Nationalism in India: Key Movements and Concepts

Jul 22, 2024

Live Session on Nationalism in India

Introduction

  • Presenter: Welcome to the live session.
  • Focus: Nationalism in India, Multipurpose Projects, Key exam topics.

Multipurpose Projects

  • Definition: Projects like dams serving multiple purposes beyond irrigation.
  • Benefits: Generation of electricity, recreational activities, agricultural water supply.

Nationalism in India

Key Concepts

  • Gross Enrollment Ratio: Measures enrollment at primary, secondary, and higher education levels.
  • Net Attendance Ratio: Specific to 14-15-year-olds attending school.

Nationalism Development

  • Early Chapters: 'Rise of Nationalism in Europe', now focusing on 'Nationalism in India'.
  • Common Themes: Development of nation-states through collective identity and unity.

Background

  • Modern Colonialism: Growth of colonial power led by the British in India transformed into anti-colonial movements, fueling nationalism.
  • Unity Through Struggle: Diverse groups unified against a common colonial oppressor.

Key Movements

Non-Cooperation Movement

  • Preceding Events: First World War, Khilafat Movement, Rowlatt Act (1919), Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa in 1915.
  • Objective: Launched in 1920 to withdraw cooperation with British authorities through non-violence (Satyagraha).
  • Participation: Boycott of schools, colleges, courts, and foreign goods.
  • Limitations: Movement turned violent (e.g., Chauri Chaura incident, 1922), leading to its suspension.

Civil Disobedience Movement

  • Initiation: Led by Mahatma Gandhi starting with the Dandi March (Salt March) in 1930 to violate salt laws.
  • Strategies: Breaking colonial laws, refusal to pay taxes, non-violent protests.
  • Government Reaction: Arrest of leaders, violent suppression by British authorities.
  • Outcome: Movement called off following the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931. Attempts to relaunch were less successful.

Participation and Differing Perspectives

In the Countryside

  • Rich Peasants: Supported the movement for reducing revenue demands.
  • Poor Peasants: Wanted rent reduction; less focused, sometimes resorted to radical methods.

In Towns and Cities

  • Industrialists and Merchants: Supported for business expansion, opposed colonial restrictions.
  • Workers: Limited participation; concerned about Congress siding with industrialists due to funding.

Women

  • Role: Actively participated in marches, salt manufacturing, picketing shops.

Challenges to Unity

Caste and Religious Divisions

  • Untouchables: Demand for separate electorate versus integration (Puna Pact, 1932).
  • Religious Differences: Rising Hindu-Muslim tensions, Muslim League seeking separate representation.

Cultural Processes in Fostering Unity

  • Cultural Icons: Bharat Mata image by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
  • Songs and Symbols: Vande Mataram song, national flags representing unity (e.g., Swadeshi flag, Swaraj flag).
  • History and Folklore: Reviving Indian history and folklore to instill pride and unity.

Quit India Movement (1942)

  • Final Major Movement: Demanded British withdrawal from India, led to significant British repression, but paved the way for eventual independence.

Conclusion

  • Overall Impact: Understanding the struggle for Indian independence, the role of different social groups, challenges of uniting diverse populations, and cultural processes in fostering a collective national identity.

Telegram Channel for Notes

This session concludes with a focus on upcoming topics and continuous revision.