India's Freedom Movement, Schemes and Mind Maps of Political Sociology

Download India's Freedom Movement and more Schemes and Mind Maps Political Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! MODULE - 1 India and the World through Ages 167 Indian National Movement SOCIAL SCIENCE Notes 8 INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT In the last few lessons, you have been reading about the history of our civilization starting from the Pre-historic Age till the modern period. You have travelled down to this lesson on India’s Freedom Movement. Don’t you think it was a very interesting journey? You read how people lived in jungles, used crude stones to protect themselves, and got food by killing animals. You also read about the Bronze Age when metals were discovered and were used for cutting down small forests and also how its use made life more comfortable. This led us to the Iron Age and the beginning of Industrialization. You read how as society grew, some people became more powerful than the others. You also read how money and land became a source of greed for powerful nations. This led to protest and resistance against states and nations who tried to control the others by exploiting the natural and human resources and by ruling over them ruthlessly. One of these states happened to be our own county India. You shall read about India’s long struggle for freedom in this lesson. OBJECTIVES After reading this lesson you will be able to:  identify the causes that led the rise of Nationalism in India  trace the emergence of Indian National Congress  discuss the various stages of the National Movement in India  list the names of prominent leaders of the Indian National Movement  discuss the role of Gandhi in this Movement 8.1 ORIGIN OF NATIONALISM The rise of Nationalism is reflected in the spirit of Renaissance in Europe when freedom from religious restrictions led to the enhancement of national identity. This expression of Nationalism was furthered by the French Revolution. The political SOCIAL SCIENCE MODULE - 1 Indian National Movement India and the World through Ages 168 Notes changes resulted in the passing of sovereignty from the hands of an absolute monarch to the French citizens, who had the power to constitute the nation and shape its destiny. The watchwords of the French Revolution - Liberty, Equality and Fraternity - inspired the whole world. Many other revolutions like the American Revolution, the Russian Revolution, etc. (about which you have already read in Lesson 3) also strengthened the idea of Nationalism. In this lesson, you will read about the rise of Nationalism in India which emerged in the 19th Century after the revolt of 1857. 8.1.1 Rise of Nationalism in India For India, the making of national identity was a long process whose roots can be drawn from the ancient era. India as a whole had been ruled by emperors like Ashoka and Samudragupta in ancient times and Akbar to Aurangzeb in Medieval times. But, it was only in the 19th Century that the concept of a national identity and national consciousness emerged. This growth was intimately connected to the anti-colonial movement about which you have already read in lesson 4. The social, economic and political factors had inspired the people to define and achieve their national identity. People began discovering their unity in the process of their struggle against colonialism. The sense of being oppressed under colonial rule provided a shared bond that tied different groups together. Each class and group felt the effects of colonialism differently. Their experiences were varied, and their notions of freedom were not always the same. Several other causes also contributed towards the rise and growth of Nationalism. One set of laws of British Government across several regions led to political and administrative unity. This strengthened the concept of citizenship and one nation among Indians. Do you remember reading the lesson Popular Resistance Movements? Do you remember the way the peasants and the tribals rebelled when their lands and their right to livelihood was taken away? Similarly this economic exploitation by the British agitated other people to unite and react against British Government’s control over their lives and resources. The social and religious reform movements of the 19th century also contributed to the feeling of Nationalism. Do you remember reading about Swami Vivekananda, Annie Besant, Henry Derozio and many others? They revived the glory of ancient India, created faith among the people in their religion and culture and thus gave the message of love for their motherland. The intellectual and spiritual side of Nationalism was voiced by persons like Bankim Chandra Chatterji, Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Aurobindo Ghosh. Bankim Chandra’s hymn to the Motherland, ‘Vande Matram’ became the rallying cry of patriotic nationalists. It inspired generations to supreme self-sacrifice. Simultaneously, it created a fear in the minds of the British. The impact was so strong that the British had to ban the song. Similarly, Swami Vivekananda’s message to the people, “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached”, appealed to the Indians. It acted as a potent force in the course of Indian Nationalism. MODULE - 1 India and the World through Ages 171 Indian National Movement SOCIAL SCIENCE Notes suppress the rising Nationalism in India. This was evident from what he did in 1905 about which you will read in the next section. 8.3. PARTITION OF BENGAL (1905) What do you think happened in1905? Curzon announced the partition of Bengal. The reason for partition was given as an attempt to improve administration. But the real aim was to ‘Divide and Rule’. The partition was done in order to create a separate State for Muslims and so introduce the poison of communalism in the country. However the Indians viewed the partition as an attempt by the British to disrupt the growing national movement in Bengal and divide the Hindus and Muslims of the region. Widespread agitation ensued in the streets and in the press. People of different parts of India opposed the partition of Bengal all over the country. This opposition was carried on by organized meetings, processions and demonstrations etc. Hindus and Muslims tied ‘rakhi’ on each other’s hands to show their unity and their protest. ACTIVITY 8.1 (Do you know what ‘rakhi’is? Write a paragragraph on it. Connect it with the Indian festival of Raksha Bandhan.) The use of Swadeshi (made in our own country by our own people) goods, business, national education and Indian languages were encouraged. The new nationalist spirit of self reliance- shed the fear of repression including imprisonment and painful torture by the British rule. It was Bal Gangadhar Tilak who realized the importance of boycott as a weapon that could be used to paralyze the whole British administrative machinery in India. The boycott and Swadeshi movements were instrumental in the establishment of swadeshi enterprises - textile mills, banks, hosiery, tanneries, chemical works and insurance companies. Swadeshi stores were opened. Volunteers supplied goods at the doorstep of every household. The movement spread to all classes and groups of people. Everyone, including women and children, came forward to take part. The most active were school and college students. This made the British reverse the partition of Bengal and unite it in 1911. During this time, the role of Radical Nationalists in the Indian National Congress, who were called the ‘Garam Dal’, came to be appreciated. They tried to involve people from all classes and groups including peasants, worker, students as well as women. They succeeded in uniting the Indian people against the common enemy - the British. The young people were roused to the highest level of patriotism and zeal to free their country. They helped in making people self confident and self reliant. They also revived the Indian Cottage industry. SOCIAL SCIENCE MODULE - 1 Indian National Movement India and the World through Ages 172 Notes 8.4 THE RISE OF RADICAL NATIONALISTS The mild policies of the Moderates in the Congress led to the rise of passionate, radical nationalists, who came to be called the ‘Garam Dal’. Thus the first phase of the nationalist movement came to an end with government reaction against the Congress on the one hand and a split in the Congress in 1907 on the other. That is why the period after 1905 till 1918 can be referred to as the ‘Era of Passionate Nationalists or Garam Dal’. Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal (Lal-Bal-Pal) were important leaders of this Radical group. When the Moderates were in the forefront of the action, they had maintained a low profile but now they swung into action. Their entry marked the beginning of a new trend and a new face in India’s struggle for freedom. According to them, the Moderates had failed to define India’s political goals and the methods adopted by them were mild and ineffective. Besides, the Moderates remained confined to the upper, landed class and failed to enlist mass support as a basis for negotiating with the British. Figure 8.2 Lal-Bal-Pal The Garam Dal realized that the British were out to exploit Indians, destroy their self-sufficiency and drain India of its wealth. They felt that Indians should now become free of foreign rule and govern themselves. This group, instead of making petitions to the government, believed in organizing mass protests, criticizing government policies, boycotting foreign goods and use of Swadeshi (home-made) goods etc. They did not believe in depending on the mercy of the Britishers, but believed that freedom was their right. Bal Gangadhar Tilak gave a slogan ‘Freedom is our birth right and we must have it’. In 1916 the two groups were again united with the efforts of Mrs. Annie Besant. Do you remember reading about her in an earlier lesson? She started working for MODULE - 1 India and the World through Ages 173 Indian National Movement SOCIAL SCIENCE Notes the Home rule movement in 1914. She was convinced that India should be granted Self-Government. In 1916, Muslim League and Congress also came to an understanding with each other and signed the Lucknow Pact. Later, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose became the eminent figures of Indian National Congress, who led the freedom movement of India forward. ACTIVITY 8.2 Prepare a time line of the events of the history of Indian National Congress from its establishment to Independence. Collect photographs related to it and arrange them on this chart. 8.5 FORMATION OF THE MUSLIM LEAGUE (1906) As the radical movement grew stronger the British began to look for ways and means to break the unity among Indian. They tried to do this through the partition of Bengal and by sowing the seed of communalism among Indian people. They motivated Muslims to form a permanent political association of their own. In December, 1906, during the Muhammadan Educational conference in Dacca, Nawab Salim Ullah Khan raised the idea of establishing a Central Muhammadan Association to take care of Muslim interests. Accordingly, on 30th December, 1906, the All India Muslim League was founded. Another prominent person, Aga Khan was chosen as its president. The main objective of the league was to protect and advance the rights of Muslims in India and represent their needs to the government. By encouraging the issue of separate electorates, the government sowed the seed of communalism and separatism among Indians. The formation of the Muslim League is considered to be the first fruit of the British master strategy of ‘Divide and Rule’. Mohammad Ali Jinnah later joined the League. 8.6 MORLEY-MINTO REFORMS (1909) Do you remember reading about the Indian Councils Act 1892, which enlarged the legislature by adding members to the Central Legislative Assembly? The Council Act of 1909 was an extension of the 1892 reforms, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms after the names of the then Secretary of State (Lord Morley) and the then Viceroy (Lord Minto). It increased the members of the Legislative Assembly from sixteen to sixty. A few non-elected members were also added. Though the members of the Legislative Council were increased, they had no real powers. They remained mainly advisory in character. They could not stop any bills from being passed. Nor did they have any power over the budget. SOCIAL SCIENCE MODULE - 1 Indian National Movement India and the World through Ages 176 Notes Figure 8.3 Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi 3. What were the differences between the Moderates and the Radicals? 4. Why did the Indian leaders support the British during the First World War? 5. Why was the Khilafat movement against British rule? 8.8 EMERGENCE OF GANDHI Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi was a lawyer, trained in Britain. He went to South Africa in 1893 and resided there for twenty one years. The treatment of the Indians in South Africa by the British provoked his conscience. He decided to fight against the policy of racial discrimination of the South African Government. During the course of his struggle against the government he evolved the technique of Satyagraha (non-violent insistence for truth and justice). Gandhi succeeded in this struggle in South Africa. He returned to India in 1915. In 1916, he founded the Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmedabad to practice the ideas of truth and non-violence. Gopal Krishna Gokhale advised him to tour the country mainly in the villages to understand the people and their problems. His first experiment in Satyagraha began at Champaran in Bihar in 1917 when he inspired the peasants to struggle against the oppressive plantation system. He also organised a satyagraha to support the peasants of the Kheda districts of Gujarat. These peasants were not able to pay their revenue because of crop failure and epidemics. In Ahmedabad, he organized a movement amongst cotton mill workers. ACTIVITY 8.4 You are requested by the peasant community to contact Gandhiji and invite him to visit Champaran. Write a letter to him explaining the conditions of the peasants there and what you would like him to do for these people. 8.8.1 The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) Gandhiji by this time, was convinced that no useful purpose would be served by supporting the government. He was also emboldened by his earlier success in Bihar In the light of the past events and the actions of British government, he decided to launch a nationwide satyagraha against the proposed Rowlatt Act in 1919. He threatened to start the non-cooperation movement in case the government failed to accept his demands. Why do you think Gandhiji protested against the Act? It was because the Act gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities MODULE - 1 India and the World through Ages 177 Indian National Movement SOCIAL SCIENCE Notes and allowed detention of political prisoners without any trial for two years. Gandhiji wanted non violent civil disobedience against such unjust laws. The government paid no heed to it. Gandhiji, therefore, started his non-cooperation movement in August 1920, in which he appealed to the people not to cooperate with the British government. At this time, the Khilafat movement started by the Muslims and the Non- cooperation movement led by Gandhi merged into one common confrontation against the British Government. For this Gandhi laid down an elaborate programme- (1) Surrender of titles and honorary offices as well as resignation from nominated seats in local bodies; (2) refusal to attend official and non-official functions; (3) gradual withdrawal of children from officially controlled schools and colleges; (4) gradual boycott of British courts by lawyers and litigants; (5) refusal on the part of the military, clerical and labouring classes to offer themselves as recruits for service in Mesopotamia; (6) boycott of elections to the legislative council by candidates and voters; (7) boycott of foreign goods and National schools and colleges. Later, it was supplemented with a constructive programme which had three principal features: (1) promotion of ‘Swadeshi’, particularly hand-spinning and weaving; (2) Removal of untouchability among Hindus; (3) promotion of Hindu-Muslim unity. Due to this appeal of Gandhiji, an unusual frenzy overtook the country. A large number of people, dropping their differences, took part in this movement. Over two-thirds of the voters abstained from taking part in the elections to the Council, held in November, 1920. Thousands of students and teachers left their schools and colleges and new Indian educational centers were started by them. Lawyers like Moti Lal Figure 8.4 Gandhi during National Movement SOCIAL SCIENCE MODULE - 1 Indian National Movement India and the World through Ages 178 Notes Nehru, C. R. Das, C. Rajagopalachari and Asif Ali boycotted the courts. Legislative Assemblies were also boycotted. Foreign goods were boycotted and the clothes were put on bonfire. But, during this movement some incidents took place that did not match with the views of Gandhiji. The non-violent Non-Cooperation Movement, which started auspiciously, was marked by violence in August, 1921. The government started taking serious action. Prominent leaders were arrested. In two months, nearly 30,000 people were imprisoned. The outbreak of violence cautioned Gandhi. Mob violence took place on February 9, 1922, at Chauri Chaura village, in Gorakhpur district of UP. This was followed by more violence at Bareilly. Gandhi suspended his non- cooperation on February 14, 1922. He was arrested at Ahmadabad on March 18, 1922, and sentenced to six years simple imprisonment. The non-cooperation movement failed to achieve success, yet it succeeded to prepare a platform for the future movements. After taking back the Non-Cooperation movement, Gandhiji and his followers were busy in creative activities in village areas. By this he gave the message to the people to remove the cast based animosity. ACTIVITY 8.5 In 1922, Gandhiji suspended his non-cooperation movement after Chauri Chaura incident, even when the movement was on its peak. Many people criticized the decision of Gandhi ji. Imagine that you were a journalist at that time and you got an assignment to interview Mahatma Gandhi just after this movement. Write an imaginary dialogue of your discussions with Mahatma Gandhi asking him to justify his decision. C. R. Das, Motilal Nehru and other like minded persons hatched out a novel plan of non-cooperation from within the reformed councils. They formed the Swaraj Party on January 01, 1923. C. R. Das was the president of the party and Motilal Nehru the Secretary. The party was described as ‘a party within the Congress’ and not a rival organization. But, they could neither end nor amend the Act of 1919. In 1927, British government appointed a commission under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon. The Commission was appointed to study the reforms of 1919 and suggest further measures for Constitutional reforms. The Commission had no Indian member in it. The Indians boycotted this all-White commission. Therefore, when this Commission arrived in India, it faced protests all over the country. Black flags were shown, demonstrations and Hartals took place all over the country and the cry of ‘Simon go back’ was heard. These demonstrators were lathi charged at a number of places by the British Police. Lala Lajpat Rai was severely assaulted by the police MODULE - 1 India and the World through Ages 181 Indian National Movement SOCIAL SCIENCE Notes hanged in 1931. Their sacrifice provided an incentive to the people. They were regarded martyrs and became the symbol of national unity and aspirations. Bhagat Singh Sukh Deo Raj Guru Chandra Shekhar Azad Figure 8.6 ACTIVITY 8.6 Gather a collection of movies based on Indian Nationalism. See those movies and identify the major issues of Nationalism raised through them. Do these movies really play an important role in sensitizing us towards Nationalism? Put your thoughts down in your diary and discuss this with your family and friends. 8.10 THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIALIST IDEAS A significant feature of the twentieth century was the development of Socialist ideas in Congress and outside it. Peasants now started asking for land reforms, abolition of zamindari system and reduction in the revenue and debt relief. The All India Trade Union Congress which was founded in 1920 worked towards improvement in the workers’ working and living condition. It mobilized the workers to the cause of complete independence which helped the movement to be broad based. Some of the prominent socialist and communist leaders were M.N. Roy, S.A. Dange, Abani Mukhopadhyaya, Nalini Gupta, Muzaffar Ahmed, Shaukat Usmani, Gulam Hussain, Singaravelu Chettair, G.M. Adhikari and P.C. Joshi. They outlined the course of the revolution through transformation of individual strike into a general political strike, the development of spontaneous peasant movements, a nationwide movement for complete independence, as well as the spread of revolutionary propaganda amongst the police and the army. Struggle against imperialism was the rallying slogan. In 1936, when Nehru was the President of the Congress, he declared at the Lucknow Session that the solution to India’s problems lay in the adoption of socialist ideas. Nehru was deeply influenced by Karl Marx. Even Subhash Chandra Bose was influenced by socialist ideas. Because of differences with Gandhi, Bose resigned from the Congress and formed his own ‘Forward Bloc’. SOCIAL SCIENCE MODULE - 1 Indian National Movement India and the World through Ages 182 Notes 8.11 THE COMMUNAL DIVIDE The policy of divide and rule was inaugurated right in the days of East India Company when the Britishers were establishing themselves as rulers of India. You have read how the Company set one Indian ruler against the other and ultimately it became the undisputable ruler. You have seen that, in the latter half of the 19th Century, Nationalism started growing. Now the British government found it prudent to vitalize their policies of divide and rule and drive a wedge between the Hindus and Muslims. The British had looked upon the Muslims with disfavor and suspicion since the revolt of 1857. But now they realized that in order to counteract the growing Nationalism, time had come to appease the Muslims. The Government seized every opportunity to set the Indians against one another on the basis of religion and creating hostility between them. Ultimately, in accordance with this policy, separate electorates for Muslims were established. You have read about the formation of the Muslims League which sowed the seeds of communalism. You will remember that the league had been formed on the encouragement of British officials. The Communal Award of 1932 was a continuance of this policy, because it allowed separate electorates and reservation of seats to the depressed classes also. Separate electorates were first demanded by the Muslims in 1906 and introduced for them under the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1907. This was done with a view to building up Muslim communalism as a counterpoise against Indian Nationalism. Under the Montford Reforms (1919) they were extended for Sikhs, Europeans, Anglo-Indians, Indian Christians, etc. Under the Act of 1935 seventeen separate electorates were constituted. In reality, communal electorates were an unmixed evil. They hampered the growth of national unity. The two-nation theory appeared in 1938 and was clearly communicated by Jinnah in 1940. Once, the demand for Pakistan was made, it received direct and indirect encouragement from British authorities. The immediate cause of the emergence of the demand for Pakistan was the refusal of the Congress to form coalition ministries after the elections of 1937. The county seemed to be drifting towards anarchy and ruin. Under the circumstances, partition was accepted as a ‘necessary evil’, the only way of getting rid of British rule and preventing a complete breakdown of law and order. INTEXT QUESTIONS 8.2 1. How was Satyagraha different from the other protests? 2. Why was Simon Commission boycotted by Indians? Give two reasons. 3. Why did Gandhi withdraw the non-cooperation movement? 4. How was the approach of revolutionaries different from the others? 5. What do you understand by ‘Purna-Swaraj’? 6. How was communal divide in India promoted by the British? MODULE - 1 India and the World through Ages 183 Indian National Movement SOCIAL SCIENCE Notes 8.12 ACHIEVEMENT OF INDEPENDENCE (1935-47) The British Government prepared a White Paper in March, 1933. On the basis of this White Paper, a Bill was prepared and introduced in parliament in December, 1934. The Bill was finally passed as the Government of India Act on August 2, 1935. The most conspicuous feature of the Act of 1935 was the concept of an All India Federation comprising the Provinces of British India and the Princely States. It was compulsory for the Provinces to join the proposed federation. For the Princely States it was voluntary. The members from the provinces were to be elected, while the representatives of the States were to be nominated by the rulers. Only 14 percent of the population in British India had the right to vote. The powers of the Legislature were confined and restricted. It had no control over defense and foreign relations. The Act protected British vested interests, discouraging the emergence of national unity, rather encouraging separation and communalism. All nationalists, including Nehru and Jinnah, condemned the Act. The Congress session met in Lucknow on 25th April, 1935. Though the Act was condemned, it was decided to contest the elections to resist British imperialism and to end the various regulations, ordinances and Acts, which were initiated against Indian Nationalism. In the 1937 elections the Congress swept the poll. Congress Ministries were formed in seven out of the eleven provinces. On March 18, 1937, the All India Congress Committee adopted a resolution on Congress policies in the legislatures. It claimed that the Congress had contested the elections “with its objective of independence and its total rejection of the new constitution, and the demand for a Constituent Assembly to frame India’s constitution. The declared Congress policy was to combat the New Act and end it”. The immediate effect of the coming of the Congress Ministries was a feeling of relief. Political prisoners were released and a large measure of civil liberty was established. Agrarian legislation was also passed and this provided considerable relief to the peasantry. Basic education was intended to be made free and compulsory for every child. 8.12.1 National Movement during the Second World War When the Second World War broke out in 1939, the Congress attitude was one of sympathy, though it refused unconditional cooperation. The Congress demanded that “India must be declared an independent union, and present application must be given to this status to the largest possible extent”. The British did not agree and as a result all the ministries resigned in protest in 1939. A demand for Provisional National Government at the Centre was made at the instance of C. Rajagopalachari in 1940. It was turned down by the Viceroy Lord Linlithgow. In October, 1940 was launched the Civil Disobedience Campaign. Acharya Vinoba Bhave was the first to offer individual Satyagraha. SOCIAL SCIENCE MODULE - 1 Indian National Movement India and the World through Ages 186 Notes movements of historical significance. It demonstrated the depth of national sentiments and indicated the capacity of the Indian people for sacrifice and determined struggle. After this movement there was no retreat. Independence of India was no longer a matter of bargain. It was to be a reality. Figure 8.8 Quit India Movement (August, 1942) At the end of the World War in 1945, the British government started to talk about the transfer of power to Indian Hindus and Muslims. The first round of talks could not be successful because Muslim leaders thought that the Muslim League was the only one who could represent Indian Muslims. The Congress did not agree upon it. In 1946, the Cabinet Mission arrived in India to find a mutually agreed solution of the Indian Problem. The Mission held talks with the leaders of all prominent political parties and then proposed its plan of establishing Federal Government in India. Initially the plan was criticized by all political parties, but later all gave their consent to it. When the election to the Constituent Assembly took place, the Congress won one hundred ninety nine seats and the Muslim league won seventy three. 8.12.3 Partition and Independence of India Differences soon arose between the Congress and the Muslim League concerning the powers of the Constituent Assembly. The League rejected the Cabinet Mission Plan in the middle of 1946. In September 1946, the Congress formed the government at the Centre. The League refused to be a part to it. Muslim League celebrated this day as a ‘Direct Action Day’ on 16th August 1946 to attain Pakistan. The conflict MODULE - 1 India and the World through Ages 187 Indian National Movement SOCIAL SCIENCE Notes resulted in widespread communal riots in different parts of India. Thousands were killed in the riots, lacks of people became homeless. In the mean time, Lord Mountbatten was sent as the Viceroy to India. He put up his plan in June 1947 which included partition of India. In spite of strong opposition by Gandhi, all the parties agreed to the partition and the Indian Independence Act, 1947 came into being. It created two independent states in the Indian sub-continent, i.e. Indian Union and Pakistan. India got its independence on 15th August, 1947. At the stroke of mid- night (14th -15th August, 1947), transfer of power took place. ACTIVITY 8.7 Imagine you were chosen by the British government as a member of the Cabinet Mission to talk to the members of the Indian National Congress and Muslim League and discuss how to transfer power after independence. Make a list of proposals that you would present before them? INTEXT QUESTIONS 8.3 1. Write two basic features of the Act of 1935. 2. What was the demand of Muslim League? 3. What led to the participation of Congress in the elections after 1935? 4. Why were the Indian leaders concerned about the British presence in India during the Second World War? 5. What were the major causes of the partition of India? WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT?  Renaissance, the French Revolution, American Revolution, Russian Revolution had promoted the idea of Nationalism in the world.  Anti-colonial movement led to the rise of Nationalism in India in 19th Century. The contemporary social and religious reform movements also contributed to the rise of feelings of Nationalism.  Indian National Congress was founded in 1985 only to communicate with British government on behalf of the Indian people and voice their grievances. SOCIAL SCIENCE MODULE - 1 Indian National Movement India and the World through Ages 188 Notes  In 1905, Lord Curzon announced the partition of Bengal. The Indians viewed the partition as an attempt by the British to disrupt the growing national movement in Bengal and divide the Hindus and Muslims of the region.  In 1906, Muslim League was formed in Dacca with the objective to protect and advance the rights of Muslims in India and represent their needs to the government.  Difference in ideas led to split in Congress in 1907. Two groups i.e. Moderates (Naram Dal) and Radicals (Garam Dal) were formed.  In the First World War, Indian leaders agreed to help the British Government on the condition that the latter would give Constitutional powers to Indians after the war.  Gandhiji successfully experimented with the technique of Satyagraha in South Africa as well as Champaran, Kheda and Ahmadabad in India.  Gandhiji started the mass movement in India against the British policies. He was the leader who could encourage and involve all sections of society in this movement.  The revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Sukhdeo, etc. chose the path of aggressive movement against the British government.  The seed of communal divide in India, sowed by the British, led to the future consequence of partition.  The struggle for Independence was carried on by Subhash Chandra Bose from abroad. He became the leader of Indian National Army to liberate India from British.  The Quit India movement paved the way for India’s freedom. It was the final call from Gandhiji to ‘Do or Die’.  Muslim League demanded the formation of Pakistan for Muslims which led to the partition. India got its freedom on 15th August, 1947. TERMINAL QUESTIONS 1. In the initial years of its existence, what types of demands were put by the Indian National Congress before the British government? 2. Why was Lord Curzon interested in the partition of Bengal? 3. What was the significance of the Satyagrah of Gandhi in Africa? What was the nature of his Satyagraha in India? MODULE -2 India : Natural Environment, Resources and Development 9. Physiography of India 10. Climate 11. Bio-diversity 12. Agriculture in India 13. Transport and Communication 14. Population : Our Greatest Resource