Indian Government

Politics
Indian Freedom Struggle Movements

Assistant Professor Swati Sharma

 EARLY PHASE OF THE FREEDOM
MOVEMENT
• The popular uprisings challenging the colonial rule were suppressed by the British.
• However, the educated middle class Indians soon realised the necessity of an
organised movement at the national level.
• Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Justice Ranade and Surendranath Banerjee etc. took
up the task of developing political consciousness among Indians and exposing the
exploitative character of British rule.
• As a result political associations were formed in different parts of the country like.
• All these efforts finally led to the formation of the Indian National Congress.
• W.C. Banerjee presided over the first session of the Indian National Congress at
Bombay in 1885.
• The objectives of the early nationalists were: l to promote the feeling of national
unity, and to develop political awareness among Indians and to mobilise public
opinion in order to pressurize the Government to accept their demands.
• However, very soon opinions within the Indian National Congress got divided as
regards the methods to be adopted. There emerged two groups, ‘moderates’ and
‘extremists’.
 Moderates and Extremists
• The early leadership of the Congress wanted reforms while remaining under the
colonial rule. They were critical of transforming India into a colony, excessive land
revenue the export of raw material and the import of manufactured goods and
foreign capital.
• They protested against the drain of wealth from India. They also demanded
democratic civil rights, free press, non-racialist administration and greater
participation of Indians in the administration and the legislative machinery.
• They believed in constitutional methods like public meetings, petitions and press
coverage for achieving their demands. They came to be known as the ‘moderates’
within the Congress.
• A group of Congress leaders, however, did not agree with the methods adopted by
the moderates. Having no faith in the bonafides of the government this group was
against pursuing the policy of appeals and gradual reforms.

• This group advocated that Indians must take recourse to mass politics and mass
agitation to achieve the goal of independence from Britain. Due to their differences
with the moderates this group was called ‘extremists’.
• Leaders of this group were Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Aurobindo Ghose, Bipin
Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai.
• The moderates had as their leaders Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale,
Pherozeshah Mehta, etc.
• Thus, by the beginning of the 20th century, whether extremists or moderates, public
opinion was very much in favour of raising the banner of revolt against the colonial
rule.
 Swadeshi Movement
• Sensing the growing consolidation of anti-British opinion Lord Curzon, the Viceroy,
ordered the partition of Bengal in 1905.
• The Government claimed that the decision was taken for administrative convenience.
• However, the people of Bengal saw in it a hidden plan to divide the Bengali people along
religious lines in order to check the nationalist movement.
• The partition of Bengal gave rise to wide spread discontent, and led to angry agitation in the
form of Swadeshi and Boycott movement.
• The purpose of this movement was to put economic pressure on the rulers and to promote
indigenous industries. The movement succeeded in getting a good response from the
different sections of the society and soon it spread to other parts of the country.
• On the other hand, the Muslim League, founded under British patronage at Dacca in 1906
had supported the partition of Bengal and opposed the boycott of British goods.
 EMERGENCE OF GANDHI
• With the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 the British asked for Indian cooperation in
their fight for democracy and the right of nations to self-determination. Indians responded
positively to the British call and also suffered casualties in the War.
• But the reforms announced at the end of the war in 1919 fell short of the nationalist
expectations. Disappointment and disillusionment with the government intensified the
nationalist’s campaign against the British. Meanwhile, Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak started a
popular constitutional agitation under the banner of the two Indian Home Rule Leagues.
• This was the time when Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi emerged to provide new
leadership to the freedom movement. Gandhi had evolved a new form of struggle, non-
cooperation and Satyagraha to pressurise the Government.
• His policy of non-cooperation and Satyagraha was already put into practice in South Africa
while he was fighting for the right of immigrant Indians.
 Non-Cooperation and Khilafat
• Gandhi started his political movement in India taking up the cause of peasants in
Champaran (Bihar), and Kheda (Gujarat) and the working class in Ahmedabad
(Gujarat).
• There was growing discontent among people because of rising prices and extortions
in the name of war. The passing of the Rowlatt Act in 1919, authorising the
government to imprison people without trial, provided Gandhi an ideal opportunity
to give a call for mass action.
• Gandhi started Satyagraha and the entire country witnessed strikes, hartals,
processions and demonstrations against the government. At Jallianwalla Bagh in
Amritsar on 13 April 1919 General Dyer of the British army ordered the troops to
fire upon a peaceful gathering which was trapped in enclosed garden. The British
brutality shook the nation.
• This was the time when the British Government’s treatment of the Sultan of Turkey (who
was considered as a religious head by Muslims) caused deep resentment among Indian
Muslims.
• This led to a popular agitation known as the Khilafat Movement.
• In 1920 the Indian National Congress under Gandhi launched a non-cooperation, non-
violent movement to redress the wrongs done in Punjab and in Turkey and to attain Swaraj.
• A call was given to boycott government affiliated schools and colleges, law courts and
legislatures, foreign cloth and to surrender official titles and honours. Decisions were taken
to set up national schools and colleges.
• However, Gandhi, despite stiff opposition from many of his colleagues, withdrew the
movement when a violent mob killed 22 policemen at Chauri Chaura in U.P. Gandhi felt
that people were not yet trained in the spirit of non-violence. Inspite of this withdrawal the
Noncooperation movement created tremendous self-confidence and self-esteem among
Indian people.
 Civil Disobedience
• Following their differences over withdrawal of the non-cooperation movement and
the future plants for the freedom movement, leaders like C.R. Das and Motilal
Nehru left the Congress and formed the Swaraj Party. When the Congress
boycotted the provincial elections, the Swarajists took part in the elections. They
wanted to oppose the British Government from within the provincial legislatures.
• On their part the British Government, in order to pacify the agitating Indians,
declared the formation of Simon Commission in 1927 to suggest constitutional
reforms. There was no Indian representative in the Commission, so the Congress
gave a call for boycotting the Commission. All over the country people raised the
slogan “Simon go back”. This generated new political enthusiasm.
 Poorna Swaraj
• In 1929 the Congress in its annual session at Lahore adopted ‘Purna Swaraj’
(complete independence) as its goal and launched a nation- wide movement for
economic reconstitution and political independence.
• It was resolved that from 1930 onwards, each year 26 January would be celebrated
as Independence Day on which the tricoloured flag would be hoisted.
• On 12 March, 1930 the Congress launched the Civil Disobedience Movement which
started with Gandhi’s historic march to Dandi to break the Salt Law. The movement
spread to different parts of India, lakhs of people offered Satyagraha and
participated in demonstrations and boycott of foreign goods and liquor.
• Gandhi was arrested and the Congress was declared illegal. Later on, Gandhi came
to an understanding with Viceroy Irwin in 1931.
• Later on, Gandhi came to an understanding with Viceroy Irwin in 1931. He
agreed to attend the Round Table conference in London for considering a
new constitution for India.

• Failing to get anything concrete from the Round Table Conference, the Civil
Disobedience movement which was temporarily suspended, was resumed in
the beginning of 1932.
• However, because of government repression and growing feeling of
ineffectiveness of the movement, the Civil Disobedience movement was
officially withdrawn in mid 1934.
 NON-GANDHIAN MOVEMENTS
• Many youth, motivated by patriotism, were not content with the Congress led
nationalist movement. These young people believed in violent action against the
Government machinery as the means to achieve freedom for India.
• The formation of the Hindustan Republican Association in 1924 was a major
inititative taken by the revolutionaries to organise their movement. Later on, under
the influence of socialist ideas, the name was changed to Hindustan Socialist
Republican Association.
• Chandra Sekhar Azad was the leader of this organisation. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev,
Raj Guru, and Batukeshwar Dutt were some of its leading revolutionary activists in
the 1920s
• Peasant uprisings and working class struggles though linked with their economic
and social grievances, also made great contributions towards freedom. The
Congress leadership gradually included their demands in the programme of
national emancipation.
• There also emerged various associations like the All India Kisan Sabha and the
workers unions. Parties like Hindu Maha Sabha and Congress Socialist Party,
though having a small following, contributed in their own way for the struggle.
• Similarly, being influenced by freedom struggle in British Indian States.
Travancore, etc. launched movements asking for civil liberties and establishment
of democratic representative government.
 TOWARDS FREEDOM
• Coming under the pressure of the sustained struggle of the Indian people the British
Government promulgated the Government of India Act, 1935.

• According to the new constitution, elections were held in various provinces in 1937 and the
Indian National Congress formed ministries in seven provinces. In spite of limited powers
given to them, the Congress ministries took some beneficial measures for the; people, like:
• lifting the ban on the press;
• release political prisoners;
• curbing of police powers; and
• encouraging welfare activities.
• However, the beginning of Second World War in 1939 and the
Government’s decision to drag India into the war without giving any
consideration to Indian opinion led to the resignation of Congress Ministries
in the provinces.
• Gandhi decided to start limited Satyagraha on individual basis by selected
individuals in every locality. This was planned to give expression to Indian’s
strong political feelings.
 BRITISH IMPERIAL STRATEGY IN INDIA
AUGUST OFFER 8th, 1940

• World War II began on 3 September 1939. In September 1939 itself, the Viceroy Linlithgow
announced that following the beginning of the Second World War (between UK, France, and the
USA, i.e., the Allies and Germany which headed the Axis powers) India, which was still an integral
part of the British Empire, 9 was also at war with Germany.
• Many argued that Linlithgow’s declaration of Prelude to Quit India war on India’s behalf without
consulting the Indian leadership was an autocratic act.
• Doubts were expressed about whether Britain would keep faith in the political promises made
before the outbreak of the war.
• The main concern of the new Secretary of State for India, Leopold Amery, and the Viceroy of
India since 1936, Lord Linlithgow, was how to maximise India’s contribution to the war
 Cripps Mission
• In the midst of war the British Government was very much desirous of getting
India’s support for its was efforts.

• With this in mind in March 1942 a delegation was sent to India under Sir Stafford
Cripps to negotiate with the Indian leaders.

• But the proposals of the Cripps Mission were not acceptable to Indians. The
Congress pointed out that it was impossible for the Congress to consider any
scheme or proposal which retained any type of British control in India. After the
failure of the Cripps Mission, India’s struggle for independence took a new turn.
 Quit India Movement
• The failure of the Cripps Mission impelled the Congress launch the ‘Quit India’
movement in August 1942.
• Gandhi asked the people to ‘Do or Die’.
• ‘We shall either free India’, he said, ‘or die in the attempt; we shall not live to see
the perpetuation of our slavery’. Along with Gandhi important Congress leaders were
immediately arrested.
• But this could not stop people from raising the banner of revolt against the British. In
some regions people set up their own governments defying British authority. There were
massive protests and demonstrations. An underground radio station was also set up by
Usha Mehta.
• The Government suppressed the movement ruthlessly and more than 10,000 people died
in police firings. Women participated in a big way in this movement. However, the Muslim
League and Communist Party had kept away from the movement.
 Azad Hind Fauz Indian National Army
• When this was happening within India, Subhas Chandra Bose who had escaped
from India in March 1941 led the Indian National Army, with the help of
thousands of Indian army soldiers and officers who had surrendered to the
Japanese towards India’s borders to free India from the British.
• But Japan’s defeat in the Second World War was a major setback for the I.N.A. and
many of the I.N.A. officers and soldiers were captured and brought to Delhi by the
British.
• They were tried in the Red Fort. But these trials, once again enthused the people
to demand freedom. Subhas Chandra Bose it appears was killed in an aeroplane
accident.
• ( INA TRIAL) in Indian Red Fort
 Final Phase
• With the end of the World War, India’s freedom movement entered a new phase.
• Sensing the mood of popular discontent the British Government sent a Cabinet
Mission to India in 1946 to negotiate with Indian political parties.
• The Cabinet Mission recommended that an Interim Government should be
formed with the representatives of different political parties.
• It proposed the formation of a Constituent Assembly to begin with. But this
suggestion was not acceptable to the Muslim League.
• The Muslim league pressed its demand for a separate State of Pakistan. However,
there were leaders like Abdul Gaffar Khan in North West Frontier Province who
opposed the Muslim League.
• In 1947, the British Government assured early independence for India and sent
Lord Mountbatten as the new Viceroy. By this time the Muslim League, under
Jinnah went for direct action to create Pakistan.

• The British supported this idea. On August 15, 1947, India achieved its long
cherished freedom but had to pay a price for it.
• Not one but two independent States - India and Pakistan - were born in the
subcontinent. J.L. Nehru’s address to the people of free India on this occasion still
rings in our ears:
• Not one but two independent States - India and Pakistan - were born in the
subcontinent. J.L. Nehru’s address to the people of free India on this occasion still
rings in our ears:

• ‘Long ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall
redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the
stroke of midnight hour when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and
freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history when we step out
from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long
suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take a
pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger
cause of humanity...’.
 LEGACY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT
• We achieved our long cherished freedom at the cost of heroic sacrifices made by
thousands of young men and women. India was perceived as our mother and for
her emancipation young people fearlessly gave their lives.
• In the days of the freedom struggle sacrifice for the mother country was
considered as the greatest religion. The common belief was “Who lives if India
dies”. The new political consciousness had assumed a new form of secular religion.
• Essentially our freedom struggle was an endeavor to restore our lost identity and
to prepare the ground for a new India to our ideals and aspirations
• During the course of our freedom struggle and our interaction with western ideas
and institutions our leaders realized that we as a nation could not survive unless we
commits ourselves to new secular values, broader social outlook and a liberal
democratic set up, Gandhiji’s non-cooperation and civil disobedience movements
aimed at achieving political freedom.
• Similarly his views on socio-economic and political reconstruction of India acted
as guiding principles to re-build the future India. We may particularly recall
Gandhiji’s concern for the uplift of Harijans and village centred development.
• In a country like ours which is known for its diversities the freedom movement
might have evoked different responses from different sections of our society.
• Yet, we have to stand as a nation in order to preserve the legacy of our freedom
which we achieved at the cost of thousands of young lives.