Summary India's Freedom Struggle: A Concise Guide with Previous Year Questions of UPSC Exam
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India\'s Struggle for Independence
India's struggle for freedom is a vast and complex topic, and it is impossible to do it justice in a short summary. However, here is a brief overview of some of the key events and movements that led to India's independence in 1947.
The first major uprising against British rule was the Revolt of ...
Chapter 1: The Background of the
Indian National Movement
Introduction
The Indian national movement was a long and complex process that began in the
early 19th century and culminated in India's independence in 1947. The movement
was driven by a variety of factors, including economic, social, and political
grievances.
Economic Factors
The British colonial rule had a profound impact on the Indian economy. The British
East India Company, which ruled India from 1757 to 1858, was primarily interested in
making a profit. As a result, the company focused on extracting resources from India,
rather than investing in its development. This led to widespread poverty and famine.
Social Factors
The British also introduced a number of social reforms that had a negative impact on
Indian society. For example, the British banned sati, the practice of widow burning.
However, they also introduced the caste system, which had a devastating impact on
Indian society.
Political Factors
The British also restricted Indian political participation. They did not allow Indians to
hold any positions of power in the colonial government. This led to widespread
resentment and anger among Indians.
The First War of Independence
The Indian national movement began in earnest in 1857 with the First War of
Independence. The war was sparked by a number of factors, including the
introduction of the Enfield rifle, which was rumored to be greased with cow and pig
fat. This was seen as an insult to both Hindus and Muslims.
The war was a major turning point in the Indian national movement. It showed that
the British could be defeated, and it inspired Indians to continue fighting for their
independence.
The Rise of the Indian National Congress
,In 1885, the Indian National Congress was founded. The Congress was the first
major political organization in India, and it played a leading role in the Indian national
movement.
The Congress initially focused on moderate goals, such as self-government within
the British Empire. However, in the early 20th century, the Congress became more
radical, and it began to demand complete independence from Britain.
The Non-Cooperation Movement
In 1920, Mahatma Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement. The
movement was a major turning point in the Indian national movement. It was the first
time that the entire Indian population had united in a mass movement against British
rule.
The Non-Cooperation Movement was a huge success. It forced the British to make a
number of concessions to the Indian people. However, the movement was also
violently suppressed by the British, and it led to the deaths of thousands of Indians.
The Civil Disobedience Movement
In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi launched the Civil Disobedience Movement. The
movement was a nonviolent protest against British rule. It was another major turning
point in the Indian national movement.
The Civil Disobedience Movement was also a huge success. It forced the British to
make even more concessions to the Indian people. However, the movement was
again violently suppressed by the British, and it led to the deaths of thousands of
Indians.
The Quit India Movement
In 1942, Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement. The movement called
for the British to leave India immediately. It was the last major mass movement of the
Indian national movement.
The Quit India Movement was a huge success. It forced the British to leave India in
1947. India gained its independence, and it became a republic.
Conclusion
The Indian national movement was a long and complex process that culminated in
India's independence in 1947. The movement was driven by a variety of factors,
including economic, social, and political grievances. The movement was successful
because it was able to unite the Indian people in a common cause.
,Here are some important questions from India's Struggle for Independence chapter 1
that have appeared in UPSC exams in the past:
1. What were the main causes of the Revolt of 1857?
The main causes of the Revolt of 1857 were:
• The introduction of the Enfield rifle, which was rumored to be greased with
cow and pig fat, which was offensive to both Hindus and Muslims.
• The increasing interference of the British in Indian religious and social life.
• The economic hardship caused by the British East India Company's policies.
• The growing sense of Indian nationalism.
2. What were the main achievements of the Indian National Congress?
The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 and is considered to be the first
political party in India. The main achievements of the Indian National Congress were:
• It brought together Indians from all over the country to fight for independence.
• It raised awareness of the Indian people about the need for independence.
• It put pressure on the British government to grant India independence.
3. What were the main features of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in 1920 by Mahatma Gandhi. The
main features of the movement were:
• A boycott of British goods and services.
• A withdrawal of cooperation from the British government.
• A campaign of civil disobedience.
4. What were the main achievements of the Civil Disobedience Movement?
The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched in 1930 by Mahatma Gandhi. The
main achievements of the movement were:
• It brought the Indian National Congress to the forefront of the independence
struggle.
• It raised awareness of the Indian people about the need for independence.
• It put pressure on the British government to grant India independence.
5. What were the main reasons for the failure of the Quit India Movement?
, The Quit India Movement was launched in 1942 by Mahatma Gandhi. The main
reasons for the failure of the movement were:
• The movement was not properly planned.
• The Indian National Congress was not united.
• The British government was able to suppress the movement.
Chapter 2: The Early Phase of the Indian
National Movement
The early phase of the Indian National Movement can be divided into three
periods:
• The Pre-1857 period, when the Indian people began to resist British
rule.
• The 1857-1905 period, when the Indian National Congress was
founded and the Indian people began to demand self-government.
• The 1905-1947 period, when the Indian National Movement grew in
strength and eventually led to India's independence.
Pre-1857 period
The first major resistance to British rule came in the form of the Sepoy
Mutiny of 1857. The mutiny was sparked by a number of factors, including
the introduction of new cartridges that were rumored to be greased with
cow and pig fat, which was offensive to both Hindus and Muslims. The
mutiny spread quickly across northern India, and for a time it seemed that
the British might be driven out of India. However, the British eventually
suppressed the mutiny, and in the aftermath they took steps to strengthen
their control over India.
1857-1905 period
In the aftermath of the Sepoy Mutiny, the British government took steps to
reform the way it governed India. In 1858, the British East India Company
was dissolved, and the government of India was taken over by the British
Crown. The British also introduced a number of reforms, including the
establishment of a Legislative Council in India. However, these reforms did
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