Nationalism in India – 1857 to Independence
Nationalism in India developed through the long struggle against British colonial rule. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, different sections of Indian society participated in movements against colonial policies and demanded greater political rights and eventually independence.
The growth of nationalism was influenced by several factors, including British economic exploitation, repressive colonial policies, the spread of education and print culture, political associations and the common experience of colonial rule.
This chapter covers the major developments from the Revolt of 1857 to Indian Independence in 1947, with special focus on Gandhi's methods of mass struggle and the participation of different social groups.
1. Beginning of Nationalism in India
Indian nationalism developed through the anti-colonial struggle against British rule. British colonial policies affected different sections of Indian society economically, politically and socially.
Main Factors Behind the Growth of Nationalism
- British economic exploitation
- Repressive colonial policies
- Growth of education and print culture
- Formation of political associations
- Common experiences under colonial rule
Revolt of 1857
1857 marked the Revolt of 1857, which became an important early challenge to British authority in India.
The revolt involved different groups and regions and became an important event in the history of resistance to British rule.
Quick Memory: 1857 → Revolt of 1857
2. First World War and Growth of Nationalism
The First World War lasted from 1914 to 1918. The war created serious economic and political difficulties in India.
Effects of the First World War on India
- Increased defence expenditure
- Higher taxes
- Rising prices
- Forced recruitment
- Crop failures
- Food shortages
These conditions increased anger against colonial rule and contributed to the growth of nationalist feelings.
Gandhi Returns to India
In 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India. He later developed a new method of mass political struggle based on:
Satyagraha + Non-violence
Gandhi's approach focused on mass participation and resistance to unjust policies without relying on violence.
3. Satyagraha – Early Movements
Before launching major nationwide movements, Gandhi participated in several local struggles. These movements helped develop the idea of Satyagraha in India.
Champaran – 1917
In Champaran, Gandhi supported indigo cultivators who were facing oppressive plantation conditions.
Champaran → Indigo
Kheda – 1918
In Kheda, peasants demanded revenue relief after crop failure.
Kheda → Revenue
Ahmedabad – 1918
In Ahmedabad, Gandhi supported mill workers in their dispute over wages.
Ahmedabad → Mill Workers
Easy Memory Trick
| Place | Year | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Champaran | 1917 | Indigo cultivators |
| Kheda | 1918 | Revenue relief |
| Ahmedabad | 1918 | Mill workers and wages |
Memory: Champaran → Indigo | Kheda → Revenue | Ahmedabad → Mill Workers
4. Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh
Rowlatt Act – 1919
The Rowlatt Act allowed the colonial government to take repressive measures against political activities, including the arrest of political prisoners without trial.
Gandhi organised a Rowlatt Satyagraha against the Act.
Jallianwala Bagh – 13 April 1919
On 13 April 1919, a large gathering took place at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar.
General Dyer ordered troops to fire on the gathering. The incident caused widespread anger across India and became an important event in the nationalist movement.
Remember the Year
1919 → Rowlatt Act + Jallianwala Bagh
5. Non-Cooperation Movement – 1920–22
In 1920, Gandhi and the Congress launched the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Main Idea
The basic idea was:
British institutions ko cooperate mat karo.
The movement encouraged people to withdraw cooperation from colonial institutions and promote alternatives.
Main Methods
- Boycott government schools
- Boycott colleges
- Boycott courts
- Boycott foreign cloth
- Surrender titles
- Promote khadi and swadeshi
Why Was the Movement Withdrawn?
The movement was withdrawn after the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922.
A violent incident took place in which a police station was attacked and policemen were killed. Gandhi believed that the movement had become violent and therefore withdrew it.
Timeline
1920 → Non-Cooperation Movement starts
1922 → Chauri Chaura → Movement withdrawn
6. Simon Commission and Civil Disobedience Movement
Simon Commission – 1928
The Simon Commission was appointed to examine constitutional reforms in British India. It had no Indian member.
This led to widespread opposition and the popular slogan:
“Simon Go Back”
Lahore Congress – December 1929
At the Lahore Congress session in December 1929, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress declared the goal of:
Purna Swaraj → Complete Independence
26 January 1930 was observed as Independence Day.
7. Dandi March and Civil Disobedience Movement – 1930
In 1930, Gandhi launched the Civil Disobedience Movement, beginning with the famous Salt March.
Dandi March
Gandhi started the march from:
Sabarmati Ashram → Dandi
At Dandi, Gandhi broke the salt law.
The Salt March became an important symbol of resistance against British colonial rule because the salt law affected ordinary people and provided a simple issue around which mass participation could develop.
Civil Disobedience
People were encouraged to:
- Break colonial laws
- Refuse certain taxes
- Boycott foreign goods
- Participate in peaceful demonstrations
Quick Memory
1930 → Dandi March → Salt Law → Civil Disobedience
8. Different Groups in the National Movement
The national movement involved different sections of Indian society. However, each group had its own economic and social interests.
Rich Peasants
Rich peasants generally wanted reduction in revenue.
Poor Peasants
Poor peasants wanted relief from rents and debts.
Business Classes
Business groups wanted protection from foreign imports and favourable economic policies.
Industrial Workers
Industrial workers participated through strikes and demonstrations in some areas.
Women
Women participated in:
- Marches
- Picketing
- Protests
Important Point
Different groups participated in the national movement, but their specific demands were not always identical.
This is important for board examinations because nationalism brought different groups together, while their individual interests could remain different.
9. Limits and Challenges of National Unity
Nationalism did not develop in exactly the same way among every community. Political relationships and demands differed among various groups.
Muslims and Political Representation
The relationship between the Congress and Muslim political organisations became increasingly complicated during the 1920s and 1930s.
By 1930, Muslim League leadership under Muhammad Ali Jinnah increasingly raised concerns about Muslim political safeguards.
Separate Electorates
The British introduced separate electorates for different communities. This became an important issue in discussions about political representation.
Poona Pact – 1932
The Poona Pact of 1932 was an agreement between B.R. Ambedkar and Congress leaders concerning representation of the Depressed Classes.
10. Quit India Movement – 1942
During World War II, Britain involved India in the war without consulting Indian leaders. This contributed to growing political tension.
August 1942
In August 1942, the Congress launched the:
Quit India Movement
Famous Slogan
Mahatma Gandhi gave the famous call:
“Do or Die”
British Response
- Congress leaders were arrested.
- Protests spread across many areas.
- Underground activities developed.
The Quit India Movement became an important phase of the final struggle against British rule.
11. Towards Independence – 1945–47
The period from 1945 to 1947 witnessed several major developments that led towards independence.
Important Developments
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1945 | World War II ended |
| 1946 | Cabinet Mission came to India |
| 1946 | Royal Indian Navy uprising |
| 1947 | Mountbatten Plan |
15 August 1947
On 15 August 1947, India became independent.
However, independence was accompanied by:
Partition → India + Pakistan
The result was a combination of:
Freedom + Partition + Communal Violence
12. Complete Timeline of Nationalism in India
| Year | Important Event |
|---|---|
| 1857 | Revolt of 1857 |
| 1915 | Gandhi returned to India |
| 1917 | Champaran Satyagraha |
| 1918 | Kheda and Ahmedabad movements |
| 1919 | Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh |
| 1920 | Non-Cooperation Movement began |
| 1922 | Chauri Chaura; Non-Cooperation Movement withdrawn |
| 1928 | Simon Commission |
| 1929 | Lahore Congress; Purna Swaraj declared |
| 1930 | Dandi March and Civil Disobedience Movement |
| 1932 | Poona Pact |
| 1942 | Quit India Movement |
| 1947 | Independence and Partition |
13. Board Exam Quick Revision
Important Timeline
1857 → Revolt of 1857
1915 → Gandhi returned to India
1917 → Champaran
1918 → Kheda + Ahmedabad
1919 → Rowlatt Act + Jallianwala Bagh
1920 → Non-Cooperation Movement
1922 → Chauri Chaura → Movement withdrawn
1929 → Lahore Congress → Purna Swaraj
1930 → Dandi March + Civil Disobedience
1932 → Poona Pact
1942 → Quit India Movement
1947 → Independence + Partition
14. Important Memory Tricks
Gandhi's Early Movements
Champaran → Indigo
Kheda → Revenue
Ahmedabad → Mill Workers
Major Movement Sequence
Non-Cooperation → Civil Disobedience → Quit India
Important Years
1919 → Rowlatt + Jallianwala
1920 → Non-Cooperation
1922 → Chauri Chaura
1930 → Dandi March
1942 → Quit India
1947 → Independence
15. Important Questions for Board Exam
Students should prepare the following questions carefully:
- What was the Rowlatt Act?
- Explain the significance of Jallianwala Bagh.
- Why did Gandhi withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement?
- Explain the Civil Disobedience Movement.
- Why was the Salt March important?
- How did different social groups participate in the national movement?
- Explain the significance of the Quit India Movement.
- Describe the major events leading to Independence.
- Explain the importance of the Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad movements.
- Write a chronological account of the major events in India's nationalist movement.
16. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When did Gandhi return to India?
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915.
Q2. What happened at Champaran?
In 1917, Gandhi supported indigo cultivators against oppressive plantation conditions.
Q3. Why was the Non-Cooperation Movement withdrawn?
It was withdrawn after the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922, where violence resulted in the death of policemen. Gandhi believed the movement had become violent.
Q4. What was Purna Swaraj?
Purna Swaraj means Complete Independence. It was declared as the goal of Congress at the Lahore Congress session in December 1929.
Q5. What was the importance of the Dandi March?
The Dandi March was Gandhi's march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in 1930, where he broke the colonial salt law. It became an important beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Q6. What was the Quit India Movement?
The Quit India Movement was launched by the Congress in August 1942. Gandhi gave the famous call of “Do or Die”.
Q7. What happened on 15 August 1947?
India became independent on 15 August 1947. Independence was accompanied by the partition of British India into India and Pakistan.
17. Download / Study PDF
Use the PDF below for revision and practice:
Final Thoughts
Nationalism in India was shaped by a long anti-colonial struggle involving different movements, leaders and social groups. From the Revolt of 1857 to independence in 1947, resistance to British rule developed through different forms of political action.
For Class 10 board preparation, it is especially important to remember the major events in chronological order. Start with 1857, then remember Gandhi's return in 1915, the early Satyagraha movements, the Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh in 1919, the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Dandi March and Civil Disobedience Movement, the Quit India Movement, and finally Independence in 1947.
Also remember that different social groups participated in the nationalist movement with different expectations. Understanding these differences is important for long-answer and analytical questions.
The most important timeline to revise is:
1857 → 1915 → 1917 → 1918 → 1919 → 1920 → 1922 → 1929 → 1930 → 1932 → 1942 → 1947
If you can connect each year with its corresponding event, leader and significance, you will have a strong foundation for answering most board-level questions from this chapter.