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

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

• Who He Was: Sardar Patel was a leading figure in the Indian independence movement and the Deputy Prime Minister of India after independence.
• Main Contributions:
  • Unification of India: Known as the “Iron Man of India” for his decisive leadership in integrating over 560 princely states into the Union of India.
  • Administrative Reforms: As the first Home Minister, he restructured the Indian administrative framework and was instrumental in creating the All India Services which helped maintain continuity and unity of the country.
  • Commitment to Law and Order: Played a pivotal role in restoring peace and order post-independence, especially during partition riots.
  • Statue of Unity: In 2018, India dedicated the ‘Statue of Unity’, the world’s tallest statue, in his honour to commemorate his contributions to the nation.

Subhas Chandra Bose

• Who He Was: A prominent and dynamic leader in the Indian independence movement, known for his radical and militant approach.
• Main Contributions:
  • Indian National Army (INA): Formed the INA with the help of Japan during World War II to fight British forces. His call for “Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!” rallied many Indians to his cause.
  • Leadership Style: Known for his charismatic leadership and fierce patriotism, he was a major proponent of complete and immediate independence for India.
  • International Alliances: Sought international support for India’s freedom struggle, notably in East Asia, where he formed alliances with Japan and others to challenge British rule militarily.

Rabindranath Tagore

• Who He Was: A Nobel laureate poet, writer, and philosopher from Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore was a towering figure in Indian culture.
• Main Contributions:
  • Renunciation of Knighthood: He renounced his British knighthood in 1919 as a protest against the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, where British troops killed hundreds of unarmed civilians.
  • Literary Works: Tagore wrote the national anthems for both India (“Jana Gana Mana”) and Bangladesh (“Amar Shonar Bangla”). His literature, including poetry and essays, often emphasised human dignity and the pursuit of freedom.
  • International Influence: His works promoted Indian culture and ideals of freedom worldwide, making him an international cultural ambassador.

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

Bhagat Singh

• Who He Was: Bhagat Singh was a charismatic and influential revolutionary in the Indian independence movement, known for his bold actions against British rule.
• Main Contributions:
  • Symbol of Resistance: Became a symbol of the fight against British authority, inspiring countless others to join the struggle for independence.
  • Revolutionary Acts: Involved in several high-profile actions, including the Lahore Conspiracy Case, where he and his associates threw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly to protest British policies.
  • Martyrdom: Arrested and hanged at the age of 23, his death galvanised the national movement, with his famous declaration that he was a “Shaheed” (martyr) resonating deeply across India.
  • Ideological Influence: Wrote extensively on the need for youth involvement in the freedom struggle and advocated for radical approaches to achieving complete independence.

Mahatma Gandhi

• Who He Was: The preeminent leader of India’s independence movement, known worldwide for his doctrine of nonviolent protest (Satyagraha) to achieve political and social progress.
• Main Contributions:
  • Philosophy of Non-violence: Introduced and perfected the method of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance), which became a fundamental strategy in challenging British rule in India.
  • Salt March: Led the famous Dandi Salt March in 1930 to protest against the British salt tax, a pivotal act of civil disobedience that galvanised Indian and international support for Indian independence.
  • Advocacy for Unity and Justice: Worked tirelessly to promote peace between different religious and ethnic groups within India, and advocated for the rights of the poor, striving to uplift the oppressed and marginalised sections of society.
  • Impact on Global Movements: Influenced civil rights movements around the world, inspiring leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

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

Jawaharlal Nehru

• Who He Was: Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of independent India and a central figure in Indian politics both before and after independence.
• Main Contributions:
  • Leadership in Independence Movement: Played a major role in the Indian National Congress and the independence movement, working closely with Mahatma Gandhi.
  • First Prime Minister: As the first Prime Minister, he shaped modern India’s national agenda and was instrumental in its transformation into a sovereign, democratic, and republic nation.
  • Promotion of Science and Technology: Advocated for a scientific approach to development, founding institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
  • Non-Aligned Movement: Played a key role in the Non-Aligned Movement, advocating for a path of development independent of the world’s superpowers during the Cold War.

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

Motilal Nehru

• Who He Was: A leading figure in the Indian National Congress and the father of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister.
• Main Contributions:
  • Nehru Report: Authored the Nehru Report in 1928, which was the first attempt by Indians to draft a constitutional framework for India. The report advocated for dominion status for India within the British Empire.
  • Leadership in Congress: Served as the President of the Indian National Congress twice. His leadership was crucial during the pivotal phase when the Congress began demanding complete independence.
  • Swadeshi Movement Supporter: Actively promoted the use of Indian-made goods and the boycott of British products to encourage self-reliance.

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

C.R. Das

• Who He Was: A prominent leader in the Indian independence movement known for his aggressive stance against British rule.
• Main Contributions:
  • Advocacy for Self-Governance: Pushed for self-governance and was a major proponent of direct action against the British authorities.
  • President of the Congress: As President of the Indian National Congress, he advocated for the Non-Cooperation Movement, urging Indians to resign from government posts.
  • Founding of Swaraj Party: Founded the Swaraj Party within the Congress to promote legislative action against British rule.

C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji)

• Who He Was: A key member of the Indian National Congress and later a prominent leader in independent India.
• Main Contributions:
  • Role in Civil Disobedience Movement: Was an ardent advocate of civil disobedience, using nonviolent means to challenge British laws and regulations.
  • Last Governor-General of India: Served as the last Governor-General of independent India and played a significant role in transitioning India from a British colony to a republic.
  • Political Reforms and Leadership: Formulated the “Rajaji Formula” to address the demand for Pakistan by the Muslim League, proposing a compromise to avoid partition.

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari

• Who He Was: An important figure in the Indian independence movement and independent India’s last Governor-General.
• Main Contributions:
  • Last Governor-General: Served as the last Governor-General of India and the first Indian to hold this position, overseeing India’s transition from a dominion to a republic.
  • Founder of Swatantra Party: Founded the Swatantra Party advocating for market-driven economy and minimal government intervention.
  • Literary Contributions: Wrote extensively on Hindu scriptures and Indian history, making them accessible to the common man.

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

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan

• Who He Was: A prominent leader from the North West Frontier Province (now in Pakistan) known for his commitment to non-violence.
• Main Contributions:
  • Khudai Khidmatgar Movement: Founded the non-violent Khudai Khidmatgar movement (“Servants of God”) to oppose British rule.
  • Advocate for Non-violence: Despite the harsh terrain and the martial traditions of his people, he advocated non-violent resistance, earning him the nickname “Frontier Gandhi.”
  • Long-term Imprisonment: Spent a significant portion of his life in British and later Pakistani prisons due to his political activities.

Bepin Chandra Pal

• Who He Was: A prominent freedom fighter and member of the “Lal-Bal-Pal” trio.
• Main Contributions:
  • Advocacy for Swadeshi: Promoted the use of Indian-made goods and the boycott of British products.
  • National Education: Encouraged educational reforms and the establishment of national schools.
  • Radical Approach: Known for his fiery speeches which ignited the spirit of freedom among Indians.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak

• Who He Was: One of the strongest advocates for Indian independence.
• Main Contributions:
  • Slogan of Self-rule: Popularised the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it.”
  • Ganapati and Shivaji Festivals: Used these cultural festivals to build a grassroots movement against British rule.
  • Legal Battles: Faced multiple imprisonments for his stance against the British, enhancing his image as a martyr for the cause of freedom.

Lala Lajpat Rai

• Who He Was: A key leader in the fight for India’s independence.
• Main Contributions:
  • Protest Against Simon Commission: His death following a police beating during a protest against the Simon Commission sparked nationwide outrage.
  • Promotion of Education and Industry: Advocated for the education of Indians and the development of Indian industries to make India self-reliant.
  • Writings: Authored several books that inspired nationalism and social reform.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah

• Who He Was: A major political leader who founded Pakistan.
• Main Contributions:
  • Role in Indian Politics: Initially worked for Hindu-Muslim unity.
  • Creation of Pakistan: Led the demand for a separate nation for Muslims, culminating in the establishment of Pakistan in 1947.
  • Leadership of Muslim League: Transformed the League into a strong political party that played a pivotal role in Indian politics.

Maulana Azad

• Who He Was: A senior leader in the Indian National Congress and an advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity.
• Main Contributions:
  • Education Reforms: As India’s first Minister of Education, he pioneered educational reforms and the promotion of science and technology.
  • Promotion of Unity: Worked tirelessly to strengthen bonds between different religious communities in India.
  • Literary Contributions: Wrote extensively on freedom and unity, influencing generations.

Surendranath Banerji

• Who He Was: Surendranath Banerji was one of the earliest Indian political leaders during the British Raj.
• Main Contributions:
  • Role in Indian National Congress (INC): He was an influential leader in the early years of the Congress, helping to shape its policies and strategies.
  • Advocacy for Civil Rights: Fought for civil rights and greater participation of Indians in civil services.
  • Education and Journalism: Founded a nationalistic school and was active in journalism, spreading nationalist ideas.

Romesh Chandra Dutt

• Who He Was: A civil servant and a leader of the Indian National Congress.
• Main Contributions:
  • Economic Critic: He is known for his economic critiques of the British Empire’s impact on India, particularly through his writings on the economic history of India.
  • Literary Contributions: Authored literary and historical works, promoting Indian culture and nationalism.
  • Work in Congress: As a leader in the Congress, he advocated for economic reforms and self-governance.

S. Subramania Iyer

• Who He Was: A founding member of the Indian National Congress and a noted jurist.
• Main Contributions:
  • Founding the Congress: Played a pivotal role in the establishment of the INC, setting the stage for organised political activism in India.
  • Advocate for Education: Emphasised the importance of education and legal reforms in colonial India.
  • Promotion of Nationalism: His efforts in the Congress helped to mobilise support for an independent Indian nation.

A.O. Hume

• Who He Was: A retired British civil servant who played a crucial role in the founding of the Indian National Congress.
• Main Contributions:
  • Organiser of the Congress: Facilitated the organisation of the INC, aiming to create a platform for Indian grievances against British rule.
  • Bridge between Britons and Indians: Acted as a mediator between British authorities and Indian leaders, helping to legitimise the Congress in its early days.
  • Contributions to Indian Politics: Although British, his efforts helped lay the groundwork for Indian democratic movements.

Dadabhai Naoroji

• Who He Was: Known as the Grand Old Man of India, Dadabhai Naoroji was a guiding force for the Indian National Congress and the first Indian to be a British MP.
• Main Contributions:
  • Guidance to Young Nationalists: He mentored younger leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and influenced the national movement’s direction.
  • Economic Theorist: Highlighted the issue of wealth drainage from India to Britain, which he called the “Drain Theory.”
  • Political Leadership: Played a pivotal role in setting the foundation of the Indian National Congress and promoted the idea that India should govern itself.

Pherozeshah Mehta

• Who He Was: A prominent lawyer and political leader, Pherozeshah Mehta was a founding member of the Indian National Congress.
• Main Contributions:
  • Indian National Congress (INC) Formation: Instrumental in forming the INC, which became the primary platform for Indian nationalism.
  • Advocacy for Civil Liberties: Pushed for greater Indian participation in governance and was known for his defence of civil liberties.
  • Municipal Governance: Known as the “Lion of Bombay” for his work in developing Bombay’s municipal governance.

Badruddin Tyabji

• Who He Was: Badruddin Tyabji was a lawyer and one of the early leaders of the Indian National Congress.
• Main Contributions:
  • Secular Approach: Advocated for a secular approach to nationalism, ensuring that the INC was inclusive of all religions.
  • Third President of INC: His presidency highlighted the inclusive nature of the Congress, countering the notion that it was a Hindu-only organisation.
  • Legal Reforms: Worked towards reforming the legal system and increasing Indian representation in it.

W.C. Bonnerji

• Who He Was: Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee was the first president of the Indian National Congress.
• Main Contributions:
  • Leadership in Congress: As the first president, he set precedents for the organisation’s structure and objectives.
  • Representation for Indians: Advocated for greater Indian participation in government and worked towards this goal as a lawyer and political leader.
  • Pioneer of Nationalism: Helped lay the groundwork for subsequent nationalist activities by establishing a platform for debate and discussion.