Revolutionary nationalist movements

[edit]The Coming of Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915 from South Africa after being a part of the Apartheid. After his
return he faced similar conditions in India. His aim was clear : To gain Independence. But his method
of Satyagraha was a little complicated from the common man's point of view. As he went on giving
speeches about the power of Ahinsa or Non-Violence, he was criticised for his weakness. His reply was,
"Ahimsa is not the weapon of the weak. It is the weapon of the strong. Weak cannot practice Ahimsa. It
involves active participation and presence of Mind." He also said that, "Non Violence is not a garment to
be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our very being."
Though his views were met with praise, he did not achieve immediate national co-operation.

[edit]The Non Co-operation Movement

Main article: Non-cooperation movement

The Non Cooperation Movement in India was the first of the three major movements launched under the
leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. The movement stems from the view that cooperation of Indians is
necessary to sustain British rule in India. It was believed that Non-Cooperation with British will force them
to leave India. Gandhi framed an agenda for Non-cooperation and explained how various groups of
people can help with Non-cooperation Movement. Many People left their jobs, factories or any other
Business which indirectly aids British rule. Students enrolled in Government schools and Colleges left
them. National education was again at the fore front. Gujarat Vidya Peeth, Jamia Millia Islamia were some
institutions which took over the students who left government institutions. However, Like any movement
its effect starting coming down with time. Mahatma had hoped for a Nationwide peaceful and Non-Violent
movement. With passage of time rallies and protests being carried out Nationwide have become more
vocal and violence crept in. A peaceful rally was provoked by police men and the angry mob has
retaliated and locked them in the police station and burnt it down. This is known as Chauri-Chaura
incident. Shocked Gandhiji decided to withdraw the movement. This though was unpopular at the time
helped in cooling off the environment which would justify brutal oppression by the British. Gandhiji was
arrested for starting the movement in the first place. Gandhiji announced a constructive program to
prepare people for satyagraha. But, Some sections of the Congress party felt disillusioned by the
methods of Mahatma. This has led to rise of revolutionary terrorism in the country. Disillusioned congress
leaders went on to participate in electoral politics under the Congress Khilafat Swaraj Party.

[edit]The Dandi March or the Salt Satyagraha

Main article: Salt Satyagraha

The Salt Satyagrah was started by Mahatma Gandhi on 11 March 1930 from Sabarmati Ashram to 5 April
till Dandi where he manufactured Salt, broke the Salt Law and started a nationwide Civil
disobedience Campaign. Though the government did grant some concessions after the Salt March, not
any major changes could be achieved. However, this March helped India in another important aspect.
The March brought millions of Indians together. It also increased public support for Mahatma Gandhi.
Also, due to large amount of Worldwide publicity it got, India's domestic situation was exposed worldwide.

[edit]The Quit India Movement

Main article: Quit India Movement

The Quit India movement was the final of the Three major Nationalist movements in India. It was started
in August 1942 by MK Gandhi. This movement was not as successful as the Non-Cooperation Movement
and the Salt Satyagraha because of a number of reasons :-

1. Since the earlier two movements had not been able to achieve anything major, people had lost faith in
Movements.

2. Mahatma Gandhi when called for a peace movement, withdrew it immediately on seeing any violence.
This discouraged people from joining another movement of his organisation.

3. Quit India movement was also a Non - Cooperation movement. Afraid of becoming illiterate and
jobless, many people withdrew their support.

4. Many prominent Congress leaders were arrested in these movements which made people lose faith in
Congress and Gandhi.

Due to these reasons, Quit India movement faded in 1943.

[edit]Result

Though the Nationalist movements in India did not play a big part in bringing independence to the
country. They did bring a sense of Nationalism among the people. It was because of this Nationalismand
Unity among Indians that the British had to finally leave the country leaving behind a MuslimPakistan and
a Secular Democracy of India.

Indian nationalism refers to the many underlying forces that molded the Indian independence
movement, and strongly continue to influence the politics of India, as well as being the heart of many
contrasting ideologies that have caused ethnic and religious conflict in Indian society. Indian nationalism
often imbibes the consciousness of Indians that prior to 1947, India embodied the broaderIndian
subcontinent and influenced a part of Asia, known as Greater India.

In the Indian rebellion of 1857, Indian soldiers and regional kings fought the forces allied with the British
Empire in different parts of India. This event laid the foundation not only for a nationwide expression, but
also future nationalism and conflict on religious and ethnic terms[4].

The Indian desire for complete freedom, or Swaraj, was born with Bal Gangadhar Tilak, whose followers
were the first to express the desire for complete independence, an idea that did not catch on until
after World War I. When theAmritsar Massacre of hundreds of unarmed and innocent civilians by British
forces took place in the same year, the Indian public was outraged and most of India's political leaders
turned against the British.