Tamil Nadu Freedom Struggle Overview

Overview

This lecture covers the key events, organizations, movements, and personalities involved in the freedom struggle in Tamil Nadu, highlighting its unique social and political challenges and contributions.

Early Nationalist Movements in Tamil Nadu

• Tamil Nadu opposed colonization from the beginning, with early revolts like the 1806 Vellore Mutiny.
• Educated middle class emerged in Madras, forming associations for public affairs.
• Madras Native Association (MNA), founded in 1852, aimed to reduce taxes and protested missionary activity and peasant torture.
• MNA led to the abolition of the Torture Act but ceased in 1862.
• Madras Mahajana Sabha (MMS) was formed in 1884 as a training ground for nationalist leaders and to raise public issues.

Rise of Nationalist Press and Leaders

• The Hindu (English) and Swadeshi Mitran (Tamil) newspapers were launched to counter European press and spread nationalist ideas.
• MMS advocated for simultaneous civil service exams in India and England, reduction of taxes, and government reforms.
• MMS inspired the formation of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885; multiple Tamil leaders played a key role.

Movements and Uprisings

• Swadeshi movement (from Bengal Partition) spread to Tamil Nadu, promoting Indian goods and national education.
• Leaders like V.O. Chidambaranar and Subramania Bharathi mobilized the masses, with Bharathi’s patriotic songs and Swadeshi journals.
• V.O.C founded the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company; faced opposition from European companies and the government.
• Tirunelveli Uprising of 1908 led to arrests and harsh punishment for leaders.

Revolutionary and Home Rule Activities

• Pondicherry became a revolutionary hub; revolutionary literature was distributed from here.
• Bharatamata Society formed in 1904 aimed to assassinate British officials; Vanchinathan killed collector Ash in 1911.
• Annie Besant led the Home Rule Movement, demanding self-government under British Crown; she was arrested and later became INC President.

Social Reform and Non-Brahmin Movements

• Madras saw a rise in educated non-Brahmins challenging caste discrimination in jobs and representation.
• Justice Party (South Indian Liberal Federation) was formed, advocating for non-Brahmin reservations and communal representation.
• Justice Ministry implemented reservation, staff boards, and social reforms like abolishing Devadasi system.

Mass Movements and Repressive Measures

• Rowlatt Act (1919) led to widespread protests and formation of Madras Satyagraha Sabha.
• George Joseph led labor unions and supported the Vaikom Satyagraha for temple entry and Dalit rights.
• Khilafat and Non-Cooperation movements saw active Tamil Nadu participation and Hindu-Muslim unity.
• No Tax and Temperance Movements targeted taxes and liquor shops.

Later Developments and Struggles

• Congress split into Swarajists (pro-changers) and No-Changers over council entry.
• Simon Commission (1927) was boycotted as it had no Indian members.
• Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) included Salt Satyagraha at Vedaranyam led by Rajaji.
• Tirupur Kumaran martyred holding the national flag.

Towards Independence and Social Change

• Government of India Act 1935 brought provincial autonomy; Rajaji formed the first Congress Ministry in 1937.
• Social reforms included prohibition, temple entry for Dalits, and establishing debt relief boards.
• Anti-Hindi agitation led to deaths and protests.
• Quit India Movement (1942) in Tamil Nadu saw widespread strikes, attacks on infrastructure, and student participation.
• All sections of society contributed, leading to India's independence and partition in 1947.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Madras Native Association (MNA) — Early political association in South India for tax and social reforms.
• Madras Mahajana Sabha (MMS) — Association training early nationalists and presenting public grievances.
• Swadeshi Movement — Movement to promote Indian goods and boycott foreign products.
• Justice Party — South Indian party for non-Brahmin representation and social reforms.
• Rowlatt Act — 1919 law allowing detention without trial ("Black Act").
• Khilafat Movement — Muslim movement to restore the Caliphate, aligning with nationalists.
• Non-Cooperation Movement — Gandhi-led mass protest refusing British cooperation.
• Swarajists — Congress faction favoring legislative participation.
• Civil Disobedience Movement — Mass movement breaking colonial laws, e.g., Salt Satyagraha.
• Temple Entry Movement — Campaigns for Dalit access to Hindu temples.
• Quit India Movement — 1942 mass uprising for immediate independence.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review key leaders and their contributions in Tamil Nadu’s freedom struggle.
• Prepare answers for exam questions on movements, organizations, and social reforms discussed.
• Read about the continuation of events in the next unit.