PPT: The Freedom Struggle and Modern Nationalism | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


The Freedom 
Struggle and 
Modern 
Nationalism
Page 2


The Freedom 
Struggle and 
Modern 
Nationalism
Early Resistance and 
the Revolt of 1857
The seeds of India's freedom struggle were planted 
long before organized nationalism emerged, with 
numerous localized uprisings challenging foreign 
domination.
Early resistance movements laid the foundation for 
what would eventually become India's first large-scale 
uprising against colonial rule - the Great Revolt of 1857.
Page 3


The Freedom 
Struggle and 
Modern 
Nationalism
Early Resistance and 
the Revolt of 1857
The seeds of India's freedom struggle were planted 
long before organized nationalism emerged, with 
numerous localized uprisings challenging foreign 
domination.
Early resistance movements laid the foundation for 
what would eventually become India's first large-scale 
uprising against colonial rule - the Great Revolt of 1857.
Seeds of Rebellion: Early Resistance (1757-1857)
The century following the Battle of Plassey saw numerous scattered 
but significant resistance movements against expanding British 
control:
Tribal revolts by Bhils, Kols, and Santhal communities defending 
ancestral lands
Peasant uprisings against exploitative revenue systems (Fakir-
Sannyasi rebellion)
Religious protests against cultural interference and missionary 
activities
Local rulers' resistance (Tipu Sultan, Kittur Chennamma, 
Veerapandiya Kattabomman)
The Battle of Plassey (1757) established British dominance in Bengal and marked the beginning of colonial rule in India.
Page 4


The Freedom 
Struggle and 
Modern 
Nationalism
Early Resistance and 
the Revolt of 1857
The seeds of India's freedom struggle were planted 
long before organized nationalism emerged, with 
numerous localized uprisings challenging foreign 
domination.
Early resistance movements laid the foundation for 
what would eventually become India's first large-scale 
uprising against colonial rule - the Great Revolt of 1857.
Seeds of Rebellion: Early Resistance (1757-1857)
The century following the Battle of Plassey saw numerous scattered 
but significant resistance movements against expanding British 
control:
Tribal revolts by Bhils, Kols, and Santhal communities defending 
ancestral lands
Peasant uprisings against exploitative revenue systems (Fakir-
Sannyasi rebellion)
Religious protests against cultural interference and missionary 
activities
Local rulers' resistance (Tipu Sultan, Kittur Chennamma, 
Veerapandiya Kattabomman)
The Battle of Plassey (1757) established British dominance in Bengal and marked the beginning of colonial rule in India.
The Revolt of 1857: India's First War of 
Independence
Immediate Causes
Greased cartridges 
controversy (offensive to 
Hindus and Muslims)
Annexation policy alienating 
princely states
Economic policies 
impoverishing peasants
Key Leaders
Mangal Pandey: Initiated 
revolt at Barrackpore
Rani Lakshmibai: Led forces 
against British in Central 
India
Bahadur Shah Zafar: Last 
Mughal emperor, symbolic 
head
Nana Sahib, Tantia Tope: Led 
revolts in Kanpur and Central 
India
Legacy
End of East India Company 
rule; Crown took direct 
control
Demonstrated possibility of 
Hindu-Muslim unity against 
foreign rule
First instance of widespread 
participation across regions 
and classes
Inspired future nationalists 
despite its ultimate failure
Page 5


The Freedom 
Struggle and 
Modern 
Nationalism
Early Resistance and 
the Revolt of 1857
The seeds of India's freedom struggle were planted 
long before organized nationalism emerged, with 
numerous localized uprisings challenging foreign 
domination.
Early resistance movements laid the foundation for 
what would eventually become India's first large-scale 
uprising against colonial rule - the Great Revolt of 1857.
Seeds of Rebellion: Early Resistance (1757-1857)
The century following the Battle of Plassey saw numerous scattered 
but significant resistance movements against expanding British 
control:
Tribal revolts by Bhils, Kols, and Santhal communities defending 
ancestral lands
Peasant uprisings against exploitative revenue systems (Fakir-
Sannyasi rebellion)
Religious protests against cultural interference and missionary 
activities
Local rulers' resistance (Tipu Sultan, Kittur Chennamma, 
Veerapandiya Kattabomman)
The Battle of Plassey (1757) established British dominance in Bengal and marked the beginning of colonial rule in India.
The Revolt of 1857: India's First War of 
Independence
Immediate Causes
Greased cartridges 
controversy (offensive to 
Hindus and Muslims)
Annexation policy alienating 
princely states
Economic policies 
impoverishing peasants
Key Leaders
Mangal Pandey: Initiated 
revolt at Barrackpore
Rani Lakshmibai: Led forces 
against British in Central 
India
Bahadur Shah Zafar: Last 
Mughal emperor, symbolic 
head
Nana Sahib, Tantia Tope: Led 
revolts in Kanpur and Central 
India
Legacy
End of East India Company 
rule; Crown took direct 
control
Demonstrated possibility of 
Hindu-Muslim unity against 
foreign rule
First instance of widespread 
participation across regions 
and classes
Inspired future nationalists 
despite its ultimate failure
The Rise of Modern Nationalism 
(1885-1905)
Following the suppression of the 1857 Revolt, a new phase of resistance 
emerged - organized, educated, and political in nature.
This period saw the birth of modern Indian nationalism, driven by Western-
educated Indians who used constitutional means to challenge colonial rule 
while reviving pride in Indian culture and identity.