History Theory Notes
I. Medieval Indian History Snippets
Sufism:
Tasawwuf: Represents the mystical dimension of Islam.
Emphasizes introspection and achieving spiritual closeness to God.
Sama: A Sufi practice involving the recitation or listening to sacred songs and devotional music.
Bhakti Movement:
Pushtimarg: A Krishna-centered Bhakti sect.
Founded by Vallabhacharya.
Follows the philosophy of Shuddha Advaita (Pure Nondualism).
Emphasizes 'seva' (service) and adoration ('pushti' - grace) of Krishna.
Regional Dynasties:
Ahom Dynasty (Assam):
King Swargadeo Promotta Singha constructed the Rang Ghar, one of Asia's oldest surviving amphitheatres.
Suryavamsi Gajapati Dynasty (Orissa & Andhra, 15th Century):
Founded by Kapilendra Deva.
Ruled parts of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh from approximately 1434-1466 CE.
Architecture:
Pishtaq: A Persian architectural term.
Refers to a tall, monumental gateway, often rectangular, framing an arched opening.
Common feature in Islamic architecture, seen in mosques, palaces, and tombs.
Other Key Figures/Events:
Hafiz: A renowned Iranian poet of the 14th century.
His collection of poems is known as the 'Diwan' or 'Diwan-e-Hafiz'.
His poetry primarily consists of Ghazals written in Persian.
Islam:
Founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE.
Currently the world's second-largest religion after Christianity.
Nizam of Hyderabad (as of 1947):
Osman Ali Khan was the last ruling Nizam.
He ruled the princely state of Hyderabad from 1911 until its accession to India in 1948.
Sikkim: Merged with India in 1975, becoming the country's 22nd state.
King Mahabali: A legendary and benevolent Asura king, deeply revered in Kerala, associated with the festival of Onam.
II. Early European Powers in India
Portuguese:
Francisco de Almeida: Appointed as the first Portuguese Viceroy of India in 1505.
Known for implementing the 'Blue Water Policy', focusing on controlling the Indian Ocean sea lanes.
Afonso de Albuquerque: Succeeded Almeida; captured Goa from the Sultanate of Bijapur (Adil Shahis) in 1510.
Duarte Barbosa: A Portuguese writer and official who visited India c. 1500-1516.
Authored 'The Book of Duarte Barbosa', detailing trade, society, and culture in South India.
The Portuguese trade introduced Indian cotton textiles to Europe, leading to the term "calico" (from Calicut).
Established their first factory in Calicut (Kerala) in 1500.
Vasco da Gama: Successfully discovered the direct sea route from Europe to India by sailing around the Cape of Good Hope.
Landed in Calicut in 1498 during the reign of the local ruler, the Zamorin.
French:
Established several colonies: Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam (Coromandel Coast), Mahe (Malabar Coast), and Chandernagor (Bengal).
Chandannagar (Chandernagore): Trading post established in 1673 with permission from Mughal governor Ibrahim Khan.
Captured by the British under Robert Clive in the Battle of Chandernagore (1757).
Pondicherry (Puducherry): Captured by the British EIC in 1761.
Achieved de facto freedom from French rule on November 1, 1954 (de jure transfer later).
Governor Joseph Francois Dupleix: Known for effectively using the strategy of subsidiary alliances before the British.
Fort Saint Louis: A major French fortification in Pondicherry, built under the direction of Francois Martin.
British East India Company (EIC):
Granted a Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I on December 31, 1600, giving it a monopoly on trade with the East Indies.
Company's first ships arrived at Surat in 1608.
Established a temporary factory at Masulipattam (Machilipatnam) in 1611.
Set up its first permanent factory in Surat in 1613.
Established an important factory on the banks of the River Hugli in Bengal in 1651.
EIC Army Terminology: Sawar (cavalryman), Musket (infantry firearm).
Dutch:
Established their first factory in India at Masulipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) in 1605.
III. Expansion and Consolidation of British Rule
Key Battles:
Battle of Plassey (June 23, 1757):
Fought between the British EIC (led by Robert Clive) and Siraj-ud-Daulah (Nawab of Bengal), aided by French troops.
Decisive EIC victory, marking the beginning of Company rule in Bengal and significant British influence in India.
Battle of Buxar (October 22, 1764):
Fought between the British EIC (led by Hector Munro) and the combined forces of Mir Qasim (deposed Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daulah (Nawab of Awadh), and Shah Alam II (Mughal Emperor).
Comprehensive EIC victory.
Resulted in the Treaty of Allahabad (1765), granting the Diwani (revenue rights) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the EIC.
Battle of Porto Novo (July 1, 1781):
Part of the Second Anglo-Mysore War.
Fought between Hyder Ali of Mysore and the EIC forces led by Sir Eyre Coote. EIC victory.
Battle of Imphal (March-July 1944):
Crucial battle during World War II.
British and Indian forces successfully defended Imphal and Kohima against a major Japanese offensive.
Annexation Policies & Administrative Systems:
Subsidiary Alliance (Systematized from 1798):
Devised and widely implemented by Lord Wellesley.
Indian rulers accepting the alliance had to: maintain British troops ('subsidiary force') at their own cost, accept a British Resident in their court, expel other Europeans, and surrender control of foreign affairs to the British.
The Nizam of Hyderabad was the first to accept it (1798). Followed by Mysore (1799), Awadh (1801), Peshwa (1802), Bhonsle & Scindia (1803).
Doctrine of Lapse:
Policy associated strongly with Lord Dalhousie.
Stated that if a ruler of a dependent state died without a natural male heir, the state would be annexed by the British.
Annexed states included: Satara (1848), Jaitpur & Sambalpur (1849), Baghat (1850), Udaipur (1852), Jhansi (1854), Nagpur (1854), Tanjore & Arcot (1855).
Awadh was annexed in 1856, but on grounds of alleged misgovernance, not the Doctrine of Lapse. Dalhousie had earlier (1851) referred to Awadh as a "cherry that will drop into our mouth one day."
The policy caused widespread resentment and was a factor in the 1857 Revolt. It was formally disavowed by Lord Canning after the revolt.
Dual System of Government (Bengal, 1765-1772):
Introduced by Robert Clive after the Battle of Buxar.
The EIC acquired the Diwani (right to collect revenue and control civil justice).
The Nawab retained Nizamat (administrative and judicial powers, including criminal justice), but lacked financial resources and real power.
Led to administrative breakdown and exploitation. Abolished by Warren Hastings in 1772.
Daroga System (Police Reform, 1792):
Introduced by Lord Cornwallis.
Part of restructuring the police administration.
Districts were divided into Thanas (police stations), each placed under an Indian officer called a Daroga, supervised by the District Judge/Magistrate.
Paramountcy Policy:
Asserted more forcefully under Lord Hastings (Governor-General 1813-1823).
Claimed that the Company's authority was 'paramount' or supreme in India, justifying intervention in and annexation of Indian states.
Economic Impact:
De-industrialization: British policies, such as imposing heavy duties on Indian goods entering Britain while flooding Indian markets with cheap, machine-made British textiles, led to the decline of traditional Indian handicraft industries, especially textiles.
Rise of Modern Industries: Slow and lopsided growth.
First modern Cotton Mill: Bombay Spinning and Weaving Company, established in Bombay (1854) by Cowaszee Nanabhoy Davar.
First Jute Mill: Established at Rishra, near Calcutta (1855) by George Acland.
First successful Iron and Steel plant: Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) established in Jamshedpur (1907) by Jamsetji Tata.
Railways: Introduced under Lord Dalhousie. First passenger line ran from Bombay (Bori Bunder) to Thane in 1853. Key for resource transport, troop movement, and market integration, facilitating British control.
Drain of Wealth: Theory popularized by Dadabhai Naoroji. Argued that Britain was systematically draining India's wealth through exploitative economic policies, 'Home Charges' (expenses incurred in Britain charged to India), and trade imbalances.
Famines: Recurrent and devastating.
Bengal Famine of 1770: Catastrophic famine during the early years of EIC control, estimated to have killed nearly 10 million people (about one-third of the population).
Bengal Famine of 1943: Occurred during WWII. Though triggered by factors like crop disease and cyclone, British wartime policies (like prioritizing grain for military/urban areas, failure of relief) are blamed for exacerbating it, leading to millions of deaths. Lord Linlithgow eventually ordered army intervention for relief.
Mapping & Surveys:
James Rennel: Appointed by Robert Clive as the first Surveyor General of Bengal (1767).
Conducted pioneering geographical surveys of large parts of India.
Produced the influential "Bengal Atlas" (1779) and "Memoir of a Map of Hindoostan" (1782).
IV. The Revolt of 1857 (Sepoy Mutiny / First War of Independence)
Immediate Cause:
The introduction of the new Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle.
Its cartridges were rumored to be greased with a mixture of beef tallow (offensive to Hindus) and pork lard (offensive to Muslims). Sepoys had to bite the cartridges to load the rifle.
Timeline & Key Events:
March 29, 1857: Mangal Pandey, a sepoy at Barrackpore (near Calcutta), attacked British officers in protest against the cartridges. He was executed on April 8.
May 9, 1857: 85 sepoys of the 3rd Native Cavalry at Meerut were court-martialled and imprisoned for refusing to use the new cartridges.
May 10, 1857: Sepoys in Meerut mutinied, freed the imprisoned comrades, killed British officers, and marched towards Delhi. This marks the beginning of the widespread revolt.
May 11, 1857: The Meerut sepoys reached Delhi, gained support from local infantry, seized the city, and proclaimed the aged Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, as the Emperor of Hindustan and leader of the rebellion.
June 30, 1857: Battle of Chinhat (near Lucknow). Rebel forces defeated British troops led by Sir Henry Lawrence, leading to the siege of the Lucknow Residency.
June 1858: Capture of Gwalior by the British after fierce fighting (where Rani Lakshmibai died) marked a major turning point in the suppression of the revolt in Central India.
Key Leaders (Indian side):
Delhi: Bahadur Shah Zafar, General Bakht Khan.
Kanpur: Nana Sahib (adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II), Tantia Tope, Azimullah Khan.
Lucknow: Begum Hazrat Mahal, Birjis Qadr.
Jhansi: Rani Lakshmibai.
Bareilly: Khan Bahadur Khan.
Bihar (Arrah): Kunwar Singh, Amar Singh.
Faizabad: Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah.
British Context:
Lord Canning was the Governor-General at the outbreak of the revolt. He later became the first Viceroy.
Canning's earlier announcement (1856) about the status of Bahadur Shah Zafar's successors contributed to the alienation of the Mughal imperial family.
Aftermath:
End of Company Rule: The British Parliament passed the Government of India Act 1858, transferring control of India from the East India Company directly to the British Crown.
Queen Victoria's Proclamation (November 1, 1858): Read out by Lord Canning at Allahabad. Promised religious freedom, equal treatment under law, respect for rights and dignity of native princes (implicitly disavowing annexation policies like Doctrine of Lapse). Declared the British monarch as the sovereign of India.
Reorganization of the Army: The Peel Commission recommended changes. The proportion of European troops was increased significantly, key positions (like artillery) were reserved for Europeans, and recruitment policies aimed to divide Indian soldiers along caste/regional lines ('martial races' theory promoted).
Arms Act of 1878: Later restricted Indian access to firearms.
V. British Governance: Key Governors-General & Viceroys
Robert Clive (Governor of Bengal): Victor of Plassey, initiated Dual System, accused of corruption. Arrived Madras 1743. Appointed Residents post-Buxar.
Warren Hastings (Governor of Bengal, then first GG of Bengal 1774-85): Abolished Dual System, faced impeachment (partly over Nand Kumar case), Regulating Act 1773 passed, established Calcutta Madrasa (1781).
Lord Cornwallis (GG 1786-93): Introduced Permanent Settlement (1793), organized civil services ('Father of Civil Services'), police reforms (Daroga System), Third Anglo-Mysore War (Treaty of Seringapatam).
Sir John Shore (GG 1793-98): Policy of non-intervention, Charter Act 1793 enacted.
Lord Wellesley (GG 1798-1805): Vigorously implemented Subsidiary Alliance, fought Second Anglo-Maratha War, annexed territories.
Lord Hastings (GG 1813-23): Asserted Paramountcy, fought Anglo-Nepal War (1814-16), Third Anglo-Maratha War (Peshwaship abolished).
Lord William Bentinck (GG of Bengal 1828-33, First GG of India 1833-35): Abolished Sati (1829), suppressed Thuggee, introduced English Education (Macaulay's Minute 1835), financial reforms.
Lord Metcalfe (Acting GG 1835-36): Known as 'Liberator of the Indian Press' for removing restrictions.
Lord Auckland (GG 1836-42): First Afghan War (disastrous), signed Tripartite Treaty (1838).
Lord Ellenborough (GG 1842-44): Annexed Sindh (1843), ended First Afghan War, Indian Slavery Act passed (1843).
Lord Dalhousie (GG 1848-56): Implemented Doctrine of Lapse, introduced railways, telegraph, postal system (Public Works Dept established), Wood's Despatch (1854), annexed Awadh (1856), Second Anglo-Sikh War, prepared draft for Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act.
Lord Canning (GG 1856-58, First Viceroy 1858-62): Revolt of 1857 occurred, passed Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act (1856), transferred power to Crown (GoI Act 1858), withdrew Doctrine of Lapse, Indian Councils Act 1861, Indian Penal Code introduced.
Lord Mayo (Viceroy 1869-72): Started process of Financial Decentralisation (1870), initiated first systematic (though incomplete) Census (1871/72), established Statistical Survey of India, assassinated in Andaman Islands.
Lord Lytton (Viceroy 1876-80): Held Delhi Durbar (1877) proclaiming Queen Victoria 'Empress of India', enacted Vernacular Press Act (1878) & Arms Act (1878), Second Afghan War, faced Great Famine (1876-78).
Lord Ripon (Viceroy 1880-84): Repealed Vernacular Press Act (1881), introduced resolution on Local Self-Government (1882), faced Ilbert Bill controversy, appointed Hunter Commission on Education (1882). Considered a 'liberal' viceroy.
Lord Dufferin (Viceroy 1884-88): Indian National Congress founded (1885), Third Anglo-Burmese War (annexation of Upper Burma).
Lord Curzon (Viceroy 1899-1905): Partition of Bengal (1905), passed Ancient Monuments Preservation Act (1904) & Indian Universities Act (1904), appointed Police Commission (Frazer), agricultural reforms, established Archaeological Survey of India on permanent footing. Known for administrative efficiency and imperialist outlook.
Lord Minto II (Viceroy 1905-10): Morley-Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act 1909) introducing separate electorates, Muslim League founded (1906), Swadeshi Movement ongoing.
Lord Hardinge II (Viceroy 1910-16): Annulment of Bengal Partition (1911), Shift of capital from Calcutta to Delhi (1911), Delhi Durbar (1911), bomb attack on him (1912), WWI began, Defence of India Act (1915), awarded 'Kaiser-i-Hind' to Gandhi.
Lord Chelmsford (Viceroy 1916-21): Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (GoI Act 1919), Rowlatt Act (1919), Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919), Non-Cooperation & Khilafat Movements launched.
Lord Reading (Viceroy 1921-26): Chauri Chaura incident & withdrawal of Non-Cooperation, Moplah rebellion suppressed, Kakori train robbery.
Lord Irwin (Viceroy 1926-31): Simon Commission visit & boycott, Nehru Report, Lahore Congress (Purna Swaraj), Civil Disobedience Movement & Dandi March launched, First RTC, Gandhi-Irwin Pact signed.
Lord Willingdon (Viceroy 1931-36): Second & Third RTCs, Communal Award & Poona Pact, GoI Act 1935 passed.
Lord Linlithgow (Viceroy 1936-44): Longest tenure. Provincial elections (1937) & Congress ministries, WWII outbreak & resignation of ministries, August Offer, Cripps Mission, Quit India Movement, Bengal Famine (1943).
Lord Wavell (Viceroy 1944-47): Wavell Plan & Shimla Conference (1945), INA trials, RIN Mutiny (1946), Cabinet Mission Plan, Direct Action Day & interim government formation.
Lord Mountbatten (Viceroy Feb-Aug 1947, First GG of Independent India Aug 1947-Jun 1948): Announced June 3 Plan (Mountbatten Plan) for partition and independence, oversaw transfer of power.
VI. Key British Acts and Policies Affecting India
Regulating Act, 1773:
First parliamentary act to regulate EIC affairs in India.
Created Governor-General of Bengal post (Warren Hastings first).
Established a Supreme Court at Fort William (Calcutta).
Pitt's India Act, 1784:
Established Board of Control in Britain to supervise EIC's political, military, revenue affairs.
Strengthened parliamentary control over the Company ('Dual Control').
Charter Act, 1793:
Renewed EIC's charter for 20 years.
Salaries of Board of Control members to be paid from Indian revenues.
Charter Act, 1813:
Ended EIC's trade monopoly with India (except tea & trade with China).
Allowed Christian missionaries free entry into India.
Allocated funds (Rs 1 lakh annually) for promoting education in India.
Asserted sovereignty of British Crown over EIC territories.
Extended Company rule for another 20 years.
Licensing Regulation, 1823:
Imposed strict licensing requirements on the press (repealed by Metcalfe).
Charter Act, 1833:
Ended EIC's remaining trade monopolies (tea & China); EIC became purely administrative body.
Designated GG of Bengal as GG of India (Bentinck first), centralizing administration.
Added a Law Member to GG's Council (Macaulay first).
Attempted (unsuccessfully) to end discrimination in Company employment based on religion, place of birth, descent, colour.
Empowered GG-in-Council to legislate for all British India.
Lex Loci Act / Caste Disabilities Removal Act, 1850:
Ensured converts from Hinduism (e.g., to Christianity) did not lose inheritance rights due to change of religion.
Hindu Widow Remarriage Act, 1856:
Legalized the remarriage of Hindu widows.
Championed by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Drafted under Dalhousie, enacted under Canning.
Government of India Act, 1858:
Transferred governance of India from EIC to British Crown after 1857 Revolt.
Created Secretary of State for India post (member of British Cabinet) with a 15-member Council of India.
Designated GG as Viceroy (representative of the Crown).
Abolished Board of Control and Court of Directors.
Established the office of the Accountant General for India.
Indian Councils Act, 1861:
Introduced limited Indian representation in legislative councils (non-official members nominated by Viceroy).
Restored legislative powers to Bombay and Madras Presidencies.
Introduced the portfolio system in Viceroy's Executive Council.
Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867:
Required registration of printing presses and publications.
Vernacular Press Act, 1878 ('Gagging Act'):
Imposed censorship on vernacular (Indian language) newspapers.
Enacted by Lytton; repealed by Ripon.
Indian Arms Act, 1878:
Restricted Indians from possessing firearms without license; exempted Europeans.
Enacted by Lytton.
Ilbert Bill, 1883:
Proposed to remove racial discrimination in judiciary, allowing Indian judges to try Europeans.
Faced strong opposition ('White Mutiny'), heavily modified.
Age of Consent Act, 1891:
Raised minimum age for consummation of marriage for girls to 12.
Indian Councils Act, 1892:
Increased number of non-official members in councils.
Introduced principle of indirect election for some non-official seats.
Allowed councils to discuss budget and ask questions (limited).
Official Secrets Act, 1904:
Strengthened espionage laws, impacting press freedom.
Passed by Curzon.
Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms):
Increased size of legislative councils.
Introduced separate electorates for Muslims, institutionalizing communal representation.
Allowed members to ask supplementary questions and move resolutions on budget.
Defence of India Act, 1915:
Emergency wartime legislation granting govt extensive powers.
Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms):
Introduced Dyarchy in provinces (division of subjects).
Established bicameral legislature at the Centre.
Extended separate electorates to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans.
Provided for direct elections (limited franchise).
Set term for Central Legislative Assembly at 3 years.
Mandated review after 10 years (leading to Simon Commission).
Rowlatt Act, 1919 ('Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act'):
Allowed detention without trial based on suspicion.
Led to nationwide protests ('Black Act').
Trade Disputes Act, 1929:
Restricted trade union activity, including strikes.
Provided for Courts of Inquiry and Conciliation Boards.
Sharda Act, 1929 (Child Marriage Restraint Act):
Fixed minimum marriage age: girls 14, boys 18.
Government of India Act, 1935:
Proposed All-India Federation (never implemented).
Introduced Provincial Autonomy, abolished Dyarchy in provinces.
Introduced Dyarchy at the Centre (never implemented).
Established Federal Court, Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Created bicameral legislatures in some provinces.
Extended franchise. Extended separate electorates to Depressed Classes (Scheduled Castes), women, labour.
Divided powers into Federal, Provincial, Concurrent lists.
Abolished Council of India (established 1858).
Indian Independence Act, 1947:
Partitioned British India into India and Pakistan (effective Aug 15, 1947).
Granted independence and dominion status to both countries.
Abolished Viceroy and Secretary of State posts.
Granted full legislative sovereignty to Constituent Assemblies.
Terminated British paramountcy over princely states.
Other Specific British Laws:
Calico Act (1720): British law banning import of Indian printed cottons.
Crawling Order (1919): Infamous punitive order by Gen. Dyer in Amritsar.
Wood's Despatch (1854): Blueprint for education system in India.
Bombay Reorganization Act (1960): Indian act creating Maharashtra and Gujarat.
VII. Nationalist Movements & Key Events
Partition of Bengal (1905) & Swadeshi Movement: (Details in Sections V & VI).
Gandhian Era: (Details in Section V for Viceroy context).
Gandhi's return (Jan 9, 1915); Political Guru: G.K. Gokhale.
Early Satyagrahas: Champaran (1917, indigo), Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918, first hunger strike), Kheda (1918, revenue).
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22): Nationwide boycott; withdrawn after Chauri Chaura (1922).
Civil Disobedience Movement: Started with Dandi March/Salt Satyagraha (1930); Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931); Second RTC (Gandhi attends); Movement ceased (1934).
Quit India Movement (1942): 'Do or Die' slogan; launched in Bombay; leaders arrested; spontaneous mass uprising; secret Congress Radio (Usha Mehta); Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted flag.
Pacts: Gandhi-Irwin (1931); Poona Pact (1932, Gandhi-Ambedkar, joint electorates with reserved seats).
Philosophy: Truth, Non-violence (Ahimsa), Satyagraha.
Organizations/Work: Natal Indian Congress (SA), Harijan Sevak Sangh, 'Indian Opinion' newspaper (SA). Returned Kaiser-i-Hind medal (1920).
'Father of the Nation' title by S.C. Bose (1944).
The Revolutionaries:
Groups: Anushilan Samiti, Jugantar, Abhinav Bharat Society, HRA, HSRA, Ghadar Party, India House (London), Paris Indian Society, United India House (Seattle), Khudai Khidmatgars, RSP, Naujawan Bharat Sabha.
Actions: Muzaffarpur Bombing (1908), Alipore Bomb Case (1908), Nasik Conspiracy (1909), Curzon Wyllie Assassination (1909), Kakori Train Action (1925), Assembly Bombing (1929), Chittagong Armoury Raid (1930), Ghadar Conspiracy (1915).
Figures: Surya Sen, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Khudiram Bose, Prafulla Chaki, Madan Lal Dhingra, V.D. Savarkar, Madame Cama, Aruna Asaf Ali, Rani Gaidinliu, Veer Surendra Sai, Tirot Sing, Udham Singh, Jatin Mukherjee, Vasudev Balwant Phadke, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Kushal Konwar, Matangini Hazra.
Struggle for Independence (Other Phases/Aspects):
Home Rule Movement (1916): Led by Tilak and Annie Besant separately for self-government.
Indian National Army (INA / Azad Hind Fauj): Formed by Mohan Singh (1942), led by S.C. Bose (1943); Rani of Jhansi Regiment; 'Tiger Legion'.
Khilafat Movement (1919-22): Protest over Ottoman Caliphate; led by Ali Brothers, supported by Gandhi.
Simon Commission (1927/28): Boycotted ('Simon Go Back'); Lala Lajpat Rai died after lathi charge.
Nehru Report (1928): Draft constitution demanding Dominion Status.
Peasant/Tribal Movements: Avadh Kisan Sabha (Baba Ramchandra), Koya Rebellion (Tomma Sora), Santhal Rebellion (Sidhu, Kanhu), Moplah Rebellion, Indigo Revolt (Biswas brothers), Patharughat Uprising, Nyaya Yudh (Devi Lal), Khurda Uprising (Bakshi Jagabandhu).
Komagata Maru Incident (1914): Ship carrying Indian immigrants denied entry to Canada, clashed with police on return.
VIII. Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Brahmo Samaj (1828): Raja Ram Mohan Roy; monotheism, opposed Sati, idolatry; Debendranath Tagore (Tattvabodhini Sabha); Keshab Chandra Sen; split into Adi Brahmo Samaj & Brahmo Samaj of India.
Prarthana Samaj (1867): Atmaram Pandurang (Bombay); social reform, monotheism; M.G. Ranade, R.G. Bhandarkar associated.
Arya Samaj (1875): Swami Dayanand Saraswati (Bombay); "Back to the Vedas", opposed idolatry, caste; Shuddhi movement; D.A.V. institutions; Lala Lajpat Rai active member.
Ramakrishna Mission (1897): Swami Vivekananda; Vedanta, social service; Chicago address (1893).
Theosophical Society (1875): Blavatsky, Olcott (NY); HQ Adyar; Annie Besant prominent leader in India; Central Hindu College.
Satnami Movement (Chhattisgarh): Guru Ghasidas; equality, opposed caste, worked for leather workers.
Satyashodhak Samaj (1873): Jyotirao Phule (Pune); anti-caste, women's education; 'Gulamgiri'; first girls' school (Savitribai Phule).
Young Bengal Movement (1820s): Henry Derozio (Hindu College); radical thought, questioned authority.
Self-Respect Movement (1925): E.V. Ramasamy 'Periyar' (Tamil Nadu); anti-caste, anti-Brahminism, rationalism.
Aligarh Movement: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan; modern education for Muslims; MAO College (AMU); Scientific Society.
Ahmadiyya Movement (1889): Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (Punjab); liberal Islamic reform movement.
Deoband Movement (1866): Nanotavi, Gangohi; Islamic revivalism, conservative.
Sikh Reform: Nirankari (Baba Dayal Das), Namdhari/Kuka (Balak Singh, Ram Singh), Singh Sabha (1873, Amritsar), Akali Movement (Gurdwara Reform, 1920s), Babbar Akali.
Other Organizations: Atmiya Sabha (Roy), Tattvabodhini Sabha (D. Tagore), Paramahansa Mandali (Dadoba Pandurang), Manav Dharma Sabha, Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha (Naoroji), Veda Samaj (Madras), Indian Reform Association (KC Sen), Servants of India Society (Gokhale), Poona Seva Sadan (Ramabai Ranade), Social Service League (NM Joshi), Seva Samiti (HN Kunzru), WIA (Besant), Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha (Ambedkar), Samata Sainik Dal (Ambedkar), SNDP Yogam (Narayana Guru), Dev Samaj (Agnihotri), Dharma Sabha (Radhakanta Deb).
Specific Actions: Mahad Satyagraha (Ambedkar, 1927), Kalaram Temple Entry (Ambedkar, 1930).
Key Reformers: Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Dayanand, Swami Vivekananda, Jyotirao & Savitribai Phule, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Annie Besant, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, M.G. Ranade, G.K. Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji, Shree Narayana Guru, Pandita Ramabai, K. Veeresalingam, Tarabai Shinde, D.K. Karve, N.M. Joshi, G.H. Deshmukh, V. Pandit, B. Jambhekar, Nawab Abdul Latif.
IX. Indian National Congress (INC) & Its Sessions
Foundation: Dec 1885, Bombay; A.O. Hume founder; 72 delegates at first session.
Key Sessions & Presidents:
1885 (Bombay): W.C. Banerjee (1st Pres).
1886 (Calcutta): Dadabhai Naoroji (2nd Pres).
1887 (Madras): Badruddin Tyabji (1st Muslim Pres).
1888 (Allahabad): George Yule (1st English Pres).
1896 (Calcutta): R.M. Sayani ('Vande Mataram' sung).
1905 (Benares): G.K. Gokhale (Swadeshi call adopted).
1906 (Calcutta): Dadabhai Naoroji ('Swaraj' declared goal).
1907 (Surat): Rash Behari Ghosh (Session disrupted, Surat Split).
1911 (Calcutta): Bishan Narayan Dar ('Jana Gana Mana' sung).
1916 (Lucknow): A.C. Majumdar (Lucknow Pact; Moderate-Extremist reunion).
1917 (Calcutta): Annie Besant (1st Woman Pres).
1920 (Nagpur): C. Vijayaraghavachariar (Non-Cooperation ratified).
1922 (Gaya): C.R. Das (Led to Swaraj Party formation).
1923 (Delhi, Special): Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (Youngest Pres).
1924 (Belgaum): Mahatma Gandhi (Only time Pres).
1925 (Kanpur): Sarojini Naidu (1st Indian Woman Pres).
1927 (Madras): M.A. Ansari (Boycott Simon Commission; All Parties Conference setup).
1929 (Lahore): Jawaharlal Nehru (Purna Swaraj resolution; Jan 26 as Independence Day).
1931 (Karachi): Sardar Patel (Endorsed Gandhi-Irwin Pact; Fundamental Rights resolution; Tricolour adopted).
1938 (Haripura): Subhas Chandra Bose (National Planning Committee).
1939 (Tripuri): S.C. Bose re-elected, resigned; Rajendra Prasad took over.
1940 (Ramgarh): Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
1946 (Meerut): J.B. Kripalani (Pres at Independence).
Key Resolutions/Events: Surat Split (1907), Lucknow Pact (1916), Purna Swaraj (1929), Karachi Resolution (1931), Quit India Resolution (1942).
X. Other Political Organizations & Parties
Muslim League (AIML) (1906): Founded Dhaka; Nawab Salimullah, Aga Khan III; supported Partition of Bengal, demanded separate electorates; Lucknow Pact (1916); Pakistan Resolution (1940); Direct Action Day (1946).
Swaraj Party (1923): C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru; advocated Council Entry.
Communist Party of India (CPI): Founded Tashkent (1920) by M.N. Roy etc.; formally Kanpur (1925).
All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) (1936): Swami Sahajanand, N.G. Ranga; peasant organization.
Forward Bloc (1939): Founded by S.C. Bose after leaving Congress presidentship.
Congress Socialist Party (CSP) (1934): Socialist caucus within INC; J.P. Narayan, Narendra Dev, Lohia.
Independent Labour Party (ILP) (1936): Founded by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Bhartiya Jana Sangh (BJS) (1951): Shyama Prasad Mukherjee; precursor to BJP.
Ahrar Movement: Nationalist Muslim group.
Landholders' Society (1838): Calcutta; first political association; protected landlord interests.
East India Association (1866): London; Dadabhai Naoroji; discussed Indian issues.
Indian Association (1876): Calcutta; S. Banerjee, A.M. Bose; precursor to INC.
Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1870): M.G. Ranade etc.; mediated between govt and people.
Bombay Presidency Association (1885): Mehta, Telang, Tyabji.
Madras Mahajana Sabha (1884): South Indian nationalist organization.
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) (1920): Bombay; Lala Lajpat Rai (1st Pres); N.M. Joshi key figure.
XI. Miscellaneous Facts & Figures
Literacy Rate (1947): Around 12% at independence (1951 Census showed ~18%).
Census: First comprehensive, synchronous census began 1881. First attempt 1872 (Mayo). Independent India's first 1951.
National Flag: Adopted July 22, 1947; designed by Pingali Venkayya; 3:2 ratio; Tricolour with Ashoka Chakra. Nehru moved resolution.
National Anthem: 'Jana Gana Mana' (Tagore); Adopted Jan 24, 1950.
National Song: 'Vande Mataram' (Bankim Chatterjee, from Anand Math); Sung at 1896 INC session.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (Apr 13, 1919): Amritsar; Gen. Dyer ordered firing; protest against Rowlatt Act; Tagore renounced knighthood; Hunter Commission. Michael O'Dwyer was Lt. Gov. Punjab. Dyer called 'Butcher of Amritsar'.
Anand Math: Novel by Bankim Chatterjee; context Sanyasi Rebellion.
Nil Darpan: Play by Dinabandhu Mitra; context Indigo Revolt.
Books: 'The Indian Struggle' (SC Bose), 'Discovery of India' (Nehru), 'Hind Swaraj' (Gandhi), 'Why I am an Atheist' (Bhagat Singh), 'Gitanjali' (Tagore, Nobel 1913).
Tomb of Rani Lakshmibai: Phool Bagh, Gwalior.
Hyderabad Annexation (1948): Operation Polo (military action).
C-R Formula (1944): Rajagopalachari's proposal for Congress-League cooperation.
Shimla Pact (1972): India-Pakistan agreement post-1971 war.
Radcliffe Line (1947): India-Pakistan boundary.
Paris Indian Society (1905): Nationalist group abroad.
India Gate: Delhi; designed by Edwin Lutyens; WWI memorial.
Asiatic Society (1784): Calcutta; Sir William Jones; Oriental studies.
Sanskrit College, Benares (1791): Jonathan Duncan.
Hindu College, Calcutta (1817): David Hare, Ram Mohan Roy etc.
Fergusson College, Pune (1885): Tilak, Agarkar etc.
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (1938): K.M. Munshi; education and culture.
Visva-Bharati (1921): Tagore; Santiniketan.
Bengal National College (1906): Swadeshi movement initiative; Aurobindo Ghose first principal.
All Bengal Students Conference (1928): Chaired by Nehru.
Brussels Conference (1927): Against Imperialism; Nehru represented INC.
Cabinet Mission (1946): Pethick-Lawrence, Cripps, Alexander; plan for transfer of power. Wavell was Viceroy, not a member.
Drafting Committee (Constitution): Chair Dr. Ambedkar; 7 members; first draft Feb 1948.
Nawab of Bhopal (1868-1901): Shah Jahan Begum.
'Nightingale of India': Sarojini Naidu (title by Gandhi).
Damin-i-Koh: Area demarcated for Santhals in Rajmahal hills (1832).
Ryot: Peasant/cultivator.
Kittur Chennamma: Queen of Kittur; early rebellion against EIC (1824).
Titu Mir: Led peasant uprising in Bengal (1831).
No comments:
Post a Comment