Welcome to Podcast on Theme 1 , where we delve into the rich tapestry of history and explore its lasting impacts on our world today. I’m your host Palak, and in today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the various oppression laws under British rule in India and how these shaped the landscape of the country.
Oppression laws
1. Bengal Code 1824
A set of legal regulations codified for British India, especially Bengal Presidency.
Part of the effort to standardize laws under British rule.
2. Doctrine of Lapse
Introduced by Lord Dalhousie.
If an Indian ruler died without a natural male heir, his kingdom would "lapse" and be annexed by the
British.
Notable examples: Jhansi, Satara, Nagpur.
3. Subsidiary Alliance
Introduced by Lord Wellesley.
Indian princely states were forced to accept British forces and pay for their maintenance.
Loss of sovereignty for Indian rulers.
4. Religious Interference
British reforms like the abolition of Sati (1829) and Widow Remarriage Act (1856) were seen as
interference in religious practices.
Sparked fear and resentment among Indians, especially among conservative sections.
5. Discrimination in Employment
High positions in civil services and army were reserved for the British.
Indians faced racial and pay discrimination.
6. Changes in Land Revenue
Systems like Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari were exploitative.
Led to peasant impoverishment and frequent famines.
7. Gagging Act 1857
Enacted just before the Revolt of 1857.
Restricted freedom of the press; publications had to be licensed and censored.
8. Vernacular Press Act 1878
Passed by Lord Lytton.
Targeted non-English Indian press to suppress criticism of British policies.
9. Arms Act 1878
Also by Lord Lytton.
Disallowed Indians from possessing arms without a license — seen as a racially discriminatory policy.
10. Land Acquisition Act 1894
Gave British government the power to acquire private land for public use.
Often used to displace Indians for British projects without fair compensation.
11. British Railways 1850
First railway line opened from Bombay to Thane.
Aimed at economic exploitation, military mobility — not meant to benefit Indians primarily.
12. Ilbert Bill 1884
Proposed by Lord Ripon to allow Indian judges to try British offenders.
Faced severe backlash from British residents; bill was diluted.
Highlighted racial prejudice.
13. Abolishing of Vernacular Press Act by Lord Ripon in 1882
Lord Ripon reversed Lytton’s suppressive press law.
Seen as a liberal move that restored freedom to the Indian-language press.
WHY DID THE EAST INDIA COMPANY (BRITISH) COLONALISE
INDIA?
• Lack of unity
• Multiple divisions with no one strong rulers
• Multiple administration
• Taxation policies
INDIA IN EARLY 18 TH CENTURY
MAJOR STATES:
•
• Sikhs
• Rajputs
• Jats
• Awadh
• Bengal
• Marathas
• Hyderabad
IMPACT OF COLONIALISM
POLITICAL
Centralized administration,Rise of nationalism
ECONOMIC
Industrialization , Drain of wealth , Commercialization of
agriculture
SOCIO-CULTURAL
Modernization,Disruption of traditional,structures
Rise of western educated elite
Resurgence of Indian Nationalism
EFFECTS OF NATIONALISM/AFTERMATH OF COLONIALISM
• Unified area
• Common government and administration
• Set up of transport and communication network
• Importance to English language
• Grade level education
• Importance to Indian history and philosophy
• Emergence of middle (working) class
SOURCES OF BRITISH HISTORY
Archaeological
(Includes monuments, artefacts,
sites, coins)
Literary
(Includes documents, books
written, newspapers, manuscripts)
PERIODIZATION IN INDIAN HISTORY
NEED:
Make history understandable – Dividing history into chunks helps us study changes and continuities clearly.
Identify characteristics of a time – For example, the Mughal period had different rulers and governance than the British period.
Organize events chronologically – It helps in creating a timeline to see how events unfolded over time.
Understand society better – Each period has different social, political, and economic structures.
PERIODIZATION BY JAMES MILL: James Mill was a British Historian who worked with East India
Company. He divided Indian history into three periods, based on religion:
1. Hindu Period
2. Muslim Period
3. British Period
ISSUES WITH MILLERS’ PERIODIZATION: Mill’s classification is considered problematic and biased
for several reasons:
1. Religious labeling: He used religion as the basis for periodization, ignoring the diversity and
complexity of each era.
2. Oversimplified history: Not all rulers in the "Muslim" period were Muslim, and the same goes for the
Hindu period.
3. British superiority: He portrayed British rule as civilized and progressive, while Indian rule (before them) was described as backward and oppressive.
4. Eurocentric view: He believed that Indians needed British rule to become modern;
PERIODIZATION BY INDIAN HISTORIANS: Indian historians suggest a more neutral, balanced, and
logical way to divide Indian history. They usually divide it into three broad periods:
1. Ancient Period
Timeframe: Earliest times to around 700 CE
Main Features:
o Rise of civilizations like the Indus Valley Civilization
o Vedic culture, Mauryan Empire, Gupta Empire
o Development of religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
o Growth of art, architecture, and literature
2. Medieval Period
Timeframe: Around 700 CE to 1750 CE
Main Features:
o Emergence of regional kingdoms and Delhi Sultanate
o Mughal Empire
o Growth of trade, towns, religious movements like Bhakti and Sufi
o Cultural mixing of Persian, Turkish, and Indian traditions
3. Modern Period
Timeframe: Around 1750 CE onwards
Main Features:
o Colonial rule by the British
o Social, economic, and political changes
o Freedom struggle
o India’s journey toward independence in 1947
Why is this periodization better?
Based on real changes in society—not religion.
Looks at economy, culture, technology, and power.
Avoids showing any one group as superior or inferior.
Helps us understand the complexity and richness of Indian history.
Partition of Bengal, Background, Causes, Impact, Consequences
Partition of Bengal was made on 16 October 1905 by Lord Curzon.
Partition of Bengal in 1905 was a significant aspect in the history of India. It was proposed by Lord Curzon,
who was the Viceroy of British India. He wanted to make governance in Bengal, which included Bihar and
Orissa, more manageable. This region had been together since 1765, but it had become too big to handle by
1900. So, Lord Curzon decided to split it into two parts: West Bengal and Bihar. The separation of East Bengal
from the west Bengal was a big part of this partition. It was far away and had poor connections with the rest of
Bengal. This decision had a profound impact on the Indian National Congress. The Congress, which was a
middle-class political group, started to evolve into a larger and more influential movement in response to this
partition.
Partition of Bengal
In 1905, the British rulers of India split Bengal into two parts because they thought it would make things easier
to govern. They made one part mostly for Hindus and the other mostly for Muslims. This decision was made by
Lord Curzon, who was in charge of India. It was announced on July 20, 1905, and became official on October
16, 1905. But after six years, they changed their minds and cancelled the split. The separation of Bengal was
met with strong opposition from the Hindu community in West Bengal. They were concerned that this division
would make them a minority in a region that would also include Bihar and Orissa. Lord Curzon claimed that
this division would make the administration more effective, but the Hindus were very upset about it. They felt
that this decision was part of a "divide and rule" strategy by the British authorities.
Partition of Bengal Background
Starting in 1765, after the Battle of Buxar, the British ruled over a big area called Bengal. This area included
what we now know as West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Bangladesh, and Assam. It had a lot of people, almost 80
million by the early 1900s. Calcutta was the capital of this place and all of British India. But it was tough to
manage such a huge area. The eastern part, especially the countryside, didn't get much attention. To make it
easier to govern, they thought about splitting up this big area even before Lord Curzon came to India. In 1874,
they took Assam away from Bengal and put it under a Chief Commissioner. At first, Lord Curzon suggested the
partition of Bengal as a way to manage things better. In 1904, he visited eastern Bengal. Later on, they started
thinking about using the division of Bengal to weaken the growing nationalism in Bengal and other parts of
India. According to Curzon's plan, after the split, there would be two provinces: Bengal (with modern West
Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar) and Eastern Bengal and Assam. Bengal would cede five Hindi-speaking states to the
Central Provinces while acquiring Odia-speaking states from the same region. Eastern Bengal would include
Hill Tripura, Chittagong, Rajshahi, and Dhaka divisions, with Dhaka as its capital. Bengal would mostly have
Hindu people, while Eastern Bengal and Assam would have mostly Muslim people. Calcutta would still be the
capital of Bengal.
Causes of Partition of Bengal
1. In 1905, Lord Curzon, the British ruler of India, did partition of Bengal.
2. Bengal was a big region, similar in size to France, but had many people living there.
3. The division was done to improve governance in the eastern part of Bengal, which was seen as not well-
managed.
4. People in Bengal reacted to this division in a strong manner:
Many Bengalis people felt insulted and really wanted Bengal to be united again.
A famous song called "Amar Sonar Bangla" by Rabindranath Tagore became a symbol of this unity.
The Indian National Congress didn't like the division, and most Bengalis in the west didn't want it either.
Many Bengali Muslims supported the division, thinking it would benefit them.
5. Lord Curzon promised to build a university in Dhaka, which seemed like a good opportunity for
Muslims.
6. Most people in the rest of India didn't like the division and thought it was a way for the British government
to control them by dividing them.
7. This division led to the Swadeshi and Boycott movements, where people avoided British goods to support
local businesses.
8. The division also caused religious and political divisions, leading to the creation of the Muslim League in
1906.
Reasons for Partition of Bengal
Several factors led to the partition of India in 1947:
1. Religious Differences: The two main religious groups in India, Hindus and Muslims, had grown apart over
a long time. This happened because of various reasons, such as their different beliefs and ways of worship,
as well as their social and economic disparities. The rise of Muslim nationalism during the early 1900s
made the tensions between these communities worse.
2. Political Differences: India's main nationalist organization, the Indian National Congress, was mainly led
by Hindus. On the other hand, the All-India Muslim League, founded in 1906, represented the interests of
the Muslim community. These two parties couldn't agree on how to share power in a united India.
3. British Colonial Policies: The British government's strategy of dividing and ruling, along with its support
for Muslim separatism, significantly contributed to the partition of India. The British were worried about
the growing power of the Indian nationalist movement, and they thought that partitioning the country
would weaken this movement.
4. Economic Differences: Hindus and Muslims tended to live in different parts of India, and they had
varying economic interests. For instance, Hindus were more involved in trade and industry, while Muslims
were more involved in agriculture.
5. Social Differences: Hindus & Muslims followed different social customs & traditions. Hindus had a caste
system, which Muslims did not.
6. Language Differences: India is home to many different languages, which sometimes led to conflicts.
Partition of Bengal Date
The Partition of Bengal in 1905 was a historical event where the British government divided the province of
Bengal into two parts: West Bengal and East Bengal. They did this to try to weaken the growing independence
movement in Bengal and also to balance the population of Hindus and Muslims in the region. This division was
carried out under the leadership of Lord Curzon on October 16, 1905. One of the key reasons behind this
division was that the Bengal province was originally very large, including Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. It was
becoming challenging to govern such a vast region efficiently. As a solution, they first split Bengal into East
Bengal and Bengal, and later into West Bengal and Bihar.
Features of Partition of Bengal
1. In December 1903, the British government decided to split the province of Bengal.
2. Lord Curzon, who was the Governor of India at that time, made this decision.
3. Bengal was a big province, and it was divided into two parts: Bengal (which included Orissa, Bihar, and
Western Bengal) and Eastern Bengal & Assam.
4. Bengal kept Calcutta as its capital, while Eastern Bengal & Assam had Dacca as its capital.
5. Bengal was split mainly to weaken it because it had become a hub for Indian nationalism in the early
1900s.
6. Bengal had a population of 78 million people, and it was becoming hard to govern such a large area.
7. They divided Bengal in a way that Bengalis became a minority in the new province.
8. The new Bengal included 37 million Hindi and Oriya speakers among its top 17 million Bengalis.
9. In terms of religion, Western Bengal had mostly Hindus, while Eastern Bengal had a lot of Muslims.
10. Lord Curzon wanted to gain the support of the Muslims, so he chose Dacca as the capital of the new
province to unite the Muslim community.
11. The British government also encouraged Muslim communalists to counter the influence of the Indian
National Congress and the national movement.
Impact of Partition of Bengal
1. Bengal Division: Lord Curzon decided to divide the Bengal, which caused a lot of trouble.
2. Insult to Homeland: Many people in Bengal felt this split was an insult to their homeland and wanted
Bengal to stay together.
3. Tagore's Song: Rabindranath Tagore wrote the famous song 'Amar Sonar Bangla,' which later became
Bangladesh's national anthem.
4. Opposition by Congress: The Indian National Congress didnt like the idea of dividing Bengal along
religious lines.
5. Protest in Western Bengal: Most Bengalis in the western part of Bengal protested because they didnt
want to become a linguistic minority.
6. Support from Some Bengali Muslims: Some Bengali Muslims supported the division, thinking it would
help them educationally, economically, and politically.
7. Promise of a University: Lord Curzon promised to build a university in Dhaka, which was seen as an
opportunity for Muslims to improve their education and living standards.
8. National Protest: People in the rest of the country protested because they believed the British were trying
to divide and rule.
9. Early Agitation: The protests began even before the actual division, and on the partition day, people
mourned. Tagore suggested that Hindus and Muslims should tie rakhis to each other as a form of protest.
10. Opposition from Some Muslims: There were Muslims who also disagreed with the partition.
11. Swadeshi and Boycott Movements: The partition led to the Swadeshi and Boycott movements, where
people boycotted British goods, as these goods harmed local industries.
12. Religious Division: The partition effectively created religious divisions within the country and played a
role in the establishment of the Muslim League in 1906.
Annulment of Partition of Bengal
The annulment of the 1911 partition of Bengal happened for several reasons. Originally, the partition was met
with strong opposition, and it was declared illegal due to political protests. Instead of dividing Bengal based on
religion, it was divided based on language, creating two new provinces: Orissa and Bihar, and splitting
Assam. Since the protests couldnt be stopped, authorities decided to reverse the division. In 1911, King George
V announced the reunification of eastern Bengal with the Bengal Presidency. Although other regions were
divided, areas where Bengali was the predominant language remained united. Lord Hardinge played a key role
in undoing the partition due to riots linked to the Swadeshi movement. The decision to move the capital to New
Delhi aimed to give the British administration a stronger foothold. The partition disappointed Muslims in
Bengal, as they expected protection for their interests. They saw it as favoring Hindus over Muslims. Muslim
leaders opposed the division and saw benefits in creating Muslim-majority districts. Despite the annulment, it
didnt lead to a cultural separation between Hindus and Muslims, and the region remained united.
RISE OF INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
Rising Nationalism:
* From the mid-19th century, Indians began feeling the impact of colonial policies on their economy, society, and culture.
* Educated Indians started forming political associations like the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, Bombay Presidency Association, Indian Association, etc.
* These early associations mostly had lawyers, teachers, journalists, and other professionals. They worked for:
* Indian representation in the government.
* Protection of civil rights.
* Reforms in administration.
Unhappiness among the masses: Economic & Political Discontent
* British policies led to:
* Decline of Indian industries and agriculture.
* Drain of wealth to Britain.
* Indians were not allowed in high administrative posts.
* There was racial discrimination in jobs, education, and civil rights.
Formation of Indian National Congress (INC)
* The Indian National Congress was founded in December 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai).
* Allan Octavian Hume (a retired British civil servant) played a key role in bringing Indian leaders together.
* The first session was attended by 72 delegates including Dadabhai Naoroji, W.C. Bonnerjee, Surendranath Banerjea, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, etc.
* W.C. Bonnerjee was the first President of INC.
Objectives of the Early Congress
* To bring together people from different regions.
* To discuss and voice common concerns.
* To present petitions and demands to the British government in a peaceful and moderate way.
Why was INC significant?
* First organized political platform for Indians.
* United people from different parts of the country.
* Set the foundation for the national movement.
* Helped build national unity and political awareness.
The Congress Split: Moderates and Radicals
Why did the Split happen?
By the early 1900s, a divide began to grow within the Indian National Congress. Members disagreed on:
* How to fight British rule
* The pace and nature of demands
* The methods to achieve Swaraj (self-rule)
Who were the Moderates?
Key Leaders:
* Dadabhai Naoroji
* Gopal Krishna Gokhale
* Pherozeshah Mehta
Their Approach:
* Believed in gradual reforms through dialogue and petitions
* Preferred constitutional methods
* Trusted that British rule could be reformed to suit Indian needs
* Opposed violence and confrontation
* Wanted Indians to be recruited in British administration services and other jobs, hence introduced civil service exams
Who were the Radicals?
Key Leaders:
* Bal Gangadhar Tilak
* Bipin Chandra Pal
* Lala Lajpat Rai
(Collectively known as Lal-Bal-Pal)
Their Approach:
* Believed in direct action and mass mobilization
* Wanted Swaraj as a right, not a favor
* Used boycotts, strikes, swadeshi movement, and national education
* Famous slogan by Tilak: “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!”
When did the Split happen?
Surat Session (1907) because Radicals wanted stronger resolutions, while Moderates wanted softer demands. As a result, Congress split into two: Moderates continued to follow constitutional methods and Radicals formed their own movement using more active means.
Impact of the Split
* Weakened the unity of the national movement temporarily.
* British used the division to control the situation.
* However, it also marked a transition to more active resistance.
* Paved the way for:
* Mass movements
* Involvement of youth and common people
* Later emergence of Gandhian leadership
Who were the Revolutionaries?
In simple terms, freedom fighters. They carried out revolutions bringing a wave of change in freedom struggle, through protests and events.
ALL INDIA MUSLIM LEAGUE (Dhakka)
Why was the Muslim League formed?
The Muslim League was formed by a group of Muslim leaders who felt:
* Their interests were not being represented in the Indian National Congress.
* The Hindu majority in the Congress might dominate politics in the future.
* They needed a separate political organization to protect Muslim identity and rights.
Reasons behind their formation:
1. Partition of Bengal (1905):
* Lord Curzon divided Bengal, claiming it was for administrative ease.
* Many Muslims supported the partition, as East Bengal had a Muslim majority.
* Hindus opposed it, and it led to the Swadeshi Movement.
* This created religious divisions between Hindus and Muslims.
2. Simmering communal concerns:
* Some Muslim leaders feared that in a democratic setup, Hindus would outnumber Muslims and control politics.
* British policies encouraged “Divide and Rule”, fueling these fears.
3. Lack of Muslim representation in Congress:
* Congress was seen as mostly led by Hindu leaders.
* Muslims wanted separate political safeguards.
Objectives of the Muslim League:
1. Protect the rights and interests of Muslims.
2. Promote loyalty to the British government.
3. Avoid direct confrontation and act as a bridge between Muslims and the British.
Importance of the Formation:
* Marked the beginning of separate political thinking along religious lines in India.
* Later, the Muslim League began demanding separate electorates (1909).
* It would go on to play a crucial role in Indian politics, especially in the demand for Pakistan.
MASS NATIONALISM: HOW DID THE WORLD WARS IMPACT INDIAN INDEPENDENCE
LEARNING GOAL 2
TIMELINING THE EVENTS
Year
Event
Description & Impact
1919
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
Peaceful protest in Amritsar brutally crushed by General Dyer; over 1000 people killed. Shocked the nation. Sparked outrage and ended trust in British rule.
1919
Rowlatt Act Protests
Gave the British power to arrest without trial. Nationwide protests followed. Gandhiji launched Satyagraha, marking the start of mass involvement.
1920–22
Non-Cooperation Movement
Led by Gandhiji. Indians boycotted British goods, schools, law courts, titles. Movement was non-violent until the Chauri Chaura incident (1922), after which Gandhi called it off.
1930
March to Dandi (Salt March)
Gandhiji walked 240 km from Sabarmati to Dandi to break the salt law. A symbol of non-violent protest. Inspired nationwide civil disobedience.
1930–34
Civil Disobedience Movement
Refusal to obey British laws. People stopped paying taxes, boycotted foreign cloth. Women and youth joined in large numbers. British responded with mass arrests.
1935
Government of India Act
Gave some autonomy to provinces but kept ultimate power with the British. Congress rejected it as inadequate.
1939
Congress Resigns
Britain declared India at war in WWII without consulting Indian leaders. Congress ministries resigned in protest.
1942
Quit India Movement
Gandhiji’s call: "Do or Die". Demanded complete British withdrawal. Mass protests, strikes, sabotage. Brutally suppressed. Gandhi and other leaders jailed. But showed Indians would accept nothing less than full freedom.
1947
Independence & Partition
India gained freedom, but was divided into India and Pakistan. Communal violence followed. Millions displaced. A bittersweet victory.
Impact of World War I in India: (1914-1919)
* Alteration in economic and political situation of India
* Increase in taxes to meet army expenditure and demands for war supplies
* Business groups reaped profits with the increasing demand for industrial goods and mass production
* Decline in imports into India led to an expansion in Indian industries
* Soldiers picked from Indian villages, leading to exploitation of the ones who were sent and then returned to exploit others
* Russian revolution inspired Indian nationalists
Champaran Satyagrah, 1917:
* British indigo planters forced local farmers to grow indigo on 15% of their land
* Farmers were exploited—they had to sell indigo at low fixed prices to the planters and bear losses if they refused.
* After the invention of synthetic dyes in Germany, the demand for natural indigo dropped, but the exploitative system continued.
Gandhi’s role:
* Gandhi was invited by Raj Kumar Shukla, a local farmer, to see the plight of the peasants.
* He used non-violent civil disobedience—refused to obey an order to leave Champaran and instead stayed to investigate.
* He conducted detailed surveys of the farmers' conditions and collected testimonies.
* British government set up an inquiry committee
* Farmers were compensated (partially) and given more control over their land.
* Gandhi’s first success in India using Satyagraha (truth-force or non-violent protest).
* It established Gandhi as a mass leader and brought Indian peasants into the freedom struggle.
Rowlatt Satyagrah, 1919:
* Rowlatt act passed by British curbed fundamental rights and strengthened police powers as well as arrests without giving the public a reason
* Gandhi asked people to observe 6 April 1919 as a day of humiliation and prayer along with hartals and satyagrah sabhas in protest of this act
* This turned out to be India’s first struggle against British administration whereon large number of protests and hartals were carried out, resulting in brutal measures by British government
* This ended with Jallianwala Bagh Massacre on 13 April 1919 and many leaders giving up their titles.
Khilafat Agitation, 1920:
* British imposed a harsh treaty on Turkish Sultan (Khalifa), which angered the masses
* Jinnah and Shaukat Ali iniatiated the movement to support Gandhi against the wrong doings of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
* Demand for swaraj increased
Non Cooperation Movement. 1921-22:
* Followed after Khilafat, this movement gained momentum
* Thousands of students and government servants joined the movement, lawyers gave up their practice, British titles were surrendered and legislature boycott
* Foreign cloth burnt, and their import fell
* In south, liquor shops were picketed, poor peasants staged forest satyagarh, even sending their cattle to graze without paying taxes.
* Proclamation for swaraj and Gandhi raj
* Muslim traders also joined in
* Punjabi Akalis and Sikhs also supported
* Assam tea labourers also protested with shouts and calls, demanding increase in wages
Chauri Chaura Incident, 1922:
* Non-cooperation movement was called off due to this incident, which caused violence
* Peasants set fire to a police station in Chauri Chaura when they were provoked by the British police due a firing on the peaceful demonstration
Simon Commission, 1927:
* Lord Simon, a British official, came to India to decide India’s political feature, without any Indian representative
* This caused outrage and the commission was boycotted with demonstrations and banners having ‘Simon Go Back’ calls
Call for Purna Swaraj, 1929:
* Congress initiation under Jawahar Lal Nehru
* Call for complete independence that was observed on 26 January 1930
Dandi March, 1930:
* Gandhi along with other revolutionaries decided to break the salt law
* According to the law, British had monopoly on manufacture and salt of salt
* Even after reasoning out, tax was not removed
* Salt March from Delhi to Dandi began with a purpose of not denying basic needs to the masses
* Gandhi reached Dandi and put a pinch of salt in his mouth to break the law
Civil Disobedience, 1930:
* Launched after Chauri Chaura incident and breaking of Salt Law at Dandi
* Masses went ahead for non-payment of taxes
* Boycott of British goods, courts, schools, and offices along with resignation from government jobs.
* Burning of liquor shops and foreign cloth stores.
* Women actively participated in processions and protests
* Similar to Non Cooperation Movement
* Resulted in British arrests and lathi charge, in which Lala Lajpat Rai suffered a fatal blow on head
Gandhi Irwin Pact, 1931:
* Agreement signed between Gandhi (representing Congress) and Lord Irwin (Viceroy) to end Civil Disobedience, release of prisoners and having only peaceful protests
* Short lived negotiation as fight for independent was more strong
Government of India Act, 1935:
* Prescription of Provincial Autonomy for Indian decision making along with provision of elections
* When the world war 2 began in 1939, Congress leaders were ready to support British leaders by providing troops in return of Indian independence which British refused. Congress resigned in protest.
Quit India Movement, 1942:
* In the middle of world war 2, Gandhi initiated a new movement that British should leave India
* Masses called for ‘Do or Die’
* Leaders were jailed, youth joined the movement
* British used harsh measures, arresting 90000, killing 1000s
Cabinet Mission, 1946:
* Muslim League started demanding an independent state for Muslims in 1940s, causing the rift between Congress and Muslim League become more deep
* British cabinet sent a 3-member mission to Delhi to examine this demand and suggest a suitable political framework for a free India
* Mission suggested that India would remain united and constitute itself as loose confederation with some autonomy for Muslim majority areas
* Congress and Muslim League did not agree, mission failed
Direct Action Day, 1946:
* After the failure of cabinet mission, Muslim League decided a mass agitation for winning its demand for Pakistan
* 16 August 1946 decided as direct action day with riots in Calcutta, resulting in violence and death of 1000s
* Violence spread to different parts of India by March 1947
Partition, 1947:
* Brutal killings and untold brutalities
* Forced fleeing of homes
* Uncountable refugees
THEME 1
LEARNING GOAL 3: TO LEARN ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION AND THE INTEGRATION OF INDIA WHAT IS A CONSTITUTION?
A Constitution is a set of written rules and principles that determines how a country is governed. It lays down the framework for the political system, government structure, and the rights and duties of citizens.
Purpose of the Constitution: The Constitution serves several key purposes:
1. Defines the Nature of a Country's Political System: It tells us whether a country is democratic, monarchy, socialist, etc.
2. Lays Down Rules for Governance: It outlines the powers and functions of different organs of the government (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary).
3. Protects Fundamental Rights: It guarantees the rights and freedoms of individuals. 4. Establishes Equality and Justice: It ensures all citizens are treated equally before the law. 5. Sets Ideals and Values: It reflects the vision and values upon which the country is built, such as liberty, equality, and secularism.
Need for a Constitution: India is a diverse country with many religions, languages, cultures, and communities. A Constitution is needed to:
∙ Maintain unity and integrity.
∙ Resolve conflicts and provide a common framework for all.
∙ Limit the powers of the government and prevent misuse of authority.
∙ Ensure minority rights and dignity of all.
Importance of the Indian Constitution
1. Establishes Democracy: It empowers the people to choose their leaders and participate in decision making.
2. Safeguards Citizens’ Rights: Fundamental Rights protect freedoms such as speech, religion, and equality.
3. Acts as a Guiding Document: It helps in decision-making for both the government and citizens. 4. Ensures Rule of Law: Everyone, including leaders, must abide by the law.
5. Promotes Social Justice: It aims to reduce inequality and protect the vulnerable sections of society Key Features of the Indian Constitution:
1. Federalism
∙ Federalism means that power is divided between the central government and the state governments. ∙ Each level has its own responsibilities and can make laws on certain subjects.
∙ This helps in better administration of a vast and diverse country like India.
2. Parliamentary Form of Government
∙ The people of India elect their representatives.
∙ The elected representatives from the government.
∙ The Prime Minister is the head of the government.
∙ This system ensures accountability because the government is answerable to the people through the Parliament.
3. Separation of Powers
∙ The Indian Constitution divides the power among three main organs (democratic pillars): 1. Legislature – Makes laws (Parliament)
2. Executive – Implements laws (Government)
3. Judiciary – Interprets laws (Courts)
∙ This system prevents misuse of power and ensures checks and balances.
4. Fundamental Rights
∙ The Constitution guarantees six Fundamental Rights to all citizens:
1. Right to Equality
2. Right to Freedom
3. Right against Exploitation
4. Right to Freedom of Religion
5. Cultural and Educational Rights
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies
∙ These rights protect individuals from injustice and promote freedom and dignity. 5. Secularism
∙ India has no official religion.
∙ The State treats all religions equally and does not favor or discriminate against any religion. ∙ Every person has the freedom to practice, propagate, and follow any religion.
6. Independent Judiciary
∙ The Judiciary is independent from the other branches of government.
∙ Judges are not influenced by the government.
∙ The courts protect citizens’ rights and ensure that laws are followed
INDIA’S CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY
The Constituent Assembly was a special body formed to draft the Constitution of India. It was like a group of representatives from across India who came together to decide the rules and laws by which the country would be governed.
Formation and Timeline:
∙ The Assembly was formed in 1946.
∙ It had its first meeting on 9 December 1946.
∙ It took almost 3 years to complete the Constitution.
∙ The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950 (celebrated as Republic Day).
Members of the Constituent Assembly
∙ Initially, it had 389 members (including members from British provinces and princely states). ∙ After Partition, the number came down to 299.
∙ Members came from diverse backgrounds—lawyers, social workers, leaders, and freedom fighters. Famous Members: Some key members of the Constituent Assembly included:
∙ Dr. B.R. Ambedkar – Chairman of the Drafting Committee, known as the Father of the Indian Constitution.
∙ Dr. Rajendra Prasad – President of the Assembly (later became the first President of India). ∙ Jawaharlal Nehru – First Prime Minister of India.
∙ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and many more.
Work of the Constituent Assembly
∙ Debated on issues like Fundamental Rights, citizenship, equality, governance, etc. ∙ Studied constitutions of other countries for best practices.
∙ Ensured the Constitution reflected India's values, diversity, and unity.
Why is the Constituent Assembly Important?
∙ It created the foundation of independent India’s democracy.
∙ It gave us a Constitution that ensures justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. ∙ It shaped the way India would function as a sovereign, secular, and democratic republic
WHAT ARE DEMOCRATIC PILLARS?
Democratic pillars are the core principles or foundations that support and strengthen democracy in India. These are essential to ensure that power rests with the people, and that freedom, equality, and justice are protected.
Four Main Democratic Pillars in the Indian Constitution:
1. Legislature (Law-Making Body)
∙ Parliament of India (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) is the main legislative body.
∙ It is elected by the people.
∙ Makes laws for the country.
∙ Ensures the will of the people is represented in governance.
2. Executive (Law-Implementing Body)
∙ Includes the President, Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers.
∙ Responsible for running the government and implementing laws.
∙ They are accountable to the legislature and, indirectly, to the people.
3. Judiciary (Law-Interpreting Body)
∙ Independent courts (like the Supreme Court and High Courts).
∙ Protect citizens’ rights.
∙ Ensure laws are followed and are in line with the Constitution.
∙ Can declare any law unconstitutional if it violates the principles of the Constitution. 4. Free Press (Media – The Fourth Pillar)
∙ A free and fair media informs people about government actions. ∙ Acts as a watchdog of democracy.
∙ Helps citizens form opinions and hold leaders accountable.
∙ Ensures transparency and freedom of expression.
Why Are These Pillars Important?
∙ They ensure that no one has absolute power.
∙ Help maintain balance, justice, and transparency in governance.
∙ Empower citizens to participate actively in democracy.
FROM BILL TO ACT
Drafting a bill
Introducing the draft in Parliament (Lok Sabha) for First Reading
Important points
discussed and sent for Second Reading
Referred to a standing committee to discuss each clause
If Approved, goes to the President
If Rejected, sent back to Lok Sabha for improvising
Discuccion of each clause and Voting by members
If Approved, goes to Rajya Sabha for further discussion.
If Rejected, sent back to Lok Sabha for improvising
Voting by member
President suggests
amendments
Amendments are done and sent for discussion
If Approved, President signs
If Rejected, bill is nullified
Once bill is passed as an act/law, citizens are notified and law is
implemented
Track the bills being discussed, passed and their status: https://mpa.gov.in/bills-list