CHAPTER 2: NATIONALISM IN INDIA

This chapter covers the major events and movements that

contributed to the rise of nationalism in India, leading to its struggle
for independence from British rule. The chapter outlines the early
beginnings of the Indian nationalist movement, the major uprisings,
and the contribution of key leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas
Chandra Bose, and Jawaharlal Nehru.

1. The First War of Independence (1857)

 Causes of the Rebellion:

o Political Causes: The British annexation of Indian
territories through policies like the Doctrine of Lapse,
which led to the annexation of kingdoms such as Jhansi
and Nagpur. The dismissal of Indian rulers, including Rani
Lakshmibai of Jhansi, created widespread resentment.
o Economic Causes: British policies drained India’s
resources. The exploitation of Indian peasants, artisans,
and traders, along with high taxes, led to widespread
poverty and unrest.
o Social and Religious Causes: The introduction of social
reforms by the British (like the ban on Sati, the promotion
of widow remarriage) and religious interference angered
many Indians, who felt their cultural and religious
traditions were being undermined.
o Military Causes: The use of animal fat to grease the
cartridges of the Enfield rifles, which was offensive to
both Hindus (who considered cows sacred) and Muslims
(who considered pigs unclean), was the immediate spark
for the rebellion.
 Events:
o The rebellion began in Meerut on May 10, 1857, when
Indian soldiers (sepoys) rose against their British officers.
o The rebellion spread to major cities like Delhi, Kanpur,
Lucknow, and Gwalior.
o The rebellion was characterized by widespread violence,
with many battles between the British and the sepoys.
 Delhi was captured by the sepoys and declared the seat of
the Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, who became a
symbolic leader.
 Outcome:
o The British ultimately suppressed the revolt by mid-1858
with the help of reinforcements from Britain and loyal
Indian forces.
o Following the suppression of the rebellion, the British
government took direct control of India, ending the rule of
the East India Company and beginning the period of the
British Raj.
o The Indian Rebellion of 1857 is also regarded as the first
significant expression of resistance to British colonial
rule, which inspired future generations of nationalists.

2. The Rise of Nationalist Movements

 Formation of the Indian National Congress (INC):

o The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885
by Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant. The
initial aim of the INC was to promote political dialogue
between the British and Indian elites and to seek reforms
within the British system of governance.
o Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and other
moderate leaders sought reforms like reducing taxes,
improving education, and increasing Indian
representation in the government.
o The INC’s first significant milestone was the 1893 petition
to the British Parliament demanding the appointment of
more Indians in the government.
 The Extremists and Moderates:
o The INC was divided into two groups: the Moderates, who
favored gradual reforms, and the Extremists, who sought
more immediate and radical actions.
o Bal Gangadhar Tilak, one of the leaders of the Extremists,
called for self-rule (Swaraj) and launched aggressive
campaigns against British rule, such as the Home Rule
Movement (1916).
 o Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal were also key
leaders of the Extremists. They advocated for direct
action against the British, in contrast to the Moderates'
emphasis on dialogue and petitions.
 The Role of Women and Social Reform Movements:
o Women played an active role in the Indian nationalist
movement, especially during the Swadeshi Movement and
the Non-Cooperation Movement.
o Social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami
Vivekananda, and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar worked
towards societal changes, advocating for women’s rights,
education, and an end to practices like Sati (the burning of
widows).
o These social reform movements were crucial in raising
awareness about the exploitation of Indian society and
were linked to the larger struggle for Indian
independence.

3. The Partition of Bengal (1905)

 Reasons for Partition:

o The British divided Bengal into East Bengal
(predominantly Muslim) and West Bengal (predominantly
Hindu) in 1905, citing administrative convenience.
o However, the true reason for the partition was to divide
and rule by creating religious divisions between Hindus
and Muslims, weakening the unity of the nationalist
movement.
 Impact and Reaction:
o The partition sparked widespread protests, particularly in
Bengal, where nationalists saw it as an attempt to divide
the Indian population along religious lines.
o The Swadeshi Movement (1905) was launched in
response, urging Indians to boycott British goods and
promote indigenous products. The movement gained
massive support from all sections of Indian society.
 o Rabindranath Tagore and Subhas Chandra Bose were
among those who strongly opposed the partition and
promoted unity through cultural and social movements.
o The partition was reversed by the British in 1911, but it
had a lasting impact on Indian nationalism, as it
galvanized the people into action against British rule.

4. The Rise of Gandhian Nationalism

 Mahatma Gandhi's Entry into Indian Politics:

o Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in
1915, where he had led successful campaigns for civil
rights.
o Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and civil
disobedience became the foundation of the Indian
nationalist struggle.
 Champaran and Kheda Movements (1917-1918):
o Gandhi’s first major involvement in India’s freedom
movement came with the Champaran Satyagraha in Bihar
(1917), where he supported indigo farmers who were
being exploited by British planters.
o Gandhi also led the Kheda Satyagraha in Gujarat (1918),
where peasants protested against the refusal of the
British to lower taxes during a famine.
 The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922):
o After the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919), in which
British troops killed hundreds of unarmed Indians, Gandhi
called for the Non-Cooperation Movement.
o The movement involved the boycott of British goods,
educational institutions, and courts, and the promotion of
Indian self-reliance (Swadeshi).
o It marked a major shift in India’s nationalist struggle, with
Gandhi’s leadership uniting a large section of the
population.
o The movement was called off in 1922 after the Chauri
Chaura incident, where a violent mob killed police
officers. Gandhi, committed to non-violence, felt that the
movement had lost its peaceful nature.
5. The Salt March and Civil Disobedience (1930)

 The Salt March (Dandi March):

o In 1930, Gandhi led the famous Salt March to Dandi,
protesting against the British monopoly on salt production
and the salt tax.
o The march lasted 24 days, covering 240 miles, and was a
powerful act of civil disobedience. Thousands joined the
movement, and it gained widespread support across
India.
o The British responded with arrests, but the Salt March
marked a significant turning point in the Indian struggle
for independence and demonstrated the power of non-
violent resistance.
 The Civil Disobedience Movement:
o Following the success of the Salt March, Gandhi launched
the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934), urging
Indians to refuse to obey unjust British laws.
o Many Indians engaged in acts of civil disobedience, such
as refusing to pay taxes, and boycotting British goods and
services.
o The movement, although initially successful, was
suppressed by the British, leading to the arrest of Gandhi
and other leaders.

6. The Quit India Movement (1942)

 The Demand for Immediate Independence:

o During World War II, when Britain was weakened by the
conflict, Gandhi and other leaders felt that the time was
ripe for demanding immediate independence.
o In 1942, Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, calling
for the immediate departure of the British from India.
o The movement was met with severe repression by the
British, with Gandhi and many INC leaders arrested.
 However, the movement marked the final phase of India’s
struggle for independence.

Conclusion

The chapter highlights the evolution of Indian nationalism, from early

protests against British rule to large-scale movements led by
Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders. Nationalism in India was shaped
by diverse political, social, and cultural factors and resulted in
widespread participation across the country. The events and
movements in this chapter show the growing unity and determination
of the Indian people in their struggle for independence, which was
finally achieved in 1947.