WELCOME
TO
Dr. RAJKUMAR ACADEMY FOR CIVIL SERVICES
ONLINE SUPPORT CLASSES
Subject - Modern Indian History
Faculty - Prof. E. Seenaiah
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Last class…
• Non Cooperation Movement
• Developments within/outside Congress …
• With Chauri Chaura incident, Gandhi suspended Non
cooperation movement. This disappointed congress
party leadership. Difference started in Gaya Session 1922
– Pro Changers and No Changers.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Congress-Khilafat Swaraj Party
• C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru – demanded Councils (of GoI Act
1919) entry through elections.
• Elections held under Government of India Act 1919
– 1920 ---- boycotted by Congress
– 1921 & 1922 ---- could not be held due to Non cooperation
movement.
– 1923 (during the end of Non Cooperation movement—defeated
proposal to enter Council at Gaya Session led by C.
Rajagopalacharya.
• Due to this C.R. Das and Nehru resigned from Party.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
On 1st January 1923 Congress-Khilafat Swaraj formally launched
as a separate party due to rejection of their proposal by
Congress.
Headed by:
• C.R. Das as President
• Motilal Nehru as Secretary
Philosophy:
“Fight the British and mend their ways using council entry”
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Pro-changers:
• Subhas Chandra Bose
• N C Kelkar (also associated with Home Rule - Tilak),
• Vittalbhai Patel
• Ajmal Khan
• Hussain Shahid Suhrawardy (Muslim leaders)
No Changers:
• Gandhi
• C. Rajagopalachari
• Rajendra Prasad
• M A Ansari
• J. Nehru
• Sardar Vallabhai Patel
• Do not consider Pro-No Changers formation as split in party.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• To enable reconciliation a Special session at Delhi—Presided
by Maulana Azad was held in 1923.
• Congress party decided to allow members/nonmembers to
contest Election (Local bodies & municipalities). Thus a split
was averted
• No-Changers contested local not Provincial legislature
election to enable constructive work.
Eg:
–Sardar Patel became President of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
–Rajendra Prasad President “Patna Municipal Corporation”
–Jawaharlal Nehru - Chairman of “Allahabad Corporation”
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Pro-Changers: Performance
Calcutta Municipal Corporation:
• C R Das -- Chairman(Mayor)
• Subhas C Bose - CEO
• Vittalbhai Patel (left image with Bose) – President Bombay Municipal Corporation.
Council election:
At Provincial level secured majority in Central Province.
Emerged single largest party in Bengal council
At Central level:
• Single largest party
• Vittal Bhai Patel elected Speaker
• Motilal Nehru elected opposition leader at the central legislature.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• At Belgaum Session 1924 - Gandhiji (only time when Gandhiji presided a
session of INC) as President approved continuation of work of Swarajist.
• Swarajists to remain integral with Congress.
Contribution of Swarajists:
• In Madras assembly Vijay Raghawachariar - for the first time moved a
resolution for Dominion Status, Provincial autonomy.
• Motilal Nehru—suggested Round Table Conference for drafting a
Constitution for India (which we later find mention in Simon Commission)
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• Alexander Muddiman (also called Reforms Enquiry) committee-1924 to
study the working of Dyarchy was formed by British.(an achievement of
Swarajits).
• They were successful in deforming the Dyarchy and exposing its
weaknesses.
• Defeated Public Safety Bill 1928 (deporting undesirable communist
foreigners)
• Strove for Hindu Muslim unity, political education of masses.
• Publicity Bureau in 1926 with Sarojini Naidu, Motilal Nehru and Maulana
Azad—To spread literacy and promote unity
• Resolution on eradication of untoucability was passed with support of
Swarajist in Belgaum session (presided over by Gandhi)
• Supported banning consumption of liquor(which we find mention in our
Constitution).
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Problems within Swarajist party:
• Post death of C R Das and consequently leaderless party.
• Communal differences affected the party and its
leadership.
Two factions:
Responsivists: work for reform, seek British support to capture
power, public offices, undertake reform etc. to protect interests
of Hindus.
E.g.,:
• Madan Mohan Malviya,
• N.C. Kelkar,
• Lala Lajpat Rai,
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• Non cooperators:
They don’t cooperate with Britishers.
Mainly secular.
Eg: Motilal Nehru
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Jinnah’s Independent Party
……………………led to the weakening of the Swarajist party despite
several attempts at reconciliation like Sabarmati conference
Within Congress….???
Flashback….
• Suspension of Non Cooperation movement by Gandhi
• Imprisonment of Gandhi
In the meanwhile….
Emergence of new political parties on the political arena:
All India Hindu Mahasabha (1915)
The Communist party of India
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Evolution of All India Hindu Mahasabha
Punjab Hindu Sabha founded in 1909 by Lala Lajpat Rai, Lalchand and Shadi
Lal to protect interest of entire Hindu community.
Later on MM Malviya (see image) founded All India Hindu Mahasabha.
April 1915 : First session of All India Hindu Mahasabha at Haridwar.
Presided by Maharaja of Kasimbazar(Bengal)
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• Started Shuddhi and Sangatan movement to bring back
converts from Christanity and Islam
• Gave notion of “Akhand Hindustan” and opposed idea of
Pakistan
• In 1925 All India Hindu Mahasabha announced formation of
Political party
• Emerged as an important political actor by 1933.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• In 1938 V D Sawarkar became President and introduced the idea of Hindu
Rastra.
• An idea where minority should reconcile, respect and be subordinate to
wishes of Majority hindu population
• Introduced idea of 2 Nation theory(to be discussed later)
Other associated leaders: Shyam Prasad Mukerjee
• Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh 1925 by Hegdewar(leftmost) for promoting
and protecting Hindu interests….
• Rise of communal tension, Tabligh(meaning:propaganda) and
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Communist Party of India -CPI
CPI founded in 1920 at Tashkent.
Russian leader Lenin who founded Communist International
wanted to spread the ideas to parts of world
Basic terms:
Socialism means dictatorship of working class and factors of
production(land labour industry) under their control.
Communism means socialism all over the world
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• M N Roy(image), one of founder member of Ghadar Party. Impressed by Russian
revolution formed CPI in 1920
Other leaders:
– Nalini Gupta,
– Shaukat Usman
– Srungara Velu(a trade union leader from Madras)
Note few women leaders of our national movement….(imp for exam)
– Kadambini Ganguly
– Kalpana Dutta
– Saumitra
– Madam Cama
– Sarojini Naidu
– Aruna Asaf Ali
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• Formal declaration of CPI as a political party happened only in
1925.
• British(a capitalist country) reaction:
Arrest and trial of leaders:
• Meerut conspiracy trial
• Kanpur conspiracy trial
• Peshawar conspiracy trial
• Due to lack of evidence,they came out openly about their
political aspiration.
• At 1925 Kanpur session,Satya Baktha ,General Secreatary
announced formation of CPI.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• Between 1925-27 there was no political activity
• Few important events from 1927 charged the political
atmosphere of the country and laid the foundation for Civil
Disobedience Movement.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Civil Disobedience Movement:
Causative Factor:
• In 1927 November, Conservative Party PM of England Stanley
Baldwin—announces the formation of Simon Commission
• Objective: To review the implementation of Government of
India Act 1919.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Suspicion among Indian political leaders????
• Why Commission was formed much before its due date??
• Why No Indian in 7 member panel headed by Sir Johns Simon.
So political parties decided to Boycott…
• Congress
• Muslim League led by Jinnah
• Liberal Federation led by Tej Bahadur Sapru,
• Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress
• All India Hindu Mahasabha
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Parties who welcomed Commission:
• Justice Party
• All India Depressed Class Association led by B R
Ambedkar
• Unionist Party of Punjab
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• Madras session of Congress 1927 presided by Dr. Ansari gave
a call for boycott Simon Commission at “every form and every
stage”.
• 3rd Feb 1928 Commission landed at Bombay.
“Simon Go back” across India
– Bombay: led by Madhav Malgoankar
– Chennai: T.Prakash
– Lahore: Lala Lajpat Rai(succumbed to lati charge).
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukdev mistakenly
assassinated ASP Saunders to avenge Lajpat Rai’s
death.
• Lajpat Rai died on 17th November 1928….A day of
mourning and shock to entire nation.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• Secretary of State Lord Birkenhead made a open challenge to
all political parties to draft a Constitution acceptable to all
parties by themselves instead of boycotting British efforts.
• British argued that lack of political unity among Indians was
reason for a all white member Simon commission.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• Indian response: Accepted the challenge and called for an all
party conference in Feb 1928.
• Meanwhile, in Dec 1927 Jinnah presided Muslim league’s
Delhi Conference.
• He proposed:
• Sindh must be separated from Bombay presidency
• NWFP(Afghanistan,Balochistan) must be grated a separate province
status.
• Grant Muslim representation of not less than 1/3rd in Central
legislature
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• Representation to Muslims in Punjab and Bengal (where
they were in majority) to be on basis of Population.
• Congress had accepted most the recommendation of
Jinnah in Madras conference.
• At the All Party conference presided by M A Ansari
constituted a sub-committe to draft a constitution.
• Headed by Motilal Nehru it was to draft a constitution
within 3 months time.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Other members:
• Ali Imam
• Mangal Singh
• Shiv Khureshi
• Subhas Bose
• Tej Bahadur Sapru
• M S Annie (Anglo Indian)
• G R Pradhan
Submits report on Aug 1928.
Importance
• First ever attempt by Indians to draft a Written Constitution
• Many provisions were reflected upon in Government of India Act 1935
hence has bearing on Constitution of Free India itself.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• Recommendation of Motilal Nehru committee report.
– Federal government including British India and Princely
states.
– Dominion status for India.
– Fundamental Rights-19
» Universal Adult Franchise
» Secular State
» Equal rights to women
» Freedom to form Trade Union
– Abolish Dyarchy and set up Responsible government at
Centre and Provincial level
– Bicameral Legislature
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• The above recommendations were accepted by all political
parties.
• The disagreement arose amongst political parties :
– Rejection of Separate electorate was opposed by
Jinnah
– Demanded greater Provincial autonomy.
– Nehru , Subhas Bose and Sathyamurthy were also
unhappy with “Dominion status ” for India. They
demanded Complete Independence.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Reasons for Jinnah’s apprehension:
• A Congress dominated Central government wouldn’t allow smooth
functioning of provincial government (especially where Muslim league
formed government)
• Separate electorate in Muslim minority areas (instead of reservation of 1/3rd )
will grant protection from Hindu majority. Given that Muslim electorate
were illeterate,a reserved muslim candidate will have to depend on Non-
Muslim votes. This will negate true Muslim representation.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• Congress rejected Jinnah’s 14 points while a section among
Muslim league(led by Md. Shafi ) accepted the Nehru report.
• British found reason(lack of consent of all parties) to reject
Nehru report
What now?
• Congress and many other parties wanted implementation of
Nehru report by 31st Dec 1929
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
British put the blame on us for the deadlock.
A related development in 1928:
Bardoli Satyagraha---a forerunner to CDM:
• Organised by Sardar Patel
• Against hike in land revenue
• October 1929—Deepavali Declaration by Governor General
Lord Irwin
» Dyarchy to be abolished
» A Round Table Conference to discuss Simon commission
report in London
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Indian response:
• Congress rejected RTC and insisted on implementation of
Nehru report by 31st Dec 1929.
• Faction within Congress led by Jawaharlal Nehru formed
Independence of India league (as a group within Congress ) to
demand Purna Swaraj not Dominion status.
• Independence of India League members:
– Satya Murthy
– Subhas Bose
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Lahore Session 1929 : Breaking the ice
• J.Nehru as President drafted a resolution on Purna Swaraj.
• A formal rejection/disowning of Motilal Nehru Report
• 26 Jan every year to be observed as Independence day
• Why Jan 26: In opposition to Ilbert Bill being passed on
evening of Jan 25,Indian national movement laid the first
footsteps the next day(Jan 26).To commemorate that event
Jan 26 was chosen as Independence day.
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
• National flag designed by Pingali Venkayya was hoisted for the
first time at Lahore session.
• Congress served an ultimatum to British- “if Nehru Report is not
accepted by Dec 1929,they would launch CIVIL DISOBIDIENT
MOVEMENT
• Gandhiji declared “Deshabakth Konda Ventaka Apayya(left)”(a
Telugu leader) as leader to CDM in his absence(in the event an
arrest).
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Summarizing the circumstances that led to CDM:
– Simon Commission
– Death of Lala Lajpat Rai
– Motilal Nehru report
– Bardoli Satyagraha
– Deepavali Declaration
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
UPSC Mains Question:
• “From 1928 onwards neither Nehru nor Bose
spoke the language of Gandhi”. Discuss
critically.
Key points: Gandhi chose his own loyalists
• They strongly embraced Socialism
• Influenced by international political personalities like
Ho Chi Men(Vientnamese leader)
• Influenced by Russian progress under Stalin
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
Next session……
The Beginning of CIVIL DISOBIDIENCE
MOVEMENT….
Modern Indian History
By Seenaiah Sir
THANK YOU
