People were dissatisfied with British rule in the 1870s and 1880s because:
British were controlling the resources of India
British were trying to control the lives of the people, hindering India from being for Indians
The Arms Act of 1878 prohibited Indians from owning arms
The Vernacular Press Act of 1879 aimed to silence critics of the government
Furor over the Ilbert Bill in 1883, which proposed trial of British or European persons by Indians and equality between British and Indian judges
The Indian National Congress aimed to speak for all communities of India, not just one class or community, in the fight for freedom
The First World War had economic impacts on India such as:
Increase in defence expenditure
Rise in taxes on individual incomes and business profits
Sharp increase in prices due to military expenditure and demands for war supplies
Decline in imports into India
Business groups making significant profits
The Muslim League resolution of 1940 asked for "Independent States" for Muslims in the north-western and eastern areas of the country, without mentioning partition or Pakistan
The Moderates were a group who proposed to struggle against British rule through petitions, meetings, and agitations, aiming to bring about constitutional reforms within the framework of British rule
Moderates wanted to develop public awareness about the unjust nature of British rule
Moderates published newspapers, wrote articles, and criticized British rule in speeches
Moderates sent representatives to different parts of the country to mobilize public support
Moderates believed that expressing just demands to the British government would lead to acceptance
Radicals advocated mass mobilization and boycott of British institutions and goods
Some radicals suggested that "revolutionary violence" would be necessary to overthrow British rule
Moderates followed the rules, laws, and order posed by the British
Radicals opposed the "practice of prayers" followed by the Moderates
Different forms of the Non-Cooperation Movement in India included:
Nonviolent campaigns against high land revenue demand in Kheda, Gujarat
Picketing of liquor shops in coastal Andhra and interior Tamil Nadu
"Forest satyagraha" in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh by tribals and poor peasants
Enthusiasm among Muslim traders and peasants in Sind (now in Pakistan) for the Khilafat call
Communal unity and strength in Bengal due to the Khilafat-Non-Cooperation alliance
Akali agitation in Punjab by Sikhs to remove corrupt mahants from gurdwaras
People thought of Gandhiji as a messiah who could help them overcome misery and poverty
Gandhiji chose to break the salt law to relate the general desire for freedom to a specific grievance shared by all, without dividing the rich and the poor
Key developments of the 1937-47 period that led to the creation of Pakistan:
Two-nation theory
Provincial elections of 1937
Rift between Congress and Muslim League
Failed talks
Provincial elections of 1946
Mass agitation
Partition was finalized and Pakistan was created
The emergence of nationalism played a significant role in the making of the national movement in India
The British rule over India in their self-interest led to the armed Revolt of 1857
Political associations started forming after 1850, including:
Puna Sarvajanik Sabha
Indian Association
The Madras Mahajan Sabha
The Bombay Presidency Association
The Indian National Congress
The Arms Act of 1878 prohibited Indians from carrying weapons, causing resentment among Indians
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 empowered the government to confiscate newspapers printing against the British government
The Ilbert Bill of 1883 aimed to remove racial discrimination in the judicial services but was withdrawn due to protests by Europeans
The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885 with the goal of empowering Indians to take decisions regarding their affairs
The Congress demanded a greater voice for Indians in the government, separation of Judiciary from the executive, repeal of the Arms Act, and freedom of speech and expression
The Congress raised economic issues such as reduction of land Revenue, cut in military expenditure, and more funds for irrigation
In 1907, the Congress split into two groups: moderates and extremists, with different approaches to opposing British rule
The partition of Bengal in 1905 led to the birth of the Swadeshi movement, which boycotted British institutions and goods
The Khilafat movement and the Non-Cooperation movement were organized to oppose British rule in India
The Non-Cooperation movement led by Mahatma Gandhi gained momentum in 1921 and 1922, involving various sections of society in the struggle for self-government
The Government of India Act of 1935 prescribed provincial autonomy and led to successful Congress elections in 1937
The Quit India movement was initiated in August 1942 under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, demanding freedom from British rule
India became independent on August 15, 1947, but was partitioned into two countries, India and Pakistan