Growth of Militant Nationalism & Revolutionary Activities (1905-1918)

The Indian independence movement, which spanned from the early 19th century to the mid-20th century, was marked by diverse strategies employed by revolutionaries to achieve their goal of freedom from British colonial rule. Key among these strategies were bomb attacks, political assassinations, and armed uprisings.

Bomb Attacks:

• Early 20th century: The Indian revolutionary movement, inspired by the Russian Revolution, saw the use of bomb attacks as a means to target British colonial authorities. Notable examples include the Chittagong Armoury Raid (1930) and the Lahore Conspiracy Case (1929).
• Recent Examples:
  • Bhima Koregaon Violence (2017): A group of Dalit activists, including intellectuals and artists, were attacked in Bhima Koregaon, Maharashtra, leading to allegations of violence and conspiracy.
  • Gauri Lankesh Assassination (2017): Gauri Lankesh, a journalist and activist, was assassinated in Bengaluru, Karnataka, allegedly by a group of Hindu extremists.

Political Assassinations:

• Early 20th century: The Indian National Army (INA) and other extremist groups targeted British officials and collaborators in India. Notable examples include the Assassination of Sir Charles Cleveland (1915) and the Assassination of Lord Hardinge (1912).
• Recent Examples:
  • M.M. Kalburgi Assassination (2015): M.M. Kalburgi, a historian and critic of Hindutva ideology, was assassinated in Dharwad, Karnataka.
  • Gyanendra Pandey Assassination Attempt (2019): Gyanendra Pandey, a historian and critic of Hindutva ideology, was attacked in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Armed Uprisings:

• Early 20th century: The Indian National Army (INA) and other extremist groups launched armed uprisings against British colonial rule. Notable examples include the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and the Chittagong Uprising (1930).
• Recent Examples:
  • Naxalite Insurgency: The Naxalite movement, a communist-inspired insurgency, has been active in various parts of India since the 1960s.
  • Kashmir Insurgency: The Kashmir insurgency has been ongoing since the 1990s, with various militant groups fighting against Indian rule.

Key Points:

• Diverse Strategies: Revolutionaries employed diverse strategies to achieve their goal of independence, including bomb attacks, political assassinations, and armed uprisings.
• Contextual Significance: Each strategy was used in response to specific historical contexts and events.
• Recent Examples: The use of bomb attacks, political assassinations, and armed uprisings continues to be a feature of contemporary Indian politics.

Significance of the Morley-Minto Reforms:

The Morley-Minto Reforms, introduced in 1909, aimed to address the growing nationalist movement in India by making some concessions to the Indian people. The reforms were significant because they:

• Introduced the concept of separate electorates: The reforms introduced separate electorates for Muslims, which led to the creation of a Muslim minority community that was distinct from the rest of Indian society.
• Expanded the franchise: The reforms expanded the franchise, allowing more Indians to participate in the electoral process.
• Created a new system of provincial government: The reforms created a new system of provincial government, giving more autonomy to Indian provinces.

Impact on Nationalist Movement:

The Morley-Minto Reforms had a significant impact on the nationalist movement:

• Increased nationalist sentiment: The reforms increased nationalist sentiment, as Indians felt that they were not being treated as equals by the British government.
• Growing discontent among moderates: The reforms created growing discontent among moderates, who felt that the British government was not making sufficient concessions to India.
• Rise of extremism: The reforms led to the rise of extremism, as some Indians began to question the morality of non-cooperation and turned to more radical methods.

The Home Rule Movement:

The Home Rule Movement, led by Tilak and Annie Besant, emerged in response to the Morley-Minto Reforms. The movement aimed to:

• Demand complete self-government: The movement demanded complete self-government for India, rather than just limited autonomy.
• Conduct mass mobilization: The movement conducted mass mobilization, using various forms of protest and demonstration to put pressure on the British government.

Key Points:

• The Morley-Minto Reforms marked a significant turning point in Indian history: The reforms introduced new concepts and systems that had far-reaching implications for Indian politics and society.
• The Home Rule Movement was a response to the Morley-Minto Reforms: The movement emerged as a result of the growing discontent among Indians with the British government’s treatment of India.
• The Home Rule Movement marked a shift towards more radical methods: The movement marked a shift towards more radical methods, as some Indians began to question the morality of non-cooperation and turned to more extreme methods.

Role of Revolutionary Organizations in Armed Struggle

The Indian freedom movement witnessed the rise of several revolutionary organizations that played a crucial role in the armed struggle against colonial rule.

Two prominent examples are the Anushilan Samiti and the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

Anushilan Samiti:

Established in 1906 by Barindra Kumar Ghosh, the Anushilan Samiti was a revolutionary organization that aimed to overthrow British colonial rule through armed struggle. The organization was responsible for several notable acts of terrorism, including the assassination of Sir Andrew Fraser, a British governor, and the murder of British officials and planters. The Samiti’s ideology was influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and the writings of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Key Points:

• Radical Ideology: The Anushilan Samiti was characterized by its radical ideology, which emphasized the use of violence and terrorism to achieve independence.
• Notable Members: The organization had several notable members, including Bhupendra Nath Datta, who was a key figure in the movement.
• Armed Activities: The Samiti was involved in several armed activities, including assassinations and bombings.

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA):

Founded in 1928 by Chandrasekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh, the HSRA was a revolutionary organization that aimed to overthrow British colonial rule through armed struggle. The organization was responsible for several notable acts of terrorism, including the assassination of British officials and the bombing of government buildings.

Key Points:

• Radical Ideology: The HSRA was characterized by its radical ideology, which emphasized the need for revolution and violence to achieve independence.
• Notable Members: The organization had several notable members, including Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, who were executed for their involvement in revolutionary activities.
• Armed Activities: The HSRA was involved in several armed activities, including assassinations and bombings.

Recent Examples:

In recent years, there have been several instances of militant activism in India, often linked to separatist movements or demands for greater autonomy. For example:

• Naxalite Movement: The Naxalite movement, which originated in the 1960s, has continued to evolve over the years, with groups like the Communist Party of India (Maoist) engaging in armed struggle against the government.
• Kashmir Insurgency: The Kashmir insurgency has seen several instances of militant activity, including attacks on security forces and civilians.

Key Points:

• Continuing Legacy: The legacy of revolutionary organizations like the Anushilan Samiti and HSRA continues to influence militant activism in India.
• Complex Issues: The causes of militant activism are often complex and multifaceted, involving issues like poverty, inequality, and political marginalization.
• Government Response: The government’s response to militant activism has often been characterized by a mix of military action and attempts at dialogue and reconciliation.

The Significance of Attaining Self-Government in the Provinces

The attainment of self-government in the provinces was a crucial step in the Indian nationalist movement. It marked a significant shift towards decentralization and autonomy, which had a profound impact on the nationalist aspirations of the Indian people.

Key Points:

• Decentralization and Autonomy: The attainment of self-government in the provinces allowed for greater decentralization and autonomy, enabling the provinces to govern themselves to a certain extent.
• Increased Representation: The Indian Councils Act of 1909 and the Government of India Act of 1915 introduced more representation in the provincial governments, giving Indians a greater say in the administration of their own affairs.
• Growing Nationalist Sentiment: The increased participation of Indians in provincial governance led to a growing sense of nationalism and pride among the people.
• Economic Development: The provincial governments were able to implement policies that benefited their local economies, such as the development of agriculture, industry, and infrastructure.

Consequent Impact on Nationalist Aspirations:

• Boost to Nationalist Movement: The attainment of self-government in the provinces gave a significant boost to the nationalist movement, as it demonstrated that Indians were capable of governing themselves.
• Growing Confidence: The increased participation of Indians in provincial governance led to growing confidence among the people, which further strengthened the nationalist movement.
• Nationalist Leadership: The provincial governments provided a platform for nationalist leaders to emerge and demonstrate their skills and abilities.

Recent Examples:

• Tamil Nadu’s Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC): Established in 1998, TNERC is an independent regulatory body that has been instrumental in promoting transparency and accountability in the power sector.
• Kerala’s Left Democratic Front (LDF): Elected in 2016, the LDF government has been committed to implementing progressive policies, such as universal healthcare and free education.
• Uttar Pradesh’s Samajwadi Party (SP) Government: Elected in 2012, the SP government implemented several populist measures, including the distribution of free laptops and smartphones.