TNPSC Group II – UNIT-VII: INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT

(i) National Renaissance, Early Uprisings Against British Rule, Indian National Congress, and Emergence of Leaders

1. National Renaissance
   • Social and Religious Reform Movements:
     • Brahmo Samaj: Founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, focused on monotheism, social reform, and abolition of sati.
     • Arya Samaj: Founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, emphasized Vedic teachings and social reforms.
     • Theosophical Society: Founded by Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott, promoted universal brotherhood and Hindu revivalism.
     • Ramakrishna Mission: Founded by Swami Vivekananda, aimed at religious and social reforms.
     • Aligarh Movement: Led by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, promoted modern education among Muslims.
2. Early Uprisings Against British Rule
   • The Revolt of 1857:
     • Causes: Political, economic, social, and military grievances.
     • Events: Major battles, leaders like Rani Lakshmibai, Tantia Tope, Bahadur Shah Zafar.
     • Consequences: End of Mughal rule, British Crown takes over.
   • Pre-1857 Revolts:
     • Sanyasi-Fakir Rebellion, Paika Rebellion, Vellore Mutiny.
   • Post-1857 Movements:
     • Indigo Revolt, Pabna Agrarian League, Deccan Riots.
3. Indian National Congress
   • Formation and Early Years:
     • Formation in 1885 by A.O. Hume.
     • Early leaders: W.C. Bonnerjee, Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta.
   • Moderates and Extremists:
     • Moderates: Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Surendranath Banerjee.
     • Extremists: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal.
   • Important Sessions and Resolutions:
     • 1907 Surat Split, 1929 Lahore Session (Purna Swaraj).
4. Emergence of Leaders
   • B.R. Ambedkar: Architect of the Indian Constitution, leader of the Dalit community, fought for social justice.
   • Bhagat Singh: Revolutionary, involved in HSRA, known for his acts of defiance against British rule, martyrdom.
   • Subramania Bharati (Bharathiar): Tamil poet and nationalist, contributed to Tamil literature and Indian independence movement.
   • V.O. Chidambaranar: Leader in the Swadeshi movement, established the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company.
   • Jawaharlal Nehru: Key figure in the Congress, first Prime Minister of India, played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle and post-independence policies.
   • K. Kamaraj: Congress leader, played a vital role in Indian politics and social reforms.
   • Mahatma Gandhi: Leader of the Indian independence movement, non-violence, and Satyagraha, major movements (Champaran, Kheda, Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India).
   • Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: Congress leader, freedom fighter, first Education Minister of India.
   • Thanthai Periyar: Social reformer, fought against caste discrimination, promoted the Dravidian movement.
   • C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji): Congress leader, freedom fighter, first Indian Governor-General of India.
   • Subhas Chandra Bose: Leader of the Indian National Army, significant role in the independence movement.
   • Rabindranath Tagore: Nobel laureate, poet, contributed to literature, culture, and nationalism.

(ii) Different Modes of Agitation: Growth of Satyagraha and Militant Movements

1. Growth of Satyagraha
   • Principles of Satyagraha:
     • Truth (Satya), non-violence (Ahimsa), and civil disobedience.
   • Major Satyagraha Movements:
     • Champaran Satyagraha (1917): Indigoplanters’ issues in Bihar.
     • Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Peasant struggle in Gujarat.
     • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922): Boycott of British goods and institutions.
     • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934): Salt March, boycotting British goods and laws.
     • Quit India Movement (1942): Call for immediate independence, mass protests.
2. Militant Movements
   • Early Revolutionary Activities:
     • Chapekar Brothers, Alipore Bomb Case, Kakori Conspiracy.
   • Organizations and Movements:
     • Anushilan Samiti: Revolutionary organization in Bengal.
     • Ghadar Party: Overseas Indian revolutionaries.
     • Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA): Militant organization led by Bhagat Singh and others.
   • Key Revolutionary Leaders and Activities:
     • Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev.
     • Chandrasekhar Azad.
     • Lala Lajpat Rai (associated with militant activities).

(iii) Communalism and Partition

1. Rise of Communalism
   • Factors Contributing to Communalism:
     • British policies of divide and rule.
     • Communal electorates (Separate electorates for Muslims).
     • Role of political organizations and leaders.
   • Key Events Leading to Communal Tensions:
     • Hindu-Muslim riots.
     • Role of the Muslim League.
     • Demands for a separate Muslim state.
2. Partition of India
   • Events Leading to Partition:
     • Lahore Resolution (1940): Demand for Pakistan.
     • Cripps Mission (1942): Proposal for Indian self-governance.
     • Cabinet Mission Plan (1946): Proposal for a united India.
     • Direct Action Day (1946): Communal violence in Bengal.
   • Mountbatten Plan (1947):
     • Proposal for partition.
     • Formation of India and Pakistan.
   • Impact of Partition:
     • Communal violence and mass migrations.
     • Social, economic, and political consequences.
     • Refugee crisis and rehabilitation.