Indian Independence - Paper 2

Indian National Congress (INC)

Political party formed in 1888 that represented mostly the wealthy middle class.

Partition of Bengal (1905)

Divided Bengal into two administrative districts to limit Hindu influence, resulting in mass protests.

Amritsar Massacre (1919)

Event where British troops fired on a crowd, killing 379 unarmed civilians and galvanizing Indian nationalism.

Satyagraha

Gandhi's principle of non-violent civil disobedience used in the fight for Indian independence.

Quit India Movement (1942)

Mass protests against British rule, advocating for immediate independence during WWII.

Salt March (1930)

Gandhi's protest against the salt tax, symbolically leading a march to the sea to make salt.

Morley Reforms (1909)

Enabled limited Indian representation in legislative councils, separating electorates for Muslims.

Muslim League

Political party founded in 1906 to represent Muslim interests and later advocate for a separate state.

Bose's Indian National Army

Group formed under Subhas Chandra Bose during WWII to fight against British rule.

Government of India Act (1935)

Legislation that expanded provincial control but maintained British emergency powers.

Direct Action Day

Initiated by Jinnah in 1946, this led to communal riots and violence between Hindus and Muslims.

Bengal Famine (1943)

Tragic famine causing 2 million deaths due to food diversion to military efforts during WWII.

Jawaharlal Nehru

First Prime Minister of India and prominent leader in the Indian independence movement.

Gandhi's Hartal

Nationwide strikes and protests led by Gandhi in response to governmental repression.

Hindutwa Movement

Nationalist movement advocating Hindu identity and culture, emerging significantly in the 1920s.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

Hindu nationalist organization established in 1925, with anti-Muslim sentiments.

Jinnah's 'Islam in danger' slogan

Campaign used by Jinnah to rally Muslim support for separate representation and state.

Calcutta Killing (1946)

Communal violence resulting in thousands of deaths during the Direct Action Day protests.

Indian Civil Service

Bureaucratic service for administering Indian territories under British control.

Indian Independence Day

August 15, 1947, when India gained freedom from British rule.

Jawaharlal Nehru's 1st Constitution

Introduced in January 1950, establishing India as a secular state with equal rights for all.

1955 Akali Dal demonstrations

Mass protests in Punjab advocating for Sikh rights and representation within India.

Operation Blue Star (1984)

Military operation to remove armed Sikhs from the Golden Temple, leading to widespread unrest.

De-industrialization

Economic process whereby India became reliant on Britain for manufactured goods during the Raj.

Gandhi's rejection of Western values

Promoted traditional lifestyles and attire, distancing Indian independence from Western influence.

Radical members of Congress

Factions within the INC pushing for more assertive approaches to independence, led by figures like Tilak.

Civil rights for Harijans

Gandhi’s initiative to uplift 'untouchables' by providing them rights and social recognition.

Bengal reunion

The rejoining of Bengal (after the 1905 partition) orchestrated to mitigate communal tensions.

British Raj

Period of direct British rule in India from 1858 to 1947.

Princely states

Semi-autonomous regions under British suzerainty, with their own rulers who signed treaties with Britain.

Economic drain from India

The extraction of resources and wealth from India to benefit the British economy, often at India's expense.

Communal representation

Political arrangement ensuring distinct electorates for different religious communities in India.

Indian soldier roles during WWII

Indian soldiers, or Sepoys, were actively recruited and fought for British interests in various parts of the world.

Bose's Forward Bloc Party

Political faction founded by Subhas Chandra Bose after breaking away from INC.

Indian demographic composition in 1947

Approximately 70% Hindu, 22% Muslim, and various other minority religions.

Legacy of colonialism

Long-lasting effects of British rule on Indian society and politics, including economic and social structures.

Nationalism in India

A sense of unity based on shared racial, religious, and territorial identities among Indians.

Crown control of East India Company

Transition of control from EIC to the British Crown in 1858, establishing direct governance.

Non-cooperation campaign (1920-22)

Gandhi-led movement urging Indians to withdraw support from British institutions.

Indentured servitude

Labor system that continued until 1920, where Indians worked in various colonies, often under harsh conditions.

Communal tensions in the 1920s

Rising religious divides, particularly between Hindus and Muslims, leading to increased sectarian conflicts.

Economic growth plans post-independence

Five-Year Plans aimed at addressing poverty and promoting industrialization in independent India.

Importance of literacy rates

A significant challenge for India post-independence, with only 16% literacy at the time.

The Atlantic Charter (1941)

Declaration promoting self-sovereignty globally, though Churchill argued it did not apply to India.

Caste division abolished

Legal changes post-independence aimed at ensuring equality across all social strata.

Emergence of the BJP

Political party that evolved from the Hindu nationalist ideology and has gained significant power in modern India.

Women’s rights progress

Legal reforms granting inheritance and property rights, but social challenges in rural areas persist.

Bangladesh creation in 1971

Result of civil unrest in East Pakistan leading to its independence from Pakistan.

Communications after independence

Communication networks emphasized post-independence to connect a diverse and vast nation.

Diverse linguistic recognition

The Constitution recognized 14 major languages to ensure representation of various ethnic groups.

Tensions over Kashmir

Arising from the princely state of Kashmir during partition, leading to multiple Indo-Pakistani conflicts.

Gandhi's cross-class appeal

His ability to unite various classes, religions, and ethnicities for the independence cause.