NATIONALISM IN INDIA
Introduction
Nation states Created a sense of common identity and belongingness
New symbols, Icons, New Songs and ideas
Development of Nationalism- Anti-colonial movement
Sense of being oppressed, provided a shared bond but the notion of freedom for each class and group varied.
First World War and Nationalism
First world war forged the feeling of nationalism in India
World war Defence expenditure Financed by Increased taxes
First world war It created a new economic and political situation.
Price of essential commodities increased [Doubling between 1913 to 1918]
Supply of soldiers for war Forced Recruitment Caused widespread anger
Crop failure Shortage of food Influenza epidemic and famines (12 to 13 million died)
Diversion of food grains towards Europe.
The Idea of Satyagraha and Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in January 1915
What is Satayagraha?
First experiment of Satyagraha In South Africa against racism.
Satyagraha= Satya + agraha Emphasised on the power of truth and the need to search for truth
Philosophy: If the cause is true and struggle is against injustice, then the physical force is not required to fight against oppression, Oppressor should be persuaded to see the truth, instead of being forced to accept truth through the use of violence.
Experiments: Champaran, Bihar [1917] Kheda, Gujarat [1918] Ahmedabad, Gujarat [1918]
Truth + to hold firms
The Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh incident and Khilafat Movement
The Rowlatt Act
The act gave the government power to repress the political activities, Political leaders, can be arrested and kept in prison without trial, for two years.
Gandhi opposed this unjust law, He launched hartal/Rowlatt Satyagraha, date decided was 6 April 1919.
Non-Violent Rallies, strikes, protest were started in various parts of India.
To control all this British took various steps and one was that they fired on peaceful procession in Amritsar.
This provoked people to took violence.
Jallianwala Bagh Incident
Violence due to Rowlatt act
Martial law was imposed.
On 13 April, people gathered in Jallianwala Bagh
Baisakhi Fair
For protest
General Dyer took command
He closed the exit and fired on crowd.
Many people were killed, this anger crowd, people took over violence, clashes with police and attack on property.
Government got a free hand, It responds with brutal repression of Protestors.
Khilafat Movement
Khalifa (Spiritual head of Islamic world)
Emperor of Ottoman (Turkey)
Defeated in World War-I
Rumours, that harsh peace treaty was going to be imposed on him
Disrespect= Muslim
Masses were angry
Protested by
Khilafat Movement
Khilafat Committee Bombay, March 1919
Possibility of Uniting Hindu+Muslim and launch nation wide movement.
Muhammad Ali and Shukat Ali
Calcutta Session, September 1920, demand for Non-Cooperation movement was raised.
Non-Cooperation Movement in towns
Many of them responded to the call of swaraj, but the term meant different thing to different people.
Middle-class participation [Students left government schools and colleges, teachers and headmasters resigned, lawyers gave up their legal practices.]
Effect on economy: Foreign goods were boycotted, liquor shops picketed.
[Import of foreign cloths halved between 1921 to 1922]
Production of Indian Textile
Rs. 102 crore to Rs. 57 crore
Limitations
Justice party
[Party of Non-brahmans]
Not boycotted elections
Felt that they can gain power through participating in council elections.
Non-Cooperation Movement in Countryside
Participation by peasants
A person is contracted to work without salary for a specific number of years.
Alluri Sitaram Raju
Participation by Tribals
Non-Cooperation Movement: In Plantation fields
Plantation workers had their own notion of swaraj.
Freedom: Right to move freely in and out of the confined space [Plantation field], retaining a link with the village from which they had came.
Inland Emigration Act of 1859
Worker were not provided permission to leave the tea garden without permission.
NCM
Gandhi Raj
Workers headed towards their home
But they never reached their destination, they were caught by police and brutally beaten up.
Yet the notions were different but it created an emotion relating to an all-Indian agitation
Eg. Slogan demanding “Swatantra Bharat”
Calling off of Non-Cooperation Movement
At Chauri Chaura, [UP], 1922
Peaceful demonstration in bazaar turned into a violent clash with the police.
Mahatma Gandhi called a Halt to the NCM.
Towards Civil Disobedience: Swaraj Party, Simon Commission, Purna Swaraj
After the calling off of NCM
Leaders within Congress wanted to participate in elections to provincial council.
Motilal Nehru and C R Das
They felt that they can oppose British policies within the Councils. [Reforms, demonstrations]
Formed To participate in elections
Swaraj Party
Two factors shaped Indian during this time: Economic Depression and Simon Commission
Agricultural Crisis [Rural Distress]
Simon Commission [1928]
Headed by Sir John Simon, given the task to Craft Indian Constitution
It was greeted by all parties with a slogan “Simon Go Back”
Reaching to this, Vicero, Lord Irwin offered “Dominion status” and round table conference discussion for future constitution in October 1929.
But some young and radical leaders within congress had other notion, Leaders such as J L Nehru and S.C. Bose
Became more assertive, opposed the constitutional system within the framework of British Dominion [Increased their influence]
In December, 1929,Lahore Session J L Nehru, Passed a resolution demanding
Poorna Swaraj
It was declared that 26 January 1930 would be celebrated as Independence day [But it was not achieved]
So Gandhiji had another idea to go with Civil Disobedience Movement
The Salt March and the Civil Disobedience Movement
Salt March/Dandi March
Consumed by rich and poor alike
Essential food item
When?
Started , 12 March 1930
Ended 6 April 1930
How?
Letter to Viceroy Irwin
Stated eleven demands to be fulfilled by 11 March
78 volunteers, 240 Miles 24 days [Sabarmati to Dandi]
Violated the salt law, by manufacturing salt.
Why?
NCM?
Civil Disobedience?
v/s
Government’s Reaction
Calling off
Gandhi-Irwin pact [5 March 1931]
Limitations of Civil Disobedience Movement:
Individual
Groups
Ambedkar
Harijans
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Muslim
Gandhi
Brahmans
v/s
v/s
MR Jayakar
Hindu
Caste
Religion
How participants saw the movement?
Rich farmers/Landlords
Poor Peasants
Industrial owners
The sense of collective belonging
Image of Bharat Mata
Reinterpretation of History