🌍 Introduction to Nationalism in India
🔹 Nationalism refers to the feeling of unity and collective identity among a group of people who consider themselves a nation.
🔹 In India, nationalism emerged as a powerful force in the early 20th century, uniting millions in the fight against British colonial rule.
🔹 The First World War, economic hardships, and British repression led to the intensification of the freedom movement.
🏵️ The First World War and Nationalist Movement
🔸 The First World War (1914–1918) led to:
- ✅ Increased defense expenditure
- ✅ Heavy taxation and price hikes
- ✅ Forced recruitment of soldiers
🔸 Indian soldiers fought for the British Empire, hoping for political concessions post-war.
🔸 However, repressive policies and broken promises deepened resentment.
🧓 Mahatma Gandhi’s Return and Role
🔹 Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915 from South Africa.
🔹 He introduced Satyagraha, a method of non-violent resistance based on:
- ✅ Truth (Satya)
- ✅ Non-violence (Ahimsa)
🔸 Early Satyagraha Movements: - 1916 – Champaran: Indigo farmers in Bihar
- 1917 – Kheda: Crop failure and tax relief
- 1918 – Ahmedabad: Mill worker strike
🛑 The Rowlatt Act (1919)
🔸 Passed by the British to suppress nationalists.
🔸 It gave the government the power to:
- ✅ Arrest without trial
- ✅ Silence the press
🔹 Gandhi launched a nationwide protest, leading to: - ✅ Hartals (strikes)
- ✅ Rallies and civil disobedience
💔 The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)
🔹 Occurred on 13 April 1919 in Amritsar.
🔹 Thousands gathered peacefully at Jallianwala Bagh.
🔹 General Dyer ordered troops to fire without warning.
🔸 Hundreds were killed, sparking nationwide outrage.
🔹 Gandhi’s belief in British justice was shattered.
🪔 The Khilafat Movement (1919–1924)
🔹 Initiated by Ali Brothers – Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali.
🔹 Aimed to defend the position of the Khalifa (Caliph of the Islamic world).
🔹 Supported by Gandhi to unite Hindus and Muslims.
🔸 Helped launch the Non-Cooperation Movement.
✊ Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22)
🔸 Goal: To resist British rule non-violently.
🔸 Gandhi called for:
- ✅ Boycott of British institutions
- ✅ Surrender of titles and honors
- ✅ Boycott of foreign cloth, schools, law courts
🧵 Spread of the Movement
📌 Cities: Lawyers, students, and teachers left their jobs.
📌 Countryside:
- In Awadh, peasants (led by Baba Ramchandra) demanded land reforms.
- In tribal areas, the movement turned violent (e.g., Andhra, Gudem Hills with Alluri Sitarama Raju).
📌 Plantations: - Workers defied authorities, especially in Assam.
🔚 Withdrawal of the Movement
🔹 The Chauri Chaura Incident (1922) in Uttar Pradesh turned violent.
🔹 Gandhi suspended the movement, emphasizing non-violence.
🔸 Many leaders disagreed and formed the Swaraj Party.
📜 The Simon Commission (1928)
🔸 Formed to review Indian constitutional reforms.
🔸 No Indian members, leading to:
- ✅ Widespread boycotts
- ✅ Black flags and protests
🔹 “Simon Go Back” became a rallying cry.
🎯 Demand for Purna Swaraj (1929)
🔹 In the Lahore Session of the Congress (1929), Jawaharlal Nehru declared:
- ✅ Goal of Complete Independence (Purna Swaraj)
🔸 26 January 1930 was celebrated as Independence Day for the first time.
🚩 Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34)
🔸 Salt March or Dandi March (1930)
🔹 Gandhi marched 240 miles from Sabarmati to Dandi.
🔹 Broke the Salt Law on 6 April 1930 by making salt.
🔸 Marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
💪 Features of the Movement
✅ Refusal to pay taxes
✅ Boycott of foreign goods
✅ Picketing liquor shops and British institutions
✅ Breaking colonial laws (like salt and forest laws)
👩 Role of Women and Other Social Groups
👩🌾 Women’s Participation
🔹 Participated in:
- ✅ Marches
- ✅ Protests and picketing
🔸 However, women were not given equal status in leadership roles.
🧑🌾 Peasants and Tribals
🔹 Demanded reduction of taxes, abolition of begar, and ownership of land.
👥 Business Class
🔸 Supported swaraj to gain economic freedom.
🔹 Formed Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress and FICCI.
✋ Limitations and End of Civil Disobedience
🔹 The movement ended in 1934.
🔸 Though it failed to achieve immediate goals, it:
- ✅ Mobilized the masses
- ✅ Deepened the sense of national unity
🧩 The Sense of Collective Belonging
🔹 Nationalism grew through shared symbols, folklore, and history.
🔹 Tools used to create unity:
- ✅ National songs like Vande Mataram
- ✅ Folk tales and festivals
- ✅ Tricolor flags
- ✅ Images of Bharat Mata (created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Abanindranath Tagore)
🧠 Key Terms for Revision
📌 Satyagraha – Non-violent resistance
📌 Non-Cooperation – Withdrawing support from the British
📌 Civil Disobedience – Defying laws non-violently
📌 Purna Swaraj – Complete independence
📌 Khilafat Movement – Muslim support to protect Caliphate
📌 Jallianwala Bagh – Massacre in Amritsar
📌 Simon Commission – British constitutional panel without Indians
📚 Chapter Summary
🔸 The nationalist movement in India evolved over time from moderate demands to mass participation.
🔹 Gandhiji’s leadership transformed the struggle into a mass movement.
🔸 Events like Jallianwala Bagh, Non-Cooperation, and Salt March played a vital role.
🔹 Despite British suppression, Indians from all walks of life united under the banner of freedom and self-rule.
✅ Why This Chapter is Important
✔️ Appears in board exams every year
✔️ Strong base for understanding modern Indian history
✔️ Highlights the power of unity and non-violence