Nationalist Movements | General Knowledge Encyclopedia - Class 8 PDF Download

Revolt of 1857

• The Revolt of 1857, which commenced on May 10, 1857, in Meerut, marked the first significant uprising against the rule of the East India Company in India. While it aimed for independence, the revolt ultimately failed to achieve its goal. 
• Nevertheless, its profound impact on the public sentiment fueled the subsequent Independence Movement in India. Mangal Pandey, a crucial figure in the revolution, played a central role by openly rebelling against his superiors and firing the initial shot at a British officer.

Swadeshi Boycott Movement

• At the start of the 20th century, the British announced the partition of Bengal with the intention of undermining the unity of Indian nationalists. In response to this divisive move, the Swadeshi Boycott Movement emerged around 1903. 
• However, it was formally declared in July 1905 and became fully effective from October 1905. This movement was a significant reaction against the partition of Bengal and aimed to promote self-reliance and boycott of British goods as part of the nationalist cause.

It was bifurcated into two major phases:

Anti-Partition Movement 

• Led by moderates like Surendranath Benerjee, K.K.Mitra and Dada Bhai Naraoji, the initial stage of this Indian National Movement took place from 1903-1905. 
• The Anti-partition movement was carried out through public meetings, memoranda, petitions etc.

Swadeshi and Boycott Movement

• From 1905 to 1908, the Swadeshi and Boycott movement was started by extremists like Bipin Chandra Pal, Tila, Lala Lajpat Rai and Aurobindo Ghosh. 
• The general public was asked to refrain from the use of foreign goods and motivated to substitute them with the Indian homemade goods. 
• Prominent events like Indian festivals, songs, poetries and paintings were used to propagate this Indian national movement.

Home Rule League Movement 

The Indian National movement, aimed at instilling a sense of self-governance among the common people, ran parallel to a similar movement in Ireland. Newspapers, posters, and pamphlets played a crucial role in disseminating these ideas, and the following leagues were instrumental in promoting the Home Rule League Movement:

• The Bal Gangadhar Tilak League was established in April 1916 and expanded its influence to regions such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Berar, and Central Provinces.
• Annie Besant's League was founded in September 1916 and operated in various other parts of the country.

Both these leagues played pivotal roles in advocating for home rule and empowering the people to strive for self-governance in India.

Satyagraha

• In 1917, Mahatma Gandhi spearheaded the inaugural Satyagraha Movement in the Champaran District of Bihar, India. 
• This region was plagued by tens of thousands of landless serfs, including suppressed Indigo cultivators. The catalyst for this movement was Pandit Raj Kumar Shukla, who convinced Gandhi to take the lead. 
• The success of the Champaran Satyagraha paved the way for subsequent Satyagraha Movements in different parts of the country.

Khilafat Non-Cooperation Movement 

The Non-Cooperation Movement emerged as a significant and renowned phase in India's struggle for freedom against British rule.
It was driven by several key factors:

• The mistreatment of the Khalifa, the spiritual leader of Muslims, by the British authorities deeply angered the Muslim community in India and worldwide.
• The deteriorating economic conditions in the country, combined with major incidents like the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and the implementation of the Rowlatt Act, fueled the growing momentum for a pivotal Indian national movement.

The Khilafat Committee officially launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in August 1920, and subsequently, the Indian National Congress adopted it during their Nagpur session in December 1920. The movement called for a complete boycott of British goods, government institutions, schools, colleges, and encouraged the use of national schools and khadi (homespun cotton) products.
However, the movement took a tragic turn on February 5, 1922, with the Chauri Chaura incident, where a police station was set on fire, resulting in the death of 22 policemen. In response, Mahatma Gandhi called off the Non-Cooperation Movement to avoid further violence and bloodshed. Despite its premature end, the movement left a lasting impact on India's freedom struggle and fueled the determination of the Indian people to fight for their independence.

Civil Disobedience Movement

One of the most prominent Indian national movements, the Civil Disobedience phase is classified into two stages:

First Civil Disobedience Movement

•  The Civil Disobedience Movement, initiated by Mahatma Gandhi on March 12, 1930, alongside the Dandi March, concluded on April 6 when Gandhi violated the Salt Law by making salt at Dandi. Following this, the movement was carried forward by C. Rajagopalachari.
• The movement saw active participation from various segments of society, including women, peasants, and merchants. As the movement spread across the country, it led to events like the salt satyagraha, no-tax movement, and no-rent movement.
• However, in March 1931, the Civil Disobedience Movement was called off due to the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, which led to its withdrawal. Despite its conclusion, the movement had a profound impact and demonstrated the strength of nonviolent resistance in India's struggle for independence.

Second Civil Disobedience Movement

• The unsuccessful outcome of the second roundtable conference paved the way for the commencement of the second Civil Disobedience Movement, which spanned from December 1931 to April 1934. During this period, various forms of protests took place, including demonstrations outside liquor stores, salt satyagraha, and violations of forest laws.
• However, the British Government had prior knowledge of these forthcoming events and responded by imposing martial law, along with prohibiting gatherings outside Gandhi's Ashrams. Despite the challenges and restrictions, the movement persisted, showcasing the resilience and determination of the Indian people in their struggle for independence.

Quit India Movement

The Quit India Movement of 1942, which emerged as a potent Indian National Movement, was primarily triggered by two key factors:

• The rejection of the Cripps proposal served as a wake-up call for the Indian population. The failure of the proposal heightened their desire for freedom and intensified their determination to fight for independence.
• The general public's dissatisfaction with the hardships imposed by World War II also played a significant role in fueling the movement. The difficulties faced by the people during the war years further galvanized their resolve to push for complete independence from British rule.