indian national movement for 1 December 2025

The Indian National Movement was a long struggle by Indians to gain independence from British colonial rule. Beginning in the late 19th century and culminating in 1947, it involved political, social, and economic efforts to challenge foreign dominance. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and others played crucial roles. The movement combined constitutional reforms, mass mobilization, revolutionary activities, and civil disobedience, shaping modern India

Indian National Movement

The movement evolved in phases, reflecting the changing strategies of Indians against British rule. Early leaders emphasized moderate political reforms, while later generations adopted more radical approaches. Mass movements, including the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Quit India Movement, mobilized millions. It also integrated social reform, women’s participation, and youth activism, marking a nationwide awakening. Regional movements in Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, and the South complemented the national struggle for freedom.

Revolt of 1857

The 1857 Revolt, also called the First War of Indian Independence, marked the beginning of modern nationalist sentiment. Triggered by sepoy grievances, economic exploitation, and religious fears, it began in Meerut and spread to Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Jhansi. Key leaders included Mangal Pandey, Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Sahib, and Bahadur Shah Zafar. Though suppressed, it inspired future organized nationalist movements.

Indian National Movement Phases

The Historians have distributed the timeline of Indian National Movement into three major Phases:

1. Moderate Phase (1885 - 1905)
2. Extremist Phase (1905 - 1919)
3. Gandhian Era (1919 - 1947)

Moderate Phase (1885-1905)

Focused on petitions, reforms, and dialogue with the British. Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji emphasized economic critique (Drain Theory).

• Leaders: Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta, Surendranath Banerjee, W.C. Bonnerjee. Advocated constitutional reforms, petitions, and economic critique.
• Objective: Gain political rights through constitutional methods through “Dominion Status”, including participation in legislative councils, economic justice, and social reform.

Major Events & Movements:

Events of Moderate Phase (1885-1905)
Event / Movement	Year
Formation of INC	1885
Regional Associations	1885-1900
Early Protests against Bengal Partition	1905

• Important Locations: Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Allahabad- hubs of political activity and education.
• Outcome: Laid the foundation for organized nationalism, political awareness, and petitioning the British for reform.
• Other Contemporary British Events:

• Indian Councils Act (1892) increased council participation but limited powers.
• Censorship laws to curb nationalist press.

• Regional Uprisings: Peasant agitations in Bengal and Madras, Santhal and Munda tribal revolts.

Extremist Phase (1905-1919)

Advocated direct action, boycott, and assertive nationalism.

• Leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal. Advocated direct action, boycotts, and assertive nationalism.
• Objective: Achieve “Swaraj” (self-rule) and assert Indian authority against British policies.

Major Movements & Events:

Events of Extremist Phase (1905-1919)
Movement / Event	Year	Objective	Outcome
Swadeshi Movement	1905	Boycott British goods	Strengthened nationalist sentiment
Partition of Bengal Protests	1905	Political and economic resistance	Mass mobilization

• Important Locations: Bengal (Calcutta), Maharashtra (Bombay), Punjab, United Provinces- major centres of agitation.
• Regional Uprisings: Localized protests against taxes and British policies in Bengal, Punjab, and Maharashtra.

Gandhian Era/ Mass Movements Phase (1919-1947)

Non-violent protests, civil disobedience, and Satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi mobilized millions.

• Leaders: Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi, Aruna Asaf Ali.
• Objective: Achieve Sampoorna Swaraj (complete independence) through non-violent resistance and mass mobilization.

Major Movements & Events:

Events of Gandhian Era/ Mass Movements Phase (1919-1947)
Movement	Year	Leaders	Method	Outcome
Non-Cooperation	1920-22	Gandhi	Boycott institutions, resignations	Suspended after Chauri Chaura
Civil Disobedience	1930-34	Gandhi	Salt March, non-payment of taxes	International attention
Quit India	1942	Gandhi, Nehru	Mass protests, strikes	Suppressed but united India

• Important Locations: Champaran, Kheda, Dandi, Bombay, Delhi- centres of mass Satyagraha.
• Regional Uprisings: Champaran Satyagraha (1917), Kheda Satyagraha (1918), tribal and peasant revolts integrated into national struggle.
• Other Contemporary British Events: Rowlatt Act (1919), Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919), Simon Commission (1927).

Factors Responsible for National Uprising

The Indian National Movements were the results of the various events that occurred against Policies and Actions of the British. Few of the major causes are:

Factors Responsible for National Uprising
Factor	Details
Political	Exclusion from governance, British monopoly
Economic	Heavy taxation, drain of wealth, deindustrialization
Social	Famines, caste discrimination, low education
Events	Partition of Bengal (1905), World Wars I & II
Repressive Policies	Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Simon Commission

Indian National Movement (1857-1947) Timeline

The chronological order of the key events and list of major Indian National Movements is tabulated below:

Timeline of Indian National Movement (1857-1947)
Year	Event / Movement	Leader(s) / Organisation	Location / Centre	Outcome / Significance
1857	Revolt of 1857	Mangal Pandey, Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Sahib, Bahadur Shah Zafar	Meerut, Delhi, Jhansi, Kanpur	First War of Indian Independence; inspired nationalist sentiment
1885	Formation of INC	Allan Octavian Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji, W.C. Bonnerjee	Bombay	Platform for political dialogue and reforms
1885-1905	Moderate Phase activities	Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta	Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Allahabad	Constitutional petitions, economic critique (Drain Theory), foundation for nationalism
1905	Partition of Bengal	Lord Curzon, local leaders	Bengal	Triggered Swadeshi Movement; early mass protests
1905-1919	Extremist Phase	Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai	Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab	Assertive nationalism, boycott of British goods, regional mobilization
1917	Champaran Satyagraha	Mahatma Gandhi	Champaran, Bihar	First major non-violent protest addressing rural grievances
1918	Kheda Satyagraha	Mahatma Gandhi	Kheda, Gujarat	Non-payment of revenue; success in obtaining concessions from British
1919	Jallianwala Bagh Massacre	British colonial authority	Amritsar, Punjab	Sparked nationwide outrage; led to Non-Cooperation Movement
1920-22	Non-Cooperation Movement	Gandhi, C.R. Das	Nationwide	Boycott of British institutions; suspended after Chauri Chaura incident
1930	Salt March / Civil Disobedience	Mahatma Gandhi	Dandi, Gujarat	Protest against salt tax; widespread civil disobedience
1935	Government of India Act	British Parliament	India-wide	Provincial autonomy; partial self-rule; step toward independence
1942	Quit India Movement	Gandhi, Nehru	Nationwide	Mass uprising demanding immediate independence; suppressed but politically significant
1942	Formation of Indian National Army (INA)	Subhas Chandra Bose	Singapore (initially), Burma	Armed resistance against British; mobilized Indian soldiers and expatriates
1943	Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind)	Subhas Chandra Bose	Singapore	Parallel government in exile; diplomatic recognition sought; symbol of sovereign India
1944	INA campaigns: Imphal & Kohima	Subhas Chandra Bose	Assam-Nagaland border	Pushed into India but eventually retreated; inspired nationalist sentiment
1944	Arakan Campaign	INA + Japanese forces	Burma	Coordinated offensive; strengthened INA’s strategic role
1947	Indian Independence	Indian National Congress	India-wide	End of British rule; establishment of a sovereign nation

Kheda Satyagraha (1918)

In 1918, Gandhi led Kheda Satyagraha in Gujarat, supporting farmers facing crop failure and high taxes through non-violent protest.

Salt March/ Civil Disobedience Movement (1930)

Gandhi’s 1930 Salt March protested the salt tax, inspiring mass civil disobedience, boycotts, and nationwide anti-British mobilization.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)

Launched in 1920-22, Gandhi promoted boycotts of British institutions, resignations, and social unity, paused after Chauri Chaura violence.

Bardoli Satyagraha (1928)

In 1928, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led Bardoli Satyagraha, achieving concessions from the British against oppressive land taxes through non-violent methods.

Indigo Rebellion / Nil Bidroha (1859)

In 1859-60, Bengal peasants revolted against forced indigo cultivation, gaining temporary concessions and inspiring later nationalist and agrarian movements.

Quit India Movement (1942)

Launched in 1942 by Gandhi, the Quit India Movement demanded immediate British withdrawal, mass protests, strikes, and national unity.

Home Rule Movement (1916)

Led by Tilak and Annie Besant (1916), it aimed for self-governance within the British Empire, mobilizing people politically and socially.

Newspaper and Press Rebellion

The press played a vital role in mobilizing public opinion, spreading nationalist ideas, and documenting British injustices. Newspapers and journals became platforms for protest, awareness, and political critique. Press activism was often suppressed by the British, with censorship laws, fines, and imprisonment of editors, but it continued to strengthen nationalist consciousness across India

Newspaper and Press Rebellion
Newspaper / Journal	Year	Leader / Editor	Significance
Kesari	1881	Bal Gangadhar Tilak	Advocated extremism and Swadeshi; inspired mass mobilization
The Hindu	1878	G. Subramania Iyer	Constitutional criticism and political awareness
Indian National Herald	1938	Jawaharlal Nehru	Promoted Gandhian policies and Quit India Movement
Bengalee	1879	Surendranath Banerjee	Supported early nationalist policies; anti-partition stance
Amrita Bazar Patrika	1868	Sisir Kumar Ghosh	Highlighted colonial exploitation; mass influence

Contribution of Women to the Indian National Movement

Women played a critical role in India’s struggle for freedom, participating in protests, leadership, and social reform campaigns. Key contributions include:

Contribution of Women to the National Movement
Leader	Region	Contribution
Sarojini Naidu	Andhra / Maharashtra	Led Civil Disobedience and Quit India campaigns; first woman president of INC
Kasturba Gandhi	Gujarat	Participated in non-violent protests and Satyagraha
Aruna Asaf Ali	Delhi	Hoisted Indian flag during Quit India Movement; underground activist
Annie Besant	All India	Home Rule League; political awareness and reform
Begum Rokeya	Bengal	Promoted women’s education; participated in social reform

Tribal Uprisings

Tribal communities in India resisted British colonial policies that exploited their lands, resources, and autonomy. Tribal uprisings often preceded mainstream nationalist movements and highlighted local grievances against land revenue systems, forest laws, and forced labor.

Tribal Uprisings
Tribal Uprising	Year	Leader(s)	Region	Significance
Santhal Rebellion	1855-56	Sidhu & Kanhu Murmu	Bihar / West Bengal	Revolt against zamindari exploitation and revenue demands
Munda Rebellion	1899-1900	Birsa Munda	Jharkhand	Resistance to British land revenue policies; assertion of tribal rights
Kol Rebellion	1831-32	Tribal Chiefs	Chotanagpur	Early tribal revolt against British revenue and administrative interference
Paika Rebellion	1817	Bakshi Jagabandhu	Odisha	Armed resistance against British land policies; precursor to nationalist movement
Bhils & Gonds Revolts	18th-19th Century	Local Chiefs	Central India / Madhya Pradesh	Sustained resistance against revenue collection and forest exploitation

Peasant Movements

Indian peasants led agrarian movements against excessive taxation, forced cultivation, and oppressive policies. They were crucial in linking local grievances to national awareness.

Peasant Movements
Movement	Year	Region	Leader(s)	Cause	Outcome
Indigo Rebellion / Nil Bidroha	1859-60	Bengal	Local peasants	Forced indigo cultivation for European planters	Temporary concessions; British attempted reforms; inspired political activism
Deccan Riots	1875	Maharashtra	Peasants	High debt, oppressive moneylenders	Limited relief via colonial reforms
Kheda Satyagraha	1918	Gujarat	Mahatma Gandhi	Failure of crops; high taxes	Successful non-payment of revenue; model for non-violent protest
Bardoli Satyagraha	1928	Gujarat	Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	Increased land revenue	Government concession; strengthened civil disobedience strategies
Telangana Peasant Revolt	1946-51	Hyderabad State	Communist leaders	Zamindari exploitation, forced labour	Integrated into larger post-independence land reforms
Punjab Peasant Agitation	Early 20th century	Punjab	Local leaders	High taxes, colonial revenue policies	Contributed to anti-British sentiment

Formation of Indian National Army (INA)

Leader: Subhas Chandra Bose, 1942.
Objective: Overthrow British rule militarily and inspire Indian soldiers and expatriates to join the freedom struggle.

Structure of Azad Hind Government (Provisional Government of Free India, 1943):

Structure of Azad Hind Government 1943
Department	Head	Responsibility
Defence	Subhas Chandra Bose	Led INA operations
Foreign Affairs	Abid Hasan	Diplomacy, international recognition
Interior	Syed Mahmud	Administration of territories
Finance	Lakshmi Swaminathan	Funding INA and government operations

Impact: Boosted morale, inspired Indian soldiers, pressured British administration, and influenced post-war independence.

Causes of Indian National Movements

Various factors responsible for the National Uprising and Indian National Movements involve roles of various section of society along with major activities and policies laid by the British Rulers as discussed below:

1. Role of British Reforms and Acts

The British passed various reforms to manage Indian dissent. These reforms often fueled further nationalist demand for complete independence, as incremental concessions were deemed insufficient.

Role of British Reforms and Acts in Indian National Movements
Act/ Reform	Year	Significance
Indian Councils Act	1892	Expanded legislative participation; limited powers
Morley-Minto Reforms	1909	Introduced separate electorates for Muslims
Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms	1919	Dyarchy in provinces; partial self-government
Government of India Act	1935	Provincial autonomy; federal structure

2. Political Organizations in the Indian National Movement

Besides the Indian National Congress, regional and communal organizations influenced the movement:

• All India Muslim League (1906): Initially sought Muslim interests, later called for Pakistan.
• Hindu Mahasabha (1915): Promoted Hindu nationalist agenda.
• Ghadar Party (1913): Revolutionary activities abroad, especially in the US and Canada.
• Socialist and Labour groups: Focused on workers’ rights and peasant welfare.

3. Role of Media and Literature

Newspapers, journals, and literature played a vital role in spreading nationalist ideas:

• The Indian Spectator, The Hindu, Kesari promoted political awareness.
• Writings of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Rabindranath Tagore, and revolutionary poetry inspired youth and common people.
• Print media helped unite diverse linguistic and cultural groups under common goals.

4. Role of Youth in the Movement

Youth played a critical role, often participating in revolutionary activities and protests:

• Members of HSRA and Jugantar took part in armed resistance.
• Student movements in colleges across India engaged in boycotts and civil disobedience.
• Young leaders, including Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad, became icons of courage and patriotism.

5. Socio-Religious Movements

Social reform movements complemented political struggle:

• Brahmo Samaj (Raja Ram Mohan Roy)- eradication of Sati, widow remarriage.
• Arya Samaj (Dayananda Saraswati)- revivalist movement, education, anti-caste practices.
• Aligarh Movement (Sir Syed Ahmed Khan)- Muslim education, modern institutions.
• Prarthana Samaj- reform in Maharashtra.

7. Secret Societies and Underground Activities

Secret revolutionary organizations worked alongside moderate and extremist movements:

• Anushilan Samiti- Bengal, revolutionary planning, training.
• Jugantar Party- Bengal, political assassinations.
• Ghadar Party- North America, Indian expatriates, armed struggle during WWI.
• Abhinav Bharat Society- Maharashtra, revolutionary activities.

8. Split in INC and Revolutionary Rivalry

The INC split into Moderates and Extremists (1905-1919) due to differences in approach:

Split of Indian National Congress
Faction	Leaders	Method	Objective
Moderates	Gokhale, Naoroji	Dialogue, petitions	Constitutional reforms
Extremists	Tilak, Lajpat Rai	Boycotts, protests	Assertive Swaraj

Revolutionary leaders like Bhagat Singh, Surya Sen, Chandrasekhar Azad carried out targeted attacks on British officials, inspiring youth and public support.

9. Role of Working Class

Urban industrial workers participated in strikes and labor protests:

• Bombay Textile Strike (1920s-1930s)
• Bengal jute mill strikes
• Formation of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC, 1920)
• Highlighted link between industrial grievances and nationalist struggle

10. Role of Capitalists

Indian business community supported nationalism through:

• Funding Swadeshi movement
• Establishing indigenous industries to reduce dependence on British goods
• Leaders: G.D. Birla, Jamnalal Bajaj, Ghanshyam Das Birla

11. Communalism and Its Impact

• Communal divisions emerged in the late 19th and early 20th century.
• Muslim League (1906) advocated separate representation.
• Hindu Mahasabha formed in 1915.
• Impact: Led to political negotiations, partition debates, and influenced nationalist strategies

12. Princely States and Their Struggle

During the Indian National Movement, princely states often participated in protests, strikes, and local uprisings to demand reforms and align with the broader struggle for independence.

Struggle of Princely States
Princely State	Leader / Key Figure	Contribution / Significance
Mysore	Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV	Supported reforms; some administrative autonomy; allowed nationalist activities in education and society
Travancore	Local leaders, Diwan Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer	Mobilization in civil protests; participated in Quit India Movement indirectly
Hyderabad	People & local activists	Regional uprisings; demanded democratic reforms; resisted Nizam’s autocratic policies
Rajasthan (Mewar, Jaipur, Jodhpur)	Princes & commoners	Organized regional protests; collaborated with INC and peasant movements
Gwalior	People & local leaders	Participated in Quit India protests; provided shelter to nationalist leaders

Indian National Movement Outcomes

The result of the Indian National Movement was eventually Freedom in 1947. Although various aspects of impacts created through these movements are discussed below:

• Political: End of British rule, foundation of democracy.
• Social: Women and marginalized groups participated in politics.
• Economic: Awareness of exploitation; promotion of indigenous industries.
• Cultural: Revival of Indian identity and national unity.

International: Inspired anti-colonial movements worldwide.