The Congress session in Lahore in 1929 had a significant impact on shaping the concept of an independent India. Describe.
The nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase (1917-1947) witnessed the active participation and contributions of various voices that strengthened and enriched the struggle for India's independence. Some of the key voices that played a crucial role during this period are: Women's Participation:Read more
The nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase (1917-1947) witnessed the active participation and contributions of various voices that strengthened and enriched the struggle for India’s independence. Some of the key voices that played a crucial role during this period are:
Women’s Participation:
Prominent women leaders like Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi, Aruna Asaf Ali, and Vijaylakshmi Pandit took active part in the civil disobedience, non-cooperation, and Quit India movements.
Their participation not only brought gender parity to the nationalist struggle but also highlighted the issues of women’s rights and empowerment.
Radical Revolutionaries:
Figures like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Subhash Chandra Bose advocated for a more aggressive, armed struggle against the British.
Their revolutionary activities and martyrdom inspired the youth and infused a sense of urgency in the nationalist movement.
Socialist and Communist Voices:
Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Jayaprakash Narayan, and Rammanohar Lohia introduced socialist and Marxist ideologies to the nationalist discourse.
They highlighted the need to address the economic and social inequalities prevalent in the Indian society.
Dalit Assertion:
B.R. Ambedkar emerged as a powerful voice for the rights of the Dalits and the marginalized sections of the society.
His struggle against caste-based discrimination and the demand for a separate electorate for the Dalits strengthened the inclusive nature of the nationalist movement.
Regional Movements:
Leaders like E.V. Ramaswamy (Periyar) in Tamil Nadu, the Kokilamedu Revolt in Kerala, and the Tebhaga movement in Bengal represented the diverse regional aspirations and assertion of local identities.
These movements enriched the nationalist narrative by highlighting the need for accommodating regional diversities.
The confluence of these diverse voices, each with its unique perspective and approach, strengthened the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. It evolved the movement into a broad-based, inclusive struggle that addressed the varied concerns of the Indian people, ultimately leading to the achievement of independence.
The 1929 Lahore session of Congress happened in the backdrop of several important events that had prepared a foundation for launching the next stage of Indian freedom struggle i.e., demand of “Poorna Swaraj”. The Government of India Act, 1919 caused discontentment with the British policies further cRead more
The 1929 Lahore session of Congress happened in the backdrop of several important events that had prepared a foundation for launching the next stage of Indian freedom struggle i.e., demand of “Poorna Swaraj”. The Government of India Act, 1919 caused discontentment with the British policies further compounded by the all-white Simon Commission of 1927. Lord Birkenhead had challenged the nationalists to draft a constitution that was acceptable to all. Also, the session took place amidst the breakdown of negotiations between leaders of the freedom movement and the British over the question of dominion status as Lord Irwin retraced back on his declaration that India would be granted dominion status in future. He changed his stance after backlash in England and said that he could not promise dominion status anytime soon. The key highlights of the 1929 session, which make it a defining moment in India’s freedom struggle and shaped the vision for an independent India in following ways:
Hence, the 1929 Lahore session heralded a new phase of political struggle and ideology. The Indian nationalists unambiguously upheld the principles of self-rule and self-determination by adopting Poorna Swaraj, which reinvigorated the freedom struggle from time to time and was a major causative factor for the events that unfolded till 1947.
See less