Nationalism and National Movement in India

Contents: 1. Understanding British Colonialism in India, 2. First War of Independence and Rise of Mass Nationalism, 3. From Swadeshi to Home Rule, 4. Mass Movements of Congress and Alternative Ideologies, 5. Rise of Peasant, Workers, Tribals’s and Linguistic Organizations, 6. Road to Partition and Independence, 7. Constitutional Development during Freedom Movement.

About The Book

Nationalism in India surged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fueled by various factors including British colonial rule, socio-economic injustices, cultural renaissance, and exposure to Western ideas of nationalism and self-determination. Indian nationalism was characterized by a fervent desire for self-rule, cultural revival, and social reform. The Indian National Movement was a multifaceted struggle against British colonialism, encompassing various ideologies, methods, and leaders. It began with the formation of organizations like the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885, which initially sought reforms within the colonial framework but gradually evolved towards complete independence. Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Dadabhai Naoroji, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale played crucial roles in shaping early nationalist discourse. The movement gained momentum in the early 20th century with the emergence of figures like Mahatma Gandhi, who popularized nonviolent resistance as a potent tool against British rule. Gandhi’s ideologies of satyagraha (nonviolent resistance) and swaraj (self-rule) galvanized millions across India, leading to mass movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) and the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34). Other strands of the nationalist movement included revolutionary activities led by figures like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Subhas Chandra Bose, who advocated more militant means to achieve independence. The movement culminated in India’s independence in 1947, marking a significant triumph of nationalism and the collective struggle for freedom. “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra provides a comprehensive account of the nationalist movement in India, from its origins to the attainment of independence in 1947.