INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT — FROM EARLY NATIONALISM TO INDEPENDENCE

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT — FROM EARLY NATIONALISM TO INDEPENDENCE

1. Emergence of Indian Nationalism

• The Indian National Movement developed gradually during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries as opposition to British colonial rule, economic exploitation and political discrimination increased.
• Modern education, newspapers, socio-religious reform movements, improved communication and growing awareness of colonial economic policies contributed to national consciousness.
• The movement eventually united diverse regions and communities around the demand for political rights and independence.

2. Foundation of the Indian National Congress

• The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885, with A.O. Hume playing an important organisational role.
• Early leaders included Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Surendranath Banerjea and Pherozeshah Mehta.
• The early nationalists demanded greater Indian participation in administration, reduction of military expenditure and economic reforms.
• NIOS notes that the INC helped create a consciousness among Indians that they belonged to a single nation. (NIOS Digital)

3. Rise of Assertive Nationalism

• By the beginning of the twentieth century, leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai advocated more assertive political methods.
• The Partition of Bengal in 1905 stimulated the Swadeshi and Boycott movements.
• Indigenous goods, national education and economic self-reliance became important instruments of political mobilisation.

4. Gandhi and the Beginning of Mass Politics

• Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915 and gradually transformed nationalism into a broad mass movement.
• His early struggles included the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917, Ahmedabad Mill dispute and Kheda Satyagraha of 1918. (Gandhi Heritage Portal)
• Gandhi introduced Satyagraha, non-violence and mass participation as major instruments of anti-colonial resistance.

5. Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh

• The Rowlatt Act of 1919 permitted extraordinary restrictions and detention without ordinary judicial safeguards, creating widespread opposition.
• Gandhi called for a nationwide protest against it.
• On 13 April 1919, British troops under General Dyer fired upon an unarmed gathering at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, profoundly intensifying anti-colonial feeling. (Gandhi Heritage Portal)

6. Non-Cooperation Movement