Overview: India Independence Movement

Quick summary

The Indian resistance to British rule between 1857 and 1947 was marked by a series of significant movements, uprisings, and strategies aimed at ending colonial domination. The resistance evolved over time, beginning with armed rebellions and gradually shifting to mass political movements, culminating in India’s independence in 1947. Here are the key phases and forms of resistance:

1. The Revolt of 1857 (First War of Independence):

• Overview: Often considered the first major armed resistance against British rule, the Revolt of 1857 (also called the Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Independence) was a widespread but ultimately unsuccessful uprising.

• Causes: The revolt was triggered by several factors, including resentment over the British policies that undermined Indian rulers, economic exploitation, and the introduction of the Enfield rifle, which was rumored to use cartridges greased with cow and pig fat, offensive to both Hindus and Muslims.

• Key Figures: Leaders like Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Bahadur Shah II, Tatya Tope, and Nana Sahib played significant roles.

• Impact: The revolt led to the end of the East India Company's rule, with the British Crown taking direct control of India. However, it also intensified British repression and restructuring of the colonial administration.

2. Formation of the Indian National Congress (1885):

• Overview: The Indian National Congress (INC) was formed in 1885 by Indian nationalists, initially as a platform for dialogue and reform within the British system.

• Early Leadership: Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale advocated for constitutional reforms and greater Indian participation in governance.

• Moderate vs. Extremist Faction: Over time, the INC split into moderate and extremist factions. While moderates sought gradual reforms, extremists like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai demanded Swaraj (self-rule) and were more confrontational in their approach.

3. Partition of Bengal and Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908):

• Partition of Bengal: The British decision to partition Bengal in 1905 was seen as an attempt to divide and rule by splitting the province along religious lines. This sparked widespread protests.

• Swadeshi Movement: The movement involved the boycott of British goods and the promotion of indigenous industries. It was marked by mass protests, strikes, and the promotion of Indian goods, and it laid the foundation for future economic resistance against British rule.

4. Home Rule Movements (1916-1918):

• Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant: Both Tilak and Besant led parallel Home Rule movements demanding self-government within the British Empire.

• Mobilization: The movements involved extensive grassroots campaigns to educate Indians about their political rights and garnered widespread support across the country.

5. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and Non-Cooperation Movement (1919-1922):

• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919): The brutal killing of hundreds of unarmed civilians by British troops in Amritsar galvanized Indian public opinion against British rule.

• Non-Cooperation Movement: Led by Mahatma Gandhi, this movement called for the boycott of British goods, institutions, and honors, as well as non-violent resistance. It was the first mass-based national movement under Gandhi’s leadership.

• Outcome: The movement was called off by Gandhi after the violence in Chauri Chaura in 1922, but it marked a significant shift towards mass mobilization and non-violent resistance.

6. Civil Disobedience Movement and Salt Satyagraha (1930-1934):

• Salt March (1930): Gandhi’s march to the sea to make salt in defiance of British law became a powerful symbol of resistance. It triggered the Civil Disobedience Movement, where Indians defied British laws on a mass scale.

• Civil Disobedience: The movement involved boycotting British goods, refusing to pay taxes, and picketing liquor shops. It drew in millions across the country, including women and the rural population.

• Impact: The movement shook the foundations of British rule and forced the British to negotiate with Indian leaders, leading to the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931.

7. Quit India Movement (1942):

• Launch: In August 1942, Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, demanding an immediate end to British rule in India. The slogan "Do or Die" was adopted to signify the urgency and determination of the struggle.

• Repression: The British responded with mass arrests, including that of Gandhi and other INC leaders, and violent suppression of the movement. Despite this, the movement saw widespread protests, strikes, and acts of sabotage across the country.

• Significance: Although the movement was suppressed, it demonstrated the overwhelming desire for independence and convinced the British that they could no longer govern India against the will of the people.

8. Role of Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army (INA):

• Subhas Chandra Bose: A prominent leader who disagreed with Gandhi’s non-violent approach, Bose sought help from Axis powers during World War II to secure India’s independence.

• Indian National Army (INA): Bose formed the INA, composed of Indian soldiers who had been captured by the Japanese during the war. The INA fought alongside Japanese forces in Burma and India.

• Impact: Although the military campaign was unsuccessful, the INA's actions inspired nationalist sentiment in India, and the subsequent trials of INA officers in 1945-46 stirred public outrage against British rule.

9. Post-War Developments and Independence (1945-1947):

• Impact of World War II: The war weakened British control over India, and the British economy was in dire straits, making it difficult to maintain the empire.

• Naval Mutiny (1946): The Royal Indian Navy mutiny in 1946, along with widespread strikes and protests by workers and peasants, indicated a growing discontent with British rule among the armed forces and the general populace.

• Negotiations and Partition: Faced with the inevitability of Indian independence and increasing communal tensions, the British agreed to transfer power. However, the process led to the partition of India into two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, in August 1947.

The period from 1857 to 1947 saw a transformation in the nature of Indian resistance from localized armed rebellions to a coordinated and sustained mass movement. This resistance, which combined elements of non-violence, civil disobedience, and armed struggle, ultimately led to the end of British colonial rule and the birth of an independent India.

Civil Disobedience 

Non-Cooperation or Civil disobedience is non- violent protest

-Aim: to make everyday people aware of the discrimination

-Uses the MEDIA to showcase discrimination

-deliberate provocative demonstrations

Marches

Refusal to follow unfair laws

Boycotts

-Examples?