Indian National Movement Key Notes (PDF)

SUBJECT: SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE: 8 TOPIC- INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT Keynotes The factors that led to the emergence of nationalism in India:- ▪ Resentment against economic exploitation The rise of the Indian press a...

SUBJECT: SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE: 8 TOPIC- INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT Keynotes The factors that led to the emergence of nationalism in India:- ▪ Resentment against economic exploitation The rise of the Indian press and literature Improvement in transport and communication Early Associations The first political association formed was the Landholders’ Society at Calcutta in 1838. The Bengal British India Society was formed in 1843. The Madras Native Association and Bombay Association were established in 1852. (INC)-1885 Formed By – A.O Hume 1st meeting was conducted on 28th December 1885 1st President of the Congress – Womesh Chandra Banerjee. Moderates Moderates were the section of the Congress that believed in constitutional methods of petitions and who had faith in the British Government. The early demands of the Indian National Congress Congress included: o Increased participation in the legislative assembly o Indianisation of the civil service. o Reduction of the military expenditure and tax burden. o Providing more funds for educating Indians. Limitations of Moderate demands The moderates had firm faith in the British sense of Justice and fair play, hence, they continued with prayers and petitions. The British however, turned a deaf ear to the request of the Congress. The indifference of the British and the continued economic exploitation and impoverishment of the country made the Indian Nationalists realise that the British Government was not sincere and just. Therefore they gradually lost faith in it. Growth of extremism The radical group of the Congress opposed the ideologies and techniques of the moderates and believed in swaraj or self-rule. The main aims and objectives of the extremists include: ❖ Opposition to the ideology and techniques of the moderates. ❖ Their preference is not to get out of Congress but to capture it from within. ❖ The absolute autonomy for India, unlike the goal of self-government. ❖ They demanded swaraj or self-rule.  Bal Gangadhar Tilak declared ‘Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it’. The leaders of the extremists were Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal (Lal-Bal-Pal). The Partition of Bengal-1905 As the feeling of nationalism began to develop strongly among Indians, Lord Curzon announced to divide the province of Bengal into 2 parts. Eastern Bengal and Assam with a majority of Muslims were to be created. West Bengal to comprise of Bengali Hindus. The government claimed that the partition was necessary for better administration. Swadeshi Movement In protest the Indians started the Swadeshi Movement on 7 August 1905. This movement included the boycott of British goods and the promotion of Indian goods. Later, swadeshi and boycott of foreign goods, became the chief forms of agitation followed by the Congress. These two movements were instrumental in the establishment of textile mills, national banks, chemical works, and insurance companies. Volunteers delivered swadeshi goods at the doorstep of every household. Women became participants in the movement. The most active participation came from school boys and college students. The government adopted repressive measures to crush the agitation, especially against the students. Processions and meetings were banned and leaders were imprisoned without trial. Tilak was sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment. The Formation of The Muslim League Through the partition of Bengal, the British sowed the seed of communalism. Encouraged the Muslims to form a separate party and fight through separate electorates. The Muslim League was formed in 1906. Prince Aga Khan and Nawab Salimulla Khan of Dacca founded the Muslim League. The Surat Split was the split of the Indian National Congress (INC) into two factions, the Moderates and the Extremists, at the Surat session in 1907. The split was caused by ideological differences between the two factions. The conflict between the Moderates and Extremists increased during the Surat Session of the Indian National Congress of 1907. So the extremists left the Congress in this session. This came to be known as the Surat Split. Constitutional Reforms As the nationalist movement gained momentum, the British government brought some constitutional reforms. Explain the features of the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909. ❖ Extension of the number of members of the legislative councils. ❖ Introduction of a separate electorate for the Muslims ❖ Under the separate electorate, Muslims were given the right to elect their representatives to these councils. The Extremists leaders protested against the communal electorates. The Lucknow Pact – 1916 An important step forward in achieving Hindu- Muslim unity was the Lucknow Pact in 1916 Anti-British feelings were generated among the Muslims following a war between Britain and Turkey, which opened the way for Congress and Muslim League unity. The British attitude towards Turkey displeased the Muslims, who turned towards Congress. Significance of the Lucknow Pact: ▪ Lucknow Pact signed between Congress and Muslim League. Hindu- Muslim unity was established. ▪ Congress accepted the separate electorates. ▪ Congress and the Muslim League jointly demanded dominion status for the country. ▪ The Extremists were also re-admitted into the congress at this session. The Montagu-Chelmsford reforms The Montagu-Chelmsford reforms were passed in 1919 to gradually develop self-governing institutions in India. The main features of the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms were these: The central legislature consists of two houses- the Council of the State (Upper House) and the Legislative Assembly (Lower House). The tenure of the Upper House was five years and the Lower House was three years. Dyarchy was introduced. Under this system, both elected Indian legislators and appointed British officials shared the power. Besides Muslims, other minorities including Sikhs, Anglo-Indians, Christians, and Europeans were also given the right to separate electorates. New reforms were to be introduced after ten years. *****************