Nationalism in India - Lecture Summary

Introduction to Nationalism in India

Nationalism: Love and pride for one's country, often expressed as patriotism.
Key Question: How did the feeling of nationalism develop among Indians, and what struggles did they undergo?
Focus on events beginning from 1914.

World War I: 1914, Allies (Russia, Britain, America, Japan) vs. Central Powers (Austria-Hungary, Germany, Ottoman Empire).
India under British Colonization: Impact of the war on Indian economy and society
- British Financial Measures: Increase in custom duties and introduction of income tax, causing inflation and doubling prices.
- Forced Recruitment: Indian men forced into the British army.
- Natural Calamities (1918-19) and Epidemics: Crop failures, food shortages, and the Influenza epidemic resulted in millions of deaths.
- Period of great suffering and unrest in India.

Arrival in January 1915: From South Africa with the idea of Satyagraha
- Satyagraha: non-violent resistance based on truth and peaceful protest.
- Successes in South Africa (1906) against racial discrimination.
Early Movements in India: Three major Satyagraha movements in different regions:
1. Champaran (1917, Bihar): Against indigo plantation system, resulting in success and motivating farmers to protest.
2. Kheda (1917, Gujarat): Support for farmers affected by crop failure and plague, leading to tax relief.
3. Ahmedabad (1918): Mill workers’ strike for better wages, another successful movement.

Rowlatt Act (1919): Allowed imprisonment without trial; termed as black law.
Nationwide Protests: Led to nationwide strikes and hartals (general strikes) on April 6th, 1919.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919): General Dyer orders firing on peaceful gathering, killing hundreds.
- Resulted in nationwide outrage and clashes between the public and police.
- Gandhi calls off the movement due to rising violence.

Khilafat Movement Context: Turkish Khalifa’s position threatened post-WWI; Indian Muslims feared British actions against him.
- Formation of Khilafat Committee (1919, Bombay): Leaders like Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali discuss with Gandhi. Agreement to launch a joint movement.
Non-Cooperation Movement (September 1920): Proposed at the Calcutta Congress session and adopted at Nagpur session (December 1920).
- Objectives: Renouncement of titles, boycott of British services, schools, courts, and foreign goods.
- Gandhi believed British rule thrived due to Indian cooperation—a full boycott would ensure independence within a year.

Movement in Towns: Led by middle class; school boycotts, resignations, and wearing Khadi.
- Decline: High cost of Khadi and lack of institutions led to weakening.
Movement in Countryside: Driven by peasants and tribals:
- Awadh Peasants Movement led by Baba Ramchandra: Targeted oppressive landlords.
- Tribal Movements in Andhra Pradesh: Against restrictions on forest access and forced labor.

Economic Depression and Simon Commission: Heightened unrest.
Dandi March (March 12, 1930): Gandhi’s 240-mile march to Dandi to produce salt illegally, starting Civil Disobedience Movement;
Nationwide Impact: General boycott of foreign goods, challenges to British laws.
Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931): Release of imprisoned leaders and attending the Second Round Table Conference, which failed to deliver results.

Participants: Rich peasants, poor peasants, business class, industrial workers, and women.
Non-Participants: Dalits (due to Congress’s lack of support) and Muslims (due to different community goals).

United Struggle: Shared vision of independence helped unite diverse groups.
Cultural Processes: Folk songs, stories, and regional languages fostered unity.
Figures and Images: Icons like Bharat Mata and symbols like the tricolour flag evoked national pride.

Importance of leadership, shared hardships, and cultural identity in fostering Indian nationalism.
Need for unity and strategic non-violent resistance as emphasized by Gandhi’s approach.