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CONTENTS # Topics Pages 01 Great Revolt 1857 3-6 02 Charter Acts 7 03 Govt of India Acts 8-10 04 Viceroys & Governor Generals 11-18 05 Vellore Mutiny 19-20 06 Socio Religious Movements 21-24 07 Indian National Movement Moderates Period 25-27 08 Indian National Movement Swadeshi Period 28-30 09 Indian National Movement Gandhian Period 31-38 10 Subhas Chandra Bose 39-40 11 Newspapers and Journals 41-44 12 Caste Movements 44 13 INC Summits 45-46 - 2 -
(01) THE GREAT REVOLT OF 1857 The 1857 Revolt showed the seeds of Indian nationalism, which lay dormant in the subconscious of the Indian people. The Vellore mutiny of 1806 is a precursor to the Great Revolt of 1857. Causes of the Revolt:- Political Causes Economic Causes Social Causes Military Causes The discontent and disaffection manifested in the form of revolts against the British Government were not confined to the ruling chiefs and royal families alone. Anti-English feelings were particularly strong in the regions of India. The Doctrine of Lapse, (Lord Dalhousie) produced grave discontent and alarm among the native princes, who were directly affected. Huge drain wealth, destruction of its industry and increasing land revenue The British damaged the Indian trade and manufacture by imposing a high tariff in Britain against Indian goods The British showed an arrogant attitude towards the Indians. A general alarm was raised among the Hindus and Muslims by the activities of the Christian missionaries. The Indian sepoys in the British Indian army nursed a sense of strong resentment at their low salary. Abolish of batta when they served in foreign territories Beginning of the revolt:- Greased cartridges paved the immediate cause for the revolt. The new Enfield rifle had been introduced for the first time in the Indian army. Its cartridges had a greased paper cover whose end had to be bitten off before the cartridge was loaded into the rifle. The grease was composed of fat taken from beef and pig. The religious feelings of the Hindu and Muslim sepoys were terribly wounded. The sepoys believed that the government was deliberately trying to destroy their religious and cultural identity. - 3 -
The events that led to the Revolt began on 29-March, 1857 at Barrackpore. Mangal Pandey (a sepoy) refused to use the greased cartridges and single-handedly attacked and killed his officer. Mangal Pandey was hanged. The regiment which he belonged was disbanded and sepoys guilty of rebellion punished. At Meerut in May 1857, some 80 sepoys of the 3rd Cavalry regiment were sentenced to serious punishment for refusing to use the cartridges. On May 10, 1857 the sepoys broke out in open rebellion, shot their officers, released their fellow sepoys from prisons and headed towards Delhi. General Hewitt. The officer commanding at Meerut was helpless to prevent the army s march. The City of Delhi fell into the hands of soldiers on May 12, 1857. Lieutenant Willtashby, the officer in charge of Delhi could not prevent the mutineers. Soon, the mutineers proclaimed the aged nominal king, Bahaadur Shah II of the Mughal dynasty as the Emperor of India. Very soon the rebellion spread throughout northern and central India. Places Lead By Suppressed By Delhi Bahadur Shah II (General Bakht Khan) Combined effort of Nicholson, Wilson, Baird Smith and Neville Chamberlain Lucknow Begum of Oudh Henry Lawrence *, Sir Colin Campbell Kanpur Nana Saheb Sir Hugh Wheeler#, Sir Colin Campbell Jhansi Bihar Faziabad Lakshmi Bai (joined by Tantia Tope) Kunwar Singh Malauvi Ahmadullah Note:- * Killed in battle; #--> Surrendered Sir Hugh Rose - 4 -
Fate of the leaders:- Leaders Bahadur Shah II Nana Saheb Begum Hazrat Mahal Tantia Tope Rani Lakshmi Bai Kunwar Singh Maulvi Ahmudallh Fate Imprisoned and deported to Rangoon where he died naturally in 1862 Fled to Nepal Fled to Nepal Treacherously murdered in the forest of Central India Died in battle Died in battle Died in battle The revolt came to an end with the victory of the British. Viceroy Canning proclaimed peace throughout India. Reasons for failure:- Revolt failed top embrace the whole of India, it just confined to northern and central India Different sections of Indians (Modern Educated Indians, moneylenders) were against the revolt No concrete general plan The British were aided by the new scientific inventions of the telegraph and postal systems (thankful to Lord Dalhousie) Significance of the Mutiny:- Hindu-Muslim unity Common people rose up against the British - 5 -
Effect of Mutiny:- The Indian Administration was transferred to Queen from the East Indian Company Viceroy came into existence instead of Governor General. (Lord Canning had the unique opportunity to become the Governor General as well as the first viceroy according to the Act of 1858) Lord Canning proclaimed the new Government at Allahabad on 01 November, 1858 (Queen s Proclamation / Magna Carta of the Indian people) Disclaimed any extension of territory Promised religious toleration Guaranteed the rights of Indian princes Pledged equal treatments to Indians and Europeans Secretary of State for India in UK. India Council in UK consists of 15 members + Secretary of State for India Viceroy was directly responsible to Secretary of State and Secretary of State is responsible to the British Parliament. (Secretary of State got salary from India) What historians say about the revolt:- The Revolt of 1857 is a planned war of National Independence - V. D. Savarkar The Revolt of 1857 is neither a first nor National war of Independence - R. C. Majumudar The Revolt of 1857 is just a mutiny outbreak, nothing more than that - Sir John Lawerence The Revolt of 1857 was part of the struggle of Indian Independence - S. N. Sen Civil Rebellions in the Indian Mutinies - S. B. Chaudhry ====================================== - 6 -
(02) CHARTER ACTS There are five Charter Acts and each has its own significance. After the revolt of 1857, form 1858, these changed into as Council of Acts. Charter Acts:- # Year Noted for I II 1773 1784 Established Supreme Court at Fort William (Calcutta) Designated the Governor of Bengal as the Governor-General of Bengal. Lord Warren Hastings was the first Governor-General of Bengal. It subordinated the Governors of Bombay and Madras to the Governor-General of Bengal Pitt s India Act 1784 Was named after the then British Prime Minister Placed the Indian affairs under the direct control of the British Government Established a Board of Control over the Court of Directors III 1793 More representatives of Indians IV 1813 Rs. 1 lakh allotted for education V 1833 Company trade monopoly came to an end except tea and trade with China It made the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India. Lord William Bentinck the first Governor-General of India. This was the final step towards centralization in the British India The Act ended the activities of the East India Company as commercial body. Complete end of company s monopoly trade including tea and trade with China VI 1853 Abolish slavery Open competitive for civil services introduced The legislative and executive functions of the Governor-General s Council were separated ====================================== - 7 -
(03) GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACTS The history of constitutional development in India begins from the passing of the Regulating Act in 1773. The Pitt s India Act of 1784 and the successive Charter Acts from 1793 to 1853 form part of the constitutional changes under the East India Company s rule. Acts Government of India Act, 1858 Indian Councils Act, 1861 Indian Councils Act, 1892 Important Provisions East India Company s rule came to an end. Indian administration came under the direct control of the Crown In England, the Court of Directors and Board of Control were abolished. In their place came the Secretary of State and Indian Council. The Secretary of State would be a member of the British Cabinet. Sir Charles Wood was made the first Secretary of State for India. India Council consisting of 15 members would assist him. The Governor General of India was also made the Viceroy of India. The first Viceroy of India was Lord Canning. It introduced for the first time the representative institutions in India Increased the number of members in the Governor General s executive Council from 4 to 5. A provision was made for the inclusion of Indians in the Legislative Council. (Not possessed powers of administration and finance) Legislative councils were also established in the provinces. Introduced the principle of elections but in an indirect manner I achievement of INC The members were allowed to discuss the budget and criticize the financial policy of the government Increased the number of members in the Governor General s executive Council- not to be less than 10 and not to be more than 16. - 8 -
Indian Councils Act, 1909 Also called as Minto-Morley Reforms of 1909. (Lord Morley Secretary State for India & Lord Minto Governor-General of India) It was passed to win the support of Moderates in the Congress; it changed the name of the Central Legislative Council to Imperial Legislative Council The number of additional members of the Central Legislative Council was increased to a maximum of 60 Elected members were to be 27 Principle of election to the councils was legally recognized Communal representation was introduced for first time in the interests of Muslims (Lord Minto Father of Communal Electorates) Separate electorates were provided for Muslims (ultimately led to the partition of India in 1947) The number of members in provincial legislative councils of major provinces was raised to 50 The Councils were given right to discuss and pass resolutions on the Budget and on all matters of public interest. However, the Governor-General has the power to disallow discussion on the budget An Indian member was appointed for the first time to the Governor-General s Executive Council. S. P. Sinha was the first Indian to appointed. Two Indians were also appointed to the Indian Council in England Never desired to set up a parliamentary form of government in India - 9 -
Government of India Act, 1919 Government of India Act, 1935 Also called as Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 Dyarchy was introduced in the Provinces. (Division of Powers) A Bicameral legislature was set up at the centre. It consists of Council of States and the Legislative Assembly. The total member on the Legislative Assembly was to be maximum of 145 (out of which 105 were to be elected and the remaining nominated). In the Council of States, there would be a maximum of 60 members (out of which 34 were elected and the remaining are nominated) The salaries of the Secretary of State for India and his assistants were to be paid out of the British revenues A High Commissioner for India at London was appointed The Act introduced, for the first time, bicameralism and direct elections in the country Passed on the basis of the report of Simon Commission, the outcome of the Round Table Conferences and the White paper issued by the British government in 1933 Provision for the establishment of an All India Federation at the centre, consisting of the Provinces of British India and the Princely States (It did not come into existence since the Princely States refused to give their consent for the union) Division of powers into three lists: Federal, Provincial and Concurrent Introduction of Dyarchy at the Centre. Abolition of Dyarchy and the Introduction of Provincial Autonomy in the Provinces. Provincial Legislatures of Bengal, Madras, Bombay, United Provinces, Bihar and Assam were made bicameral Extension of the principles of Separate Electorates to Sikhs, Europeans, Indian Christians and Anglo Indians Establishment of a Federal Court at Delhi with a Chief Justice and 6 Judges ====================================== - 10 -
(04) VICEROY & GOVERNOR GENERALS Name Year Remarkable Events Robert Clive 1757-1760 1765-1767 Founded the British Empire in India Capture of Arcot in 1751 (II Carnatic War) Recapture of Caluctta (1757) Capture of Chandernagar (1757) Defeat of Dutch (1757) Defeat of Prince Ali Gauhar (1759) Treaty of Allahabad (1765) Warren Hastings Mack Pherson Cornwallis 1786-1793; 1805 Dual Government in Bengal (1765) 1772-1785 Five Year Settlement (1772) Treasury was shifted from Murshidabad to Calcutta Introduced Civil Court and Criminal Court in Bengal Abolished Dual System of Government Founded Asiatic Society of Bengal with William Jones in 1784 I Anglo-Maratha War (1776-1782) II Anglo-Maratha War (1780-1784) Rohila War (1774) 1785-1786 (Acting) Father of Civil Service sin India Made Britain s first acquisition of territory in India by right of conquest Raised the salaries of civil servants Introduced the judicial system in India on the lines of Britain Separated judicial functions from the Collector Created the regular police force; placed English superintendent of police in each district Permanent Settlement (22 May, 1793) III Anglo-Mysore War (1790-1792) - 11 -
Sir John 1793-1798 Pitt s India Act (1794) Shore Wellesley 1798-1805 Adopted the expansionists and overtly interventionist policy Subsidiary Alliance (1798); I to be annexed was Nizam of Hyderabad IV Anglo-Mysore War (1799) Foundation of Fort William College (Calcutta) Took administration of Tanjore (Oct 25, 1799) Treaty of Lucknow (1801) Treaty of Bassein (1802) He converted the English East India Company from a mere trading organisation into a great political power Bengal Tiger Converted British Empire in India to British Empire of India Sir George 1805-1807 Vellore Mutiny (1806) Barlow (acting) Lord Minto-I 1807-1813 Treaty of Amritsar (1809) Sent a naval expedition and conquered French islands of Bourbon and Mauritius (1810) Conquered Java and Cape of Good Hope from Dutch Conquered Singapore Charter Act (1813) Warren 1813-1823 Suppressed the lawlessness in Bundelkhand Treaty of Sangoli (1816) with Nepal Hastings Completely suppressed Pindaris (1818) and by 1824 the existence of Pindaris came to an end. (Sir Thomas Hislop commanded the force) Treaty of Poona (1817) III Anglo-Maratha war (1817-1819) Set up several schools Battle of Sitabaldi, Battle of Holkar Introduced Ryotwari System - 12 -
Amherst 1823-1828 Treaty of Yandabu (1826) William 1828-1833 Barrackpur Revolt (1824) Reduced the salaries of the Civil Servants Bentinck Policy of non-intervention and non-aggression with Indian states Opium tax Suppression of Thugs (General Sleeman) Employed the Indians in the British companion low salaries Abolition of Sati (04 Dec, 1829) New post of Commissioners were created Indians appointed in higher posts Introduction of local languages in the lower courts; English in Higher courts Introduction of western education Freedom to Press Appointed a committee headed by Lord Macaulay English became the medium of higher education instead of Persian and Sanskrit (Government Resolution 1835) I Indian medical college at Calcutta Annexed Mysore (1831); Coorg (1834) I Governor-General to visualize a Russian threat to India Indus Navigation Treaty Charter Act of 1833 I Governor-General of India Suppression of thugs (Sir William Sleeman) Prohibited female infanticide Bentinck acted where other had talked Sir Charles 1835-1836 Liberator of Indian Press Metcalfe Lord Auckland 1836-1842 I Afghan war (1836-1842)l; due to his failure he was recalled Lord Ellenborough 1842-1844 I Afghan war came to an end; Sindh annexed - 13 -
Lord Hardinge Lord Dalhousie 1844-1848 1848-1856 Lord Canning 1856-1862 Sir John Lawarence 1864-1869 Lord Mayo 1869-1872 I Anglo-Sikh War Treaty of Lahore Human sacrifices among the wild tribes of Orissa was suppressed A railway scheme for India was drawn up Project of Ganga Canal was taken II Anglo-Sikh war (Punjab, the last independent state of India was annexed to British Empire) II Anglo-Burma War (1852) Doctrine of Lapse Creation of office of Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal (1854) I Railway line in India (30 April, 1853) Construction of telegraph lines (1853) Modern postal system The Grand Truck road was laid The Ganga Canal was finalized in 1854 Established Engineering College at Roorkee Widow remarriage act passed (1856) Last Governor General 1857 Revolt Withdrew of Doctrine of Lapse Indian Penal Code of Criminal Procedure (1859) was enacted Universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras founded (1857) Indigo riots in Bengal First Viceroy Telegraphic communications opened with Europe High Courts established at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras (1865) Extended Canal works and Railway Established the department of Agriculture and Department of Commerce He was the only Viceroy to be murdered in office by a convict in the Andamans in 1872-14 -
Lord Lytton 1876-1880 Arranged Delhi Darbar (1879) when the country was suffering from a severe famine Arms Act (1878) made it mandatory for Indians to acquire license for arms Passed in the infamous Vernacular Press Act (1878) The first famine commission (1878-80) under Sir Richard Starchey was appointed; famine code came into existence in 1883 Introduced uniform salts throughout British India Abolished many import duties and supported the Free trade policy (Seriously affected the Indian economy) II Afghan war (1878-80) Lord Rippon 1880-1884 His Afghan policy was severely criticised Father of Local Self Government Repeal of Vernacular Press Act (1882) I Factory Act (1881) to improve labour conditions; the act banned the appointment of children below age of 7 years in factories. Appointed Hunter Commission (1882) for education reforms Introduced census in India He was instrumental in the foundation of Punjab University Ilbert Bill controversy (abolished many import duties) Made peace with Afghanistan without affecting the British prestige. The most popular Viceroy that England ever sent to India; The Indian by and large hailed him as Ripon the Good, because he was the only Viceroy who handled the Indian problems with compassion and sympathy. - 15 -
Hunter Commission:- Under the chairmanship of Sir William Hunter/ The commission recommended for the expansion and improvement of the elementary education. The Commission suggested two channels for the secondary education-one was the literary education and other was vocational education. The commission also noted the poor status of women education. It encouraged the local bodies in villages and town to manage elementary education. This had resulted in the extraordinary rise in the number of educational institutions in India. Ilbert Bill:- The Ilbert Bill controversy helped the cause of Indian nationalism. Lord Ripon wanted to remove two kinds of law that had been prevalent in India. According to the system of law, a European could be tried only by a European judge or a European Magistrate. The disqualification was unjust and it was sought to cast a needless discredit and dishonour upon the Indian-born members of the judiciary. C.P. Ilbert, a Law member introduced a bill in 1883 to abolish this discrimination judiciary. But Europeans opposed this Bill strongly. They even raised a fund of Rs. 1, 50, 000 and established an organisation called the Defence Association. They also suggested it was better to end the English rule in India than to allow the English to be subjected to the Indian judges and Magistrates. The press in England joined the issue. Hence Ripon amended the bill to satisfy the English in India and England. The Ilbert Bill controversy is a high watermark in the history of Indian National Movement. Ripon was totally disillusioned and heartbroken and he tendered his resignation and left for England. The immediate result of this awakening was the birth of the Indian National Congress in 1885, the very next year of Ripon s departure. - 16 -
Lord Dufferin 1884-1888 Lord Lansdowne 1888-1894 Lord Elign 1894-1899 Lord Curzon 1899-1905 Lord Minto II 1905-1910 Lord Hardings II 1910-1916 Lord Chelmsford 1916-1921 Annexation of Upper and Lower Burma Establishment of INC (1885) Appointed a Police Commission (1904) under Andrew Frazer Indian Universities Act (1904) passed Dept of Commerce and Industry set up Dept of Archeology and epigraphy set up Partition of Bengal (1905) Appointed Famine Commission Money Order System introduced Co-Operative Societies was established Swadeshi Movement Surat session and Split of Congress (1907) Newspapers Act (!908) Minto_Morley reforms Foundation of Muslim League (!906) Transfer of capital from Calcutta to Delhi Darbar in Delhi; coronation of George V and Queen Annulment of the Partition of Bengal Lucknow pact (1916) b/w INC and Muslim League Arrival of Gandhi Champaran Satyagarha (1916) Montague s August Declaration (1917) Government of India Act (1919) Repressive Rowlatt Act (!919) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919) Khilafat Movement Non-Cooperation Movement - 17 -
Lord Reading 1921-1926 Repeal of Press Act, Rowlatt Act Chauri-Chaura Incident CPI founded (1921) Holding simulataneous exam for ICS in England and India (1923) Lord Irwin 1926-1931 Violent Moplah rebellion at Kerala (1921) Simon Commission (1927) Nehru Report (1928) Lahore session of Congress Poorna Swaraj Declaration Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) Dandi March Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) I Round Table Conference Lord Willingdon 1931-1936 II Round Table Conference Communal Award III Round Table Conference Government of India Act, 1935 Lord Linlithgow 1936-1943 Burma separated from India (1935) I General Election (1936-37) Forward Bloc formed (1939) Lahore resolution (1940) August Offer (1940) Cripps Mission (1942) Lord Wavell 1943-1947 Quit India Movement (1942) Wavell Plan Shimla Conference INA Trials Naval Mutiny Direction Day by Muslim League (16-Aug- 1946) Lord 1947 Partition of India; India independence Mountbatten C Rajagopalachari 1948-1950 First and Last Indian Governor-General ====================================== - 18 -
(05) VELLORE MUTINY In Vellore, the native sepoys rose revolt in 1806. This incident differs form other rebellions. The other rebellions were held by various native rulers while that of the Vellore rebellion was organized by the sepoys. The earlier rebellion had only regional interests. Every prince wanted to safeguard their own kingdom at any cost. But Vellore mutiny was the result of spontaneous outflow of the feelings of the sepoys who served under the Company. It was a protest by the sepoys against the Company. Causes for the rebellion:- The Sepoys were forced to serve under the Company since their earlier patrons (the native chieftains) were all disappearing from the scene. The strict discipline, new uniforms, new weapons, practice and new methods were all new to the sepoys. Sir John Cradock, the commander-in-chief, with the approval of Lord William Bentinck, the Governor of Madras introduced a new form of turban, resembling a European hat. Wearing ear rings and caste marks also strictly prohibited Sepoys were asked to shave the chin and to trim the moustache. The sepoys felt that these were designed insult them and their religious and social traditions. There was a loss a popular belief that this was the beginning of a process by which all of them would be converted to Christianity The English treated the Indian sepoys as their inferior. There was a racial prejudice. This was the psychological base for the sepoy mutinies in India during the company s rule. On June 17, 1806, a sepoy of the 1 st regiment named Mustapha Beg, secretly informed his commanding officer, Colonel Forbes, that a plot had been planned for the extermination of the European officers and troops. But this was not taken seriously. On the eve of the Mutiny at Vellore, Fettah Hyder, the first son of Tipu, tried to form an alliance against the English and sought the help of Marathas and the French. There was the desire to revive the old Muslim rule in the region. The - 19 -
sepoys were aware of the tragic end of Puli Thevar, Kattaboman, Tipu Sultan and others. On July 10, 1806, in the early morning the native sepoys of 1st and the 23rd regiments started the revolt. Colonel Fancourt who commanded the garrison, was their fist victim. Colonel Me Kerras of the 23rd regiment was shot down on the parade-ground. Major Armstrong was the next officer to be killed during the mutiny. Major Cootes, who was outside oif the fort dashed to Ranipet and informed Colonel Gillespie. Meantime, the rebels proclaimed Futeh Hyder, Tipu s first son as their new ruler and hoisted tiger-striped flag of Tipu Sultan, but the uprising was swiftly crushed by Col. Gillespie. 800 Indian soldiers were found dead in the fort alone. 600 soldiers were imprisoned. Tipu s son was sent to Calcutta. Failure of the revolt:- No proper leadership Mutiny was not well organized But this mutiny was the starting point of a new era of the resistance of he sepoys to the British rule. What historians say about the revolt:- Vellore Mutiny of 1806 is the prelude to the first war of India Independence in 1857 - V. D. Savarkar Tamils had taken the real lead in the Indian freedom struggle - N. Sanjivi Vellore Mutiny was a continuation of Marudu Brothers resistance movement against the colonial rule - K. Rajayyan Vellore mutiny of 1806 not lead to 1857 revolt - K. K. Pillai ====================================== - 20 -
(06) SOCIO-RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENTS IN INDIA In the 19th century India witnessed a strong wave of reformation activities in religion and society. The Indians were inspired by the western ideas of reason, equality, liberty and humanity. They wanted to revive the past glory and started various social and religious reform movements and tried to remove the social evils. These socio-religious reform movements ware called as the Indian Renaissance movements. Raja Rammnohan Roy:- A pioneer in the Indian renaissance movement. He was born in a rich family in Bengal. He learned the languages of Arabic, Sanskrit, Persian, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, English, Hindi and Bengali. He wrote books, some of them to mention are- Precepts of Jesus Christ, The Guide to Peace and Happiness. He joined the service of East India Company in 1805 and continued the same up to 1814. He went to England to the cause of the Mughal Emperor Akbar II for an enhanced allowance. He was given the title Raja by Akbar II. He was called as Herald of New Age in India. It was due to his effort that Lord William Bentinck passed the Sati Prohibition Act in 1829. He also fought against polygamy and child marriage and supported inter-caste marriage and widow remarriage. He tried to obtain a respectable position for women in the Indian society. He encouraged the study of English language and the Western Science in India. He was called as First Modern Man of India. He was died in 1833 at Bristol. He founded Atmiya Sabha (1815). The work of Atmiya Sabha was carried out by Maharishi Debendranath Tagore (father of Rabindranath Tagore). He only renamed Atmiya Sabha as Brahmo Samaj (1828). The Brahmo Samaj believed in Universal Religion based on the principle of one supreme God. The Brahmo Samaj condemned idol worship, costly rites and rituals, caste distinctions, untouchability and the practice of Sati. In 1817, Raja Rammohan Roy founded the Hindu College (now Presidency College, Calcutta) along with David Hare, a missionary. - 21 -
Raja Rammohan Roy started the first Bengali weekly Samvad Kaumudi and edited a Persian weekly Mirat-ul-akhbar. He stood for the freedom of press. After the death of Raja Rammohan Roy, the work of the Samaj was carried by great men like Keshab Chandra Sen and Devendranath Tagore. Due to the efforts of Keshab Chandra Sen, an act was passed in 1872. It abolished polygamy and child marriage. Atmaram Pandurang:- Dr. Atmaram Pandurang founded Prarthana Samaj in 1867. It was an off-shoot of Bramo Samaj. This samaj advocated various social reforms. It advocated inter-dining, inter-caste marriage, widow remarriage, improvement of women, downtrodden classes and the abolition of Purdha System and Child marriage. The Samaj founded night schools and orphanages. Mahadeva Govinda Ranade and R. G. Bhandarkar joined it in 1870. Ranade devoted his hole life to the promotion of the Samaj and also promoted the Deccan Education Society. Swami Dayananda Saraswati:- Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875. His original name was Mul Shankar. He mastered the Sanskrit and became the disciple of Samwi Virjananad. His motto was Go back to Vedas. He started Suddhi Movement, a ritual to convert the Hindus who had been converted too other religious earlier. His followers were Lala Lajpat Rai, Lala Hansraj and Pandit Guru Dutt. His principles and philosophy deeply influenced the great leaders like Bala Gangadhara Tilaka and Gopala Krishna Gokhale. He was the first India who preached the gospel of Swadeshi and India for Indians. He was often described as Martin Luther of Hinduism. He wrote the book called Satyartha Prakash which contains his ideas. The Arya Samamj opposed child marriage, Polygamy, purdha system,. Casteisma nd sati and advocated women education, inter-caste marriage and inter-dining, The Samaj started a number of schools all over the country to impart English and Vedic education, called Dayananda Anglo-Vedic (DAV) schools and colleges. The first DAV school was founded in 1886 at Lahore. - 22 -
The Theosophical Society:- The Theosophical Society was founded by Russian lady Madmae Blavatsky and an American Colonel Henry S. Olcott in USA (New York) to preach about God and Wisdom ( Theos means God and Sophos means wisdom). The main principles of the society were to develop the feeling of fraternity, to study ancient religions and philosophy and science, to find out the laws of Nature and development of divine power in man. Mrs. Annie Besant became the President of this society in 1893. She founded Central Hindu College at Benaras along with Madan Mohan Malaviya (Later developed as Benaras Hindu University; now it is an IIT). Annie Beasant started a newspaper New India and spread the theosophical ideas. She started Home Rule League Movement to attain self government for Indians. The headquarters of this movement was at Chennai (Adayar). Ramakrishna Mission:- It was named after Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. His vision is that there is only one God and the different forms of God are only but different manifestations. The Ramakrishna Mission was founded by Swami Vivekananda on May 01, 1897, the chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. The mission worked on health care, disaster relief, rural management, tribal welfare, elementary and higher education and culture. The real name of Swami Vivekananda was Narendranath Duta. His speech Sisters and Brothers of Universe at Chicago in 1893 is world famous. He proclaimed Renunciation and Service as the two fold national ideals of modern India and Ramakrishna Mission strives to practice and preach these ideas. He said that Service to poor is Service to God. Young Bengal Movement:- Henry Vivian Derozio was the founder of the Young Bengal Movement. He was born in Calcutta in 1809. His followers were known as Derozians and their movement was the Young Bengal Movement. They attacked old traditions and decadent customs. They also advocated women s education and their rights. Henry Vivian Derozio died in 1833 due to cholera. - 23 -
Jyotiba Phule:- Jyotiba Phule belonged to a low caste family in Maharashtra. He waged a life-long struggle aginst upper-cste domination. In 1873 he founded the Satyashodak Samaj to fight against the caste system. He pioneered the widow remarriage movement in Maharashtra and worked for the education for women. He established the first Girls school in Poona in 1851. Sikh Reform movements:- Nirankari Movement: Founded by Baba Dayal Das. He insisted the worship of God as nirankar (formless) Namdhari Movement: Founded by Baba Ram Singh. His followers wore white clothes and gave up meat eating. ====================================== - 24 -
(07) INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT (Moderates Period 1885-1905) Indian National Congress:- Allan Octavian Hume, a retired civil servant of the British Government took the initiative to form an all-india organization. Thus, the Indian National Congress was founded and its first session was held in Bombay in 1885. W. C. Banerjee was its first President. A. O. Hume, dominated the INC till 1892 as its General Secretary. According to the Safety Value Theory, the INC was created by British Viceroy (Dufferin) acting through a British ex-civilian (Hume), to act as a safety valve against popular discontent. This theory has however been discredited. In 1887, Dufferin said that INC is just a microscopic minority of the people of India. During the early years of its existence, the congress passed resolutions on broadly three types of grievances Political, Administrative and Economic. Political Demand:- The principal political demand was for reform of legislative councils to give them greater powers (of budget discussion and interpellation, for instance) and to make them representative. There was also a demand for the start of a local self-government. Administrative Demand:- Among the administrative reforms, the principal demand was for Indianisation of services through simultaneous ICS examinations in England and India. Apart from this, the separation of judiciary, repeal of Arms Act, higher jobs in the army fro Indians were some other demands Economic Demand:- The economic issues raised were based on the Drain Wealth Theory propounded by Dadhabhai Naoroji. The demand was for inquiry into India s growing poverty and famines, cuts in home charges and military expenditure, abolition of salt tax and sugar duty. The early nationalist, called moderates, believed that their demands were so reasonable and just that the British government could be persuaded to concede them. They did not want to severe the British connection but to impart a national character to the British rule. In 1889, - 25 -
a British committee of INC was formed. In 1890, this committee started a journal called India. Some of the moderates are:- W. C. Banerjee, Surendra Nath Banerjee, Dadabhai Naoroji, Feroze Shah Mehta, Gopalkrishna Gokhale, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Badruddin Tyabiji, Justice Ranade and S. Subramanya Aiyar Surendranath Banerjee was called as the Indian Bismark. He firmly opposed the Partition of Bengal. He founded the Indian Association (1876) to agitate for political reforms. He had convened the Indian National Conference (1883) which merged with INC in 1886. G. Subramanya Aiyar preached nationalism through Madras Mahajana Sabha. He also founded The Hindu and Swadesamitram. Dadabhai Naoroji was known as the Grand Old Man of India. He is regarded as India s unofficial Ambassador in England. He was the first Indian to become a Member of the British House of Commons. In his Drain Theory, he showed how India s wealth was going away to England. The British Government was forced to appoint the Welby Commission, with him as the first Indian as its member, to enquire into the matter. Gopal Krishna Gokhale was regarded as the political guru of Gandhi. In 1905, he founded the Servants Society of India to train Indians to dedicate their lives to the cause of the country. Summit Year Venue President I 1885 Bombay W. C. Banerjee II* 1886 Calcutta Dadhabhai Naoroji III 1887 Madras Badruddin Tyabji (I Muslim) IV 1888 Allahabad George Yule (I Englishmen) Note:- * All India National Conference founded in 1883 merged with INC - 26 -
Some other societies / associations:- Associations/ Societies Year Founded by Landholders Society, Calcutta 1838 Bengal British Indian Society 1843 British Indian Association 1851 Madras Native Association 1852 Bombay Native Association 1852 East India Association, London 1866 Dadhabhai Naoroji Poona Sarvajanik Sabha 1870 Justice M. G. Ranade, S H Chiplunkar, Ganesh Vasudev Josti Madras Mahajana Sabha 1884 Veeraragavachari, G. Subaramyan Iyer, Ananda Charlu Bombay Presidency Association 1885 Badruddin Tyabji, K. T. Telang Indian Association of Calcutta 1876 Anand Mohan Bose, Surendranath Banerjee Partition of Bengal (1905) by Lord Curzon Proposed in 1903 Executed in 1905 (October 16) Annulled in 1911 Why Curzon partitioned Bengal? There are three main reasons for this. To break the growing strength of Bengali nationalism since Bengal was the base of Indian nationalism To divide the Hindus and Muslims in Bengal To show the enormous power of the British government in doing whatever it liked On 15 Aug 1906, a National Council of Education was set up. A National College with Aurobindo Ghose as Prinipal was started in Calcutta. 1905 INC Summit was presided over by Gopalkrishna Gokhale 1906 INC Summit was presided over by Dadhabhai Naoroji ====================================== - 27 -
(08) INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT (Swadeshi Period 1906-1916) The period from 1905 is known as the era of extremism. The extremists or the aggressive nationalist believed the success could be achieved through bold means. The important extremist leaders were Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh. The main objective of Extremists was to attain Swaraj or complete independence and not just self-government. Cause for the rise of extremism:- The failure of the moderates to win any notable success other than the expansion of the legislative councils by the Indian Councils Act (1862) The famine and plague of 1896-97 which affected the whole country and the suffering of the masses The economic conditions of the people became worse The ill-treatment of Indians in South Africa on the basis of colour skin The Russia-Japanese war of 1904-05 in which Japan defeated the European power Russia. This encouraged Indians to fight against the European nation, Britain. The immediate cause for the rise of extremism was the reactionary rule of Lord Curzon The methods used by the extremists were:- Not cooperating with the British governments by boycotting government courts, schools and colleges Promotion of Swadeshi and boycott of foreign goods Introduction and promotion of national education Bal Gangadhar Tilak is regarded as the real founder of the popular anti-british movement in India. He was known as Lokmanya. He attacked the British through his weeklies The Mahratta and The Kesari. He was jailed twice by the British for his nationalist activities and in 1908 deported to Mandalay for six years. He set up the Home Rule - 28 -
League in 1916 at Poona and declared Swaraj is my birth-right and I will have it Lala Lajpat Rai is popularly known as the Lion of Punjab. He played an important role in Swadeshi movement. He founded the Indian Home Rule League in USA in 1916. He was deported to Mandalay on the ground of sedition. He received fatal injuries while leading a processing against the Simon Commission and died in 1928. Bipin Chandra Pal began his career as a moderate and turned an extremist. He preached nationalism through the nook and corner of India by his powerful speeches and writings. The aggressive nationalist forced Dadabhai Naoroji to speak of Swaraj (which was not a demand of moderates) in the Calcutta session of Congress. The adopted the resolutions of Boycott and Swadeshi. The Moderate congressmen were unhappy. They wanted Swaraj to be achieved through the constitutional methods. The difference led to the split of congress in Surat session of Congress in 1907 (Surat Split). The extremists came out of the Congress led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Moderates failure and Extremists success:- The Swadeshi movement was a great success. In Bengal, even the landlord s joined the movement. The women and students took to picketing. Students refused using books made of foreign papers. The government adopted several tough measures to crush the spreading of extremists success but ended in failure. Achievement of Extremists:- They were the first to demand Swaraj as a matter of birth right They involved the masses in the freedom struggle and broadened the social base of the National movement They were the firt to organize an all-india political movement Formation of Muslim League: In December 1906, Muslim delegates from all over India met at Dacca for the Muslim Educational Conference. Taking advantage of this occasion, Nawab Salimullah of Dacca proposed the setting up of an organisation to look after the Muslim interests. Thus, All-India Muslim League was finally set up on December 30, 1906. Like INC, they conducted annual sessions and put - 29 -
their demands to the British government. Their first achievement was the separate electorates for the Muslims in the Minto-Morley reforms. Lucknow Pact: Lucknow Pact (1916) is the major turning point in the Indian freedom struggle. The divided congress became united. An understanding for joint action against the British was reached between the Congress and the Muslim league and it was called the Lucknow Pact. Thus it marked the important step in the Hindu-Muslim unity. Home Rule Movement: Two Home Rule Leagues were established, one by Tilak at Poona in April 1916 and the other by Mrs. Annie Besant at Madras in September 1916. The aim of the movement was to get selfgovernment for India within the British Empire. It believed freedom was the natural right of all nations. On Aug 20, 1917, Montague, the Secretary of State in England, made a declaration in the Parliament of England on British Government s policy towards future political reforms in India. He promised the gradual development of self-governing institutions in India. This August Declaration led to the end of the Home Rule Movement. Revolutionary Organisations: Anusilan and Jugantar (Bengal) Abhinava Bharat (Maharashtra) by Savarkar brothers Bharathmatha Association (Madras) by Nilakanta Bramachari Ghadar Party (USA) by Lala Hardyal In Punjab Ajit Singh set up a secret society to spread revolutionary ideas among the youth. In Londo, at India House, Shyamji Krishna Verma gathered young Indian nationalists like Madan Lal Dhingra, Savarkar, V. V. S. Iyer and T. S. S. Rajan. ====================================== - 30 -
(09) INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT (Gandhian Period 1917-1947) The third and final phase of the Nationalist movement (1917-1947) is known as the Gandhian era. During this period, Mahatma Gandhi became the undisputed leader of the National movement. His principles of non-violence and Satyagraha were employed against the British government. Gandhi made the nationalist movement a mass movement. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 02, 1869 at Porbandar, Gujarat. He studied his law degree in England. He returned to India in 1891. In April 1913, he went to South Africa and involved himself in the struggle against apartheid for twenty years. Finally, he came to India in Jan 09, 1915 (this day now being celebrated as NRI Day in India). Gandhi s initial protests:- Champaran, Bihar (1917) against the oppressive European indigo planters Kheda, Gujarat (1918) in support of peasants who were not able to pay land tax due to failure of crops. {Sardar Vallabhai Patel emerged as one of the trusted followers of Gandhi in this event} Ahmedabad Mill workers (1918) fast unto death Rowlatt Act (1919): This act made Gandhi popular throughout the country. What is Rowlatt Act? As per this act, any person could be arrested on the basis of suspicion. No appeal or petition could be filed against such arrests. This act was called as the black Act and it was widely opposed. An all-india hartal was organized on 06 Apr, 1919. Meetings were held all over the country. Gandhi was arrested. - 31 -
Khilafat Movement:- The chief cause of the Khilafat movement was the defeat of Turkey in the I World War. The harsh terms of the Treaty of Serves (19120) was felt by the Muslims as a great insult to them. The whole movement was based on the Muslim belief that the Caliph (the Sultan of Turkey) was the religious head of the Muslims all over the world. The Muslims in India were upset over the British attitude against Turkey and launched the Khilafat Movement. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, M. A. Ansari, Saifuddin Kitchlew and the Ali Borthers were the prominent leaders of this movement. A Khilafat Committee had been formed and on Oct 19, 191 the whole country had observed the Khilafat Day (Oct 19). On Nov 23, 1919 a joint conference of the Hindus and the Muslims had also been held under the chairmanship of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi was particularly interested in bringing the Hindus and the Muslims together to achieve the country s independence. Subsequently, the Khilafat movement merged with the Non-Cooperation movement launched by Gandhi in 1920. Non-Cooperation Movement:- Gandhi announced his plan to begin Non-Cooperation with the government as a sequel to the Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Khilafat Movement. It was approved by the INC at the Nagpur session in Dec 1920. The movement began with Mahatma Gandhi renouncing the titles, which were given by the British. No leader of the Congress came forward to contest the elections for the legislatures. In 1921, demonstrations were held against the Princess of Wales during his tour of India. But the whole movement was abruptly called off on Feb 11, 1922 by Gandhi following the Chauri Chaura incident in the Gorakhpur district of U.P. 22 policemen were burnt to death. Significance of the Non-Cooperation movement:- It was the real mass movement with the participation of different sections of Indian society such as peasants, workers, students, teachers and women It witnessed the spread of nationalism to the remote corners of India It also marked the height of Hindu-Muslim unity as a result of the merger of Khilafat movement It demonstrated the willingness and ability of the masses to endure hardships and make sacrifices - 32 -
The suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement led to a split within Congress in the Gaya session of the Congress in Dec 1922. Leaders like Motilal Nehru and Chittranjan Das formed a separate group within the Congress known as the Swaraj Party on Jan 01, 1923. Motilalal Nehru became the leader of the party. Nehru Report (1928):- The Secretary of the State Lord Birkenhead, challenged the Indians to produce a Constitution that would be acceptable to all. The challenge was accepted by the Congress, which convened an all party meeting on Feb 28, 1928. A committee consisting of 8 was constituted to draw up a blueprint for the future Constitution of India. It was headed by Motilal Nehru. This is known as Nehru report. Salient features of the Nehru Report:- Dominion status as the next immediate step A bicameral legislature at the centre Clear cut division of power b/w the Centre and the provinces (States) Full responsible government at the centre Autonomy to the provinces The leader of the Muslim League, Mohammad Ali Jinnah regarded it as detrimental to the interest of the Muslims. Jinnah convened an All India Conference of the Muslims where he drew up a list of Fourteen Points as Muslim league demand. As the government failed to accept the Nehru Report, the INC gave a call to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934):- The INC session at Lohore (1929) headed by Jawaharlal Nehru passed the Poorna Swaraj resolution. The INC has observed Jan 26, 1930 as the Independence Day (Hence only, India s republic came into effect on Jan 26, 1950 though all works was finished on Jan 26, 1949 itself). Since then, Jan 26 had been observed as a day of independence every year. As January 26 is an important day in the freedom movement of India. - 33 -
Dandi March (1930):- On Mar 12, 1930 Gandhi began his famous march to Dandi with his chosen 79 followers to break the salt laws. He reached the coast of Dandi on Apr 05, 1930 after marching a distance of 200 miles and on Apr 06, 1930 formally launched the Civil Disobedience movement by breaking the salt laws. The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched on April 06, 1930. The movement spread to all parts of the country. Students, workers, women, farmers and all participated in this movement with great enthusiasm. British government arrested all the important leaders of the INC. Round Table Conference:- British came with the concept of Round Table of Conference to suppress the movement. The First Round Table Conference was held in Nov 1930 at London and it was boycotted by INC. In Jan 1931, in order to create a conductive atmosphere for talks, the government lifted the ban on INC and released its leaders from prison. On Mar 08, 1931 the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed. As per this pact, Gandhi agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience movement and participate in the second Round Table conference. Gandhi returned to India with disappointment as no agreement could be reached ion the demand of complete independence and on the communal question. The Civil Disobedience movement was resumed in 1932. As per the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931), Gandhi agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement and participate in the Second Round Table Conference. Poona Pact (1932):- By 1930, Dr. Ambedkar had become a leader of national stature championing the cause of the depressed people of the country. While presenting the real picture of the condition of these people in the first Round Table Conference, he had demanded separate electorates for them. B. R. Ambedkar is the only person to attend all the three Round Table Conferences. - 34 -
On Aug 16, 1932, the British Prime Minister Mr. Ramsay MacDonald made an announcement, which came to be as the Communal Award. As per this, the depressed classes were considered as a separate community and as such provisions were made for separate electorates for them. Gandhi protested against this and went on fast unto death in the Yeravada jail on Sep 20, 1932. Mahatma Gandhi opposed the Communal Award. Lastly, an agreement was reached between Dr. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. This agreement is called as Poona Act. The British Government also approved it. As per this, 148 seats in different provincial legislatures were reserved for the depressed classes in place of 71 as provided in the communal award. The third Round Table Conference came to an end in 1932. The Congress once more did not take part in it. Nonetheless, in March 1931, the British government issued a white paper, which became the basis for the enactment of the Government of India Act, 1935. Second World War & India s freedom movement:- In 1936 elections were held under the provisions f the Government of India Act, 1935. Congress ministries were formed in seven states of India. The Second World War broke out on Sep 01, 1939. The British government without consulting the people of India involved in the country in the war. The INC vehemently opposed it and as a mark of protest the Congress ministries in the Provinces resigned on Dec 12, 1939. The Muslim league celebrated that day as the Deliverance Day. On Mar, 1940, the Muslim league demanded the creation of Pakistan. During the course of the Second World War in order to secure the cooperation of the Indians, the British government made an announcement on Aug 08, 1940. This is called as August Offer. This offer envisaged that after the war a representative body of Indians would be set up to frame the new Constitution. Gandhi was not satisfied with this offer and decided to launch Individual Satyagraha. Individual Satyagraha was limited, symbolic and non-violent in nature and it was left to Mahatma Gandhi to choose the Satyagrahis. Acharya Vinoba Bhave was the first to offer Satyagraha and he was sentenced to three months imprisonment. Jawaharlal Nehru was the second Satyagrahi - 35 -