Indian Nationalist Movement - [UNIT 10] HISTORY

Monarchy

A form of government where people are ruled by one person.

Kingdom

A monarchy within the monarch's land.

Empire

When a government system extends its rule over land outside its boundaries.

Reasons for Colonisation

Factors like technological advancements, explorers, economic motives, population growth, nationalism, and strategic interests.

Indian Industry

Pre-colonial India was a dominant manufacturing economy with expertise in textiles, shipbuilding, and metalworking.

Resources of India

The British extracted immense wealth from India, estimated at around $45 trillion, leading to economic exploitation and underdevelopment.

Population

British policies led to the deindustrialization of India, pushing skilled workers into agriculture, causing famines, and imposing heavy taxes on cultivators.

British Railway Construction in India

The construction of railways in India was inefficient and costly, with every mile costing £18,000 compared to £2,000 in the United States, due to taxpayer-backed guarantees and British manufacturing dominance.

British Exploitation in India

The British exploited India's natural resources through the railways, leading to famines and an estimated 35 million preventable deaths during British rule.

Deindustrialization in India

British colonization led to deindustrialization in India, increased poverty, and economic ruination due to exploitation, high taxes, biased trade, and the importation of British goods.

Effects of British Education in India

British standardized education in India increased literacy rates but destroyed traditional Indian education systems, hindering innovation and individual thinking.

Indian Independence Movements

The Indian independence movements were fueled by events like the Rowlatt Act, Amritsar Massacre, Salt March, and Civil Disobedience Movement, led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

What defines a monarchy?

A system where people are ruled by one person.

Who was the leader of the Muslim Party advocating for the creation of Pakistan?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah

What distinguishes an empire from a kingdom?

An empire extends beyond its original boundaries, incorporating lands with their own governance.

What event marked a significant turning point in the Indian Independence Movement due to its brutality?

The Amritsar Massacre

What were the primary motivations behind the British colonization of India?

The British were motivated by India's wealth in resources like textiles and opium, control over trade routes, creation of a market for British goods, and the desire to convert Indians to Christianity.

Why did nations pursue colonization?

For technological advancements, economic reasons, population growth, nationalism, and strategic reasons.

What was the primary reason for the British conquest of India according to Sir William Hicks?

To serve as an outlet for British goods.

How did the British impact India's economy during their colonial rule?

They deindustrialized India, severed its trade network, and deeply divided its people, leading to a significant decline in India's global economic share.

Which strategy was shown to be effective during various movements for India's independence?

Non-violence tactics

How did British colonization impact India's economy and society?

Colonization led to deindustrialization, economic ruin, increased literacy rates but destruction of traditional education, improved infrastructure, and heightened racial and religious tensions.

What was India known for before British colonialism?

India was a leading industrial and manufacturing nation, known for its textiles, shipbuilding, and metalworking industries.

How did British policies impact India's manufacturing sector by 1947?

Only 0.7% of the population was employed in manufacturing due to colonial deindustrialization.

What major global event contributed to the British decision to leave India?

The Second World War

How did British policies dismantle India's native industries?

By establishing a legal monopoly over Indian goods, disrupting trade links, and imposing harsh tariffs, effectively stifling competition and innovation.

What was the consequence of the British imposing high taxes on Indian cultivators?

Cultivators often owed more in taxes than their income, leading to widespread poverty.

What were two major challenges faced by the Indian independence movements?

India's lack of industrialization and development, and religious divides leading to dissent

What sparked the Indian independence movement?

The Rowlatt Act, Amritsar Massacre, Salt March, and Civil Disobedience Movement were key events that fueled the independence movement.

How did the British justify their high taxation policy in India?

By boasting in parliament about raising revenue significantly above what native rulers extorted.

What was the estimated total wealth extracted by the British from India?

$45 trillion.

What were the consequences of British rule and the independence movements on India?

Stunted industrial development, financial struggles, lack of political structure, refugee crisis, and Hindu-Muslim riots

Who were key figures in the Indian Nationalist movement?

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chadra Pal, Sri Aurbindo Ghosh, Gopal Krishna Ghokle

How did World Wars contribute to India's decolonization?

World War 1 and World War 2 created economic and social problems for Britain and highlighted the contributions and sacrifices of Indian soldiers, leading to increased nationalist sentiment and eventually decolonization.

Who played a pivotal role in leading India towards independence and what was their strategy?

Mahatma Gandhi led the independence movement, focusing on nonviolent protest and civil disobedience.

How did British investment in Indian Railways exemplify colonial exploitation?

The construction was taxpayer-backed and inefficient, serving to export Indian resources.

What was the official British policy during famines in India?

Non-intervention, allowing famines to exacerbate.

What was the result of India gaining independence in August 1947?

India gained independence from British rule after 200 years, leading to one of the largest and bloodiest forced migrations in history, with an estimated 1,000,000 people losing their lives.

What was the British colonial rule like in India?

The British ruled some provinces directly and governed the princely states indirectly, with the princely states remaining sovereign but making political and financial concessions to the British.

How did the British categorize Indians in the 19th century?

In the 19th century, the British categorised Indians by religious identity, counting Hindus as majorities and all other religious communities as distinct minorities, which included Muslims as the largest minority.