Indian National Movement: Summary

The Indian National movement started with the formation of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885.

The first phase, period between 1885-1905, was also known as the Moderate phase.

While everybody agrees on the distinction of the first (early) phase, ther eis a bit of amiguity concerning the period after the first phase until independence.

There are some historians who further divide the period after the first phase until independence into two more phases:

• Extremist phase: 1905-1917
  Major milestones/events during this period – Partion of Bengal (1905), Swadeshi movement (1905-06), Formation of Muslim league (1906), Surat Split (1907), Morley-Minto reforms (1909), Delhi Conspiracy case (1912), Komagata Maru incident (1914), Home rule movement (1916), Lucknow pact (1916)

• Gandhian Phase: 1917-1947

On the other hand, there are some who feel there were several smaller movements from 1905 onwards.

Let’s take a look at the major events from 1905 onwards.

Swadeshi movement (1905-06)

Muslim League was founded in 1906 by Agah Khan III and Moshin Mulk. Surat Split (1907)

Morley- Minto Reform Act (1909): Separate electorate was introduced

Gadhar Movement (1913): Started by Lala Hardayal, he founded the Gadhar party and started the publication Gadhar Journal.

Komgata Maru incident (1914): The incident took place on September 1914 and for this Indians set up a committee named as Shore Committee to fight the legal battle of the passengers.

1914: First World War broke out.

Home Rule Movement (1916): Started by Tilak in April 1916 in Poona, the demand was for Swaraj. Annie Besant started the movement on September 1916 in Adiyar near Madras.

Extremist and Moderate leaders were united (1916): Lucknow Session of Congress 1916 presided over by Ambika Charan Majumdar (Moderate leader) where both Extremist and Moderate leaders were united.

Government of India Act 1919 or Montagu- Chelmsford Reform Act was passed to establish a responsible Government in India.

Gandhi returns to India from South Africa (1915): On 9th January 1915 Gandhi ji return to India from South Africa at the age of 46.

Sabarmati Ashram (1916): Gandhi Ji founded Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmadabad (Gujarat) in 1916 to preach the idea of truth and non-violence.

Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

Kheda Satyagraha (1917)

Ahmadabad Mill Strike (1918)

Rowlatt Act Satyagraha February (1919)

Satyagraha Sabha in February (1919): Gandhi ji founded the Satyagraha Sabha in February, 1919. In this movement student, middle class, labour and capitalist participated and congress as an organisation was nowhere. This was the first mass movement of Gandhi ji.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919): People gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to protest the arrest of Saifuddin Kitchlew and Satyapal were fired upon on 13 April 1919.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920): On 1st August 1920 Khilafat Committee launched a Non-Cooperation movement on triple issues- Punjab wrongs, Khilafat issue and Demand for Swaraj. In October 1920 All India Trade Union Congress was founded in Bombay by N. M Joshi, Ray Chaudhary. Presided over by Lala Lajpat Ray

Akali Movement was started in 1920.

In 1925, SGPC (Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee) was founded. Congress Khilafat Swaraj Party was formed by CR Das and Motilal Nehru. Also famous for the second split in the congress.

In 1924, H.R.A (Hindustan Republican Association) was formed at Kanpur. Its members were CS Azad, Sachin Sanyal and Ramprasad Bismil.

In 1927, Workers & Peasant Party (WPP) was formed at Bombay by S.S Mirajkar, K. N Juglekar and S.V Ghate.

In 1929, HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republic Association) was formed at Firozeshah Kotla Delhi. Bhagat Singh joined HSRA.

On 9 Aug, 1925 Kakori Train Dacoit, in this conspiracy case Ram Prasad Bismil, Rajendra Lahiri, Roshan Lal and Asafaqullah khan were hanged to death.

On 23rd March, 1931 Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged to death in Lahore Conspiracy Case.

On 8 November, 1927 Simon Commission was appointed by the British Conservative Government under Stanley Baldwin. To inquire in the working system of Government in the country after the reform act of 1919.

Nehru Report- 1928 for dominion status, universal adult franchise, etc.

Jinnah’s 14 point programme on 31st March, 1929.

1929 Lahore Session of INC presided by Jawaharlal Nehru where the resolution of Purna Swaraj was passed by the congress and decided to launch a Civil Disobedience movement under the leadership of Gandhi ji.

On 26th January, 1930 Independence Day was celebrated for the 1st time.

Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) begins with the Dandi March. From 12 March to 6 April, 1930 Gandhi ji along with his 78 followers marched from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi and broke the salt law by making salt on 6th April 1930.

On 12 November, 1930 First Round Table Conference was held.

On 5th March, 1931 Gandhi Irwin Pact was signed.

On 23rd March, 1931 Trial of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

On 29 March, 1931 Karachi Session of INC, presided over by Vallabh Bhai Patel. In this session first time a resolution of Fundamental Rights and Economic policy was passed.

On 7th September, 1931 Second Round Table Conference was held in which Gandhi ji participated on the behalf of congress.

On 16th August, 1932 Communal or Ramsay Macdonald Award was announced. On 26th September, 1932 Poona pact was signed.

On November, 1932 Third Round Table Conference was held.

In 1935, Governmnet of India Act was passed to create All India Federation, Provincial Autonomy and Diarchy should be there in the centre.

Towards Quit India Movement

On September, 1939 World War II begins and India was declared an ally without its consent.

In 1939 S.C Bose founded Forward Bloc. It was a left party. On 10th August, 1940 – August Offer was announced by Lord Linlithgow viceroy to get the support of Indians in the Second World War.

On 11th March, 1942 Prime Minister Winstill Churchill announced for sending a mission under the chairmanship of Sir Stafford Cripps to find out the solution of constitutional deadlock and problems of Indians.

With the failure of Cripps Mission Quit India movement was started in 1942 by the Indian leaders and the resolution of Quit India was drafted by Gandhi Ji. Gandhi ji gave a call for Do or Die.

Indian National Army (1942): INC was founded in 1942 by Captain Mohan Singh and Niranjan Gill at Singapore. S. C Bose took over its command of 2nd Headquarter at Singapore and Rangoon.

On 21st October, 1943 – Azad Hind Government was set up at Singapore under S.C Bose. There was a women regiment known as Rani Jhansi.

Second World War ends (1945)

Shimla Conference (1945): Shimla Conference or Wavell Plan was proposed by Lord Wavell to solve the political deadlock.

Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) announced by PM Clement Attlee.

On 2nd September, 1946 – Interim Government was set up under J.L Nehru.

On March, 1947 – Lord Mountbatten was send to India with an aim to find a way to transfer of power. Also known as Plan Balkan.

On 3rd June Independence of India Act 1947 was passed by which powers were transferred to two Dominion States India and Pakistan.