Indian History: Social Movements, Colonial Rule, and the National Movement

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key social reform movements, British administrative leaders, the 1857 Revolt, and the major phases of the Indian National Movement.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)

A party formed in 1949 under the leadership of CN Annadurai, evolving from the Justice Party.

Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha

An organization founded by Iyothee Thass in Tamil Nadu to lead a movement for Buddhist conversion and represent Dalits.

Self-Respect Movement

Founded in 1925 in Tamil Nadu by EV Ramaswami Naicker (Periyar) to reject Brahminical customs, challenge caste hierarchies, and promote rationalism.

Harijan Sevak Sangh

An organization led by Mahatma Gandhi, Madan Mohan Malaviya, and Jamnalal Bajaj starting in 1932 to abolish untouchability and improve the status of Dalits.

Vaikom Satyagraha

A 1924 movement in Kerala led by KP Kesava to challenge the denial of temple and road access for untouchables.

Travancore Proclamation (1936)

Issued by Maharaja Chitira Thirunal Balarama Verma, it allowed temple access to all Hindu castes in Travancore.

Vokkaliga Sangha

Established in 1905 in Mysore to promote the social, cultural, and educational aspirations of the Vokkaliga community, with T. Byanna as its first president.

Doctrine of Lapse

A British policy used as a political reason for the 1857 rebellion, allowing the annexation of territories if a ruler died without a male heir.

Mangal Pandey

Recognized as the first rebel soldier of the 1857 Revolution, based in Barrackpore.

Queen Victoria's Proclamation (1858)

A declaration that ended East India Company rule, placed India's governance under the British Crown, and promised self-rule for Indians.

Warren Hastings

Governor-General who established the Calcutta Madrasa in 1781 and abolished the system of dual government.

Cornwallis Code (1793)

A set of laws introduced by Lord Cornwallis that established a fixed land revenue system (Permanent Settlement) and Europeanised the administration.

Subsidiary Alliance

A pivotal policy introduced by Lord Wellesley, first accepted by the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Treaty of Amritsar (1809)

A treaty between Lord Minto and Ranjit Singh that helped stabilize British relations with the Sikh Empire.

Treaty of Sagauli (1816)

A treaty resulting from the Anglo-Nepal War led by Lord Hastings.

Bengal Sati Regulation of 1829

A law passed by Lord William Bentinck that banned the practice of Sati.

Lord Metcalfe

Known as the "Liberator of the Press" for removing restrictions on the Indian press with a new law in 1835.

Lord Dalhousie

The Governor-General (1848–1856) who introduced the railway network (first line in 1853), the Telegraph Department, and the Post Office Act of 1854.

Lord Canning

The first Viceroy of India who managed the Revolt of 1857 and the White Mutiny in 1859.

Indian Evidence Act 1872

An important legal reform passed during the tenure of Lord Mayo.

Moderate Phase (1885–1905)

The early phase of the national movement led by the educated middle class, focusing on gradual reforms and constitutional petitions.

Extremist Phase

A phase of the movement that rejected the Moderates' methods, emphasizing self-rule and more radical strategies for upliftment.

Partition of Bengal (1905)

Implemented by Lord Curzon officially on 16th October 1905, dividing Bengal into Western and Eastern parts.

Swadeshi Movement

A movement sparked by the anti-partition agitation (1905) involving the boycott of British goods and promotion of Indian products.

Morley-Minto Reforms (1909)

Reforms that expanded legislative councils and introduced separate electorates for Muslims.

Lucknow Pact (1916)

An agreement between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League to present unified demands to the British.

Dyarchy

A dual system of governance at the provincial level introduced by the Government of India Act 1919.

Anushilan Samiti

A revolutionary group founded by Gyanendranath Bose and Pramathnath Mitra focused on physical training and revolutionary acts.

Ghadar Movement

A revolutionary movement founded in 1913 with headquarters in San Francisco, associated with Lala Hardayal and Sohan Singh Bhakna.

Hindustan Republican Association (HRA)

A revolutionary organization responsible for the Kakori train robbery in 1925.

Rowlatt Act (1919)

Legislation that allowed the British government to imprison suspects without trial, denounced by Gandhi as the "Black Act."

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Occurred on 13 April 1919 in Amritsar when Brigadier General Dyer ordered troops to fire on a large peaceful crowd.

Non-Cooperation Movement

Launched officially in 1920 by Gandhi to achieve Swaraj through non-violent methods, addressing injustices in Punjab and the Khilafat issue.

Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)

A truce signed on 5th March 1931 where the British agreed to release non-violent political prisoners and allow coastal salt production.

Communal Award (1932)

Announced by British PM Ramsay MacDonald, it provided separate electorates for Muslims, Sikhs, and depressed classes.

Poona Pact (1932)

An agreement between Gandhi and BR Ambedkar replacing separate electorates for depressed classes with joint electorates and reserved seats.

Quit India Movement (1942)

A mass movement launched by the Congress Working Committee on 14th July 1942, using the slogan "Bharat Chodo."

Indian National Army (INA)

An army initially formed by Mohan Singh in 1941, which gained strength under Subhas Chandra Bose in 1943.

Cabinet Mission (1946)

A mission consisting of Pethick-Lawrence, Stafford Cripps, and AV Alexander to coordinate the transfer of power and constitutional framework.

Mountbatten Plan (3rd June, 1947)

The final plan for India's partition and transfer of power to two independent dominions.