Nationalism in India - Live Session Notes

Multipurpose Project

• Use of a dam for irrigation, power generation, recreational activities, and water supply for agricultural purposes.
• This is called a multipurpose project.

Enrollment Ratio

• Gross Enrollment Ratio: Total number of students in primary, upper primary, and higher education.
• Net Attendance Ratio: Proportion of students attending school in the 14-15 age group.

Nationalism in India

Beginning

• First chapter: Rise of Nationalism in Europe
• Second chapter: Nationalism in India

Similarities

• Prominent use of the term nationalism in both cases.
• Development of liberty and equality in Europe; development of nationalism in India through the anti-colonial movement.

Development of Nationalism in India

• Arrival of the British in modern colonialism and struggle against injustices.
• Various social and economic conditions fostered nationalist sentiments.

Important Movements

• Two main movements: Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement.

First World War, Khilafat, and Non-Cooperation Movement

Background of the Non-Cooperation Movement

• Increasing economic, social, and political difficulties for Indians during World War I.
• Growing resentment among Indians: tax hikes, forced recruitment, inflation, crop failure, and epidemics.
• Arrival of Mahatma Gandhi and the idea of Satyagraha:
  • Philosophy of life based on truth and non-violence.
  • Inspiration to stand up against injustices.
  • Successful organization of Satyagraha in Champaran, Kheda, and Ahmedabad.

Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

• Rowlatt Act, 1919: A brutal law allowing detention without trial for two years.
• April 13, 1919, Jallianwala Bagh: Order by General Dyer to open fire, injuring hundreds.
• Consequence of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre: Increased public anger and nationwide rebellion.

Khilafat Movement

• Public outrage from the British dispute against the Sultan of Turkey (Caliph).
• Mahatma Gandhi and Muslim leaders Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali linked the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movements.

Beginning of the Non-Cooperation Movement

• September 1920, Kolkata: Proposal of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• December 1920, Nagpur: Agreement on discipline and strategy.
• Boycott of British schools, colleges, courts, and textiles. Participation from various parts of the nation.

Analysis of the Non-Cooperation Movement

• Boycott of educational institutions, courts, and textiles in cities.
• Economic loss: boycott of British textiles, foreign imports halved.
• Problems: Khadi was expensive, lack of Indian educational institutions, employment questions.

Civil Disobedience Movement

Underground Struggle (1922-1930)

• Formation of the Swaraj Party:
  • Congress leaders formed the Swaraj Party (Jawaharlal Nehru, CR Das, and Motilal Nehru).
  • Attempt to participate in politics and gain power.
• Protest against the Simon Commission: "Simon go back."
• All India constitutional reform demands: Farmers struggling during economic depression.

Beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement

• January 31, 1930: Gandhi's letter to Viceroy Irwin with 11 demands.
• April 6, 1930: Dandi March: Violation of salt law, beginning of Satyagraha.

Description of the Civil Disobedience Movement

• Segregated steps: Expansion of the Satyagraha movement, complete boycott of foreign goods.
• Narratives like Jallianwala Bagh, no-rent campaign, tax boycott.
• Arrest of leaders: Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Mahatma Gandhi.
• Gandhi-Irwin Pact: Movement suspended.

Perspectives of Various Groups

Participation in Countryside

• Rich peasants: Farmer unions (like Patidar), demand for reduced revenue.
• Poor peasants: Hope to reduce debts and rent.
• Workers: Participation in movements, but lacked substantial support.

Women's Participation

• Women's groups: Protest marches, making of salt, boycott of liquor shops. Unite the Indian masses.

Caste and Religious Issues

Caste Problem

• Segregation of untouchables: Opposition by Mahatma Gandhi, leadership of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
• Pune Pact, 1932: Abandonment of separate electorates demand. Reservations implemented.

Religious Problem

• Hindu-Muslim Tension: Growing communal tensions in the 1930s.
• Muslim League led by Mohammad Ali Jinnah sought separate dominance.

Unified Struggle and Cultural Processes

• The spirit of nationalism was strengthened by cultural processes:
  • History, imagination, folklore, songs, paintings, and symbols.
  • Image of Bharat Mata: Vande Mataram song, Swadeshi flag during the Bengal partition, Gandhi's charkha flag.
• Reanalysis of history: Reviving Indian pride and self-esteem.

Quit India Movement

• 1942 Quit India Movement: Demand for British withdrawal, arrest of Gandhi and other leaders.
• New leaders: Aruna Asaf Ali, Jayaprakash Narayan.

Conclusion

• Development journey of Indian nationalism through medieval struggles and cultural processes.