Rise of Nationalism
• Nationalism in India rose as a response to British colonial rule, fueled by economic
exploitation, cultural revivalism, and resentment towards foreign domination.
Drain of Wealth
• Economic drain refers to the wealth being extracted from India and transferred to Britain,
depriving India of its resources.
Administrative Unification of India
• British consolidated control over India, creating a unified administrative structure to manage
resources and people more efficiently, though often to the detriment of Indian society.
Spread of Western Education
• British introduced Western education, which led to the rise of a new class of educated
Indians, who became key in promoting nationalism and demanding rights.
Social Awakening
• Social reform movements, such as those led by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, aimed to address
issues like caste discrimination, women's rights, and child marriage.
Discriminatory British Policies
• British policies were often discriminatory towards Indians, such as racial segregation, unfair
taxation, and exclusion from higher administrative positions.
Major Developments in the National Movement
• Several significant events shaped the struggle for Indian independence:
o Formation of the Indian National Congress: Established in 1885, it became the main
platform for India's political demands.
o The Moderates and Radicals: The Moderates focused on constitutional reforms,
while the Radicals advocated for more aggressive methods, like protests and
boycotts.
o Formation of the Muslim League: Established in 1906 to safeguard Muslim interests,
later becoming central to the demand for Pakistan.
Partition of Bengal
• In 1905, the British divided Bengal into two parts to weaken nationalist movements. This led
to protests and was eventually reversed in 1911 due to the resistance.
Swadeshi and Boycott Movements
• These movements called for the boycott of British goods and the promotion of Indian-made
products, especially in response to the Partition of Bengal.
Suraj (Self-Rule)
• The demand for self-rule or Swaraj grew stronger as Indians sought greater autonomy in
governance, influenced by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
The Suraj Split
• The Indian National Congress split in 1907 over differences between the Moderates and
Radicals, weakening the movement temporarily.
The Revolutionaries
• Revolutionary groups like the Ghadar Party and the Hindustan Socialist Republican
Association (HSRA) played a key role in the struggle for independence, advocating for more
direct actions against the British.
Formation of the Muslim League
• The Muslim League was founded in 1906 to represent Muslim political interests, later
becoming a key player in the demand for Pakistan.
Indian Councils Act 1909
• This Act, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, introduced limited political reforms and
gave Indians a larger role in governance through separate electorates for Muslims.
The Lucknow Pact 1916
• A significant agreement between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League,
marking a rare moment of cooperation between the two organizations.
The Home Rule League Movement 1916
• Led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant, this movement aimed for self-rule for India
and played a crucial role in revitalizing the independence struggle.
The Government of India Act 1919
• The Act introduced significant reforms, including the establishment of a bicameral
legislature, but fell short of granting full self-rule, sparking protests.
The National Movement and Mahatma Gandhi
• Gandhi’s leadership transformed the nationalist movement through nonviolent resistance,
mass protests, and the promotion of the concept of Swaraj (self-rule).
The Rowlatt Act
• Passed in 1919, this Act gave the British government the power to arrest and detain Indians
without trial, leading to widespread protests.
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
• In 1919, British troops under General Dyer opened fire on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar,
killing hundreds of Indians, sparking outrage and increasing anti-British sentiment.
Case Study: The Khilafat and the Non-Cooperation Movement
• The Khilafat Movement, along with the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Gandhi, aimed to
unite Hindus and Muslims in the fight for independence, using nonviolent resistance.
The Chauri Chaura Incident, The Swaraj Party, The Simon Commission
• Chauri Chaura: A violent incident during the Non-Cooperation Movement, leading to Gandhi
calling off the movement.
• Swaraj Party: Formed to participate in elections and push for constitutional reforms within
the British system.
• Simon Commission: A commission set up by the British without Indian representation, which
led to widespread protests.
Poorna Swaraj, The Civil Disobedience Movement, and The Dandi March
• Gandhi launched the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930, marked by the Dandi March,
where he led a march to break the salt law, demanding complete independence (Poorna
Swaraj).
The Government of India Act
• The 1935 Government of India Act gave more autonomy to Indians but was still under British
control, leading to further demands for full independence.
The Second World War
• India’s involvement in World War II further fueled the demand for independence, with India
being used as a base for British operations without consultation.
Demand for Pakistan, The Cripps Mission, Quit India Movement
• Demand for Pakistan: The Muslim League, under Jinnah, demanded a separate state for
Muslims.
• The Cripps Mission: Failed negotiations between the British and Indian leaders to secure
constitutional reforms during the war.
• Quit India Movement: Launched in 1942 by Gandhi, demanding an immediate end to British
rule in India.
The Cabinet Mission Plan, Direct Action
• The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) aimed to resolve constitutional
