Chapter 8: The Making of the National Movement: 1870s-1947
The Emergence of Nationalism
After 1857, a sense of nationalism began to emerge. People started to believe that India was the land of all the people of India, irrespective of class, colour, caste, creed, language, or gender. Political associations were formed after 1850. The most important one was the Indian National Congress, established in December 1885 at Bombay.
The early Congress was "moderate" in its objectives and methods. It demanded a greater voice for Indians in the government and in administration. However, leaders like Bipin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Lala Lajpat Rai (known as "Lal, Bal, Pal") were more radical. They argued for self-reliance and constructive work. Tilak raised the slogan, “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it!”
The Partition of Bengal (1905)
In 1905, Viceroy Curzon partitioned Bengal, the biggest province of British India. The British argued it was for administrative convenience, but the real motive was to split the Bengali people and weaken the nationalist movement. The partition enraged people all over India. The struggle that unfolded came to be known as the Swadeshi movement. The All-India Muslim League was formed in Dacca in 1906, supporting the partition.
The Advent of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi arrived in India in 1915 from South Africa. His first major public appearance was at the opening of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in February 1916. His early interventions were in local movements in Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad.
Major Movements
- Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919): Against the repressive Rowlatt Act which curbed fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression and strengthened police powers. This is when the infamous Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred in Amritsar.
- Khilafat Agitation and the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22): Gandhi ji supported the Khilafat movement and convinced the Congress to launch a Non-Cooperation Movement in support of the Khilafat as well as for swaraj. It was withdrawn after the Chauri Chaura incident in February 1922.
- Civil Disobedience Movement and the Salt March (1930): In 1930, Gandhi ji declared that he would lead a march to break the salt law. He marched from Sabarmati to the coastal town of Dandi where he broke the law by gathering natural salt found on the seashore, and boiling sea water to produce salt.
- Quit India Movement (1942): The failure of the Cripps Mission led Gandhi ji to launch a new movement against British rule in August 1942. He gave the slogan "Do or Die".
Towards Independence and Partition
In 1940, the Muslim League had moved a resolution demanding “Independent States” for Muslims in the north-western and eastern areas of the country. In 1946, the British cabinet sent a three-member mission to Delhi to examine this demand. The mission suggested that India should remain united and constitute a loose confederation. After the failure of the Cabinet Mission, the Muslim League decided on mass agitation for winning its Pakistan demand and announced 16 August 1946 as “Direct Action Day”.
The new Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten, finally announced that India would be freed but also divided. The Partition of India led to the creation of Pakistan. Joy of our country’s independence from British rule came mixed with the pain and violence of Partition.
Exercise Questions and Answers
1. Why were people dissatisfied with British rule in the 1870s and 1880s?
People were dissatisfied with British rule in the 1870s and 1880s for several reasons:
1. The Arms Act (1878): This Act disallowed Indians from possessing arms, which was seen as a sign of mistrust and racial discrimination.
2. The Vernacular Press Act (1878): This Act allowed the government to confiscate the assets of newspapers including their printing presses if they published anything that was found "objectionable". It was a direct attack on the freedom of the press.
3. The Ilbert Bill Controversy (1883): The bill sought to allow Indian judges to try European offenders, but it was withdrawn after strong opposition from the European community in India. This highlighted the deep-seated racial prejudice of the British.
4. Economic Hardship: People felt that British rule was draining wealth from India and causing poverty and famines.
2. Who did the Indian National Congress wish to speak for?
The Indian National Congress wished to speak for all the people of India, irrespective of their class, colour, caste, creed, language, or gender. It declared that India was not the property of any particular class or community, but of all its diverse peoples. Its main aim was to create a shared national consciousness and represent the interests of the entire Indian nation against the colonial government.
3. What economic impact did the First World War have on India?
The First World War had a significant economic impact on India:
1. It led to a huge rise in the defence expenditure of the Government of India, which was financed by war loans and increased taxes on individuals and businesses.
2. The war created a huge demand for industrial goods (jute bags, cloth, rails) and caused a decline of imports from other countries into India. This led to the expansion of Indian industries.
3. Prices of essential commodities rose sharply, creating great hardship for the common people.
4. The war created new opportunities for Indian business groups, who made huge profits.
4. What did the Muslim League resolution of 1940 ask for?
The Muslim League resolution of 1940 asked for the creation of "Independent States" for Muslims in the north-western and eastern areas of the country. The resolution did not mention the word "Pakistan" or call for partition, but it was a clear demand for autonomous states for Muslims, laying the groundwork for the future demand for a separate nation.
Comments
Post a Comment