What is the National Movement?
The National Movement of the 19th century is the sole reason why India exists as an independent nation today. The nationalism in India rose due to the influence of the French Renaissance and the subsequent French Revolution. The traditional Indian identity has its roots deep into the ancient era. Hence two hundred years of colonial rule led to the rise of several Political, Socio-Cultural, and Economic unrests throughout the various princely states. Igniting the fire in the masses led to the eventual creation of the Indian National Congress. Hence it became the cause of the rise of nationalism in India.
Causes of Indian National Movement
Indians led a life of oppression under British rule. They wanted to get rid of the torture of the imperialists. Moreover, some of the reforms unknowingly became responsible for uniting the vision of the colony’s people.
The British brought about the Political Unification of India. The country was supposed to have a common administrative framework, one judicial system, and one set of laws. All the rules would be similar anywhere and everywhere in the country.
The development of the transport system connected people throughout the country. New roads connecting all the regions, the introduction to the railways, the telegraph, and the faster postal system immensely united the people irrespective of their caste, class, or religion.
Western Education was the biggest boon of the British Raj. Although it was introduced in India to make faithful servants of the imperialists, out the people, it leads to the revolution of minds. Great leaders like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Dadabhai Naoroji, Swami Vivekananda, and others were born. They revolutionised the millions of youth of the country towards the path of logic and liberty.
The birth of the Indian Press and Newspapers was a weapon to inject the seeds of patriotism, nationalism, and freedom into the minds of the people. Now, the message of nationalism was spread, without the knowledge of the Britishers.
The rise of the Vernacular languages, the great works of literature by the authors like Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, in the regional tongue, described to the people the everyday torture they were facing. These eminent people lit the lamp of nationalism among all.
The Indian Scholars brought forward the rich history of our culture and the great emperors who have ruled us.
The continuous exploitation of the Indian economy, the draining of the inherent wealth to support the Industrial Revolution of England, paralysis of the Indian trading by taking away all the raw materials from the country infuriated the masses, who eventually united against the British rule.
The Major Events Which Describe What is the National Movement of India
Several Events are present in the timeline of the National Movement. From those, we also analyse the various problems that are faced during the National Movement. The emergence of the Indian National Congress in 1885, the Partition of Bengal, Surat Split, Formation of Muslim League, and The National Movement during the First World War happened in the first half. Gandhi and other Revolutionaries and the movements which directly led to the achievement of Independence occurred in the second half.
Gandhi and the Breaking of the Salt Law
The British government had passed a law that stated that the Government would have control over the manufacturing and sale of the salt. Along with this, a tax was also imposed on the sale of the salt. Mahatma Gandhi and other prominent freedom leaders deeply felt that this law was not fair, considering that salt is a common commodity in every food that is prepared. Therefore, the leaders, in order to put forth their point, opposed the law passed by the British Government. Gandhi, in 1930, declared a march to break this salt law. This march also symbolised the desire of freedom felt by everyone, from the poor to the rich. Gandhi, along with his followers would march a total of over 240 miles starting from Sabarmati to the coastal town of Dandi. Tribals, peasants and women would take part in large numbers to oppose the British law. On reaching Dandi, they would oppose the law by gathering the salt from the seashore, and boiling the sea water in order to obtain salt.
The Formation of Pakistan
Congress was victorious in the elections of the provincial legislatures , and formed their governments in 7 provinces.
The Quit India movement was initiated, although the Britishers did their best to suppress it. Eventually the Britishers had to accept the demands of the Indians for complete freedom from their rule.
In 1940, the Muslim League would demand independent states for the muslims living in the north-western and east-western areas of India. This was because there was a collective fear among the muslims that they would be suppressed by the Hindus, as the Hindus were the majority in the country. This resulted in a social divide between the two groups, as congress failed to control and mobilise the muslim massess.
In the elections of the 1946, the divide between the congress and the muslim league increased. While the congress did well in the General constituencies, the muslim league would succedd in areas with majority muslim population. The msulim league demanded and persisted on its demand for a new nation.
In March of 1946, the British cabinet would sit to examine the best suited method to free India. It suggested that India should remain united , although some autonomy should be handed to Muslim areas, but the Congress and the Muslim league failed to come at a mutual understanding. This led to a mass agitation by the Muslim league, demanding a separate nation “Pakistan”. Numerous riots would take place, killing many in the process. Millions were forced to flee. As a result of all this, the partition was inevitable,and thus the nation of Pakistan was born.
Questions and Answers
Here is an example of the making of national movement Class 8 questions and answers.
1. Name an Indian Word that Came to the Forefront of Nationalism. What is its Meaning?
Ans: One of the many words that symbolised the national identity is “Sarvajanik.”It means “of or for all the people” and is made from the two individual words “Sarva” meaning “all” and “Janik” meaning people.
2. Write Down the Slogan Raised by Lokmanya Tilak.
Ans: Tilak had declared that “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it!”
3. Why were the People Dissatisfied with the British Rule in the Latter Part of the 19th Century?
Ans: People were going against British rule because the British had passed the Arms Act which was against the religious sentiments of the people, they were exploiting the resources of the country. The government would confiscate any medium of free speech like newspapers and the press. The act of 1883 which allowed Indians to conduct the trial of the Europeans, was forced to be withdrawn by the white-skinned. All together, Indians were extremely dissatisfied with the imperial government.
4. What are the different forms that the non-cooperation movement took in different parts of the Indian subcontinent?
Ans: The non-cooperation movement gained its impetus during 1921 and 1922. It was noticed that thousands of students gave up their education in the schools and colleges controlled by the then government. Lawyers gave up their practises and many surrendered their British titles and legislatures. As an act of protest, people were seen burning the foreign clothes. Therefore, one can say that the Non-Cooperation movement was only a start of the fire that would go on to engulf the British rule in the revolts that would follow. People from all walks of life slowly and steadily joined the Swaraj movement, where some would stick to the philosophy of practising non-violence as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi, while others would take the route of protesting in their own way. Example of this can be seen when the Patidat peasants, belonging from the state of Gujarat, organised the non-violent campaigns to oppose the high land revenue that the British rule demanded. While on the other hand, in states like Andhra Pradesh and tamil Nadu, people would go on to attack the liquor shops. In the state of Punjab , the Akali agitation among the Sikhs demanded the withdrawal of the corrupt mahants from the Gurudwaras who supported the Britishers. In Assam, on the other hand, the tea garden asked for a raise in their wages. They would even go on to leave the British-owned plantations.
Gandhi was seen as a saviour in these uprisings. He was deemed capable of the ability to free the nation from the chains of the British Raj.
FAQs on The Making of the National Movement
1. What is the core concept behind 'The Making of the National Movement' as studied in Class 8 History?
The chapter 'The Making of the National Movement' for Class 8 explains the process by which a sense of collective identity and the desire for self-rule grew among Indians between the 1870s and 1947. It covers the emergence of nationalism, the formation of political associations like the Indian National Congress, and the evolution of the freedom struggle through different phases, culminating in India's independence from British rule.
2. How did the idea of nationalism and a shared Indian identity begin to emerge in the late 19th century?
The idea of nationalism emerged due to a growing awareness among Indians that British rule was exploitative and was controlling India's resources and people's lives. Key factors included:
- Political Unity: A unified system of administration under the British brought different regions together.
- Economic Exploitation: The British drained India's wealth, which affected all classes of people and created a common grievance.
- Western Education: Exposure to ideas of liberty, equality, and self-governance inspired educated Indians.
- Discriminatory Policies: Acts like the Arms Act (1878) and the Vernacular Press Act (1878) highlighted the racial arrogance of the British, uniting Indians against a common oppressor.
3. What is the main difference between the Moderates and the Extremists in the Indian National Congress?
The primary difference between the two factions was their methods and goals. Moderates, who dominated the Congress from 1885 to 1905, believed in gradual reform and used methods like petitions, prayers, and resolutions to persuade the British government. They sought more representation for Indians within the British administration, not complete independence. In contrast, Extremists (or Radicals) like Lal, Bal, and Pal, advocated for complete independence or Swaraj. They promoted mass mobilisation, boycott of British goods and institutions, and self-reliance as their main tools to overthrow British rule.
4. Why is the Partition of Bengal in 1905 considered a major turning point in the Indian national movement?
The Partition of Bengal in 1905 by Lord Curzon was a crucial turning point because it exposed the British 'divide and rule' policy and enraged the entire nation. While the stated reason was administrative convenience, the real motive was to weaken the nerve centre of Indian nationalism by dividing Hindus and Muslims. This act led to the powerful Swadeshi Movement, which introduced new methods of mass protest like boycotts and national education, shifting the freedom struggle from a small, educated elite to the masses and strengthening the radical faction of the Congress.
5. What is the true meaning of the term 'Swaraj' and what was its importance?
'Swaraj' literally means 'self-rule' or 'home-rule'. Initially popularised by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who famously declared, "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it!", it signified complete independence from foreign domination. Its importance lies in being the ultimate goal of the national movement, especially for the Extremists and later, for Mahatma Gandhi. It was a powerful call for Indians to take control of their own destiny, governance, and resources, moving beyond the Moderate demand for mere reforms.
6. What was the economic impact of the First World War on India, and how did it affect the freedom struggle?
The First World War had a significant economic impact on India, which in turn fuelled the national movement. The British government massively increased defence expenditure, funding it by raising taxes on individuals and businesses in India. This led to a sharp rise in the prices of essential goods, causing great hardship for the common people. However, the war also created opportunities for Indian industries to expand as imports from Europe declined. This growing economic distress and the rise of a new business class made more people join the struggle against colonial rule, demanding greater control over their own economy.
7. What was the Rowlatt Act of 1919 and why was it so controversial?
The Rowlatt Act (1919) was a law passed by the British that gave the government enormous powers to suppress political activities. It allowed for the detention of political prisoners without trial for two years. This Act was highly controversial because it severely curtailed fundamental rights like freedom of expression and was seen as a betrayal after India's contribution to the British war effort. It was called the 'Black Act' because it denied the right to 'dalil, vakil, aur appeal' (arguments, a lawyer, or an appeal). The nationwide opposition to this act led Mahatma Gandhi to launch the Rowlatt Satyagraha, marking his entry into all-India politics.
8. Who did the early Indian National Congress claim to represent?
The early Indian National Congress, from its inception, claimed to represent all the people of India, irrespective of class, caste, creed, language, or gender. A key objective stated by early leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji was that the Congress should be an organisation for all communities. It argued that India and its resources were for all Indians, not just for one specific class or community. Its aim was to create a platform where people from different parts of the country could come together to formulate a unified path towards achieving their political and economic rights.
