Short Notes IAS PQRN Indian History Puaird - 4787 - 1681447014

Shortnotesias.com registered this copy to Harish , allbyyourgrace@gmail.
com
Ancient History
INDEX
ANCIENT HISTORY
Pre-Historic Period ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Indus Valley Civilization .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Vedic Period .................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Later Vedic Period .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Buddhism ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Jainism ............................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Mauryan Empire ........................................................................................................................................................... 14
Shungas .......................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Satavahanas ................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Indo-Geeks..................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Guptas ............................................................................................................................................................................. 17
MEDIEVAL HISTORY
Pushyabhuti Dynasty................................................................................................................................................... 20
Tripartite Struggle ........................................................................................................................................................ 20
Gurjara-Pratihara .......................................................................................................................................................... 20
Palas ................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
Rashtrakutas .................................................................................................................................................................. 21
Cholas ............................................................................................................................................................................. 22
Pallavas ........................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Chalukyas....................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Hoyasala Empire ........................................................................................................................................................... 23
The Delhi Sultanate ..................................................................................................................................................... 24
Mumluk/Slave Dynasty............................................................................................................................................... 24
Khalji Dynasty .............................................................................................................................................................. 25
Tughlaq Dynasty .......................................................................................................................................................... 26
Saiyyad Dynasty ........................................................................................................................................................... 27
Lodi dynasty .................................................................................................................................................................. 27
Short Notes IAS Static Shots Prelims Quick Revision Notes [PQRN]
Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Shortnotesias.com registered this copy to Harish , allbyyourgrace@gmail.com 1
Ancient History
Vijayanagar Empire ...................................................................................................................................................... 28

Bahmani Kingdom ....................................................................................................................................................... 30
Bhakti and Sufi Movement ......................................................................................................................................... 31
Mughal Empire ............................................................................................................................................................. 33
The Marathas ................................................................................................................................................................. 35
MODERN HISTORY
Advent of Europeans.................................................................................................................................................... 38
Decline of Mughals ...................................................................................................................................................... 41
British Entry in India ................................................................................................................................................... 41
Anglo-Mysore Wars ..................................................................................................................................................... 45
Anglo-Maratha Wars .................................................................................................................................................... 46
Anglo-Sikh Wars........................................................................................................................................................... 47
Early Revolts Against British Rule in India ................................................................................................................ 48
The Revolt of 1857 ........................................................................................................................................................ 53
Socio-Religious Reform Movements ........................................................................................................................ 56
Modern Nationalism in India..................................................................................................................................... 63
Moderate Phase ............................................................................................................................................................. 64
Militant Nationalism ................................................................................................................................................... 65
First Phase of Revolutionary Activities .................................................................................................................... 70
First World War and Nationalist Response ............................................................................................................. 72
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ................................................................................................................................ 73
Non-Cooperation and Khilafat Movements ............................................................................................................ 75
Civil Disobedience Movement .................................................................................................................................. 78
Second World War and Nationalist Response ........................................................................................................ 81
The Last Decade of British Rule in India ................................................................................................................. 83
Constitutional developments during British Rule ................................................................................................. 86
Indian National Congress Sessions........................................................................................................................... 91
Governor Generals And Viceroys of British India ................................................................................................. 91
Development of Press .................................................................................................................................................. 95
Development of Education: ........................................................................................................................................ 97
Prominent Personalities in Indian History .............................................................................................................. 99

Ancient History
PREFACE
Dear Students, We, Short Notes IAS compiled these notes from various
sources and we tried our best to cover each and every important topic that
should be covered.
As you know, these are prepared for Revision purpose only and these
cannot be used as substitutes for Standard Books, but can be used as
supplements.
If there are any grammatical or editing errors, please ignore them. If the
errors can’t be ignored, please report us at support@shortnotesias.com.
After completion of reading this, please provide your valuable feedback at
support@shortnotesias.com or at https://shortnotesias.com/shop as you
can open the product and provide 5-star rating and then your comments.
If you have any issues, feel free to contact us anytime.
We wish you all the Best.

Yours
Short Notes IAS

Ancient History
ANCIENT HISTORY
PRE-HISTORIC PERIOD
Prehistoric period belongs to the time where Human species started using stone (‘lithos’ in Greek)
tools for their survival.
Prehistoric figure, Narmada Man or Narmada Human is the earliest Homo species of Indian sub-
continent. This fossil was found on banks of Narmada River in Hathnora Village of Madhya Pradesh
in 1982.
Prehistoric period classified into three categories, 1) Stone Age, 2 ) Bronze Age and 3 ) Iron Age.
Stone Age is divided into three periods, Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic. Among them,
Paleolithic [longest] and Mesolithic represent hunting-gathering stage while the Neolithic represents
the stage of food production, i.e., plant cultivation and animal husbandry.
Paleolithic Age:
 The term Paleolithic was coined by archaeologist John Lubbock in 1865.

 Lingsugur in Raichur district, Karnataka was the first Paleolithic site to be discovered from India.
 It is divided into three periods as Lower Paleolithic, Middle Paleolithic and Upper Paleolithic ages.
The transition from each of these phases to successive phases marked by increased fineness in
the stone tools and technology of that time.
 Lower Paleolithic age tools – Hand axe and cleaver.
 Middle Paleolithic ager tools – Flakes.
 Upper Paleolithic tools – Flakes and blades.
Mesolithic Age:
The Mesolithic tools smaller in size and better in finishing as more geometric than the Paleolithic
age and are called Microliths. These microliths are tiny tools of one to five centimeters length,
made by blunting one or more sides with steep retouch.
 The main tool types are backed blades, obliquely truncated blades, points, crescents, triangles
and trapezes.
 Some of the microliths were used as components of spearheads, arrowheads, knives, sickles,
harpoons and daggers.
 They were fitted into grooves in bone, wood and reed shafts and joined together by natural
adhesives like gum and resin.
Some examples of earliest cultivation of plants around 7000-6000 years back have been found
near Sambhar Lake in Ajmer Rajasthan, Mehrgarh in Pakistan etc.
 The first animals to be domesticated were dog, cattle, sheep and goat and the first plants to be
cultivated were wheat and barley.

Ancient History
 The first evidence of intentional disposal of the dead comes from Mesolithic Era.Mesolithic
human burials have been found at Bagor in Rajasthan, Langhnaj in Gujarat, Bhimbetka in
Madhya Pradesh etc.,
Neolithic Age:
Neolithic period began at 7000 BC and the earliest example is Mehrgarh Culture.
 The smelting of metals such as Copper began which was used for raw material to be used in tool
production.
 Later, they mixed Tin with copper and created bronze and found bronze was stronger metal
than both tin and copper.
 Use of bronze for tools led to the invention of wheel which revolutionized transport and pottery
production.
Mehrgarh is located on the Bolan River, a tributary of the Indus, at the eastern edge of the
Baluchistan plateau overlooking the Indus plain.
 It is supposed to be the oldest agricultural settlement in the Indian subcontinent. Here they learnt
use of making stone beads, copper smelting, timber, terracotta, commercial transactions.
 The first evidence in human history for the drilling of teeth in a living person was found in
Mehrgarh.
Chalcolithic Period:
Use of metals along with stones began with the Chalcolithic or Eneolithic period with abundant use
of copper. The earliest settlements of the Chalcolithic period in India range from the Gangetic
basin to Chhotanagpur Plateau.
 The use of painted pottery is a hall mark of the Chalcolithic period. Chalcolithic pottery ranges
from red ware, deep red ware to deep brown and black, pictographic red and black and
polished red.
 In Kashmir, the people of Neolithic settlements used to bury dogs with their masters.
 The largest site of the Chalcolithic period is Diamabad situated on the left bank of the Pravara
River.
Chalcolithic period doesn’t know about Iron and the invention of Iron gave birth to Iron Age. The
decline of Chalcolithic period started with Iron Age. Iron Age is also known as emergence of
Aryans.
INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION
The term “Indus Valley Civilization” was used by John Marshall for the first time. Indus Valley
Civilization is also known as Harappan Civilization.
Harappa is the first discovered site of this civilization excavated in 1921 by a team led by Daya Ram
Sahni. It islocated in Punjab Province, Pakistan, on an old bank / bed of the River Ravi.

Ancient History
Northern-most site - Manda (Jammu-Kashmir), Southern-most site - Daimabad (Maharashtra),

Eastern-most site - Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh), Western-most site - Sutkagendor (Pakistan-Iran
border).
 The important findings at Harappa include pottery, chert blades, copper or bronze implements,
terracotta figurines, seals and sealing, weights, etc.,
 Harappa is the only site which yields the evidence of coffin burial.
 A copper bullock cart is also one among many important findings.
Mahenjo-Daro:
Mohenjo-Daro (mound of dead) was excavated by a team led by R.D. Banerjee in 1922. It is
located in the Larkana District of Sindh Pakistan on bank of Indus River.
Important findings at Mahenjo-Daro:
 The famous bronze dancing girl.

 Steatite statue of bearded priest.
 Seal of Pashupati.
 Numerous terracotta figurines.
The most famous and important finding at Mohenjo-Daro is The Great Bath. It is a 6×12 meter
beautiful brick work mound on Citadel. Burnt bricks, Mortar and Gypsum are used for the
construction but no signs of stones involved. It is constructed with well organised drainage system.
Kalibangan:
Kalibangan (black bangles) is in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. The site was first discovered by
Italian Luigi Pio Tessitori and was later excavated extensively by A Ghosh.
Important findings at Kalibangan:
 The oldest ploughed field.

 Earliest recorded Earthquake evidences.
 Charging bull.
 Tiled floors.
 Two kinds of burials (circular and rectangular graves).
The biggest difference in this site is, the bricks in other sites were baked ones, while Kalibangan
bricks are earthen ones. There was no drainage system in Kalibangan.
Dholavira:
 Dholavira is located in Rann of Katch of Gujarat, excavated in 1990s by a team led by R S Bisht.
 One of the most important findings of Dholavira is a signboard with Indus Script.
Lothal:
 Discovered in 1953 by S Rao.

 Lothal is located in Ahmadabad, Gujarat which was a coastal town.

Ancient History
 Important findings of Lothal include an artificial dockyard, bead factory and Double burial (male
female together).
VEDIC PERIOD
Vedic Period is the period where Vedas Emerged around 1500BC. The Vedas are liturgical texts
which formed the basis of modern-day Hinduism.
The Vedas were composed and orally transmitted with precision in this period. The Vedic society
was patriarchal and patrilineal.
The Vedic period saw the emergence of a hierarchy of social classes that would remain influential.
Vedic religion developed into Brahmanical orthodoxy.
 The history of Vedic Period (1500 BC-600 BC) begins with the advent of Aryans to India.
 Vedic period is divided into Early Vedic or Rigvedic & Later Vedic periods.
 An Iranian text, Zend Avesta, talks about names of Aryan Gods like Indra, Varuna, etc.
 Aryans names appear in Hittite inscription (Anatolia), Kassitte inscription (Iraq) & Mittani
inscription (Syria).
Early Vedic Period:
Early Vedic people or Aryans settled in the land of seven rivers, called Sapt Sindhu. Sindhu (Indus) is
the most mentioned and Saraswati is the most holy river.
According to Vedas, Manusmriti describes the region between the rivers Saraswati and Drishadwati
as Brahmavarta.
 The main source of information is Rig Veda (10 Mandalas and 1028 Hymns).
 Mandalas from 2 to 8 are called Saptarishi Manadalas as these are composed by the seven
great sages.
 Pottery Styles used in this period are Ochre Colored Pottery and Painted Grey Ware (PGW).
 2 to 7 Mandalas are the earliest portions of the Rigveda where 1 and 10 were added later.
 3rd Mandala, composed by Vishwamitra, contains Gayatri Mahamantra addressed to Goddess
Savitri.
 10th Mandala contains famous Purush Sukta that describes cosmic creation (Adi Purush) along
with 4-fold Varna System.
 Rig Vedic communities are called ‘janas’ along with several non-aryan janas. Janas’ were
headed by a ‘Rajana’ who was assisted by Purohit, Gramani and Senani and popular bodies like
Sabha, Samiti, Vidhata, Gana and Sardha.
 Ghosha, Sikta, Nivavari, and Apala were female sages of the time and contributed to the
composition of Rig Veda.
 Child Marriage and Sati were absent and a special widow-remarriage called ‘Niyoga’ was
prevalent.
 Two Drinks were taken namely Soma & Sura. Sura was disapproved by priests.
 A wealthy person was known as gomat.
 Vajrapati is the Authority over a large land was leader of kulupa & graminis.

Ancient History
 Important gods of Rigvedic time were Indra, Varuna, Agni, Yama and Soma.
LATER VEDIC PERIOD
The period that followed Rigvedic period is known as Later Vedic Period. This age witnessed the
composition of three later Veda Samhitas namely, The Samaveda Samhita, The Yajurveda Samhita,
The Atharvaveda Samhita. Later these came to be known as 3 different parts of Vedas namely,
Sam Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda.
The later Vedic texts also refer to the three divisions of India namely Aryavarta (Northern India),
Madhyadesa (Central India), and Dakshinapatha (Southern India). People who lived in western
areas of Ganga are Aryans and Western Ganga Valley was called Aryavarta.
 Upanishads, books on deeper knowledge about aatma, brahma etc. were created in this
period. Upanishads contains answers to almost every doubt or misbelief related to Sanantan
Dharma,
 Aranyakas, the forest books explain metaphysics & symbolism of sacrifice.
 Four-fold varna system was more prevalent and appearance of several jaatis or castes made
the social system complex.
 Gotra was the place where cattle resided together with janas and later developed into an
identity for the janas.
 women’s position degraded as they are prohibited from reading.
 Untouchability was in its initial stages. Nishad, Chandala and Shabar were the untouchables
mentioned. Guests were called Goghna.
 Surplus produce led to Bali and Bhaga (1/6th or 1/12th) as taxes on production.
 Samgrahitri is the chief treasurer and Bhagdukha collected the taxes and Vaishya were only
taxpayers.
Shruti and Smriti:
The Vedic literature is divided into two categories Shruti and Smriti. Shruti (that was heard) literature
was initially transmitted orally before it was finally written down. Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and
Upanishads are main texts of Shruti literature.
Smriti is what that remembered, and may change over time. The entire body of Classical Sanskrit
literature is Smriti including Vedangas, Shatdarshana, Puranas, Itihasas, Upavedas and Agamas.
Vedangas:
Vedangas are six auxiliary disciplines associated with the study and understanding of the Vedas.
They include
 Shiksha (Phonetics),
 Kalpa (Ritual Canon),
 Vyakaran (Grammar),
 Nirukta (explanation),
 Chhanda (Vedic meter) and

Ancient History
 Jyotisha (Astrology)
Shatdarshana:
The six orthodox schools of thought of Hinduism are called Shatdarshana or six philosophies. These
include,
 Samkhya.
 Yoga.
 Nyaya.
 Vaisheshika.
 Mimansa.
 Vedanta.
Currently, only Vedanta and Yoga are in tradition.
Upavedas:
Upaveda is literally applied knowledge. These are supplementary Vedas on technical subjects.
These include:
 Ayurveda: Deals in Medicine and associated with the Rigveda.

 Dhanurveda: Deals in Archery and associated with the Yajurveda.
 Gandharvaveda: Deals with Music and Dance and associated with the Samaveda.
 Shastrashastra: Deals with military technology and associated with the Atharvaveda.
Vedanta:
Vedanta means Veda end or the purpose or goal of the Vedas. It was given by Badrayana or
Maharishi Vyasa, who is one of the 7 chiranjivis and wrote Mahabharta.
Different Bhakti Vedanta:
 Advaita: It was proposed by Adi Sahnakara and his Guru Gaudapada. The essence of this
Vedanta is that “Brahman is the only reality, and the world, as it appears, is illusory.”
 Vishishtadvaita: It was proposed by Ramanujacharya. The basic theory is that jeevatman is a
part of Brahman, and Vishishtadvaita advocates Bhakti to attain God.
 Dvaita: It was proposed by Madhwacharya. This theory is also known as Tatvavada which is a
Philosophy of Reality. It identifies God in the Brahman.
 Dvaitadvaita: The theory of Dvaitadvaita was given by Nimbarka. It is based upon the early
school of Bhedabheda of Bhaskara. It says that jeevatman is at once the same as yet different
from Brahman.
 Shuddhadvaita: The proponent of Shuddhadvaita was Vallabha. It says that World is Leela of
God that is Krishna and he is Sat-Chid-Aananda.

Ancient History
BUDDHISM
Vedic religion was overloaded by complex rituals, exaggeration, Brahminic supremacy,

superstitions etc., The position of shudras and women was degraded completely. The ritual killing of
animals for sacrifices was not favoured in new agro based economy. All these practices and the
opposition to Varna System in Later Vedic Period gave birth to two new religions, Buddhism and
Jainism.
Gautama Buddha:
Gautam Buddha was born as Siddhartha. His father Shuddodhana was a leader of Shakya clan
which was a republic with capital at Kapilvastu. His mother Mahamaya was prices of another such
principality called Devadaha. His mother died soon after his birth and he was raised by Prajapati
Gautami.
 He was born in Lumbini in modern-day Nepal, around the year 563 BC and raised in Kapilavastu.
The main evidence that Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal is the Ashoka Pillar at Lumbini. Lotus
and Bull are the symbols of his birth.
 Buddha’s Birth is celebrated as Vesaka in some countries while in India, it is celebrated as
Buddha Poornima, which falls in month of Vaisakha / April or May.
 He was married to Yashodhara at the age of 16 who gave birth to his son Rahula. After he left
home in search of truth and knowledge.
 He studied under two hermits, Allara and Udaka to achieve knowledge.
 At the age of 35 years, while meditating under a Pipal tree on the bank of river Niranjana at
Gaya, he came across the desired truth. He now became Shakyamuni Buddha or the Buddha of
Shakya Clan.
 His first followers were two merchants Tapussa and Bhallika. With other followers he gave his first
sermon dealing with Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path at Deer Park in Sarnath near
Varanasi.
 His first sermon was called Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. Symbol of that sermon was Wheel.
 Buddha and his teaching Bauddha Dhamma along with the first union of his five disciples Sangha
formed the three gems, Triratna of Buddhism
 He spent most of his monastic life in Sravasti. His Mahaparinirvaṇa happened at Kusinagara at
the age of 80 years.
Four Noble Truths:
Dukkha (Sadness): World is full of sorrow and everything from birth to death brings sorrows
Dukkha Samudaya (Cause of sorrow): Desire is the cause of sorrow.
Dukkha Nirodha (Prevention of sorrow): Triumph over desires leads to prevention of sorrow.
Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada Marga (The path of Prevention of Sorrow): Man can avoid
Dukkha by avoiding extremes of life and following middle path or Madhyam Patipada.

Ancient History
Eight Fold Path:
The Eight fold path comprises of three basic divisions of wisdom Pragya Skanda, ethical conduct
Sheel Skanda and meditation Samadhi Skanda.
 Pragya Skanda:
1. Right Vision.
2. Right Resolution.
 Sheel Skanda:
3. Right Action.
4. Right Speech.
5. Right Livelihood.
 Samadhi Skanda:
6. Right Efforts.
7. Right Memory.
8. Right Meditation.
Panchashil:
Buddha established a code of conduct both for the monastic order and the disciples to follow
which are also known as the Five Precepts or Panchashil and refrain from them:
 Violence.
 Stealing.
 Sexual misconduct.
 Lying or gossip.
 Taking intoxicating substances e.g., drugs or drink.
Mahayana Buddhism:
 The term Mahayana is a Sanskrit word which literally means "Great Vehicle".
 Sought salvation through grace & help of Buddha & Bodhisattvas.
 Believed that Buddha will be born again.
 Worship Buddha in idol form.
 They used Sanskrit language.
Hinayana Buddhism:
 Hinayana means Lesser vehicle. Also known as Abandoned Vehicle or Defective vehicle. It
believes in the original teaching of Buddha or Doctrine of elders.
 Followed original teachings of Buddha.
 Sought individual salvation through self-discipline & meditation.
 Buddha will never be reborn.
 Did not believe in Idol worship.
 They used Pali language.
Important Points to be Noted:
 Dharmakirti is a Teacher at Nalanda who is called as ‘kant of india’

Ancient History
 Tripitaka is traditional term used for various Buddhist scriptures. The three pitakas are Sutta Pitaka,
Vinaya Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
 Jatakas are very much close to folklore literature and they contain the tales of previous births of
Buddha in poetry form.
 Milinda Panha or Questions of Milinda contains the dialogue of Indo-Greek king Meander and
Buddhist monk Nagasena.
 Dipavamsa, Chronicle of Island is the oldest historical record of Sri Lanka. It mentions that
Buddha visited Kelaniya and Dighavapi in Sri Lanka.
 Buddha Charita is an epic style Sanskrit work by Ashavaghosa.
 Lalitvistara is a Sanskrit text that deals with the biography of Buddha.
 Maitreya is the successor of Gautama Buddha. He is also known as Ajita Boddhisattva. He holds
a water phial in his left hand.
 Bodh Gaya is located in Bihar on the bank of river Neranjana.
 Kushinara or Kushinagara is located in Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh. It is the site of
Buddha’s death and mahaparinirvana.
 Sravasti was located in Uttar Pradesh around area of Balrampur in modern Uttar Pradesh. It is
closely asscoiated with the life of Buddha because Buddha had spent 24 Chaturmasas or 24
Years here.
JAINISM
Jainism came into prominence in 6th century B.C., when Lord Mahavira propagated the religion.
The word Jain is derived from jina or jaina which means the Conqueror. Vardhaman Mahavir born
at Kundagrama near Vaishali. He Belongs to Gnatrika Clan. Buddha and Mahavira were
contemporaries. His parents were Siddhartha and Trisala (Sister of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka). He
was married to Yashoda and had a daughter Anojja or Priyadarsana.
The three main pillars of Jainism are ahimsa (non-violence), anekantavada (non-absolutism), and
aparigraha (asceticism).
 There were 24 Tirthankaras (teachers) & the first Tirthankara was Rishabhanath or Rishabhadev.
 The 23rd Tirthankara was Parshvanatha who was born in Varanasi.
 Teachings of tirthankara before Mahavira was known as Purva.
 Bhadrabahu wrote Kalpasutra which contains biographies of jain tirthankaras.
 The last 24th Tirthkara was Vardhaman Mahavira.
 The symbol of 24th Tirthankara, Vardhaman Mahavira was a lion.
 He Rejected authority of the Vedas & Vedic rituals as he did not believe in the existence of God.
 He believed in Karma & Transmission of Soul.
 Emphasised the equality but did not condemn varna system.
 He advocated a life of austerity and non-violence.
 His teachers were Alarakama and Udraka Ramputra.
 First sermon was held at Pava.
 He attained Kaivalya-highest spiritual knowledge, at the age of 42 under Sal tree. Thus, he is
called Mahavir, Jina Jitendriya (one who conquered his senses), Nigrantha (free from all bonds).
 He Died at Pava near Rajagriha at the age of 72.

Ancient History
Five Doctrines of Jainism:
 Ahimsa: Non-injury to a living being.

 Satya: Do not speak a lie.
 Asteya: Do not steal.
 Aparigraha: Do not acquire property.
 Brahmacharya: Observe continence.
Triratnas:
 It mainly aims at the attainment of liberation, for which no ritual is required.

 It can be attained through three principles called Three Jewels or Triratna i.e.
 Right Faith (Samyakdarshana).
 Right Knowledge (Samyakjnana).
 Right Action (Samyakcharita).
Jain order has been divided into two major sects, Digambara and Svetambara. The division
occurred mainly due to famine in Magadha which compelled a group led by Bhadrabahu to
move South India.
Digambara:
 Monks of this sect believe in complete nudity. Male monks do not wear clothes while female
monks wear unstitched plain white sarees.
 They follow all five vows, Satya, Ahimsa, Asteya, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya.
 They believe in women cannot achieve liberation.
 Bhadrabahu was an exponent of this sect.
Svetambara:
 Monks of this sect wear white clothes.

 They follow only four vows except brahmacharya.
 Believe women can achieve liberation.
 Sthulabhadra was an exponent of this sect.
Other Important Points:
 Jain Literature is called Jain Agamas. They are canonical texts of Jainism based on Mahavira’s
teachings.
 Chandragupta Maurya had abdicated his throne towards the end of his life and became an
ascetic under the Jain saint Bhadrabahu. He migrated to Karnataka and spent his ending days
at Sallekhana at Shravanabelagola.
 Death through gradual starvation at the end of one’s natural life is called Santhara. Among Jains
it is a means to attain salvation and not suicide.
 Neminath or Arishtnemi was a Jain Tirthankar who was considered to be a kinsman of Lord
Krishna
 11 close disciples of Mahavira are called Ganadhara. The Jain Sangha was made up of 11
Ganadharas.

Ancient History
MAURYAN EMPIRE
Mahajanapadas:
Janapadas expanded their territory and became greater in size resulting into the formation of
Mahajanapadas.
Buddhist texts Anguttara Nikaya and Mahavastu and some other Jain texts mentions Sixteen
Mahajanapadas.
The sixteen Mahajanapadas are as follows, Kasi, Kosala, Anga, Magadha, Vajji, Malla, Chedi,
Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena, Assaka, Avanti, Gandhara, Kamboja.
Kuru, Vrijji, Malla, Panchal and Kamboj were republican states and had a Ganparishad as the
supreme authority in the state.
 First use of coins is reported from this period which are known as Punch Marked Coins.
 This is the period where Brahmi script appeared for the first time.
 The Pottery style witnesses a new look known as North Black Polished Pottery.
 Trade was done through use of money called Nishka and Satamana.
 Agriculture was made easier with use of iron tools like axes, adzes, knives, razors, nails, sickles etc.,
 Merchants Street was known as Vessa.
 Balisadhakas collected the compulsory tax called Bali from Peasants and Vaishyas only.
 The landed class and rich peasants were called as Gahapatis.
 Village head is known as Bhojaka
 Craftsmen’s Corporation are known as Sreni.
 Traders Association are known as Sartha.
 Coin issuing bankers are called Sresthi or Sethi.
 In this period, crown land was called Sita.
 Punch-marked silver coins were used for transactions.
 Hired labourers were called Karmakaras.
 Ashoka was a Buddhist but he also promoted few principles of morality known as Dhamma. The
4-cardinal points of Dhamma included, Tolerance, Non-violence, Good Conduct and Welfare.
 A new officer called, Dhammamahamatra was appointed for promotion of Dhamma.
 Sanghmitra, daughter of Ashoka, was sent to Tamrparni (Sri Lanka) for conversion of women in Sri
Lanka to Buddhism.
 The national emblem of India is taken from the Ashoka’s Sarnath Pillar.
 Ashoka was the first king to speak people directly through inscriptions, Name of Ashoka occurs
only on minor rock edicts. Most of those are inscribed in Prakrit Language and Brahmi script.
 Inscriptions from Manshera and Shahbajgarhi in Pakistan are in Prakrit language but Kharosthi
script.
 Kandhar Inscriptions are bilingual. Greek and Aramaic languages and scripts was used here.
 Highest officers were called Tirthas and Adhyakshas (superintendents) managed 26
departments.
 Mauryan state also had local and municipal administration Vish or Ahara (districts) were the units
of a province.

Ancient History
 Spies of the kingdom are known as Gudhapurushas.

 Important Literature in this period includes, Megasthenes’s Indika, Kautilya's Arthashastra and
Visakha Datta’s Mudra Rakshasa.
Ashoka:
Ashoka has been mentioned by different names in different texts and edicts. In most of the edicts,
he is mentioned as Devanampiya and Piyadassi. In Babhru Inscription, he is mentioned as Piyadassi
laja Magadhe (Piyadassi, King of Magadha). The Maski edict mentions his name as Asoka while
Puranas name him Asokavardhana. Girnar Inscription of Rudradaman mentions him as Asoka
Maurya.
 8 years after coronation, Ashoka fought the horrible Kalinga War in 261 BC and he became
Buddhist under the guidance of Mogaliputta Tissa.
 In the Bhabru edict Asoka says that he has full faith in Buddha, Sangha and Dhamma.
 Ashoka incurred huge expenditure for promotion of his Dhamma Mission.
 Non-violent attitude killed the fighting spirit of the army.
 After Ashoka’s death in 232 BC Mauryan Emperors were incompetent and oppressive.
 Pushyamitra Shunga, a Mauryan army commander, killed the last Mauryan emperor Brihadrath
and founded Shunga Dynasty in 187 BC.
SHUNGAS
 Pushyamitra Shunga defended the country and its culture against foreign invasions (Greeks). He
erected Bharhut stupa.
 Pushyamitra shunga erected Bharhut stupa.
 Shungas capital was Patliputra and a second capital was made at Vidisha.
 Agnimitra is the next king as he was the son of Pushyamitra Shunga.
 Kalidasa’s play Malvikagnimitra is a love story of the King Agnimitra and a handmaiden Malvika.
 A significant attempt at penetrating into India by was countered successfully by
 Vasumitra, son of Agnimitra succeeded in stopping Demetrius I of Bactria from entering India.
 At this period sacrifices like Ashwamedh revived to bring back Brahmanical order and patronised
scholars like Patanjali and Manu.
 Mathura school of art achieved new heights, especially in realistic human depiction. Accessories
like gateways and stone railings were added to a number of stupas.
 Manu’s Manavdharmashastra or Manusmriti and Kalidasa’s Malvikagnimitram are said to have
been composed during this period.
 Shungas were mentioned in Yavanarajya inscription and Dhanadeva-Ayodhaya inscription.
 The last ruler of the Shunga dynasty was Devabhuti, he was killed by Vasudeva who established
Kanva Dynasty which ruled in eastern and central India.
 The period of Kanva rule came to an end in 28 BC when their kingdom was annexed by
Satavahanas.

Ancient History
SATAVAHANAS
Kathasaritasagram of Somadevasuri, mention the satavahana dynasty for the first time.
Naneghat inscription, Nasik Inscription, Hatigumpa inscription of Kharavela, Erragudi inscription of

Ashoka provide important information about Satavahanas.
Magasthenes Indica, Pliny’s Natural History, Periplus of Erythrean sea also provides information of
this period.
Aitreya Brahmana, Puranas, epics, Brihat Katha of Gunadya, Kamasutra of Vatsayana contains
history information of Satavahanas.
Satavahanas are referred as Andhras in the Puranas. Simukha was the founder of the Satavahana
dynasty. The Satavahana graves are reported to be encircled by big pieces of stone and therefore
they are known also as megalithic people.
 They conquered Gujrata and Malawa as per the Nasik inscription of Nainikat.
 Most important king was Gautamiputra Satkarni, son of Simukha, whose achievements are
recorded in Nasik inscription of Gautami Balashri.
 Gautamiputra Satkarni was also known as Ekabrahmana. He defeated Sakas, Greeks, Parthians
and Nahapana.
 Later, Rudradaman took advantage of weak successors of Gautamiputra Satkarni and defeated
them.
 At the end of 2nd CE, another important ruler Yajna Sri Satakarni came to throne who
conquered back the areas of Gujrat, Malawa and Andhra.
 After Alakarni, Satvahana power declined and they were replaced by Vakataka Dynasty.
 Amatyas and Mahamatras were district officers at the during Satvahana rule which was called
as Ahara.
 Gaulmika administered the rural areas; Katakas and Skandhvaras military camps.
 Satvahanas promoted development of architecture in hills of the Western Ghats where caves
were cut in Ajanta, Nasik, Karla, Bhaja, Kondain, Kanheri. These caves were cut in to make
Chaityas and Viharas. Karla Chaitya is the largest cave temple.
 Satvahanas issued coins Karshapanas in a number of metals like Silver, Gold, Copper, Lead and
Potin.
 Satvahana ruler Hala composed Gathasaptasati, one of the oldest known Subhashita-genre
text.
 At Peddabankur, in Karimnagar district, archaeologists found use of fire-backed bricks, flat and
perforated roof tiles.
 The official language of Satavahanas was Prakrit. Followed Brahmi script.
The one century gap between the extinction of Kushana & Satavahanas till the rise of the Imperial
Gupta Dynasty a century later, is known to be one of the darkest in the whole of history of India.
After the disintegration of the Mauryas, the Kushanas kept the North united and Satavahanas kept
the Deccan united. Further south there were three Cheras, Pandyas and Cholas. In north, the

Ancient History
Malvas, Yaudheyas, Kunidas etc. contributed to the extinction of Kushanas and in Deccan, the
Vakatas and Ikshwaku contributed to the death of Satavahana dynasty.
INDO-GEEKS
In third century, Bactria and another such province Parthia revolted against the Seleucid Kings and
their governors declared themselves Kings in their own might
Yavana rulers belonging to various lineages established their tiny and often overlapping territories in
areas of modern Afghanistan, Pakistan etc. In Indian texts, all of these Greeko- Bactrian kings were
called Yavana. However, the British scholars classified those who invaded India and established
territories in Indian sub-content as Indo-Greek rulers.
In India, the upper elite i.e., Brahmins hated the Yavanas. But Buddhism gave them some easier
way to reach out to the masses. This was a key reason that many of them embraced Buddhism.
Worth note here is the Yavana king Menander-II, who reigned between 90-85 BC and is called
almighty Yavana King of Sakala (Sialkot). The Buddhist text Milindapanho records the dialogue
between Meander II and Nagasena. He converted to Buddhism and is greatly revered by the
Buddhist texts. His coins have been engraved with Dhammachakka of Buddhism.
GUPTAS
This dark period after Satavahanas of one century was followed by a dawn of classical age which
is also known as the Golden Age of Indian History. The classical age refers to the period between
320 AD to 550 AD when India was united again under the Gupta Dynasty.
Dharmashashtras, Narad Smriti, Vishnu Smriti, Brihaspati Smriti and portion of Ramayana and
Mahabharata, Bhasa’s 12 plays were also written in this period.
Important Officers in Gupta Period:
 Mahanandanayaka - Justice Delivery.

 Mahapratihara - Chief of the Guards.
 Dutakas- Associated with Gifts and Grants.
 Sandhi-Vigrahika- Minister of Peace and War.
 Pilupati -Headed ElephantsAsvapati -Headed Horses.
 Narapti- Headed Foot Soldiers.
 Ranabhandagrika- In charge of stores.
 Akshapataladhikrita- Superintendent of Records and Accounts.
Bhanugupta’s Airana inscription gives the first evidence of Sati and Child marriage too existed.
Chandalas were made to reside outside village settlements.
The founder of Gupta dynasty was Sri Gupta. But there were other early Guptas mentioned in many
inscriptions such as Shiva Gupta in Nasik Inscription and Puru Gupta in Karle Inscription.

Ancient History
One reliable source about Sri Gupta was account of Chinese traveller I-tsing who had come to
India in 672 AD. He mentioned Sri Gupta as Che-li-ko-to.
 In Gupta Period, Each Bhukti or Desa was divided into various districts called Pradesha. The terms
Adhisthana or Pattana was also used for this third tier. A Vishya was headed by Ayuktas or
Vishyapatis.
 Mehrauli iron pillar inscription, in the complex of Qutub-minar, is identified with Chandragupta-II.
This inscription says, he crossed saptasindhu and defeated valhikas of Bactria. He assumed the
title of ‘Vikramaditya’.
 There were Navaratnas, or Nine Gems in the court of Chandragupta II who were experts of
particular fields. These were: Amarsimha, Dhanvantri, Harisena, Kalidasa, Kahapanaka, Sanku,
Varahamihira, Vararuchi, Vetalbhatta. Among which Famous Poet Kalidasa lived in his court.
Kalidasa’s famous writings include, Abhijnanshakuntalam, Vikramorvasiyam, Malavikagnimitra,
Kumarasambhavam, Raghuvansham, Meghadootam.
 Fourth Gupta King Samudragupta was born of this dominion. He was greatest ruler of this dynasty
and is equated by western Scholars as Indian Napoleon due to his extensive military conquests.
He issued Ashwamedh coins, Tiger-slayer coin, Battle-axe coin and Veena-Coin. Allahabad pillar
inscriptions called him Dharma Prachar Bandhu.
 Ramagupta was next notable king where the drama Devichandraguptam of Vishakhadatta
mentioned that Ramagupta was badly defeated by a Saka chieftain.
 Sixth Gupta King, Kumaragupta–I (415-455 AD) efficiently ruled for four decades and celebrated
an Ashvamedha Yajna as his assertion to paramount supremacy. Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien visited
during his period. However, by the end of his reign, severe Huna invasions started in India.
 The last powerful imperial Gupta King was seventh in line Skandgupta (455-467AD). He was able
to subdue the Huna invasions and bring back the glory of his father but the dynasty seen its ends
as there were no successors.
 Hunas were the nomad Mongol tribes and they were first mentioned in Mahabharata among
various Malechha people.
 The practice of polyandry (several husbands one wife) was common in Hunas.
 White Huna King Toramana was able to establish himself in the Malwa region in 510 AD
 Toramana was succeeded by Mihirkula, his son, who is known as the Huna Tyrrant. He was an
anti-Buddhist who destroyed the temples and monasteries and massacred the monks.
 However, in 528 AD he was defeated by a confederacy of Narsimhgupta Baladityaraja and
Yashodharman of Malwa.
 King Yashodharman of Malwa was the one who checked the expansion of Hunas in India.

Ancient History
Revise Important Terminology:
Terminology Explanation
Samiti Assembly of Commoners
Vidhata For war booty distribution
Gana Highest Advisory body
Unit Head
Kula/ Family Kulapa
Grama (Village) Gramani
Vis (Clan) Vispati
Jana (People) Gopa/Gopati
Rashtra (the Country) Rajan
Purohita Chief Priest, also sometimes referred to as Rashtragopa
Senani Supreme Commander of army
Vrajapati Officer-in-Charge of pasture land
Jivagribha Police Officer
Spasas/ Dutas Spies who also sometimes worked as messengers
Madhyamasi Mediator on disputes
Bhagadugha Revenue collector
Sangrahitri Treasurer
Mahishi Chief Queen
Gahapatis Rich Peasants
Suta Charioteer and court minstrel
Bhojaka Village headmen
Balisadakas Officers for collecting Bali voluntary tax.
Shaulkika/ Shulkadhyaksha Collector of custom duties
Bhandagarika Treasurer
Sannidhata Chief treasury officer
Samaharta Chief tax collector
Vyavharika/Dharmastha Chief justice of civil court
Pradeshta Chief justice of criminal court
Prsdesika Chief revenue officer
Rajuka Revenue settlement officer
Yukta Tax collector
Sthanika Head of local administration
Gopa Responsible for accounts
Nagaraka Incharge of city administration.
Akshapla Account general
Sitaadhyaksha Supervised Agriculture
Panyadhyaksha Superintendent of commerce
Samstha dhyaksha Superintendent of market
Potwadhyaksha Superintendent of weights and measures
Navaadhyaksha Superintendent of ships
Sulkaadhyaksha Collector of tolls
Akaradhyaksha Superintendent of mines
Lohadhyaksha Superintendent of iron
Nirvana State of Supreme Bliss
Arhats liberated beings

Medieval History
MEDIEVAL HISTORY
PUSHYABHUTI DYNASTY
Pushyabhuti Dynasty was founded by Narvardhana. Its capital was at Thaneswar and Kanauj.
Harsha Vardhana (606 AD- 647 AD) was the successor and he was one of the greatest rulers also
called Siladitya and started Harsha Era in 606 AD. He himself scholar wrote Naganandam, Ratnavali
and Priyadarsika.
He Defeated Gauda Sasanka who had killed his brother-in-law, Grihavarma. He was defeated by
Pulikeshin second of Chalukyas in battle of Narmada.
 The key objective of Chinese Traveller Huen-Tsang to visit India was to correct the incomplete &
misinterpreted information provided by the earlier Chinese monks, particularly Fa Hien.
 In his work Si-Yu-Ki (Journey to the West), he first states that the name of India in China should be
Yindu.
 The four most notable works of Banabhatta include Kadambari, Harshacharitam,
Chhandakasthtaka and Parvati parinayam. Kadambari is one of the most celebrated prose
romances in Sanskrit. This work was not completed by Banabhatta but later finished by his son
Bhushanbhatta.
 Harshacharita is the biography of Harsha and this work is considered to be first attempt of
authentic biography in Indian literature.
TRIPARTITE STRUGGLE
After Harshavardhana, the Rajputas emerged as a powerful force in North India and
dominated the Indian political scene for about 500 years from 7th century.
The period from 750 - 1000 CE saw the rise of three important empires: Gurjara-Pratihara (Western
India), Palas (Eastern India) and Rashtrakutas (Deccan).
The conflict among these three powers (basically for control over Kannauj area of Ganga valley) is
often describes as “tripartite struggle”.
GURJARA-PRATIHARA
 The prominent Gurjar Pratihara Kings were Nagabhatta-I, Nagabhatta-II and Mihirbhoja.
 These kings had established Marwar in Rajasthan and built the temple city of Osean near
Jodhpur.
 The Gurjar Pratiharas were overthrown in 10th century by Palas.
 Ajmer was established by Ajayraj Chauhan. His successor Vigraharaj captured Dhillika (Delhi)
from Tomars.
 Sanskrit Poet & Dramatist Rajasekhara lived in the court of Mahendrapala I – son of Mihir bhoja

Medieval History
 Foreign traveller Al-Masudi had visited Pratihara empire.
PALAS
In the early medieval India, the Palas emerged as important empire builders in eastern India.
The founder of this dynasty Gopala was also the first Buddhist king of Bengal. His son Dharamapala
(770-810 AD) became the most dominant power in the Northern and Eastern India.
The last notable Pala king was Mahipala, a Vassal of Palas named Hemanta Sen founded the Sena
dynasty which dominated the Rarh region of Bengal for some time. His son Ballala Sena (1160-1178)
introduced the social reforms in Bengal known as Kulinism.
 Pala founder Gopala built Odantapuri in Bihar for Buddhist monks.

 Dharmapala established the Vikramshila University in Bhagalpur region of modern Bihar. This
university was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1200 AD.
 Dharmapala also built Buddhist Viharas at Somapura (now a UNESCO world heritage site in
Bangladesh) and Odantapuri. Nalanda, Vikramshila, Somapuri, Paharpur and Odantapuri are
called Five Mahaviharas.
 Atisa Dipankara was a Buddhist Scholar during the Pala dynasty and was a scholar at the
Vikramshila University. He established the Sarma lineages of the Buddhism with Konchog Gyalpo
and Marpa Lotsawa.
 Arab merchant Sulaiman had visited Pala kingdom.
 The Palas power were destroyed by the Sena dynasty under Vijyasena.
RASHTRAKUTAS
DantiDurga Founded Rashtrakutas kingdom in 753 CE. He is a feudatory of the Chalukyan king,
Kirtivarman II.
 The rock-cut Kailasanath (Shiva) temple at Ellora caves was built during the reign of Krishna I
 Rashtrakutas meaning the chief of a rashtra. Their Capital was Manyakheta or Malkhed near
Solapur.
 Rashtrakuta fought constantly against the eastern Chalukyas of Vengi and Pallavas of Kanchi
and Pandya of Madurai.
 They were tolerant in their religious views and patronised Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Jainism.
 Krishna III was the last great ruler of Rashtrakutas. In 972 CE, Capital city was burnt to ashes by
the united opponents. This marks the end of Rashtrakutas.
 Amoghavarsha I was called as “Ashoka of the South” and also compared to Gupta king
Vikramaditya. He Built new capital city at Manyakheta (Modern Malkhed). He wrote
Kavirajamarga (Kannada) and the Prashnottara Ratnamalika (Sanskrit).

Medieval History
CHOLAS
The founder of Chola dynasty was Vijayalaya Chola who was at first a feudatory of Pallavas. He
captured Tanjore from Muttaraiyars in 815 CE and built a temple for Durga. Their capital was
Tanjore.
They are also known as the Imperial Cholas. They established an empire comprising the major
portion of South India.
 The greatest kings of Cholas were Rajaraja Chola & his son, Rajendra I.
 The use of Agrahatta (Persian wheel) also facilitated the already established smooth irrigation
networks of tanks, canals, wells and sluices.
 Parantaka Chola Took title of Madhurai Konda Issued Uttarmerur Inscription which gives
information about Village administration. He assumed another title Maduraiyum Elamum Konda
Parakesarivarman.
 Brihadeeswarar Temple or Peruvudaiyar Kovil at Thanjaur which was dedicated to Shiva is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site
 They built Buddhist Temple called Chudamani Vihara at Nagapattam Port which survived till 19th
century before it was destroyed and replaced by Jesuit priests with a Church in 1867.
 Officers of all ranks were usually referred to by the general titles of Karumigal and panimakkal.
 A well organised department of land revenue, known as the Puravu varitinaikalam, was in
existence.
 Bharatanatyam & kathakali are two types of dances performed during the Chola period.
 Sivakasintamani written by Thiruthakkadevar and Kundalakesi
 The Ramayana composed by Kamban and the Periyapuranam or Tiruttondarpuranam by
Sekkilar are the two master-pieces of this age.
 Telugu version of Mahabharata was started by Nanniah & completed by Tikkana.
 The Nalavenba was written by Pugalendi.
PALLAVAS
There are no records about Pallavas in the history. They were forgotten until a copper plate grant
was found in 1840. There are several theories of origin around Pallavas.
theory, Pallavas were earlier feudatories of Satavahanas. Another theory says that they were
offspring of Chola and Naga rulers of Ilam (Sri Lanka). Another theory links them to Pahalavas
(Indo-Parthians).
Many sculptures in Mahabalipuram have remarkable affinity with Persian features. This includes the
lion symbol and tall cylindrical headdresses wore by Iranians in those times. Further, the pillars
resemble with Perseopolis and the roofs of Pancharathas and tower of Kailasanath temple in
Kanchipuram shows affinity with the shrines of Babylon.

Medieval History
 Mahendravarman-I was next important ruler who was a great patron of art and architecture
and built the Pancharathas of Mahabalipuram. He also wrote Mattavilasa Prahasana or ‘The
Farce of Drunken Sport’,
 Mahendravarman-I son Narsimhmvarman-I defeated and killed his Chalukyan counterpart
Pulkesin II in 642 AD. After this victory, he assumed the title “Vatapikonda” after sacking the
capital Vatapi (Badami) of Chalukyas.
 Nayanmar saints like Appar and Tirugnanasambandar lived during reign Narsimhvarman-I. Huen
Tsang visited the Pallava kingdom during the reign of Narsimhavarman-I.
 Simhavishnu was patron of Bharavi, the great poet who lived at this period and who wrote the
famous Kiratrjuniya, the dialogue between Arjuna and Shiva and in which Shiva blessed Arjuna
with the Pasupata astra.
CHALUKYAS
 The most important source of history of the Chalukyas of Badami is the Aihole inscription of
Pulkeshin-II written by his court poet Ravikirti in Sanskrit language and Kannada script.
 First half of the sixth century marks the rise Chalukyas or Vatapi as a very strong power in
Deccan. The Chalukyas seem to be a race of Rajputs from North. The Royal Emblem of
Chalukyas of Badami was Varaha.
 The earliest reference in this dynasty is of one Jayasimha / Vallabha, however the first sovereign
king was Pulkeshin-I, who made himself master of a town called Vatapi (Bijapur district,
Karnataka) in around 543AD by overthrowing Kadambas. The Badami Cliff inscription tells that
Pulkesin-I performed all of the five yajnas which make a king paramount.
 Famous writers in Sanskrit from the Western Chalukya period are Vijnaneshwara who achieved
fame by writing Mitakshara, a book on Hindu law, and King Somesvara-III, a noted scholar, who
compiled an encyclopaedia of all arts and sciences called Manasollasa. The Karnateshwara
Katha, which was quoted later by Jayakirti, is believed to be a eulogy of Pulakesin-II.
 They were finally destroyed by Dantidurga of Rastrakuta empire.
 The main branch of Chalukyas (Badami Chalukyas) was destroyed by the Rastrakutas. They
revived after two centuries in around 972AD to be known as Chalukyas of Kalyani under Tailapa
II, who was a feudatory of Rastrakutas.
 Another branch of Chalukyas of Vengi emerged for a short period in modern Telangana region.
HOYASALA EMPIRE
Hoyasala had attained considerable power in the present-day Karnataka during the 12th and 13th
century. Their capital was Belur which was later shifted to Halebidu.
The early Hoysala rulers were feudatories of Chalukyas of Kalyani. Their empire was consolidated by
Vishnuvardhana or Bittiga in early part of 12th century. He established his capital at Dorasamudra.
The last great ruler of this dynasty was Veera Ballala-III who reigned from 1291 to 1343 AD. When
Alauddin Khilji invaded Deccan, he was able to subdue all regional powers except Hoyasalas.

Medieval History
Veera Ballala III campaigned against the Khiljis from new capital Tiruvannamalai and founded
another capital at the banks of River Tungabhadra at Hosapattana, where his commanders
Harihara and Bukkaraya founded the Vijayanagar Empire in 1336. Veera Ballala III was killed in one
of the battles against the Delhi Sultan in 1343.
THE DELHI SULTANATE
The period between 1206 A.D. and 1526 A.D. in India's history is known as the Delhi Sultanate period.
During this period of over three hundred years, five dynasties ruled in Delhi
 Mumluk/Slave Dynasty.
 Khaliji Dynasty.
 Tughlaq Dynasty.
 Saiyyad Dynasty.
 Lodhi Dynasty.
MUMLUK/SLAVE DYNASTY
Qutub-ud-din Aibak Founded Slave dynasty. It is also known as Mamluk Dynasty. He is considered
as real founder of Muslim rule in India.
Qutub-ud-din Aibak:
 He Founded First Independent Turkish Kingdom in Indian & assumed the title, Sultan.
 He was a slave of Mohammad Ghori.
 He became independent after Ghuri’s death and began his rule in 1206 A.D.
 He Made Lahore as capital.
 He is Known as lakh Baksh or giver of lakhs as he gave a lot of liberal donations.
 Heissued coins in gold, silver, billon and copper. He discarded carving the name of Abbasid
caliph on it.
 He Started construction of the Qutub Minar dedicated to Sufi Saint, Khwaja Qutubuddin
Bakthiyar Kaki - later completed by Iltutmish.
 He patronized Fakhar-ud-Din author of Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi & Hasan Nizami who wrote Tajul-
Ma'asir, the first official history of the Delhi Sultanate.
Shamsuddin Iltutmish:
 He introduced new coins Tanka (Silver) and Jital (Copper)

 He introduced Iqtedari system. (IQTA: Land assignment given to an officer in-lieu of salary)
 He belonged to Ilbari tribe hence named Ilbari dynasty.
 Aibak had appointed him as iqtadar of Gwalior.
 He is real consolidator of Turkish rule in India and also Delhi.
 He Shifted capital from Lahore to Delhi.
 Iltmush defeated Quabacha, who had declared himself independent ruler of Multan & seized
Lahore & parts of Punjab.
 Introduced Arabic coinage into India. Silver tanka became a standard coin in medieval India
and also issued Copper jital.

Medieval History
 He Started Iqkta system. Hecompleted the construction of Qutub Minar which was started by
Aibak.
 Patronized Minas-us Siraj author of Tabaqat-i Nasiri.
 Created a new class of ruling elite of forty powerful military leaders, The Forty (Turkan-i-
chahalgani).
 He nominated Raziya as his successor. Thus, he initiated hereditary succession to Delhi Sultanate.
Razia Sultan:
 She is the first and only female Muslim ruler of medieval India.
 Discarded female apparel and purdah, adopted male attire, went for hunting and let army thud
aroused resentment among Turkish nobles.
 She was not acceptable to Muslim theologians and nobles.
 Serious rebellion broke out in Sirhind under Altuniya (governor). Raziya with Yaqut marched to
suppress, but Yaqut was murdered and Razia imprisoned. In meantime, Bahram (another son of
Iltutmish) was put to throne by Turkish nobles.
 Later Raziya while returning back to Delhi was killed on the way.
 In 1246, Bulban succeeded in putting Nasiruddin Mahmud, a younger son of Iltutmish as Sultan &
served as his Naib (next powerful post to Sultan).
 In 1266 Nasiruddin Mahmud died & Balban become Sultan.
Balban:
 He is also known as Ulugh khan. He was one of the main architects of the Delhi Sultanate.
 According to him, the Sultan was God’s shadow on earth Zil-i-Ilahi and recipient of divine grace
Nibyabat-i-Khudai.
 Introduced Persian festival Nawrouz.
 He called himself Nasir-amir-ul-momin (Caliph’s right-hand man).
 Separated Diwan-i-wizarat (Finance Department) from the Diwan-i-Arz (Military Department).
 Introduced sijada (prostration) and paibos (kissing the Sultan’s feet) to prove his superiority over
the nobles.
KHALJI DYNASTY
Khalji nobles headed by Jalaludduin, overthrew the incompetent successors of Balban in 1290. This
event is called Dynastic Revolution of 1290.
Jalauddin Khalji (1290-1296 CE):
 He is the founder of Khalji Dynasty. He is the first sultan of Delhi Sultanate to have a benevolent
attitude towards Hindus.
 Adopted the policy of tolerance and tried to win goodwill of the nobility.
 He was murdered by his son-in-law Alauddin Khalji in 1296 and usurped throne.

Medieval History
Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316 CE):
 Alauddin Khalji Was appointed as Amir-i-Tuzuk (Master of Ceremonies) and Ariz-i-Mumalik

(Minister of Law) by Jalauddin Khalji.
 Jalauddin’s policy of tolerance was reversed by Alauddin Khalji who given harsh punishment
who opposed him.
 In 1296, Alauddin constructed the Hauz-i-Alai.
 He built the Qasr-i-Hazar Situn palace at the Siri fort.
 Alauddin constructed the Alai Darwaza, entrance gate to Qutub Minar.
 To keep hold on nobles, He prohibited to hold festivals, marriage without permission of him,
banned wines & intoxicants to avoid social gathering, reorganized spy services (Barids).
 He was first sultan who separated religion from politics. He proclaimed “Kingship knows no
kinship”.
 Aladuddin was illiterate, He Patronized poets like Amir Khusrau and Mir Hasan Dehlv.
 He adopted the title of Sikander-i-Azam and gave Amir Khusrau the title of Tuti-i-Hind (Parrot of
India). Amir Khusrau’s Khazain-ul-Futuh speaks about Alauddin’s conquests.
 He defeated Mongols in the battles of Jalandhar (1298), Kili (1299), Amroha (1305) and Ravi
(1306).
 Malik Kafur was his slave general. he led a series of expeditions in the southern part of India,
against the Yadavas (1308), Kakatiyas (1310), Hoysalas (1311) etc.
 In 1303, Allauddin defeated Raja Ratan Singh of Chittor, including Rani Padmini other Rajput
women performed Jauhar (self-immolation) which is written in the book Padmavath by Jayasi.
TUGHLAQ DYNASTY
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq:
 He is the Founder of Tughlaq dynasty. He took took title of Ghazi. He is the 1st Sultan to start
Irrigation.
 He Built a strong fort called Tughlaqabad near Delhi.
 Amir Khusrau famous work Tughlaq Nama deals with the rise of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
Mohammad Bin Tughlaq:
 Transferred capital from Delhi to Devagiri (Daulatabad).

 He defeated Mongols
 He Issued bronze coins at par with the value of the silver tanka coins named Token Currency
which was a failure.
 He launched Khorasan project to counter the threat of Chinses incursions which was failed.
 Quarachi expedition – launched in Kumaon hills to counter the threat of Chinses incursions which
also failed.
 Ibn-Batuta was his contemporary of Muhammad Tughlaq and was his envoy to China.
 He was the only Delhi Sultan who had received a comprehensive literacy, religious and
philosophical education.
 His ideas were advanced of his time hence he was not successful of a ruler.
 He Built fort of Adilabad and the city of Jahanpanah.

Medieval History
 During his reign, 3 major kingdoms of South India emerged: Vijayanagar, Bahamani, and
Madurai.
Firoz Shah Tughlaq:
 Adopted policy of trying to appease the nobles, army, theologians and of asserting his authority
over only such areas which could be easily administered from the center.
 Appointed Khan-i-Jahan Maqbal, a Telugu Brahmin as Wazir or prime minister.
 the iqta system was not only revived, but also it was made hereditary.
 He set up hospitals for poor called Dar-ul-shifa.
 Established town of Hissar and Firozabad.
 Introduced 2 new coins, Adha (50% Jital) and Bitch (23% Jital).
 He was first Sultan to impose Sharb (irrigation tax).
 He created new departments:
 Diwan-i-Khairat - to make provisions for marriages of poor girls.
 Department for public work.
 Diwan-i-Bandagan – Department for slaves.
Nasiruddin Muhammad:
 He was the last ruler of Tughlaq dynasty.

 Taimur’s invasion (1398) during his reign weakened the sultanate. When Timur entered Delhi there
was no opposition.
 Tughlaq empire came to end in 1412.
SAIYYAD DYNASTY
Khizr Khan:
 Timur appointed Khizr Khan as Governor of Multan. He captured Delhi and founded the Sayyid
dynasty in 1414.
 He died in 1421 and was succeeded by, Mubarak Shah (1421-1433 CE) and later he is
succeeded by Muhammad Shah (1434-1443 CE).
 Next ruler Alauddin Alam Shah (1445-1451) was the weakest of the Sayyid princes. He handed
over the throne to Buhlul Lodi and retired to Badaun.
 Saiyyad’s ruled Delhi for the shortest period (only 37 years) among the Delhi Sultans.
LODI DYNASTY
It was the fifth and final dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate and was founded by Bahlul Khan Lodi.
Sikandar Lodi succeeded him. The Lodi dynasty was an Afghan dynasty.
Sikandar Lodi:
 He was contemporary of Mahmud Begarha of Gujrat and Rana Sanga of Mewar.

 He founded city Agra and transferred capital from Delhi to Agra.

Medieval History
 He abolished the octroi duty on grains and established a new measurement of the yard called
the Gaz-i- Sikandari.
 Sikandar was orthodox and a bigot king. he reimposed the Jizya on Hindus.
 He was a poet of repute, composed under the pen-name of Gulruk.
 Sikandar Lodi was succeeded by his son Ibrahim Lodi.
Ibrahim Lodi:
 He was the last Lodi Sultan of Delhi.

 Ibrahim was defeated in 1526 at the Battle of Panipat.
 He was arrogant. Humiliated his nobles in open courts, this made Daulat Khan Lodi (the governor
of the Punjab) invite Babar to invade India/Delhi.
 This marked the end of the Lodi Dynasty and the rise of the Mughal Empire in India India Under
Delhi Sultanate.
VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE
Vijayanagar was founded in 1336 by Harihara and Bukkaraya of the Sangama dynasty on the
south bank of the Tungabhadra River with the blessings of Guru Vidyaranya. Their period lies
between 1336 AD to 1646 AD.
Harihara and Bukka were commanders of Hoyasala Dynasty where they founded a new city on
the south bank of the Tungabhadra River named it “Vijayanagar” (City of Victory).
The ruins of this city, which surround modern World Heritage site Hampi, can be found in modern
Karnataka, India.
There were four dynasties, which ruled over Vijayanagar- Sangama Dynasty, Saluva Dynasty, Tuluva
Dynasty and Aravidu Dynasty.
 Mandaleshwar or Nayaka was the governor of Mandalam.

 Manyas were tax free lands.
 The Sangama rulers were chiefly Saivaites and Virupaksha was their family deity.
 The chief gold coin was the varaha or pagoda. The Perta was half a Varaha. Fanam was one
tenth a pertha.
 Tar was a silver coin. Jittal was a copper coin.
 There was constant conflict between Vijayanagar Empire and Bahamani kingdom over Raichur
doab, Tungabhadra doab & Marathwada.
 In the south its main rivals were the Sultans of Madurai.
 The struggle between Vijayanagar and the Sultanate of Madurai lasted for about four decades.
Kumarakampana’s expedition to Madurai was described in the Madhuravijayam.
 He destroyed the Madurai Sultans and as a result, the Vijayanagar Empire comprised the whole
of South India up to Rameswaram.
 Krishnadevaraya’s Amuktamalyada, Gangadevi’s Madhuravijayam and Allasani Peddanna’s
Manucharitam are some of the indigenous literatures of this period.

Medieval History
 The greatest ruler of the Sangama dynasty was Deva Raya II. After his death, the Sangama
dynasty became weak. The next dynasty, Saluva dynasty founded by Saluva Narasimha reigned
only for a brief period (1486-1509).
 During the reign of Rama Raya, the combined forces of Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golkonda and
Bidar defeated him at the Battle of Talaikotta in 1565 which marked an end of the Vijayanagar
Empire.
 The last ruler of Vijayanagar was Sri Ranga III.
Sangama It was the first dynasty to rule over the Vijaynagara empire. The founders of the
Dynasty empire, Harihar I and Bukka belonged to this dynasty. It ruled from 1334 AD to
1485 AD.
Saluva This dynasty succeeded Sangama dynasty as the second dynasty of the empire.
Dynasty It ruled from 1485 to 1505 AD. They ruled over almost the whole South India.
Tuluva This was the third dynasty, which ruled Vijayanagar Empire. It ruled from Tuluva
Dynasty dynasty. The most famous king of Vijayanagar Empire, Krishna Deva Raya
belonged to this dynasty. It ruled from 1491 AD to 1570 AD.
Aravidu It was the fourth and last Hindu dynasty to rule Vijayanagar kingdom in South
Dynasty India. It was founded by Tirumala Devaraya.
Travelers  Vijayanagar Period
Ibn Battuta  He is from Morocco, North Africa.

 He left an account of Harihara I’s reign in his book Rehla
Niccolo de-Conti  He was an Italian merchant scholar.
 Visited during the period of Deva Raya II.
 Left an account in Travels of Niccolo Conti
Abdur Razzaq  Persian scholar who visited during the period of Deva Raya II.
 He was an ambassador to Timurid empire.
 His accounts about the reign of Deva Raya II was found in Matla.
Athanasius Nikitin  First Russian merchant traveller to visit India.
 He described the conditions of the Bahmani kingdom under
Muhammad III
Ludvico de  Italian merchant traveller.
Vorthemo  He was the first Christian to make the holy pilgrimage to Mecca.
Duarte Barbosa  Portuguese writer.

 Gives a detailed account of governance under Krishna deva
Raya.
 He gives details of the Indian ocean littorals and inhabitants.

Medieval History
Dominigo Paes  He was Portuguese Merchant.

 He gives descriptions of ancient city Hampi under Krishna deva
Raya.
Fernao Nuniz  Portuguese traveller and horse trader.
 He visited during the reign of Achyuta Raya.
 He gave detailed account on the history of Vijayanagara.
 He also gives the cultural aspects and postiton of women during
this period.
Marco polo  Merchant traveler from Republic of Venice.
 Reputed traveller who also spoke about Kakatiya’s
Sri Krishna Devaraya:
 The most famous king of Vijayanagara Empire from Tuluva dynasty. He is also known as Andhra
Bhoja.
 He built a new city called Nagalapuram in memory of his queen Nagaladevi.
 Krishna Deva Raya was a great builder as well. He built the Hazara Rama temple and the
Vittalaswami temple.
 Waged war against Bahamani kingdom & kept them under check.
 Liberated Mohammad Shah & assumed the title, Yavanarjya Prathishtapanacharya.
 He authored, Amuktamalyada (Telgu work on polity) and Jambavati Kalyanam (Sanskrit drama).
 Patronized Telugu, Kannada, Sanskrit, and Tamil scholars & poets.
 He had 8 eminent scholars Ashtadiggajas at his royal court. The author of Manu Charitra was the
greatest among Ashtadiggajas.
Ashtadiggajas: A group of eight scholars who were in the court of Sri Krishnadevaraya,
 Allasani Peddanna – the author of Manucharitram, he was also known as Andhra Kavitha
pithamaha
 Nandi Thimmana – the author of Parijathapaharanam.
 Tenali Ramakrishna.
 Madayagari Mallana.
 Dhurjati.
 Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu.
 Pingali Surana.
 RamarajaBhushana.
BAHMANI KINGDOM
The founder of the Bahmani kingdom was Alauddin Bahman Shah also known as Hasan Gangu in
1347. Its capital was Gulbarga.
Ahmad Wali Shah shifted the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar. The power of the Bahmani kingdom
reached its peak under the rule of Muhammad Shah III.

Medieval History
The success of Muhammad Shah was due to the advice and services of his minister Mahmud
Gawan. He had revolted successfully against the Sultan of Delhi, Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Bahmani Empire reached its zenith during the time of Mahmud Gawan who was a minister of the
Empire.
 The Gulbarga fort & Jama Masjid in Gulbarga, Bidar Fort and Madrasa by Mahmud Gawan in
Bidar, are the major architectural contributions.
 Gol Ghumaz was built by Muhammad Adil Shah as it is famous for so called Whispering Gallery.
 Ibrahum Adil Shah introduced Dakhini in place of Persian as court language.
 The nobles of Bahmani kingdom were categorized in two categories namely Alfaquis and
Deccanis. Deccanis were nobles of native origin while Afaquis had foreign origin.
 Kalimullah was the last king of the Bahmani dynasty.
Mahmud Gawan:
 He was Iranian by birth and was a trader. He was granted title of Malik-ul-Tujjar (Chiefs of
Merchants) by Humayun Shah.
 He divided the kingdom into eight provinces called Tarafs. Each Taraf was governed by the
Tarafdar. The salary was paid in cash or assigning a Jagir.
 A tract of land called Khalisa was set apart for expenses of the Sultan.
 Introduced use of Gunpowder in war against Vijaynagar Kings.
 Executed in 1481 by Muhammad Shah, Deccan nobles plotted against him.
After Gawan’s Execution, Bahmani kingdom disintegrated into Five Kingdoms known as Deccan
Sultanates. They are,
 Nizam Shahis of Ahmednagar.

 Adil Shahis of Bijapur.
 Qutub Shahis of Golconda.
 Imad Shahis of Berar.
 Barid Shahis of Bidar.
BHAKTI AND SUFI MOVEMENT
Bhakti Movement:
 Bhakti movement emphasised love towards God.

 Ritualistic and priestly domination were rejected.
 Social and religious discrimination based on caste was rejected.
 It was initiated by Shaiva Nayanars & Vaishnavite Alwars in south India, later spread to all
regions.
 Two streams of Bhakti promoted – Saguna Bhakti (with form) and Nirguna Bhakti (formless).
 The saguna type of Bhakti, it is categorised into Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
 Emotional Side of Vaishnavism represented by Alvars through collective songs, Prabhandas.
 Intellectual side of Vaishnavism represented by Acharyas.
 Nayanars are devotees of Shiva and Alwars are devotees of Vishnu.

Medieval History
Shaivism:
 It was less popular than Vaishnava Bhakti.

 It was Present in Kashmir and Karnataka.
 Laleshwari (lal didi) promted Shaiva Bhakti in Kashmir. She wrote many songs on Shaiva Bhakti
called Lal vakh.
Veera Shaiva movement:
 Basavanna of 12th century Karnataka started this movement.

 It is a radical social movement; Ultimate goal is to create a caste less society and eradicating
untouchability.
 He wrote Bhakti songs in Kannada Vachanas.
 Veerashaivites are also called as lingayats and the priestic laws of Veerashaivites called
Jangamas.
South India Maharashtra North India East India
Ramanujacharya: Gnaneshwar: Ramananda: Chaithanya:

 He founded a new sect  He wrote Gnane  He has 12  Devotee of Puri
called “Sri shwari. disciples Jagannath.
Vaishnavism”.  It is the first book in Avadutas.  Vaishnavism in
 He developed a Marathi. Bengal.
philosophy Ekanath: Surdas:
Visitadvaitham.  He wrote Bhakti Shankaradas:
 He promoted
 Proposed Prapatimarga songs Abhangas. Krishna Bhakti.  Translated
(Self surrender to God.  Wrote a book  He wrote Ramayana &
Madhavacharya: called Bhava Sursagar and Mahabharat
 He founded a rataramayan. Sursurvali. into Assamese.
philosophy called Tukaram:
Dvaitham.  He was a Krishna Meera bhai:
 He promoted Krishna Bhakt and a  From elite
Bhakti. Varkari. family.
Nimbarakacharya: Samarth Ramadas:  Promoted
 He was a Krishna bhakti.
 He founded a
Darkari.
philosophy called Tulsidas:
 He was religious
Dvaithaadvaita. guru of Shivaji.  Promoted
Vallabhacharya:  Wrote a marathi Rambhakti.
 He founded a book Dasabodh.  He wrote
philosophy Ramachar
itamanas/
Shuddadvaitam.
Tulasi
Ramayana.
 He wrote
Vinayapatrika
and
Geethavali.

Medieval History
Sufi Movement:
 In beginning of 12 AD, some religious people in Persia turned to asceticism due to the increasing
materialism of the Caliphate. They came to be called the Sufis.
 In India, Sufi movement began in 1300 A.D & came to South India in 15th century.
 Sufism is the mystical arm of Islam. Sufis represent the inner side of the Islam creed (tasawuf).
 Sufism (tasawuf) is the name given to mysticism in Islam.
 Sufi means wool and people who wear long woolen clothes were called as sufis.
 It was a liberal reform movement within Islam. It stressed the elements of love and devotion as an
effective means of the realization of God.
 It is based on Pir-Murid (Teacher- student) relationship.
 Sufism sprang from the doctrine of Wahadut-ul-wajud (unity of being) propounded by Ibn-ul-
Arabi [1165- 1240 AD].
 Early Sufi saints - Rabia, Mansur bin hallal.
 Sufism believes that devotion is more important than fast (Roza) or prayer (Namaz).
 Sufism discards caste system.
 Sufism has adapted extensively from the Vedanta school of the Hindu philosophy.
 In Sufism, a perfect being is also called a Wali (saint), a word that literally means sincere friend.
MUGHAL EMPIRE
Babur (1526-30 A.D):
 He was invited by Rana Sangram Singh, Sisodia king and Daulat Khan Lodi.
 His autobiography is called as Tuzuk-i-Babri, written in Turkish language.
 He introduced guns and canons in India.
 He had assumed title of Padshah.
 Babur Introduced Char-Baghs and symmetrically laid out gardens.
Four battles fought by Babur:
1. First Battle of Panipat (1526)- Defeated Ibrahim Lodi and estbalished Mughal Sultanate.
2. Battle of Kanwa (1527)- He defeated Rana Sangram Singh. In this battle he declared Jihad
(Religious war).
3. Battle of Chanderi(1528)- He defeated Medini Roy of Chanderi.
4. Battle of Gogra (1529)- He defeated Nusrat Shah, Sultan of Bengal.
Humayun (1530-55 A.D):
 Humayun succeeded Babur in 1530

 At the battle of Chausa (1539) & battle of Kanauj (1540) Sher Shah, defeated Humayun and
forced him to flee India.
 Humayun built a new city at Delhi which he named Dinpanah.
 His widow Amida Benu Bhegum built Humayun’s tomb which is a UNESCO heritage site.
 Humayun’s sister, Gul Badan Begum, wrote Humayun-Nama.

Medieval History
Akbar (1556-1605 A.D):
 Three great historians were there in the court of Akbar.

 Abul Fazal wrote Akbar Nama which dealt from Taimur to Akbar. And, Ain-i-Akbari which dealt
with the adminsitration.
 Battle of Haldighati (1576)- Akbar defeated Rana Paratap following most of the Rajput rulers
accepted Akbar’s suzerainty.
 Mughal army was led by Man Singh.
 Abdul Khadir Badauni wrote Muntakab-ul-Tawarik.
 Nizamuddin Ahmed wrote a book called Tabaqat-i Akbari.
 Fought Second Battle of Panipat (1556 A.D) and defeated Hemu, senapati of Bihar Sultanate. He
was assisted by Bairam Khan.
 He built a city in Fathepur sikri and there he built Ibadat Khana (House of Worship)
 He abolished pilgirmage tax and Ziziya. He banned forced conversion.
 He founded Din-e-Illahi, consisting of principles like worship of fire and sun, abandon meat
eating, celebrating birth days etc.
 He transferred capital to Lahore in 1585. Earlier he shifted capital from Agra to fathepur sikri.
 Akbar period was popularly known as the renaissance of Persian literature.
 He built Ibadat khana meaning house of worship where debates on religion took place.
Jahangir (1605-27 A.D):
 He wrote autobiography called Tuzuki Jahangiri in Persian language.

 Jahangir erected Zanjr-i-adal at Agra fort for the seekers of royal justice.
 Introduction of the du-aspah-sih-aspah system. It was modification to Mansabdari
 He executed 5th Sikh Guru, Arjun Dev which began the conflict between Mughals and Sikhs.
 He enacted 12 firmans (GOs) for public welfare: Banning intoxicants, abolishing of taxes, release
of political prisoners, Hospitals were built for poor.
 Captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe, two ambassadors from England, were in the court of
Jahangir.
Shah Jahan (1627-58A.D):
 His court historian Abdul Hamid Lahori wrote Badusha nama.

 Shah Jahan Nama is written by Inayat Khan.
 He conquered and annexed Ahmednagar.
 His eldest son Daro shiko, liberal and transalated Bhagavad gita into persian; and transalted 52
upanishads and named as “Sirr-e-Akbari”.
 Shiko wrote a book called Majma-ul-Bahrain.
Aurangazeb (1658-1707 A.D):
 He is the most orthodox.

 Fought two battles with Dara shiko at Dharma and Samugar.
 He suppressed revolts of Jats of Agra, Sikh revolt, Bundela revolts, Rajputs, satnami revolts.
 He annexed Bijapur and Golconda.
Important historians of his period:

Medieval History
 Ishwardas wrote a book called Futuhat-I Alangir

 Moh Kazimi wrote Alangir nama.
 Mustaid Khan wrote a book named Masir -i-Alangiri.
 Bhimsen wrote a book Nushka-i- Dilsukha.
 Kafi Khan wrote a book Kitab- ul-lubab.
Important Officials:
 Diwan-i-Ala/Wazir – Head of revenue department.

 Mir Bakshi – Head of military department.
 Mir saman – in charge of the imperial households.
 Barids – Intelligence officers.
 Waqia Navis – Reporters.
 Qazi – Head of judicial department.
 Sadr-ul-sadr – incharge of charitable & religious endowments.
 Mutasaddi - Governor of port.
THE MARATHAS
 Various factors contributed to the rise of the Marathas in the 16th and 17th centuries.
 Physical environment like mountains regions and dense forests made them brave soldiers and
adopt Guerrilla tactics.
 They built a number of forts on the mountains
 The spread of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra where, the spiritual leaders like Tukkaram,
Ramdas, Vaman Pandit and Eknath fostered social unity.
 The Marathas held important positions in the administrative and military systems of Deccan
Sultanates of Bijapur and Ahmednagar.
Shivaji Maharaj (1627-1680):
 Shivaji was born at Shivner in 1627. His father was Shahji Bhonsle and mother Jija Bai.
 After the death of his guardian, Dadaji Kondadev in 1647, Shivaji assumed full charge of his jagir
 He captured Javli from a Maratha chief, Chanda Rao More. This made him the master of the
Mavala region
 In 1657, he attacked the Bijapur kingdom and captured a number of hill forts in the Konkan
region
 The Sultan of Bijapur sent Afzal Khan against Shivaji. But he was murdered in 1659.
 Shivaji lost Poona by Mughal forces when Auranhzeb sent the Mughal governor of the Deccan,
Shaista Khan against him. But Shivaji once again made a bold attack on Shaista Khan's military
camp at Poona in 1663, killed his son and wounded Khan.
 In 1664, Shivaji attacked Surat, the chief port of the Mughals and plundered it.
 Aurangzeb sent Raja Jai Singh of Amber to fight against Shivaji. Shivaji opened negotiations with
Jai Singh and the Treaty of Purandar was signed in 1665.
 Shivaji visited Agra in 1666, but he was imprisoned there. However, he managed to escape from
prison.
 He plundered Surat for the second time in 1670.

Medieval History
 At the Battle of Pratapgarh (1659) he killed Afzal Khan (Adil shah’s general).
 Battle of Pavankhind (1660) - smaller Maratha force led by Baji Prabhu Deshpande held back the
larger enemy to buy time for Shivaji to escape.
 He defeated Mughals in Battle of Salher (1672). He was crowned & assumed the title Maharaja
Chhatrapati in 1674 at Raigad fort.
 Expedition into the Carnatic region and captured Ginjee and Vellore. After his return from the
expedition, Shivaji died in 1680.
Sambhaji (1680-1689):
 Sambhaji was the son of Shivaji Maharaj and as per Treaty of Purandar was a Mansabdar of
Mughals.
 His rule was largely shaped by the ongoing wars between the Maratha kingdom and Mughal
Empire as well as other neighbouring powers such as Siddis, Mysore and the Portuguese in Goa.
 In 1687, at the Battle of Wai he defeated Mughal forces.
 In 1689, Sambhaji was captured, tortured and executed by the Mughals.
 He was succeeded by his brother Rajaram I.
Balaji Vishwanath (1713-1720):
 He began his career as a small revenue official and became Peshwa in 1713. As Peshwa, he
made his position the most important and powerful, as well as hereditary.
 Balaji Vishwanath got certain rights from the then Mughal emperor, Farukh Siyar.
 The Mughal emperor recognized Shahu as the Maratha king.
 He allowed Shahu to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the six Mugha provinces of the
Deccan including the Carnatic and Mysore.
Baji Rao I (1720-1740):
 Eldest son of Balaji Vishwanath, who succeeded his father as Peshwa and that was when their
power was at its zenith.
 He defeated Nizam-ul-Mulk in 1737 & concluded Treaty of Durai Sarai.
 He captured Salsette and Bassein from Portuguese in Battle of Vasai.
 He initiated the system of confederacy among the Maratha chiefs. Under this system, each
Maratha chief was given a territory which could be administered autonomously.
 Many Maratha families became prominent and established their authority in different parts of
India
Balaji Baji Rao (1740-1761):
 He succeeded his father as Peshwa at the young age of nineteen. Agreement with the Mughal
emperor in 1752.
 When Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India, it became the responsibility of the Marathas to protect
India.
 They fought bravely in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, But got defeated. This battle gave a
death blow to the Maratha power.
First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782):

Medieval History
 Struggle of Power between Sawai Madhav Rao and Raghunath Rao was supported by British
resulted in First Anglo-Maratha War.
 The treaty of Salbai in May, 1782 - British acknowledged Madhavrao as the Peshwa of the
Maratha Empire and ended the Anglo-Maratha War.
 Treaty of Surat-1775 and Treaty of Purandar – 1776 was made.
Second Anglo- Maratha War (1803–05):
 The second war was caused by the peshwa Baji Rao II’s defeat by the Holkar (one of the leading
Maratha clans) and his acceptance subsidiary alliance (Treaty of Bassein) in 1802.
 Unhappy Maratha confederacy challenged the British power but got defeated.
Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818):
 Distressed By low income Pindaris made up of many castes and started plundering neighbouring
territories, including those of companies.
 Lord Hasting (Governor General) charged Marathas with giving shelter
 to the Pindaris and hence fought war.
 Maratha warlords fought separately instead of forming a common front and they surrendered
one by one.
The Peshwa was eventually captured and placed on a small estate at Bithur, near Kanpur.
In 1848 this territory was also annexed under the doctrine of lapse policy of Lord Dalhousie.
Thereafter, the Maratha confederacy weakened due to internal conflicts among the Maratha
chiefs.
Third Anglo-Martha war led to the end of the Maratha Empire. All the Maratha powers surrendered
to the British.
After the decline of the Mughal empire, the Marathas emerged a great power in India but they
could not succeed in preventing the establishment of British power.

Modern History
MODERN HISTORY
ADVENT OF EUROPEANS
European conquest of Asia is distinguished into 4 periods:
The Portuguese (1498), The English (1600) , The Dutch (1602), and The French (1664)
The Portuguese:
 Portuguese initiated the European era and marked the emergence of naval power.
 They Introduced European art of warfare by using cannons on ship.
 The art of the silversmith and goldsmith flourished at Goa.
 Portuguese were first to come in india and last one to leave India.
 Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)- between Portugal and Spain divided non - Christian world by an
imaginary line in the Atlantic east for Portugal and west for Spain.
Vasco-de-Gama:
 Vasco-de-Gama reached Calicut via cape of good hope in 1498 and was warmly welcomed
by Zamorin (Ruler of Calicut).
 By 1502, Vasco-de-Gama’s second visit led to the establishment of trading stations at Calicut,
Cochin and Cannanore and fortification of the same.
 Portugal wanted to monopolize trade in India.
Pedro Alvarez Cabral:
 He Established first factory at Calicut, in 1500
Francis – De – Almeida:
 He is the first Portuguese governor in India who initiated Blue water policy (cartaze system). His
idea was to be powerful on the sea instead of building fortresses on Indian land.
 Cartaze system is a Naval trade license or pass issued by Portuguese in the Indian ocean.
Alfonso de Albuquerque:
 He captured Goa from Bijapur, persecuted Muslims; captured Bhatkal from Sri Krishna Deva Raya
of Vijayanagara.
 He initiated the policy of marrying with the natives of India.
 He banned the practice of sati in his area of influence.
 Albuquerque died in 1515 leaving Portuguese as strongest Naval power in India.
Nino da Cunha:
 Shifted the capital from Cochin to Goa in 1530. Goa became capital of Portuguese settlements
in India.

Modern History
 In his rule, Diu and Bassein came under the Portuguese occupation from Gujarat King Bahadur
Shah.
 Bahadur Shah got killed in 1537 at Diu while negotiating with the Portuguese.
 Portuguese power expanded to eastern coast during his time.
The Dutch:
 United East India Company of the Netherlands, formed in March 1605 by the Charter of Dutch
Parliament, had the powers to wage wars, make treaty and build forts.
 Cornelis de Houtman was the first Dutchman to reach Sumatra and Bantam in 1596.
 Dutch founded their first factory in Masaulipatam in Andhra in 1605.
 They won over Portuguese & emerged as most dominant European trade power.
 Pulicat Lake was their main center in India, later replaced by Nagapattinam.
 Dutch carried indigo manufactured in the Yamuna valley and Central India, textiles and silk from
Bengal, Gujarat and the Coromandel, saltpetre from Bihar and opium and rice from the Ganga
valley.
 In 1623, a treaty between British and Dutch where, Dutch withdrew their claim from India and
British from Indonesia.
 Anglo-Dutch rivalry and the shifting of Dutch attention towards the Malay Archipelago. In Battle
of Bedara (1759), the English defeated the Dutch.
The English:
On December 31, 1600 Queen Elizabeth I issued the charter to company named as Governor and
Company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies which gave the company monopoly
to trade in the East Indies for 15 years.
Timeline Activities
1600 The East India Company was established.

1609 William Hawkins arrived at Jahangir’s court but failed to secure permission due to
opposition by Portuguese.
1611 Captain Middleton obtained the permission of the Mughal governor of Surat to trade
there, also started trade in Masulipatnam.
1613 A factory of East India Company was established at Surat.
1615 Sir Thomas Roe, the ambassador of King James I, arrived at Jahangir’s court.
1616 The Company established its first factory in the south in Masulipatnam.
1618 Thomas Roe succeeded in obtaining two Farman confirming free trade with
exemption from inland tolls and permission to establish factories at Agra, Ahmedabad
and Broach.
1632 The Company got the golden Farman from the Sultan of Golconda, which ensured
safety and prosperity of their trade.
1633 The Company established its first factory in east India in Hariharpur, Balasore, Odisha
1639 Madras was given by the Chandragiri chief to the English and soon Madras with the
Fort St. Georgere placed Masulipatnam as the English headquarters on the east coast.

Modern History
1651 The Company was given permission to trade at Hooghly (Bengal), Kasimbazar, Patna
and Rajmahal.
1662 The British King, Charles II, was given Bombay as dowry for marrying a Portuguese
princess (Catherine of Braganza)
1667 Aurangzeb gave the English a Farman for trade in Bengal
1687 Bombay was made the headquarters by shifting the seat of the Western Presidency
from Surat to Bombay.
1691 Due to some conflict, Mughals raided Hoogly. Then Job Charnock, negotiated with
Mughals for return to Sutanuti in 1691. The Company got the imperial order to continue
their trade in Bengal in lieu of payment of Rs 3,000 a year.
1700 The city of Calcutta grew from the development of three villages Sutanuti, Gobindapur
and Kalikata secured from the Mughal governor of Bengal. The fortified settlement
was named Fort William (1700) and it became the seat of British power in India till 1911.
1717 The Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar issued a Farman, called Magna Carta of the
Company, giving the Company a large number of trade concessions in Bengal,
Gujarat and Hyderabad. It included:
1. Company’s import and export were exempted from duties.
2. Permission to issue dastaks for transportation of goods
3. Duty free trade in Hyderabad.
Company minted coins to act as currency throughout Mughal Empire.
The French:
 French east India Company was formed in 1664 establishing their 1st factory at Surat by Francis
Caron.
 Francis Martin founded Pondicherry in 1673 & became 1st governor of Pondicherry. Henceforth
Pondicherry became headquarter of French possessions in India.
 At beginning of 18th century, English & French were competing for their supremacy in India,
mainly in Carnatic & Bengal region.
 After 3 Carnatic wars, finally French were crushed & limited to Pondicherry.
 First Carnatic war (1740-48) --- extension of rivalry, ended in 1748 by treaty of Aix-La Chapelle.
 Second Carnatic War (1749-54) --- inconclusive, undermined the French and English power in
south India.
 Third Carnatic War (1758-63) --- decisive war, treaty of Paris (1763).
Danes in India:
 Danish East India company was founded in 1616 AD.

 Settlements in India: Trancuber near Chennai and Serampur in Bengal.
 They were the foremost promoters of Christianity in India.
 They eventually dispensed of their settlement to the English.

Modern History
DECLINE OF MUGHALS
Two causes of Decline of the Mughals, Weak rulers and Empire politics and Instability in different
parts of the empire.
 End of Mughals began with the reign of Aurangzeb (1658-1707).

 New states of Hyderabad, Bengal, Awadh and Punjab established and the Marathas began to
make their bid to inherit the imperial mantle.
 1738-39 - Nadir Shah, Persian emperor invaded India (Lahore, Kabul, Karnal). Took away
Kohinoor diamond, Peacock throne, 70 crore rupees.
 1748-67 - Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Durrani empire, invaded India. Took over the Mughal kings,
appointed officers and left in 1759. Marathas attacked him and took control.
 1761- Abdali came back and took revenge on the Marathas. This was the Third Battle of Panipat,
where the Marathas were defeated.
Mughals Downfall:
 Too vast to be ruled by a Central authority.

 Aurangzeb’s Deccan and religious policy.
 Invasion of Irani and Durrani Kingdoms.
 Rise in power and influence of the Zamindars (hereditary landowners).
 Issue of Jagirdari (Lands assigned to the Nobles, yielding low income).
 Economic and Administrative Issues (war expenses, reduced Khalisa land, luxurious lifestyles of
rulers, lack of technological advancement).
 Rise of regional aspirations and states.
Rise of Regional States:
 Regional and independent political system which lead constantly at war with each other.
 Functioned with the support of the local zamindars, merchants, local nobles, and chieftains.
 Maintained ties and acknowledged supremacy of the Mughal Emperor.
 Lacked advanced and sound military, financial and administrative system. Lacked scientific and
technological advancement.
BRITISH ENTRY IN INDIA
Events helped in Rise of British:
 Post conquest of Asia by Ottoman Empire and capturing of Constantinople in 1453, trade routes
came under control of Turkish Empire rule.
 Venice and Genoa also monopolized the trade routes. Hence the European traders had to
search for new sea routes to Asia and the Spice Island of Indonesia; the East Indies Discovered
Cape of Good Hope.
 Post Renaissance, Columbus of Spain in 1492 discovered America.
 Vasco Da Gama of Portugal in 1498 discovered all new sea routes to India.

Modern History
 English conquest started with conquering Ireland in 16th century.

 Dutch had factories in Gujarat, Kerala, Madras, Bengal, Bihar, UP. Their main interest lay in
Indonesia Island of Java and Sumatra and Spice Islands.
 In 1608 first factory in Surat. Set up as Trading Depot.
 Hawkins in Jahangir’s court received Royal Farman for trade in west coast.
 In 1615 Thomas Roe Imperial Farman to trade in all parts of Mughal Dynasty.
 South India after Vijayanagar Empire declined;
 First factory in South India Masulipatnam 1611.
 Centre shifted from Masulipatnam to Madras fortification at Fort St. George.
 Island of Bombay occupied in 1668.
 Marathas raised as major rivals
 First factory in Orissa setup in 1633.
Conquest of Bengal:
 British exports from Bengal, Saltpetre, Rice, Indigo, Pepper, Sugar and Silk, Cotton Textiles.
(Bengal comprised 60% of EIC trade with India.)
 Factories were set up in Balasore, Hooghly, Kasim bazar, Patna and Dacca.
 In 1717 British secured royal Farman for Emperor Farrukh Siyar for trade (export import) in Bengal
right to issue Dastaks (free passes for trading) for movement of such goods issued. (Dastaks were
cause of perpetual conflict).
 Alivardi Khan was engaged in wars with Maratha for 15 years.
 British strengthened their entrenchment in Fort Williams.
 Alivardi Khan died in 1756 succeeded by Siraj-ud-Daula.
 Internal tussle and opposition of Siraj ud daulah in the court.
Timeline Wars Participants Treaty/Result
Portuguese were confined to Daman, Diu

1612 Battle of Swally English Vs Portuguese and Goa
Treaty of Aix- LaChappelle, 1748 return of

captured territories to respective parties
In battle of saint Thome, a small French

Army of Indian sepoy led by French
First Carnatic War Battle of St. officer defeated a large Indian army.
Thome (one of the most
important battles, it was French Vs English (started as This highlighted the weakness of Indian
fought between French and result of European rivalry, ruler. Further, it gave the idea to Clive to
1740-48 Nawab of Carnatic) Austrian war succession) recruit and train Indian sepoy.
Treaty of Pondicherry in 1755, war was

inconclusive underminedthe French
power in South India vis-à-vis the English
but still French was deeply entrenched in
French Vs English (started due to Norther Circar
succession dispute among
1749-54 Second Carnatic War native rulers) Dupleix was recalled after the war
English won a battle of betrayal

/diplomacy

Modern History
It provided British an edge over other

European company
English Vs Siraj-Uddaula
(Bengal) Revenue of Bengal was started being
1757 Battle of Plassey used to finance the trade
Treaty of Paris, 1763 French were

Third Carnatic War Battle of confined to Mahe, Karaikal, Pondicherry
1758-63 Wandiwash French Vs English and Yanam. No European rival for British
English Vs Dutch (they

participated as an accomplice Dutch were ousted from India Mir Jafar
1759 Battle of Bedara of nawab of Bengal Mirjafar) was replaced by Mir Qasim
The Treaty of Allahabad- 1765, provision

English Vs Mir Kasim, Nawab of of Dual government
Awadh, Shuja-ud-daulah, and
the Mughal Emperor, Shah British got firmly established in northern
1764 Battle of Buxar Alam II India.
English Vs Mysore
Nizam and Maratha switched
side initially they were with
British later Marathas turned
neutral and nizam became an Treaty of Madras 1769, An inconclusive
1767-69 First Anglo-Mysore War ally of Mysore war
Maratha Vs British
Reason
Succession dispute, increased Treaty of Salbai, 1782 to establish peace
1775-82 Anglo Maratha War importance of cotton trade for 20 years
English Vs Mysore
Treaty of Mangalore (March1784,
Nizam and Maratha switched
Inconclusive war.
side initially they were with
Mysore later both became an Death of Hyder Ali during the course of
1780-84 Second Anglo- Mysore war ally of Mysore war
Treaty of Seringapatam 1792, Mysore lost
English + Nizam + Maratha Vs
1790-92 Third Anglo- Mysore war Mysore Cornwallis was leading the British
Tippu was killed while defending his
capital, in Mysore earlier woodyar
English + Nizam + Maratha Vs dynasty was reinstated and Subsidiary
1799 Fourth Anglo- Mysore war Mysore alliance was imposed
Treaty of Bassein 1802 and other treaties,
Marathas suffered huge blow to their
prestige and power
Subsidiary alliance was imposed on
1803-05 Second Anglo Maratha War Maratha Vs English Maratha
Maratha confederacy was dissolved and
peshwa was sent to Kanpur
The war began as hunt for pindari
Battle of Koregaon was fought during this
1817-19 Third Anglo-Maratha War Maratha Vs English war
1824-26 First Burma War Burmese Vs English Treaty of Yandaboo, 1826. British Won

Modern History
British won the war but couldn’t control it

1839-
so was given back to local Ruler with
1842 First Anglo-Afghan War Afghans Vs English some conditions
1846- Treaty of Lahore and Treaty of
Bhairowal, a council was established by
1845-46 First Anglo-Sikh War Sikh Vs English Brtish to guide affairs of Punjab
Sikhs lost the war and was merged in

1848-49 Second Anglo-Sikh War Sikh Vs English India, 1849
Proclamation of annexation of Lower
1852 Second Burma War Burmese Vs English Burma (Pegu) on December 20, 1852
Treaty of Gandamak (1879), British
captured but later decided to keep
1870-80 Second Anglo-Afghan War Afghans Vs English Afghanistan as buffer state
1885 Third Burma War Burmese Vs English Upper Burma was merged in India.
Treaty of Lhasa, 1904 in favour of British

and regarding transfer of Chumbi Valley
A big gain for china because it created
a condition that both Russia and England
would not negotiate with Tibet except
through the mediation of Chinese
1904 Anglo- Tibetan Relation Tibetans and English government.
Battle of Plassey (1757):
 Participants in the War: The British East India Company (commanded by Robert Clive) against
Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa and a small French force
 Date of the Battle: 23rd June 1757.
 Place of the Battle: In Bengal on the Bhagirathi River to the north of Calcutta.
 Cause of the War: Anti-English policies which were adopted by Siraj-ud-Daulah.
 Who won the war: It was a decisive victory for the British.
 Cause for the Loss of Nawab: Treachery on part of his general Mir Jafar who sided with Robert
Clive in the war
 Result of the war: Mir Jafar Khan entered Murshidabad with Clive and became Nawab of
Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Mir Jafar Khan was compelled to pay substantial sums of money to
the East India Company and also to Clive and other officers of the company.
Third Battle of Panipat (1761):
 Participants in the War: between a northern expeditionary force of the Maratha Empire and a
coalition of the King of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Durrani, the Rohilla Afghans of the Doab,
and Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Oudh.
 Cause of the War: Sardar Adani Beg the governor of Punjab and defeated Vimurashah son of
Ahmed Shah Abdali.
 Result of the war: Marathas lost the battle. They lost their prestige. English benefited from this
war.
 Causes for the loss: Internal dispute among the Indian rulers, north-west frontier was
neglected, many Indian rulers did not support the Marathas.

Modern History
Battle of Buxar (1764):
 Participants in the war: Fought between British East India Company and Mir Qasim, the Nawab
of Bengal, Shuja-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Awadh and Shah Alam II, the Mughal Emperor.
 Place of the Battle: Near Buxar. Then within the territory of Bengal, Buxar, presently, is one of the
38 districts of Bihar in India
 Cause of the War: The primary cause was the conflict between the English and Mir Qasim. Mir
Qasim policies enraged British which eventually led to the war
 Who won the War? British defeated the combined forces
 Cause for the Loss of Combined Forces:it was a victory of a modern force over a medieval
feudal army.
 Result of the War: It led to the signing of the Allahabad Treaty in 1765 by Lord Robert Clive with
Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.
 British gained revenue rights over Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
 The Nawab of Awadh, ShujaudDaulah, was made to pay a war indemnity of 5 million rupees to
the Company.
ANGLO-MYSORE WARS
First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-69):
 Cause of the war: In 1766 the East India Company joined the nizam (ruler) of Hyderabad against
Hyder Ali in return for the cession of the Northern Circars.
 Participants in the war: The British, along with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad
declared war on Mysore.
 Result of the War: Hyder Ali was able to bring the Marathas and the Nizam to his side with skillful
diplomacy which resulted in his victory.
 In 1769, the Treaty of Madras was signed which brought an end to the war.
Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84):
 Cause of the War: The Marathas attacked Mysore in 1771. But the British refused to honor the
Treaty of Madras and did not give support to Hyder Ali.
 Participants in the War: Hyder Ali forged an alliance with the Nizam and the Marathas and
defeated the British forces in Arcot.
 Result of the War: As per the Treaty of Mangalore, both parties agreed to return the captured
territories and prisoners to each other.
Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-92):
 Cause of the War: Tipu Sultan, who assumed control of Mysore after Hyder Ali’s death, had
French help in bettering his military resources. Tipu declared war on Travancore in 1789.
Travancore was a friendly state of the British.
 Participants of the War: Tipu Sultan and English led by Lord Cornwallis.
 Result of the War: The war ended with the Treaty of Seringapatam in 1792. As per the treaty, Tipu
had to cede half of his kingdom to the English including the areas of Malabar, Dindigul, Coorg
and Baramahal.

Modern History
Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799):
 Cause of the War: Tipu refused to accept the Subsidiary Alliance of Lord Wellesley. Tipu aligned
with the French which the British saw as a threat.
 Participants of the War: Marathas, Nizams and English on one side and Tipu on other side.
 Result of the War: The British secured a decisive victory at the Battle of Seringapatam in 1799.
 Tipu’s territories were divided between the British and the Nizam of Hyderabad.
 The core area around Seringapatam and Mysore was restored to the Wodeyar dynasty who had
been ruling Mysore before Hyder Ali became the de-facto ruler.
ANGLO-MARATHA WARS
Krishna raja Wodeyar II ruled Marathas from 1734-66.
Haider Ali came to power in 1761 (de facto ruler, Sarvadhikari) Had proximity with French. He set up
arms factory in Dindigul.
Haider Ali was Defeated by Maratha under Madhav Rao In between 1774-76 he recovered all lost
territories by multiple invasions of Marathas.
First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1779):
 Cause of the war: Death of Madhav Rao resulted in fighting among the Marathas. English used
this for their advantage. In 1777, Nana Phadnavis went against a treaty signed with the Calcutta
Council and granted a port on the west coast to the French. Increased importance of cotton
trade.
 Participants in the War: Marathas and East India Company
 Results of the War:
 There was a battle at Wadgaon near Pune in which the Marathas under Mahadji Shindhia
secured a decisive victory over the English.
 The English were forced to sign the humiliating Treaty of Wadgaon in 1779. Later Warren hasting
rejected this treaty
 Later the war concludes by Treaty of Salbai.
 Sindhia was the guarantee of the treaty. This treaty led to mutual restoration of territory except
Salsette, which was retained by British.
Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-05):
 Cause of the war: Internal squabbles among Maratha houses.

 In the Battle of Poona in 1802, Yashwant Rao Holkar, the chief of the Holkars of Indore defeated
the Peshwas and the Scindias.
 Baji Rao II sought British protection and signed the Treaty of Bassein (subsidiary alliance) with
them.
 The Scindias and the Bhonsles did not accept this treaty and this caused the second Anglo-
Maratha war in central India in 1803.
 Participants in the War: Scindias, Bhonsles, Holkars versus the English

Modern History
 Result of the War: The British in these battles defeated all the Maratha forces. Because of the war,
large parts of central India came under British control.
Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-18):
 Cause of the war: The chief reason for this war was the British conflict with the Pindaris whom the
British suspected were being protected by the Marathas.
 Participants in the War: The Maratha chiefs Peshwa Bajirao II, Malharrao Holkar and Mudhoji II
Bhonsle forged a united front against the English.
 Result of the War: The British won decisively.
 Battle of Koregaon was fought during this war. In this an army of mahar (depressed class) led by
English officer defeated the army of Peshwa. The place where this war happened later became
a celebrated place for follower of Bhimrao Ambedkar.
 An obscure descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji was placed as the ceremonial head of the
Maratha Confederacy at Satara.
 This was the last major war fought and won by the British. With this, the British controlled most
parts India directly or indirectly.
ANGLO-SIKH WARS
From 1818-1857 all territories except Punjab and Sindh came under British control. These both
territories were conquered.
Sindh: Anglo Russian rivalry and fear of conquest made British sign treaties with Chiefs of Sindh;
Amirs. Subsidiary Treaty signed in 1839 Sindh annexed in 1843.
Punjab: The British had Treaty of Perpetual friendship with Ranjit Singh known as Treaty of Amritsar
(1809).
First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46):
 Cause of the war: Immediately after the death of Ranjit Singh, the British East India Company
had begun increasing its military strength to protect the empire from any Russian invasion from
northwest. Growing influence of Sikh Army in the court further worried the British. Due to the British
provocation, The Sikh forces crossed the Sutlej in December 1845 and took offensive positions
against the English forces.
 Participants in the War: Sikh Army versus English
 Result of the War: English victory at Sobraon led to the signing of the Lahore Treaty in 1846, which
ended the war. Later when Sikh were not able to pay the war indemnity Jammu was sold to
Gulab Singh. the transfer of Kashmir to him was confirmed by a later treaty on 16 march 1846.
Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-49):
 Cause of the war: Murder of few East India civil service officers led to antagonism. Eventually
there was also a rebellion by Sikh troops. Dalhoussie and his policy of extension.
 Participants in the War: Sikhs versus English.

Modern History
 Result of the war: The final battle was fought at Gujrat near Chenab (not the present Indian state
Gujarat) in 1849. The British forces won this.
 The famous Koh-i-Noor diamond went into British hands. It was in possession of Maharaja Ranjit
Singh who had willed it to the Puri Jagannath Temple of Odisha but his will was not executed by
the British. They say it was acquired as part of the Treaty of Lahore after the second Anglo-Sikh
war.
EARLY REVOLTS AGAINST BRITISH RULE IN INDIA
The first half of the 18th century saw the decline of Mughals.
The reign of Aurangzeb (1658-1707) was the beginning of the end of Mughal rule in India.
Aurangzeb’s misguided policies weakened the stability of the state and the decline gained
momentum after his death due to wars of succession and weak rulers.
Muhammad Shah ruled for 29 years (1719-48) but could not revive the imperial fortunes.
New states of Hyderabad, Bengal, Awadh and Punjab established and the Marathas began to
make their bid to inherit the imperial rule.
Causative Factors for People’s Uprisings:
 There were many incidents before the 1857 revolt that indicated all was not well and that there
was a building resentment against the alien rule.
 According to Bipan Chandra, people’s resistance took three broad forms: civil rebellions, tribal
uprisings and peasant movements.
 Colonial land revenue settlements, heavy burden of new taxes, eviction of peasants from their
lands, and encroachments on tribal lands.
 Exploitation in rural society coupled with the growth of intermediary revenue collectors.
 Expansion of revenue administration over tribal lands leading to the loss of tribal people’s hold
over agricultural and forest land.
 Promotion of British manufactured goods, heavy duties on Indian industries.
 Destruction of indigenous industry leading to migration of workers from industry to agriculture,
increasing the pressure on land/agriculture.
Major Causes of Civil Uprisings:
 Under the Company rule, there were rapid changes in the economy, administration and land
revenue system that went against the people.
 Several zamindars and poligars who had lost control over their land and its revenues due to the
colonial rule, had personal scores to settle with the new rulers.
 The ego of traditional zamindars and poligars was hurt due to being sidelined in rank by
government officials and a new class comprising of merchants and money-lenders.
 The ruin of Indian handicraft industries due to colonial policies impoverished millions of artisans.
 The priestly classes instigated hatred and rebellion against alien rule, because the religious
preachers, priests, pundits, maulvis, etc.

Modern History
Important Revolts in various regions:
 The disastrous famine of 1770 and the harsh economic order of the British compelled a group of
sanyasis in Eastern India to fight the British yoke.
 Originally peasants, even some evicted from land, these sanyasis were joined by a large number of
dispossessed small zamindars, disbanded soldiers and rural poor.
 It was only after a prolonged action that Warren Hastings could subdue the sanyasis.
 Equal participation of Hindus and Muslims characterised the uprisings, sometimes referred to as the
Fakir Rebellion.
 Leaders: Majnum Shah (or Majnu Shah), Chirag Ali, Musa Shah, Bhawani Pathak and Debi
Sanyasi Revolt Chaudhurani.
(1763-1800)  Debi Chaudhurani’s participation recognises the women’s role in early resistances against the
British.
 Anandamath, a semi-historical novel by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, is based on the Sanyasi
Revolt.
 Area – Bengal
 Reason - Famine, enhanced land revenue demands and economic distress goaded the Chuar
aboriginal tribesmen of the Jungle Mahal of Midnapore district and also of the Bankura district (in
Bengal) to take up arms.
 These tribes’ people were basically farmers and hunters.
Chuar Uprising
 The most significant uprising was under Durjan (or Durjol) Singh in 1798.
 The term ‘Chuar’ is considered derogatory by some historians who call this the Revolt of the Jungle
Mahal, instead.
 Area – Bengal
 Leaders- Mir Nathar Ali and Titu Mir
 Reason - Against Hindu land lords who imposed beard tax on farizis.
Titu Mir’s Movement  Syed Mir Nisar Ali, or Titu Mir is a peasant leader who led the Narkelberia Uprising in 1831 against
(1782-1831) zamindars and British colonial authorities.
 The Narkelberia uprising is often considered as the first armed peasant uprising against the British.
The movement protected the rights of tenants.
 The Kols, alongwith other tribes, are inhabitants of Chhotanagpur. This covered Ranchi, Singhbhum,
Hazaribagh, Palamau and the western parts of Manbhum.
 The trouble in 1831 started with large-scale transfers of land from Kol headmen to outsiders like
Hindu, Sikh and Muslim farmers and money- lenders who were oppressive and demanded heavy
taxes.
Kol Mutiny (1831)  Besides, the British judicial and revenue policies badly affected the traditional social conditions of
the Kols.
 The Kols resented this and in 1831, under the leadership of Buddho Bhagat, the Kol rebels killed or
burnt about a thousand outsiders. Only after large- scale military operations could order be
restored.
 The Paiks of Odisha were the traditional landed militia (‘foot soldiers’) and enjoyed rent free
land tenures for their military service and policing functions on a hereditary basis.
 The English Company’s conquest of Odisha in 1803, and the dethronement of the Raja of
Khurda had greatly reduced the power and prestige of the Paiks.
 The extortionist land revenue policy of the Company caused resentment among zamindars
and peasants alike. Common masses were affected by the rise in prices of salt due to taxes
imposed on it, abolition of cowrie currency and the requirement of payment of taxes in silver,
etc.
 Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar had been the military chief of the forces of the Raja of Khurda.
 With active support of Mukunda Deva, the last Raja of Khurda, and other zamindars of the
region, Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar led a sundry army of Paikas forcing the East India
Company forces to retreat for a time.
Paika Rebellion
 The rebellion came to be known as the Paika Bidroh (rebellion).
(1817)
 By mid-1817, the Paika rebels resorted to guerilla tactics. The rebellion was brutally repressed
by 1818.
 The Paik Rebellion succeeded in getting large remissions of arrears, reductions in assessments,
suspension of the sale of the estates of defaulters at discretion, a new settlement on fixed
tenures and other adjuncts of a liberal governance.
 The Gadkaris were a hereditary military class which was garrisoned in the Maratha forts. These
garrisons were disbanded during administrative reorganisation in Kolhapur state after 1844.
 Facing the spectre of unemployment, the Gadkaris rose in revolt and occupied the
Samangarh and Bhudargarh forts.
 Similarly, the simmering discontent caused a revolt in Savantvadi areas. The people here had
Kolhapur and
already revolted against the British in 1830, 1836 and 1838, the last because the British had
Savantvadi Revolts
deposed their ruler.
 The British authorities introduced many laws to bring the region under control.

Modern History
 The Wahabi Movement was essentially an Islamic revivalist movement founded by Syed
Ahmed of Rai Bareilly who was inspired by the teachings of Abdul Wahab (1703-87) of Saudi
Arabia and Shah Waliullah of Delhi.
 Syed Ahmed condemned the western influence on Islam and advocated a return to pure
Islam and society as it was in the Arabia of the Prophet’s time.
 Syed Ahmed was acclaimed as the desired leader (Imam).
 A countrywide organisation with an elaborate secret code for its working under spiritual vice-
regents (Khalifas) was set up, and Sithana in the north- western tribal belt was chosen as a base
for operations.
 In India, its important centre was at Patna though it had its missions in Hyderabad, Madras,
Bengal, United Provinces and Bombay.
Wahabi Movement  Since Dar-ul-Harb (territory of War or Chaos) was to be converted into Dar- ul-Islam (the land
of Islam), a jihad was declared against the Sikh kingdom of Punjab.
 After the defeat of the Sikh ruler and incorporation of Punjab into the East India Company’s
dominion in 1849, the English dominion in India became the sole target of the Wahabis’
attacks.
 The Raja of Parahat organised his Ho tribals to revolt against the occupation of Singhbhum
(now in Jharkhand).
 The revolt continued till 1827 when the Ho tribals were forced to submit. However, later in
1831, they again organised a rebellion, joined by the Mundas of Chotanagpur, to protest
Ho and Munda against the newly introduced farming revenue policy and the entry of Bengalis into their
Uprisings (1820- region.
1837)  In 1899-1900, the Mundas in the region south of Ranchi rose under Birsa Munda.
 The Ulgulan was one of the most significant tribal uprisings in the period 1860-1920. The rebellion
which began as a religious movement gathered political force to fight against introduction of
feudal, zamindari tenures, and exploitation by money-lenders and forest contractors.
 The Mundas claimed Chhotanagpur as their area in 1879.
 Area - Garo and Jaintia Hills
 Leader - Tirath Singh
 Reason - the East India Company wanted to build a road linking the Brahmaputra Valley with
Sylhet. For this, a large number of outsiders including Englishmen, Bengalis and the labourers
from the plains were brought to these regions.
 The Khasis, Garos, Khamptis and the Singphos organised themselves under
Khasi Uprising
 Tirath Singh to drive away the strangers from the plains.
 The uprising developed into a popular revolt against British rule in the area. By 1833, the superior
English military force had suppressed the revolt.
 The rebellion of the Singphos in Assam in early 1830 was immediately quelled but they
continued to organise revolts.
 An uprising in 1839 saw the death of the British political agent. Chief Nirang Phidu led an
uprising in 1843, which involved an attack on the British garrison and the death of many soldiers.
Singphos Rebellion  Some of the smaller movements were those of the Mishmis (in 1836); the Khampti rebellion in
Assam between 1839 and 1842; the Lushais’ revolt in 1842 and 1844, when they attacked
villages in Manipur.
 Area –Bengal
 Leaders- Karam Shah and Tipu Shah
 Reason –hike in rent
Pagal Panthis (1825-  Karam shah and his son Tipu shah led these people to uphold their religious right and peasant
1835) right. He captured Sherpur in 1825, after standing up against oppressive taxes and laws
imposed by the Zamindars and the
 British, this movement was violently suppressed.
 The Faraizis were the followers of a Muslim sect founded by Haji Shariat- Allah of Faridpur in
Eastern Bengal.
 They advocated radical religious, social and political changes. Shariat- Allah son of Dadu Mian
(1819-60) organised his followers with an aim to expel the English intruders from Bengal.
Faraizi Revolt
 The sect also supported the cause of the tenants against the zamindars. The Faraizi
disturbances continued from 1838 to 1857. Most of the Faraizis joined the Wahabi ranks.
 The Kuka Movement was founded in 1840 by Bhagat Jawahar Mal (also called Sian Saheb) in
western Punjab.
 A major leader of the movement after him was Baba Ram Singh. (He founded the Namdhari
Sikh sect.)
 After the British took Punjab, the movement got transformed from a religious purification
campaign to a political campaign.
 Its basic tenets were abolition of caste and similar discriminations among Sikhs, discouraging
Kuka Movement
the consumption of meat and alcohol and drugs, permission for intermarriages, widow
remarriage, and encouraging women to step out of seclusion.
 On the political side, the Kukas wanted to remove the British and restore Sikh rule over Punjab;

Modern History
they advocated wearing hand-woven clothes and boycott of English laws and education and
products.
 The concepts of Swadeshi and non-cooperation were propagated by the Kukas, much before
they became part of the Indian national movement in the early twentieth century.
 Continued oppression of the Santhals, an agricultural people, who had fled to settle in the
plains of the Rajmahal hills (Bihar) led to the Santhal rebellion against the zamindars.
 The money-lenders who had the support of the police among others had joined the zamindars
to subject the peasants to oppressive exactions and dispossession of lands. The rebellion turned
The Santhal
into an anti-British movement.
Rebellion (1855-56)
 Under Sidhu and Kanhu, two brothers, the Santhals proclaimed an end to Company rule, and
declared the area between Bhagalpur and Rajmahal as autonomous.
 The rebellion was suppressed by 1856.
 Area –Bengal
 Leaders - Bishnu Biswas and Diagambar Biswas
 Reason- They started losing their land due to poor output and they started fall into debt trap
 First peasant strike in India, forced indigo cultivation as trade in indigo was lucrative due to the
demand of blue dye.
 Peasant went on strike, refused to cultivate indigo and enter contracts. the strike spread other
Strike of Bengal
part of Bengal, the revolts also received support from many zamindars, a commission was set
Indigo Cultivators
up and it’s in favor of peasants
(1860)
 Intelligentsia helped to make it a powerful campaign
 Harsh Chandra Mukherjee (editor Hindu patriot), Deen Bhandhu Mitra play: Neel Darpan.
 Area- Bengal
 Leaders - Khoodi Mullah, Shambhu Pal
 Reason- Against the landlords and rent, illegal rent beyond legal limits.
 Zamindars policies- prevent occupants from acquiring occupancy rights
Pabna Riots (1873)  Led the passage of Bengal Tenancy Act 1885, legal resistance only (nonviolent)
 Peasants of Yusufshahi pargana organized an agrarian league which raised funds to meet
litigation expenses, held mass meetings
 Area- Pune, Satara, Ahmednagar
 Leaders- Traditional Headman Patel
 Reason- Fall in cotton price, manipulation of bond by money lenders
 Increase in revenue demand by 50%.
 Peasant entered money lenders-burnt houses and bonds.
 Helped by Poona Sarvajanik Sabha: Justice Ranade Deccan Riots commission was appointed
Deccan Riots (1875)
to investigate lead to – ‘Agriculturists’ Relief Act of 1879, facilitated the peasants in loan
payment, could not be arrested for non- payment of loans.
 Punjab Land Alienation Act, 1900 and pacified peasants of Punjab to some extent.
 Area- Punjab
 Reason - Against prospects of losing their land.
Punjab peasant
 Punjab land alienation act was passed in 1900.
revolts (1885)
 Regulation of sale and mortgage of land and revenue demand.
 Area –Maharashtra
 Leaders- Vasudev Balwant Phadke
 Reason - Deccan Famine (British failure to take up Anti Famine Measure.
Ramosi Upraising  Organized Ramosi peasants and through of establishing Hindu Raj.
(1877-87)  It was protested in a violent manner.
 Area – Champaran (Bihar)
 Leaders- Gandhi
 Reason – Tinkathiya - 3/20 indigo plantation.
Champaran  Due to Competition with German synthesis the price collapse, high taxation and illegal dues
Movement (1917) from peasant.
 Gandhiji opposed and protest, his protest led to abolishing the exploitative Tinkathiya system.
 Area-Kheda (Gujrat)
 Leaders- Gandhi & Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
 Reason - People of Kheda were unable to pay the high taxes levied by the British due to crop
failure and a plague epidemic.
 If yield less than 25%: entitled for remission, ignored remission of land revenue appeal- finally
Kheda Satyagraha
fulfilled, farmers were denied to paying revenue collection.
(1918)
 It was a 1st non corporation movement
 Impact of success was also realized among the peasant of Gujrat and neighboring states.
 Area – Hardoi, Bahriach United provinces
 Leaders –Madari Pasi
 Reason - Demand for rent 50% higher than the recorded rent (tenant against landlords).
Eka Movement
 Initially started by Congress and the Khalifat movement, it was later headed by Madari Pasi,
(1921)
Madari Pasi opposed non-violent method (grass root level).

Modern History
 Many demands Ponds usage, cattle grazing, fixed rent, stopped force labour, conversion of
produce(batai)into cash
 Hike in revenue demand and reduction of field size, coupled with the oppression of officials,
resulted in widespread peasant unrest among the Moplahs of Malabar.
 Twenty-two rebellions took place between 1836 and 1854. None, however, proved successful.
Moplah Uprisings  The second Moplah uprising occurred after the Moplahs came to be organised by the
Congress and the Khilafat supporters during the Non-cooperation Movement.
 Area –Malabar
 Leaders – Sayyed Aiwi and Sayyid Fazi
 Reason - increase in land tax, security of tenure and exploitation of the poor peasantry by the
landlords.
 Upper caste Namboodris and Nairs Hindu landlords (Jenmi)-Muslim peasants,
 Initially it was only against landlords but after it received help from Non- Cooperation
Mopillah Rebellion
Movement.
or Malabar Rebellion
 The Malabar rebellion in 1921 started as resistance against the British colonial rule, the
(1921)
prevailing feudal system, and in favour of the Khilafat Movement in South Malabar but ended
in communal violence against Hindus.
 British applied martial law.
 Area –Guntur
 Leaders – N.V. Rama Naidu, N.G. Ranga
Palnad Satyagraha  Reason - Heavy tax for permission to graze their cattle in forests.
or forest Satyagraha  During NCM, Crop failed- peasant sent cattle into the forest without paying tax fee are
(1921) penalized. Kannuganti Hanumanth was killed, Gandhiji called NCM, Palnad Satyagraha also
came to an end.
 Area - Gujrat
 Leaders – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Sarabandi
 Reason – against high taxes.
Campaign (1921)
 Peasant decided to do not pay taxes, became model for peasant of rest of India
 Area- Rajasthan
 Leaders – Sitaram Das, Vijay Singh Pathik, and Manikyalal Verma.
Bijolia Movement
 Reason - Land revenue and other taxes.
(1916-27)
 Due to imposition of 86 different types of cesses on farmers. In 1927 peasant adopted
satyagraha method to fight fresh cess and beggar.
 Area- all over the India.
 Leaders – Sahajanand Saraswati who was the pioneer of Bihar Kisan Sabha Movement,
Awadh Kisan Sabha – 1920 by Baba Ramachandra
 UP Kisan Sabha – Gauri Shankar Mishra, Indra Narayan Dwivedi with support from Madan
The Kisan Sabhas Mohan Malviya in 1918.
(1918-28)  Against the threat of bedakhil eviction and the Jajmani system
 The Restoration of Bengal Land Act and Bihar Tenancy Act 1938.
 Finally culminated in formation of All India Kisan Sabha in 1936.
 Area –Punjab
 Leaders- Bhai Santokh Singh –Ghadar party leader
Kirti Kisan Sabha  Reason - It was organizing small agriculturist +industrial worker +urban labour for revolutionary
Movement (1928) activity and also addressing their plight. The Sabha owed its origin to the Kirti Kisan movement
started by Bhai santokh Singh and Ghadar leader.
 Area – Bardoli (Gujrat)
 Leaders – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
 Reason - against the unjust raising of taxes.
 Patel called for no tax campaign-become a model peasant movement 1925, because of
floods and famine crop production suffered and government raised tax rate by 30% that year-
petitions failed.
Bardoli Satyagraha
 Patel consulted Gandhi, Gandhi agreed but decided not to participate, as a result
(1928)
government agreed to restore the confiscated lands and cancel revenue payment revoked
30% next year.
 Given title of ‘Sardar’ by women of Bardoli.
 Area – Amritsar, Harsha Chhina area
 Leaders – Achhar Singh Chhina, Sohan Singh Josh
 Reason - In response to a decision taken by the British Government to decrease the supply of
irrigation water to farmers by remodeling the moghas (canal outlets)
Harsha Chhina
 Agrarian revolt was under leadership of the Communist Party.
Mogha Morcha
 British decision- decrease the supply of irrigation by remodeling moghas (canal outlets). During
(1946)
this movement 950 freedom fighters were arrested by police and detained in Lahore jail for
three months, in the end British accepted demands
 Area- Worli (Maharashtra)
Worli Revolt (1945)  Reason - exploitation from the landlords and money-lenders

Modern History
 Post-World War 2, the revolt was organized by peasant and tribal of Worli, a large scale of
tribal women participated in the revolt.
 The involvement of the women was supported by the Kisan Sabha leader, Godaveri
Parulekar, also known as Godutai (elder sister) by the Adivasis.
 Area- Travancore
The Punnapra-  Leaders- T K Varghese Vaidyan
Vayalar Uprising  Reason - Led by communist uprising – against the PM, sir C. P. Ramaswami lyer and state, over
(1946) 800 rebels were killed, also a movement for the right of the depressed Ezhava community.
 Area –Hyderabad
 Leaders – Ravi Narayana Reddy, Maddikayala Omkar, Maddikayala Lakshmi Omkar,
Puchalapalli Sundarayya, Pillaipalli Papireddy, Makhdoom Mohiuddin, Sulaiman Areeb,
Hassan Nasir, Manthrala Adi Reddy, Bhimreddy Narasimha Reddy, Nandyala Srinivasa Reddy,
Aruthula Kamaladevi and Bikumalla Sathyam
Telangana Revolt
 Reason - Against Nizam exploitations (by Deshmukh and Jagirdars).
(1946-50)
 It’s a communist led upraising.
 Nizam trained military known as Razakars.
 After independence GOI intervene and Nizam defeated, hundreds of peasants died; biggest
peasant guerrilla war in the Indian history.
THE REVOLT OF 1857
The cumulative effect of British expansionist policies, economic exploitation and administrative
innovations over years resulted to simmering discontent among all sections which burst in the form
of 1857 revolt.
Various Causes of the Revolt:
 Economic policies of the British destroyed the traditional economy

of the country-Peasant suffered due to heavy taxation under new
revenue settlement system.
Economic causes  Annexation of Indian states by British led to loss of patronage of
many artisans.
 Destruction of traditional industry.
 Zamindars often saw their land rights forfeited Summary evictions
 Discriminatory tariff policy against Indian products.
 Interference in socio religious affair of Indian public.
 Policies such as Doctrine of Lapse, Subsidiary alliance further
Political causes
complicated the matter.
 Absentee sovereignty character of British.
 Denial of certain rights to Mughal rulers
Administrative causes  Widespread corruption in company's administration.
 Racial arrogance of British.
Socio-religious causes  Activities of Christian missionaries.
 Abolition of Sati, support to widow remarriage, women education.
 The Religious Disabilities Act, 1856, which modified Hindu customs.
 The rumour about the mixing of bone dust in atta (flour)and the
Immediate causes
introduction of the Enfield rifle.
Influence of Outside Events.  British suffered serious losses here, the First Afghan War (1838- 42),
Punjab Wars (1845-49), Crimean Wars (1854-56), Santhal rebellion
(1855-57).

Modern History
The rebellion began on 10 May 1857 in the form of a mutiny of sepoys of the Company's army in the
garrison town of Meerut, 40 miles northeast of Delhi. It then erupted into other mutinies and civilian
rebellions chiefly in the upper Gangetic plain and central India.
Initially there was a rebellion in the Meerut Cantonment. The Meerut Mutiny (May 9, 1857) marked
the beginning of the Revolt of 1857. The Indian sepoys in Meerut murdered their British officers and
broke open the jail. On May 10, they marched to Delhi.
Important Areas of the Revolt:
Lucknow:
 Lucknow was the capital of Awadh.

 There the mutinous sepoys were joined by the disbanded soldiers from the old Awadh army.
 Leadership- Begum Hazrat Mahal, one of the begums of the ex-king of Awadh, took up the
leadership of the revolt. Finally, the British forces captured Lucknow. The queen escaped to
Nepal.
Kanpur:
 Led by- Nana Saheb, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II. He joined the revolt primarily
because he was deprived of his pension by the British. He captured Kanpur and proclaimed
himself the Peshwa. The victory was short- lived.
 Kanpur was recaptured by the British after fresh reinforcements arrived. The revolt was
suppressed with terrible vengeance. The rebels were either hanged or blown to pieces by
canons. Nana Saheb escaped. But his brilliant commander Tantya Tope continued struggle was
finally defeated, arrested and hanged.
Jhansi:
 Led By- Rani Lakshmi Bai, when the British refused to accept the claim of her adopted son to the
throne of Jhansi. She fought gallantly against the British forces. But she was ultimately defeated
by the English.
 Rani Lakshmi Bai escaped. Later on, the Rani was joined by Tantia Tope and together they
marched to Gwalior and captured it. Sindhia, a loyal ally of the British, was driven out. Fierce
fighting followed. The Rani of Jhansi fought like a tigress. She died, fighting to the very end.
 Gwalior was recaptured by the British.
The Revolt of 1857 gave a severe jolt to the British administration in India and made its
reorganization inevitable. The Government of India’s structure and policies underwent significant
changes in the decades following the Revolt.

Modern History
 By the Act of Parliament of 1858 (Also called as Good Governance act 1858),
the power to govern India was transferred from the East India Company to the
Changes in
British Crown.
Administration:
 The authority over India, wielded by the Directors of the Company and the
Board of Control, was now to be exercised by a Secretary of State for India aided
by a Council.
 The British had divided India for administrative convenience into provinces,
three of which – Bengal Bombay and Madras - were known as Presidencies.
Provincial  The Presidencies were administered by a Governor and his Executive
Administration: Council ofthree, who were appointed by the Crown.
 The other provinces were administered by Lieutenant Governor and Chief
Commissioners appointed by the Governor-General.
 Financial difficulties led the Government to further decentralize
administration bypromoting local government through municipalities and
Local Bodies:
district boards.
 Local bodies like education, health, sanitation and water supply were
transferred tolocal bodies that would finance them through local taxes.
 The Indian army was carefully re-organised after 1858, most of all to prevent the
recurrence of another revolt.
 Firstly, the domination of the army by its European branch was carefully
guaranteed. The proportion of Europeans to Indians in the army was raised. The
Changes in the European troops were kept in key geographical and military positions. The
army: crucial branches of artillery, tanks and armored corps were put exclusively in
European hands. The Indians were strictly excluded from the higher posts. Till
1814, no Indiancould rise higher than the rank of a subedar.
 Secondly, the organization of the Indian section of the army was based on the
policyof ‘divide and rule’ so as to prevent its chance of uniting again in an anti-
British uprising. A new section of army like Punjabis, Gurkhas and Pathans were
recruited in large numbers.
The Revolt of 1857 lasted for more than a year. It was suppressed by the middle of 1858. On July 8,
1858, fourteen months after the outbreak at Meerut, peace was finally proclaimed by Lord
Canning.
Suppression of the Revolt:
 Delhi- Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured and sent to Rangoon. His sons were shot dead.
 Nana Saheb fled to Nepal and was never heard of again.
 Tantiya Tope fled to jungles of central India. Later caught and killed in 1859.
 Rani of Jhansi was killed in the battlefield. Jhansi captured by Sir Hugh Rose.
 By 1859, Kunwar Singh, Bakht Khan, Khan Bahadur Khan, Maulavi Ahmadullah all dead.
 Begum Hazrat Mahal was compelled to flee to Nepal.
Causes for Failure of the Revolt:
 British had a lot of men, money and resources to invest.

 Limited territorial and social base: All-India participation was absent; revolt was more or less
concentrated only to North India.
 All classes did not join: Big Zamindars, Taluqdars, Merchants and Money lenders preferred British
rule. Educated Indians looked down upon this revolt as backward going. Many Kings and prince
didn’t support revolters.

Modern History
 Poor Arms and Equipment: European Soldiers were equipped with latest weaponary unlike
Indians
 Uncoordinated and Poorly Organized, lack of central leadership: No unified and able leadership
on Indian side.
 No Unified Ideology: Rebels represented diverse elements with differing grievances and
concepts of current politics.
 The revolt has a centripetal tendency around the Mughal. So once Delhi was captured the main
force was gone.
 There was widespread unity between Hindus and Muslims at all levels during this revolt.
Consequences of the Revolt:
 Company rule was abolished. Crown took over the administration.

 Expansion and annexation were ended by British.
 Army was thoroughly re-organized & British military policy division and counterpoise.
 White mutiny: resentment among company forces to transfer their allegiance to British Army. It
was because of cancellation of Bhatta that they used to receive earlier.
 All native ruling chief were assured that their territory would never be annexed in future.
(Allahabad proclamation)
 Policies were made to protect landlords and zamindars and give them security of rights over
their land.
 Concept of martial race in the army.
 Act of 1858 was enacted.
SOCIO-RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENTS
The humanistic ideals of social equality and the equal worth of all individuals which inspired the
newly educated middle class had a major impact on the field of social reform.
All social ills like untouchability and gender-based inequity derived legitimacy from religion in one
way or the other.
The social reform movements formed an integral part of the religious reforms primarily because of
this reason.
Impact of British Rule:
The British conquest was different. It came at a time when India, in contrast to an enlightened
Europe of the eighteenth century affected in every aspect by science and scientific outlook
presented the picture of a stagnant civilisation and a static and decadent society.
Social Conditions Ripe for Reform:
 Religious and Social Ills: Idolatry and polytheism, superstitions etc.,

 Depressing Position of Women: Sati, polygamy, child marriage etc.,
 Caste Problem
 Opposition to western culture.

Modern History
 New Awareness among Enlightened Indians
Social and Ideological Bases of Reform:
 Middle Class Base: The social base of the regeneration seen in the nineteenth century was the
newly emerging middle class.
Two Concerns of socio-religious reforms in India:
 The evolution of an alternative cultural- ideological system.

 The regeneration of traditional institutions.
Two Streams in the Socio-Religious Reform Movement:
 The reformist like the Brahmo Samaj, the PrarthanaSamaj, the Aligarh Movement.
 The revivalist like Arya Samaj and the Deoband movement.
Major difference between the two was, varying degree of reliance on traditions, reasons and
conscience.
Charles Wood’s Despatch on Education (1854) laid great stress on the need for female education.
Health facilities began to be provided to women with the opening of Dufferin Hospitals in the 1880s.
Awakening among Lower castes due to new Opportunities:
Name Organization/Movements Work Result

1. Movement against 1. Savitribai Phule -
Jyotiba
the Brahminical First female
Phule,
 Satyashodhak Samaj domination. teacher.
Savitribai
2. Education of lower 2. Opened several
Phule
castes, especially girls. Schools for Women.
 All India Scheduled Annihilation of the Provision of special
Castes Federation institution of caste, representation for lower
Babasaheb
 All India Depressed Mahad Satyagraha classes in the
Ambedkar
Classes Association. 1927 for consumption Government of India
 BahishkritHitakarini Sabha of water from public Act, 1935.
in 1924- motto was water pond and
Educate, Agitate and temple movements.
Organize.
Setup with the aim of The movement was
achieving a society extremely influential not
E.V.
where backward just in Tamil Nadu, but
Ramaswamy  Self-Respect Movement. castes have equal also overseas in
Naicker human rights. countries with large
Tamil population, such
as Malaysia and
Singapore.
Sri Narayana  “One religion, one caste, Entry of lower castes Temples were opened
Guru, Kerala one God for mankind” into temples. up in South Indian
states.

Modern History
Steps taken to Ameliorate Women’s Position:
 Abolition of Sati frontal attack launched by the enlightened Indian reformers led by Raja Rammohan
Roy, the government declared the practice of sati illegal and punishable by criminal courts as
culpable homicide
 Preventing Female Infanticide
 Widow Remarriage:
 Due to the efforts of Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-91), the principal of Sanskrit
College, Calcutta, that the Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act, 1856, was passed
 Jagannath Shankar Seth and Bhau Daji were among the active promoters of girls’ schools in
Maharashtra
 Vishnu Shastri Pandit founded the Widow Remarriage Association in the 1850s.
 Karsondas Mulji who started the Satya Prakash in Gujarati in 1852 to advocate widow remarriage
 Controlling Child Marriage.
 Education of Women:
 The Bethune School, founded by J.E.D. Bethune, president of the Council of Education in
Calcutta in 1849.
 Charles Wood’s Despatch on Education (1854) laid great stress on the need for female
education.
 In 1914, the Women’s Medical Service did a lot of work in training nurses and midwives. The
Indian Women’s University set up by Professor D.K. Karve in 1916 was one of the outstanding
institutions imparting education to women.
 Women’s Organisations:
 In 1910, Sarla Devi Chaudhurani convened the first meeting of the Bharat Stree Mahamandal in
Allahabad. Its objectives included promotion of education for women, abolition of the purdah
system and improvement in the socio-economic and political status of women all over India.
 Ramabai Ranade founded the Ladies Social Conference (Bharat Mahila Parishad), under the
parent organisation National Social Conference, in 1904 in Bombay.
 Pandita Ramabai Saraswati founded the Arya Mahila Samaj to serve the cause of women
 In 1925, the National Council of Women in India, a national branch of the International Council
of Women, was formed. Meherbai Tata played a vital role in its formation and advancement.
 The All-India Women’s Conference (AIWC), founded by Margaret Cousins in 1927.
Reformers and their contribution:
Raja Rammohan Roy (1772-1833)  Put his faith in monotheism

 wrote Gift to Monotheists (1809) and translated into Bengali theVedas and the
Atmiya Sabha (1815)
five Upanishads
Calcutta Unitarian Committee
 In 1814, he set up the Atmiya Sabha (or Society of Friends) inCalcutta to
(1823)
propagate the monotheistic ideals of the Vedanta and to campaign against
Vedanta College (1825) idolatry
 founded the Brahmo Sabha in August 1828. it was laterrenamed Brahmo Samaj
Brahmo Samaj (1828)
Debendra Nath Tagore  He gave a new life to Brahmo Samaj.
 Tattvabodhini Sabha studied India’s past with a rational outlook.
Tattvabodhini Sabha
 Tattvabodhini Patrika in Bengali
(founded in 1839)
Brahmo Samaj

Modern History
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar  He became principal of Sanskrit College and opened it to non-Brahmins to break
priestly monopoly. He also served as Secretary of Bethune School, Calcutta
Sanskrit College Bethune School
which was the pioneer of higher education for women.
 His actions supporting widow remarriage led to its legalization.
Keshab Chandra Sen  Keshab Chandra Sen was a champion of women's rights. His ideology was a mix
of religious and social ideas. He establishedthe Nava Vidhan in 1881 along with
the newspaper New Dispensation to disseminate his religious ideas and
Brahmo Samaj
philosophy.
Prarthana Samaj
 followers of Keshab set up a new organisation the SadharanBrahmo Samaj
(1867)
 Prarthana Samaj was founded in Bombay by Atmaram Pandurang with the help
Indian Reforms Association of Keshab Chandra Sen. Other prominent leaders associated with it were M G
Ranade, R GBhandarkar. It took up the issues of caste system rejection, women
education and widow remarriage.
 Keshab Chandra Sen was instrumental behind the foundation ofthe Indian
Reform Association which aimed at improving the life of peasants.
Henry Vivian Derozio  Taught at the Hindu College from 1826 to 1831, was the leaderand inspirer of this
Young Bengal progressive trend.
Movement
Jyotiba Phule  Sarvajanik Satyadharma and Gulamgiri
 Phule used the symbol of Rajah Bali as opposed to the brahmins’ symbol of
Satyashodhak Samaj
Rama
 he with the help of his wife, Savitribai, opened a girls’ school at Poona
Balshastri Jambhekar  Pioneer of social reform through journalism in Bombay; he attacked Brahmanical
orthodoxy and tried to reform popular Hinduism
 Started the newspaper Darpan in 1832.
 Known as the father of Marathi journalism
 In 1840, he started Digdarshan which published articles on scientific subjects as
well as history
 founded the Bombay Native General Library and started the Native
Improvement Society of which an offshoot was the Students Literary and
Scientific Library
Paramahansa Mandali  the founders —Dadoba Pandurang, Mehtaji Durgaram and others
 founders of the mandali were primarily interested in breaking caste rules
Gopalhari Deshmukh 'Lokhitwadi’  wrote for a weekly Prabhakar under the pen name of Lokahitawadi on social
reform issues
 He started a weekly, Hitechhu, and also played a leading role in founding the
periodicals, Gyan Prakash, Indu Prakash and Lokahitawadi.
Gopal Ganesh Agarkar  cofounder of the New English School, the Deccan Education Society and
Fergusson College.
 He was a principal of Fergusson College.
 He was also the first editor of Kesari, the journal started by Lokmanya Tilak.
 he started his own periodical, Sudharak, which spoke against untouchability and
the caste system
Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866-1915)  founded the Servants of India Society in 1905 with the help of M.G. Ranade
 The aim of the society was to train national missionaries for the service of India;
to promote, by all constitutional means, the true interests of the Indian people;
The Servants of India Society and to prepare a cadre of selfless.
 workers who were to devote their lives to the cause of the country in a religious
spirit
Narayan Malhar Joshi Social Service  Narayan Malhar Joshi founded the Social Service League in Bombay with an
League aim to secure for the masses better and reasonable conditions of life and work
 Joshi also founded the All-India Trade Union Congress (1920)
Swami Vivekananda  It was initiated to spread the message of Vedanta with its headquarters at Bellur,
Calcutta.
The Ramakrishna Movement
 Swami Vivekananda addressed Parliament of Religions at Chicago in 1893.
 Two objectives of the Ramakrishna movement were

Modern History
 to bring into existence a band of monks dedicated to a life of renunciation and

practical spirituality, from among whom teachers and workers would be sent out
to spread the universal message of Vedanta as illustrated in the life of
Ramakrishna
 in conjunction with lay disciples to carry on preaching, philanthropic and
charitable works, looking upon all men, women and children, irrespective of
caste, creed or colour, as veritable manifestations of the Divine
 Unlike the Arya Samaj, the Mission recognises the utility and value of image
worship in developing spiritual fervour and worship of the eternal omnipotent
God, although it emphasises on the essential spirit and not the symbols or rituals
Dayananda Saraswati Arya Samaj  It was a Hindu revivalist movement. The samaj started a
 Shuddhi Movement to convert non-Hindus to Hinduism.
 It fixed the minimum marriageable age as 25 for men and 16 for girls and helped
people in crisis like floods. The samaj also established DAV Schools with emphasis
on western education.
 Dayananda Saraswati’s views are collected in Satyarth Prakash.
 He gave the slogan ‘back to the Vedas’ and said they were infallible. He
attacked hindu orthodoxy
Behramji M. Malabari (1853- 1912)  Against child marriage and for widow remarriage among Hindus
 acquired and edited the Indian Spectator
Seva Sadan in 1908
Radhakant Deb  He was the founder President of British India Association in 1951
 it favoured the promotion of Western education, even for girls
Dharma Sabha British India
Association
Madam Mohan Malviya Bharat  An all-India organisation of the orthodox educated Hindus, it stood for a
Dharma Mahamandal defence of orthodox Hinduism against the teachings of the Arya Samajists, the
Theosophists, and the Ramakrishna Mission.
Sree Narayana Guru Swamy (1856-  Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana Movement
1928)  Temple Entry Movements
 These were aimed at caste rigidities started among Ezhavas of Kerala.
 Aruvippuram movement
Ezhava community  editor of Deshabhimani, took up the issue of temple entry with the Travancore
administration
C N Mudaliar, T M Nair, Tyagaraja  1. Justice Movement It began in Madras in order to secure jobs and
representation for non-Brahmins.
EV  MadrasPresidency Association Was founded in 1917 to demand separate
representation of lower castes
Ramaswamy Naicker
 The Self-respect Movement was anti Brahmin in nature.
M G Ranade and Raghunath  Indian Social Conference
 met annually from its first session in Madras in 1887 at the same time and venue
as the Indian National Congress.
 The conference advocated inter-caste marriages, opposed polygamy and
kulinism.
 It launched the ‘Pledge Movement’ to inspire people to take a pledge against
child marriage.
Shah Waliullah  Wahabi Movement
 It was an Islam revivalist movement. Other such movements include Faraizi and
Ahmadiyya movement
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan  Aligarh Movement
 This movement emerged as a liberal trend in Muslim intelligencia.
 Sir Syed’s progressive ideas are propagated through Tahdhib-al-Akhlaq
 bring about an improvement in the position of women through better education
and by opposing purdah and polygamy, advocating easy divorce, and
condemning the system of piri and murid
 magazine Tahdhib-ul-Akhlaq (Improvement of Manners and Morals)
Mohammad Qasim Nanotavi and  Deoband School
 The school aimed to train religious leaders for Muslim community.
Rashid Amhed Gangohi
 It was seen as a revivalist movement organized by the Ulema
 Welcomed the formation of the Indian National Congress

Modern History
Parsi Reform Movements  Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha was founded in 1851 by a group of
Englisheducated Parsis for the “regeneration of the social conditions of the Parsis
and the restoration of the Zoroastrian religion to its pristine purity”
 The movement had Naoroji Furdonji, Dadabhai Naoroji, K.R. Cama and S.S.
Bengalee as its leaders
 newspaper Rast Goftar (Truth-Teller)
Sikh Reform Movements  The Singh Sabha Movement was founded at Amritsar in 1873 with a two-fold
objective
 to make available modern western education to the Sikhs, and (ii) to counter
the proselytising activities of Christian missionaries as well as the Brahmo
Samajists, Arya Samajists and Muslim maulvis
 The Akali movement (also known as Gurudwara Reform Movement) was an
offshoot of the Singh Sabha Movement. It aimed at liberating the Sikh
gurudwaras from the control of corrupt Udasi mahants (the post having become
hereditary)
H P Blavatsky and M S Olcott  Theosophical Movement
 This movement came to be allied with Hindu renaissance. It accepted hindu
beliefs such as reincarnation, Upanishads and Vedanta.
 Annie Besant is associated with this movement and was elected as the President
of the Theosophical Society in 1907.
 Annie Besant had come to India in 1893. She laid the foundation of the Central
Hindu College in Benaras in 1898 where both Hindu religion and Western
scientific subjects were taught.
 The college became the nucleus for the formation of Banaras Hindu University in
1916. Annie Besant also did much for the cause of the education of women
Ramkrishna Mission:
 The teachings of Ramakrishna Paramhansa (1834-86), a priest at the Kali temple in

Dakshineshwar, Calcutta, formed the basis of the Ramakrishna Movement.
Two objectives of the movement were:
 To bring into existence a band of monks dedicated to a life of renunciation and practical
spirituality, from among whom teachers and workers would be sent out to spread the universal
message of Vedanta as illustrated in the life of Ramakrishna.
 To carry on preaching, philanthropic and charitable works, looking upon all men, women and
children, irrespective of caste, creed or colour, as veritable manifestations of the Divine.
 Ever since its inception, the Mission has been running a number of schools, hospitals, dispensaries.
It offers help to the afflicted in times of natural calamities like earthquakes, famines, floods and
epidemics. The Mission has developed into a worldwide organisation. It is a deeply religious
body, but it is not a proselytising body. It does not consider itself to be a sect of Hinduism.
Dayanand Saraswati and Arya Samaj:
 Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, was one of the makers of modern
India. With an indigenous orientation, he wanted to bring a new social, religious, economic and
political order in India.
 He established the Arya Samaj at Bombay on 10th April, 1875 and later the headquarters of the
Samaj were established at Lahore
 Dayananda wrote books like, ‘SatyarthPrakash’, VedangaPrakash, ‘Ratnamala’ ‘Sankarvidhi’,
‘Bharatinivarna’ etc. He travelled throughout the country to propagate his views and established
branches of AryaSamaj at different places.

Modern History
Principles of Arya Samaj:
 Acceptance of the Vedas as the only source of truth.

 Opposition to idol worship.
 Opposition to the theory of God-incarnation and religious pilgrimages.
 Recitation of the mantras of the Vedas and performance of ‘Havan’ and ‘Yajna’.
 Faith in female education.
 Opposition to child-marriage and polygamy.
Reforms:
 Swami Dayanada, through the Arya Samaj, tried to reform the Hindu society and religion.
 The Arya Samaj emphasized on the liberation of the Hindu society. Dayananda claimed that
only Vedas were the repositories of true knowledge and the only religion was the religion of the
Vedas.
 His call “Go Back to the Vedas” created consciousness among the people. He rejected other
scriptures and ‘Puranas’.
 He strongly opposed idol worship, ritualism, practice of animal sacrifice, the concept of
polytheism, the idea of heaven and hell and fatalism.
 Significance: The Arya Samaj was able to give self-respect and self-confidence to the Hindus
which helped to undermine the myth of superiority of whites and the Western culture. The Samaj
started the shuddhi (purification) movement to reconvert to the Hindu fold the converts to
Christianity and Islam.
Successors:
 Lala Hansraj, Pandit Gurudutt, LalaLajpat Rai and Swami Shraddhanand carried the work of the
Swami after his death forward, among others.
 In 1893, the Arya Samaj members of Punjab were divided on the question of vegetarianism. The
group that refrained from eating meat were called the "Mahatma" group and the other group,
the "Cultured Party”.
Temple Entry Movement:
 Sri Narayana Guru, N. KumaranAsan, T.K. Madhavan etc. In 1924, Vaikom Satyagraha led by
K.P.Kesava, was launched in Kerala demanding the throwing open of Hindu temple roads to the
untouchables.
 The satyagraha was reinforced by jathas from Punjab and Madurai. Gandhi undertook a tour of
Kerala in support of the movement. Again in 1931 when the Civil Disobedience Movement was
suspended, temple entry movement was organized in Kerala
 Inspired by K. Kelappan, poet Subramaniyam Tirurnambu led agroup of sixteen volunteers to
Guruvayur. Leaders like P. Krishna Pillai and A.K. Gopalan were among the satyagrahis
 In 1936 the Maharaja of Travancore issued a proclamation throwing open all government-
controlled temples to all Hindus. A similar step was taken by the C.Rajagopalachari administration in
Madras in 1938.
 These movements were inspired by Gandhian ideology of Non-violence and Satyagraha.
The Theosophical Movement:

Modern History
 In 1875, a Russian spiritualist named Madame Blavatsky and an American called Colonel Olcott
founded the Theosophical Society in America. The society was greatly influenced by the Indian
doctrine of karma.
 In 1886, they founded the Theosophical Society at Adyar near Madras.
 Annie Besant, an Irish woman who came to India in 1893, helped the Theosophist movement to gain
strength.
 Annie Besant was the founder of the Central Hindu College in Banaras, which later developed into
the Banaras Hindu University.
MODERN NATIONALISM IN INDIA
Pre-Congress Campaigns:
 For Indianisation of govt. service (1878-79).

 Against Lytton’s Afghan adventure.
 Against Arms Act (1878).
 Against Vernacular Press Act (1878).
 For right to join volunteer corps.
 Against plantation labour and against Inland Emigration Act.
 In support of Ilbert Bill.
 Campaign in Britain to vote for pro-India party.
 Against reduction in maximum age for appearing in Indian Civil Service; the Indian Association
took up this question and organised an all-India agitation against it, popularly known as the
Indian Civil Service agitation.
Political Associations before the Indian National Congress

Name Founder Objective Significance
It worked to focus the
attention of the
The Bangabhasha Associates of Raja Welfare of Society
Englishmen on the
Prakasika Sabha, 1836 Rammohan Roy
grievances of India
and to ask for
remedial measures.
The Zamindari Landlords of Bengal. Safeguard the Interests Marked the beginning
Association or of the landlords. of an organised
‘Landholders’ Society’ Political activity.
The Bengal British India Dissemination of
Society, 1843 Information for welfare of
People
 establishment of a Demands were
separate legislature accepted in the
Landholders’ Society
of a popular Charter Act of 1853 -
and the
British Indian Association, character addition of six
1851 Bengal British India  separation of members to the
Society executive & judiciary governor- general’s
 reduction in salaries council for legislative
of higher officers’ purposes
abolition of various
duties

Modern History
The East India Association, Dadabhai Naoroji Influenced public men First such nationalist
1866 in England to promote Organisation in England
Indian Welfare.
The Indian League,1875 Sisir Kumar Ghosh Spreading political It stimulated a sense of
education nationalism among the
people
create a strong public First All India conference
opinion on political in 1883 attended by 100
The Indian Association of Surendranath Banerjee and
questions, unify Indians delegates. In 1886
Calcutta/ The Indian National Ananda Mohan Bose.
in a common political merged in INC.
Association, 1876
programme
The Poona S. H. Chiplunkar, Ganesh Serving as a bridge between the government and
SarvajanikSabha, 1867 Vasudeo Joshi, the people, and also to popularize peasant rights
MahadevGovindRanade
The Bombay Presidency BadruddinTyabji, Pherozshah Mehta and K.T. Telang
Association 1885
The Madras Mahajan M. Viraraghavachari, B. Subramaniya Aiyer P. Anandacharlu.
Sabha, 1884
Indian National Congress:
 Many Indians had been planning to form an all-India organisation of nationalist political workers.
But the credit for giving the idea concrete and final shape goes to A.O. Hume, a retired English
Civil Servant.
 First Session of the Indian National Congress at Bombay in December 1885. It was presided over
by W C. Bonnerjee and attended by 72 delegates, The aims of the National Congress were
declared to be the promotion of friendly relations between nationalist political workers from
different parts of the country, development and consolidation of the feeling of national unity
irrespective of caste, religion or province, formulation of popular demands and their
presentation before the government, and most important of all, the training and organisation of
public opinion in the country
 If Hume wanted to use the Congress as a ‘safety valve’, the early Congress leaders hoped to use
him as a ‘lightning conductor’.
MODERATE PHASE
The period between 1885 to 1905 is known as Moderate Period. The leaders of this period were
Dadabhai Naroji, Mahadev Govinda Ranade, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, W.C. Banerjee, S.N.
Banerjee, Pheroz Shah Mehta etc.,
They raised basic questions regarding the nature and purpose of British rule & clearly understood
the fact that the essence of British imperialism lay in the subordination of the Indian economy to the
British economy.
They did economic critique using following arguments:
 Drain Theory.
 Critique of Railways.

Modern History
 Deindustrialization of India.
Some Leaders behind Economic Critique:
Leaders Work
Romesh Chandra Dutt Retired ICS officer, published The Economic History of India at
the beginning of the 20th century in which he examined in
minute detail the entire economic record of colonial rule since
1757.
Justice MG Ranade Taught an entire generation of Indians, the value of modern

industrial development and said that if India is poor today it is
because of economic policies of British.
 He was also called the Grand old man of India.

 Gokhale called him Gladstone of India.
Dadabhai Naoroji
 Main proponent of Drain Theory
 Wrote book titled – Poverty & un-British Rule in India.
Indian Councils Act 1892:
 Number of additional members in Imperial Legislative Councils and the Provincial Legislative
Councils were raised. In the Imperial Legislative Council, now the governor-general could have ten
to sixteen non-officials (instead of six to ten previously).
 The non-official members of the Indian legislative council were to be nominated by the Bengal
Chamber of Commerce and provincial legislative councils. The members could be recommended
by universities, municipalities, zamindars and chambers of commerce. So, the principle of
representation was introduced.
 Budget could be discussed and Questions could be asked.
MILITANT NATIONALISM
Era of Militant Nationalism is the period between 1905-1909 and the cause of its growth is as follows:
 Realisation that the true nature of British rule was exploitative, and that the British India
government, instead of conceding more, was taking away even what existed.
 Growth of self-confidence and self-respect.
 Impact of growth of education-increase in awareness and unemployment.
 International influences and events which demolished the myth of white/European supremacy.
These included:
 Emergence of Japan—an Asian country—as an industrial power
 Abyssinia’s (Ethiopia) victory over Italy.
 Boer Wars (1899-1902) in which the British faced reverses.
 Japan’s victory over Russia (1905).
 Nationalist movements worldwide.
 Reaction to increasing westernisation.
 Dissatisfaction with the achievements as well as the methods of the Moderates.

Modern History
 Reactionary policies of Curzon such as the Calcutta Corporation Act (1899), The Official Secrets
Act (1904), The Indian Universities Act (1904) and Partition of Bengal (1905)
 Existence of a militant school of thought and emergence of a trained leadership.
The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement:
 It began as a reaction to the proclamation of partition of Bengal in 1905. The motive of partition
was to weaken Bengal which was the nerve of Indian nationalist activity.
 Moderates took up the charge of the movement from 1903-05. They set up public meetings,
signed petitions and raised their propaganda through newspapers and pamphlets. They resisted
the idea of extremists to take the movement outside Bengal.
 Extremists took over the movement in 1905 as the moderates were unable to achieve positive
results. They introduced methods like boycott of foreign cloth and emphasis on self-reliance. It
launched programs on Swadeshi and national education. The movement was joined by
students, women and Muslims. The partition was annulled in 1911.
 A big step was taken at the Congress session held at Calcutta in 1906 under Dadabhai Naoroji
where it was declared that the goal of INC was self-government.
 The moderates and extremists had different ideas to go about the movement which led to a split
between the party at the Surat session INC in 1907.
 The movement saw the emergence of samitis such as Swadesh Bandhab Samiti (Barisal) of A K
Dutta which became strong instruments of mass mobilization.
 Bengal National College inspired by Tagore’s Shantiniketan was set up with Aurobindo Ghosh as
its principal. On August 15, 1906 a National Council of Education was set up to organize a system
of education on nationalist lines.
 Another important development was the propping up of All India Muslim League in 1906 as an
anti- Congress front. Its main leaders were Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Aga Khan and Salimullah of
Dacca. The Muslim League intended to preach loyalty to the empire and to keep Muslim
intelligentsia away from Congress.
Anti - Partition Campaign under Moderates (1903-05):
 Leadership: Surendranath Banerjea, K.K. Mitra and Prithwish Chandra Ray.

 Methods: Petitions to the government, public meetings, memoranda, and propaganda through
pamphlets.
 Newspapers: Hitabadi, Sanjibani and Bengalee were published.
 Objective: Exert sufficient pressure on the government through an educated public opinion in
India and England to prevent the unjust partition.
 July 1905 - Bengal was to be partitioned, ignoring the loud public opinion.
 August 7, 1905 - Boycott resolution was passed, Swadeshi movement was formally proclaimed in
Calcutta townhall.
 October 16, 1905 - partition came into force. It was observed as a day of mourning.
 Bande Mataram and Amar Sonar Bangla (the national anthem of Bangladesh, composed by
Rabindranath Tagore) were sung. People tied rakhis on each other’s hands as a symbol of unity
of the two halves of Bengal.

Modern History
Year British Acts/Policies and Their Impact

1892  Indian Councils Act was passed, it failed to satisfy the nationalists as their
demands of representative government etc., were not fully met.
1897  The Natu brothers deported without trial and Tilak imprisoned for sedition under
section 124A.
 Sedition, under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, is defined as any action
that brings or attempts to bring hatred or contempt towards the government of
India.
1898
 The repressive laws under section 124A were further strengthened.
1899  Number of Indian members in Calcutta Corporation were reduced.

1904  Official Secrets Act enacted when Lord Curzon was Viceroy of India from 1899-
1905, curbed freedom of press.
1904  Indian Universities Act ensured greater government control over universities,
which it described as factories producing political revolutionaries
Difference between Moderates and Extremists

Moderates Extremists
 Social base-educated middle and
 Social base-zamindars and upper
middle classes in towns. lower middle classes in towns.
 Ideological inspiration western liberal  Ideological inspiration—Indian
history, cultural heritage and Hindu
thought and European history.
traditional symbols.
 Believed in England's providential mission
 Rejected 'providential mission theory'
in India.
as an illusion.
 Believed political connections with
Britain to be in India's social, political  Believed that political connections
and cultural interests. with Britain would perpetuate British
exploitation of India.
 Professed loyalty to the British Crown
 Believed that the British Crown was
 Believed that the movement should be
unworthy of claiming Indian loyalty.
limited to middle class intelligentsia;
 Had immense faith in the capacity
masses not yet ready for participation in
political work. of masses to participate and to
 Demanded constitutional reforms and make sacrifices.
 Demanded swaraj as the panacea
share for Indians in services.
for Indian ills.
 Insisted on the use of constitutional
 Did not hesitate to use extra
methods only.
constitutional methods like boycott
 They were patriots and did not play the
role of a comprador class. and passive resistance to achieve
their objectives.
 They were patriots who made sacrifices for
the sake of the country.

Modern History
Important Sessions of INC:
Session President  Significance

1885 W C Banerjee  1st session attended by 72 delegates
Bombay
1886 Dadabhai Naoroji ---
Calcutta
1887 Madras Badruddin Tyabji  Appeal to Muslims to join INC
1888 George Yule  1st non-Indian to be President of INC
Allahabad
1905 Gopal Krishna  Expressed resentment against Bengal partition boycott of foreign
Benaras Gokhale goods
 Promotion of swadeshi goods and Indian industries- Public meetings
and processions
 Corps of Volunteers or ‘Samitis’- Swadesh Bandhab Samiti
 of Ashwini Kumar Dutta
 Use of Traditional Popular Festivals and Melas-Ganpati festival,
traditional folk theatre
 Nationalist song- Amar Sonar Bangla, Sudesha Geetham-
Subramania Bharati
 Painting- Abanindranath Tagore
 Scientific research- Jadish Chandra Bose
 National Education in vernacular medium. Bengal National College,
National Council of Education.
1906 Dadabhai Naoroji  Word “swaraj” mentioned for the first time
Calcutta
1907 Surat Rash Behari  Congress split between moderates and extremists
Ghosh
1908 Madras Rash Behari  Constitution of INC drawn
Ghosh
1909 Lahore Madan Mohan  Expressed disapproval over formation of separate electorates
Malviya  based on religion (Indian Councils Act, 1909)
1916 A C Majumdar  Reunification of the two factions in INC i.e., moderates and
Lucknow extremists.
 Death of Gokhale and Pherozshah Mehta
 Lucknow pact between Muslim league and INC
 INC accepted Muslim league demand of separate electorate
1917 Annie Besant  First women to preside the congress session
Calcutta
1919 Motilal Nehru  New constitution of INC framed
Amritsar
 Condemned the Jallianwala Bagh massacre
 Approved the Khilafat movement
1920 Lala Lajpat Rai  NCM moved and adopted
(Special
Session)
Calcutta
1920 Nagpur Viraraghvachari  Reconstitution of congress committees on linguistic grounds.
 Jinnah left the INC
1922 Gaya C R Das  CR Das & other leaders broke away from INC and formed
 Swaraj party. C R Das presided session when he was in Jail.
1924 M K Gandhi  Only session where Gandhi ji presided
Belgaum
1925 Kanpur Sarojini Naidu  First Indian women president of INC
1927 Madras M A Ansari  Resolution against using Indian troops in Mesopotamia, Iran, and
China
 Resolution passed to boycott Simon commission
 Adopted resolution for Purna Swaraj

Modern History
1928 Motilal Nehru  1ST All India Youth Congress Formed

Calcutta
1929 Lahore J L Nehru  Passed Purna Swaraj Resolution
 26th Jan observed as Independence Day
 Civil disobedience to be launched
1931 Vallabh Bhai Patel  Endorsed Gandhi Irwin pact
Karachi
 Resolution of Fundamental rights and National Economic
Programme
 Gandhi nominated to represent INC in the 2nd RTC
1934 Rajendra Prasad  INC constitution amended
Bombay
1936 Jawahar Lal  Push towards socialist ideas by Nehru
Lucknow Nehru
1937 Faizpur J L Nehru  1st session in a village
1938 S C Bose  National Planning Committee set under Nehru
Haripura
1939 Tripuri Rajendra Prasad  Bose was re-elected as president but had to resign when Gandhi
supporters (in favour of P. Sitarammaiah) protested
 Rajendra Prasad was made president of the session
 All India Forward Bloc a faction within the Congress in Bengal was
formed by Bose in 1939.
1940 Abul Kalam Azad  Decision to launch Civil Disobedience Movement
Ramgarh
1946 Meerut J B Kriplani  Last session before independence.
Shimla Deputation:
Led by Aga Khan, a group of muslim elites met Lord Minto in October 1906 and demanded
separate electorate for the muslims and representation in excess of their numerical strength in view
of ‘the value of the contribution’ Muslims were making “to the defence of the empire”.
Minto - Morley Reforms, 1909:
 The principle of elections was introduced for the first time. Indians were allowed to take part in
elections of various legislative councils.
 Separate electorate was introduced for muslims (for elections to the central council) for the first
time.
 The number of elected members in the Imperial Legislative Council and the Provincial Legislative
Councils was increased. In the provincial councils, non-official majority was introduced. Overall
non-elected majority remained.
 The Imperial Legislative Council, of the total 69 members, 37 were to be the officials and of the
32 non-officials, 5 were to be nominated. Of the 27 elected non-officials, 8 seats were reserved
for the Muslims under separate electorates (only Muslims could vote here for the Muslim
candidates), while 4 seats were reserved for the British capitalists, 2 for the landlords and 13 seats
came under general electorate.
 Indirect elections - The elected members were to be indirectly elected. The local bodies were to
elect an electoral college, which in turn would elect members of provincial legislatures,
 One Indian was to be appointed to the viceroy’s executive council (Satyendra Sinha was the first
Indian to be appointed in 1909).

Modern History
FIRST PHASE OF REVOLUTIONARY ACTIVITIES
The revolutionaries did not find it practical at that stage to create a violent mass revolution throughout
the country or to subvert the loyalties of the Army.
Instead, they opted to follow in the footsteps of Russian nihilists or the Irish nationalists.
Organising assassinations of unpopular officials and of traitors and informers among the revolutionaries
themselves;
Conducting swadeshi dacoities to raise funds for revolutionary activities; (during the First World War)
organising military conspiracies with expectation of help from the enemies of Britain
The idea was to strike terror in the hearts of the rulers, arouse people and remove the fear of authority
from their minds. The revolutionaries intended to inspire the people by appealing to their patriotism,
especially the idealistic youth.
Ghadar party:
 Ghadar means Revolt. On the front page of each issue was a feature titled Angrezi Raj Ka Kacha
Chitha or ‘An Expose of British Rule.’
 It began in 1913 and carried out revolutionary activity in North America. It organized a weekly
newspaper The Ghadar with its headquarters at San Francisco.
 Important members were Lala Hardayal, Bhagwan Singh, Barkatullah, Kartar Singh, Bhai
Parmanand etc.
 The most powerful impact was made by the poems that appeared in The Ghadar, soon
collected and published as Gadar di Goonj and distributed free of cost.
 The plans of Ghadarites were encouraged by two events in 1914, the Komagata Maru incident
and the outbreak of the First World War.
 Komagata Maru was the name of a ship which was carrying 370 passengers, mainly Sikh and
Punjabi Muslim would-be immigrants, from Singapore to Vancouver.
 They were turned back by Canadian authorities after two months of privation and uncertainty. It
was generally believed that the Canadian authorities were influenced by the British government.
 The ship finally anchored at Calcutta in September 1914. The inmates refused to board the
Punjab bound train.
 In the ensuing conflict with the police at Budge Budgenear Calcutta, many persons died.
 Inflamed by this and with the outbreak of the First World War, the Ghadar leaders decided to
launch a violent attack to oust British rule in India.
 The Defense of India Act was passed in 1915 primarily to smash the Ghadar movement.

Modern History
Year Personality Work

Vasudev Balwant Phadke, Ramosi Peasant Force aimed to rid the country of the British by
Maharashtra instigating an armed revolt by disrupting communication lines.
1879
It hoped to raise funds for its activities through dacoities but
it was suppressed prematurely.
Tilak, Maharashtra. He propagated militant nationalism through his journals
1890s Kesari and Maharatta (1881) and through Shivaji (1894)and
Ganapati (1893) festivals.
1897 Chapekar brothers, Damodar Murdered the Plague Commissioner of Poona, Rand, and Lt.
and Balkrishna, Maharashtra. Ayerst.
Savarkar and his brother, Organised Mitra Mela, a secret society which merged with
Maharashtra Abhinav Bharat (after Mazzini's ‘Young Italy’) in1904.Soon Nasik,
1899
Poona and Bombay emerged as centre of bomb manufacture
Jnanendra Nath Basu. Revolutionary group under in Midnapore
1902 Promotha Mitter Jatindra Nath Anushilan Samiti was founded in Calcutta
Banerjee, Barindra Kumar
Ghosh and others.
Barindra Kumar Ghosh, ‘Yugantar’ weekly. The Yugantar wrote: “The remedy lies with the
Bhupendranath Dutta people. The 30crore people inhabiting India must raise their 60
1906
crore hands to stop this curse of oppression.
Force must be stopped by force.”
Rashbehari Bose and Sachin Organised a secret society covering Punjab, Delhi andUnited
Sanyal Provinces. Hemachandra Kanungo went abroad for
military and political training
The Yugantar group An abortive attempt was made them on the life of a very
unpopular British official, Sir Fuller (the first Lt. Governor of the new
1907
province of Eastern Bengal and Assam; attemptsto derail the
train on which the lieutenant-governor, Sri Andrew Fraser, was
travelling.
Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Threw a bomb at a carriage supposed to be carrying a white
Bose. judge, Kingsford, in Muzaffarpur.
Ghosh brothers, Aurobindoand The whole Anushilan group was arrested in Alipore conspiracy
Barindra case /Manicktolla bomb conspiracy or Muraripukur conspiracy.
1908 Aurobindo was acquitted of allcharges but Barindra Ghosh and
Ullaskar Dut were found guilty.
Dacca Anushilan under Pulin Barrah dacoity to raise funds for revolutionary activities.
Das
1909 Anant Lakshman Kanhere, He was a member of Abhinav Bharat and killed A.M.T. Jackson,
Maharashtra the Collector of Nashik.
Rashbehari Bose and Sachin Staged a bomb attack on Viceroy Hardinge in a procession
Sanyal. Basant Kumar biswas, through Chandni Chowk, Delhi, all were convicted but
1912
Amir Chand and Avadh Behari Rashbehari Bose, known as the person behind the plan, escaped
donning a disguise.

Modern History
FIRST WORLD WAR AND NATIONALIST RESPONSE
The Home Rule League Moment:
 It was Indian response to First World War, inspired by Irish Home Rule Leagues. The aim of the
movement was self-rule through political education and discussion, public meetings etc.
 The Russian revolution 1917 gave boost to the movement.
 The government responded with severe repression, but it prepared masses for Gandhian style of
politics.
 Tilak launched the Indian Home Rule League in April 1916 at Belgaum.
 Tilak’s league was set up in April 1916 in areas of Maharashtra (excluding Bombay city),
Karnataka, Central Provinces, and Berar.
 Its demands included Swarajya, formation of linguistic states and education in the vernacular.
 Tilak advocated passive resistance.
 Annie Besant launched the Home Rule League in September 1916 at Madras.
 Annie Besant League was set up in September 1916 in Madras and covered the rest of India
(including Bombay city).
 It was loosely organized as compared to Tilak’s League.
August Declaration of 1917:
Secretary of State between 1917 and 1922 and Lord Chelmsford, India’s Viceroy between 1916 and
1921 - Montague made August Declaration of 1917 for Responsible Government.
It consisted of broadly:
Demands for self-government or home rule by nationalists can't be called seditious. Attainment of
self- government for Indians became a government policy.
The government will decide the timing and nature of progress toward responsible government.
Lucknow Pact, 1916:
Extremists were re-admitted to congress. It was the coming together of the Muslim League and the
Congress and the presentation of joint demands by them to the government.
Congress accepted league position on separate electorates.
Montagu Chelmsford Reforms:
On the basis of these reforms, Government of India Act was enacted.
Features of Government of India Act 1919:
 For Provincial Government- Governor was the executive head of the province.
 Dyarchy was introduced- two classes of administrators – Executive councilors and ministers.

Modern History
 The subjects were divided into two lists – reserved lists (governor-in charge along with his
executive councilors -law and order, irrigation, finance, land revenue, etc.) and transferred lists
(ministers in charge -education, local government, health, excise, industry, etc.)
 The Secretary of State and the Governor-General could interfere in matters under the reserved
list but this interference was restricted for the transferred list.
 The size of the provincial legislative assemblies was increased. Now about 70% of the members
were elected.
 Some women could also vote.
 The governor’s assent was required to pass any bill. He also had veto power and could issue
ordinances also.
 Central Government- The chief executive authority was the Governor-General.
 There were two lists for administration- central and provincial.
 Out of the 8 members of the Viceroy’s executive council, 3 were to be Indian members.
 The governor-general could issue ordinances. He could also certify bills that were rejected by
the central legislature.
 A bicameral legislature was set up with two houses – Legislative Assembly (forerunner of the Lok
Sabha) and the Council of State (forerunner of the Rajya Sabha).
 Legislative Assembly (Lower House)- tenure of 3 years.
 Council of State (Upper House)- Only male members with a tenure of 5 years.
 The legislators could ask questions and also vote a part of the budget.
 Only 25% of the budget was subject to vote.
 Provided for the first time- the establishment of a public service commission in India.
 Provided that after 10 years, a statutory commission would be set up to study the working of the
government. This resulted in the Simon Commission of 1927.
 The secretary of the state for India to be paid out of British exchequer.
MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar in the princely state of
Kathiawar in Gujarat.
Having studied law in England, he returned to India in 1891.
He failed as a practicing lawyer both at Rajkot and in Bombay.
Gandhiji in Africa:
In 1893, he proceeded to Natal, South Africa in relation with a case involving his client, Dada
Abdullah.
In South Africa, he witnessed apartheid (Racial discrimination against Blacks) to which Asians who
had gone to South Africa were subjected.
He decided to stay in South Africa to organize the Indian workers to enable them to fight for their
rights.
He stayed there until 1914 after which he returned to India in January 1915.

Modern History
Advent of Gandhiji in India:
M K Gandhi returned from South Africa (where he had lived for more than 20 years) to India in 1915.
On Gopal Krishna Gokhale advice and in keeping with his own style of never intervening in a
situation without studying it with great care. He decided that for the first year he would not take a
public stand on any political issue.
Initial Movements that Gandhi Participated:
Protest/Movements Important Facts

 Rajkumar Shukla invited Gandhi to look into the problems of
farmers in the context of Indigo planters in Bihar.
 Peasants were forced to grow indigo on 3/ 20th part of the land.
Champaran satyagraha (TinkathiaSystem).
1917 first civil disobedience in India  European planters demanded high rents and illegal dues to
maximise their profits.
 A committee was constituted to look into the issue, and Gandhi
was a member of the committee.
 The tinkathia system was abolished and 25 percent of the
compensation was provided. (Not full)
 Other leaders associated were- Rajendra Prasad, Mazhar-ul-
Haq, Mahadeo Desai, Narhari Parekh, J.B. Kripalani etc.
 Dispute between cotton mill owners and workers over the issue of
Ahmedabad Mill strike 1918 discontinuation of plague bonus.
1st hunger strike  Workers demanded for a rise of 50 percent in wages.
 Gandhi demanded for a 35 percent hike and took a fast unto
death.
 Anusuya Sarabhai was a social worker who invited Gandhi to fight
for workers.
 Crops failed in Kheda district of Gujarat.
 The farmers were entitled to remission according to revenue code
Kheda Satyagraha
if yield is less than 1/4th of normal produce.
1918 1st non- cooperation
 Government was adamant to the demands and ordered seizure
of property if taxes were not paid.
 Gandhi asked the farmers not to pay the taxes.
 Other leaders associated with the movement were- Sardar
Vallabhai Patel, Narhari Parekh, Shankarlal Parikh Mohanlal
Pandya etc.
 The act officially called Anarchical and Revolutionary CrimesAct.
 It recommended imprisonment of activists without trial for two
Rowlatt Act 1919
years.
1st All India Mass Strike  Gandhi called for a mass protest at all India level.
 He organized Satyagraha Sabha and roped in youngsters of
home rule leagues and Pan Islamists.
 Form of protest finally chosen included observance of a
nationwide hartal accompanied by fasting and prayer and civil
disobedience was against specific laws etc.

Modern History
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre:
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, also known as the Amritsar Massacre, took place on 13 April 1919
when troops of the British Indian Army under the command of Acting Brig-Gen Reginald Dyer fired
rifles into a crowd of Punjabis who had gathered in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar and Punjab.
The civilians had assembled for a peaceful protest to condemn the arrest and deportation of two
national leaders, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew.
This incident shocked Rabindranath Tagore (First Asian Nobel Laureate) to such extent that he
refused his knighthood that "such mass murderers aren't worthy of giving any title to anyone".
Hunter Committee:
The Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu, ordered that a committee of inquiry be formed to
investigate the matter of Jallianwala Bagh incident.
On October 14, 1919, the GOI announced the formation of the Disorders Inquiry Committee, which
came to be more widely and variously known as the Hunter Committee/ Commission.
There were three Indians among the members, namely, Sir Chimanlal Harilal Setalvad, Pandit Jagat
Narayan and Sardar Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Khan.
The report stated that the lack of notice to disperse from the Bagh in the beginning was an error;
the length of firing showed a grave error; Dyer’s motive of producing a sufficient moral effect was
to be condemned.
The Hunter Committee did not impose any penal or disciplinary action because General Dyer’s
actions were condoned by various superiors.
NON-COOPERATION AND KHILAFAT MOVEMENTS
During 1919-22, British were opposed with two mass movements:
1.Non- Cooperation Movement
2.Khilafat Movement
Non-Cooperation Movement and its Causes:
 Resentment at the British after the War: Indians thought that in return for the extensive support of
manpower and resources they had provided to Britain during the First World War, they would be
rewarded by autonomy at the end of the war. But the Government of India Act passed in 1919
was dissatisfactory. In addition, the British also passed repressive acts like the Rowlatt Act which
further angered many Indians who felt betrayed by the rulers despite their wartime support.
 Home Rule Movement: The Home Rule Movement started by Annie Besant and BalGangadhar
Tilak set the stage for the non- cooperation movement.

Modern History
 The extremists and the moderates of the INC were united and the Lucknow Pact also saw
solidarity between the Muslim League and the Congress Party. The return of the extremists gave
the INC a militant character.
 Economic hardships due to World War I: Prices of goods began to soar which affected the
common man. Peasants also suffered because the prices of agricultural products did not
increase. All this led to resentment against the government.
 The Rowlatt Act and the JallianwalaBagh Massacre: The repressive Rowlatt Act and the brutal
massacre at JallianwalaBagh, Amritsar had a profound effect on the Indian leaders and the
people. Their faith in the British system of justice was broken and the whole country rallied behind
its leaders who were pitching for a more aggressive and firmer stance against the government.
The Khilafat Movement:
 During the First World War, Turkey, which was a German ally, had fought against the British. After
Turkey’s defeat, the Ottoman caliphate was proposed to be dissolved. Muslims in India to
persuade the British government not to abolish the caliphate launched the Khilafat movement.
The leaders of
 this movement accepted the non-cooperation movement of Gandhiji and led a joint protest
against the British.
 In 1919, a khilafat committee was formed under the leadership of Ali brothers (Shaukat and
Muhammad), Maulana, Ajmal khan. Gandhi headed all India khilafat committee. The All-India
Khilafat Conference held at Delhi in November 1919, decided to withdraw all cooperation from
the Government if their demands were not met.
 The Muslim League, now under the leadership of nationalists, gave full support to the National
Congress and its agitation on political issues.
 In June 1920, an all-party conference met at Allahabad and approved a program of boycott of
schools, colleges, and law courts.
 The Khilafat Committee launched a non- cooperation movement on 31 August 1920.
 The Congress met in special session in September 1920 at Calcutta. Only a few weeks earlier it
had suffered a grievous loss- Lokamanya Tilak had passed away on 1 August at the age of 64.
 The Congress supported Gandhi’s plan for non- cooperation with the Government till the Punjab
and Khilafat wrongs were removed and Swaraj established.
 “The British people will have to beware,” declared Gandhiji at Nagpur, that if they do not want
to do justice, it will be the bounden duty of every Indian to destroy the Empire.
Chauri-Chaura incident:
 In Chauri Chaura, Uttar Pradesh, police had allegedly beaten up the group of volunteers who
were protesting against liquor sale and high food prices. Violent mob set fire to a police station
killing 22 policemen during a clash between the police and protesters of the movement.
 Gandhiji called off the movement saying people were not ready for revolt against the
government through ahimsa.
 1922 Gandhi was arrested and sentenced in jail for 6 years.
 The sudden withdrawal of the Non-cooperation movement made many nationalists to question
the strategy of nationalists and their emphasis on Non-violence.
 New communist groups with their emphasis on Marxism, socialism and proletariat.

Modern History
 Influence by the extolling articles on self-sacrifice of revolutionaries, such as Atmashakti, Sarathi

and Bijoli.
Revolutionary Activity in Provinces

Province/ Area of Name of the association / Important Facts
operation groupings/ Events
 HRA was founded in October 1924 in
Punjab- united Hindustan Republic
Kanpur.
provinces- Bihar Association (Later renamed
 RamprasadBismil, Jogesh Chandra
as Hindustan socialist
Chatterjee and sachinsanyal were the
Republic Association)
founders.
 To organise armed rebellion to overthrow
colonial government and establish federal
republic of united states of India.
 The members of HRA looted the official
Kakori, Kakori robbery incident
railway cash at Kakori.
Lucknow. 1925 HRA involved in it
 Bismil, Ashafaqullah, Roshansingh and
RajendraLahiri were hanged in the case.
 Under the leadership of Chandra
sekhar Azad.
Regrouping of HRA into  The participants include Bhagatsingh,
Feroz shah kotla
HSRA Sukhdev, BhagwatiCharnvohra, Bejoy Kumar
Sinha etc.,
 It decided to work under a collective
leadership and adopted socialism as its
official goal.
 Saunders, police official responsible for the
lathi charge in Lahore and for death of
Lahore, Saunders Murder, by
LalaLajpatrai during anti- simon commission
December HSRA revolutionaries
protest.
1928
 Bhagatsingh, Azad and Raj guru shot dead
Saunders.
 To protest against the passage of the
Public safety Bill and Trade disputes bill
Bomb in the central which are restrictive on civil liberties.
Delhi, 8th April legislative assembly  The bombs had been deliberately made
1929 harmless and were aimed at making the
‘deaf hear’.
 The objective was to get arrested and to
use the trial court as a forum for
propaganda of their ideology.
 Led by suryasen.
Chittagon, Chittagong Armoury raid by
 The plan was to occupy two main armouries
Bengal (April, Indian Republican Army-
in Chittagong to seize and supply arms to
1930) Chittagong branch
revolutionaries.
 The raid was successful and sen hoisted the
national flag and proclaimed provisional
revolutionary government.
 But later, they got arrested.

Modern History
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT
Simon Commission:
 The Indian Statutory Commission, commonly referred to as the Simon Commission, was a group
of seven British Members of Parliament under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon. The
commission arrived in British India in 1928.
 Objective: The British government appointed the Simon Commission to report on India's
constitutional progress for introducing constitutional reforms.
 The Commission was strongly opposed by many in India for a number of reasons. The commission
was seen as racist and colonialist as it had seven British members of the British Parliament and no
Indian members.
 It proposed the abolition of dyarchy and the establishment of representative government in the
provinces.
 It rejected parliamentary responsibility at the centre. The governor-general was to have
complete power to appoint the members of the cabinet.
 It recommended that separate communal electorates be retained.
Jinnah’s Fourteen Points-1929:
Federal constitution with residual powers to provinces, provincial autonomy, no constitutional

amendment without state concurrence, adequate representation in assembly and services, 1/3rd
representation in central legislative assembly, 1/3rd representation in cabinet, separate
electorates, no bills without 3/4th minority consideration, territorial distribution not to affect Muslim
majority, full religious freedom, protection of Muslim rights etc.
Irwin’s Declaration - October 31, 1929:
 It is also known as deepavali declaration

 It restated the goal of dominion status for India, as was mentioned in August declaration of
Montague, 1917.
 No timeframe was given for dominion status.
 Promised RTC after Simon Commission Report
Lahore Congress and Poorna Swaraj:
 Jawaharlal Nehru was nominated the president for the Lahore session of the Congress
(December 1929) mainly due to Gandhi’s backing.
 The following major decisions were taken at the Lahore session.
 The Round Table Conference was to be boycotted.
 Complete independence was declared as the aim of the Congress.
 Congress Working Committee was authorised to launch a programme of civil disobedience
including non-payment of taxes and all members of legislatures were asked to resign their seats.
 January 26,1930 was fixed as the Independence (Swarajya) Day, to be celebrated everywhere.
 December 31, 1929 - At midnight on the banks of River Ravi, the newly adopted tricolour flag of
freedom was hoisted by Jawaharlal Nehru amidst slogans of Inquilab Zindabad.

Modern History
Civil Disobedience Movement / Salt Satyagraha:
Gandhi presented eleven demands to the government and gave an ultimatum of January 31,
1930 to accept or reject these demands.
11 Demands made by Mahatma Gandhi from Lord Irwin, which were opposed by Nehru:
1. Prohibited intoxicants, liquor

2. Change the ratio between the rupee and the sterling.
3. Reduce the rate of land revenue,
4. Abolition of salt tax,
5. Reduce the military expenditure,
6. Reduce expenditure on civil administration,
7. Impose custom duty on foreign cloth,
8. Accept the Postal Reservation Bill,
9. Abolish the CID Department,
10. Release all Political prisoners, and
11. Issue licenses of arms to citizens for self-protection.
With no positive response from the government, Gandhi decided to launch a civil disobedience
movement, making salt Satyagraha his central theme.
Dandi March (March 12 - April 6, 1930):
 Gandhi, along with a band of seventy-eight members of Sabarmati Ashram, was to march from
his headquarters in Ahmedabad through the villages of Gujarat for 240 miles.
 On reaching the coast at Dandi, the salt law was to be violated by collecting salt from the
beach.
 Gandhi choosed salt for such a great movement:
 Salt offered a very small but psychologically important income like khadi, for the poor through
self-help.
 Salt lacked any divisive element based on class and religion.
 It was a tax which affected all Indians
 True to salt is a world that is traditionally linked to loyalty and nationalism, Gandhiji wanted to
work on this imagination.
Gandhi-Irwin Pact:
February 14, 1931 pact was signed also called as Delhi Pact, placed the Congress on an equal
footing with the government. Irwin on behalf of the government agreed on immediate release of
prisoners, remission of fines, return of land, right to make salt etc.
The viceroy, however, turned down two of Gandhi’s demands.
1) Public inquiry into police excesses.

2) Commutation of Bhagat Singh and his comrades’ death sentence to lifesentence.
Gandhi on behalf of the Congress agreed:
1) To suspend the civil disobedience movement.

Modern History
2) To participate in the next Round Table Conference.
Communal Award:
The Communal Award was announced by the British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald, on August
16, 1932.
The Communal Award, based on the findings of the Indian Franchise Committee (also called the
Lothian Committee), established separate electorates and reserved seats for minorities, (Muslims,
Europeans, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians) including the depressed classes which were
granted seventy-eight reserved seats.
Gandhi saw the Communal Award as an Attack on Indian unity and nationalism.
Poona pact:
Mahatma Gandhi went on an indefinite fast on September 20 1932 in Yeravada jail to get his
demands fulfilled.
Various leaders including B.R. Ambedkar, Madan Mohan Malviya and M.C. Rajah finally found out a
compromise with Gandhi in the form of Poona pact.
Ambedkar signed it on behalf of the depressed classes and Madan Mohan Malviya on behalf of
the Upper Caste Hindus as a means to end the fast that Gandhi was undertaking in jail.
The pact abandoned the idea of separate electorate but the seats reserved for the depressed
classes were increased from 71 to 147 in provincial legislatures and to 18 percent of the total in the
Central Legislature.
The Poona Pact was accepted by the government as an amendment to the Communal Award.
 Held in London between November, 1930 to January, 1931.

 The Indian National Congress decided not to participate in the conference.
 Muslim League sent Aga Khan III, Maulana Mohammad Jinnah, etc.
First Round Table  Some Indian princely states were also represented along with Hindu
Conference Mahasabha,Sikhs, Parsis.
 Depressed classes represented by B. R. Ambedkar etc.
 Women were represented by Begum Jahanara Shahnawaz, Radhabhai
Subbaranyan.
 Lord Irwin was the viceroy of India
 No major outcome
 In London between September 7, 1931 to December 1, 1931.
 Result of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
 Gandhi was the sole representor of the INC.
 Madan Mohan Malviya and A. Rangaswami Iyengar also there.
Second Round Table  Muslim league represented by Aga Khan III, Maulana Mohammad Jinnah.
Conference  Depressed classes by B. R. Ambedkar, Rettamalai Srinivasan, Sardar
Sampuran Singh etc.
 Sarojini Naidu participated to represent women.
 Lord Willingdon was the viceroy of India.
 A Communal Award for representing minorities in India by providing for
separate electorates for minority communities. Gandhi was against this.
 Government refused to Indian demands and talks failed.

Modern History
 Between November, 1932 to December, 1932

 Was not attended by Indian National Congress and Gandhi.
 In Britain, Labour Party decided not to attend it.
Third Round Table  Only 46 delegates in total took part in this conference.
Conference  Lord Willingdon was the viceroy of India.
 Not much was achieved in this conference also.
SECOND WORLD WAR AND NATIONALIST RESPONSE
Tripuri Crisis:
 For the 1939 elections of the President of Congress, Subhash announced his candidature.
 Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya, was the candidate supported by Gandhiji.
 The result was declared on January 29, 1939 and Subhash secured 1580 Votes. Sitaramayya got
1377 votes. Thus, Subhash winning by a narrow but clear margin.
 However, Gandhi as a personal blow took the defeat of Sitaramayya. He said “I am glad of his
(Subhash’s) victory….and since I was instrumental in inducing Dr. Pattabhi not to withdraw his
name after Maulana Azad Sahib done so; the defeat is more mine than his….”
 The Congress Working committee was still controlled by the followers of Gandhi. Thus, Subhash
might reign but could not rule.
 In March 1939, Congress met at annual session at Tripuri near Jabalpur.
 The working committee of the Congress, is not elected, but nominated by the president; the
election of the president is thus a constitutional opportunity through which the membership
expressed the nature of the leadership of the Congress.
 Subhash Bose had accused the working committee leaders of being ready to reach a
compromise with the government on the matter of federation.
 Now, those leaders felt they could not work with a president who had publicly cast doubts on
their nationalistic principles and resigned from the working committee.
 Bose in his presidential speech of Tripuri session spoke of giving 6-month ultimatum to British to
grant the independence.
 If the ultimatum was rejected, he wanted to start a civil disobedience movement.
 Gandhi, on the other hand, was firm in the belief that it was not the time for such ultimatums as
neither the Congress nor the masses were yet ready for struggle.
 Gandhi was also aware that there were communal discord and class strife and a lack of unified
vision.
 A resolution moved by Govind Ballabh Pant asking Bose to nominate CWC according to
Gandhiji’s wishes. Bose refused to do so.
 Bose wanted an immediate struggle led by Gandhi, whereas Gandhi was firm in his belief that
the time was not ripe for struggle.
 Gandhi was not willing to lead a Congress struggle based on the radical lines preferred by Bose,
even as Bose was not willing to compromise on his ideas.
 The members preferred a united Congress led by Gandhi. In this circumstance, Bose had no
other choice but to resign.
 Bose resigned from President’s post in April 1939.
 After his resignation, Rajendra Prasad became the president of congress.

Modern History
 In May, 1939: After resigning from INC, Bose and his followers formed the Forward Bloc as a new
party within the Congress
 On September 3 1939, GoI declared support for WW II without consulting Indians.
 Though Congress didn’t like it, they offered to cooperate in the war effort, with two basic
conditions:
 After the war, a constituent assembly should be convened to determine political structure of
a free India.
 Immediately, some form of a genuinely responsible government should be established at the
Centre.
 The offer was rejected by Linlithgow, the viceroy. The Congress argued that these conditions
were necessary to win public opinion for war.
Pakistan Resolution-Lahore (March 1940):
The Muslim League passed a resolution calling for “grouping of geographically contiguous areas
where Muslims are in majority (North- West, East) into independent states in which
Constituent units shall be autonomous and sovereign and adequate safeguards to Muslims where
they are in minority.
August offer:
 Due to turn of events in WW II (rapid advance of Nazi forces in Europe), congress decided to
help British if they allow to form interim government. But GoI rejected it and came up with August
offer, Dominion status as the objective for India.
 Expansion of viceroy’s executive council which would have a majority of Indians (who would be
drawn from major political parties).
 Setting up of a constituent assembly after the war where mainly Indians would decide the
constitution according to their social, economic and political conceptions, subject to fulfilment
of the obligation of the government regarding defence, minority rights, treaties with States, all
India services.
 No future constitution to be adopted without the consent of minorities.
 Responses: Nehru rejected it by saying “Dominion status concept is dead as a doornail” and
Gandhi has similar opinion. However Muslim league were happy with veto assurance.
 Evaluation: For the first time accepted: Dominion status (explicitly), Indians request to form
constituent council to frame constitution for themselves.
 In July 1941, the viceroy’s executive council was enlarged to give the Indians a majority of 8 out
of 12 for the first time, but the British remained in charge of defence, finance and home.
National Defence Council was setup with purely advisory functions.
Cripps mission:
 In March 1942, a mission headed by Stafford Cripps was sent to India with constitutional
proposals to seek Indian support for the war.
 Japan invasion was at India’s door and so India’s support was important, and even allied powers
(USA, USSR) were pressurising British for the same.
 Indian nationalists had agreed to support the Allied cause if substantial power was transferred
immediately and complete independence given after the war.

Modern History
 The Congress objected to dominion status, right of provinces to secede, retention of governor
general supremacy, no immediate transfer of power.
 Nehru and Maulana Azad were the official negotiators for the Congress.
 The Muslim League objected to-idea of a single Indian Union, did not like the machinery for the
creation of a constituent assembly, Pakistan not being explicitly offered.
 Further Churchill (British prime minister), Amery (secretary of state) Linlithgow consistently
torpedoed Cripps’s effort.
 Gandhiji called Cripps Mission as, ‘A post-dated Cheque’
Quit India Movement (1942):
 The failure of the Cripps Mission to solve the constitutional deadlock exposed Britain’s
unchanged attitude on constitutional advance.
 There was popular discontent because of rising prices and shortage of rice, salt, etc.,
 News of reverses suffered by the British in South-East Asia and an imminent British collapse
enhanced popular willingness to give expression to discontent.
 The leadership wanted to condition the masses for a possible Japanese invasion.
 In July 1942, CWC met at Wardha and Quit India Resolution adopted. It was ratified at Congress
meeting at Gowalia Tank, Bombay.
 The meeting resolved to demand an immediate end to British rule in India.
 To declare commitment of free India to defend itself against all types of Fascism and imperialism.
 To form a provisional Government of India after British withdrawal.
 To sanction a civil disobedience movement against British rule.
THE LAST DECADE OF BRITISH RULE IN INDIA
Rajagopalachari Formula (1944): (CR Plan):
 C. Rajagopalachari proposed a formula for congress- League cooperation. It was a tacit

acceptance of League’s demands for Pakistan and Gandhi supported the formula.
The main points of CR plan:
 Muslim league to endorse congress demand for Independence.

 League to cooperate with congress in forming a provisional government at Centre.
 To decide by plebiscite for the Muslim majority areas, whether or not to form a separate
sovereign state.
 In case of partition, agreement to be made jointly for safeguarding defence, commerce,
communications etc.
Wavell Plan (Shimla conference- 1945):
 The elections in England necessitated for a sincere effort on reaching a solution.

 A conference was convened by the viceroy, Lord Wavell, at Shimla in June 1945. The main
proposals of the Wavell plan were as follows,
 With the exception of governor general and commander in chief all other members in the
executive council are to be Indians.

Modern History
 Caste Hindus and Muslims were to have equal representation.

 The reconstructed council was to function as an interim government.
 Governor- General was to exercise his veto on the advice of ministers.
 Congress objected the plan as it reduced the congress as pure caste Hindu Party.
 Muslim league wanted all Muslim members to be league nominees.
Cabinet Mission Plan:
Attlee government in 1946 Secretary of State Pethick-Lawrence personally led a three-man cabinet
deputation to New Delhi with the hope of resolving the Congress–Muslim League deadlock and,
thus, of transferring British power to a single Indian administration.
Attlee’s Statement of February 20, 1947:
 June 30, 1948: A deadline for transfer of power irrespective of any situation in India.
 The British would relinquish power either to some form of central government or in some areas to
the existing provincial governments if the constituent assembly was not fully representative, i.e., if
the Muslim majority provinces did not join.
 British powers and obligations vis-a-vis the princely states would lapse with transfer of power, but
these would not be transferred to any successor government in British India.
 Mountbatten would replace Wavell as the Viceroy.
 The statement contained clear hints of partition and even Balkanisation of the country into
numerous states and was, in essence, a reversion of the Cripps Offer.
 The date was fixed by government to prevent any further escalation of constitutional crisis and
to portray British’s sincerity.
 INC was fine with the transfer of power to more than one Centre as it meant the current
government could work for its constitution. However, emboldened by this provision, Muslim
league launched civil dis-obedience movement in Punjab to overthrow coalition government in
Punjab.
 By April 1947, INC was ready for partition provided Bengal and Punjab are divided in fair manner.
Mountbatten Plan, June 3, 1947:
 The freedom-with-partition formula was coming to be widely accepted well before Mountbatten
arrived in India.
 The important points of the plan were as follows.
 Punjab and Bengal Legislative Assemblies would meet in two groups, Hindus and Muslims, to vote
for partition. If a simple majority of either group voted for partition, then these provinces would
be partitioned.
 In case of partition, two dominions and two constituent assemblies would be created.
 Sindh would take its own decision.
 Referendums in NWFP and Sylhet district of Bengal would decide the fate of these areas.
 Since the Congress had conceded a unified India, all their other points would be met, namely:
 Independence for princely states ruled out— they would join either India or Pakistan.
 Independence for Bengal ruled out.
 Accession of Hyderabad to Pakistan ruled out.
 Freedom to come on August 15, 1947.
 A boundary commission to be set up if partition was to be affected.

Modern History
Thus, the League’s demand was conceded to the extent that Pakistan would be created and the
Congress’ position on unity was considered to make Pakistan as small as possible. Mountbatten’s
formula was to divide India but retain maximum unity.
Indian Independence Act, 1947:
 On July 5, 1947 the British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act which was based on
the Mountbatten Plan. The Act was implemented on August 15, 1947. Provisions of the act are:
 The creation of two independent dominions India and Pakistan.
 A governor-general for each dominion for the effective operation of the Act.
 The constituent assembly of each new dominion was to exercise the powers of the legislature of
that dominion, and the existing Central Legislative Assembly and the Council of States were to
be automatically dissolved.
 Till formation of new constitution both dominions to act in accordance with Government of India
Act-1935.
 M.A. Jinnah became the first Governor-General of Pakistan and Mountbatten of India.
Integration of States:
 Nehru presided over the All-India State People’s Conference sessions in Udaipur (1945) and
Gwalior (April 1947). He declared that the states refusing to join the Constituent Assembly would
be treated as hostile.
 July 1947, Vallabhai Patel took charge of the new States Department and skilfully incorporated all
the states with baits and threats.
 By August 15, 1947, all states except Kashmir, Hyderabad and Junagarh had signed an
instrument of accession with the Indian government, acknowledging central authority over
defence, external affairs and communication.
 The princes agreed to this fairly easily because, they were ‘surrendering’ only what they never
had and there was no change in the internal political structure.
 Next process Involved a much more difficult process of ‘integration’ of states with neighbouring
provinces or into new units like the Kathiawar Union, Vindhya and Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan or
Himachal Pradesh along with internal constitutional changes in states which for some years
retained their old boundaries (Hyderabad, Mysore, Travancore- Cochin). This phase was
accomplished within a year.
 The principal bait offered was a generous privy purse while some princes were made governors
and Rajpramukhs in free India. This rapid political unification of the country after independence
was Patel’s greatest achievement.

Modern History
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS DURING BRITISH RULE
Acts/ Commissions Regulations/ Recommendations

This act ended patronage system and open competitive exams were initiated.
However, Indians were barred from high post.
The charter act of 1853
The belief that only the English could establish administrative services serving
British interests.
This Act reserved certain offices for covenanted civil servants but
the examination was held in England in English language, based on
classical learning of Greek and Latin.
Indian Civil Service Act
1861. The age limit was gradually reduced from 23(1859) to 19(1878)
In 1863, Satyendra Nath Tagore became the first Indian to qualify for the
Indian Civil Service.
Lytton introduced the Statutory Civil Service consisting of one-sixth of
covenanted posts to be filled by Indians of high families through
nominations by local governments subject to approval by the secretary of
Statutory Civil Service
State and the viceroy.
Age reduced from 21 to 19
Again, lord Rippon increased to 21
The Indian National Lowering of age limit for recruitment.
Congress 1885
Holding the examination simultaneously in India and Britain.
Set up by Dufferin, recommended,
Dropping of the terms ‘covenanted’ and ‘uncovenanted’;
Aitchison Committee on Classification of the civil service into
Public Services (1886)
Imperial Indian Civil Service (examination in England).
Provincial Civil Service (examination in India)
Subordinate Civil Service (examination in India) raising the age limit to 23.
Islington Commission Recommended for simultaneous examination.
Provided for simultaneous examination, and for responsible government to
be formed need more Indians in administration, and 1st examination in the
year 1922 at Allahabad.
Central public service commission was redesigned to All India Service.
Montford Reforms 1919
Recommended holding of simultaneous examination in India and England.
Recommended that one-third of recruitments be made in India itself-to be
raised annually by 1.5 per cent.
Lee Commission (1924) The secretary of state should continue to recruit.
Direct recruitment to ICS on basis of 50:50 parity between the Europeans
and the Indians be reached in 15 years.
Public Service Commission be immediately established (as laid down in the
Government of India Act, 1919).
Government of India Act, The 1935 Act recommended the establishment of a Federal Public Service
1935 Commission and Provincial Public Service Commission under their spheres.

Modern History
Regulating act 1773:
The regulating act was passed in the British parliament in June 1773. It was first parliamentary
ratification and authorization defining the power and authority of the East India company (EIC)
w.r.t its Indian possessions.
Reason for passing the act:
 Financial crisis of EIC.

 Allegation of corruption.
 The dual form of administration by Robert Clive.
Provisions of the act:
 It introduced the element of centralized administration; it did not take over the power
completely, hence regulated.
 The directors of the Company were directed to make all correspondence on revenue affairs,
civil and military matters before British government.
 In Bengal, the administration was to be carried out by governor-general and a council consisting
of 4 members, representing civil and military government.
 As per this Warren hasting appointed as Governor General of the presidency of fort William.
 Supreme Court was established at Calcutta. Judges were from England. It had civil and criminal
jurisdiction over the British subjects and not Indian Natives.
 Governor General Control over council of Bombay and Madras.
 Amendments (1781) - Jurisdiction of SC was confined to Calcutta. Immune to government
servants.
Pitt's India act, 1784:
 This act resulted in dual control of British possession in India by British government and company
with final authority resting with the government.
 The Company became a subordinate department of the State.
 It introduced Board of control who in charge of civil, military and revenue affairs, Court of
directors to trading activity.
 Governor General was given veto, Madras and Bombay presidencies became sub ordinates.
The Charter Act of 1793:
 The act continued company's trade monopoly in India for 20 more years.
 All expenses were charged on company now from the Indian revenues, was to pay 5 lakh
pounds annually to the British government.
 Governor General was given more power to override his council decision.
 The Company was empowered to give licenses to individuals as well as the Company’s
employees to trade in India. The licenses, known as ‘privilege’ or ‘country trade’, paved the way
for shipments of opium to China.
 The revenue administration was separated from the judiciary functions and this led to
disappearing of the Maal Adalats.

Modern History
 Passed by British parliament renewed the EIC charter for another 20 years.
 Defined for 1st time constitutional position of British Indian territories.
 Company's monopoly with trade ended except for trade in tea and with China.
 The regulations made by the Councils of Madras, Bombay and Calcutta were now required to
be laid before the British Parliament.
 Act allowed Christian missionary to preach their religion.
 Also called GOI act 1833 or Saint Helena act 1833.

 EIC exclusive administrative body
 Trade link with China was also ended.
 The act legalized the British colonization of the country.
 Governor General of Bengal re-designated as governor general of India. Lord William Bentinck
the first GGI.
 Bengal, Madras, Bombay and all other territories were placed under complete control of the
governor-general.
 Governor General Member’s council to have four member and fourth member with limited
power.
 Law member was added and Indian law to be codified and consolidated.
 Access to public employment for Indians irrespective of their class, caste, etc.
 Slavery was abolished.
 The Company was to continue possession of territories unless the Parliament provided otherwise.
 The law member became full time member with right to vote.
 Patronage system to civil service ended.
 COD strength was reduced to 18, 6 people were nominated by British crown.
 Separated governor general of Bengal from GGI.
 The legislative wing came to be known as the Indian Legislative Council.
Government of India act 1858:
 Shifted from company rule to crown rule.

 Changed designation from Governor general to viceroy
 New secretary of state in British parliament to supported India council.
 Lord canning first viceroy.
Indian Council Act, 1861:
 This act made significant changes in the Governor General’s council.

 Lord canning who was viceroy at the time and nominated Indians to the council.
 The portfolio system introduced by Lord Canning laid the foundations of cabinet government in
India.
 Secretary of state for India in Britain could also dissolve any act passed by governor general
council.

Modern History
 Act restored the legislative powers of governor in council of the presidencies of Madras and
Bombay.
Indian Councils Act, 1892:
 Indian National Congress (INC) was formed in 1885. There was growing feeling of nationalism
and this led the INC put fourth demand to British authorities, demand was to reform legislative
councils.
 Increased non-official members to the council, in 1894 out of 24 only 5 were Indians.
 Right to ask question on budget with, but could not ask supplementary question.
 Legislative council were empowered to make law and repeal old law with permission of
governor general.
Indian Council Act 1909:
 Popularly known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, the Act made the first attempt to bring in a
representative and popular element in the governance of the country.
 The strength Legislative Council at Centre and provinces was increased. Central 16 to 60
members and provincial level 50 members.
 The elected member would be elected indirectly.
 The member could discuss budget and move resolution and ask supplementary question.
 Satyendranath P Sinha as the first Indian member to viceroy's executive council.
 Governor General had veto power.
 The introduction of separate electorates for Muslims.
 The act is known as Montagu- Chelmsford reforms.

 Increasing Indian in every branch of administration with due progressive devolution of
responsible government
 Dyarchy was introduced at provincial level.
 Subjects were divided to reserved and transferred.
 The Indian Legislative Council at the Centre was replaced by a bicameral system.
 The principle of communal representation was extended with separate electorates for Sikhs,
Christians and Anglo-Indians, besides Muslims.
 Out of 6 members in viceroy's council 3 to be Indian.
 25% of the budget was subject to vote, rest was non votable.
 The act provides for the first time, to establish of a public service commission in India.
Simon commission (1927):
 The British Government announced the appointment of a seven-member statutory commission 2

years before the schedule. Chairman of the committee was Sir John Simon.
 The statutory committee was set up to report on the condition of India under its new.
 Constitution. However, all the members of the commission were British and hence, all the parties
boycotted the commission
 The commission submitted its report in 1930.
Recommendations:

Modern History
 Abolish dyarchy
 Extend responsible government in the provinces.
 Establishment of a federation of British India and princely states
 Continuation of communal electorate and so on.
 White Paper on Constitutional Reforms.
 The Act, with 451 clauses and 15 schedules, contemplated the establishment of an All-India
Federation in which Governors’ Provinces and the Chief Commissioners’ Provinces and those
Indian states which might accede to be united were to be included.
 Creation of all India federation
 Division of powers: - federal list, provincial list and concurrent list.
 The viceroy vested with residual power.
 Provincial autonomy, dyarchy was abolished at the provincial levels, governor head of the
executive.
 Dyarchy at the center, federal public service commission, federal court, central bank was some
of its other recommendations.
Indian Independence Act, 1947:
 On July 5, 1947 the British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act which was based on
the Mountbatten Plan.
 The Act was implemented on August 15, 1947.
 The Act provided for the creation of two independent dominions of India and Pakistan with
effect from August 15, 1947.
 Each dominion was to have a governor-general to be responsible for the effective operation of
the Act.
 The constituent assembly of each new dominion was to exercise the powers of the legislature of
that dominion, and the existing Central Legislative Assembly and the Council of States were to
be automatically dissolved.
 As per the provisions of the Indian Independence Act, 1947, Pakistan became independent on
August 14 while India got its freedom on August 15, 1947.
 M.A. Jinnah became the first Governor-General of Pakistan. India, however, decided to request
Lord Mountbatten to continue as the Governor- General of India.

Modern History
INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS SESSIONS
Year Location Facts
1st Session of INC President: W.C. Bonnerjee

1885 Bombay Lord Dufferin was the viceroy of British India.
1887 Madras BadruddinTyabji (First Muslim President of India).
1888 Allahabad George Yule was the president (First English President)
1907 Surat Congress Splits into Moderates and Extremists. Rash BehariGhosh was
the President of the session.
1911 Kolkata Jana ganamana was sung for the first time in this session. Bishan
Narayan Dhar was the President.
1916 Lucknow Joint session with Muslim league. Lucknow pact was signed.
AmbicaCharanMazumdar was the president.
1917 Kolkata Annie Beasant was the president (First women President).
1918 Bombay and Two sessions were held in this year.
Delhi
1924 Belgaum Mahatma Gandhi was the President.
1925 Kanpur Sarojini naidufirst indian women to become president of congress.
1929 Lahore Resolution for PoornaSwaraj or complete Independence. It was
presided by Jawaharlal Nehru.
1937 Faizpur First rural conference of INC. presided by Jawaharlal Nehru. Focused
on peasant’s welfare. Inducted M.N. Roy into congress.
1946 Meerut Last session before Independence and presided over by J.B. Kripalani.
1948 Jaipur First session after Independence. Presided by PattabhiSittaramayya.
GOVERNOR GENERALS AND VICEROYS OF BRITISH INDIA
Governor Generals of British India:
Governor Generals  Contributions/Important Events During their Rule

 Regulating Act of 1773.
 Act of 1781, under which the powers of jurisdiction between the governor-general-in-
council and the Supreme Court at Calcutta, were clearly divided.
 Pitt’s India Act of 1784.
 The Rohilla War of 1774.
Warren Hastings1773-
 The First Maratha War in 1775-82 and the Treaty of Salbai in 1782.
1785
 Second Mysore War in 1780-84.
 Strained relationships with Chait Singh, the Maharaja of Banaras, which ledto Hastings’
subsequent impeachment in England.
 Foundation of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (1784).
 Third Mysore War (1790-92) and Treaty of Seringapatam (1792).
 Cornwallis Code (1793) incorporating several judicial reforms, andseparation of revenue
Lord Cornwallis1786-
administration and civil jurisdiction.
1793
 Permanent Settlement of Bengal, 1793.

Modern History
 Europeanisation of administrative machinery and introduction of civilservices.

Sir John Shore1793-  Charter Act of 1793.
1798  Battle of Kharda between the Nizam and the Marathas (1795).
 Introduction of the Subsidiary Alliance System (1798); first alliancewith Nizam of
Hyderabad.
Lord Wellesley1798-
 Fourth Mysore War (1799).
1805
 Second Maratha War (1803-05).
 Took over the administration of Tanjore (1799), Surat (1800) and Carnatic(1801).
 Treaty of Bassein (1802).
Sir George Barlow  Vellore Mutiny (1806).
1805-1807
Lord Minto I1807-1813  Treaty of Amritsar with Ranjit Singh (1809).
 Anglo-Nepal War (1814-16) and the Treaty of Sagauli, 1816.
 Third Maratha War (1817-19) and dissolution of Maratha Confederacy;creation of Bombay
Lord Hastings1813-
Presidency (1818).
1823
 Strife with Pindaris (1817-1818).
 Treaty with Sindhia (1817).
 Establishment of Ryotwari System by Thomas Munro, governor ofMadras (1820).
Lord Amherst1823-  First Burmese War (1824-1826).
1828  Capture of Bharatpur (1826).
 Abolition of sati and other cruel rites (1829).
 Suppression of thugi (1830).
Lord William Bentinck
 Charter Act of 1833.
1828-1835
 Resolution of 1835, and educational reforms and introduction of Englishas the official
language.
 Annexation of Mysore (1831), Coorg (1834) and Central Cachar (1834).
 Treaty of ‘perpetual friendship’ with Ranjeet Singh.
 Abolition of the provincial courts of appeal and circuit set up by Cornwallis, appointment of
commissioners of revenue and circuit.
Lord Metcalfe 1835-  New press law removing restrictions on the press in India.
1836
Lord Auckland 1836-  First Afghan War (1838-42).
1842  Death of Ranjit Singh (1839).
Lord Ellenborough  Annexation of Sindh (1843).
1842-1844  War with Gwalior (1843).
Lord Hardinge I 1844-  First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46) and the Treaty of Lahore (1846).
1848  Social reforms including abolition of female infanticide and human sacrifice.
 Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-49) and annexation of Punjab (1849).
 Annexation of Lower Burma or Pegu (1852).
 Introduction of the Doctrine of Lapse and annexation of Satara (1848), Jaitpur and
Sambhalpur (1849), Udaipur (1852), Jhansi (1853), Nagpur (1854) and Awadh (1856).
 “Wood’s (Charles Wood, President of the Board of Control) Educational Dispatch” of 1854
and opening of Anglo-vernacular schools and government colleges.
 Railway Minute of 1853; and laying down of first railway line connecting Bombay and Thane
in 1853.
 Telegraph (4000 miles of telegraph lines to connect Calcutta with Bombay, Madras and
Lord Dalhousie 1848- Peshawar) and postal (Post Office Act, 1854) reforms.
1856  Ganges Canal declared open (1854); establishment of separate public works department
in every province.
 Widow Remarriage Act (1856).
Lord Canning 1856-  Establishment of three universities at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay in 1857.
1857  Revolt of 1857.

Modern History
Viceroys of British India:
Lord Canning  Transfer of control from East India Company to the Crown, theGovernment of India Act,
1858-1862 1858.
 ‘White Mutiny’ by European troops in 1859.
 Indian Councils Act of 1861.
Lord Elgin I1862-  Wahabi Movement
1863
Lord John  Bhutan War (1865)
Lawrence1864-  Setting up of the High Courts at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras (1865).
1869
 Opening of the Rajkot College in Kathiawar and the Mayo College at Ajmerfor political
training of Indian princes.
Lord Mayo1869-
 Establishment of Statistical Survey of India.
1872
 Establishment of Department of Agriculture and Commerce.
 Introduction of state railways.
Lord Northbrook  Visit of Prince of Wales in 1875.
1872-1876  Trial of Gaekwar of Baroda.
 Kuka Movement in Punjab.
 Famine of 1876-78 affecting Madras, Bombay, Mysore, Hyderabad, parts ofcentral India and
Punjab; appointment of Famine Commission under the presidency of Richard Strachey (1878).
Lord Lytton1876-
 Royal Titles Act (1876), Queen Victoria assuming the title of ‘Kaiser-i- Hind’ or Queen Empress of
1880
India.
 The Vernacular Press Act (1878).
 The Arms Act (1878).
 The Second Afghan War (1878-80).
 Repeal of the Vernacular Press Act (1882).
 The first Factory Act (1881) to improve labour conditions. Continuation of financial
decentralization.
Lord Ripon 1880-  Government resolution on local self-government (1882) – Ripon known as “father of Local Self
1884 Government”.
 Appointment of Education Commission under chairmanship of Sir William Hunter (1882).
 The Ilbert Bill controversy (1883-84).
 Rendition of Mysore.
Lord Dufferin 1884-  The Third Burmese War (1885-86).
1888  Establishment of the Indian National Congress.
 Factory Act (1891).
 Categorisation of civil services into imperial, provisional and subordinate.
Lord Lansdowne
 Indian Councils Act (1892).
1888-1894
 Setting up of Durand Commission (1893) to define the Durand Line
 between India and Afghanistan (now between Pakistan and Afghanistan; a small portion of the
line touches India in Pakistan occupied Kashmir).
Lord Elgin II 1894-  Two British officials assassinated by Chapekar brothers (1897).
1899
 Appointment of Police Commission (1902) under Sir Andrew Frazer to review police
administration.
 Appointment of Universities Commission (1902) and passing of Indian Universities Act (1904).
 Establishment of Department of Commerce and Industry.
 Calcutta Corporation Act (1899).
Lord Curzon 1899-
 Ancient Monuments Preservation Act (1904).
1905
 Partition of Bengal (1905).
 Curzon-Kitchener controversy.
 Younghusband’s Mission to Tibet (1904).
Lord Minto II 1905-  Popularisation of anti-partition and Swadeshi Movements.
1910  Split in Congress in the annual session of 1907 in Surat.
 Establishment of Muslim League by Aga Khan (1906).
 Creation of Bengal Presidency (like Bombay and Madras) in 1911.
 Transfer of capital from Calcutta to Delhi (1911).
 Establishment of the Hindu Mahasabha (1915) by Madan Mohan Malaviya.

Modern History
 Coronation durbar of King George V held in Delhi (1911).

Lord Hardinge II
1910-1916
 Formation of Home Rule Leagues by Annie Besant and Tilak (1916).
 Lucknow session of the Congress (1916).
 Lucknow pact between the Congress and Muslim League (1916).
 Foundation of Sabarmati Ashram (1916) after Gandhi’s return; launch of Champaran
Satyagraha (1916), Kheda Satyagraha (1918), and Satyagraha at Ahmedabad (1918).
 Montagu’s August Declaration (1917).
 Government of India Act (1919).
 The Rowlatt Act (1919).
Lord Chelmsford
 Jallianwalla Bagh massacre (1919).
1916-1921
 Launch of Non-Cooperation and Khilafat Movements.
 Foundation of Women’s University at Poona (1916) and appointment of Saddler’s Commission
(1917) for reforms in educational policy.
 Death of Tilak (August 1, 1920).
 Appointment of S.P. Sinha as governor of Bihar (the first Indian to become a governor).
 Chauri Chaura incident (February 5, 1922) and the subsequent withdrawal of Non-Cooperation
Movement.
 Moplah rebellion in Kerala (1921).
 Repeal of the Press Act of 1910 and the Rowlatt Act of 1919.
 Criminal Law Amendment Act and abolition of cotton excise.
Lord Reading
 Communal riots in Multan, Amritsar, Delhi, Aligarh, Arvi and Calcutta.
1921-1926
 Kakori train robbery (1925).
 Murder of Swami Shraddhanand (1926).
 Establishment of Swaraj Party by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru (1922).
 Decision to hold simultaneous examinations for the ICS both in Delhi and London, with effect
from 1923.
 Visit of Simon Commission to India (1928) and the boycott of the commission by the Indians.
 An All-Parties Conference held at Lucknow (1928) for suggestions for the (future) Constitution of
India, the report of which was called the Nehru Report or the Nehru Constitution.
 Appointment of the Harcourt Butler Indian States Commission (1927).
 Murder of Saunders, the assistant superintendent of police of Lahore; bomb blast in the Assembly
Hall of Delhi (1929); the Lahore Conspiracy Case and death of Jatin Das after prolonged hunger
strike (1929), and bomb accident in train in Delhi (1929).
 Lahore session of the Congress (1929); Purna Swaraj Resolution.
 Dandi March (March 12, 1930) by Gandhi to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Lord Irwin 1926-  ‘Deepavali Declaration’ by Lord Irwin (1929).
1931  Boycott of the First Round Table Conference (1930).
 Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) and suspension of Civil Disobedience Movement.
 Second Round Table Conference (1931) and failure of the conference, resumption of Civil
Disobedience Movement.
 Announcement of Communal Award (1932) under which separate communal electorates were
set up.
 ‘Fast unto death’ by Gandhi in Yerawada prison, broken after the Poona Pact (1932).
 Third Round Table Conference (1932).
Lord Willingdon  Launch of Individual Civil Disobedience (1933).
1931-1936  The Government of India Act of 1935.
 Establishment of All India Kisan Sabha (1936) and Congress Socialist Party by Acharya Narendra
Dev and Jayaprakash Narayan (1934).
 Burma separated from India (1935).
 First general elections (1936-37); Congress attained absolute majority.
 Resignation of the Congress ministries after the outbreak of the Second World War (1939).
 Subhash Chandra Bose elected as the president of Congress at the fifty-first session of the
Congress (1938).
 Resignation of Bose in 1939 and formation of the Forward Bloc (1939).
 Lahore Resolution (March 1940) by the Muslim League, demand for separate state for Muslims.
 ‘August Offer’ (1940) by the viceroy; its criticism by the Congress and endorsement by the
Muslim League.
Lord Linlithgow
 Winston Churchill elected prime minister of England (1940).
1936-1944
 Escape of Subhash Chandra Bose from India (1941) and organisation of the Indian National
Army.
 Cripps Mission’s Cripps Plan to offer dominion status to India and setting up of a Constituent
Assembly; its rejection by the Congress.

Modern History
 Passing of the ‘Quit India Resolution’ by the Congress (1942); outbreak of ‘August Revolution’; or
Revolt of 1942 after the arrest of national leaders.
 ‘Divide and Quit’ slogan at the Karachi session (1944) of the Muslim League.
 C. Rajagopalachari’s CR Formula (1944), failure of Gandhi- Jinnah talks (1944).
 Wavell Plan and the Shimla Conference (1942).
 End of Second World War (1945).
 Proposals of the Cabinet Mission (1946) and its acceptance by the Congress.
 Observance of ‘Direct Action Day’ (August 16, 1948) by the Muslim League.
Lord Wavell 1944-
 Elections to the Constituent Assembly, formation of Interim Government by the Congress
1947
(September 1946).
 Announcement of end of British rule in India by Clement Attlee (prime minister of England) on
February 20, 1947.
 June Third Plan (June 3, 1947) announced.
 Introduction of Indian Independence Bill in the House of Commons.
Lord Mountbatten
 Appointment of two boundary commissions under Sir Cyril Radcliff for the partition of Bengal and
1947-1948
Punjab.
DEVELOPMENT OF PRESS
Law/ act Features

 It was enacted by Lord Wellesley to prevent French from spreading rumourswhich
could harm British.
 Enacted in anticipation of French invasions.
 According to this, every newspaper should contain the names of the printer,editor
and proprietor.
Censorship of PressAct,
 Before printing anything, it should be submitted to the secretary ofCensorship.
1799
 War time restrictions and pre-censorship.
 Removed by Hastings in 1818.
 It was enacted by John Adams.

 Mainly against Indian Language (vernacular) newspapers.
 Penal offence to start a newspaper without license.
 Covered Newspapers, Journals, Pamplets, Books.
 Every publisher was required to get a license from the government.
 In case of default, the penalty was Rs 400 and the press would be ceased by the
Licensing Regulations, government.
1823  Government has the right to cancel the license also.
 Note: The restrictions were directed mainly to Indian language newspaper orthose
edited by the Indians like Mirat-ul-Akbar (which was published by Raja
 Ram Mohan Roy) had to stop its publication.
 It was enacted by Charles Metcalfe, also called Liberator of Indian press,repealed

1823 rules by John Adams.
Press Act/MetcalfeAct,
 This continued till 1856 which led to the growth of the newspaper in India.
1835
 Registration of the Press.
 Every Publisher to give the precise information of the premises of the publication.
 Due to emergency caused by the revolt of 1857, the government-imposed licensing
instructions on the procedure laid in the Press act of 1835.
 The government even reserved the right to stop publication and circulation
Licensing Act, 1857  of the book, newspaper or printed matter.
 Licensing restrictions in addition to the already existing registration process.
 Government had powers to stop publication of any newspaper.

Modern History
 It replaced the Press act of 1835 or Metcalfe’s Act.

 Regulative and restrictive in nature.
Registration Act, 1867
 Copy of a book to given to the local government within one month of publication.
 Every book to have the name and place of the printer or publisher.
 Lord Lytton was responsible for this act.

 Discriminated between Vernacular and English newspapers.
 The vernacular press (local language press) used to criticize British rule. Therefore, they
came down heavily to curb vernacular press in 1878.
 It was nicknamed ‘Gagging Act’.
 According to this, Magistrates were authorized to ask any publisher of newspaper to
give assurance of not publishing anything threatening peace and security in the
country.
 No right to appeal. Magistrate decision was final in any dispute.
Vernacular Press  This law was not applicable to the English press.
Act/Gagging Act, 1878  This law was not applicable to the English press.
 This Act empowered the government to issue search warrants and enter newspaper
premises even without court orders.
 Under this, Surendra Nath Banerjee was the first Indian journalist to be imprisoned for
criticizing a judge of Calcutta high court in 1883.
 Bal Gangadhar Tilak was mostly associated with the nationalist fight for the freedom of
the press.
 He was related to building up nationalist sentiment through Ganpati (1893) and Shivaji
(1896) festivals and newspaper Kesari (in Marathi) and Maratha (in English).
 The Gagging law was repealed in 1882 by Lord Ripon.
 Directed against Extremist activity.
 Magistrate with powers to confiscate property of press that incite violence.
 Tilak tried for sedition and sent to Mandalay Jail for 6 years under this act.
Newspaper (Incitement to  Magistrates were empowered to confiscate printing press or property connected to
Offences) Act, 1908 the newspaper, which published objectionable material like incitement to murder or
acts of violence.
 Newspapers were allowed to appeal in high court within 15 days.
 Had features of Vernacular Press Act, 1878.
 This measure was put into effect in order to curtail and restrict the emerging Indian
Freedom Struggle, particularly during the arrival of World War I.
 It empowered the local government to demand a security deposit of Rs. 500 to Rs.
2000 which could be forfeited, and its registration cancelled owing to the printing of
Indian Press Act, 1910
any objectionable material.
 NOTE: Press Committee chaired by Tej Bahadur Sapru, 1921 recommended repeal of
1908 and 1910 Acts.
 Impact of Gandhian movement provoked the government to issue an ordinance in
1930.
 Powers to provincial governments to suppress any activity under Civil Disobedience
Indian Press (Emergency Movement.
Powers) Act, 1931  Provincial governments were given the power to suppress the press.
 In 1932, provisions of the act further amplified in the form of criminal amendment act.
 During the 2nd World War pre-censorship reinforced and amended under the Press
emergent Act in 1931 and official secrets Act.
 Under this act, Congress and its activities were declared illegal.
 Registration of journalist was made compulsory.
 Messages regarding civil disturbances and news regarding acts of sabotage were
Press regulating Act, 1942:
restricted.
 There were limitations on headlines and space given to news on disturbances.
 The government had authority on arbitrary censorship.

Modern History
DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION:
Year Committee Recommendations

Calcutta  By Warren Hastings
1781 Madrasah
 Study of Muslim Laws
Sanskrit  Study of Hindu law and philosophy.
1791 College
 By Johnathan Duncan
 By Wellesley
Fort William  Training of Civil servants in Indian laws and customs.
1800 College
 Closed in 1802
1813 Charter Act  1 Lakh rupees annually for the promotion of modern sciences’education.
Lord  Favored Anglicists (Oriental vs Anglicist Controversy withinthe General
1835 Macaulay’s
Committee on Public Instruction).
Minutes
 Teaching of Western Sciences and Literature in English.
 Neglect of Mass Education.
 Downward Filtration theory.
James  Village Education.
Thompson,
1843- (Lieutenant  Vernacular Language.
53 Governor, NW  To train personnel for Revenue and Public Works Department.
Provinces)
 Magna Carta of English Education in India.
 Government to take up the responsibility for the Education of masses.
 Hierarchy of Educational Institutions
Wood’s  Stress on Female, Vocational Education and teachers’ training.
Dispatch  Secular Education in Government Institutions.
 Grants-in-aid to encourage private education.
1854  Medium Instruction English in higher studies and vernaculars in school
level.
 Affiliating universities in the presidency towns of Calcutta, Bombay and
Madras.
 Earlier schemes had neglected primary and secondary education. When
education was shifted to provinces in 1870, primary and secondary
education further suffered because the provinces already had limited
resources at their disposal.
Hunter  Commission focused on primary and secondary education.
Commission
 Primary Education in Vernacular.
1882-  District and Municipal Boards to control Primary Education.
83  Secondary (High Schools) with two Divisions- Literary and Vocational.
 Stressed on problems with Female education especially outside
Presidency towns.
 Spur in private Education institutes thus quality of Education had
deteriorated and educational institutions acted as factories for producing
political revolutionaries.
 Based on Raleigh Commission (1902).
 Focused on University Education.
 Focus on Research and study.
Indian  Number and duration of fellows reduced.
Universities Act
(By Curzon)  Most fellows nominated by Government.
1904  Government to veto/amend/pass Universities Senate’s
regulations.
 Stricter private affiliations norms.

Modern History
 5 lakh/annum for improvement of Higher and University Education.
 Note: The nationalists saw in it an attempt to strengthen

 imperialism and to sabotage nationalist feelings. Gokhale called it a
“retrograde measure”.
 Reason: In 1906, the progressive state of Baroda introduced compulsory
Government primary education throughout its territories.
Resolution on  Policy of removal of illiteracy and urged provincial
1913
Education  governments to take steps to Provide free elementary education to the
Policy poorer and more backward sections.
 Study and report on problems of Calcutta University. Its recommendations
Saddler were applicable more or less to other universities also.
1917- University  For the improvement of university education, improvement of secondary
19 Commission
education was a necessary pre- condition.
 Focus from school to university Education.
 12- year curriculum in Schools.
 Separate Board for Secondary and Intermediate.
 Focus on Female, scientific, technical and Teachers’ training.
 University to be centralized, unitary-residential- teaching autonomous
body.
 Less rigidity in framing university regulations.
 The Hartog Committee was set up to report on development of
Hartog education
Committee  Focus on Primary Education, but no compulsory education.
1929  Selective admissions in Universities to improve quality.
 Only deserving students to go for high school and college others to be
diverted vocational course.
 The objective was to create within 40 years, the same Level of educational
attainment as prevailed in England.
 3-6 years age group- pre- primary education 6-11-free, universal and
compulsory elementary education.
Sergeant Plan  High school education for 11- 17 years age group for selected children, and
of Education a university course of 3 years after higher secondary.
 Adequate technical, commercial and arts education.
1944  Abolition of intermediate course.
 Liquidation of adult illiteracy in 20 years.
 Commission laid stress on teachers’ training, physical education, education
for the physically and mentally handicapped.

Modern History
PROMINENT PERSONALITIES IN INDIAN HISTORY
Personalities Contributions Books and other Publications

 In January 1890 founded the Poona New
English School.
 He started two
 Associated in the formation of Deccan
Newspapers entitled ‘The
Educational Society and foundation of
Maharatta’ (English) and
Fergusson College, Poona.
‘Kesari’ (Marathi).
 He started akharas, lathi clubs and Anti-
 His books: The Arctic
cow-killing societies.
Home of the Vedas and
 Celebrated Sivaji and Ganapati festivals to
Gita Rahasya
inculcate the spirit of service to the nation.
 Tried for sedition in Muzaffur Bomb case and
imprisoned
 Played a leading role in organizing extremist
Bal Gangadhar party.
Tilak, 1856-1920  He declared “Swaraj is my birthright “.
 He was called as ‘Father of Unrest in India’
by Britishers.
 He opposed intervention of British in social
reforms and believed in educating public
opinion to bring social reforms.
 He set up Home Rule League at Poona in
1916.
 He edited The Panjabee,
 Known as sher-i-Punjab.
The BandeMatram and the
 Associated in the foundation of D.A.V
English Weekly, The People.
College.
 Involved in the formation of Swaraj party.
 LajpatRai entered the central legislature as
Lala Lajpat Rai,
a Swarajists.
1865- 1928
 He cooperated with Malaviya in organizing
Hindu Sangathan Movement.
 His books are:
 He is known as ‘Father of Revolutionary
 Indian Nationalism.
thoughts ‘in India.
 Nationality and Empire.
 He belonged to LalBal Pal trio that was
 Swaraj and the present
associated with revolutionary activity.
Bipan Chandra situation.
 He is a chief exponent of Swadeshi, Boycott
Pal (1858-1932)  The Basis of social reform
and National Movement.
 The soul of India.
 He worked for Bengal Public
opinion, The Tribune and
New India.
 Karmayogin in English and
 He is a philosopher, yogi, guru and
Dharma in Bengali.
nationalist.
 Philosophical magazine
 Attended the 1906 congress meeting
namedArya.
headed by DadabhaiNaoroji and
participated in formulating four Objective: His books are:
Sri Aurobindo
Swaraj, Swadesh, Boycott and National
Ghosh (1872-  The Life divine.
education.
1950)  The synthesis of yoga.
 He was arrested in 1908 in connection with
 Essays on the Gita.
Alipore Bombay case.
 The secret of the Veda
 Converted from politics into spirituality
 He is a socialist, theosophist, women’s rights
activist, writer and supporter of Indian Self-
rule.
 In 1907 she became president of
theosophical society.

Modern History
 She launched home rule league in India to

campaign for democracy in India and
Annie Beasant dominion status within British Empire.
(1847-  She started a central Hindu School in
Benares.
1933)
 Associated with Malaviyya in establishing
Benares Hindu University in 1917.
 First women president of congress
 Some of his writings:
 Indian revolutionary, radical activist,
 Beyond communism.
political activist, philosopher and humanist.
 Poverty or plenty
 He was founder of communist party of India
 India’s Message.
at Tashkent.
 A political biography.
 He was instrumental in establishment of
 The historical role of Islam.
Radical Democratic Party in the year 1940.
 Science and Philosophy.
 Developed a philosophy ofRadical
M.N. Roy  Radical Humanist.
Humanism
 Reason, Romanticism and
Revolution.
Short Notes IAS Team Wishes you All the Best
* ** * *

Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Short Notes IAS PQRN Indian History Puaird - 4787 - 1681447014

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

Short Notes IAS PQRN Indian History Puaird - 4787 - 1681447014

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Short Notes IAS PQRN Indian History Puaird - 4787 - 1681447014

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Shortnotesias.com registered this copy to Harish , allbyyourgrace@gmail.

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Vijayanagar Empire ...................................................................................................................................................... 28

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

We wish you all the Best.

Short Notes IAS

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

 The term Paleolithic was coined by archaeologist John Lubbock in 1865.

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Northern-most site - Manda (Jammu-Kashmir), Southern-most site - Daimabad (Maharashtra),

Important findings at Mahenjo-Daro:

 The famous bronze dancing girl.

Important findings at Kalibangan:

 The oldest ploughed field.

 Discovered in 1953 by S Rao.

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Early Vedic Period:

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

LATER VEDIC PERIOD

Shruti and Smriti:

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Currently, only Vedanta and Yoga are in tradition.

 Ayurveda: Deals in Medicine and associated with the Rigveda.

Different Bhakti Vedanta:

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Vedic religion was overloaded by complex rituals, exaggeration, Brahminic supremacy,

Four Noble Truths:

Dukkha Samudaya (Cause of sorrow): Desire is the cause of sorrow.

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Eight Fold Path:

Important Points to be Noted:

 Dharmakirti is a Teacher at Nalanda who is called as ‘kant of india’

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Five Doctrines of Jainism:

 Ahimsa: Non-injury to a living being.

 It mainly aims at the attainment of liberation, for which no ritual is required.

 Monks of this sect wear white clothes.

Other Important Points:

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

 Spies of the kingdom are known as Gudhapurushas.

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Naneghat inscription, Nasik Inscription, Hatigumpa inscription of Kharavela, Erragudi inscription of

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Important Officers in Gupta Period:

 Mahanandanayaka - Justice Delivery.

Chandalas were made to reside outside village settlements.

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Revise Important Terminology:

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

Telegram @ShortNotesIAS https://shortnotesias.com

 Foreign traveller Al-Masudi had visited Pratihara empire.

 Pala founder Gopala built Odantapuri in Bihar for Buddhist monks.