PPT: Nationalist Movement (1905-1947) | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Nationalist 
Movement in 
India (1905-
1947)
Page 2


Nationalist 
Movement in 
India (1905-
1947)
Setting the Stage: Prelude to the Movement
The seeds of Indian nationalism were planted in 
the late 19th century, gradually growing into a 
powerful force that would challenge British 
colonial rule:
Indian National Congress formed in 1885, 
initially moderate and loyal to British rule
Early nationalists like Dadabhai Naoroji and 
Gopal Krishna Gokhale sought reforms 
through petitions and dialogue
Economic exploitation through heavy 
taxation and drain of wealth fueled 
discontent
The Partition of Bengal (1905) by Lord Curzon 
was the spark that transformed moderate 
appeals into mass resistance, marking a crucial 
turning point in India's freedom struggle.
Page 3


Nationalist 
Movement in 
India (1905-
1947)
Setting the Stage: Prelude to the Movement
The seeds of Indian nationalism were planted in 
the late 19th century, gradually growing into a 
powerful force that would challenge British 
colonial rule:
Indian National Congress formed in 1885, 
initially moderate and loyal to British rule
Early nationalists like Dadabhai Naoroji and 
Gopal Krishna Gokhale sought reforms 
through petitions and dialogue
Economic exploitation through heavy 
taxation and drain of wealth fueled 
discontent
The Partition of Bengal (1905) by Lord Curzon 
was the spark that transformed moderate 
appeals into mass resistance, marking a crucial 
turning point in India's freedom struggle.
The Partition of Bengal (1905): Spark of Mass 
Nationalism
Division on Communal Lines
Bengal divided into East Bengal (Muslim 
majority) and West Bengal (Hindu majority), 
ostensibly for administrative efficiency but 
actually to weaken Bengali unity and national 
sentiment
Massive Protests
Unprecedented public demonstrations 
including hartals (strikes), public meetings, 
and processions across Bengal and beyond
Swadeshi Movement
Promotion of indigenous goods and boycott 
of British products, leading to establishment 
of Indian-owned factories and businesses
Cultural Resistance
Hindus and Muslims tied rakhis on each 
other's wrists as a symbol of brotherhood 
and unity against colonial division
Page 4


Nationalist 
Movement in 
India (1905-
1947)
Setting the Stage: Prelude to the Movement
The seeds of Indian nationalism were planted in 
the late 19th century, gradually growing into a 
powerful force that would challenge British 
colonial rule:
Indian National Congress formed in 1885, 
initially moderate and loyal to British rule
Early nationalists like Dadabhai Naoroji and 
Gopal Krishna Gokhale sought reforms 
through petitions and dialogue
Economic exploitation through heavy 
taxation and drain of wealth fueled 
discontent
The Partition of Bengal (1905) by Lord Curzon 
was the spark that transformed moderate 
appeals into mass resistance, marking a crucial 
turning point in India's freedom struggle.
The Partition of Bengal (1905): Spark of Mass 
Nationalism
Division on Communal Lines
Bengal divided into East Bengal (Muslim 
majority) and West Bengal (Hindu majority), 
ostensibly for administrative efficiency but 
actually to weaken Bengali unity and national 
sentiment
Massive Protests
Unprecedented public demonstrations 
including hartals (strikes), public meetings, 
and processions across Bengal and beyond
Swadeshi Movement
Promotion of indigenous goods and boycott 
of British products, leading to establishment 
of Indian-owned factories and businesses
Cultural Resistance
Hindus and Muslims tied rakhis on each 
other's wrists as a symbol of brotherhood 
and unity against colonial division
Swadeshi and Boycott 
Movement (1905-1908)
Formal Launch
Proclaimed on August 7, 1905, at 
Calcutta Town Hall meeting 
attended by thousands
Leadership Trio
Led by the radical triumvirate: Bal 
Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, 
and Lala Lajpat Rai (Lal-Bal-Pal)
National Spread
Quickly expanded beyond Bengal to 
Bombay, Madras, Punjab and United 
Provinces
Worker Participation
Industrial strikes in jute mills, cotton 
factories, and railways paralyzed 
the economy
Page 5


Nationalist 
Movement in 
India (1905-
1947)
Setting the Stage: Prelude to the Movement
The seeds of Indian nationalism were planted in 
the late 19th century, gradually growing into a 
powerful force that would challenge British 
colonial rule:
Indian National Congress formed in 1885, 
initially moderate and loyal to British rule
Early nationalists like Dadabhai Naoroji and 
Gopal Krishna Gokhale sought reforms 
through petitions and dialogue
Economic exploitation through heavy 
taxation and drain of wealth fueled 
discontent
The Partition of Bengal (1905) by Lord Curzon 
was the spark that transformed moderate 
appeals into mass resistance, marking a crucial 
turning point in India's freedom struggle.
The Partition of Bengal (1905): Spark of Mass 
Nationalism
Division on Communal Lines
Bengal divided into East Bengal (Muslim 
majority) and West Bengal (Hindu majority), 
ostensibly for administrative efficiency but 
actually to weaken Bengali unity and national 
sentiment
Massive Protests
Unprecedented public demonstrations 
including hartals (strikes), public meetings, 
and processions across Bengal and beyond
Swadeshi Movement
Promotion of indigenous goods and boycott 
of British products, leading to establishment 
of Indian-owned factories and businesses
Cultural Resistance
Hindus and Muslims tied rakhis on each 
other's wrists as a symbol of brotherhood 
and unity against colonial division
Swadeshi and Boycott 
Movement (1905-1908)
Formal Launch
Proclaimed on August 7, 1905, at 
Calcutta Town Hall meeting 
attended by thousands
Leadership Trio
Led by the radical triumvirate: Bal 
Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, 
and Lala Lajpat Rai (Lal-Bal-Pal)
National Spread
Quickly expanded beyond Bengal to 
Bombay, Madras, Punjab and United 
Provinces
Worker Participation
Industrial strikes in jute mills, cotton 
factories, and railways paralyzed 
the economy
The Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1919)
The failure of moderate methods to secure meaningful reforms led to the rise of a more assertive 
approach to the freedom struggle.
Extremist Leadership
Bal Gangadhar Tilak ("Father of Indian 
Unrest"), Aurobindo Ghosh, Lala Lajpat Rai, 
and Bipin Chandra Pal rejected the policy of 
prayers and petitions in favor of self-reliance 
and resistance
New Methods
Adopted passive resistance, boycott, and 
assertive political agitation with Tilak's 
slogan: "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall 
have it!"
The Split
Surat Split (1907) divided Congress into 
Moderates (led by Gokhale) and Extremists 
(led by Tilak), weakening the movement 
temporarily
Muslim Politics
Formation of All India Muslim League (1906) 
under British encouragement to represent 
separate Muslim interests