpur (Bihar). - Soldiers at Dinapur (near Patna) revolted under Kunwar Singh's leadership (a landlord from west Bihar). - Kunwar Singh received support from Hazaribagh (presently in Jharkhand) and Deogarh, Sambalpur (Odisha). Q. Summarise the Kanpur uprising during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, including key figures and events. ➔ - Nanasaheb Peshwa led the uprising from Kanpur. - General Havelock was sent to suppress the uprising in Kanpur. - Nanasaheb Peshwa and Tatya Tope unsuccessfully attempted to maintain control over Kanpur. - Sir Colin Campbell, the British Commander-in-Chief, defeated Tatya Tope and regained control of Kanpur. - Tatya Tope and Begum Hazrat Mahal initially had the upper hand in the conflict. - British army, under Havelock and Outram's leadership, faced difficulties initially. - King of Nepal, Jang Bahadur, supported the British with Gurkha platoons. - Maulavi Ahmadulla led the Indian soldiers' army. - Colin Campbell's military skills and experience led to the conquering of Lucknow. Q. What were Colonel Neil's actions in Banaras (Varanasi) and Allahabad during the Indian Rebellion of 1857?.... ➔ Governor General Lord Canning ordered Colonel Neil to march to Banaras (Varanasi) and Allahabad due to the uprising of soldiers in these cities. Neil's response included the use of cannons against Indian soldiers. However, his tactics turned cruel as he massacred and hanged many people. In retaliation, soldiers in Allahabad killed many Europeans. Upon learning of this, Neil indiscriminately killed Indians in Allahabad, escalating British atrocities to their peak. Siege of Jhansi:- - Indian soldiers rebelled against the British in Jhansi. - Organised under Nanasaheb Peshwa, Tatya Tope, and Queen Lakshmibai. - Field Marshal Sir Hugh Rose besieged Jhansi. - Tatya Tope attempted to aid the queen but was defeated by Hugh Rose. - The British also conquered Kalpi. - Lakshmibai died in battle. - Sardar Mansingh of Gwalior betrayed Tatya Tope to the British. - Tatya Tope was hanged in 1859. - Nanasaheb Peshwa, wife of Bajirao Peshwa II, and nephew Raosaheb fled to Nepal permanently. Rango Bapuji Gupte's rebellion attempt in Satara, Maharashtra, failed, leading to punishment for his associates. In 1858, Babasaheb Bhave of Nargund state joined the uprising. Bhils Revolt - The British government learned of the revolt plan in Mumbai. - People involved were tied to a cannon and blown to death. - Bhils in Khandesh joined the revolt. - Leaders Bheema Naik and Kajarsingh Naik seized a government treasury worth seven lakhs. - Confrontation between Bhils and British at Ambapani (Jalgaon District). Ramji Shirsat took charge of the government treasury in Kolhapur, organising soldiers and others as news of the uprising in the north reached them. Chimasaheb, a member of the royal house of Kolhapur, also joined the rebellion. The uprising gained support from the people in Kolhapur, Belgaum, and Dharwad. Despite the widespread fury sparked by the 1857 war, which persisted for over a year, the involvement of around one lakh well-equipped and determined soldiers in key areas like Delhi, Meerut, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Gwalior, the uprising couldn't be suppressed. Queen’s Proclamation:- - Queen Victoria acknowledged the Indian people's anger that led to the 1857 war. - She addressed the issue by publishing the 'Queen's Proclamation'(charter). - In the proclamation, she declared all Indians as her subjects. - Assurances included no discrimination based on race, creed, caste, or Birthplace, employment on the basis of qualifications & skills, no interference In the religious matters & Agreements with rulers of princely states would be Fulfilled. The 1857 War in India had a profound impact on society, shifting provincial and communal loyalties towards a sense of national unity and loyalty. Indians realised armed combat alone couldn't defeat the British, prompting the search for innovative resistance methods. Recognizing the strength of united Indian people, the British implemented a 'divide and rule' policy in later years to maintain control. Background of Founding the Indian National Congress:- Q. Why was the Bombay Presidency Association formed in January 1885, and who were its founders? ➔ English education and the urge for social reforms resulted in the formation of ‘Bombay Presidency Association’ in January 1885 by Justice Kashinath Trimbak Telang, Pherozeshah Mehta and their associates. Founding of the Indian National Congress:- ➔ 28th December 1885 1st session of INC was held in Mumbai (Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College). Attended by 72 delegates from India attended. President:- Vyomeshchandra Banerjee Eminent people present in this session were Pherozshah Mehta, Dadabhai Nowrojee, Rahimatulla Sayani, KT Telang & GK Gokhale. 9 resolutions were passed in this session:- i) appointing a commission to enquire into British administration ii) to appoint elected representatives of people on CLA & PLA iii) employ Indians in administrative services iv) to conduct CSE in India v) to curtail military expenses vi) to sanction more funds for higher education & to make Provisions for technological education ‘Moderates’ and ‘Extremists’ These fundamental differences eventually led to a split within the Indian National Congress in 1907, with the Moderates and Extremists parting ways due to irreconcilable ideological divergences. However, they later reconciled and reunited during the Lucknow session in 1916, demonstrating the common goal of achieving Indian independence.  Moderates Extremists Prioritised social Believed Political Priority of reforms over political independence as the Goals independence. Believed primary goal. Believed in appealing to Govt for that social reforms could reforms & cooperation be implemented only after political independence Methods of Preferred constitutional Adopted more aggressive Struggle methods of protest and and radical methods of negotiation agitation. Attitude Held a more pacified Adopted a aggressive towards approach towards the stance against the British British British Govt Govt Government Role of Social Emphasised the While recognizing the Reforms importance of social significance of social reforms, reforms alongside they prioritised political political reforms. independence. Believed that an independent India could better address social issues. Response to Hoped that the British Were sceptical of the Government government would British government's Actions address their willingness to listen to grievances and appeals and believed that implement reforms only through strong resistance and agitation could their demands be met. Lord Curzon initiated the partition of Bengal to curb the influence of the Indian National Congress. Following the partition, the British government intensified its crackdown on Extremist leaders. Lokamanya Tilak was sentenced to six years in Mandalay prison on charges of treason. Bipinchandra Pal was imprisoned, while Lala Lajpat Rai was deported. Armed Revolutionaries in India:- Main objective of Armed Revolutionaries:- To weaken Govt administration, to dispel the fear of Govt in people’s mind & thus to uproot British rule from India. Ram Singh Kuka and Vasudev Balwant Phadke planned revolts against the British in Punjab and Maharashtra respectively. Commissioner Rand's harsh methods during the plague epidemic in Pune provoked Damodar and Balkrishna Chapekar to assassinate him in retaliation. 1899:- With the initiative of Savarkar brother’s the secret organisation named ‘Mitra Mela’ was established at Nashik which later in 1904 was renamed as ‘Abhinav Bharat’. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, while in England for education, supported revolutionary activities by sending literature and weapons to Abhinav Bharat members. He authored books on revolutionaries like Joseph Mazzini and wrote '1857 - The First War of Independence'. British authorities discovered Abhinav Bharat's activities and arrested Ganesh Damodar Savarkar, sentencing him to life imprisonment. In retaliation, Anant Lakshman Kanhere assassinated the British collector Jackson. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was implicated in Jackson's murder, arrested, and sentenced to 50 years of rigorous imprisonment in the Andaman Islands after a trial. Anusheelan Samiti:- Ghosh brothers were the head of this organisation & had a centre of bomb making at Maniktala. 1908:- Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki attempted to assassinate British magistrate Kingsford but mistakenly killed two British women. Chaki committed suicide, and Bose was captured and executed. India House:- Founded by Shyamaji Krishna Verma in London to give scholarships to Indian students in England for higher education. Madam Cama was a Socialist & a revolutionary who belonged to a group of Shyamaji Krishna Verma. In the ‘World Socialist Conference’ in Germany she represented India & raised the issue of India’s independence. Madanlal Dhingra caught Curzon Wyllie to death & was arrested & hanged for it. Gadar:- Revolutionary organisation by Indians in America & Canada. Lala Hardayal, Dr. Pandurang Khankhoje, Bhai Parmanand. Gadar newspaper was also published by them. HRA:- Ramprasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla, Roshan Singh, Rajendra Lahiri were the leaders of this organisation who were captured & hanged for ‘Kakori Conspiracy’. Communist Party:- Their aim was to uproot Colonial rule & to establish rule of the working class (proletariat). Members of this CP were tried under the charge of attempting armed revolution. Shripad Dange, Muzaffar Ahmed & Keshav Jogalekar were tried under the Meerut case & Kanpur Case received a lot of publicity. HSRA:- Established in 1928 by Azad, Bhagat singh & Rajguru in Delhi. Aim:- To free India from British exploitation. They wanted to rip off the British system that exploited farmers & labourers. Azad was the head of Hindustan Socialist Republican Army HSRA's Key Actions: Bhagat Singh & Rajguru killed Saunders to avenge Lala Lajpat Rai's death. Bhagat Singh & Batukeshwar Datta bombed the Legislative Assembly. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, & Sukhdev were hanged in 1931 at Lahore for treason. Chandrashekhar Azad fought & died in Alfred Park, Allahabad. Surya Sen led a Chittagong revolutionary group with HSRA. They attacked British armouries, but Surya Sen and some colleagues were captured. He and others sacrificed their lives for the nation. Kalpana Dutt got life imprisonment, Preetilata Waddedar escaped but later died, Shanti Ghosh and Suniti Chaudhury shot Charles Buckland and were jailed, Beena Das attempted to kill Stanley Jackson and was sentenced to 9 years rigorous imprisonment. The revolutionaries showed exceptional courage and determination, making the ultimate sacrifice for India's independence. Their loyalty and selflessness have inspired generations, leaving a lasting legacy. Gandhi: Non- Violent Resistance Movement After the death of Lokmanya Tilak in 1920, GAndhi became the leader of the Indian Freedom Movement. Gandhi's activism began in South Africa, where the British regime had marginalised natives and Indians. He fought against discriminatory laws and regulations using non-violent methods and achieved success. 1915:- Gandhi returned to India. Gandhiji took up the cause of Champaran farmers in Bihar in 1917, who were forced to cultivate indigo by British plant owners at low rates. He led a Satyagraha protest, which resulted in the British government banning compulsory indigo cultivation. This victory brought relief to the farmers, ending their harassment by the British plant owners. In 1919, the British government formed the Rowlatt Committee, led by Sir Sydney Rowlatt, to suppress the growing national movement. The committee passed the Rowlatt Act, which allowed the British to imprison Indians without warrant and trial. Mahatma Gandhi opposed this act and called for a nationwide protest (hartal) on April 6, 1919, urging people to close down daily transactions and participate in a mass satyagraha. On April 13, 1919, during the Baisakhi festival, thousands of people gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, unaware of the government's ban on public gatherings. Without warning, General Dyer ordered his troops to open fire, killing around 400 innocent people and injuring thousands more. This brutal incident, known as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, sparked widespread outrage across India. The event was severely condemned by Rabindranath Tagore, who renounced his title of "Sir" in protest. The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in 1920 at the Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress, with Mahatma Gandhi as its leader. The movement aimed to boycott British institutions and goods, including schools, colleges, legislative bodies, courts, government offices, and imported goods. The Indian people responded enthusiastically, with students, lawyers, and farmers participating in large numbers. Prominent lawyers like Chittaranjan Das, Motilal Nehru, and Vallabhbhai Patel gave up their practices to join the movement. Public strikes were organised across the country, with 396 instances reported in 1921 alone. The charkha (spinning wheel) became a symbol of swarajya (self-rule) and swadeshi (indigenous goods) became a household term. The movement marked a significant shift in the Indian independence struggle, with Gandhi's leadership and the people's participation paving the way for future movements. Azad Hind Sena In 1939, Hitler started World War II, and the British government involved India in the war without its consent. Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress opposed this decision. Japan, allied with Germany, conquered British-ruled Southeast Asia and captured many Indian soldiers. Rasbihari Bose formed the Azad Hind Sena with these soldiers, which was later led by Subhash Chandra Bose. In 1943, Bose established the Azad Hind Sarkar in Singapore and conquered Andaman and Nicobar. His famous speech "Tum Mujhe Khoon Do! Main Tumhe Azadi Dunga!" became a rallying cry for Indians. In 1944, the Azad Hind Sena conquered Arakan province and British outposts in Assam, but couldn't capture Imphal. ‘Quit India’ Movement of 1942 In August 1942, the Indian National Congress session in Mumbai, led by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, passed the "Quit India" resolution with a majority vote. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru presented the resolution, demanding the British leave India immediately. Mahatma Gandhi led the movement, emphasising non-violent resistance. He rallied Indians, saying, "Every Indian man and woman should know they are free citizens from this moment" and introduced the mantra "Do or Die," urging them to prepare for sacrifice. Gandhi's words ignited a new spirit among Indians. The British government attempted to suppress the "Quit India" movement by arresting prominent leaders like Gandhi, Azad, Nehru, and Patel on August 9, 1942, before the movement could begin. They banned public gatherings, speeches, and protests, and sealed Congress offices across the country. Despite this, villagers in places like Chimur, Ashti, and Mahad showed remarkable courage and resistance, leaving a lasting legacy. By 1942, the "Quit India" movement shifted towards young socialist leaders like Jayprakash Narayan, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Aruna Asaf Ali, S.M Joshi & N.G. Gore. Local revolutionary groups emerged, including 'Azad Dasta' in Karjat and 'Lal Sena' in Nagpur. In Mumbai, Vitthal Javheri and Usha Mehta set up 'Azad Radio', a transmission centre, posing a significant challenge to the British government. In 1942, people in some Indian regions successfully overthrew British rule. In Midnapur, Balia, Bhagalpur, and Purnia, British officers were forced to flee, and locals took charge. Notably, Krantisinha Nana Patil established a parallel government in Satara, Maharashtra, which collected revenue, maintained law and order, and administered justice, effectively ending British rule in the district. The 'Quit India' movement marked a turning point, as Indians strongly opposed British rule, weakening its foundation. British administrators realised it was becoming impossible to govern India. The end of the British Empire was imminent. The 1946 rebellion of the British Indian Navy sailors further fueled the unrest, hastening the decline of British rule. As India's independence became imminent, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League demanded a separate nation for Muslims, leading to communal riots across the country. This ultimately resulted in the partition of India, and in August 1947, two separate nations, India and Pakistan, were born..