Nationalism

in India
 Modern Nationalism and Anti-Colonial
Movement in India

Modern nationalism in India closely linked to the anti-colonial

movement.
Unity discovered while struggling against colonialism.
Shared oppression under colonialism bonded different groups.
Varied notions of freedom among different classes and groups.
Congress, led by Mahatma Gandhi, aimed to unite these
groups within one movement.
 Growth of Nationalism in India

Picked up in the 1920s with Non-

Cooperation and Civil Disobedience
Movements.
Congress aimed to develop the national
movement and include diverse social
groups.
Various groups participated, contributing
to the spread of nationalism.
Unity within the movement emerged
through conflicts and negotiations
between different groups.
 Nationalism Capturing the Imagination of People

New symbols, icons, songs, and ideas redefined

community boundaries.

People's identity and sense of belonging changed as

nationalism grew.

The making of a new national identity was a complex

process shaped by the anti-colonial movement and
diverse social experiences.
The First World War, Khilafat, and Non-Cooperation

After 1919, significant developments in the national

movement.

The movement spread to new areas and incorporated new

social groups.

New modes of struggle adopted during this period

contributed to the evolution of the movement.
The First World War, Khilafat, and Non-Cooperation

Economic and Political Situation Crop Failures and Famine:

Post-War: In 1918-19 and 1920-21,
War led to increased defense crops failed, leading to
expenditure, financed by war
food shortages.
loans and raised taxes.
An influenza epidemic
Prices doubled between 1913
worsened the situation.
and 1918, causing hardship.
Forced recruitment in rural Millions died due to
areas caused widespread famines and epidemics.
anger.
 Satyagraha Movements in India

Gandhi organized various satyagraha movements across India after his

return.
He aimed to inspire people to struggle against oppression without using
violence.
 Satyagraha Movements in India
Champaran Movement in 1917:
Gandhi traveled to Champaran, Bihar.
Purpose: To support peasants facing oppression under the plantation system.
Impact: Gandhi's presence inspired peasants to demand better working conditions
and stand up for their rights.
Kheda Satyagraha in 1917:
Organized in Kheda district of Gujarat.
Objective: To support peasants affected by crop failure and a plague epidemic.
Demands: Peasants demanded relaxation of revenue collection due to their inability
to pay during the crisis.
Ahmedabad Cotton Mill Workers Satyagraha in 1918:
Gandhi went to Ahmedabad to lead a satyagraha movement among cotton mill
workers.
Goal: To improve working conditions and wages for the workers.
 The Rowlatt Act
The Rowlatt Act was enacted in 1919.
It granted the government extensive powers to suppress political activities.
The Act allowed the detention of political prisoners without trial for up to two
years.
 The Rowlatt Act

Nationwide Satyagraha Against the Rowlatt Act:

Gandhiji initiated a nationwide satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act.
The goal was to protest the unjust laws through non-violent civil disobedience.
The satyagraha began with a hartal (strike) on 6 April.

Protests, Strikes, and the British Administration's Response:

Rallies and strikes were organized in various cities, causing fear among the
British administration.
Local leaders were arrested, and Gandhiji was barred from entering Delhi.
On 10 April, the police fired upon a peaceful procession in Amritsar, leading to
widespread attacks on government buildings and martial law.
 The Rowlatt Act
Jallianwala Bagh Incident (13 April 1919):
On 13 April, General Dyer ordered troops to open fire on a
crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar.
Hundreds were killed, and the incident aimed to create terror
among satyagrahis.
The massacre triggered strikes, clashes with police, and
attacks on government buildings.

Aftermath and the Need for a Broader Movement:

Protests erupted in various north Indian towns, met with brutal
government repression.
Mahatma Gandhi called off the movement, realizing the need
for a broader-based movement that would unite Hindus and
Muslims.
 The Rowlatt Act

Uniting Hindus and Muslims Through the Khilafat Issue:

Mahatma Gandhi saw an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims by
addressing the Khilafat issue.
Concerns arose regarding the harsh peace treaty imposed on defeated
Ottoman Turkey.
The Khilafat Committee was formed in Bombay, and leaders like Muhammad
Ali and Shaukat Ali discussed mass action with Gandhiji.
At the Calcutta Congress session in September 1920, leaders agreed to start a
non-cooperation movement in support of Khilafat and swaraj (self-rule).
 Why Non-Cooperation?
Mahatma Gandhi believed that British rule in India survived due to the
cooperation of Indians.
He proposed that if Indians refused to cooperate, British rule would collapse
within a year, leading to swaraj (self-rule).
Gandhi suggested a staged approach to the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Gandhi leading non-cooperation movement

 Non-Cooperation movement
Gandhi's Proposal for a Non-Cooperation Movement:
Stage 1: Surrender government-awarded titles, boycott civil services,
army, police, courts, legislative councils, schools, and foreign goods.
Stage 2: Launch a full civil disobedience campaign if the government
used repression.

Concerns and Opposition within the Congress:

Many Congress members were concerned about potential violence
and were reluctant to boycott council elections.
An intense debate within the Congress regarding the movement took
place from September to December 1920.
 Non-Cooperation movement
Economic Effects:
Foreign goods were boycotted, and foreign cloth was burned.
The import of foreign cloth dropped significantly.
Many merchants and traders refused to deal in foreign goods.
Indian textile mills and handloom production increased.
 Non-Cooperation movement

Challenges and Slowdown:

Challenges included the higher cost of Khadi cloth compared to mass-
produced mill cloth.
Alternative Indian institutions were slow to develop.
Students and teachers began returning to government schools.
Lawyers resumed their work in government courts.
 Rebellion in the Countryside
Non-Cooperation Movement in the Countryside:
The movement spread from cities to rural regions, involving struggles of
peasants and tribals.
In Awadh, the peasant movement was led by Baba Ramchandra, a
former indentured laborer in Fiji.
Peasants protested against high rents, various cesses, and forced labor
(begar) imposed by landlords.
Their demands included reduced revenue, abolition of begar, and a
social boycott of oppressive landlords.
The Oudh Kisan Sabha was formed in October 1920, with Jawaharlal
Nehru and Baba Ramchandra at the helm.
The Congress aimed to integrate the Awadh peasant struggle into the
Non-Cooperation Movement.
 Rebellion in the Countryside
Peasant Movement and Congress Leadership:
The peasant movement took forms that Congress leadership did not necessarily
approve of.
Activities included attacks on the houses of landlords and merchants, taking over
grain hoards, and rumors of land redistribution.
Mahatma Gandhi's name was invoked to justify these actions and aspirations.
 Rebellion in the Countryside
Tribal Peasants and Swaraj Interpretation:
In the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh, a guerrilla movement emerged in the
early 1920s.
The colonial government restricted access to forest resources, negatively
impacting livelihoods and traditional rights.
Hill people revolted against forced labor (begar) for road building.
Alluri Sitaram Raju emerged as a leader, claiming special powers and a
connection to Mahatma Gandhi.
While he encouraged wearing khadi and giving up drinking, he advocated
for the use of force to achieve swaraj (independence).
Guerrilla warfare was employed against British officials and police stations
in pursuit of independence.
Raju was captured and executed in 1924, becoming a folk hero.
 Swaraj in the Plantations
Plantation workers in Assam associated freedom with the right to move
freely and maintain ties with their villages.

The Inland Emigration Act of 1859 restricted their movement, confining

them to tea gardens.

During the Non-Cooperation Movement, thousands of workers defied

authorities, left plantations, and hoped to receive land upon Gandhi Rai's
arrival.

A railway and steamer strike prevented these workers from reaching

their destinations, and they were apprehended and beaten by the police.
 Swaraj in the Plantations
Visions of Swaraj:
Movements in Assam were not dictated by Congress
programs; instead, workers interpreted swaraj in their
own ways.
They envisioned a future free from suffering and
troubles.
Emotional Connection to All-India Agitation:
Tribals chanted Gandhi's name and demanded
'Swatantra Bharat,' displaying their emotional
connection to a larger movement.
They identified with a movement beyond their
immediate locality when acting in Gandhi's name or
linking their actions to the Congress.
 Towards Civil Disobedience

In February 1922, Mahatma Gandhi withdrew the Non-

Cooperation Movement due to escalating violence.
Gandhi believed that satyagrahis needed proper training before
participating in mass struggles.
The Swaraj Party was formed by Congress leaders like C.R. Das
and Motilal Nehru, who aimed to participate in provincial council
elections.
Younger leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas
Chandra Bose, advocated for more radical mass agitation and
complete independence.
 Towards Civil Disobedience

Impact of Worldwide Economic Depression:

Agricultural prices declined from 1926, leading to a drop in exports and
difficulties for peasants in paying their revenue.
By 1930, the Indian countryside was in turmoil due to the economic
depression.
Simon Commission and Opposition:
The British Tory government established the Simon Commission to review
the constitutional system in India.
The commission faced opposition in India because it had no Indian
members, resulting in protests with the slogan 'Go back Simon.'
All parties, including the Congress and the Muslim League, participated in
demonstrations against the commission.
 Towards Civil Disobedience
Viceroy's Offer and Demand for Purna Swaraj:
Viceroy Lord Irwin announced a vague offer of 'dominion
status' for India and a Round Table Conference in October
1929.
This offer did not satisfy Congress leaders, and radicals like
Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose became
more assertive.
In December 1929, the Lahore Congress, under Nehru's
presidency, formalized the demand for 'Purna Swaraj' or full
independence for India.
January 26, 1930, was declared as Independence Day,
although celebrations received limited attention.
Mahatma Gandhi sought to connect the concept of
freedom to everyday life issues to make it more relatable.
The Salt March & the Civil Disobedience Movement
Gandhi sent a letter on January 31, 1930, with eleven demands, the most
significant being the abolition of the salt tax.
If the demands were not met by March 11, the Congress would launch a civil
disobedience campaign.
Viceroy Irwin refused to negotiate, leading to the start of the Salt March.
The Salt March involved Gandhi and 78 volunteers marching 240 miles from
Sabarmati to Dandi over 24 days.
Thousands gathered to hear Gandhi's speeches on swaraj and peaceful
defiance.
On April 6, Gandhi reached Dandi and broke the law by making salt from
seawater.
The Civil Disobedience Movement differed from the Non-Cooperation Movement
as it called for breaking colonial laws.
The Salt March & the Civil Disobedience Movement
Thousands broke the salt law, boycotted foreign cloth, and picketed liquor shops.
Peasants refused to pay taxes, village officials resigned, and forest people violated
forest laws.
Colonial government arrested Congress leaders, leading to violent clashes and
repressive measures.
Gandhi called off the movement and participated in the Round Table Conference in
London, leading to the release of political prisoners.
Negotiations in London broke down, and Gandhi returned to India disappointed,
relaunching the movement.
The Civil Disobedience Movement continued for over a year but lost momentum by
1934.
Gandhi's efforts remained a significant part of India's struggle for independence.
 Participation of Different Social Groups in the
Civil Disobedience Movement
1.Rich peasant communities (Patidars of Gujarat, Jats of Uttar Pradesh):
Affected by trade depression and falling prices.
Supported the movement to fight high revenues.
Disappointed when the movement was called off without revenue rate
revision.

2.Poorer peasantry:
Struggled with rent payments to landlords.
Joined radical movements led by Socialists and Communists.
Had an uncertain relationship with Congress due to Congress' reluctance to
support 'no rent' campaigns.
 Participation of Different Social Groups in the
Civil Disobedience Movement
3.Role of the Business Classes - Indian merchants and industrialists:
Made significant profits during World War I.
Initially supported the movement but became apprehensive later.
Formed organizations like the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress
(1920) and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI)
(1927).

4.Involvement of Industrial Working Class:

Limited participation in the movement.
Some workers participated in boycotting foreign goods, strikes, and protests.
Congress was reluctant to include workers' demands in its program.
 Participation of Different Social Groups in the
Civil Disobedience Movement
5.Participation of Women in the Movement:
Large-scale participation in various activities.
Participated in listening to Gandhi, protest marches,
manufacturing salt, and picketing liquor shops.
Women from high-caste urban families and rich
peasant rural households participated.
Women saw service to the nation as a sacred duty.
There was limited change in the position of women,
as Gandhi believed their primary duty was in the
home, and Congress was reluctant to allow women in
positions of authority within the organization.
 The Limits of Civil Disobedience
1.Dalits' Concerns:
Untouchables (dalits) felt ignored by the Congress due to fear of offending
conservative high-caste Hindus.

Gandhi aimed to eliminate untouchability, advocating for their rights to public

spaces and amenities.

Many dalit leaders sought political solutions such as reserved seats in

educational institutions and separate electorates.

Despite Gandhi's efforts, dalit participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement

remained limited.
 The Limits of Civil Disobedience

2.Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Depressed Classes

Association:
Ambedkar organized the dalits into the Depressed
Classes Association in 1930, demanding separate
electorates at the second Round Table Conference.
Ambedkar agreed to the Poona Pact, providing
reserved seats for Depressed Classes but with a
general electorate.
 The Limits of Civil Disobedience

3.Muslim Response:
Many Muslim organizations felt alienated from the Congress, partly due to Congress's
association with Hindu nationalist groups and communal clashes.
Efforts to forge unity between Congress and the Muslim League failed over
disagreements on representation in future assemblies.
Suspicion and distrust between Hindus and Muslims deepened, with large sections of
Muslims not responding to the call for a united struggle during the Civil Disobedience
Movement.
 The Sense of Collective Belonging
1.Foundations of Nationalism:
Nationalism spreads when people believe they
are part of the same nation, developing through
shared experiences and cultural processes.
History, fiction, folklore, songs, popular prints, and
symbols contribute to nationalism.

2.Visual Symbols of National Identity:

In the twentieth century, India's identity was
associated with the image of Bharat Mata,
created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
The image evolved over time and devotion to it
signified nationalism. Bharat mata
 The Sense of Collective Belonging
3.Revival of Indian Folklore:
Nationalists recorded folk tales, songs, and legends to preserve traditional
culture, with figures like Rabindranath Tagore and Natesa Sastri playing a role.
Folklore was considered national literature and a representation of people's true
thoughts and characteristics.
4.Icons and Symbols in Unifying People:
Nationalist leaders used icons and symbols to inspire unity and nationalism,
including the tricolour flag designed during the Swadeshi movement.
Reinterpretation of history aimed to instill pride in the nation by focusing on
glorious achievements in ancient times and colonial decline.
5.Issues in Unifying People:
When the glorified past was predominantly Hindu, people of other communities
felt excluded.
The challenge was to create a sense of unity while maintaining India's diverse
cultural identity.
The Sense of Collective Belonging
 Conclusion

In the first half of the twentieth century, various Indian groups and
classes came together for the struggle for independence.

The Congress, under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership, attempted to

resolve differences to ensure that one group's demands did not
alienate another.

India was emerging as a nation with many voices seeking freedom

from colonial rule.
Thank You