Social Science English History Class X Part-I PDF

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View list of e-resources available and click on any e-resource of your choice Social Science Part-I HISTOR Y Textbook for Class X Authors Dr. Ranjit Sabhapandit (Chapter 1, 4) Dr. Manjula Phukan (Chapter 2) Dr. Runjun Barman (Chapter 3) Ditee Moni Baruah (Chapter 2, 4) Dr. Angiras (Chapter 5) Translators Sonali Gogoi and Jayanta Deka (Chapter 1) Dr. Sangita Kakoti (Chapter 3) Ditee Moni Baruah (Chapter 4) Sangita Das (Chapter 5) Reviewers Dr. Rajen Saikia (Chapter 1, 4, 5) Dr. Sunil Pawan Baruah (Chapter 2, 3) Co-ordinators Golok Chandra Bora Dr. Rulima Bharali Prepared by : Board of Secondary Education, Assam Published by : The Assam State Textbook Production and Publication Corporation Limited, Guwahati HISTORY : A textbook on History as Social Science Part-I for class X in English, prepared and approved by the Board of Secondary Education, Assam and published by the Assam State Textbook Production and Publication Corporation Limited, Guwahati on behalf of Govt. of Assam. Free Textbook All right reserved No reproduction in any form of © The Assam State Textbook Production and this book, in whole or in part Publication Corporation Limited, Guwahati (except for brief quotation in critical articles or reviews), may be made without written authorization from the publisher. First Edition : 2015, 2015 (revised) Second Edition : 2016 (revised) Third Edition : 2017 (revised) Printed on : 70 GSM Paper Publisher : The Assam State Textbook Production and Publication Corporation Limited, on behalf of Govt. of Assam for free distribution DTP : Nilabh Printers Printer : Abhiyatri Mudran Pvtl. Ltd. K.K.B. Road, Chenikuthi, Guwahati-781003 Resource persons involved in the preparation of the textbook Dr. Rajen Saikia, Retd. Prof., Dept. of History, Nagaon Girls College, Nagaon and Chief Editor of Political History of Assam Project, Govt. of Assam. Dr. Sunil Pawan Baruah, Retd. Prof., Dept. of History, B. Barua College, Guwahati Dr. Ranjit Sabhapandit, Associate Prof., Dept. of History, B.B.K. College, Barpeta. Dr. Manjula Phukan, Associate Prof. & HOD, History, B. Barua College, Guwahati Dr. Runjun Barman, Associate Prof. & HOD, History, Handique Girls’ College, Ghy Ditee Moni Baruah, Asst. Prof., Dept. of History, Arya Vidyapeeth College, Guwahati Dr. Angiras, Asst. Prof. Dept. of History, Mangoldoi College, Mangoldoi, Darrang Dr. Sangita Kakoti, Associate Prof., Dept. of History, A.V. College, Guwahati Sonali Gogoi, Jayanta Deka, Sangita Das, S.T., Assam Jatiya Bidyalay, Noonmati, Ghy Co-ordinators : Golok Chandra Bora, Academic Officer, Board of Secondary Education, Assam Dr. Rulima Bharali, Academic Officer, Board of Secondary Education, Assam (Third Edition : 2017) Foreword Social Science, after being the compulsory subject based on the National Policy of Education, it covers four disciplenes– History, Geography, Political Science and Economics. According to the National Policy of Education, now five subjects are compulsory in the Secondary Education level. In case of Assam, students have to study another sixth subject as an Elective subject. To offer one subject as the Elective, students have the option to choose from twenty two number of subjects presently exist in the syllabus of the Board. Apart from these, recently another five vocational subjects have also been included under National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). It is worth mentioning that, the Board has provided opportunity to the students to offer History or Geography as the Elective subject, which are also included in the above mentioned twenty two subjects. The Board has revised the syllabus of Social Science and introduced the new textbook in 2005, keeping in view the importance of the study of History and Geography compulsorily. The textbook of Social Science for Class IX was introduced in the academic year 2015, which has been divided into three parts– Part I- History, Part II- Geography and Part III- Political Science & Economics. Similarly, the another three parts have been introduced in Class X in the academic year 2016. The scopes of the subjects History and Geography have been increased with a view to giving more weightage on Assam History and Assam Geography. By dividing the subject into three parts, it is expected that the students will be benefited from it. We acknowledge the contributions of all the resource persons engaged in the process of preparation of this book, on behalf of the Board. We will be very much glad, if the teachers, guardians, students and scholars in the field provide us constructive suggestions for any unexpected mistakes if found in the book, and correcting those in the next editions. Guwahati Secretary Board of Secondary Education, Assam CONTENTS Chapter Subject Page Chapter-1 Partition of Bengal and Swadeshi Movement 1 1.01 The Background of Partition of Bengal 2 1.02 The Partition of Bengal 4 1.03 Swadeshi Movement 6 1.04 Consequences of the Swadeshi Movement 10 1.05 Swadeshi Movement and National Congress 15 1.06 Anti Movement Actions of the Government 16 1.07 The contribution of Swadeshi Movement 16 Chapter-2 Rise of Gandhi and the Freedom Movement of India 20 2.01 Rise of Gandhi 20 2.02 Rowlatt Act 22 2.03 Satyagraha or Non-violence movement 23 2.04 The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre 23 2.05 Khilafat Movement 24 2.06 The Non-Cooperation Movement 24 2.07 End of Non-Cooperation Movement 26 2.08 Simon Commission 26 2.09 Civil Disobedience Movement 27 2.10 Gandhi – Irwin Pact 28 2.11 The Second Round Table Conference 29 2.12 Restarting of the Civil Disobedience Movement 29 2.13 Communal Award 29 2.14 Formation of Congress Ministries 30 2.15 Resignation of Congress Ministries 30 2.16 Demand for Pakistan 30 2.17 Individual Satyagraha 30 2.18 Cripps Mission 31 2.19 Quit India Movement 31 2.20 Indian National Army 33 2.21 Declaration of June 3, 1947 35 2.22 Indian Independence Act, 1947 35 2.23 Birth of Independent India 35 Chapter Subject Page Chapter-3 Anti-British Rising and Peasant Revolts in Assam 38 3.0 Anti-British uprising in Assam 38 3.1 Revolt of 1857 in India and its impact on Assam 41 3.2 Rise of Peasant's Revolt in Assam 47 3.3 Peasant Revolt of Lower Assam 50 3.4 Ethnic (Tribal) Revolt 54 3.5 Revolt in Manipur 56 Chapter-4 Indian Freedom Movement and National Awakening in Assam 59 4.00 Growth of Assamese Nationalism 59 4.01 Asomiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha 60 4.02 Jonaki Age 61 4.03 Assam Chatra Sanmilan 62 4.04 Ryat Sabha 62 4.05 Ahom Sabha 63 4.06 Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha 63 4.07 Assam Association 64 4.08 Assam Provincial Congress Committee 66 4.09 Swadeshi Movement and Assam 67 4.10 The Non-Cooperation Movement and Assam 68 4.11 Civil Disobedience Movement and Assam 70 4.12 Quit India Movement and Assam 71 4.13 Ministry of Gopinath Bordoloi 73 Chapter-5 Cultural Heritage of India and North East Region 79 5.01 The source of Cultural Heritage of India 79 5.02 Literature 82 5.03 Architecture 83 5.04 Sculpture 84 5.05 Paintings 85 5.06 Music and Dances 86 5.07 Yoga Culture 87 5.08 North East 87 5.09 Assam 90 5.10 Literature 91 5.11 Religion 92 5.12 Art and Paintings 93 5.13 Sculptures 94 5.14 Architecture 94 5.15 Folk Culture 95 C HAPTER–1 PARTITION OF BENGAL (1905-1911 A.D.) AND SWADESHI MOVEMENT KEY POINTS The Background of Partition of Bengal. Partition of Bengal Swadeshi Movement Consequences of Swadeshi Movement National Literature National Education The contribution of women in Swadeshi Movement. Rise of National Industry Establishment of Muslim League. Swadeshi Movement and Indian National Congress. Anti-movement activities of the Government The contribution of Swadeshi Movement. Introduction : The partition of Bengal is one of the most important chapters in the freedom struggle of India. This partition, which occurred during the reign of Lord Curzon (1899-1905), is a historic event in the political history of India. The creation of two states by dividing the vast Bengal province stirred Partition of Bengal (1905-1911 A.D) and Swadeshi Movement 1 a national struggle against the British rule in whole India. This event is known as the second important political upheaval in India after the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857. In the last part of the 19th century and in the beginning of the 20th century the national movement became very strong in the Bengal province. This consciousness and uprising among the people put the British government in a dilemma and to suppress this national uprising, Lord Curzon created a new province named ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’ by adjoining East Bengal to Assam. On the other hand by keeping the remaining west parts of Bengal with Bihar and Orissa (Odisha) as before, another province was continued as West Bengal. The whole country stood united on the protest to this partition. It created a new era in the uprising of national sentiment in every Indian. In reality the movement against the British policy of partition of Bengal was the first active national struggle in all Indian perspective. 1.01. The Background of Partition of Bengal The British government introduced Regulating Act in 1773, and upgraded the post of the Governor of Bengal Presidency to the level of Governor General. By this introduction, the two Governors of Bombay and Madrass were brought under the control of the Governor of Fort William. Since the area under the Governor of Fort William had become vast, the governing of Bengal province was given to a Lieutenant Governor. Again it had not been possible to continue good governance in the Bengal province by just one Lt. Governor, as this province covered a vast area of North and East India. According to the Allahabad treaty (1765 A.D.) between the Moghul emperor Shah Alam and Robert Clive, the East India Company won political authority on Bihar and Orissa along with Bengal and these three regions were included in the province of Bengal. After the sepoy mutiny in 1857, the British took steps to reform the Indian administration and the partition of Bengal was also included in this process. After the discussion between the government of England and India the decision was taken to disjoin a vast area of East India from Bengal. Keeping this view in mind, on 7th February 1874 the state of Assam was created by including six districts from Brahmaputra valley (Goalpara, Kamrup, Nagaon, Darrang, Lakhimpur and Sivasagar) with Khasia-Jayantiya History 2 Hills, Naga Pahar, Garo Pahar, Cachar and Srihatta (Total area 54, 100 sq. mile, population 41,50,000). The post of a Chief Commissioner was created for this new state and Colonel R.H. Keatings was given the charge of the state (1874-78). According to some historians it was the first step The British colonialism was established all over India starting from 2nd tenure of Robert Clive (1765) to the rule of Lord Dalhousie (1848-1856) and Calcutta, Mumbai and Madrass became the three main administrative centres of East India Company. The highest administrator of each centre was given the post of President and the administrative system was popularly known as Presidency under the President. in the process of partition of Bengal. In the process of this partition two British officers helped Lord Curzon. One was Andrew Fraser, the then Chief Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh and the other was J. Bamfylde Fuller, the Chief Commissioner of Assam. In 1901 A.D. Fraser gave proposal to Lord Curzon to change the geographical boundary of Madhya Pradesh and Bengal. The famine broke-out in Orissa (a part of Bengal) in 1866 A.D. and around 10000 people lost their lives. Viceroy Lord Northbrook (1872-76 A.D.) by showing his administrative caliber put the proposal of the partition of Bengal before the government of England. Fraser mentioned the increasing population of Bengal which was 7.8. crore at that time and he proposed to disjoin Orissa and Sambalpur from Bengal and to annex to Madhya Pradesh. At the same time Fuller also proposed to annex Chattagram to Assam with a view to expanding the tea business. Lord Curzon studied two proposals of them and finding it pragmatic, he expressed his desire to implement these. The following regions went under the British empire in India – the valley of Brahmaputra (through the treaty of Yandabu on 24th February, 1826), Cachar in 1832, Khasi Hills in 1833, Jaintia Hills in 1835, the province of Motok and Sadiya in 1839, the province of Khamti in 1843, the province of Singfoo in 1843, the area of Angami Naga Hills in 1854. These reigions were controlled by the Lt. Governor of Bengal up to 1874. Then the area of Bengal was 2,53,000 sq. mile and total population was 4 crore 60 lacs. Partition of Bengal (1905-1911 A.D) and Swadeshi Movement 3 1.02. The Partition of Bengal When Andrew Fraser was appointed as Lt. Governor of Bengal in 1903, Viceroy Lord Curzon directed him to make a plan for re-demarcation of the boundary of the province. Then Andrew Fraser made a slight change in the previous suggestion of William E. Ward and made a plan for the partition of Bengal. He submitted his plan to Lord Curzon on 28th March, 1903. He suggested to annex Dhaka, Chattagram and Rajshahi (total area of 15 Districts) to neighbouring state of Assam. On 1st June, 1903 Viceroy Lord Curzon prepared a detail proposal of the partition of Bengal, by discussing with Hebert Risley, the Secretary of State, Govt. of India. With a view to expanding tea business, through sea routes also, the European tea planters put proposals to expand the boundary of Assam up to Chattagram. Keeping this view in mind Chief Commissioner William. E. Ward (1894-96 A.D.) in his second tenure put proposals to annex Chattagram, two districts of Dhaka and Maimonsing to Assam. But this proposal would not be implemented due to chaotic political milleu of that period. This proposal was officially accepted by the British government and it was recognised as, ‘the Minute on Territorial Re-distribution in India.’ Since this proposal was officially declared by Hebert Risley, the Secretary of State on 6th Dec, 1903, it was known as ‘Risley papers.’ The process of bifurcation of Bengal and to annex one part of it into Assam is historically known as the historical ‘Partition of Bengal’. The area of three territories Dhaka, Chattagram and Rajshahi was about 106540 sq. mile and total population was 31 million, out of which 18 millions were Muslims and 12 millions were Hindus. It was said that the vast Bengal province could not be ruled smoothly under a Lt. Governor and accordingly the plan was taken to create a province named ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’, by annexing 15 districts of North and East Bengal to Assam. On the other hand the Bengal province was to be continued with the remaining western parts of the province and by annexing Bihar, Orissa and Chotanagpur. Dhaka was to be the capital of the proposed ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’, and this proposed state had a population of around three crores and ten lacs. Among this Muslim population was 1.8 crores and Hindus were 1.2 crores. On the other hand History 4 Calcutta was to be the capital of the proposed ‘Bengal province’ and it had a population of around 5.4 crores. Among this Hindus were 4.2 crores and Muslims were just 90 thousands. But in comparison to the people of Bihar and Orissa, the Bengalis were minority. Though Lord Curzon proposed to make the territory of Bengal smaller and the territory of Assam bigger for a smooth administration, the hidden agenda behind it also came on the surface. Because the unity between Hindu and Muslim farmers and labourers was a threat for the British, they planned to break the unity by division. Hebert Risley’s letter to Lord Curzon mentioned, ‘The United Bengal is a big force, the partition will destroy this big unity.’ So the hidden purpose behind the partition of Bengal was to decimate the Hindu Muslim unity. To meet this vested interest, communal feelings were needed to be spread. Since Bengal was considered to be the centre of Indian nationalism, through the partition of Bengal it was planned to divide the province and to make the Hindu Bengalis and intellectuals a minority in both the states. The real motive of Lord Curzon was to strengthen the British empire in India by weakening the politically conscious Hindu-Bengalis and thus to resist the growth of Indian nationalism. Through this plan he tried to increase loyalty of the Muslim who were politically less conscious, and thus planned to sow the seed of communalism in Indian society. At the same time he took it as a weapon to dominate the growing anti British extremists. On 2nd February, 1905 Lord Curzon sent the proposal of partition of Bengal to Secretary of State for India in London for necessary approval. On 9th June, Secretary of State for India John Brodric approved the proposal and informed the government of India by telegram message. On 19th July, 1905, the British government of India published this proposal. On 1st September, 1905, it was declared officially that the partition of Bengal would be implemented on 16th October. The four points programme on partition of Bengal declared by Lord Curzon on 1st September was as follows– The 1st point (phase) of the partition of Bengal – (a) The name of the new province will be ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’, by annexation of Rajshahi, Dhaka and Chattagram to Assam. (b) The capital of new province will be Dhaka. (c) The administration of Eastern Bengal and Assam will be handed over to a Lt. Governor. (d) The capital of Assam will be transferred from Shillong to Dhaka. Partition of Bengal (1905-1911 A.D) and Swadeshi Movement 5 The boundary of divided Bengal as per the plan of Partition of Bengal of Lord Curzon. N E Sikim Dibrugarh P A BHUTAN L Darzeling aputra am Brahm d Ass Uttar Kishanganja an e n g a l Shilong Pradesh s t e rn B Patna Ea Silchar Rajmahal Maymansingha Manipur B I H A R ra pu Dhaka ri Palamou sT ill H K Chotnagpur um illa BENGAL Khulna Barisal Calcutta BURMA Chattagram Ma ORISSA ha na di Katak Puri Bay of Bengal Madrass 2nd Point (Phase) (a) There will be separate high court in Dhaka for Eastern Bengal and Assam. (b) Until a separate high court is established, the new province will be under the jurisdiction of Calcutta high court. 3rd Point (Phase) Calcutta will be the capital of New Bengal province which includes West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Chotanagpur. 4th Point (Phase) The partition of Bengal will be implemented on 16th October, 1905. 1.03. Swadeshi Movement (1905 – 1911 A.D.) The British government planned the partition of Bengal against the wishes of the people of Bengal. The leaders like Surendra Nath Benarjee, Bipin Chandra Paul, Arabinda Ghose, Rabindranath Tagore, Rasbihari Bose, Ramendra Sundar Trivedi etc. understood the conspiracy History 6 of the British government and they were able to create awareness among the people against this conspiracy. They launched anti-partition propaganda among the people through various meetings and writings realising that the partition of Bengal would be a threat to the heritage of Bengalis and Hindu- Muslim unity as well. To create strong public opinion against the partition of Bengal, at first they started signature collecting campaign. The protest paper signed by 70,000 Indian was submitted to the Secretary of State for India. The British government remained strong and tried to justify Andrew Fraser’s plan of partition of Bengal. But the people of Bengal broke out with anguish. When it became clear that the government was adamant to implement this partition, the anti-government feeling rose gradually among the people of Bengal. Since the public opinion was disrespected, the whole Bengal broke out into national movement against this partition. Hindu-Muslim unity was put under threat and Bengali nationalism was wounded. Already there was dissatisfaction among the Indians as Lord Curzon interfered the rights of Indian on education, newspaper and local self government. His process of partition was also reactionary. Hence there was a huge public protest and dissatisfaction against this partition. From the partition proposal was raised on 6th December, 1903, till it was officially declared on 19th July, 1905, many places of East, West and North Bengal witnessed thousands of public protests and huge public uproars. Irrespective of caste, creed and religion people plunged into this movement. This movement became famous as Swadeshi movement because it was publicly recommended that the Indians would unitedly boycott foreign goods and would start using home- made goods made by the Indians. Great sensation was created among the people by the article ‘Bangar Sarbanash’ published in the journal Sanjibani (6th July, 1904, editor Krishna Kumar Mitra). The first protest meeting against the proposed partition of Bengal was held at Khulna (Bagerbari) on 14th July, 1905. The prominent leaders like Surendranath Banerjee, Motilal Ghose, Dwizendralal Mitra etc. called the people for breaking this conspiracy of the British to divide the motherland. On 16th and 17th July, 1905, the same protest meeting was held at Kishorganj and Pabna respectively. The next day of the official declaration of the partition of Bengal, the 2nd protest meeting was held at Dinazpur on 20th July, 1905. This protest meeting was presided over by the king (Maharaja) of Dinazpur and the proposal was passed to boycott the British goods. Plan was taken to organize protest meeting at grass root level. Partition of Bengal (1905-1911 A.D) and Swadeshi Movement 7 The student community was attracted to this environment of movement. The students of Ripon College (presently Surendra Nath College) for the first time staged a walk out from their classrooms and took part in the movement on 18th July, 1905. On 31st July, 1905, under the leadership of the students from Ripon College, a vast student rally was organised against this partition. They formed a central committee to launch various movements against this partition. On 7th August, 1905, a huge public meeting was held at Town Hall of Kasimbazar, Calcutta under the presidentship of Maharaja Manindra Chandra Nandi. At the call of the representatives from various places, a unanimous decision was passed to boycott the British goods. On that day the students recited the patriotic song of Mukunda Das, (Hey banga janani, Swarna prasabini...) by calling for boycotting foreign goods. A ‘Student Union’ was formed under the leadership of Surendranath Banerjee. Through his inspiring speech Rabindranath Tagore called the people for maintaining social harmony. To stop buying and selling of British goods, the students decided to continue picketing programme in the business institutions. The British goods were put on fire in the various protest rallies. On 23rd September, 1905, a big protest rally was held at Rajabazar, North Calcutta. It was presided over by Abdul Rassul and prominent Muslim leader like Halim Gajnabi, Liakat Hussain, Md. Ismile Choudhury were present. This protest rally played an important role in continuing the movement against the partition of Bengal. On that day a historic foot March, a symbol of social harmony, took place where people of all caste, creed and religion took part in this procession. On the day of implementation of the partition of Bengal i.e. 16th October, 1905, the people of Bengal observed ‘National mourning day’. As per the proposal of Ramendra Sundar Trivedi every household in the Bengal province avoided cooking on that day. At the call of Rabindranath Tagore, the Bengali people of Calcutta observed Rakhibandhan on that day. People sang Tagore’s Rakhi song, ‘Bangalir pran, Bangalir Mon, Ek houk he Bhagaban.’ To strengthen the unity and fraternity among Hindu and Muslims, they tied Rakhi at the hands of the pedestrians. Under the leadership of Rabindranath Tagore thousands of people gathered at Maszids at Kalutola and Chitpur and tied Rakhis to the Moulabi’s and other Muslims. From that day it was decided that protest meeting would be organized in every district of Bengal and boycotting of the foreign goods would be done strictly. According to the instruction of student groups, all the students decided to go to school barefoot until the proposal for partition of Bengal would be cancelled. History 8 On 16th October, 1905, a strike (Hartal) was held in the afternoon in entire Calcutta. All the shops, business establishments, educational and other institutions, buses and trums remained closed. Ananda mohan Bose (President of Indian National Congress of Madrass session, 1898) laid the foundation stone of ‘Federal Hall’ as symbol of unity and heritage of Bengal and he addressed a big public rally and called the people for joining the movement against the partition of Bengal. ‘Vande Mataram’ rent the air of Calcutta and patriotic slogans were roared every where. People of Bengal from that very day observed a year long mourning. At the beginning, the swadeshi movement was confined to the boycotting of foreign goods and using indigenous goods. However, it was an economic pressure on the British. The intensity of the movement gradually increased and so the amount of boycotting foreign goods also became higher. Arbinda Ghose said, ‘Boycotting means patriotism and the essence of patriotism is the non co-operation with the British in all respects.’ This message from saint Arbinda made the feeling of patriotism more lively in the activists of this movement. People started avoiding British administration, govt. educational institutions, Courts etc. apart from foreign goods. Local goods were more appreciated by the people. People felt pride buying the things manufactured in India and by the Indians and this helped in building up the foundation of Indian economy. Indian people became united to boycott the foreign goods, which already occupied Indian markets. People developed a tendency not to pay their taxes, government loans etc. thinking the British government a foreign agency only. Though the main centre of the Swadeshi movement was undivided Bengal, yet it crossed the boundaries of Bengal and soon took a form of a national movement. The people of Maharastra, South India, North-East India supported this movement and it turned into an all Indian movement. Under the leadership of Surendranath Banerjee, Bal Gangadhar Tilok, Gopal Krishna Gokhley, Anundamohan Bose, Lala Lajpat Ray, Dadabhai Naoraji etc., this movement crossed the corridor of Bengal and spread to various states of the country. The Swadeshi movement is considered as a full fledged successful movement. Every step of this movement inspired the people of Bengal and had a direct influence all over India. Through it was a political movement against the British, yet this seven years movement (1905-1911 A.D.) had a far reaching impact upon literature, society, education and economy of India. Partition of Bengal (1905-1911 A.D) and Swadeshi Movement 9 1.04. Consequences of the Swadeshi Movement (a) National Literature : The tide of patriotism that emerged from the Swadeshi movement had contributed a lot to the national literature. On the influence of Swadeshi movement, many magazines, newspapers, books, dramas, songs and articles were published. The ‘Bengali’ (1904) edited by Surendranath Banerjee, the ‘Sanjibani’ (1904) edited by Krishna Kumar Mitra, the ‘Hitabaadi’ (1905) by Kaliprasanna Kabya Bisharad and Yogendranath Vidyabhusan, the ‘Yugantar’ (Weekly, 1906) by Bhupendra Dutta, the ‘Sandhya’ (1906) by Brahmabandhab Upadhya, ‘The Dawn’ (1906) by Satish Chandra Mukherjee, the female magazine ‘Su-Prabhat’ (1906) by Kumudini Mishra, ‘Vande Mataram’ by Arabinda Ghose etc. created a strong national sentiment among the people and excelled the movement. Some important plays written on the background of Swadeshi movement were- ‘Palashir Prayachitta,’ by Khirod Prasad, ‘Sirajuddoula’ and ‘Mir Kasim’ by Girish Ghose, ‘Sabbas Bangali’ by Amrit Lal Bose, ‘Bangar Angashed’ by Amarendranath Dutta etc. At the same time some famous books written on the background of Swadeshi movement were ‘Japani Bir’ by Swarna Kumari Devi, ‘Joy Sangeet’ by Pramathnath Ray Choudhury, ‘Nabya Bharat’ by Kartik Ch. Dasgupta, ‘Bangalakhmir Bratakatha’ by Ramendra Sundar Trivedi. Twenty three numbers of patriotic songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore on Swadeshi movement will remain a treasure of Indian Culture. The song ‘Amar sonar Bangla Ami Tomake Bhal Basi’ won the status of national enthem of independent Bangladesh. The song, ‘jadi tor daak sune keu naa ase, tabe ekla cholo re…’ received everlasting popularity. During the movement period, the songs of Rajanikanta Sen, Mukunda Das, Dwizendralal Roy etc. inspired the Bangalis. The article ‘Bhai Bhai Ek Thai’ written by Rabindranath Tagore on the background of Swadeshi movement was a famous article. A national institution named ‘Bangia Kala Sangsad’ was established under the leadership of Abanindranath Thakur during the Swadeshi movement. This institution aimed at creating foundation of Indian Fine Arts, free from western influence. Through his famous painting ‘Banga Mata’ Abanindranath Thakur tried to establish Indian Fine arts at par with the western paintings. Sister Nibedita transformed ‘Banga Mata’ into ‘Bharat Mata’. (b) National Education : The Swadeshi movement was not confined to boycotts of British goods History 10 only. It also had a big influence on the prevalent educational system of Bengal. It was noticed that the movements were becoming popular among the students and the chief secretary of Bengal R.W. Carlyle circulated a notice (10th October, 1905) warning all the students not to take part in the movement. The student community made strong protest against this circular and they observed a walk out of the classroom. Under the presidentship of Rabindra Nath Tagore, a vast student rally was organized at Pataldanga Mallikbari (4th Nov. 1905) and on that rally, an ‘Anti Circular Society’ was formed to disobey the order of the government. This was the first incident of disobedience of government order. The prominent leaders like Bipin Ch. Paul, Rabindranath Tagore, Abdul Rasul etc. called upon the student community to leave government institution. Rabindranath Tagore At the same time Satishchandra Mukherjee, the editor of ‘the Dawn’ named the University of Calcutta as the house of slaves (Golam-khana) and he called upon the students community to leave that house of slaves and to accept national education. Satish Ch. Mukherjee, started a national institution named ‘Dawn Society’, with full co-operation from Rabindra nath Tagore and Charu Das Banerjee and engaged in the work of spreading patriotic feeling among the students. This society did against the Curzon’s University law (1904) and Carlyle’s circular (1905) and started movement for uprising the national Rajanikanta Sen education. On 5th August, 1905, Rabindranath Tagore gave a valuable lecture on importance of national education in a public meeting at Calcutta. Next day he established the Banga Jatiya Vidyalay where many people were present. On 8th November, 1905, the second Jatiya Vidyalay was established in Rangpur. The number of students leaving government schools increased and consequently many national schools were established at many places of Bengal. Under the leadership of Rasbihari Bose the National Education Council (Jatiya Siksha Parisad) was formed on 11th March 1906 at town hall Calcutta. Bengal National College was established on 15th August 1906. Arabinda Ghose was the first principal and in the same year on 12th December, Bengal National College was promoted to National University. During the Swadeshi movement, all together 62 secondary schools The famous picture ‘Banga mata’ by and 3000 national primary schools were established. Bengal Technical Abanindranath Thakur Institute was established with the financial help from reputed barrister Taraknath Palit (a close friend of Anunda Ram Boruah, the first ICS of Assam.). Later on, this institution was changed into Jadavpur University. Bihar Vidyapeeth, Patna, Samarth Vidyalay, Maharastra and Gujrat Vidyalay, Gujrat were established in the style of National University. Partition of Bengal (1905-1911 A.D) and Swadeshi Movement 11 (c) The contribution of women in Swadeshi movement Keeping equal pace with the man, the middle class urban women also took active part in the swadeshi movement by crossing all the social barriers. This participation of the women folk against the partition of Bengal led the Indian freedom struggle to a well organized level. Among the prominent female leaders of swadeshi movement, Sarala Devi Choudhurini was to be reckoned to lead the Swadeshi movement in a revolutionary way. Like the Sivaji festival of Maharastra, she strarted organizing various festivals like ‘Birastami Brat’ Pratapaditya Utshab, Udayaditya Utsav, Byayam Samitee etc. and trained the boys and girls on wrestling, stick play etc. games. She edited a magazine named ‘Bharati’ and prepared the youth force of Bengal to plunge into national movement. Another prominent woman who contributed a lot in creating national awareness among the youths and the women was Sister Nibedita. This Ireland born strong lady had her real name as Margaret Elizabeth Noble (1864-1911). During her stay in Calcutta she was actively associated with Sister Nibedita, a Youngman’s Hindu Union, Vivekananda Society, Dawn Society and Anusilan source of inspira- Sammitee and encouraged the youths and the women folk to be independent tion of Swadeshi by involvement in indigenous industries. movement. The bravery of the Bengal women stunned the British Rulers. Regarding the courage of Bengal women, the Daily Telegraph, London on 11th October 1907 wrote – ‘The Bengal women are the most obstinate and most dangerous antagonist of the English’. (d) The rise of National Industry On the background of swadeshi movement, the mentality for self development grew in Bengal and it brought a positive and congenial atmosphere for the establishment of national industries. As the demand of locally made goods grew higher, several big industries and various small scale industries came into being. Spinning machine, small and medium scale handloom industries, industries for producing mustard oil, soap, sugar, match box etc. and many biscuit factories were established. Along with this, national bank and national insurance companies came into existence. The Swadeshi Bhandar, established by Rabindranath Tagore became a reputed textile firm. At the prime time of Swadeshi movement Yogesh Ch. Choudhury and Krishna Bihari Sen jointly established, ‘Indian stores’ at Bou bazaar, Calcutta. All kinds of India made products were sold in this establishment. Another woman from Tagore’s family named Sarala Devi History 12 started, ‘Lakshi Bhandar’ at Cornwallis street (Now Bidhan Sarani). The ‘United Bengal Stores’ was established by Abdul Halim Gajnabi at Lal Bazar. Some extra ordinary people like Jagadish Ch. Bose, Prafulla Ch. Roy, Nilratan Sarkar etc. planned to establish some heavy industries at Bengal to grow an atmosphere of self development and self reliance. At the initiative of Nilratan Sarkar, ‘Banga Lakshi Cotton Mill’ was established on 1st August, 1906 and Acharya Prafulla Ray started ‘Bengal Chemicals’ on 25th July, 1906. Jamshedji Tata established iron factory in 1907. As a consequence of boycotting foreign goods and productions of local industries, the number of imported goods came to be very low in India. Due to the political movement in Bengal, the foundation of modern industries was laid in various provinces of India. The first Indian industrial summit was held on 17th December, 1905 under the chairmanship of R.C. Dutta at Varanashi and this summit awakened the Indians about the prospect of indigenous industries in India. Even revival of many national industries were possible after this summit. In short, the Swadeshi movement opened a new chapter in the progress of Indian industries and business. (e) Establishment of Muslim League The British government never wanted a vast and united India. To keep their imperialism intact, they tried to divide the Indians with respect to religion, language, caste and region. The partition of Bengal was also a big weapon to create communal feelings among Indians. To build a strong public opinion in favour of the partition of Bengal, Lord Curzon took a programme of long trip in February, 1904. In the places like Dhaka, Maimonsing, Chattagram etc. he campaigned in favour of the partition of Bengal, saying that it would benefit the Muslim people a lot. On 18 th Feb, 1904, he organized a big rally in Dhaka and called the Islamic people for standing unitedly against the Hindus. With the help of Nawab Sallimullah Khan, he tried to approach the Muslim of Bengal. For this purpose he lent Rs. 14 Lacs to Nawab with minimum interest. He also promised to give special facility to the Islam land Lords. Many Muslim leaders welcomed this partition of Bengal. The leaders who had belief in Lord Curzon, thought that this proposal of two states would be able to fulfil the aspirations of the Muslim community. They had also their vested interest and strong temptation for self establishment. In this way the British created a destructive political mentality in the Muslims. Partition of Bengal (1905-1911 A.D) and Swadeshi Movement 13 Lord Minto became the Viceroy of India after Lord Curzon and his declaration on 13th April, 1906 indicated some special political gains to the Muslim citizens. He made an official declaration of Rules of Administrative Reform. After this declaration a section of Muslim leaders were united to discuss on how the interest of Muslims would be protected in the proposed reform rules. Discussing with William Archbold, the principal of Aligarh College, they prepared a petition. They demanded a separate electorate for the Muslims in the proposed reform. On 1st October, 1906 under the leadership of Aga Khan a represenative group consisting of 35 members submitted the petition to Lord Minto at Simla. The Viceroy assured them that the demands would be considered. In such a favourable environment of royal grace, they deeply involved in bringing dream into reality. On 30th December, 1906 some educated Muslim leaders attended a meeting at Dhaka palace. This meeting was organized by Nawab Salimullah and was presided by Nawab Bikor-Ul-Mulook. In this historic session a political organization named All India Muslim League was established. Nawab Salimullah, who led the creation of Muslim League declared the aims and objectives of this newly formed political organization on that day itself. These were – (a) To increase the sense of loyalty of the Muslim people to British. (b) To keep aware the British government regarding the political rights and interests of the Muslim people. (c) To create the sense of unity among the Muslim people by removing feelings of being frightened, disgusted and terrorised. Viceroy Lord Minto and Secretary of State for India Lord Morley expressed their satisfaction with the activities of the Muslim League. These two British officials took the opportunity of the differences of religion and opinion between Hindu and Muslim for political gain. Lord Minto also planned to bring the moderate groups of Congress close to British govt. within a very short period. The Muslim owned separate electorate through the Indian Council Act (Morley-Minto Reform), 1909. The Muslim League emerged as an active political organization oponent to Indian National Congress to be able to represent the Indian Muslims. They could easily win the political rights by taking the opportunity of loyalty to the British. This league soon became a big force to weaken the Indian National Congress. In March 1910 the head office of Muslim League was transferred to Lukhnow. History 14 The Muslim League could not influence every section of the society. It was confined to some high class conservative people and when the proposal for partition of Bengal was repealed in 1911, the importance of Muslim League declined. After the demise of Sallimullah in 1905 the conservative character of Muslim League went under the tremendous changes. Bapuji, the initiator of Khadi 1.05 Swadeshi Movement and National Congress Surendranath Banerjee, Bipin Ch. Paul, Arabinda Ghose, Aswini Kumar Dutta and many other intellectual leaders through the National Congress were able to unite people against partition of Bengal. During 1885- 1905, National Congress mainly concentrated on social and economic development. But after the partition of Bengal, it could establish itself as a big organisation in the context of greater Indian nationalism. The 19th annual session held in 1903 at Madrass, under the presidentship of Lalmohan Ghosh, Indian National Congress warned the govt. to give up the plan of partition of Bengal. Before the implementation of partition of Bengal Lala Lajpat Ray and Gopal Krishna Gokhley reached London on 6th July, 1905 to give a representation on behalf of National Congress to give up the plan of partition of Bengal by the British government. They submitted a protest petition signed by the people of Bengal to the Partition of Bengal (1905-1911 A.D) and Swadeshi Movement 15 Secretary of State for India against the implementation of partition. Since inspite of all the oppositions of the Indians the partition was implemented, the Indian National Congress, had to take strong stand against the partition. After six years of Swadeshi Movement, the result of Bengal partition, the British government was compelled to go for unification of Bengal in 1911. This big incident brought about an opportunity to the people of India to be united for freedom and self government (Swaraj), the Indian National Congress being the central force of it. 1.06 : Anti-Movement Actions of the Government The British Government expected support from moderate group leaders of Congress on the issue of partition of Bengal. In order to keep these leaders loyal, Lord Curzon offered them various tittles, posts, medals etc. The moderate Congress members were offered the post of judges in high court, member of British parliament, member in Viceroy’s Council etc. for obtaining support towards parti- tion. In spite of all these policies, Curzon failed to control the anti- partition movement. The firm stand of Congress leaders like Surendranath Banerjee, Gopal Krishna Gokhle etc. against the partition of Bengal, set the govern- ment in to trap. Bipin Ch. Paul urged every leader to give up and return titles, posts and honours offered by the British government. The first response to this was Gopal Krishna Lala Lajpat Ray, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Paul Gokhle who returned the ‘Knight- (Lal-Bal-Paul) hood’ title to the British immediately. 1.07 The contribution of Swadeshi Movement : (1) The Swadeshi movement was able to give the Indians a political knowledge regarding mass movement. Indian people learnt that if the majority of the people come forward for a common cause, then a mass movement would certainly become successful. (2) The Indian National Congress from its inception believed in peaceful demand to the British govt. for the development of India. The partition History 16 of Bengal brought a change in this outlook of the Congress. The Swadeshi movement made them realize that the progress of India is possible only through mass struggle. (3) Reigning over the post of Viceroy Lord Carzon declared, “admin- istration and exploitation will go hand in hand”. This arrogance of the empirical ruler was retaliated through the determination of Indians to boycott foreign goods, the use of local goods and the starting of local industries. Therefore, the Swadeshi movement will always be remembered in the history of economic and industrial development of India. (4) The Indians got the privilege to demand for Swaraj through the Swadeshi movement. The sense of nationalism stirred by Swadeshi movement compelled the Indian National Congress for the first time to take the proposal for demanding Swaraj in its Calcutta session in 1906 under the presidentship of Dada Bhai Naoraji. (5) The Swadeshi movement also attracted the women of India to the mass movement. Two incidents played great role in this regard. Every family in the Bengal province went on fast on the day when Prafulla Chaki was executed. Every kitchen was closed down and all mothers passed the day by mourning. The second incident was the police torture on Bhupendra Nath Dutta, the editor of “Yugantar”, for his sharp criticism on the partition of Bengal. His mother Bhabaneswari Devi called the women for a mass movement instead of weeping for the incident. Thousands of women came out to join the movement. (6) The Swadeshi movement also gave birth to armed movement. The tendency to resort to violent method occured in some section of activists. The decision to repeal the partition of Bengal clearly showed the defeat and discontentment of the British Government. The success story of Swadeshi movement inspired the Indians to join and strengthen the national freedom strugle led by Mahatma Gandhi. The success of anti- partition movement will ever remain as an important event in the history of freedom struggle of India. Partition of Bengal (1905-1911 A.D) and Swadeshi Movement 17 S U M M A R Y  Partition of Bengal under the Viceroy Lord Curzon was an important event in the political history of India.  The reason behind the partition, officially announced, was that the Bengal province was too large to be administered by a single Lieutenant Governor. A total area of 1,06,540 sq. mile comprised of Dhaka, Chattagram and Rajshahi was annexed to Assam and came to be known as Eastern Bengal and Assam.  Dhaka was established as the capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam.  Lord Curzon suggested to limit the area of Bengal province for better administration. The main objective of this policy was to divide the unity of Bengal province.  Through Partition of Bengal, Lord Curzon tried to break the centre of Indian nationalism. It resulted in division of Bengal into two parts and Hindu-Bengalis were turned into minorities in both the provinces.  The decision to effect the partition of Bengal was announced in July 1905 by Lord Curzon the Viceroy of India. The partition took place on 16 Oct. 1905.  Partition of Bengal created mass agitation among the people of Bengal.  Following the partition, an anti-British movement broke out which involved non violent and violent protests and boycotts.  Irrespective of caste, creed and religion, people got involved in the movement.  Partition sparked an extremely major political crisis, which led to the beginning of Swadeshi movement that included boycotting of British goods and accepting Swadeshi goods.  Although the centre of Swadeshi movement was undivided Bengal province, it spread out not only in Bengal but throughout India.  Swadeshi movement was regarded as a successful and active movement. It had far reaching impact on literature, society, education, economy etc. of the country.  In order to continue the British imperialism undisturbed, they tried to divide and rule Indians on the basis of castes, creeds, religions and regions.  Another significant event during Swadeshi movement was the creation of Indian Muslim League, established by a section of Muslim elites in the direct instigation of the British.  The emergence of violent movement is also an important event of the period of Swadeshi movement.  The philosophy of INC changed after partition of Bengal. INC believed that the development of Indians would be possible only through mass movement.  The capital of Assam was shifted from Shillong to Dhaka as a result of partition of Bengal. History 18  The effect of Swadeshi movement extended up to Assam also.  Bengal was reunited on 12 December, 1911 as per the royal proclamation of Delhi. As a result of reunification- 1. The capital of India shifted from Calcutta to Delhi. 2. The administration of Assam came under the Chief Commissioner. 3. The capital of Assam again shifted to Shillong. E X E R C I S E Very short answer questions : 1. In which Viceroy’s time did the partition of Bengal take place? 2. On which date in 1905 did the partition of Bengal come into force? 3. In which meeting was the proposal of giving up foreign commodities accepted? 4. Who was the editor of the journal Jugaantar published in the time of Swadeshi movement? 5. When was the institution named National Education Council (Jatiya Siksha Parisad) established in Bengal? 6. Who was the main introducer of the industry named Bengal Chemicals? 7. Under whose presidentship did the Conference of Indian National Congress accept the proposal of swaraj for Indians? 8. When did the unification of Bengal take place? Short/ long answer type questions : 1. Mention three main geographical regions of Bengal which were annexed to the province West Bengal and Assam created after the partition of Bengal. 2. Write briefly about what were the intentions of the partition of Bengal. 3. Why was the anti partition of Bengal movement named as Swadeshi movement? Discuss briefly. 4. Discuss the contributions of Swadeshi movement towards national education. 5. How did the national industries develop during Swadeshi movement? Explain in short. 6. What were the anti-movement measures taken by the British to dominate Swadeshi movement? 7. Mention three results of Swadeshi movement. 8. Mention three contributions of Swadeshi movement. Write short notes on : 1. Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore 2. Margaret Elizabeth Noble (Bhagini Nivedita) 3. Nawab Salimullah Partition of Bengal (1905-1911 A.D) and Swadeshi Movement 19 C HAPTER-2 RISE OF GANDHI AND THE FREEDOM MOVEMENT OF INDIA KEY POINTS Rise of Gandhi Non-violence Movement Non-Cooperation Movement Civil Disobedience Movement Quit India Movement Indian National Army Indian Independence Act 2.01 : Rise of Gandhi The advent of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi was a landmark in the history of the freedom movement in India after the world war started in 1914. The Allied nations– Britain, U.S. and France promised that, democracy and national self determination would be offered to India after the war if they support for their war effort. Indian nationalists supported the war expecting this major political gain. But after the Allied victory in 1918, they showed little willingness to end colonial system. This attitude of British, gave rise to disillusion in the nationalists. International situation was also favourable to the resurgence of nationalism to which a major impetus was already given by the impact of the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Revolution brought home to the nationalist movement in India the fact that immense strength and energy reside in the common people. History 20 The Russian Revolution enormously influenced the freedom lover people of India to come forward. The stage was set for Gandhi’s entry into the national movement who had already established himself with his leadership in South Africa and in Champaran (North Bihar), Ahmedabad, Kheda (Gujrat) in India. He not only energized the national movement by res- urrecting the ideology of truthfulness and non- violence, but also compelled the British to leave the country. Before he took leadership in Indian national movement, Gandhi began the struggle of Indians against racism in South Africa in 1893, when he was a twenty four year old barrister only. Mahatma Gandhi was born at Porbandar in Gujarat on October 2, 1869 in a well-to-do family. He proceeded to England in 1888 to study law, and returned to India as a Barrister-at-law in 1891. After a brief stint as a lawyer both in Rajkot and Bombay, he went to Natal, South Africa in 1893 in connection with professional work. He was deeply shocked by the political and social discriminations which were imposed by the Europeans upon Indian residents. Being humiliated on more than one occasion, he soon assumed leadership of the struggle of Indians against racial discrimination in South Africa. He founded a political association known as Natal Indian Congress and also a newspaper called Indian Opinion with a view to educating Indians in political matters and give publicity to their grievances. It was during this struggle that he used for the first time the weapon of non-violent resistance later known as Satyagraha against a humiliating law. The same strategy was adopted against another law which prevented Indians from entering into the Transvaal province. Satyagraha was also offered against a judicial decision which made illegal all Indian marriages in South Africa which were not registered and performed in accordance with Christian rites. Gandhi was arrested and imprisoned for nine months but later the Government had to compromise in the form of Indian Relief Act and Gandhi was released. The word Satyagraha was first used by Gandhi in South Africa. It is a compound of two separate words, Satya (truth) and agraha (adherence, holding fast). Its root meaning is ‘holding on to truth’. Rise of Gandhi and the Freedom Movement of India 21 Gandhi explained that Satyagraha was not mere passive resistance. It meant intense political activity by large masses of people. Non-violence formed the very basis of Satyagraha. In evolving the concept of Satyagraha, Gandhi was influenced by the writings of Tolstoy and Thoreau. Gandhi’s activities in South Africa transformed him into a mature and idealist leader. With this impression he returned to India in 1915. He had to be actively involved and became successful in solving three local disputes– in Champaran (North Bihar), in Kheda (Guajrat) and in Ahmedabad during 1917-18, which recognised him as an influential political leader. In Champaran, he took up the cause of peasants against landlords, in Kheda that of farmers against the collection of land-revenue when their crops failed, and in Ahmedabad that of the mill-workers against the mill owners. In each of the cases, the strategy was Satyagraha, and the principles were truth and non-violence. And in every case the real force working under Gandhi was ‘mass participation’. When the First World War broke out in 1914, the Indians rendered valuable service to the British. The Congress gave ample demonstration of loyalty. Mahatma Gandhi showed great enthusiasm and urged the Gujarat peasants to join the army if they want to win Swaraj or self- rule. Until 1918, he was a supporter of the British government. The expectations of Indian nationalists for major political gains after the Great War of 1914-1918 remained unfulfilled. The post war years were marked by severe economic hardships. Indian industries faced losses and closure. The workers faced unemployment, high prices and poverty; the peasantry was groaning under deepening poverty and high taxation; and the urban educated Indians faced increasing unem- ployment. Almost all sections of Indian society were adversely affected. Events of the year 1919 also disillusioned Gandhi and from a cooperator of the British, he turned to a non-cooperator. 2.02 : Rowlatt Act, 1919 In 1917, the Governor General Lord Chelmsford appointed a Committee under the Chairmanship of Justice Sydney Rowlatt to investigate the nature and extent of revolutionary activities, and to suggest legislation if necessary to deal with them effectively. On the basis of its Report, the government passed the Rowlatt Act in 1919. The Act authorized the government to imprison any person without trial and conviction in a Court of law. The Act came as a rude shock to Indians. History 22 2.03 : Satyagraha or Non-violence movement, 1919 In protest against the Rowlatt Act, Gandhi started the Satyagraha or the Non-Violence movement in 1919. Satyagraha according to Gandhi, was a ‘religious movement’, a process of purification and penance’. The movement was launched on April 6, 1919, with a day of hartal when business was to be suspended and the people were to fast and pray. The movement gradually became a mass movement. It projected Gandhi as ‘an all India leader with immense potential’. He was arrested but was soon set free. The government on its part crushed the movement with a heavy hand. 2.04 : The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, April 13, 1919 Within a week of the hartal of April 6, a considerable part of Punjab was convulsed with agitation. On April 10, Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Kitchlew, two popular leaders of the province, were arrested and deported from Amritsar. On April 13, a public meeting was held in Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. General Dyer, who was in command of the troops, took no steps to prevent it from being held. The meeting ground was enclosed on all sides by high walls and had one narrow entrance. Under the orders of General Dyer, British troops mercilessly fired on the unarmed and defenseless people. Hundreds of lives were lost and many more were wounded. Mar- tial law was pro- claimed in Punjab. It was marked by indis- criminate arrests, con- fiscation of property, whipping etc. The government appointed a Committee of En- quiry under Lord Hunter to probe the Punjab disturbances. Dyer was removed from active service by A picture of Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre the British government in London, but he was absolved from guilt. A strong wave of discontent swept the country. Rabindranath Tagore renounced his Knighthood in protest against the Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre. Rise of Gandhi and the Freedom Movement of India 23 2.05 : Khilafat Movement As a result of the defeat of Turkey in the First World War, the influence of the Khalifa was greatly reduced. The Muslims regarded the Sultan of Turkey as their Khalifa or spiritual head. They became upset when they found that he would retain no control over his empire’s holy places. The Muslims in India became apprehensive of the fate of the Khalifa and formed a Khilafat Committee under the leadership of Maulana Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali. Its object was the restoration of the Sultan of Turkey as Khalifa (Caliph) of Islam. Gandhi decided to extend support to the Khilafat Movement as he viewed it as a golden opportunity for bringing Muslims and Hindus together on the national front. He successfully persuaded the Khilafat Committee to accept the non-violent non-cooperation movement as the only effective way to force the government to accept its demand. 2.06 : The Non-Cooperation Movement, 1920-22 The Non-cooperation Movement (Asahayog Andolan) was a major event in the Indian struggle for independence. This movement started in 1920 and lasted through 1922, supported all along by the Indian National Congress. Under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership, the movement aimed at British rule through non-violence (ahimsa). Activists refused to buy British goods, used only local handicrafts, and picketed liquor shops. The goal was to uphold Indian honour and integrity in a peaceful manner. Thousands of common citizens rallied for the cause and it was the first large scale movement in the history of India’s independence. Many factors culminated over time leading to the Non-cooperation movement. Some of the significant causes were 1. The discontent over the World War-I, as it had taken big toll on India’s economy and human resource. 2. The growing British oppression of Indians as demonstrated by the Rowlatt Act of 1919. It provided the authority with the right to imprison any person suspected of terrorism for two years without any trial. Under Gandhi a wide spread protest movement took place against the Act. 3. The Jalianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. 4. The economic exploitation of India by the British. 5. The Indian Muslims had launched the Khilafat movement to ensure protection of the Ottoman Empire. The realisation by the national leaders that the constitutional reforms were not sufficient enough to provide equitable justice to History 24 Indians and thus decided to launch the Non-cooperation movement under the leadership of Gandhi at a special session of Indian National Congress held at Calcutta in 1920. The movement seriously challenged the economic and political power of the British. The Non-Cooperation Movement ignited the emotions of the people. Both Hindus and Muslim participated in it. There was huge bonfire of foreign cloth in different places. Shops selling foreign goods and liquor were picketed. Many students left government schools and colleges. The peasants of Midnapore in Bengal organized a very effective no-tax campaign. The Congress set up National educational institutions like the Kashi Vidyapeeth, Baneras Vidyapeeth, the National Muslim University of Aligarh etc. Seth Jamona Lal Bajaj declared that he would give Rupees one lakh a year for the maintenance of non-practising lawyers. Forty lakh volunteers were enrolled by the Congress. Twenty thousand ‘Charkhas’ were manufactured. The people started deciding their disputes by means of arbitration. The Tilak Swarajya Fund which was started to finance the Non-cooperation movement was able to collect over a crore of rupees within a short period. The women too actively took part in the movement. Even the visit of the Prince of Wales was boycotted. Gandhi toured almost the whole country to whip up enthusiasm of the people. The Non-cooperation movement had two aspects – positive and negative. The former included the promotion of Swadeshi, particularly the revival of hand-spinning and weaving; removal of untouchability among the Hindus; promotion of Hindu-Muslim unity; prohibition of the use of alcoholic drinks, and the collection of a crore of rupees for the memorial of Tilak (in terms of Swarjya Fund). The negative side is usually referred to as the triple boycott; namely, boycott of Legislatures, Courts and educational institutions- schools and colleges maintained or aided by the Government. The minor items of boycott included surrender of titles, honours etc. The negative programme necessitated some positive steps, like setting up- arbitration boards to take the place of Courts, and National schools and colleges where students leaving Government schools and colleges might continue their education. It was made clear that Ahimsa or Non-violence was to be strictly observed by the non-cooperators. They were not to give up satya or truth under any circumstances. The movement launched by Gandhi was ratified by the Nagpur session of the Congress in December, 1920. It declared that ‘the object of the Indian National Congress is the attainment of Swaraj by the people of India by all legitimate and peaceful means’. A new era dawned Rise of Gandhi and the Freedom Movement of India 25 upon India’s struggle for freedom. The Congress for the first time decided to follow a policy of direct action. The Congress became a mass-based organization. 2.07 : End of Non-Cooperation Movement, 1922 Much against the wishes and instructions of Gandhi, people at certain places did not remain peaceful. On February 5, 1922, there was serious mob violence at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district of United Province (British India). The local police attacked the protestors and then they violently collided with the police. Three protestors were killed in police firing. Protestors burnt down the police station and about twenty two policemen were killed. Gandhi was shocked at this incident and felt that without adequate discipline and restraint on the part of the people, the Movement had proved to be a ‘Himalayan blunder’. He at once suspended the movement and sat on fast for three weeks. Many congress leaders welcomed the decision of Gandhi, but at the same time some other national leaders didnot like to stop the movement for isolated incidents of violence. He was arrested on 10th March, 1922 and sentenced to six years imprisonment for the allegation that he instigated people for violence. Still Gandhi remained firm on his principle of non-violence. His imprisonment again led to another movement. The Congress Working Committee ratified Gandhi’s decision and accordingly on February 12, 1922, the Non-cooperation movement came to an end. 2.08 : Simon Commission The Government of India Act of 1919, laid down that after a period of about ten years, a Commission would arrive in India to inquire into the working of the reforms introduced by it. Accord- ingly, in 1928, a Commission of seven members under the leader- ship of Sir John Simon reached India. But as the Commission did not have a single Indian member, the Congress boycotted it. Slo- gans of ‘Go Back Simon’ rent the air. At Lahore, a procession orga- nized against the Simon Commis- sion under the leadership of Lala Protest rally against Simon Commission Lajpat Rai was ‘lathi-charged’. History 26 Lajpat Rai was seriously wounded and he subsequently died. Demand for Complete Independence or Purna Swaraj : In 1929, the Lahore session of the Congress under the Presidentship of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru declared Complete Independence as the chief goal of the Indians. Consequently, January 26, 1930, was celebrated as Indepen- dence Day throughout the country. 2.09 : Civil Disobedience Movement, 1930-34 One of the factors leading to the Civil Disobedience Movement was the formation of the Simon Commission by the British Government. It included only the British Parliament members and came into effect in November 1927 to report the working of the constitution established by the Government of India Act of 1919. However, political parties and social organisations of India did not accept the Commission as it was accused of being an ‘All-White Commission’. This was followed by a strike in Bengal on 3 February 1928. Simon’s arrival in Calcutta was met with demonstra- tions. Meanwhile, Motilal Nehru shouldered the responsibility of the drafting committee and prepared the constitution for India. Indian National Congress accepted the Nehru Report and pressurised the government to accept it. The Calcutta Session of the INC held in 1928 warned the British government that it would start a Civil Disobedience Movement if India was not granted the dominion status. 1n 1929, at Lahore Congress, it was decided that the goal of the Congress was to attain Purna Swaraj or complete independence for India. Consequently, on 26 January 1930, ‘Purna Swaraj Day’ was celebrated in India. On 31 January 1930, Gandhi gave an ultimatum to the Viceroy Lord Irwin to remove the evils of the British rule with a list of demands. The list of demands was:  Prohibition of use of intoxicants,  Change of the ratio of rupee and sterling  Reduction of the rate of land revenue  Abolition of salt tax  Reduction of military expenditure  Reduction of expenditure on civil administration  Imposition of custom duty on foreign cloths  Acceptance of the Postal Reservation Bill  Abolition of the Crime Investigation Department.  Release of all political prisoners  Issuing license of arms to citizens for self protection, subject to popular control Rise of Gandhi and the Freedom Movement of India 27 Gandhi clearly mentioned that if those 11 points were ignored, then the nation would be going to launch the Civil Disobedience movement. Consequently, the Civil Disobedience Movement started in 1930 with the famous Salt Satyagraha of Gandhi, also known as Dandi March that was launched on 12 March 1930. On that day, Gandhi with some of his follow- ers left the Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmedabad and made their way to- wards Dandi, a village on the west coast of India. After travelling for twenty-five days and covering a dis- tance of 385 km, they reached Dandi on 6 April 1930. Here, Gandhi pro- tested against the Salt Law (salt was a monopoly of the government and no one was allowed to make salt) by making salt himself and throwing up The famous Dandi march of Gandhi a challenge to the British government. The movement spread and salt laws were challenged in other parts of the country. In the North West Frontier Province, the Movement was led by the ‘Khudai Khitmadgars’ (Servants of God) popularly known as the Red Shirts under the leadership of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan (also known as ‘Frontier Gandhi’). Gandhi and thousands of freedom lovers (men, women and children) were arrested. The first Round Table Conference in London was boycotted by the Congress as the Civil Disobedience Movement was going on. 2.10 : Gandhi – Irwin Pact, 1931 On March 5, 1931, an agreement of understanding was reached between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, Viceroy of India. The terms of the agreement included the immediate release of all political prisoners not convicted for violence, the remission of all fines not yet collected and the return of confiscated lands of Satyagrahis not yet sold to third parties. The government also conceded the right to make salt for consumption to villages along the coast, as also the right to peaceful and non-aggressive picketing. The Congress on its part agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience movement. It was also understood that the Congress would participate in the next Round Table Conference. History 28 2.11 : The Second Round Table Conference, 1931 The Second Round Table Conference was held in London in 1931. Mahatma Gandhi participated in it as the sole repre- sentative of the Congress. The conference was a failure as no decisions could be reached regarding joint or separate elector- ates and the number of seats for various communities. Gandhi returned to India being A picture of the Second Round Table Conference disappointed. 2.12 : Restarting of the Civil Disobedience Movement, 1932 The Civil Disobedience Movement was re-started in 1932, but even before the movement actually started Gandhi was arrested along with Vallabhbhai Patel who at that time was the President of the Congress. The government also took forcible possession of the office of the Congress. Lathi-charges were common to disperse the crowds. Even women and children were not spared. Whipping became a common punishment. The freedom of the Press was curtailed. Nation- alist literature - poems, stories and novels were banned on a large scale. Yet, the movement continued to linger on. However, a stage came when the political enthusiasm of the people became less and less and feelings of frustration set in. The Movement was suspended in May, 1933 and completely withdrawn in May, 1934. The Civil Disobedience Movement demonstrated the awakening of the political consciousness among the Indian masses. At the same time, it exposed the British rule in India in all its naked hideousness and lowered its prestige in the eyes of the world. 2.13 : Communal Award, 1932 It was during the disturbed days of the Civil Disobedience Movement that the British policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ found a new expression in the announcement of the Communal Award in August, 1932, by British Prime Minister Ramsay Macdonald. Apart from continuing with the policy of giving seperate electorates to the minority communities, namely, Sikh, Christian and Muslim, the Award declared the depressed classes also to be minorities. They were given separate electorates and thus separated them from the rest of the Hindus. On this issue, Gandhi, then in Jail, undertook a fast unto death. He Rise of Gandhi and the Freedom Movement of India 29 succeeded in getting the Poona Pact (1932) by which the depressed classes along with other Hindus were to have joint electorates. The British government agreed to amend the Communal Award in the light of the Poona Pact. Gandhi soon got fully involved in the anti-untouchability struggle, which led to the foundation of the Harijan Sevak Sangh. 2.14 : Formation of Congress Ministries, 1937-1939 In 1935, the British government passed the Government of India Act by which Provincial autonomy was given to the Indian Provinces. As a result of the elections, the Congress party formed government in eight out of the eleven provinces, with the exception of Punjab, Sind and Bengal. The prestige of the Congress as the alternative to colonial state rose even higher. 2.15 : Resignation of Congress Ministries, 1939 When the Second World War broke out, the Government of India immediately declared India to be at war with Germany without consulting the Congress or the elected members of the Central legislature. The Congress claimed that since the war had been declared without the consent of the Indian people, it could not associate itself with it unless India was declared an independent nation. The Congress ministries therefore resigned on November 1, 1939. 2.16 : Demand for Pakistan, 1940 The resignation of the Congress ministries was celebrated by the Muslim League as ‘The Day of Deliverance’ on December 22, 1939. At the Lahore session of the Muslim League (March, 1940), Jinnah, in his Presidential Address, emphasizing on his Two-nation theory demanded a separate homeland for the Muslims or what he called as Pakistan. The English who wanted to weaken the national movement also encouraged separatist spirit. 2.17 : Individual Satyagraha, Oct, 1940 In August, 1940, the Viceroy announced the famous ‘August offer’ proposing the expansion of the Viceroy’s Executive Council, and to constitute it as a War Advisory Council for the purpose of associating Indians in war efforts. However, as it did not propose the granting of independence, the offer was rejected both by the Congress and Muslim League. As a moral protest against Britain’s policy towards India, the Congress started the Individual Satyagraha in October, 1940, under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. Individual Satyagraha was also known as ‘Delhi Chalo History 30 Satyagraha’. The first satyagrahi to court arrest was Acharya Vinoba Bhabe. 2.18 : Cripps Mission, 1942 The entry of Japan in the War and their remarkable success posed a real danger to the safety of India’s defence. It made England to soften her attitude towards India. In March 1942, the British War Cabinet sent Sir Stafford Cripps with new constitutional proposals. He proposed to set up an Indian Union with Dominion status soon after the war. He had consultations with the different political parties, but as he did not propose any immediate transfer of power, his scheme was not accepted both by the Congress and the Muslim League. The general feeling was expressed by a pithy saying, that they were a ‘post- dated cheque on a crashing bank’. 2.19 : Quit India Movement, August 1942 In September1939, the Second World War broke out. M.K.Gandhi and J.Nehru both were strongly critical of Hitler and the Nazis. Therefore, they promised the British to provide the support of the Congress to their war efforts, in return they asked to grant India complete independence. The offer was not accepted by the British government. As a mark of protest the Congress ministers resigned in October 1939. Between 1940 and 1941, the Congress organised a series of individual satyagrahas to put pressure on the government. At this time Britain had all party government, whose labour members were sympathetic to the demands of the Indians, but the Prime Minister Winston Churchill was conservative enough to liquidate Britain’s empire. In 1942, Churchill was pressurised to send one of his ministers, Sir Stafford Cripps to negotiate with Indian political parties seeking their support in the war that Britain was waging in Europe. A Draft Declaration of the British Government was offered to India, which included the establishment of a dominion, the establishment of a constituent assembly and the rights of provinces to make separate constitutions. All this would be granted only after the war. However, the Cripps mission failed and Gandhi decided to launch his third major movement against the British. Other factors which led to the Quit India Movement was the fear of Japan attacking India, terror in East Bengal and the fact that India had realised that the British could not defend the country anymore. Accordingly, in August 1942, Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, also known as the August Movement on the basis of the resolution passed on 8 August, 1942 in Bombay by the All India Rise of Gandhi and the Freedom Movement of India 31 Congress Committee, declaring its demand for an immediate end of the British rule. The nation was inspired by the Gandhi’s slogan of ‘Do or Die’ (‘Karo ya Maro’). Immediately, the Congress

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