Nationalism in
india
1. Introduction
Nationalism in India developed during the
colonial period as people united against
British rule.
It was not just about freedom from colonial
rule but also about creating a sense of
collective identity among Indians.
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2. The First World War, Khilafat and
Non-Cooperation
Impact of World War I (1914–1918):
Increased defense expenditure.
Custom duties and income tax imposed.
Prices doubled → hardship for common
people.
Forced recruitment in villages.
Crops failed in 1918–19 and 1920–21 →
food shortages and influenza epidemic →
many deaths.
Emergence of National Movement:
People expected relief after the war but
were disappointed.
Mahatma Gandhi enters Indian politics
(1915):
Introduced Satyagraha (truth +
non-violence).
Belief: struggle without violence can win the
oppressor’s heart.
Gandhi’s Early Movements
Champaran (1917): Satyagraha against
indigo planters.
Kheda (1917): Peasants couldn’t pay taxes
due to crop failure → tax remission.
Ahmedabad (1918): Mill workers’ strike for
better wages.
Rowlatt Act (1919)
Allowed detention without trial.
Gandhi called it ‘devil’s law’.
Led to nationwide protests.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)
General Dyer fired on peaceful protestors.
Shocked the entire nation, anger against
British grew.
Khilafat Movement (1919–1920)
Muslims wanted to restore the Caliph
(Khalifa) after WWI.
Gandhi supported to unite Hindus and
Muslims.
Leaders: Muhammad Ali & Shaukat Ali.
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22)
Gandhi’s idea: Indians should withdraw
cooperation from the British.
Adopted at Congress session in Nagpur
(1920).
Forms of non-cooperation:
Boycott of foreign goods, schools, colleges,
courts, elections.
Promotion of khadi and national schools.
Resignation from government jobs.
Movement spread to cities, towns, villages.
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3. Differing Strands within the Movement
In the towns: Students left schools, lawyers
gave up practice, foreign cloth boycotted.
But problems:
Khadi cloth expensive.
Indian schools not enough.
So boycott slowed down.
In the countryside: Peasants, tribal people,
plantation workers joined with their own
demands.
Peasants in Awadh (led by Baba
Ramchandra): wanted reduction of revenue,
abolition of begar, social boycott of
landlords.
Tribal peasants (Andhra, forests): wanted
right to graze cattle and collect firewood.
Plantation workers (Assam): wanted
freedom to move, join Non-cooperation.
Left plantations but were caught by police.
Thus, people interpreted Swaraj in their
own ways.
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4. Towards Civil Disobedience
End of Non-Cooperation:
Movement withdrawn after Chauri Chaura
(1922) incident (violent clash).
Gandhi focused on constructive work (khadi,
Hindu-Muslim unity, removal of
untouchability).
In 1928: Simon Commission came to India
(all British members, no Indian) → protests
with slogan “Go back Simon”.
Lahore Congress Session (1929):
Presided by Jawaharlal Nehru.
Demand for Purna Swaraj (Complete
Independence).
Declared 26 January 1930 as
Independence Day.
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5. Salt March and the Civil Disobedience
Movement
Salt Law: British monopoly on salt, tax on it.
Gandhi chose salt to unite all (rich & poor
needed it).
Salt March (Dandi March), 1930:
Gandhi marched 240 miles from Sabarmati
Ashram to Dandi, made salt.
Sparked Civil Disobedience Movement.
Civil Disobedience vs Non-Cooperation:
Non-Cooperation = refusal to cooperate.
Civil Disobedience = breaking colonial laws
(salt law, refusal to pay taxes, boycott
courts).
Spread of the movement:
Foreign cloth boycotted, villagers refused
revenue, forest laws challenged.
Rich peasants (Patidars, Jats) participated.
Poor peasants supported but hesitant (fear
of losing land).
Businessmen (Indian industrialists)
supported initially but later withdrew (fear of
British repression).
Women also participated (picketing liquor
shops, salt making).
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6. Limits of Civil Disobedience
Dalits (Untouchables):
Many did not join.
Gandhi worked for upliftment, called them
Harijans (children of God).
But Dalit political leaders (like B.R.
Ambedkar) demanded separate
electorates.
Poona Pact (1932): Compromise between
Gandhi and Ambedkar → reserved seats
for Depressed Classes in provincial
legislatures.
Hindu-Muslim tensions:
Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali
Jinnah not fully supportive.
Congress appeared as Hindu-dominated to
some Muslims.
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7. The Sense of Collective Belonging
Nationalism spread through symbols,
culture, history:
Image of Bharat Mata (Mother India)
created by Abanindranath Tagore.
National songs like Vande Mataram (by
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay).
Indian folklore, folk tales collected.
Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi emphasized
unity of all communities.
Interpretation of nationalism:
Not same for all social groups (peasants,
tribals, Dalits, Muslims interpreted Swaraj
differently).
Yet, a common bond against colonial rule
united them.
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✅ Final Quick Points (Revision Aid)
1. WWI hardships → growth of nationalism.
2. Gandhi introduced Satyagraha.
3. Rowlatt Act & Jallianwala Bagh.
4. Khilafat + Non-Cooperation.
5. Different groups joined with own
meanings of Swaraj.
6. Simon Commission → Purna Swaraj.
7. Dandi March → Civil Disobedience
Movement.
8. Participation: peasants, workers, women,
business classes.
9. Limits: Dalits, Muslims, and some groups
kept away.
10. Nationalism spread through symbols,
songs, folklore, Bharat Mata
