The Indian Freedom Movement: The Epic Journey of India’s Freedom Struggle | NDA GS Topic 2023|
The Freedom Movement in India, also known as the Indian Independence Movement, was a long and arduous struggle by the Indian people against British colonial rule. It spanned several decades and involved various strategies, including non-violent resistance, civil disobedience, protests, and mass movements. The movement ultimately led to India’s independence on August 15, 1947. Here is an overview of the key phases and leaders of the Indian Freedom Movement:
Indian Freedom Movement:-
- Early Phase:
- The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885, providing a platform for Indians to voice their demands for self-governance and reforms.
- Prominent leaders during this phase included Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, who advocated for Indian representation in governance and political rights.
- Moderate Phase:
- Leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji pursued moderate methods to press for reforms and representation within the British colonial framework.
- The moderate phase focused on education, social reforms, and constitutional reforms to gradually gain more rights for Indians.
- Extremist Phase:
- The extremist phase emerged in the early 1900s, marked by more radical approaches towards the freedom struggle.
- Leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal called for more aggressive measures, including boycotts, strikes, and mass movements.
- Non-Cooperation Movement:
- The Non-Cooperation Movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi, was launched in 1920, advocating non-violent resistance and non-cooperation with British authorities.
- The movement gained widespread support and aimed to boycott British goods, institutions, and services.
- Civil Disobedience Movement:
- The Civil Disobedience Movement, also led by Mahatma Gandhi, was initiated in 1930 as a protest against the salt tax imposed by the British.
- The movement encouraged Indians to break the salt laws, participate in civil disobedience, and peacefully resist British rule.
- Quit India Movement:
- The Quit India Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942, demanding an immediate end to British colonial rule in India.
- It was a mass movement marked by strikes, protests, and acts of civil disobedience, despite severe repression by the British authorities.
- Partition and Independence:
- As India moved towards independence, the country witnessed communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims.
- The Indian National Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, and the All India Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, played crucial roles in negotiations for independence.
- India gained independence on August 15, 1947, but the country was also partitioned into India and Pakistan, leading to communal violence and mass migrations.
- Revolutionary Movements:
- Alongside the non-violent struggle, revolutionary movements played a crucial role in the fight for freedom.
- Groups like the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) led by Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Chandrashekhar Azad advocated armed resistance against British rule.
- These revolutionaries carried out daring acts such as bombings, assassinations, and acts of sabotage to challenge British authority and inspire the masses.
- Bardoli Satyagraha:
- The Bardoli Satyagraha was a successful non-violent movement led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1928.
- It was a protest against the oppressive land revenue policies imposed by the British in the Bardoli region of Gujarat.
- Through mass civil disobedience and unity among farmers, the movement forced the British to withdraw the unjust tax hike.
- Salt Satyagraha:
- The Salt Satyagraha, also known as the Salt March, was a significant event during the Civil Disobedience Movement.
- Led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, it aimed to protest the British monopoly on salt production and distribution.
- Gandhi and his followers marched to the coastal village of Dandi, producing salt from seawater, openly defying the British salt laws.
- Women’s Participation:
- Women played a vital role in the freedom struggle and actively participated in various movements.
- Prominent female leaders like Sarojini Naidu, Annie Besant, Kamala Nehru, and Aruna Asaf Ali emerged as inspiring figures.
- Women’s organizations such as the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) and the Women’s Indian Association (WIA) played pivotal roles in mobilizing women for the cause of freedom.
- Role of Youth:
- The youth of India played a significant role in the freedom movement.
- Organizations like the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and the Hindustan Socialist Youth Force (HSYF) worked to raise awareness, mobilize the youth, and challenge British authority.
- Young leaders like Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Rajendra Prasad emerged as prominent voices of the youth in the struggle for independence.
Prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose, and many others played vital roles in inspiring and leading the Indian Freedom Movement. Their perseverance, sacrifices, and determination paved the way for India’s freedom from colonial rule and left a lasting impact on the nation’s history.
Some MCQs Related to Freedom Moment
Here are a few multiple-choice questions (MCQs) related to the Indian Freedom Movement:
Who founded the Indian National Congress (INC)?
a) Mahatma Gandhi
b) Jawaharlal Nehru
c) Dadabhai Naoroji
d) Subhas Chandra Bose
Which movement was launched in response to the partition of Bengal in 1905?
a) Swadeshi Movement
b) Non-Cooperation Movement
c) Quit India Movement
d) Civil Disobedience Movement
Who among the following leaders was known as the “Lion of Punjab”?
a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
b) Lala Lajpat Rai
c) Bipin Chandra Pal
d) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Which movement aimed to boycott British goods and promote indigenous products?
a) Quit India Movement
b) Non-Cooperation Movement
c) Swadeshi Movement
d) Salt Satyagraha
The Dandi March, also known as the Salt March, was led by:
a) Mahatma Gandhi
b) Jawaharlal Nehru
c) Bhagat Singh
d) Subhas Chandra Bose
The Quit India Movement was launched in which year?
a) 1919
b) 1922
c) 1930
d) 1942
Who among the following leaders advocated armed resistance against British rule?
a) Mahatma Gandhi
b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
c) Bhagat Singh
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
The Bardoli Satyagraha was led by:
a) Mahatma Gandhi
b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
c) Subhas Chandra Bose
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
The Indian National Army (INA) was formed by:
a) Jawaharlal Nehru
b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
c) Subhas Chandra Bose
d) Bhagat Singh
India gained independence from British rule on:
a) August 15, 1945
b) August 15, 1946
c) August 15, 1947
d) August 15, 1948
Answers:
c) Dadabhai Naoroji
a) Swadeshi Movement
b) Lala Lajpat Rai
c) Swadeshi Movement
a) Mahatma Gandhi
d) 1942
c) Bhagat Singh
b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
c) Subhas Chandra Bose
c) August 15, 1947
