🟢 The Beginning of Nationalism in India
🔵 Meaning of Nationalism
- Nationalism is a feeling of unity and pride among people who share a common history, culture, language, and aspirations for freedom.
- In the Indian context, it meant the struggle against British rule and the aim for self-rule or Swaraj.
🔵 Factors that Led to Nationalism in India
- Colonial exploitation: Economic drain by the British led to widespread poverty and unemployment.
- Western education: Spread of modern ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
- Press and literature: Newspapers and books played a vital role in spreading nationalist consciousness.
- Transport and communication: Railways, telegraphs, and roads helped people connect and organize movements.
🔵 The First World War and Nationalism
- The First World War (1914–1918) created economic and political hardships in India.
- Heavy taxes, forced recruitment, and price rise increased public resentment.
- People started demanding self-governance and economic freedom.
🔵 Arrival of Mahatma Gandhi
- Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915 from South Africa.
- He introduced the concept of Satyagraha, a method of non-violent resistance.
- Believed in truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa) as core principles.
- Launched several mass movements involving peasants, workers, and students.
🔵 Satyagraha Movements Before 1919
- Champaran Satyagraha (1917): For indigo farmers in Bihar against oppressive plantation system.
- Kheda Satyagraha (1918): For peasants in Gujarat suffering from crop failure and high taxes.
- Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918): Support to textile workers demanding higher wages.
🔵 Rowlatt Act (1919) and Reaction
- The Rowlatt Act allowed arrest without trial – called the “Black Law”.
- Gandhiji launched a nationwide hartal against it.
- This led to mass protests across India.
🔵 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)
- On 13 April 1919, General Dyer ordered firing on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar.
- Hundreds were killed; thousands injured.
- This led to nationwide anger and a loss of faith in British justice.
🟣 Major Movements and Impact of Indian Nationalism
🟡 The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22)
- Launched by Gandhiji after Jallianwala Bagh and the Khilafat Movement.
- Aimed to withdraw support from British institutions – courts, schools, titles, etc.
- Students left colleges, lawyers boycotted courts, and foreign goods were burnt.
- Promoted Khadi and Charkha for economic self-reliance.
- Movement spread to towns, villages, and tribal areas.
🟡 Role of the Khilafat Movement
- Started by Ali brothers (Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali) to protect the Caliph of Turkey.
- Merged with Non-Cooperation to unite Hindus and Muslims.
- Symbol of pan-Islamic support and national unity.
🟡 Participation in the Movement
- Middle Class: Participated actively in cities through boycotts.
- Peasants: In Awadh, led by Baba Ramchandra, they fought against high rents and taxes.
- Tribal people: In Andhra, led by Alluri Sitaram Raju, they protested against forest laws.
- Workers: Organised strikes in cotton mills and railways.
🟡 Chauri Chaura Incident and Suspension
- In 1922, in Chauri Chaura (U.P.), angry mob set a police station on fire, killing policemen.
- Gandhiji was deeply disturbed by violence and called off the movement.
- Shifted focus to constructive work and village upliftment.
🟡 Swaraj Party (1923)
- Formed by Motilal Nehru and C.R. Das after suspension of NCM.
- Believed in entering legislative councils to oppose British rule from within.
- Functioned as a constitutional wing of the freedom struggle.
🟡 Simon Commission (1928)
- Appointed by British to suggest reforms – no Indian member included.
- Faced nationwide protest with slogans like “Simon Go Back“.
- Lala Lajpat Rai was injured in a protest and later died.
🟡 Demand for Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence)
- In Lahore Session of Congress (1929) under Jawaharlal Nehru, resolution of complete independence was passed.
- 26 January 1930 declared as Independence Day.
- People were urged to celebrate with patriotic activities.
🟡 Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34)
- Started with the famous Dandi March (12 March 1930).
- Gandhiji and followers walked 240 km from Sabarmati to Dandi to break Salt Law.
- Movement included refusal to pay taxes, boycott of foreign goods, and non-payment of land revenue.
- People voluntarily broke unjust laws.
🟡 Participation and Response
- Rich peasants: Demanded reduction in revenue.
- Poor peasants: Demanded abolition of rent but lacked support later.
- Women: Took part in large numbers – picketing shops, marches, spinning Khadi.
- Dalits and Muslims: Limited participation due to internal divisions and lack of inclusive leadership.
🟡 Government Response and Round Table Conferences
- British government arrested leaders and suppressed the movement.
- Gandhiji participated in the Second Round Table Conference (1931) but no agreement was reached.
- Movement was restarted in 1932 but slowly lost momentum.
🟡 Poona Pact (1932)
- Signed between Gandhiji and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
- Ensured reserved seats for Dalits in general electorate, not separate electorates.
- Aimed to preserve national unity and uplift depressed classes.
🟡 Role of Cultural Symbols in Nationalism
- Use of flag, songs, images, and folklore to unite people emotionally.
- Tricolour flag with Charkha became a symbol of resistance.
- Vande Mataram – song from Anandamath – inspired nationalism.
- Bharat Mata painted by Abanindranath Tagore personified the nation as a goddess.
🟡 Impact of Indian Nationalism
- Mass mobilization of people from different classes and regions.
- Spread of unity and national consciousness.
- Laid the foundation for freedom in 1947.
- Made British rule illegitimate in the eyes of the common man.
🔵 Conclusion
🔸 Nationalism in India grew gradually through mass movements, leadership, and cultural unity.
🔸 Mahatma Gandhi played a central role in shaping the nature of Indian nationalism.
🔸 People from all walks of life participated and contributed to the freedom struggle.
🔸 Though movements faced setbacks, they deepened democratic ideals and patriotic spirit.
🔸 The journey of Indian nationalism eventually led to India’s independence in 1947.