The First War of Independence: The Revolt of 1857 *Political Causes:-
1) Lord Dalhousie‟s Policy of „the Doctrine of Lapse‟:-if the ruler of a subordinate state died without a heir , his adopted son was not allowed to occupy the throne and the state was annexed to the British Empire in India. Lord Dalhousie annexed the states of Jhansi, Satara and Nagpur.
2) Ill treatment of Nana Sahib and Rani of Jhansi:Baji Rao II: The last Peshwa adopted Nana Sahib as his son who was denied access to the annual pension of his father. Rani of Jhansi Laxmi Bai was also not allowed to adopt a son.
3) Annexation of Awadh on the pretext of misgovernment in 1856.
4) Disrespect shown to the Mughal Emperor: (i) Lord Dalhousie had insulted the Emperor by asking him and his successors to leave the Red Fort in Delhi. (ii) Lord Canning declared that the title of the Mughal emperor would be abolished after the death of Bahadur Shah and his fort would be takrn over by the British.
5) Disbanding the armies of the annexed states: as a result thousands of families lost their means of livelihood.
6) Unpopular administration: The British abolished few Zamindars,and taluqdars which created suspicion among them. The British administration in India was corrupt and inefficient.
Social and Religious causes:-
1) Fear of the conversion: (i) The Missionaries showed them the lure of money, jobs and honour for accepting Christianity.(ii) The prisoners who accepted Christianity were released. (iii) The study of Bible was made compulsory in the institutions established by missionaries in the backward areas.
2) Introduction of new laws: (i) Lord Bentinck prohibited the practice of Sati in 1829. (ii)The Religious Disabilities Act of 1856 also decided that noone would be deprived of his hereditary property on the ground of changing his religion. (iii) In 1856, the Widow Remarriage Act was passed by Lord Canning. (iv) The government taxed lands belonging to the temples and the mosques or charitable institutions.
3) Fear of western innovation: (i) The introduction of Railways and Telegraph had also created suspicion and fear in the minds of the people. They thought that these measures were introduced to propogate Christianity,if not followed, would be thrown before the railway engines or hanged by the Telegraph poles.(ii) The introduction of Railways was resented on the ground that people of all castes would have to travel in the same
compartments.
4) Humiliation in the name of race: (i) The British regarded the Indians as belonging to an inferior race and looked down upon them socially. (ii) The Indians could not travel in the first calss compartment of the Railways. (iii) They were kept away from all social
gatherings and were not allowed to mix up with the Englishmen.
5) General Service Enlistment Act: Passed in 1856, made it compulsory for the Indian soldiers in the service of the Company to serve wherever required. In those days , sea voyages were considered against the religious customs and therefore, resented by the soldiers.
(III)Economic Causes:-
1) Heavy land taxes: (i) During Lord Bentinck‟s reign, the zamindars were forced to pay heavy land revenue and many were deprived of their land. (ii) The appointment
of the Inam Commission also created a problem. It was appointed to look into proprietary rights of the landlords, in turn, it increased the hardship of the landlords and peasants.
2) Ruin of handicraft industries: (i) The British imposed heavy import duties on the manufactured aricles of India entering Britain and charged nominal duties on raw products going out of India. (ii) As per the Act of 1720 passed by the british
government,prohibited the use of Indian Silk and Calicoes in England. (iii) All the machine made goods from Britain took over the Indian market which led to the impoverishment of the craftsmen.
3) Displacement of zamindars and taluqdars: (i) The British confiscated the lands and properties of many zamindars and talukdars, especially of Awadh. (ii) Lord
Bentinck‟s resumption of rent free tenures reduced the landowners to poverty. (iii) Thousands of jagirs belonging to the jagirdars in the deccan were confiscated by Lord Dalhousie.
4) Loss of jobs: (i) Thousands of soldiers who were employed under the native states suddenly became jobless when the states were annexed to the British dominion. (ii) Many pensioners lost their pension but the English offered them no alternative employment. (iii)Only the English were offered high posts and were given handsome salaries in comparison to the Indians.
5) British policy towards tribes: (i) Commercialization of agriculture, tightening of control over forest zones for revenue purposes and utilization of forest wealth for the benefit of the urban population resulted in penetration of tribal areas by
outsiders. (ii) The Christian Missionaries were also active in some of the tribal areas and created hostile feelings among the tribes. (iii) Outsiders like money- landers, contractors, traders, government officials, for their own interest, disturbed the social, cultural and economic lives of the tribes and exposed them to exploitation. 6) Inhuman treatment towards indigo cultivators: (i) British planters forced peasants
in some parts of Bihar and Bengal to cultivate indigo. (ii) These planters provided loans to the farmers at very high interest rates which forced them to remain indebted for the whole of their life. (iii) After the crop, the farmers were paid only 2.5 percent of the market price. (iv) The property of the farmers who refused were either mortgaged or destroyed.
(IV) Military causes:-
1) Low salary and poor prospects of promotion: (i) All the high ranks in the army were reserved for the British only. (ii) The native sepoys could not rise above the rank of Risaldar or Subedar.(iii) An English soldier was paid more than 8times the Indian sepoy while their duties were of similar nature. (iv) The Indian sepoy had to pay for his food and clothes ,for which the English were paid extra.
2) Annexation of Awadh: (i) Three-fourth soldiers became unemployed. (ii) The
disbanded soldiers were ready to join in any activity to overthrow the British power. 3) Disproportion between Indian and British troops: Indian sepoys were four times
more in number as compared to the English soldiers which gave courage to Indian soldiers to take up arms against the English.
4) Loss of British prestige in the Ist Afghan War: (i) The defeat of the British exposed thir weakness. (ii) This increased the self confidence of the Indian sepoys to
5) Effects of the Crimean War: A number of British soldiers were engaged in Europe ,in the war between England and Russia.
6) Discontent and disaffection in the Bengal army: (i) The sepoys and officers of the Bengal Army were mainly high-caste Hindus of Awadh. They refused to cross the River Sindhu to take part in the Anglo-Afghan War because sea voyage was forbidden by their religion.
7) General Service Enlistment Act( refer the para above for explaination)
(v) Immediate cause: (i) The greased cartridges to be used in the Enfield Rifle. (ii) Before loading , the soldiers had to bite the tip with their teeth. (iii) A rumour spread out that these cartridges were greased with the fat of cows and pigs (iv) Both the Hindus and Muslims were enraged and thought that the English Government wanted to defile their religions
EVENTS:
(1) Meerut: On May 6, 85 soldiers refused to use the cartridges and were send to 10 years imprisonment.May 10, the soldiers released the prisoners, killed many European officers and marched towards Delhi This was the beginning of the revolt of 1857.
(2) Delhi:The soldiers reached Delhi and proclaimed Bahadur Shah as the Emperor of India. Sir John Nicholson with the help of Sikh soldiers besieged Delhi. Bahadur Shah was deported to Rangoon where he died in 1862. The Mughal Empire came to an end.
(3) Kanpur: Nana Sahib ,the adopted son of Peshwa Bajirao II,was denied the right to get the pension of his father so he with the help of Tantiya Tope started the revolt. General Havelock defeated Nana Sahib who fled away to Nepal.
(4) Lucknow: The last Nawab of Awadh Nawab Wazid Ali Shah was exiled in Calcutta so his wife Begum Hazrat Mahal crowned her son Birjis Qadr as the ruler of Awadh and started the revolt.
(5) Central India: Rani of Jhansi took part in the revolt because her adopted son was not recognized as apparent king to the throne. Tantiya Tope provided full support to her. (6)Bihar: Kunwar Singh in Jagdishpur –Bihar.
Causes of the failure of the revolt of 1857:
(1) Lack of a common goal and unity of purpose: (i) Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Nana Sahib , Tantia Tope, Rani Laxmi Bai neither planned nor cooperated with one another as one unit. (ii) The British acted under one command, one direction and with one fixed aim.
(2) Better resources of the British: (i) The rebels were fighting with swords and spears, while the English were using newly introduced rifles. (ii) The British possessed good artillery while the rebels either lacked it or could not utilize it in battlefield. (iii) The Telegraph proved very useful to the English.
(3) No unified leadership: (i) There was an absence of a capable leader who could organize the scattered forces of the rebels into one unit. (ii) The revolt failed to get national
involvement whereas the English had military commanders like Havelock, Neil, Nicolson and Hugh Rose. (iii) The English got support from the tribes in the territory of the north-west and the Afghans to defeat the rebels.
(4) No support of native rulers: (i) Many native rulers, instead supporting the rebels, helped the British in suppressing the revolt. (ii) The rulers of Patiala, Jind, Gwalior, Hyderabad etc. supported the British by all possible means. (iii) The King of Nepal also helped the British by putting his army under the command of the English.
(5) Non participation of the Middle Class: (i) The educated Indians and the middle class also did not support the cause of the rebels. (ii) On the contrary, their feelings were against it therefore, the revolt neither could be organized nor could found support on intellectual and emotional grounds.
Consequences of the revolt:-
(1) End of the Company Rule: (i) The Government of India Act 1858 or the Queen‟s Proclaimation saw the end of the rule of the British East India Company. (ii) A new government department , the India Office, was creayted, to handle the be governance of India.(iii) It was headed by the Secretary of State for India. (iv) He was assisted by a Council of fifteen members.
(v) The Governor- General of India now became the Viceroy of India.
(2) Appeasement of the native rulers:- (i) The British assured them that their territories would never be annexed. (ii) The Doctrine of Lapse was abandoned and the right to
adoption was recognized. (iii) The British declared that they would honour all treaties and agreements entered into by the East India Company.
(3) Policy of integration:- (i) The Act of 1861 was passed which allowed the Indians to be elected to the Legislative Council. (ii) Through the Indian University Act, universities were opened at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.
(4) Rise of nationalism:- (i) The revolt ignited the desire among the Indians To fight against the social, economic and political exploitation by the British.
(ii) The sacrifices made by thousands of people left an indelible mark on the minds of the Indians eg. Rani of Jhansi, Tantya Tope etc.
(5) Military reorganization:- (i) The Indians were divided into martial and non-martial races and regiments. (ii) The regiments were raised on caste, religious or regional basis such as the Sikh Regiment, The Jat Regiment, the Gurkha Regiment etc. (iii) The ratio of British to Indian soldiers was also increased within India.
(6) Economic exploitation:- (i) The Indian taxpayers paid the salaries of army and administrative personnel. (ii) More than half of the taxes collected in India now went to England in the name of the Home charges. (iii) India became the largest market of the British goods.
Nature of Revolt of 1857:-
1. Sir John Lawrence described the revolt as „ mutiny of the sepoys‟.
2. Vir Savarkar described the revolt as a planned war of national independence.
3. Indian historian Tara Chand described the revolt as a war for national independence. 4. S N Sen however feels that despite the absence of national feeling among the Indians, the revolt was a war of independence.
*********************************************************************
Ch.2- Rise of Nationalism
Factors responsible for the growth of nationalism 1) Impact of the Revolt of 1857 or Nineteenth Century nationalism:-
(i) It made Indians aware of the true nature of the British rule and generated faith in their own capability to fight against oppression. (ii) In April 1860, the cultivators of Bengal and Bihar refused to sow indigo. (iii)The Kuka Movement in Punjab began as an attempt to purify the Sikh Religion but gradually by 1863, it assumed a political character under its leaders-Balak Singh and Ram Singh.(iv) The Wahabi movement led by Syed Ahmad Barelvi generated a feeling of hostility against the British. (v) An
armed revolt in the deccan led by Vasudeo Balwant Phadke and Munda rebellion in Chota Nagpur regions were important outburst of anti-british feelings.
2) Introduction of Western education:
(i) It instilled in the minds of the educated classes the Western ideas of liberty and equality.(ii) It also gave them a common language which made it possible for them to understand each other and plan a common programme of action. (iii) The British
introduced the English in India to serve their administrative and political needs. (iv) They also thought that English educated Indians would be loyal to the British. (v) New ideas of nationalism,democracy,liberalism and humanism inspired the Indians. (vi) The writings of John Mill,Rousseau, Voltaire, Thomas Paine, Spencer also inspired the Indians in their struggle for independence.
3) Socio-Religious Reform Movement:
(i) The movement was progressive in its character and aimed to remove social evils from the society. All reformers denounced untouchability and rigidities of the caste system.(ii) Raja Rammohan Roy is regarded as the father of Indian Renaissance
founded Brahma Samaj and helped in the abolition of Sati. (iii) When nation was seized with despair and idleness, these reformers preached the gospel of strength and self reliance.(iv) All these reformers gave importance to women.(v) Swami Dayanand was first to proclaim that „ India was for Indians‟.(vi) Vivekanada‟s message “Arise,awake and stop not till the goal is reached”.
4) Rediscovery of India‟s past:-
(i) James Princep deciphered the Asokan inscription. (ii) Max Muller,William Jones, Charles Wilkins helped in restoring the rich heritage of the Sanskrit literature. (iii) Sir Alexander Cunningham‟s excavations at Sarnath and Sanchi brought to light the glory of the past. (iv) Warren Hastings set up the Sanskrit College at Calcutta and encouraged the british officials to learn Indian History and language.
5) Rise and growth of an educated Middle class:-
(i) The emergence of the class consisting of lawyers,journalists,doctors,
professorsetc.was a significant factor in the growth of nationalism in India.(ii) They were aware of the evils inherent in the Indian society and began to take initiative against imperial domination. (iii) The role of the new classes in the growth of the national
movement was firm and decisive. (iv) They knew that the British rule was a hindrance to social and political development.
6) Role of the press and the Indian literature:-
(i) A number of newspapers in English and in Vernacular languages criticized the government policies and revealed the evil effects of foreign domination.(ii)Raja Rammohan Roy‟s „Samvad Kaumudi‟;Dadabhai Naoroji‟s „Rast Goftar‟in gujarati and Ishwarchand Vidyasagar‟s „Shome Prakash‟criticised official policy of racial arrogance, economic explitation, personal behaviour etc. towards Indians. (iii) Through his writings in the „Kesari‟ and the „Mahratta‟, Tilak spread the Gospel of freedom and basic rights. (iv) This period witnessed the production of outstanding works of Bhartendu
Harishchandra,Bankim Chandra Chatterjee‟s „Anand Math‟,Tagoreetc. (v) Many newspapers were published such as Amrit Bazar Patrika, The Hindu, The Patriot, The Maratha, The Kesari, The Tribune, The Kohinoor etc.
7) Policy of economic exploitation of the Britishers:
(i) Dadabhai Naorojo in his book „ Poverty and Unbritish rule in India‟, drew the attention of the Indians to the Massive drain of India‟s wealth to Britain. (ii) The peasantry was impoverished because a large part of their produce was taken as land revenue. (iii) The British took no measures to improve irrigation or keep a buffer stock to sustain the poor people during famines. (iv) India, which was once the producer of the best textiles in the world, now became the buyer of the british machine made goods. (v) Artisans and craftspeople could not compete with machine made goods. (vi) The pace of industrial development in India was rather slow , the british invested in plantations of tea,jute,coffee and indigo and the cultivators in these plantations were like bonded labour. (vii) The expenses of the Second Afghan War, The Third Anglo- Burmese War were borne by Indians. (viii) Salaries of the British officials in England and the cost of buying raw materials from India were all paid from the Indian revenue. (ix) Though the taxes kept increasing but the british paid no attention to raise the standard of living, providing education ,health or sanitation.
8) Racial discrimination of British rulers:-
(i) Chief positions were reserved for the british. (ii) The Vernacular Press Act and The Arms Act of 1878 deprived the Indians of their right to freedom of expression and safety. (iii) For the same crime under similar circumstances, an Indian was punished more heavily than a british. (iv) Indian judges were not allowed to hear cases related to the Europeans. (v) The Englishmen looked upon Indians as „ niggers‟ who could be treated only with contempt. (vi) There were exclusive residential areas popularly known as Civil Lines where only Europeans could live.
9) Lord Lyttons‟ unjust policies-
(i)As per the Vernacular Press Act , no article highlighting the disaffection against the Government , was allowed to be printed in any vernacular languages of India. It was not applicable for the papers published in English or any other European language.This act was termed as „ Gagging Act‟.(ii) The age limit for taking the Indian Civil Service Examination was reducd from 21 years to 19 years. (iii) The Arms Act of 1878 forbade Indians to keep arms without a licence but the Europeans were an exception to this rule. (iv) The Imperial Durbar in Delhi (1877) was held at a time when millions in south India were affected by a terrible famine.
10) Ilbert Bill controversy:-
(i)Lord Ripon, who succeeded Lord Lytton, tried to pass a bill , which would empower the Indian judges to hear the criminal cases against the Europeans. (ii) The Europeans opposed this bill and it could not be passed. (iii) The racial bitterness and injustice horrified the Indians and intensified the Indians against the foreign rule and led to the rise of political awakening.
11) Means of transport and communications:-
(i) Means of communication knit up the vast country and gave to our people a sense of oneness. (ii) The provincial or regional loyalities began to disappear and patriotic
notions gained ground. (iii) Railways enabled them to interact and to mix with each other that helped in ending untouchability. (iv) Some Indians went abroad and saw the
functioning of free and democratic governments in England, France, USA and Switzerland. Forerunners of the Indian National Congress:
(i) The Landholders‟ Society was set up in Bengal in 1837 to protect the interests of the landholders of Bihar, Bengal and Orissa.
(ii) The East India Association – founded by Dadabhai Naoroji in 1866. It aimed at providing members of the British Parliament information regarding India‟s genuine grievances.
(iii) Poona Sarvajanik Sabha- was started under the leadership of Justice Ranade in 1870.
(iv) Bombay Presidency Association (1870) sent a petition to the British House of Commons against the increased taxes on salt and sugar.
(v) The Indian Association set up by Surendranath Bannerjee in 1876. Aims-Carried out agitations against the Arms Act and the Vernacular Press Act. Organised a national conference on national problems under Anand Mohan Bose.
(vi) Indian National Conference by Surendra Nath Banerjee in 1883 and it was the forerunner of the INC founded in 1885 because it was merged with the Indian National Congress in 1886.
Formation of the Indain National Congress:A.O.Hume, a retired servent, with the support of Lord Dufferin- the Viceroy set up the Indian National Congress in 1885. Lord Dufferin felt that a safe outlet should be provided to vent the intense anti-British feelings of the Indians and congress was to be used as a „safety valve‟. He termed it a „ microscopic community‟ signifying it a group of few where major part of the population was not involved. The first session of the INC was held in December 1885 at Bombay under the Presidentship of W.C. Bonnerjee. A.O.Hume is considered to be the Father or the Founder of the INC.
Immediate objectives of the Congress:
1) Promotion of friendly relations among nationalist workers in different parts of the country.
2) Development and consolidation of the feeling of national unity irrespective of religion or region.
3) Formulation of popular demands and their presentation before the government. 4) Training and organization of public opinion in the country.
Demands of the Congress in the beginning: 1) Expansion of Legislative Assemblies‟
2) Holding of simultaneous ICS examination in England and India‟\ 3) Inclusion of a greater number of Indians in the administration, 4) Reduction of the military expenditure,
5) Socio-economic development of India.
By the end of the 19th century, it became critical of the government‟s policies. The first session of INC was attended by 72 delegates which was increased to 600 by the year 1887. ************************************************************************
Ch.3- The Moderates *Why were the early nationalists known as moderates? (i) They were moderate in their approach.
(ii) It was a liberal organization and followed a middle path position.
(iii) They felt that by remaining loyal to the british they could convince them of their genuine need for reform and british government would concede to their demands. (iv) They had faith in the british sense of justice and fair play.
(v) The moderate leaders were from the educated middle class. *Demands of the moderates:-
1) Constitutional Reforms:-
(i) Expansion of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assemblies. (ii) Indian representatives in the Council.
(iii) Abolition of India Council.
(iv) Separation of judiciary from the executive. (v) Colonial self government like in Canada. 2) Administrative Reforms:-
(i) Indianization of higher grades of services.
(ii) Holding of ICS examination simultaneously in England and in India. (iii) Raising the age of eligibility for the ICS examination.
(iv) Increase in the power of local bodies and giving them more autonomy. (v) Extension of education, health and medical facilities.
3) Socio-economic reforms:-
(i) Introduction of modern industries through tariff protection and under direct government control.
(ii) Reduction in land revenue and easy loans through agricultural banks. (iii) Abolition of salt tax and duties on sugar.
(iv) Improvement of labour conditions in the plantations. (v) Reduction of expenditure on the army.
(vi) Protection of peasants from the exploitation of landlords. 4) Demand for Civil Rights:-
Freedom of the press, expression and association.
*Beliefs/Objectives:- (i) To build up strong public opinion leading to the growth of political consciousness.
(ii) To educate and unite people for a common political programme.
(iii) To persuade the british government to introduce reforms as desired by the nationalists. *Methods of the Moderates:-
(i)Adopted constitutional means to put forward their demands and worked within the framework of the law.
(ii) They believed in passing resolutions and sending petitions and appeals to the british. (iii)Regular meetings and lectures were organized by the moderates in different parts of England towards the grievances of the Indians.
(iv) Preparing memorandum for the Government Committees.
*Achievements of the Moderates:-
(i) Giving political training to the people.
(ii) Exposing the exploitative nature of British rule,eg. “Drain of Wealth Theory” of Dadabhai Naoroji.
(iii) Uniting them under one organization and for one political programme. (iv) Making them aware of common bonds and common nationhood. (v) Creating political consciousness and strong public opinion.
(vi) Laying the foundation of the future national movement which finally led India to freedom.
(vii) The Indian Council Act of 1892 was passed.
(viii) Due to the efforts of Ranade and Gokhle , the Age of Consent Bill became an Act was passed in 1891.
Failures/Limitations:-
(i) They lacked wide social basis and represented a small section of society.
(ii) The patience and gentleness of the moderates were taken as their weakness. It was criticized by the Radicals as a „Policy of Mendicancy‟.
(iii) They represented a small section, mainly the Indian intelligentsia, which was criticized by Lord Dufferin as representing a „microscopic minority‟.
Attitude of the government towards the INC in the beginning:-
(i) The Government wanted to use it as a „safety valve‟ to ease out the discontent among the Indian people.
(ii) IN 1886, Lord Dufferin invited the members of the Congress to a garden party in Calcutta but gradually the attitude of the government changed because the Congress began to demand more rights for the people. Lord Dufferin passed orders forbidding the Government servants to attend the meetings of the Congress.
(iii) The british office relied on the policy of „Divide and Rule‟ to weaken the National movement.
:-Eminent Moderate Leaders:- (1) Dadabhai Naoroji:
(i) Known as the „Grand Old man of India‟.
(ii) Founded the Bombay Association and edited the newspaper Rast Goftar and supported Naoroji Furdoonji to remove social evils from the Parsi Community. (iii) Was elected the President of INC thrice in 1886,1893 and 1906respectively.
(iv) He set up the East India Association in London in 1866.
(v) He was the first nationalist to propound the drain theory and exposed the british exploitation of the Indian economy.
(vi) Was the first Indian to be elected to the House of Commons in 1892 and became the first Indian member of the British Parliament.
(vii) Started a magazine‟ Dharma Marga Darshak‟ in which he advocated the first political system.
(2) Gopal Krishna Gokhle:-
(i) He acknowleged Justice Ranade as his political and spiritual mentor and joined the Deccan Education Society.
(ii) pointed out the shortcomings of the Act of 1892. Delivered some of his finest speeches on budget in the Central Legislative Council in 1902.
(iii)He strove hard for the abolition of Salt Law, introduction of compulsory primary education, inclusion of Indians in senior posts and reduction of government
expenditure.
(iv)He presided the INC session in the year 1905 and gave full support to boycott movement.
(v) In 1906, he was sent to England to apprise the British public over the Bengal partition.
(vi) In 1905, Gokhle started Servants of India Society. (vii) He was the political guru of Mahatma Gandhi.
(viii) He played a significant role in the passing of the Minto- Morley Reforms. (ix) He also served as a member of the Public Service Commission from 1912-15. (x) He edited „Sudharak‟, the quarterly journal of the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha. (xi) Tilak though critical of his ideology, described him as the diamond of India, the jewel of
Maharashtraand the prince of workers. (3) Surendra Nath Bannerjee :-
(i) Passed ICS examination at the age of 20. (ii) In 1882, he set up Ripon Collegre.
(iii) He edited a Bengali newspaper which served as a powerful medium for mobilizing public opinion and political consciousness.
(iv) In 1886, with the cooperation of Ananda Mohan Bose , he founded the Indian Association.
(v) He protested against the Vernacular Press Act, Arms Act, reducing the age limit for the ICS examination, Licence Act and opposed separate electorates for Hindus and Muslims.
(vi) He was elected to the Calcutta Corporation and remained its member for nearly two decades.
(vii) He was elected to the Bengal Legislative Council four times in 1884,1896,1898 and 1900 respectively.
(viii) In 1883, he set up the Indian National Conference.
(ix) He was elected the president of INC twice-1895,and in 1902. (x) He said „ Opposition where necessary, cooperation where possible‟.
(xi) He spoke against the Partion of Bengal and supported the Swadeshi and Boycott Movements
(xii) His book „Nation in the Making‟ gives an account of his political concern. He is also known as the Father of Indian Nationalism.
************************************************************************ Ch.3-The Radicals
*Why were they called the Radicals?
(i) They stood for complete Swaraj.(ii) They encouraged radical methods in politics, such as boycott of british goods, government services and titles.(iii) They believed that for any success, boldness was required.
*Causes of the rise of Radical Nationalism:
1) Non-fulfillment of the demands of the Moderates:
(i) The only act passed by the Government in 1892 was inadequate and disappointing. (ii) The radical nationalists mocked at the moderate methods of persuasion and petition as a policy of mendicancy.
(iii) The discontentment with the failure of the moderates to secure any concessions from the British government.
2) Impact of colonial exploitation:-
(i) The radicals blamed the British for gradual impoverishment of the masses, deterioration of the agriculture and industries and recurrent droughts and famines.
(ii) Increasing unemployment made the youth restless.
(iii) Famine in 1896-97 killed nearly 45 lakh deaths and Government machinery was slow in providing relief.
(iv) Tilak wrote article highlighting it. As a result, Tilak was arrested and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
(v) The Chapekar brothers killed the Plague Commissioner, Rand. 3) Impact of international events:-
(i) The defeat of the Italians by the Ethiopians in 1896 and of the Russians by the Japanese in 1905 encouraged the Indians to fight against foreign domination.
(ii) In Ireland people were launching Home Rule agitation.
(iii) Revolutionary movements had also begun in Russia, Turkey and Iran.
(iv) The victory of Afro-Asian forces over western powers shattered the myth of European superiority and invincibility.
4) Ill treatment of Indians in South Africa:-
(i) In South Africa, the Indians were subject to racial discrimination.
(ii)The Indians were denied the right to vote and couldnot enter the buses and railway coaches reserved for the whites.
(iv) The Registration Act required them to carry their Identity Cards. 5) Repressive policy of Lord Curzon:-
(i) He passed The Official Secrets Act which curtailed the liberties of the people.
(ii) The Municipal Act(1899) which reduced the number of Indian members in Calcutta Corporation.
(iii) The University Act (1904) aimed at the official control of University senates. (iv) The Partion Of Bengal which was enforced on 16th October 1905 was to check the growth of Indian Nationalism and to create division among Hindus and Muslims. 6) Teachings of Social Reformers:-
(i) The teachings of Swami Dayanand , Swami Vivekanand and annie Besant reminded the people of their glorious past.
(ii) Their teachings inculcated pride in Indian Culture and generated a spirit of nationalism.
(iii) In Bengal, the worship of Goddess Kali and Durga was revived to inspire the people to take up arms against evil.
(iv) The heroic tales of Shivaji, Rana Pratap and Rani Lakshmi Bai were narrated by most of the leaders.
(v) Bankim Chandra‟s novel „Ananda Math‟ with its song, „ Vande Matram‟ inspired the youth.
The Congress attitude and the Surat split (1907):-
(i) In the Calcutta session in 1906, the moderates and the radicals sank their differences and passed a resolution condemning the Partition Of Bengal and favouring the Swadeshi and Boycott Movements.
(ii) Dadabhai Naoroji, who was respected by both the groups, became the President in 1906; and declared Swaraj as the goal of the INC.
(iii) The Moderates were not in favour of adopting revolutionary means as
announced by the Radicals in 1906 session on the issue of swadeshi, swaraj and national education.
(iv) When the Moderates nominated Ras Behari Ghose as the INC President and Tilak was not allowed to speak, led to clashes in between these two groups. Beliefs:-
(i) The radical nationalists denounced British rule and defied it. They held them responsible for the backwardness and poverty of the Indian people.
(ii) Acc. to Tilak, freedom had to be fought for.
(iii) They believed in self reliance, self confidence and self respect as a weapon against domination.
(iv) They aimed at nothing short of Swaraj.
Principles of the Radicals:-Complete Swaraj, National education, Self reliance and to drive the British out of India.
Methods:
(i) Aggressive political actions and continuous struggle.
(ii) Wanted to cripple the British administration by using such weapons as swadeshi, boycott and non-cooperation.
(iii) Drew their support from the masses.They had a wider social base.
(iv) They rejected British rule and held it responsible for the backwardness and poverty of the Indian people.
(v) They revived the Ganapati and Shivaji festivals to inculcate pride in India‟s glorious culture to generate the spirit of nationalism.
Achievements of the Radicals:-
(i) Mobilization of the masses:- particularly the youth;For the first time, people from all sections participated in anti-british agitations providing a wide social base to the struggle for freedom.
(ii) Inculcated self-reliance and national pride by extolling India‟s past. (iii) Raised the slogan-„Swaraj is my birthright‟.
(iv) Organized Swadeshi and Boycott Movements to pressurize the British government and it encouraged Indian handicraft industries.
(v) Swadeshi Bhandars selling Indian goods were set up every where.
(vi) National College with Aurobindo Ghosh as its Principal was set up to train Indian youth,both physically and mentally, to fight for freedom.
The Radical Nationalists: (1) Lala Lajpat Rai: (i) Known as the „lion of Punjab‟.
(ii) He started various newspapers like Punjabi, VandeMatram(urdu),People (English).
(iii) He wrote various books like Young India, England‟s Debt to India, Political Future of India and Unhappy India.
(iv) He wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Swami Dayananda, Shivaji and Pandit Gurudatta.
(v) During his exile in Mandalay, he wrote his autobiography, The Story of My Deportation.
(vi) In 1907, he along with Sardar Ajit Singh led an agitation against the Colonization Bill.
(vii) Lala Lajpat Rai was sentenced to six months imprisonment at Mandalay without a trial.
(viii) He cooperated with the Ghadar Party and also started a Home Rule League in USA.
(ix) He was opposed to capitalism and became the first President of the All India Trade Union Congress.
(x) In 1920, he was elected President of the INC, and opposed the Non-cooperation movement proposed by Gandhiji.
(xi) In 1928, while leading a procession at Lahore against the all white Simon Commission, he was severely wounded in a lathi charge by a police officer named Saunders. He succumbed to his injuries on 17 November 1928. (2) Bal Gangadhar Tilak:-
(i) The true exponent of the Indian Radical National Movement; was one of the founder members of the Deccan Education Society and the Fergusson College. (ii) With a view to inculcating courage, self defence and patriotism, he organized
many akharas and lathi clubs where physical training was imparted.
(iii) In 1893 and 1896, Tilak revived the Ganpati and Shivaji festivals respectively to instill national feeling among the Indians.
(iv) He started two newspapers- Maratha (English) and Kesari(Marathi)- which soon became the vehicles of his ideas.
(v) He opposed the enactment of the Age of Consent Bill on the grounds that a foreign government had no right to interfere with Indian social and religious customs.
(vi) In 1897, when Maharastra was with famine and plague, he set up relief camps and organized no-rent campaigns.
(vii) He was imprisoned for 18 months for his suspected involvement in the murder of Plague Commissioner, Rand and other anti-government activities.
(viii) He advocated boycott of foreign goods and the use of indigenous goods as a political weapon for achieving goals.
(ix) He said-„Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it‟.
(x) Tilak was sent to Mandalay jail for 6 years where he wrote two works- „Gita Rahasya‟ and „Arctic Home in the Vedas‟.
(xi) In 1916, he started the Home Rule League in Maharashtra.
(xii) At the Congress Session in Lucknow (1916), he played an important role in formulating the Lucknow Pact which symbolized Hindu- Muslim unity. (xiii) In 1918, he criticized the Montague Chelmsford Reforms as unsatisfactory. (xiv) The Non cooperation Movement of Gandhiji was launched on the ideas of
Tilak-„swaraj,swadeshi and boycott‟.
(xv) People called him‟Lokmanya‟and Sir called him-„the most dangerous pioneers of disaffection and truly the „Father of Indian Unrest‟.
(3) Bipin Chandra Pal:-
(i) In 1876, he joined Brahma Samaj.
(ii) He delivered forceful speeches condemning the Arms Act and spread the message of Swaraj and freedom.
(iii) He stressed on swadeshi and boycott as instrumental form of freedom struggle. (iv) During the Anti-Partition movement, he took active role in popularizing the
radical nationalist ideals.
(v) He emphasized the importance of self-reliance and national pride.
(vi) In 1906, he was imprisoned for 6 months for his refusal to give evidence against Aurobindo Ghosh who was charged with sedition.
(vii) Initially Pal considered Surendra Nath Banerjee as his political mentor but gradually drifted from the moderate group and joined Lala Lajpat Rai and Tilak in the freedom struggle movement.
(viii) He was an educationist ,writer and journalist rolled into one. He wrote books on Hindu Philosophy and Indian Nationalism.
(ix) He wrote articles in „The Englishman‟,The Statesman‟ and „Modern Review‟. He also wrote „The spirit of Nationalism‟.
(x) In 1911, he advanced the concept of an Imperial Federation.
(xi) In 1918,he and Tilak went to England as members of the Home Rule League deputation.
(xii) Bipin Chandra Pal was in favour of aggressive methods to be used as weapons in the Non-cooperation Movement started by Gandhiji. He had to leave the
Congress because of these differences.
(xiii) He advocated the promotion of industries in India,48 hours of work in a week and higher wages for workers.
(xv) His economic theories are expressed in his book „ The New Economic Menace to India‟.
********************************************************************* Chapter 6
FORMATION OF THE MUSLIM LEAGUE
*Formation:- The All India Muslim League was founded by Agha Khan, Waqar-ul-mulk, Mohsin –ul-mulk and Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka on December 30th, 1906 at Dhaka. *Factors responsible for the growth of communalism and the formation of the Muslain League:
1] The British policy of „Divide and Rule‟:
(i) After the revolt of 1857, the British followed the policy of „divide and rule‟; to keep themselves in power by causing disagreements within various sections.
(ii) The Muslims were kept out of services and the army
(iii) The government branded the Congress as a Hindu movement and encouraged the upper class Muslims to start their own organization
2] Educational and economic backwardness of the Muslims:
(i) In the first seventy years of the 19th century, Islam had almost declared a war against western education .
(ii) The government declared that people with the knowledge of English would be preferred in government services
(iii) With the efforts of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Tyabji, the Muslims also took to new learning but the process was slow as compared to other communities.
3] Economic backwardness of the Muslims:
(i) The Muslims were not recruited to civil and military services.
(ii) Unemployment and poverty increased and an intense competition for jobs began. (iii) The crippling of arts and crafts in villages also led to the poverty among the Muslims.
4] Distorted manner of teaching history:
(i) British historians divided history into two parts- Hindu period and Muslim Period; glorifying the achievements of Shivaji and Rana Pratap while ignoring the achievements of Sher Shah or Akbar.
(ii) They tried to depict ancient India under Hindu rulers as the most glorious part of Indian History.
(iii) They gave detailed account of the cruelty inflicted by Muslim rulers on their Hindu subjects.
5] Role of Radical Nationalists:
(i) They identified Indian culture with Hindu culture.
(ii) Tilak‟s idea of reviving Ganpati and Shivaji festivals, nationalists invoking Goddess Kali before taking an oath and bathing in the Ganges did not appeal to the Muslim
fundamentalists.
(iii) Bipin Chandra regarded „Krishna‟ as India‟a soul;Aurobindo considered India as mother and nationalism as religion.
(i) He was a great educationist and social reformer of the muslim community who laid the foundation of the Mohammedan Anglo- Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875 with the aim of- spreading scientific and western learning among the Muslims;to promote loyalty towards the rulers and win their favours. The college became the centre of Aligarh Movement with the theme “loyalty,approval and support of the government”.
(ii) He started a paper- „Loyal Mohammedan of India‟ to convince the British that the Muslims had reconciled to the British rule.
(iii) Principal Beck of MAO College influenced upon him so much that he advised Muslims to remain away from Congress as it is a „Hindu party‟.
(iv) He established Anglo- Oriental Defence Association in 1893 with the object – to promote loyalty towards the rulers and to prevent muslims from participating in any political movement.
Events leading to the formation of the Muslim League: 1] The Hindi – Urdu controversy:
(i) In UP, the petitions only in Urdu could be submitted to the offices and courts. (ii) The Hindus protested so the British allowed that the offices and courts should entertain petitions written in Hindi in Devanagiri script.
(iii) This angered the muslims so they called protest meetings so the Hindus also held meetings to meet the challenge.
2] Partition of Bengal:
(i) Its creation strengthened Muslim aspirations for aseparate region for themselves as well as ensured their loyalty to the British.
(ii) It gave a crushing blow to the national movement led by INC.
(iii) The new province of Eastern Bengal with Dacca as its capital demarcated it as a predominantly Muslim area.
3] Deputation send to Viceroy Lord Minto:
A delegation led by Agha Khan met the Viceroy Lord Minto in Shimla on 1st October 1906 and put forward their demands-
(i) Representation of muslims in elected bodies on the basis of its political importance not on the numerical strength.
(ii) Separate electoral constituency for the muslims. (iii) Reservation of seats for muslims in the state services. (iv) More state aid for promoting new muslim universities.
(v) Preference to muslims while nominating members of the Viceroy‟s Council. Reaction of Lord Minto to the demands:
Lord Minto gave assurance that the political rights and interests of Muslims would be duly safeguarded.
Formation of the Muslim League:
The Muslim League was established on 30th Dec. 1906 at Dacca. Nawab Salimullah was the leader of the Muslim League.
Aims and objectives:
(i) To promote among muslims a feeling of loyalty to the British.
(ii) To protect and advance the political rights and interests of the muslims. (iii) To prevent the rise of feelings of hostility among the muslims towards other
Direct results of the formation of the League:
1) The league leaders were trying to cut off the muslim masses from the national movement. 2) The British welcomed the formation of the League; to provide an effective answer to the
Congress.
Attitude of the Nationalist muslims:
1) They believed that there could be no future for India unless cooperation was established between the two major communities.
2) M. Rashid Ahmad of the Deoband School urged the Muslims not to be afraid of the Hindus because of thir majority
3) Habibur Rahman founded „ Masjlis-Ahrar”[The Society of Freemen] Impact of the Muslim League on the national movement:
1) The formation of the party on the basis of religion was an unhealthy sign in the political life of the people.
2) Though the Muslim League preferred to serve the interests of its community, it actually served the interests of British rulers.
3) The Act of 1909 was incorporated to please the muslims.
4) In 1940, Jinnah put forward his two nations‟ theory which ultimately came to realty in the form of the partition of the country.
5) Because of the Jinnah‟s indifferent attitude towards Congress as the leader of the League, resulted in the form of communal riots till the partition .
Chapter 7
NATIONAL MOVEMENT(1914-17) First World War and the Indian National Movement:
* The First World War broke out in 1914, India being a dependency of the British empire at that time automatically got involved in the war.
* Indian leaders supported the war efforts in the hope that the British Government would be sympathetic to India‟s demand for self government.
* Tilak was released in 1914, after 6 years of imprisonment at Mandalay, also extended support to the British.
Hindu- Muslim Relations:
1) Increasing numbers of Muslims were now drawn into the national movement because Britain was fighting the war against Turkey whose ruler, the Caliph, was the spiritual head of all muslims.
2) During the Balkan Wars between 1912-13, Britain maintained an indifferent attitude towards Turkey.
3) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and the Ali brothers spread nationalist ideas among the muslims.
4) Azad started the Urdu newspaper Al Hilal and the Ali brothers started Hamdard in Urdu and Comrade in English to mobilize public opinion in favour of self government. 5) Annie Besant and Tilak played a significant role in bringing the two organizations
LUCKNOW PACT:
In 1916, both INC and the Muslim League prepared and put forward a joint scheme of political reforms which was passed by the two parties is known as the Lucknow Pact.
Main features and terms of the Lucknow Pact: (i) Independent unit:
1) India was to be treated as an independent unit of the Empire. 2) A self autonomous state with equal rights and responsibilities. (ii) Provincial legislature:
1) Four- Fifth members were to be elected and one fifth nominated. 2) One third of the elected members to be the Muslims.
(iii) Powers of the Imperial Legislative Council:
1)Defence, foreign affairs and political relations of India were to be excluded from the control of the Imperial legislature.
2) No bill could be produced in the Legislative Council if it affects the interests of any community.
(iv) Viceroy‟s executive council:
Half of the total members should be Indians elected by the elected members of the Imperial Legislative Council.
(v) Separation of Judiciary from Executive.
(vi) Abolition of the Council of the Secretary of State. Significance of the Pact:
1) It symbolized Hindu-Muslim unity.
2) Both the Congress and the League adopted and demanded self-government which could not be ignored by the government easily.
3) It was also symbolic of the unity between the radical nationalists and the moderates. 4) The radical nationalists, who were expelled from the Congress in 1907, were
welcomed back within the Congress.
5) It led to the gradual development of self governing institutions. Criticism:
1) It provided for muslim representation in the Councils far in excess of their population in the total population.
2) It did not involve the masses of both the communities.
3) By accepting the demands of the Muslims for separate electorates, the Congress paved the way for future communal tension.
4) It introduced „communal veto‟ in legislation when 3/4th of the members of a community can reject a bill.
FORMATION OF THE HOME RULE LEAGUES:
In April 1916, Tilak established Home Rule League at Poona and in September ,1916 Mrs. Annie Besant established it at Madras(Adyar).
Factors responsible for its formation:
1) The first world war broke out in 1914 and India was forced to be a part of this without even discussing any leader.
3) Mrs. Annie Besant entry into the national movement played a big role in the establishment of Home Rule League who derived inspiration from the Irish Movement.
Aims and objective of the Home Rule Movement: 1) Aimed at achieving “:self government” 2) To make people politically aware.
3) Wanted to popularize the idea of “ self government” through tours all over the country.
4) It raised the slogan of swadeshi, natonal education and home rule for India. Programme:
1) Tilak‟s League worked in Maharashtra and Central Provinces wheras Annie Besant‟s League in the rest of India.
2) The Main aim was to attain „Swaraj‟ by using constitutional methods. 3) Organised discussion groups, mass distribution of pamphlets and books.
4) Both the leaders toured the country and created a lot of enthusiasm among the people. Tilak wrote articles and preached in his two newspapers- The „Kesari‟ and the
„Mahratta‟ while Annie Besant in „New India‟.
5) They were also critical of the foreign policy and the land revenue policy of the government.
Government‟s reaction:
1) Tilak was prosecuted for the third time on charge of treason. 2) His entry in Punjab was banned.
3) The Madras government issued orders of the arrest of Mrs. Besant and her two colleagues B.P. Wadia and G. S. Arundale.
Importance of the Home Rule Movement:
1) Infused new life in the national movement.
2) Women‟s participation and the revival of the Swadeshi spirit.
3) I Commonwealth and New India.t transformed the national movement into people‟s movement.
4) It brought together the moderates and the radicals together.
5) The Secretary of State, Mr. Montague announced in August 1917 about gradual developments of self governing institutions in India.
6) The Government of India Act of 1919. Tilak and Home Rule Movement:
1) He established the Home Rule league at Poona in April, 1916.
2) Areas were Maharashtra and the Central provinces through six branches at various places.
3) The District Magistrate of Poona served him notice to execute a bond for Rs. 20,000 and two securities of Rs. 10,000 each but he ignored and continued the movement vigourously.
4) It was during this movement , he gave the slogan- „ Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it‟.
Annie Besant :
1) She became the President of the Theosophical Society in Madras and set up a Central Hindu School at Benaras.
2) After joining the Congress ,she published in the English dailies „ New India‟ and „ Commonweal‟.
3) The Madras government issued orders of the arrest of Mrs. Besant and her two colleagues B.P. Wadia and G. S. Arundale.
AUGUST DECLARATION
The Secretary of State, Mr. Montague announced in August 1917 about gradual developments of self governing institutions in India.
Essential features or importance of the August Declaration:
1) Increasing association of Indians in every branch of administration. 2) Gradual development of self governing institutions.
3) Progressive realization of responsible government in India. 4) India was to remain an integral part of the British Empire. Reaction to the August Declaration:
1) The moderates welcomed it as “ Magna Carta of India”.
2) The Radicals doubted whether thee government would be able to implement it. 3) The Congress and the League had agreed on sharing of seats in legislative councils 4) The leaders of the depressed classes felt that the new system could perpetuate Hindu
rule.
5) The Sikhs wanted to have one third of the seats in the Punjab Legislative Council. The Montague-Chelmsford Reforms or The Act of 1919:
Main features:
4) Dyarchy in the provinces means the subjects to be dealt by the provincial Government were divided into:
a) Reserved subjects. b) Tranfered subjects.
5) Distribution of powers between the Central Government and provincial governments.
6) Central government remained responsible to the British Parliament.
7) The Provincial subjects were divided into two parts- transferred and reserved subjects.
8) Many Indians were granted the voting rights. Criticism of the Act:
1) The system of dyarchy was a total failure.
2) British continued their policy of divide and rule as the communal representation was now extended to other communities too. 3) The British were reluctant to give their unlimited powers.
4) No time limit for establishing self governing institutions in India. ************************************************************************
Ch.8 THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT (1919-1934) Mahatama Gandhi:
He was born in 1869 at Porbandar in the kathiawad district of
Gujarat.From 1893 to 1914 the field of Gandhiji‟s activity was South Africa. To begin with his involvement in the Indian politics-In 1917 , he organized a satyagraha at Champaran in Bihar against the oppression of the indigo planters.In 1918, on behalf of the workers of a
mill in Ahmedabad, for a raise in their wages; same year he organized another satyagraha in Kheda district of Gujarat for remission of the taxes.
Gandhi‟s methods: 1)Satyagraha:
(i) which literally means holding on to the truth.It is a combination of two Sanskrit words- satya(truth) and agraha(eagerness, insistence to hold fast).
(ii) This technique was evolved by Gandhiji during his stay in South Africa and later applied to the Indian national Movement.
(iii) It is based on the twin principles of truth and non-violence.
(iv) A satyagrahi would be a person of actions who are spiritually and morally strong. 2) Swadeshi:
(i) Swadeshi means use of the goods produced within one‟s own country and by one‟s own countrymen.
(ii) Gandhiji favoured it to get rid of poverty and unemployment. (iii) It also aimed at hampering British trade in India.
(iv) He emphasized the use of „Charkha‟ and „Khadi‟to help the poor. 3) Stress on Non-violence:
(i) It involved defiance of laws, peaceful demonstrations, boycott of foreign goods and institutions, picketing of shops selling foreign goods and non-payment of taxes.
(ii) True love , inner purity and feeling of selflessness form the basis of non-violence.
(iii) He inspired the unarmed people of India to fight against the mighty British empire and win freedom.
(iv) It is not a negative but a positive and active force. 4) Faith in the masses:
(i) Gandhiji realized the power of the organized masses in South Africa.
(ii) Under his leadership, all sections of society- peasants, workers, women, lawyers and other professionals participated in the freedom movement.
(iii) Under his leadership, the Indian National Movement got a new direction and adopted new methods and techniques.
5) Doctrine of Trusteeship:
(i) According to him, the land belongs to God, so the wealth- owning classes should regard themselves as Trustees.
(ii) They would hold their property in trust for their wards and use it primarily for their welfare. (iii) He was opposed to the accumulation of wealth and economic inequality.
6) Social justice( concern for the oppressed):
(i) He considered untouchability as a curse to Hindu society and called them “Harijans”.
(ii) He wanted to spread education among women and wanted to promote basic education for all. (iii) He promoted swadeshi and popularized the „charkha‟ and „khadi‟ because it would provide jobs to thousands of weavers.
7) Hindu- Muslim unity:
(i)He led the nation towards communal harmony and Hindu- Muslim unity.
(ii) He sided with the muslims during the Khilafat Movement and they in turn supported the Non cooperation Movement.
(iii) Whenever communal riots broke out in India he risked his own life to visit the riot-torn areas and tried to restore peace there.
KHILAFAT MOVEMENT:
1) After the first world war, Turkish empire was broken up and its territories were divided between the Britain and France.
2) Severe terms were imposed on the Sultan of Turkey, the Khalifa of the Sunni muslims.
3) The muslims in India resented this and were led by Ali Brothers- Maulana Muhammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali.
4) Gandhiji saw an opportunity of uniting the Hindus and the Muslims.
5) The programme of the movement included resignation from government services, boycott of Councils, refusal to join the army, and, refusal to pay the taxes.
Significance :
1) It exercised great influence over the muslim masses.
2) In 1922, Mustafa Kamal Pasha deposed the Sultan of Turkey and abolished the Caliphate, the Khilafat movement was merged in the Non-cooperation Movement to establish the Hindu-Muslim unity.
The Non-Cooperation Movement,1920
Meaning: Non-Cooperation is a way of protesting in which you donot cooperate with the evil-doer.
Objectives: 1) restoring the old status of the Sultan of Turkey, 2) punishing those guilty of atrocities in Punjab; 3) attaining swaraj for India.
**Reasons or circumstances for launching the Non-Cooperation Movement: 1) Failure of the Act off 1919.
2) The Rowlatt Act.
3) The Jallianwala Bagh massacre. 4) The Khilafat Movement.
Methods:
1) boycott of Legislative Councils,boycott of the law courts,schools colleges. 2) Renunciation of titles and honours,
3) Boycott of british goods and promotion of „Khadi‟.
4) Demonstrations, picketing and protests against the government actions. 5) Prohibition of intoxicating drinks and removal of untouchability. Spread of the movement:
1) Eminent lawyers like Motilal Nehru, C.R.Das, Rajendra Prasad, C. Rajgopalachari gave up their legal practice.
2) National institutions like Jamia Millia Islamia , Gujarat Vidyapith,Bihar Vidyapith,and Kashi Vidyapith were established.
3) Nearly 150,000 young people joined as volunteers.
4) In November 1921, the Prince of Wales visited India, he was greeted by anti- british slogans and demonstrations.
5) Firing took place; riots broke out at many places.
6) In Malabar, Moplahs(muslim peasants) started a powerful anti-zamindari movement.
1) On 5th Feb. 1922 a procession of 3,000 peasants was fired upon by police at Chauri chaura, a village in Gorakhpur district in Uttar Pradesh.
2) An angry crowd set the nearby police station on fire, killing 22 policemen. 3) Gandhiji was shocked and suspended the law breaking part of the movement. 4) Gandhiji was sentenced to six years‟ imprisonment but was released after two
years because of failing health.
5) C.R.Das, Motilal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru considered it as a retreat.
Significance of the movement:
1) It converted the national movement into a mass movement. 2) It undermined the power and prestige of the British Government. 3) Repression failed to crush the spirit of the people.
4) It established Hindu- Muslim unity.
5) The weapons of Satyagraha and Non-Cooperation changed the character of the Congress.
6) It provided political training to the Indians to join the freedom struggle. SWARAJ PARTY
A section of the Congress led by Motilal Nehru and C. R. Das set up the Swaraj Party in 1923 to participate in election, get elected and enter the Legislature. Their main aim was to obstruct the proceedings of the Legislature from within. These leaders were called „pro-changers‟. Some leaders like Sardar Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad , C. Rajagopalachari who opposed them were called „ no changers‟.
The elections of 1923:
1) Swarajists managed to secure 45 seats out of 105 seats in the Central Legislature; and considerable number of seats in the provincial legislatures. Achievements : 1) They drew attention of the government to some vital problems:labour conditions, necessity of reducing railway fare.
2) They missed no opportunity to attack anti-people policies of the government. 3) Many of our leaders got familiar with rules and procedures of Legislative
Assemblies eg. Motilal Nehru, Lala Lajpat Rai,and Govind Ballabh Pant. In 1925, with the death of C. R. Das , it lost its popularity and that was clear in the elections of 1926 and Swaraj Party was merged with the Congress.
The Simon Commission:
Purpose/aim: To look into and examine the working of the reforms introduced in India through the Act of 1919.
Reaction of Indians:
1) When the Commission arrived in India on 3rd Feb. 1928, it wasv greeted with black flag and slogans and flags, with „ Simon Go Back‟ written on it.
2) All parties in India protested against the all- British composition of the Commission. 3) It took a violent turn in Lahore where a huge demonstration was organized under Lala
Lajpat Rai, Saunders –a british officer started assaulting the crowd brutally.Lala lajpat Rai was succumbed to his injuries.
Recommendations:
1) Dyarchy would be abolished.
2) There should be Federal Government at the Centre 3) Provincial Legislative Councils should be enlarged.
4) The Governor General should be free to select his cabinet.
5) High Courts should be under the control of the government of India. 6) Communal representation was to continue.
All political parties condemned the Report as partial and inadequate. The Nehru Report:
Lord Birkenhead, the Secretary of State for India challenged the Indian leaders to frame the Constitution that would be acceptable to all the parties in India. Pandit Motilal Nehru submitted a report which is known as Nehru Report.
Recommendations:
1) Dominion status was to be attained.
2) Executive was to be responsible to the Legislature. 3) Safeguard the interests of the minorities.
4) Proposed joint electorates with reservation to the minorities. 5) Emphasized the principle of universal adult franchise. 6) Proposed for a sovereign parliament.
Reaction of the Indians:
1) Gandhiji considered it as one of the big achievements of the year. 2) Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose demanded „Complete
Independence‟.
3) Jinnah demanded more representation for Muslims in the Legislatures and put forward his „Fourteen Points‟.
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT Reasons:
1) Reaction against the Simon Commission and anger born out of the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
2) The Nehru Report.
3) The Viceroy‟s Declaration of October, 1929-summoning of a Round Table Conference to consider the Simon Commission Report.
4) Lahore session of the Congress and the demand for Complete Independence. 5) On 30 Jan., 1930 Gandhiji wrote in „Young India‟ about „eleven demands‟. Circumstances leading to the CDM.:
The Dandi March: The Civil Disobedience Movement began with what is known as the Dandi March . On March 12,1930 Gandhiji alongwith 79 satyagrahis, started from his ashram at Sabarmati on a march to Dandi.
Main aim: 1) To break the Salt laws, it was a symbol of defiance of the laws made by the Government.
2)To convert the national movement into a mass movement.
3) Gandhiji urged the people to celebrate the period between 6-13 April as the national week.
Programme of the CDM:
1) Defiance of the salt laws
2) Boycott of liquor,foreign cloth and british goods of all kinds.
3) Non payment of taxes and land revenue and violation of laws of different kinds. Course of the CDM :1) C.R.Rajagopalachari led a salt atyagraha from Trichinopoly to Tanjore.Mrs. Sarojini Naidu reached Dharsana Salt Works.
