Chapter 8 – The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947- Class 8 – Simplified History Notes

Introduction to the National Movement

Context and Background:

• British Rule: Over the years, the British established control over India through conquests and by setting up new laws and administrative institutions. They took over kingdoms and made significant changes in the lives of local people, including peasants and tribals.
• Economic and Social Impact: The British introduced new education systems and debated the conditions of women and caste systems. These changes, along with the economic policies implemented by the British, often led to dissatisfaction among different groups in India.
• Revolt of 1857: There was a big revolt in 1857 where many Indians fought against British rule. Although it was not successful in ending British control, it made the British change how they ruled India.
• Growth of Industries: While some industries grew under British rule, traditional crafts declined because of competition from British-made goods.

Why Indians Were Discontented:

• Control Over Resources: Indians saw that the British were using India’s resources for their own benefit. This led to a growing consciousness that India should be for Indians, meaning all the people of India, regardless of their class, colour, caste, creed, language, or gender.
• Political Associations: After 1850, especially in the 1870s and 1880s, Indians started forming political associations. These groups, led mostly by English-educated professionals like lawyers, began to express the need for Indian control over Indian affairs.
• Key Associations: Important associations like the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, the Indian Association, and eventually the Indian National Congress were formed. These associations played a significant role in advocating for the sovereignty of Indian people and argued that the country and its systems should benefit all its inhabitants.

Why This Matters:

• Rise of Nationalism: These conditions and associations set the stage for the rise of nationalism in India. People started believing that India should be ruled by Indians and not by the British.
• Foundation of the Congress: The dissatisfaction with British policies like the Arms Act and the Vernacular Press Act, which tried to silence criticism, fueled the demand for an all-India organisation, leading to the creation of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

Also Check – Chapter 8 – The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947- Class 8 – Question and answers

The Emergence of Nationalism

Early Political Associations:

• Formation of Groups: In the late 19th century, Indians began forming political groups to address their concerns under British rule. These groups were formed by educated Indians, like lawyers, who were unhappy with how the British were treating Indians.
• Key Associations: Some of these groups included the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, the Indian Association, the Madras Mahajan Sabha, and the Bombay Presidency Association. These organisations started to discuss and push for changes that would benefit all Indians, not just a few.

Rising National Consciousness:

• What is Nationalism? As these groups formed, more people started thinking about India as a nation that should serve all its people, not just the British or a few wealthy Indians.
• India for Indians: There was a growing belief that India should be run by and for Indians. This meant that Indians should have control over their own resources and decisions rather than being controlled by the British.
• Role of Early Congress: The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885 as a result of these growing feelings. It became a major platform where many different voices from across India could come together to discuss and plan for a better future for India.

Why This Matters:

• Foundation for Future Movements: This early period set the stage for the larger national movement that would grow in the 20th century. The idea that India belonged to Indians, regardless of their background, was a powerful one that continued to inspire people.
• Unity Among Diverse Groups: These early efforts also showed that people from different parts of India, with different languages and cultures, could unite under a common cause. This unity was crucial for the success of the national movement later on.

Also Check – Key figures from the Chapter “The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947 – Class 8

The Indian National Congress Formation

Foundation and Early Leaders:

• Establishment of Congress: The Indian National Congress was established in December 1885. It was formed when 72 delegates from different parts of India met in Bombay (now Mumbai). The idea was to have a national platform to discuss and find solutions for the problems facing India under British rule.
• Early Leaders: Some of the early leaders included Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the ‘Grand Old Man of India’, who was a key figure in the national movement and later served as Congress president. Other notable leaders were Badruddin Tyabji, who reflected the inclusive nature of Congress as he was one of the first Muslim presidents of the Congress, and W.C. Bonnerji, the first president of Congress.

Moderate Phase Goals:

• Initial Approach: In its early years, the Congress was considered moderate in its demands and methods. The leaders used petitions and peaceful protests to make their demands heard.
• Greater Voice for Indians: The main goals were to increase the involvement of Indians in the governance of their own country. They wanted more Indians in administrative roles and more power for Indian representatives in the government’s decision-making process.
• Legislative Reforms: They advocated for reforms that would make the legislative councils more representative of the Indian population and more powerful, so that they could truly affect change.
• Civil Service Examinations: They also demanded that civil service examinations be held in India as well as in London to give more Indians a chance to enter into administrative services.

Why This Matters:

• Building a Foundation for Future Movements: The formation of the Congress marked a crucial step in organising Indian efforts to challenge British rule. It provided a platform for raising collective demands and uniting people from different regions and backgrounds.
• Promoting Inclusive and Representative Governance: By pushing for more representation and greater roles in governance, the Congress laid the groundwork for a democratic and inclusive political system in India.

The Struggle Intensifies

Legislative Challenges and Reforms:

• Making Councils Stronger: In the late 1800s, Indian leaders in the Congress party wanted to change the legislative councils. These councils were groups where laws and decisions were discussed, but they didn’t have much power, and not many Indians were allowed to be members.
• Demand for More Power: The Congress leaders argued that these councils should have more Indian representatives and more authority to make decisions. This would allow Indians to have a greater say in how their country was governed.

Economic Grievances:

• Unfair Economic Policies: Many Indians were unhappy with the British economic policies that made life difficult for common people. For instance, taxes were high, and British goods were given preference over Indian goods, which hurt local businesses and farmers.
• Impact on Indians: These policies led to job losses and poverty among Indians. The British took a lot of wealth from India to Britain, which made life even harder for Indian people.

Why This Matters:

• Growing Discontent: The unfair laws and the economic struggles they caused made more Indians unhappy with British rule. This unhappiness helped fuel the desire for independence.
• Push for Reforms: The struggles during this time showed the British that Indians were serious about wanting more control over their own affairs. It set the stage for more intense demands for freedom from British rule.

Also Check – The Khilafat Movement- Agitation for Ottoman Caliphate’s preservation

Also Check – The Non-Cooperation Movement – Civil disobedience to end British rule

Radical Approaches and the Swadeshi Movement

Radical Leaders:

• Stronger Action: By the late 1800s, some leaders in the Indian National Congress believed that gentle negotiations with the British were not enough. Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak wanted to take more assertive actions to push for Indian rights.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Tilak was one of the most prominent of these radical leaders. He encouraged people to act boldly and not just ask politely for changes. He believed in the idea of Swaraj, or self-rule, and thought Indians should fight to govern themselves.

Swadeshi Movement:

• Reaction to Partition of Bengal: In 1905, the British decided to divide Bengal into two parts. This decision was widely seen as an attempt to weaken Bengal, a centre of Indian nationalism. In response, the Swadeshi movement began.
• Promoting Local Goods: The movement encouraged Indians to boycott British goods and use items made in India instead. This was to show that India could be economically independent and didn’t need British products.
• Educational and Social Changes: The movement also promoted the use of Indian languages and the establishment of new schools and colleges that were independent of British control. It was about building pride in Indian culture and strengthening the nation from within.

Why This Matters:

• Growing Nationalism: The radical approaches and the Swadeshi movement played a big part in spreading nationalistic feelings among Indians. More people started to believe in the idea of India for Indians and that self-governance was possible.
• Foundation for Later Movements: These early actions set the stage for later, larger movements that challenged British rule more directly. The ideas and strategies developed during this time inspired many future leaders and activists.

Also Check – The Rowlatt Satyagraha and its role in India’s Freedom Movement

The First World War and its Impact

Economic and Political Effects:

• Economic Strain: The First World War (1914-1918) caused a lot of economic problems in India. The British government needed a lot of money to fight the war, so they increased taxes and raised the prices of goods. This made life harder for regular people in India, who had to pay more for everyday items.
• Political Opportunities: Despite the hardships, the war also created opportunities. With many British officials focused on the war, Indian leaders found more space to push for changes. They demanded more rights and a bigger role in governing their own country.

Growth of Mass Nationalism:

• Spreading Nationalism: The war helped spread nationalist feelings among a larger group of people in India. As more people faced economic difficulties and saw the impacts of British decisions, they started to support the idea of India being free from British control.
• Broader Involvement: Nationalism wasn’t just among the educated or the wealthy anymore. It began to include farmers, workers, and women, who all started to feel that they were part of the struggle for India’s independence.

Why This Matters:

• Foundation for Future Movements: The experiences and the hardships of the war laid the groundwork for major movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in the 1920s. The war made people more aware and ready to fight for their rights.
• Change in Indian Society: The war changed Indian society in many ways. It brought different groups of people together against a common issue — British rule. This unity was important for the national movements that followed.

The Interwar Period and Reform Efforts

Simon Commission and Nehru Report:

• Simon Commission: In 1928, the British government sent a group called the Simon Commission to India to suggest new laws. However, it didn’t include any Indian members, which made many people very angry. Indians across the country protested and said “Simon, Go Back!” because they felt it was unfair to have decisions made about them without their input.
• Nehru Report: In response to the Simon Commission, Indian leaders created their own plan for the future of India called the Nehru Report. This report, named after Motilal Nehru, suggested ideas for a new constitution for India that would give more power to Indians, rather than the British.

Civil Disobedience Movement:

• Led by Mahatma Gandhi: This movement started in 1930 when Mahatma Gandhi led a march to make salt from sea water, which was illegal under British laws. The British had a monopoly on salt, which meant they controlled its production and sale, and taxed it heavily.
• Non-Cooperation: The movement included not following certain British laws and not using British goods. People all over India participated, making it a major part of the fight for independence.
• Impact: It showed the British that Indians wanted to govern themselves and were willing to disobey laws peacefully to make their point.

Why This Matters:

• Growth of Indian Leadership: These events helped grow strong leadership among Indians, who showed they could unite and organise large-scale movements against British rule.
• Steps Towards Independence: Both the Nehru Report and the Civil Disobedience Movement were important steps towards India’s independence, as they showed both the organisational capability of Indian leaders and the widespread public support for self-rule.

The Final Push for Independence

World War II and the Quit India Movement:

• Impact of World War II: During World War II, the British used India’s resources to fight the war, which led to shortages and hardships for the Indian people. This increased dissatisfaction with British rule.
• Quit India Movement: In 1942, Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement with the slogan “Do or Die,” urging Indians to fight for independence non-violently. Despite Gandhi and other leaders being arrested, the movement spread rapidly across India, showing the British that Indians were united in their desire for independence.

Partition and Independence:

• Demand for Pakistan: As the movement for independence grew stronger, the Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, demanded a separate country for Muslims. This idea was based on concerns that Muslims might not have equal power in a Hindu-majority India.
• Partition of India: The British, unable to convince the Congress and the Muslim League to agree on a united India, decided to partition India into two separate states: India and Pakistan. This led to massive violence and displacement as millions of Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs crossed borders to join their respective new countries.
• Independence in 1947: On August 15, 1947, both India and Pakistan gained independence from British rule. This moment was bittersweet because while it marked the end of British control, it also brought about the painful division of the country.

Why This Matters:

• End of Colonial Rule: The final push for independence marked the end of over 200 years of British colonial rule in India.
• Birth of Two Nations: The events leading to independence also resulted in the creation of two nations, India and Pakistan, shaping the political landscape of South Asia.
• Legacy of Partition: The partition left a lasting impact on the relations between India and Pakistan, with ongoing conflicts and issues that continue to affect the region.

Conclusion and Reflection

Reflection on the Movement:

• Long-term Impacts: The national movement for India’s independence had a profound impact on modern Indian society. It not only achieved freedom from British rule but also ignited a sense of unity and national identity among diverse groups within India.
• Cultural and Social Changes: The movement brought about significant cultural and social changes. It challenged old social structures and customs, leading to reforms in areas like caste discrimination, women’s rights, and education.
• Political Legacy: The struggle for independence also left a strong political legacy. It laid the foundation for India’s democratic system and influenced how India would govern itself after 1947.
• Ongoing Influence: The ideals and values that emerged during the national movement, such as non-violence, secularism, and democratic governance, continue to influence Indian society and politics today.

Why This Matters:

• Understanding History: Reflecting on the national movement helps us understand the challenges and sacrifices involved in securing India’s independence.
• Inspiration for Future Generations: The movement inspires future generations to value their freedom and to continue working towards a just and inclusive society.