The impact of
English education in India led to the growth of nationalism,
resulting in freedom of thought and liberalism. It also made the
educated people blindly follow Western Culture. But a strong
reaction against the sweeping current of Western influence
manifested itself in the third quarter of the nineteenth
century. It was mainly due to the growing knowledge of the glory
and greatness of ancient India. The revelation of India's past
was one of the strongest foundations on which Indian nationalism
was built.
The spirit of Indian nationalism was intensified by the
growing discontent and disaffection with British rule due to the
racial arrogance of the rulers. In this regard, Sir Thomas Munro
wrote in 1817, "Foreign conquerors have treated the natives with
violence, but none has treated them with so much scorn as we;
none have stigmatized the whole people as unworthy of trust, as
incapable of honesty, and as fit to be employed only where we
cannot do without them. It seems not only ungenerous, but
impolite to debase the character of a people fallen under our
dominion."
The social exclusiveness of the Englishmen, their arrogance
and insolent treatment of Indians, particularly the immunity
which they practically enjoyed for their criminal acts,
including even the murder of Indians, were sources of grave
discontent.
To the English-educated Indians who formed the main pillars of
support for British rule, virtual exclusion from the higher
branches of administration on purely racial grounds was the
rudest shock.
The favoritism that afforded Englishmen superiority over
Indians in all walks of life, the rulers' self-centered economic
policy, and the restrictions imposed on Indians by the Arms Act
were responsible for much discontent and disaffection among
Indians.
The major mass movement for India's freedom from this alien
rule was the so-called Sepoy Mutiny in 1857. The main cause of
this mutiny was discontent and anger throughout the army. The
uneasiness, misery and pain brought upon all from high offices,
both in the civil administration and in the army; the economic
exploitation both of landlords and tenants; destruction of old
and renowned royal dynasties such as those of Peshwa, Bhonsle,
Avadh, Jhansi, Punjab and Satara; the economic exploitation of
the country, destruction of Indian industries and forced
increase in land revenues... these are some of the main causes
that led to discomfort and anger among the Indian population.
Other major events that resulted in India's Independence
are as follows:
- The
Partition of Bengal in 1905 by the British Government, based
on religions and languages.
- The
British Government's efforts to enlist the support of the
Muslims against the Hindus.
- The spread
of the spirit of Hindu-Muslim unity--Allah-O-Akbar and Vande
Mataram.
- The
Swadeshi Movement--an economic boycott of foreign goods in
support of domestic products.
- Repressive
measures by the British Government
Swami
Vivekananda's clarion call to the nation--"Man-making is my
mission of life. You try to translate this mission of mine
into action and reality. Your duty should be service to the
motherland. India should be freed politically first... for
the next fifty years this alone shall be our keynote--this,
our great Mother India. Let all other vain gods disappear
for that time from our minds." These powerful utterances had
a deep impact on the minds of the people.
Other important moments and movements in the history of
India's Independence:
-
The impact of different organizations such as Brahmo Samaj
founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Arya Samaj by Swami Dayananda
Saraswati, Prarthana Samaj (Bombay), Swarajya Party, and the
Theosophical Society started by Annie Besant.
-
Formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885.
-
Mahatma Gandhi's arrival from South Africa and the rise of the
Indian National Congress as an expression of the revolt of
the Indian people against alien rule.
Nationalism of extremists--Sri Aurobindo, Subhash Chandra
Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpa Rai and Bipin Chandra
Pal.
-
World Wars I and II, which weakened the power of the British
rulers.
Mahatma's Swadeshi Movement starting from Satyagraha against
the Rowlatt Act.
-
The Jalianwala Bagh massacre on 13 April 1919, where over 400
innocent and unarmed people were killed, and the imposition
of martial law in Punjab.
-
The pronouncement of complete independence at the Lahore
Session of the Indian National Congress in 1929, which
caused the awakening of a new spirit in the nation.
Mahatma's successful civil disobedience movement all over the
country against the Salt Laws. His Salt March at Dandi,
Gujarat, in December 1930 spread to various parts of the
country.
-
The "Quit India" movement in 1942 and its nationwide impact.
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