DAMODARAM SANJIVAYYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

VISAKHAPATNAM, A.P., INDIA

PROJECT TITLE

INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT

SUBJECT
HISTORY - 2

NAME OF THE FACULTY

DR. VISWANATH CHANDRA MADASU sir

Name of the Candidate: M. SHIREESHA

Roll No. & Semester: 2015065 & 2ND SEMESTER, 1ST YEAR

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ACKNOWLEGEMENT

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to our lecturer Mr. Vishawanath
Chandra Madasu sir, who gave me the golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on the
topic INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT, which also helped me in doing a lot of Research
and I came to know about so many new things I am really thankful to them.

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STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

the main statement of problem here is that to find out about Indian national
movements that took place during the struggle for freedom. Also to find out what
happened in the Indian national movement.

OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

the main objective of study here is to

 To find out what exactly is the meaning if Indian national movement

 To discover which freedom fighters participated and what were their

conttibutions

 To analyse how the Indian national movement affected the britishers

HYPOTHESIS

Through this paper I presume that the Indian national movements severely
affected the britishers and these movements played a huge role in India getting its
independence.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The project work would be based on the doctrinal method of study.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Indian National Movement: The Long- Term Dynamics

By Chandra

This volume represents the first statement of the vast research project conducted
by the author,along with some of his colleagues,on the history of India's freedom
struggle. It also discusses other crucial aspects of the movement, its ideology and
programme,the role of non-violence the relationship between the leaders and the
masses, and the capacity of the movement for ideological transformation.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………………………..6

2. BRITISH RAJ IN INDIA ………………………………………………………………...6

3. SOCIO- RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENS

AND NATIONAL AWAKENING.....................................................................................7

4. THE REVOLT OF 1857 – THE FIRST MAJOR CHALLENGE ……………………….8

5. 1858 – 1905

 INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS INITIAL STAGES ……………………………9

 THE PROGRAMME AND ACTIVITES OF EARLY NATIONALIST …………..14

6. 1905 – 1918

 VANDEMATARAM MOVEMENT (1905) ……………………………………….12

 PARTITION OF BENGAL………………………………………………………….12

 MUSLIM RULE……………………………………………………………………..12

 HOME RULE LEAGUES………………………………………………………...…13

 MINTO – MORLEY REFORMS………………………………………………...…13

 GROWTH OF REVOLUTIONARY NATIONALISM…………………………….14

 LUCKNOW SESSION OF THE CONGRESS……………………………………..14

7. 1919 – 1947

 GANDHIJI’S EARLY CAREER AND ACTIVITIES………………….15

 KHILAF MOVEMENT……………………………………………………………..15

 ROWLAT ACT…………………………………………………………………..…15

 JALLIAWALLABAGH MOVEMENT…………………………………………….16

 NON COOPERATION MOVEMENT……………………………………………..16

 SIMON COMMISSION 1927………………………………………………………17

 DANDI MARCHI 1930 (CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE)……………………………….17

 QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT 1942………………………………………………….18

 MOUTBATTEN PLAN 1947………………………………………………………18

 PARTITION OF INDIA 1947………………………………………………………19

 INDIAN INDEPENDENCE ACT 1947…………………………………………….19

8. THE MORNING SONG OF INDIA…………………………………………………….20

9. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………27

BIBLILOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………………27

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 1. INTRODUCTION

The story of India’s struggle for achieving independence is a saga of undying spirit,
fearless struggle and focused commitment. It is a glorious chapter of our history that
every Indian is immensely proud of. Each episode is an epitome of remarkable
sacrifice. Each episode has inspired by the countless people. Rich and diverse
culture, unique way of life, all inclusive values and beliefs and amazing diversity…
that is India. Our values are deeply rooted in our heart, mind and soul. The Indian
national movement was undoubtedly one of the biggest mass movements modern
society has ever seen. It was a movement which galvanized millions of people of all
classes and ideologies into political action brought to its mighty colonial empire.
The Indian national movement is perhaps one of the best examples of extremely
wide movement with a common aim in which diverse political and ideological
currents could co-exist and simultaneously continue to contend for overall
ideological and political hegemony over it.

The movement popularized democratic ideas and institutions in India. From the
beginning, the nationalists fought against attacks by the state on the freedoms of the
press, expression and association, and made the struggle for these freedoms an integral
part of the national movement. The freedom struggle was also a struggle for economic
development. In time an economic developed which was to dominate the views of
independent India. From the initial stages, the movement adopted a pre-poor orientation
which was strengthened with the advent of Gandhi and the rise of the leftists who
struggled to make the movement adopt a socialist outlook. The movement also
increasingly moved towards a programme of radical social reform. The national
movement also played a pivotal role in the historical process through which the Indian
people got formed into a nation or a people. The Indian national movement was based on
an immense faith in the capacity of the Indian people to make sacrifices. As a mass
movement, the Indian national movement was able to tap the diverse energies, talents and
capacities of a large variety of people. It had a place for all – old and young, rich and
poor, women and men, the intellectuals and masses.

2. BRITISH RAJ IN INDIA

In the economic sphere the Portuguese ensured a good world for the market for the
Indian goods especially spices and muslin. The Indian trade with the western world

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 expanded on an unprecedented scale. India also imported goods from the European
countries and china. No doubt, the scale of Indian spices and other goods in European
markets compelled European to establish a direct contact with India through sea.
English extended their trade activities to the north-eastern part of India. The English
who succeeded in establishing their power in India which subsequently enabled them
to conquer India found their empire in the Indian subcontinent. The British setup a
powerful bureaucracy to establish an official government. The history of the British
Raj refers to the period of British rule on the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and
19471. The British also responsible for dividing the country on the religious grounds.
The British were also brought about a great impact on the judiciary in India. The
British administrative system was based on three pillars- executive, judiciary,
Legislature. One of the greatest contributions of the British rule in India was the
introduction of the western education in the country. Expansion of British power in
India under the Governor –General was greatly impact on the conditions of India.
Britishers were completely changed the structure of Indian society, apart from
conquering, suppressing our rights etc, they were made a lot of administrative
reforms. The foundation of Indian judiciary was laid down by the Britishers. The
Indian judiciary evolved, developed from the common law. If Britishers were not
occupying India, the Indian scenario will be something differs from what existing
system.

3. SOCIO- RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENTS AND NATIONAL

AWAKENING

By the beginning of the nineteenth century Indian had lost faith in their culture and
regarded western culture as their ideal. They gropingly followed western dress,
western literature, western thought and every thing else which belonged to the west.
The chief object of western education was to provide westernized Indians. But at the
same time, a new thought came to the minds of Indians. It inspired the Indians in
every walk of their life viz. society, religion, literature, fin arts, politics etc. In the
history of modern India, the socio-religious reforms occupy a significant place. Social
reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Dayanand Sarawathi and Swami
Vivekananda were responsible for the social and cultural awakening in India. The
spread of liberal ideas of the west provided further stimulus for the emergence of
1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_British_Raj

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 reform movements. These movements introduced important changes in social and
religious life of the people of India2. The important social religious movements of the
19th and 20th centuries were; the brahmo samaj, the prathana Samaj and the Arya
Samaj and the theosophical society and the Ramakrishna mission. The growth of
Indian nationalism or national consciousness is a remarkable feature of the 19 th
century. These are developing self confidence in the people of our country.

4. THE REVOLT OF 1857 – THE FIRST MAJOR CHALLENGE

The Revolt of 1857 was the most dramatic of traditional India’s struggle against the
British rule. The revolt of 1857 is as much a landmark in the history of modern India
as it is a watershed in the history of British imperialism in this subcontinent. India’s
first war of independence, the great rebellion, the Indian munity, the revolt of 1857.
The revolt was a result of various grievances.

CAUSES OF REVOLT:

Political cause: Dalhousie’s policy Doctrine of lapse and his Policy of Annexation.
Social cause: social factors also played an important role in generating anti- British
feeling in the minds of people. The social reforms introduced by the British viz.
abolition of sati, widow re-marriage Act, the caste disabilities removal Act, and the
new education system. Religious cause: the 1813 charter abolished the restrictions of
missionary activities. The study of Bible was compulsory in educational institutions.
The religious Disabilities Act of 1856 also created lot of disturbances. Military
Causes: the Indian army consisted of both Europeans and Indians. The Europeans
were known as soldiers while Indians were called sepoys. The Muslim and Hindu
Sepoys were also not allowed to observe their religious festivals. In Lord Canning
introduced the “Enfield Rifle” in the army. The munity was localized. Although the
Revolt of 1857 resulted in significantly changes in administrative structure in Britain,
changes in policies of the government of India and the British attitudes.

NATIONAL MOVEMENTS THREE PHASES

The rise of Nationalism is reflected in the spirit of Renaissance in Europe

when freedom from religious restrictions led to the enhancement of national identity.
This expression of Nationalism was furthered by the French Revolution. The political
2
http://holisticthought.com/socio-religious-reform-movements-in-india/

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 changes resulted in the passing of sovereignty from the hands of an absolute monarch
to the French citizens, who had the power to constitute the nation and shape its
destiny. The watchwords of the French Revolution - Liberty, Equality and Fraternity -
inspired the whole world. Many other revolutions like the American Revolution, the
Russian Revolution, etc. Also strengthened the idea of Nationalism. In this lesson,
you will read about the rise of Nationalism in India which emerged in the 19th
Century after the revolt of 1857.

Rise of Nationalism in India for India, the making of national identity was a
long process whose roots can be drawn from the ancient era. India as a whole had
been ruled by emperors like Ashoka and Samudragupta in ancient times and Akbar to
Aurangzeb in Medieval times. But, it was only in the 19th Century that the concept of
a national identity and national consciousness emerged. This growth was intimately
connected to the anti-colonial movement the social, economic and political factors
had inspired the people to define and achieve their national identity. People began
discovering their unity in the process of their struggle against colonialism. The sense
of being oppressed under colonial rule provided a shared bond that tied different
groups together. There are three stages in the freedom fight of India.

5. 1858 – 1905

 INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS INITIAL STAGES

The Indian National Congress was founded by Allan Octavian Hume in 1885.
Hume was a retired Civil Service Officer. He saw a growing political consciousness
among the Indians and wanted to give it a safe, constitutional outlet so that their
resentment would not develop into popular agitation against the British rule in India.
He was supported in this scheme by the Viceroy, Lord Dufferin, and by a group of
eminent Indians. Womesh Chandra Banerjee of Calcutta was elected as the first
President. The Indian National Congress represented an urge of the politically
conscious Indians to set up a national organization to work for their betterment. Its
leaders had complete faith in the British Government and in its sense of justice. They
believed that if they would place their grievances before the government reasonably,
the British would certainly try to rectify them. Among the liberal leaders, the most
prominent were Firoz Shah Mehta, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dada Bhai Naoroji, Ras
Behari Bose, Badruddin Tayabji, etc. From 1885 to 1905, the Indian National

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Congress had a very narrow social base. Its influence was confined to the urban
educated Indians.

The early aims of this organization were limited only to communicate with
British government on behalf of the Indian people and voice their grievances. It was
rightly called the era of the Moderates.

Initial stages of Indian National Congress The congress placed its demands
before the government always in the form of petitions and worked within the
framework of law. It was for this reason that the early Congress leaders were referred
to as ‘Moderates’. During its first twenty years the Congress made moderate
demands. The members placed their demands before the Government always in the
form of petitions and worked within the framework of law. It was for this reason that
the early Congress leaders were referred to as ‘Moderates’ they asked for:

(a) Representative legislatures,

(b) Indianization of services,

(c) Reduction of military expenditure,

(d) Education, employment and holding of the ICS (Indian Civil Services)
examination in India,

(e) Decrease in the burden of the cultivators,

(f) Defense of civil rights,

(g) Separation of the judiciary from the executive,

(h) Change in the tenancy laws,

(i) Reduction in land revenue and salt duty,

(j) Policies to help in the growth of Indian industries and handicrafts,

(k) Introduction of welfare programmes for the people.

Unfortunately, their efforts did not bring many changes in the policies and
administration of the British in India. In the beginning, the Britishers had a favorable
attitude towards the Congress. But, by 1887, this attitude began to change. They did

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 not fulfill the demands of the Moderates. The only achievement of the Congress was
the enactment of the Indian Councils Act, 1892 that enlarged the legislature by adding
a few nonofficial members and passing of a resolution for holding Indian Civil
Services Examination simultaneously in London and in India. Many leaders gradually
lost faith in the Constitutional process. Even though the Congress failed to achieve its
goal, it succeeded in creating national awakening and instilling in the minds of the
Indian peoples a sense of belonging to one Nation.

The Britishers who were earlier supporting the Moderates soon realized that the
movement could turn into a National force that would drive them out of the country.
This totally changed their attitude. They passed strict laws to control education and
curb the press. Minor concessions were given so as to win over some Congress
leaders. The British Viceroy, Lord Curzon was a staunch imperialist and believed in
the superiority of the English people. He passed an Act in 1898, making it an offence
to provoke people against the British rulers. He passed the Indian Universities Act in
1904, imposing stiff control over Indian Universities. Curzon was out to suppress the
rising Nationalism in India.

THE PROGRAMME AND ACTIVITES OF EARLY NATIONALIST

Early nationalist leadership believed that a direct struggle for the political
emancipation of the country was not yet on the agenda of history. What was on the
agenda was the arousal of national feeling, consolidation of this feeling, the bringing
of a large number of the Indian people into the vortex of the nationalist politics, and
their training in politics and political agitation. The first important task in this respect
was the creation of public interest in political questions and the organization of public
opinion in the country. Second, popular demands had to be formulated on a country
wide on the basis of national interest of the people. Most important of all, national
unity had to be created, in the first instance, among the political conscious Indians
and political workers and leaders. The early national leaders fully aware of the
consequence if our country was led by British. They created nationalism in the minds
of people.

6. 1905 – 1918

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 The political events of the years 1892-1905 also disappointed the nationalist and
made them think of more radical politics. In these period the growth of nationalism
also increasing rapidly.

 PARTITION OF BENGAL

Curzon announced the partition of Bengal. The reason for partition was given
as an attempt to improve administration. But the real aim was to ‘Divide and Rule’.
The partition was done in order to create a separate State for Muslims and so
introduce the poison of communalism in the country. However the Indians viewed the
partition as an attempt by the British to disrupt the growing national movement in
Bengal and divide the Hindus and Muslims of the region. Widespread agitation
ensued in the streets and in the press. People of different parts of India opposed the
partition of Bengal all over the country. This opposition was carried on by organized
meetings, processions and demonstrations etc. Hindus and Muslims tied ‘rakhi’ on
each other’s hands to show their unity and their protest. The use of Swadeshi (made
in our own country by our own people) goods, business, national education and
Indian languages were encouraged.

 VANDEMATARAM MOVEMENT (1905)

Vandemataram movement is so called Swadeshi Movement. It is an anti- nationalist

movement against British rule in India. It is become expression of nationalism that
time. Because of Bengal partition Vandemataram Movement was arising against the
British.

 MUSLIM RULE

The separatist and loyalist tendencies among a section of the Muslim nawabs and
landlord reached a climax on 30 December 1906, when the All India Muslim to make
was founded under the leadership of Aga Khan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Nawab
Mohsin-ul-Mulk. The main aim of league was: To promote among Indian Muslims
feeling of loyalty towards the British government and to remove any misconception,
that may arise, as to the intention of the Government with regard to any of its
measures, to protect the political and other rights of the Indian Muslims and to place
their needs and aspirations before the Government in temperate language So far as

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possible without pre-justice to the objects mentioned above, to promote friendly
relations between Muslim and other committees of India3.

 HOME RULE LEAGUES

Home Rule League, either of two short-lived organizations of the same name

in India established in April and September 1916, respectively, by Indian militant
nationalist Bal Gangadhar Tilak and British social reformer and Indian independence
leader Annie Besant. The term, borrowed from a similar movement in Ireland,
referred to the efforts of Indian nationalists to achieve self-rule from the British
Indian government4. The two Home leagues worked in cooperation and carried out
intense propaganda all over the country in favour of the demand for the country in
favour of the grant of home rule or self government to India after the First World
War. Tilak

 MINTO – MORLEY REFORMS

Indian Councils Act of 1909, also called Morley-Minto Reforms, series of reform

measures enacted in 1909 by the British Parliament, the main component of which
directly introduced the elective principle to membership in the imperial and local
legislative councils in India. The act was formulated by John Morley, secretary of
state for India (1905–10)5. The main of the act are, the number of members of the
Legislative Council at the Centre increased from 16 to 60, increase in the number of
members of the Provincial Legislature (50 in Bengal, Madras and Bombay and 30 in
the rest of the provinces). Categorisation of the members of the Legislative Council;

A. Exoffico members
B. Nominated officials members
C. Nominated non officials members
D. Elected members
Introduction of system of separate electorate under which all Muslims who
are grouped in separate constituencies from which Muslims alone could be elected.

3
http://www.facts-about-india.com/formation-of-muslim-league.php

4
http://www.britannica.com/topic/Home-Rule-League

5
http://www.britannica.com/topic/Indian-Councils-Act-of-1909

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 Majority of official members at the Centre; nonofficial at the provinces Permission to
Council members to discuss budget, suggest amendments and even to vote on certain
items Nomination of two Indian story Council of the Secretary of State for Indian
Affairs6.

 GROWTH OF REVOLUTIONARY NATIONALISM

Government repression and frustration against caused by the failure of the Indian
leadership to provide a positive lead to the people ultimately resulted in revolutionary
terrorism. Many revolutionaries assassinated the British officials. Many secret
societies of terrorist youth came into existence. The revolutionaries also established
centers of activity abroad. But political conscious leaders did not agree with these
kinds of approach.

 LUCKNOW SESSION OF THE CONGRESS

Lucknow Pact, (December 1916), agreement made by the Indian National

Congress headed by Maratha leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak and the All-India Muslim
League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah; it was adopted by the Congress at
its Lucknow session on December 29 and by the league on Dec. 31, 1916. The
meeting at Lucknow marked the reunion of the moderate and radical wings of the
Congress. The pact dealt both with the structure of the government of India and with
the relation of the Hindu and Muslim communities7.

The two organizations passed the same resolutions at their sessions, put
forward a joint scheme of political reforms based on the separate electorates and
demanded that the British government should make a declaration that it could confer
self-government on India at an early date. The Lucknow pact marked an important
step forward in Hindu- Muslim unity.

7. 1919 – 1947

The third and last phases of the national movement began in 1919 when the era of
popular mass movements was initiated. The Indian people waged perhaps the greatest
mass struggle in world history and Indian’s national revolution was victorious.

6
http://www.facts-about-india.com/morley-minto-reforms.php

7
http://www.britannica.com/event/Lucknow-Pact

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  GANDHIJI’S EARLY CAREER AND ACTIVITIES

His entry into Indian politics opened a new chapter in India’s struggle for
independence. He was the one who transformed the content, contour, the range and
the scope of the freedom fight. His mass mobilization techniques were unique. His
command over the mass Indian extraordinary. He was the dynamic and dominant
personality of national movement and was instrumental in directing the struggle
against the British imperialists. When Mohandas Karamchand called for a nation-
wide Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act in March 1919, his first attempt at leading
an all India struggle. He was a dynamic man in Indian freedom fight. Gandhi’s first
experiment in Satyagraha came in 1917 in Champaran, a district in Bihar. In 1918
mahatma Gandhi intervened in a dispute between the workers and mill-owners of
Ahmadabad. His ideology was greatly impact on the peoples but it doesn’t work all
time. Nowadays days also he was criticized by his own nations people for several
reasons. Although he was one of the greatest leader of our nations.

 KHILAF MOVEMENT (1919)

A new stream came into the nationalist movement with the khilafat
movement. The younger generation of educated Muslims and a section of traditional
divines and theologies had been growing more and more radical and nationalists. The
ground for common political action by Hindus and Muslims had already prepared by
the Lucknow pact. The Khilafat movement started due to the fact that the British
Government abolished the title of Khilfa of the sultan of turkey who was defeated in
the war. Khalifa was regarded as the religious head of the Muslim world. The
movement was widespread all over the world where the Muslims presented. All India
Khalifat conference held at Delhi in November, 1919 decided to withdraw all co-
operation from the government. The INC having viewed that it is opportunity to
consolidate the Hindu-Muslim.

ROWLAT ACT

In the year 1919, the British Government passed a new rule called Rowlatt
Act, under which the Government had the authority and power to arrest people and
keep them in prisons without any trial if they are suspected with the charge of
terrorism. The government also earned the power to refrain the newspapers from

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reporting and printing news. The Act was ill famed as 'Black Act' by the people and
Indians revolt in protest against the Rowlatt Act. The positive aspect of reform by
British Government was subjected to severe sabotage by the Rowlatt act of 1919.The
act was named after the recommendations made in the previous year to the Imperial
Legislative Council by the Rowlatt Commission. The Rowlatt Commission was
appointed to investigate the 'seditious conspiracy' of the Indian people. The Law
passed empowered the Viceroy Government with extraordinary power to stop all
violations by silencing the press, confining political activists without trial and
arresting any individual suspected of sedition and treachery and arresting individuals
without any warrant. A nationwide protest was raised by calling a Hartal. Mahatma
Gandhi was extremely agitated by enactment of Rowlatt Act. He was extremely
critical about the act and argued that everyone cannot be punished for isolated
political crime8.

JALLIAWALLABAGH MOVEMENT

After the war the British made the rules more stringent. They passed the Rollat Act.
This was opposed by the people. Many of the leaders were put in the jails. On 13th
April, 1919, it was a Baisakhi day. Thousands of people had gathered in jalianwala
Bagh at Amritsar. They were holding a conference. They wanted their leaders to be
released from jail. A British army officer, General Dyer surrounded the only gate
which led to this garden and ordered his men to fire till their bullets were exhausted.
Hundreds of men, women and children were killed and thousands were wounded. The
news of this brutal cruelty spread throughout the country. The entire people of India
greatly shocked. This situation was greatly impact on the minds of people.

NON COOPERATION MOVEMENT

In September, 1920, a special session of the congress was held at Calcutta under the
leadership of Lala Lajpat Rai. The non-cooperation resolution moved by the Gandhi.
It clearly stated the programme of non co-operation. Non- cooperators were to resign
from honorary offices and nominated posts. The Rowlatt Act and The reforms of
8
http://www.indianetzone.com/14/the_rowlatt_act_1919.htm

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 1919, the khilafat wrongs, other reasons lead to non cooperation movement against
the British.

Failures of Non Cooperation Movement: Government made no amends for Punjab

wrongs. Khalifat Grievances were redressed. Gandhi’ promise of swaraj within a year
not achieved.

Success of Non Cooperation Movement: it was the first real mass movement.
Gandhiji emerged as the undisputed leader of masses. Khadi become symbol of
revolution against the Raj. It was witnessed the spread of nationalism. But it was
stopped by the Gandhiji on 1922 because Chauri-Chaura incident happened in UP.

SIMON COMMISSION 1927

Under the section84 of the Government of India Act of 1919, a statutory commission was
to be appointed at the end of ten years, to determine the next stage in the realization of
self rule in India. British government announced the appointment of a royal commission
under the chairmanship of Sir Simon in November 1927 to review the fitness of India for
further reforms, to investigate India’s constitutional problems and make
recommendations to the government on the future constitution of India. None of the 7
members of the commission were Indian so it was also called All White Commission.
Indian was hardly aggression over the commission.

DANDI MARCHI 1930 (CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE)

Gandhi came to active politics in 1928 and began to consolidate the nationalist ranks. The
following circumstances led to the civil disobedience.

I. The anti-Simon agitation

II. The revival of revolutionary terrorism
III. Peasants unrest
IV. Rejection of Nehru report by the government.
V. Imposing tax on salt etc.
Civil disobedience movement ended with the Gandhi-Irwin pact.
QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT 1942

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In the failure of the Cripps mission, imminent Japanese threat, the British attitude
towards Indians who were left behind in Burma and the prevailing anger and hostility to
an alien and meaningless war, quit India resolution was passed on 8 August, 1942 by
AICC at Gowalia tank, Bombay. Gandhi Told the British to Quit India and “leave India
in God’s hands”. His message was “do or die”. The quit India movement marked the
climax of the freedom struggle. It was the last and the most important mass movement
launched with the objective of complete emancipation of India. It placed the demand for
independence for India as the immediate agenda of national movement.

MOUTBATTEN PLAN 1947

The plan declared that power would be handed over by 15 August 1947 on the basis of
dominion status to India and Pakistan. Mountbatten supported the congress stand that the
princely must not be given the option of independence. They would either join India or
Pakistan. Boundary commission was to be headed by RADCLIFF. Mountbatten plan was
to divide India but retain maximum unity.

Salient features of the Mountbatten plan:

i. If the areas with the majority of the Muslims population desired, they should be
allowed to from separate Dominion. A new constituent Assembly would be setup
for that purpose. But there would be a partition of Bengal and the Punjab if the
representatives of the Hindu majority districts in the Legislations of those
Provinces so desired.

ii. The referendum would be taken in the North-western Frontier to ascertain

whether it should join Pakistan or not

iii. The district of Syllhet would be joined to the Muslim area in Bengal after the
views of the people had been ascertained by a referendum.

iv. Boundary Commission would be setup to define the boundaries of the Hindu And
Muslim Provinces Bengal and the Punjab.

v. The princely states would be free to join either of the two dominions or to remain
independent, and whatever treaties were signed with them would soon end.

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 vi. Parliament would undertake legislation to transfer power the end of 1947 to one
or two successor authorities on a Dominion Status basis, but without Prejudice to
the constituent Assemblies deciding whether to stay in the commonwealth or not.

PARTITION OF INDIA 1947

With the decision by Britain to withdraw from the Indian subcontinent, the Congress
Party and Muslim League agreed in June 1947 to a partition of India along religious
lines. Under the provisions of die Indian Independence Act, India and Pakistan were
established as independent dominions with predominantly Hindu areas allocated to
India and predominantly Muslim areas to Pakistan. After India’s independence on
August 15, 1947, India received most of the subcontinent’s 562 widely scattered
polities, or princely states, as well as the majority of the British provinces, and parts
of three of the remaining provinces. Muslim Pakistan received the remainder.
Pakistan consisted of a western wing, with the approximate boundaries of modern
Pakistan, and an eastern wing, with the boundaries present-day Bangladesh9. The
partition of India was a personal triumph for Jinnah.

INDIAN INDEPENDENCE ACT 1947

The Indian independence Act, 1947 necessitated certain changes in the

provisions of the government of India Act, 1935. Certain clauses of Act had to be
amended to suit the requirements of the new constitutional arrangement for the newly
formed Dominion of India. The Indian independence Act, 1947 significantly
introduced the changes in the Provincial level administration.

PROVISIONS OF THE INDIAN INDEPENDENCE ACT:

In order to legalize the June3, 1947 plan of Lord Mountbatten, this act was passed.
(A) The Act provided for the partition of India and establishment of two Dominions
of India and Pakistan from the appointed day (15th August). The act also provided for
legislative supremacy of the Dominions.
(B) The legislatures of two Dominions were given full power to make leave having
the extra-territorial Jurisdiction.
(C) The British Government was to have no control over the Dominions, provinces
or any part of the Dominions after 15th August, 1947.

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(D) Until the new constitution is framed, made the existence Constitutes Assemblies,
and bound to follow the existence system.
(E) Termination of the crown in all Indian states, etc.
The Indian independent act, 1947 marked the ending of British Rule in India. It
recognized the right of the Indian to free. But unfortunately, it divided into free.
8. THE MORNING SONG OF INDIA

It’s a 52 second lyric that stirs every Indian heart. It fills them with joy and
unspeakable. The eyes become moist and the chest gets ballooned with pride. There’s
rush of adrenaline in the sinews and tingle in every nerve. That is our national
anthem- the Jana Gana Mana. Written as praise to Lord and a prayer to the Mother
Goddess, the song became national prayer of hope and aspiration for every Indian.
The song took a quiet birth in a corner of Kolkata in 1911. It was first sung by
Tagore’s niece Sarala Devi Choudhuri at the 1911 AICC meet in the presence of great
leaders like Bishan Narayan Dar, Bhupendranath Bose and Abmikacharan Majumdar.
It appeared under the title of ‘Bharat Bhagya Vidhata ‘in Brahma mouthpiece
Tattavabodhini Patrika in 1912. It was again sung in 1917 Congress meet in Kolkata.
The song was introduced as a spirit and the life force of the freedom fighters. In 1919,
during his stay at “Madanapalli” in chittor District of Andra Pradesh, Tagore rendered
the song into English. On February 28, 1919, he song at the Theosophical College. It
became the prayer song of college.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

At the stroke of midnight on August 14, 1947, the historic session of the Indian
Constituent Assembly opened with Vande Mataram and closed with Jana Ghana
Mana. In a letter, pandit Jawaharlal Nehru mentioned that during General Assembly
of United Nations in New York in 1947, when the Indian delegation was asked to
produce the country’s national anthem, the members gave a recording of Jana Gana
Mana, which was played by the orchestra in front of the world gathering and it and it
received applause for its distinctive and dignified tune. When Indians unshackled
from the British Yoke, this song became out national anthem of our country. On
January 24, 1950, when the constitution Assembly met to sign the Constitution of
India, President Rajendra Prasad officially declared Jana Ghana Mana the national

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anthem and Vande Mataram the national song. The song was led by Purnima Banerji
and sung in Chorus for the first time after its adoption as our national anthem.

9. CONCLUSION

The national movement is perhaps one of the best examples of the creation of an
extremely wide movement with a common aim in which diverse political and
ideological currents could co- exist and work – and simultaneously continue to
contend for overall ideological and political hegemony over it. The national
movement also played a pivotal role in the historical process through which the
Indian people got formed into a nation or a people. It is played a vital role for getting
independence. The Indian national movement increased the unity among Indians. It is
pathway for our Nationalism, development, self –identity of nation. Peoples are
voluntarily involved in the mass movements. Finally Britishers changed their attitude,
leaved our country on 1947. The India declared as independent nation on August15,
1947. They were leaved our country but we have still their (some of) system which
means administration rules and regulations, especial judiciary.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1) Alexander, Diff. – the Indian rebellion of India, its causes and result, 1858 Ed.
2) Arnold, E. - Dalhousie‘s administration of British India, 1858 Ed.
3) Bipin Chandra – freedom struggle
4) Mehrota S.R. – emergence of the Indian national congress
5) Majumdar, R.C- struggle for freedom
6) Bipin Chandra – modern India
7) Narayana Sri Chaityana IAS academy- modern history
8) Indian national movement the long term dynamic- Chandra
9) Glimpses of Indian national movement- M. Abel
10) Saffron white and green : the amazing story of India’s independence- subradra
sengupta
11) Indian national movement – Hassam imam
12) Women in the Indian national movement unseen faces and unheard voices
1930-42 –suruchi thapar Bjorkert

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