Chapter 2: Nationalism in India – Detailed Notes
This chapter focuses on the growth of nationalism in India, particularly during the early 20th century, leading up to the Indian independence movement. The chapter explores key events, movements, and figures in India's struggle for freedom from British colonial rule.
1. The First World War, Khilafat, and Non-Cooperation
Impact of the First World War:
- War led to a rise in defense expenditure, which was financed by increasing taxes, raising custom duties, and introducing income tax.
- The forced recruitment of soldiers led to widespread resentment.
- There were crop failures, resulting in acute food shortages and famines in many parts of India.
- The influenza epidemic of 1918-19 killed 12-13 million people.
Gandhiji's Arrival:
- Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa in 1915 and introduced new methods of mass struggle.
- Satyagraha: A non-violent method of protest. Gandhiji organized various Satyagrahas across India, starting with Champaran (1917) and Kheda (1918).
Khilafat Movement:
- The disintegration of the Ottoman Empire post-World War I led to widespread anger among Indian Muslims.
- Khilafat Committee (1919) was formed by Ali brothers (Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali) to pressurize the British to protect the Ottoman Caliphate.
- Gandhi saw this as an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims and launched the Non-Cooperation Movement.
2. The Idea of Non-Cooperation
Gandhi's Appeal:
- In his book Hind Swaraj (1909), Gandhi declared that British rule was established because of Indian cooperation, and if Indians refused to cooperate, British rule would collapse.
- Gandhi proposed Non-Cooperation in stages:
- Surrender of titles.
- Boycott of civil services, army, police, courts, schools, and foreign goods.
- Non-payment of taxes.
Rejection of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms:
- Indians were dissatisfied with the Government of India Act of 1919, which introduced limited self-government (Dyarchy).
Launching of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920):
- The Congress session in Nagpur (1920) approved the movement.
- The movement was initially successful, involving students leaving government schools, lawyers refusing to practice, and the boycott of foreign goods.
3. Reactions to Non-Cooperation
In Cities:
- The movement started with middle-class participation, involving boycotts of foreign goods, schools, and courts.
- However, it lost momentum due to lack of alternatives in education and other fields.
In Rural Areas:
- Peasants and tribal communities interpreted the movement differently.
- Awadh: Led by Baba Ramchandra, peasants demanded the reduction of rents and abolition of begar (forced labor).
- Tribal Revolt in Andhra Pradesh: Led by Alluri Sitaram Raju, tribal people sought relief from oppressive forest laws.
4. The Movement in the Plantation Sector
- Assam Tea Plantations:
- Workers began demanding freedom to move freely in defiance of the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, which restricted their movement.
- The Non-Cooperation Movement spread to these workers, but they were brutally repressed.
5. Towards Civil Disobedience
Swaraj Party:
- The Non-Cooperation Movement was withdrawn after the Chauri Chaura incident (1922), where violent clashes resulted in the death of 22 policemen.
- Many leaders, including Motilal Nehru and C.R. Das, formed the Swaraj Party to enter the legislative councils to work against colonial policies from within.
Simon Commission:
- In 1927, the British government appointed the Simon Commission to look into the political situation in India.
- Since it did not have any Indian members, it was met with widespread protests.
Purna Swaraj Declaration (1929):
- In 1929, at the Lahore session of Congress, the demand for Purna Swaraj (complete independence) was declared.
- 26th January 1930 was observed as Independence Day.
6. Civil Disobedience Movement
Salt March (Dandi March):
- The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched in 1930 with the Salt March. Gandhi broke the salt law by making salt at Dandi.
- This symbolic act marked the beginning of the widespread civil disobedience campaign across India.
Participation of Different Groups:
- Rich Peasants: Wanted the reduction of land revenue but were later dissatisfied when their demands were not met.
- Poor Peasants: Wanted rent reduction but found little support from Congress.
- Business Classes: Initially supported the movement but later withdrew due to concerns over labor unrest.
- Women: Played an active role in picketing shops and participating in protests.
7. Limits of the Movement
Dalits and Ambedkar:
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar led the demand for separate electorates for Dalits.
- Gandhi opposed this, fearing it would divide the national movement. This resulted in the Poona Pact (1932), where a compromise was reached.
Muslim League:
- There were growing differences between the Congress and the Muslim League.
- The League, under Muhammad Ali Jinnah, demanded separate electorates for Muslims, which complicated the unity of the nationalist movement.
8. The Sense of Collective Belonging
Symbols of Nationalism:
- Image of Bharat Mata: Created by Abanindranath Tagore, symbolizing India as a mother figure.
- National Flag: The tricolor flag, first designed in 1921, symbolized unity and was used during protests.
Nationalism Through Folklore:
- Nationalist leaders used folklore, songs, and icons to inspire a sense of collective identity among the people of India.
The chapter illustrates how the Indian nationalist movement grew in stages, from the initial non-cooperation to civil disobedience, involving diverse sections of society, each with their own interpretations and goals. Despite internal divisions, the sense of collective belonging and a shared desire for freedom kept the movement alive.
कोई टिप्पणी नहीं:
एक टिप्पणी भेजें