Previous Year Questions Asked In Mains From This Topic
- To what extent did the role of the Moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement? Comment. [2021]
- Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. [2021]
- Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movements. [2020]
- Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss. [2020]
- Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elaborate. [2019]
- Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase. [2016]
- Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom. [2016]
- Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. [2013]
- Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom. [2014]
Various stages during The Freedom Struggle of India:
The Freedom Struggle of India was a long and arduous journey spanning several decades, characterized by various important stages and milestones. Some of the significant stages that shaped the course of the Indian independence movement:
Early Nationalism: The early stages of the freedom struggle can be traced back to the late 19th century, marked by the emergence of Indian nationalist sentiments against British colonial rule. Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee and others played a crucial role in fostering a sense of national unity and political awareness among Indians.
Moderates and Extremists: The Indian National Congress (INC), founded in 1885, became the primary political organization advocating for Indian rights. In the early years, the moderates, including leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji, sought constitutional reforms and gradual progress within the British framework. However, the rise of extremist leaders, such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal, brought a more assertive and radical approach to the struggle.
Partition of Bengal: The partition of Bengal in 1905 by the British government was a significant catalyst for the freedom movement. The move was seen as a divisive policy aimed at weakening nationalist forces. It sparked widespread protests, boycotts, and acts of civil disobedience, contributing to a sense of unity among Indians and fostering a spirit of resistance.
Home Rule Movement in India: It was initiated by Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1916. The movement aimed to demand self-government or “Home Rule” within the British Empire. It sought to mobilize Indians across different regions and communities to work collectively for their political rights. The Home Rule Leagues were established in various parts of the country, advocating for Swaraj (self-rule) and promoting nationalist sentiments. The movement played a crucial role in fostering political consciousness, encouraging mass participation, and laying the groundwork for subsequent independence movements in India.
Non-Cooperation Movement: The Non-Cooperation Movement, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, was a turning point in the freedom struggle. It advocated nonviolent resistance, boycotting British institutions, and promoting Indian self-reliance. The movement garnered mass participation, highlighting the power of nonviolent civil disobedience as a tool for political change.
Civil Disobedience Movement: The Civil Disobedience Movement, initiated by Gandhi in 1930, aimed to challenge British salt laws and tax policies. Gandhi’s Salt March to Dandi, where he symbolically broke the salt laws, captured international attention and inspired widespread civil disobedience across India. The movement brought millions of Indians into the struggle and showcased the determination and resilience of the Indian people.
Quit India Movement: The Quit India Movement, launched by the INC under Gandhi’s leadership in 1942, called for the immediate withdrawal of the British from India. It was a mass movement marked by strikes, protests, and acts of sabotage. The British responded with repression, leading to widespread arrests and violence. However, the movement galvanized the Indian masses and further weakened British control.
Partition and Independence: The struggle for independence reached its climax with the partition of India and the subsequent independence on August 15, 1947. The partition resulted in the creation of India and Pakistan as separate nations, leading to communal violence and mass migration. The freedom struggle concluded with the efforts of leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and countless others who worked to establish a democratic framework for independent India.
These stages, among others, were instrumental in shaping the course of the Indian freedom struggle. The collective efforts of various leaders, organizations, and millions of Indians laid the foundation for the eventual independence of the country.
Important Contributors /Contributions From Different Parts Of India During Freedom Struggle:
During the freedom struggle in India, several important contributors from different parts of the country played significant roles in the fight for independence. Some key individuals and their contributions from various regions of India:
Bengal:
- Surendranath Banerjee: A prominent leader known for his advocacy of constitutional reforms and early nationalist ideas.
- Aurobindo Ghosh: He played a crucial role in inspiring and organizing revolutionary activities against British rule.
- Rabindranath Tagore: Renowned poet, philosopher, and nationalist who used his literary works to express Indian sentiments and promote freedom.
Maharashtra:
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak: A fierce nationalist and leader of the extremist faction within the Indian National Congress. He mobilized masses through his fiery speeches and writings, advocating for self-rule.
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale: A moderate leader who emphasized education, political rights, and reforms to achieve freedom.
Punjab:
- Lala Lajpat Rai: Known as the “Lion of Punjab,” he actively participated in agitations against British policies, especially the fight against the Simon Commission.
- Bhagat Singh: A revolutionary and martyr who sacrificed his life for the cause of Indian independence. He sought to inspire the youth and challenge British rule through acts of resistance.
Gujarat:
- Mahatma Gandhi: The Father of the Nation, Gandhi led the nonviolent struggle for independence, promoting principles of truth, nonviolence, and civil disobedience. His leadership and ideology became the cornerstone of the Indian freedom movement.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: A prominent leader who played a crucial role in uniting various princely states into a unified India after independence. During Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 he earned the title of ‘Sardar’.
Tamil Nadu:
- C. Rajagopalachari: A leader of the Indian National Congress and a prominent figure in the freedom movement. He played a vital role in organizing various campaigns and was an advocate of nonviolence.
- Subramania Bharati: A poet, journalist, and freedom fighter who used his writings to kindle patriotic fervor and advocate for social and political reforms.
Andhra Pradesh:
- Tanguturi Prakasam: A lawyer, politician, and freedom fighter who actively participated in the non-cooperation and civil disobedience movements, advocating for Indian self-rule.
- Alluri Sitarama Raju: He was tribal leader who fought against British exploitation and injustice in the Andhra region. In August 1922, he launched a Rampa Rebellion against the British.
These are just a few examples of the diverse contributions from different parts of India during the freedom struggle. Countless other leaders, activists, and common people from various regions made invaluable sacrifices and contributions in the collective struggle for independence.
