A national movement is a collective struggle by the people of a country to achieve freedom, unity, and self-rule.
In India, this movement represented the fight of Indians against British rule to gain independence and protect their rights.
Cause of National Movement
Economic Exploitation: The wealth of British India was drained from the country.
Oppressive Laws: Key laws included the Rowlatt Act and the Vernacular Act.
Western Education: Exposure to new ideas contributed to political awakenings among Indians.
Role of Press: The press played a significant role in disseminating nationalist ideas.
Racial Discrimination: Indians faced disparity and discrimination under British colonial rule.
Nationalism: The love for and attraction to the nation is referred to as nationalism.
Immediate Factors Leading to National Movements
1. Indian Arms Act (1878)
Passed by Lord Lytton, aimed to prohibit Indians from owning weapons without a license.
Resulted in anger and dissatisfaction among the Indian populace, fueling nationalist sentiments.
2. Vernacular Press Act (1878)
Introduced by Lord Lytton, nicknamed the 'Bragging Act'.
Intended to control and suppress the Indian press by banning newspapers from publishing anything against the British government while allowing English newspapers to continue freely.
Widespread protests arose, especially from journalists and nationalists, leading to its repeal in 1881.
3. Albert Bill (1883)
Introduced by Lord Ripon, aimed to allow Indian judges to try European offenders.
Strong opposition from the British community led to its withdrawal and a compromise that limited Indian judges' powers.
Formation of Indian National Congress (INC)
Founded on December 28, 1885, by Allan Octavian Hume.
Established to involve educated and affluent Indians in politics.
The first meeting was held at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay, with Lord Dufferin as the Viceroy of India and 12 delegates in attendance.
Safety Valve Theory
Proposed by A.O. Hume, aimed to provide a safety valve for releasing growing discontent among Indians through the establishment of the INC.
Key Early Leaders of INC
W.C. Banerjee, the first president of the INC, alongside other influential figures like Dadabhai Naroji, Annie Besant, and Badruddin Tyabji (who became president in 1924).
Pt. Nehru became president in 1929, and S.C. Bose picked up the mantle in 1938.
Division of INC into Two Factions
The INC divided into two parts in 1907:
Moderates (Naram Dal): Advocated for peaceful constitutional agitations, petitions, and political reforms. Famous leaders included A.O. Hume, Dadabhai Naroji, W.C. Banerjee, and Gokhale.
Extremists (Garam Dal): Emerged due to dissatisfaction with moderate achievements, denouncing British exploitation. They promoted Swadeshi (using domestic goods), boycotting foreign products, and fostering national education. Notable leaders included Lal, Bal, and Pal.
Partition of Bengal (1905)
Occurred on October 16, 1905, under Lord Curzon's rule; Bengal was divided into Western Bengal (Hindu majority) and Eastern Bengal (Muslim majority).
The British rationalized it as administrative necessity, but its real motive was to implement a divide-and-rule policy and weaken Bengali nationalism.
Swadeshi Movement (1905)
A pivotal phase of the Indian National Movement that began after the partition of Bengal.
The movement encouraged the use of domestic goods and boycotting foreign products as a form of protest against British rule.
Formation of the Muslim League (1906)
Established on December 30, 1906, in Dhaka under leaders like Aga Khan and Nawab Salimullah.
It was a conservative political organization that supported the partition of Bengal and opposed the Swadeshi Movement, demanding separate electorates for Muslims.
Demand for Self-rule (Swaraj)
The concept of Swaraj was proposed at the INC's Calcutta session in 1906 and emphasized self-governance for Indians.
Surat Split (1907)
The INC experienced a split during the 1907 session held at Surat, dividing it into moderate and extremist factions and reflecting internal conflicts regarding strategies for achieving independence.
Morley-Minto Reforms (1909)
The Indian Council Act was passed in 1909 as a result of the Morley-Minto reforms, introducing separate electorates for Muslims and creating a framework for Indian representation in governance.
Delhi Darbar (1911)
The Delhi Darbar was held in 1911, during which King George I announced:
The transfer of India’s capital from Calcutta to Delhi.
Cancellation of the partition of Bengal, which was reflected in 1912 when Bihar was separated from Bengal.
Home Rule League (1916)
Founded after Lokmanya Tilak's return from abroad, alongside Annie Besant’s league, it aimed for self-governance (Home Rule) for India within the British Empire.
Lucknow Pact (1916)
Agreement between the Muslim League and the INC aimed at achieving self-rule, characterizing Jinnah as the “Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity”.
Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
Led by M.K. Gandhi to address grievances of indigo farmers in Champaran against oppressive conditions imposed by British planters.
The movement's significant result was the abolition of the Tinkathia system.
Kheda Satyagraha (1918)
Occurred due to famine in Kheda, where farmers were unable to pay land revenue.
Gandhi supported them by urging a non-payment strategy, leading to the temporary suspension of revenue collection.
Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918)
The strike was fueled by demands for increased wages due to rising costs of living.
Gandhi advocated for non-violence and discipline amongst workers, achieving a successful negotiation for a 20% wage increase.
Rowlatt Act (1919)
Passed on March 18, 1919, empowering the British government to arrest suspects without trial for two years.
Regarded as oppressive, it faced significant backlash, leading to the Rowlatt Satyagraha initiated by Gandhi.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)
A tragic event where thousands gathered to protest against British policies, leading to the massacre ordered by General Dyer on April 13, 1919.
Khilafat Movement (1949)
Initiated to protect the Ottoman Empire and sustain the Khalif's position in a post-World War I world.
Gandhi sought cooperation between Hindus and Muslims through this movement.
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)
A mass movement led by Gandhi to achieve Swaraj through non-violent means by boycotting British institutions.
Chauri Chaura Incident (1922)
On February 4, 1922, a violent outbreak near a police station forced Gandhi to suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement due to the antithetical purpose of non-violence.
Simon Commission (1927)
A commission with no Indian representation that triggered protests and was met with black flags.
Lala Lajpat Rai was injured during a protest against the commission and later died, which intensified nationalistic feelings.
Nehru Report (1928)
A response to the Simon Commission's challenge to INC, proposing a constitution for India that included no separate electorates and equal rights for women.
Lahore Session (1929)
A crucial session of INC where the demand for 'Purna Swaraj' was declared under Pt. Nehru's presidency on December 31, 1929, celebrated as Independence Day on January 26, 1930.
Civil Disobedience Movement (1930)
Initiated by Gandhi to actively break unjust laws, prominently symbolized by the Salt March, where he protested against the salt tax by producing salt from seawater.
Round Table Conferences (1930, 1931)
The First Round Table Conference in London was ineffective due to INC's absence.
The second conference followed negotiations leading to the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, allowing Indian engagement while addressing prisoner release and salt manufacturing.
Demand for Pakistan (1930)
Muhammad Iqbal articulated the demand for a separate Muslim state, which was formalized by Jinnah at the Lahore session in 1940.
Cripps Mission (1942)
A failed British attempt to secure Indian cooperation during WWII, which promised dominion status post-war, but was rejected by Indian leaders due to distrust.
Quit India Movement (1942)
A major civil disobedience movement launched by Gandhi demanding an immediate end to British rule.
Brutal suppression ensued, with many leaders being arrested, leading to widespread but ultimately unsuccessful protests.
Indian National Army (INA)
Founded in 1942, led by Captain Mohan Singh and later S.C. Bose, the INA aimed to overthrow British rule with the support of Japanese forces.
Mountbatten Plan (1947)
The last British plan for India’s independence proposed partitioning into India and Pakistan, laying the groundwork that facilitated independence on August 15, 1947.
Partition of Independence (1947)
The partition was executed with significant upheaval and loss, drawing a demarcation line that affected millions, with various princely states having to decide their allegiance.
Key Questions
Role of A.O. Hume: Played a critical role as the founder and secretary of the INC, recognized as the 'Father of INC'.
Moderates' Awareness Strategies: They utilized petitions, prayers, and peaceful constitutional methods.
Slogan by Tilak: "Swaraj is my birthright, I shall have it."
Organizations Preceding INC: The Indian Association, East India Association, and Poona Sarvajanik Sabha.
First Indian Governor-General: C. Rajagopalachari.
Major Satyagrahas by Gandhi after return: Champaran Satyagraha, Kheda Satyagraha, Ahmedabad Mill Strike.
Nationalist Group - Dal-Bal-Pal: Comprising Lajpat Rai, Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal whose contributions shaped the INC as a radical organization, key in the Swadeshi movement and the fallout of Bengal's partition.
Factors for National Movement Rise: British exploitation, Western education, and discriminatory policies led to an awakening of nationalism.
Nationalists’ Activities: Varied approaches - Moderates used peaceful protests; radicals employed mass mobilization; and revolutionaries sought armed resistance for independence.