The Making of Modern India: Indian Nationalism and Independence

The Making of Modern India: Indian Nationalism and Independence

Theme: How Indians adopt and adapt nationalist ideas that ultimately fostered the end of imperialism and make for a pattern of politics and society following independence

Roots of Indian Nationalism Nationalism takes shape in India earlier than anywhere else in non-western world Emerges over long period of 19 th century

Roots of Indian Nationalism Indian nationalism by-product of British-Indian culture contact (imperialism) Indian nationalism emerges in positive emulation and in negative reaction to imperialism

Positive engagement of British and western ideas by segment of Indian society Collaborative class that accepts reality of British power, and attempts to engage western ideas and find opportunity from imperialism By mid-nineteenth century, a new educated class among Indians takes shape

Indian nationalism also emerges in reaction to imperialism Indian fight against racial discrimination Educated Indians also critique the economic and political control of the empire in India Adapt western ideas of nationalism to their situation under imperialism Dadabhai Naoroji The Grand Old Man of India

The Indian Nationalist Congress (INC) 1 st Phase of Nationalist Politics, 1885-1915 December 28, 1885-100 delegates meet in Bombay Allan Octavian Hume Elite, Conservative, Loyal, Lawabiding

Objectives of the Congress - to define nationalist goals of educated class and build organization Congress Demands on British eradicate barriers to educated under imperialism Demands represented as national, i.e. of concern to the educated

Nationalist Ideology and Tactics A. Secular or composite nationalism - national identity without reference to ethnic, communal, religious or linguistic differences between Indians B. Constitutional or Lawful Agitation Pherozeshah Mehta 1845-1915

By 1915, Indian nationalism: Has Leadership (Western-educated class) Organization (INC) Philosophy (Secular or Composite Nationalism) Remains an elite movement Nationalist defines limited and class-based goals shared by educated across India

M.K. Gandhi and Indian Nationalism Phase 2: 1915-35 Gandhi as Product of Indian History and Indian Nationalist Struggle Challenges basis of imperialism in India Awakens all Indians to nationhood

Background Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) Cosmopolitan influences shape outlook Perfect product of Indian under imperialism The Young Gandhi

Gandhi in Britain, 1888-1891 Studies Law Meets Pacifists, Radical Thinkers, Vegetarians Writes Hind Swaraj (Indian Home-rule) 1909: critique of Gandhi and the Vegetarian Society modern civilization and India s place in it

Gandhi in South Africa, 1893-1915 Development of Ideas and Tactics in South Africa Adopts idea of Non-violent resistance Ahimsa non-violence Satyagraha truth force (power of truth in the world) An appeal to decency and reason of opponent Ideas as old as the hills

Peaceful non-violent resistance Calls Refusal to Obey Unjust Laws Moral Equivalent of War Passive Resistance misnomer Active non-violent resistance Calls for Personal Courage and Discipline Moral Force

Organizes Indians Moves Public Opinion Accepts Partial Victories Crowds Protest in South Africa

Gandhian Symbolism Returns to India, 1915 Lifestyle as expression of identity Wears Indian-made Clothing - Khadi (homespun) Symbolism to Appeal to Masses Makes Nationalism Meaningful to Masses Nationalist symbols adopted Gandhi wearing Khadi (Homespun)

Third-Class All the Way: Gandhi on the Gandhiji Express Gandhi addresses the Masses

Gandhian Nationalism 1. Nationalism as Mass Movement Associate Masses with National Identity 2. Rejects Passivity and Extremism Involvement of Masses not Mob 3. Nationalism as Inclusive Cultural Diversity of India Gandhi at Spinning Wheel

The Rowlatt Protest, 1919 First test of satyagraha Strikes, Rallies, and Jail Jullianwalabagh Massacre - 13 April 1919, 379 peaceful demonstrators killed in Amritsar, Punjab Police attack Crowd Gandhi ends protest due to violence

Non-violent Non-Cooperation Non-violent noncooperation Congress program, 1920 to challenge British rule in India NVNC nationwide program of people s action Non-cooperation represents Indians assuming self-rule Non-cooperation opposite of collaboration Crowds March in Protest

Non-cooperation includes: Hartal strike Boycott of British-made goods for Indian ones Boycott British institutions for Indian ones Renunciation of Honours and Titles Refuse to Pay Taxes NVNC as Practical and Logical Program Hartal in Progress

Gandhi and the Raj: The Paradoxical Enemy British dilemma: how to react to Gandhi Gandhi s admiration for British Indian Nationalism and Raj: Like moves and countermoves Chauri Chaura violence Gandhi s Arrest and Trial 10 March 1922 Sent to Yeravada Prison Gandhi and Indian men in Jail Cell

The Salt March Civil Disobedience Campaign 1930-35 March 1930 Salt March, 240 mile trek from Sabarmati to Dandi seashore in Gujarat Make Salt from Seawater Defiance of Gov t Salt Monopoly

Gandhi pinches salt from seashore Women distil salt from seawater

From Empire to Umpire: British Policy, 1935-45 Nationalist challenge shapes imperialism I. 1935 and 1945: Period of Divide and Rule - British policy to prolong imperialism in India A. Question Unity of Indian Nationalism

B. Constitutional Concessions Government of India Act, 1919 - National parliament - Limited vote - Indians control some provincial ministries Government of India Act, 1935 - Federal System - Central Gov t - Provincial Assemblies

Indian Nationalism Phase 3, 1935-47: The Clash of Nationalisms I. Nehru and the Congress Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964), Congress Leader from 1935 Congress Outlook: - India as Secular, Pluralistic Nation - Democracy with Majority Rule, and Minority Safeguards - Strong government - No special electorates

The Clash of Nationalisms II. Jinnah and the League Two-Nation Theory : two nations in one country M.A. Jinnah (1875-1948) - 1906-31, Indian nationalist - Post-1935 leads Muslim League - 1947 separatist

Jinnah and League s Strategy: - Make League equal of Congress - Unite Muslim support behind League Use of communal politics for both purposes - Muslims as distinct nation in India - Muslims and Islam in danger if not represented by Muslims in politics

Jinnah s use of Muslim separatism 1940 Pakistan idea (provinces in India) 1942 Lahore Conference and Pakistan Resolution Problematic strategy - Jinnah uses Pakistan idea within Indian politics, 1942-46 - 1946 Jinnah accepts separatist Pakistan

British Policy, 1945 and 1947: Period of Divide and Quit British policy to extricate Britain from India Cabinet Mission, 1946 - Transfer of Power (Independence) - Loose Federation - United India of Grouped Provinces: Former British India, Princely States, and Muslim-majority Areas - Opt out Clause for provinces

Endgame Louis Mountbatten (1900-1979) - the last viceroy Edwina Mountbatten (1901-1960)

Endgame (cont.) Mountbatten Plan, June 1947 Division (Partition) of Indian subcontinent into two separate and independent nations Congress and League Agree as Price for Nehru, Mountbatten and Jinnah Independence

Independence 15 August 1947 India s Independence Crowds celebrate Independence, Delhi

Partition Partition division of Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan (West and East) Border Commission of Sir Cyril Radcliffe Partitions of Punjab and Bengal

The End of Violence Concerted Efforts on Part of Government, Relief Agencies, and Individuals to End Violence Edwina Mountbatten among Refugees

The Death of Gandhi Gandhi Fast in Calcutta 1947 to end violence Death of Gandhi, 30 January 1948 at Delhi

Significance of Independence First major colony to achieve independence Legal and Peaceful transition of power Example for world Post-1947, project of nation building begins

The Republic of India Constituent Assembly, 1946-50 26 January 1950 Republic Day The Constitution of 1950 Liberal, Democratic Republic Universal Suffrage Federal System - Lok Sabha (People s Assembly) - Rajya Sabha (Council of States) Independent Judiciary

Liberal Rights: - Fundamental Rights - Directive Principles Separate Law Codes - for Hindus and Muslims (personal laws) Minority Safeguards End of Untouchability