Nationalism in India

Introduction

The Indian national movement was a broad-based struggle against British colonial rule. Unlike European nationalism, Indian nationalism was anti-colonial — it arose in opposition to foreign domination. This chapter covers the key movements led by Mahatma Gandhi, the role of various social groups, and the contributions of Andhra Pradesh's own freedom fighters.

NOTE: This file covers the national movement with fresh detail. A separate file called indian-freedom-movement.md exists in the same directory and covers the broader freedom struggle. This chapter focuses on the Gandhian phase and AP-specific contributions.

1. The First World War and Its Impact on India

The First World War (1914–18) created conditions that led to the rise of nationalism in India.

• Economic hardship: Heavy war taxes, rising prices, and forced recruitment into the army caused widespread suffering.
• Growth of political awareness: Soldiers who fought overseas returned with new ideas about democracy and self-rule.
• Demand for self-government: Indian leaders expected rewards for their loyalty during the war. Instead, the British passed repressive laws.

Key point: The war exposed the contradiction of Britain fighting for democracy in Europe while denying it in India.

2. The Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

• Rowlatt Act (1919): Allowed the British to imprison Indians without trial. This was seen as a 'Black Act'.
• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (13 April 1919): General Dyer ordered troops to fire on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar, killing hundreds.
• Impact: The massacre shocked the nation and convinced many Indians that the British could not be trusted.

3. The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)

Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920 as the first mass movement against British rule.

Causes

• Khilafat Issue: The British abolished the Caliphate (Khilafat) in Turkey, angering Indian Muslims. The Ali brothers (Shaukat and Muhammad Ali) led the Khilafat Movement.
• Jallianwala Bagh: Demanded justice for the massacre.
• Rowlatt Act: Opposed the repressive law.

Key Features

• Surrender of titles and honours
• Boycott of legislative councils, courts, and government schools
• Boycott of foreign goods and promotion of khadi
• Non-violent civil disobedience

Impact

• Thousands of students left government schools.
• Lawyers like Motilal Nehru and C.R. Das gave up their practices.
• Foreign cloth was burnt publicly.
• In AP, the movement saw widespread participation. Students boycotted schools, and foreign goods were burnt in towns like Vijayawada, Guntur, and Visakhapatnam.

Why Was It Called Off?

The movement was called off in February 1922 after the Chauri Chaura incident in Uttar Pradesh, where a violent mob set a police station on fire, killing 22 policemen. Gandhi felt the movement was turning violent.

Common mistake: Students confuse Non-Cooperation (1920-22) with Civil Disobedience (1930-34). Remember: Non-Cooperation came first and was called off after Chauri Chaura.

4. The Simon Commission (1928)

• The British government sent the Simon Commission to India to recommend constitutional reforms.
• No Indian member — all seven members were British.
• Boycott: Indians protested with the slogan 'Simon Go Back' .
• In AP, Lala Lajpat Rai's death due to a lathi charge during the Simon Commission protest sparked outrage.

5. The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934)

This was Gandhi's second major mass movement, focused on breaking unjust British laws.

The Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) — 12 March to 6 April 1930

• Gandhi marched 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi on the Gujarat coast.
• At Dandi, he broke the salt law by making salt from seawater.
• Significance: Salt was a symbol — every Indian, rich or poor, consumed salt and was taxed on it. By breaking the salt law, Gandhi challenged British authority in a simple, non-violent way.

Features of the Movement

• Boycott of foreign cloth and liquor
• No-tax campaigns — especially in Gujarat (Kheda) and Maharashtra
• Refusal to pay revenue — especially in Andhra's Godavari and Krishna delta regions
• Forest Satyagraha — peasants protested against forest laws in the Central Provinces and Andhra

Response of the British

• Gandhi was arrested in May 1930.
• Over 90,000 Indians were imprisoned.
• The movement was called off in 1931 with the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.

6. The Round Table Conferences

Exam Tip: The Second Round Table Conference is the most important. Gandhi claimed to represent all Indians, but B.R. Ambedkar demanded separate electorates for Dalits.

7. The Poona Pact (1932)

• The British announced the Communal Award, granting separate electorates for Dalits ('Depressed Classes').
• Gandhi began a fast unto death in Yerwada Jail, arguing that separate electorates would divide Hindu society.
• Ambedkar-Gandhi Pact: Ambedkar agreed to reserved seats instead of separate electorates.

8. The Quit India Movement (1942)

Causes

• Failure of the Cripps Mission (1942) — Britain offered limited self-government after the war, which was rejected.
• Heavy war burdens on Indians during World War II.
• Rising prices and shortage of food.

Key Features

• 'Do or Die' — Gandhi's call at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay (8 August 1942).
• Immediate arrest of Congress leaders.
• Underground movements: Leaders like Ram Manohar Lohia and Aruna Asaf Ali continued the struggle.
• Parallel governments: Formed in some regions like Ballia, Satara, and parts of Andhra.

In Andhra Pradesh

• Parallel governments were set up in Palnadu, Paritala (near Vijayawada), and Guntur.
• Local leaders used guerrilla tactics to disrupt British administration.
• Students, peasants, and women participated in large numbers.

9. Role of Subhas Chandra Bose and the INA

• Bose formed the Indian National Army (INA) with Japanese support in Southeast Asia.
• The INA fought the British in Burma (Myanmar) and Northeast India (Imphal, Kohima).
• Slogan: 'Give me blood, and I will give you freedom.'
• Impact: The INA trials (Red Fort, 1945) sparked massive public sympathy and weakened British will to keep India.

10. The Muslim League and the Demand for Partition

• Formation of Muslim League (1906): Initially loyal to the British.
• Two-Nation Theory: Muhammad Ali Jinnah argued that Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations.
• Lahore Resolution (1940): Demanded separate states for Muslims (Pakistan).
• Post-War: After the failure of the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946), partition became inevitable.

11. AP Freedom Fighters

Tanguturi Prakasam

• Known as 'Andhra Kesari' (Lion of Andhra).
• First Chief Minister of Andhra State (1953).
• Participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement and gave up his lucrative law practice.
• Led the 'No-Tax Campaign' in Andhra.

Alluri Sitarama Raju

• Led the Rampa Rebellion (1922–24) in the tribal areas of Godavari.
• Used guerrilla warfare against the British.
• Inspired by the Non-Cooperation Movement but followed a militant path.
• Execution: He was shot dead by the British in 1924 at the age of 27, becoming a martyr.

Potti Sriramulu

• Fasted unto death for the creation of a separate Andhra state (1952).
• His death led to massive protests, forcing Prime Minister Nehru to announce the formation of Andhra State.
• Significance: He proved that non-violent protest could achieve political goals.

AP Board Focus: Questions on AP freedom fighters (Tanguturi Prakasam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Potti Sriramulu) are common in the AP Board exam. Expect 2-mark or 5-mark questions.

12. Summary of Key Dates

13. Quick Self-Test (with Answers)

Q1: What was the main reason for calling off the Non-Cooperation Movement? A1: The Chauri Chaura incident (1922), where a violent mob burned a police station.

Q2: Why was the Simon Commission boycotted? A2: It had no Indian member — 'Simon Go Back'.

Q3: What was the significance of the Dandi March? A3: It broke the salt law, symbolised defiance of British authority, and launched the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Q4: Who was 'Andhra Kesari'? A4: Tanguturi Prakasam.

Q5: What was the Poona Pact? A5: An agreement between Gandhi and Ambedkar where Ambedkar accepted reserved seats for Dalits instead of separate electorates.

Q6: What was the slogan of the Quit India Movement? A6: 'Do or Die'.

Q7: Who led the Rampa Rebellion in Andhra? A7: Alluri Sitarama Raju.

Q8: How did Potti Sriramulu contribute to the formation of Andhra State? A8: He fasted unto death in 1952 for the creation of a separate Andhra state. His death led to the formation of Andhra State in 1953.

Q9: What was the Lahore Resolution of 1940? A9: The Muslim League's demand for separate states for Muslims.

Q10: What role did the INA play in India's independence? A10: The INA fought the British in Burma and Northeast India. Its trials in 1945 sparked nationwide sympathy that weakened British control.

14. AP Board Exam Focus