Indian National Movement
Mr. Prodipta Chatterjee wrote this article in the Indian National Movement. He has been associated with MIES Institute for the last 15 years as a guest faculty. Has experience teaching WBCS, SSC, PSC, RAIL, etc exams. Moreover, he is very grateful to MIES Management for giving him a chance as a guest faculty to MIES Institute which is one of the best competitive coaching centres in West Bengal. In His opinion, MIES Institute is one of the top competitive exam institutes in West Bengal.
Candidates preparing for the WBCS exam should focus on these key aspects. Concerning the Indian National Movement within the context of the history syllabus.
The First War of Independence in India
Often referred to as the Sepoy Mutiny or the Indian Rebellion of 1857, was a significant uprising against British rule. The rebellion took place between 1857 and 1858 and had widespread repercussions on the course of Indian history. Here are key aspects of the First War of Independence:
Causes of Indian National Movement:
1. Military Grievances: The immediate cause was the introduction of the new Enfield rifle, whose cartridges were rumored to be greased with animal fat (cow and pig fat). This offended both Hindu and Muslim sepoys (Indian soldiers), as using such cartridges violated their religious beliefs.
2. Economic Exploitation: The economic policies of the British East India Company, which led to land revenue policies and the imposition of heavy taxes, created widespread agrarian discontent.
3. Social and Cultural Factors: There was a growing sense of resentment among the Indian soldiers and the civilian population due to perceived cultural and religious insensitivity by the British.
4. Annexation of Kingdoms: The annexation of various Indian states and the policy of annexation led to the displacement of many rulers and contributed to the discontent.
5. Sepoy Influence: The sepoys, who were an integral part of the British Indian Army, played a crucial role in the rebellion. Their discontent spread quickly, leading to a widespread uprising.
Barrackpore Mutiny (1857): The rebellion began in Barrackpore when sepoys refused to use the controversial cartridges. Leading to a series of events that culminated in the outbreak of the larger rebellion.
Siege of Delhi: Rebels captured Delhi in May 1857, and the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II, was proclaimed the leader of the rebellion.
Repression: The British responded with a ruthless crackdown, leading to widespread arrests, executions, and reprisals against the rebels.
End of the East India Company
The British Crown took control of India from the East India Company in 1858, and the British government pursued a more direct and assertive rule.
The First War of Independence marked a turning point in India’s history, leading to the end of the East India Company’s rule and the beginning of direct British governance in India. It also had a lasting impact on the Indian psyche and contributed to the subsequent nationalist movements against British colonial rule.
The Moderate Phase of the Indian National Movement
spanning roughly from 1885 to 1905 refers to the initial years of the Indian National Congress (INC) and the political approach adopted by its early leaders. The leaders during this phase were often labeled as “Moderates” due to their relatively moderate and constitutional methods of seeking political reforms within the framework of the British colonial administration.
Early Leaders (Moderates): The early leaders of the INC during this phase were often referred to as Moderates. Some prominent leaders include DadabhaiNaoroji, WomeshChunderBonnerjee, DinshawWacha, DadabhaiNaoroji, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
Aims and Objectives:
The Moderates focused on constitutional methods, petitions, and resolutions to convey Indian grievances to the British authorities. They sought to create a platform for dialogue and cooperation between the British and Indians.
Leaders like DadabhaiNaoroji presented economic critiques of British policies, emphasizing the economic drain from India to Britain and the need for economic self-sufficiency.
Educational and Social Reforms: The Moderates also focused on educational and social reforms, aiming to promote modern education and social progress among Indians.
Despite their efforts, the Moderates faced challenges, as the British government was often unwilling to grant significant concessions. The lack of mass support and the limited impact of their methods became apparent.
The Indian National Congress (INC)
Was founded in 1885 and played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement. The formation of the INC marked a significant development in the political landscape of British India
The first session of the Indian National Congress was held from December 28 to December 31, 1885, at GokuldasTejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay (now Mumbai).
The session was attended by 72 delegates from different parts of the country, representing different communities and interests.
The INC aimed to obtain a greater share in government for educated Indians. The early demands were focused on constitutional reforms, representation, and civil rights for Indians within the British colonial framework.
The INC gradually transformed into a symbol of the Indian nationalist movement. As the struggle for independence intensified, the INC became the principal political party representing the aspirations of a united India.
The foundation of the Indian National Congress marked the beginning of organized political activity in India against British rule. Over the years, the INC played a central role in shaping India’s destiny, eventually leading the country to independence in 1947.
The Partition of Bengal
1905 was a controversial administrative reorganization carried out by the British colonial authorities in India. The decision sparked widespread protests and had significant political and social implications. Here are the key details surrounding the Partition of Bengal.
Administrative Reasons: The British claimed that the partition was driven by administrative efficiency. Bengal, at the time, was one of the largest provinces in British India, and the authorities argued that dividing it would make administration more manageable.
Date: The formal announcement of the partition was made on July 19, 1905, and it took effect on October 16, 1905.
Territorial Changes: Bengal was divided into two separate entities – East Bengal and Assam, with a majority Muslim population, and the rest of Bengal, which included a significant Hindu majority.
Provincial Capitals: The capital of East Bengal and Assam was Dhaka, while the capital of the rest of Bengal remained Calcutta (now Kolkata).
Swadeshi Movement
The Swadeshi Movement, a protest against the partition and the promotion of indigenous goods, gained momentum. People boycotted British products and emphasized the use of Indian-made goods.
Reversal of the Partition: Due to the widespread protests and opposition, the British decided to annul the partition in 1911. Bengal was reunified but with territorial adjustments. The province of Assam was separated, and a new province of Bihar and Orissa was created.
Role of Nationalist Leaders: Prominent leaders such as Aurobindo Ghosh, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Bal GangadharTilak played active roles in promoting the Swadeshi Movement. They used newspapers, pamphlets, and public speeches to rally support and disseminate nationalist ideas.
The Home Rule Movement
In India was initiated by Annie Besant and Bal GangadharTilak in 1916. It aimed at attaining self-rule for India within the British Empire. The movement played a significant role in fostering nationalist sentiments and raising awareness about the need for constitutional reforms and greater political autonomy.
The Home Rule Movement contributed significantly to the growth of political awareness and mobilization in India. It laid the groundwork for future political movements and played a role in shaping the demand for self-rule.
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
Occurred on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab, and was one of the darkest incidents in the history of the Indian independence movement. The massacre took place at Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden, where a peaceful gathering of thousands of Indians had assembled to protest the repressive Rowlatt Act imposed by the British colonial authorities. Brigadier General Reginald Dyer, who was in charge of the area’s military forces, ordered his troops to open fire on the unarmed and unsuspecting crowd.
Rowlatt Act and Protests
The Rowlatt Act passed in 1919, gave the British colonial government sweeping powers to arrest and detain Indians without trial. This law was deeply resented by the Indian population, leading to widespread protests across the country.
The Non-Cooperation Movement
Was a significant phase in the Indian National Movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi from 1920 to 1922. Therefore, It was a mass protest against British rule in India and aimed at achieving self-governance through nonviolent means.
The movement was characterized by nonviolent protests, inspired by Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence or “ahimsa.”
Boycott of British Goods: Indians were encouraged to boycott British goods and adopt Swadeshi (indigenous) products.
ChauriChaura Incident (1922):
The movement took a violent turn in ChauriChaura, Uttar Pradesh, where protesters clashed with the police. Moreover, In the aftermath, Gandhi called off the movement, as he believed it had lost its non-violent character.
The Civil Disobedience Movement
Was a significant phase in the Indian independence struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi. It unfolded between 1930 and 1934 and aimed to challenge unjust British laws and taxes through nonviolent non-cooperation.
Mahatma Gandhi, along with a group of followers, undertook the famous Dandi March (also known as the Salt March) from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, covering a distance of about 240 miles.
The march took 24 days, and upon reaching Dandi, Gandhi broke the salt law by picking up natural salt from the Arabian Sea, symbolizing defiance against the British salt monopoly.
While the Civil Disobedience Movement was ongoing, the British government initiated a series of Round Table Conferences to discuss constitutional reforms in India. However, the talks did not yield substantial results.
The Quit India Movement
Also known as the August Movement or the Bharat ChhodoAndolan. Was a significant episode in the Indian independence struggle against British colonial rule. Moreover, It was a mass protest launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, during World War II. The movement marked a crucial phase in India’s struggle for independence. And played a pivotal role in the eventual withdrawal of the British from India.
The British authorities used force to suppress the movement, leading to clashes between protesters and the police.
Communications were disrupted, and curfews were imposed in various regions to quell the unrest.
After World War II, the British government realized the challenges of maintaining control over India. And the economic, political, and social costs of continued colonial rule became unsustainable.
Mountbatten Plan:
In 1947, Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, proposed a plan for the partition of British India into two independent dominions, India and Pakistan. The plan was based on the religious demographics of regions. With the idea that areas with a Muslim majority would become Pakistan, and the rest would be India.
Indian Independence Act 1947:
The British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act in July 1947, which laid out the legal framework for the end of British rule. It stipulated the partition of India and the establishment of two independent nations on August 15, 1947.
About MIES
MIES is a renowned coaching center for Govt. Job exams in West Bengal. Thousands of students appeared in Govt. service exam from MIES every year and got Govt. service maximum of them. MIES is the most popular institute among Govt. Job aspirants because of their specialty in School Service, WBCS, PSC, SSC, BANK, RAIL, etc exams. MIES is a pioneer institute of West Bengal Civil Service coaching in West Bengal.
As per the students’ version, MIES is the Best Training Academy for Govt. Job exam in West Bengal.