Suppression of the Swadeshi Movement

 Okay, here are the notes summarizing the lecture on the final phases and outcomes of the Swadeshi Movement:

Lecture Topic: Suppression of Swadeshi Movement, Annulment of Bengal Partition, and Positive/Negative Outcomes.

I. Introduction & Context:

• This lecture covers the suppression (అణచివేత) of the Vande Mataram/Swadeshi movement by the British.

• It also discusses the annulment (రద్దు) of the Partition of Bengal.

• Finally, it assesses the positive (+) and negative (-) impacts of the movement.

• This is the concluding part of the Swadeshi Movement series (after 5 previous classes).

• A separate summary class will be provided for Constable/VRO level exams, focusing on key points, previous questions, and confusing aspects.

II. Suppression of the Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908):

• Intensive Phase: The movement was most vigorous between its start (Aug 7, 1905) and 1908.

• Key Leaders (Extremists): Led by Lal (Lala Lajpat Rai), Bal (Bal Gangadhar Tilak), Pal (Bipin Chandra Pal), and Aurobindo Ghosh.

• Surat Split (1907): The Indian National Congress (INC) split into Moderates and Extremists. Moderates expelled Extremists from the party.

• British Strategy ("Carrot and Stick Policy"):

  • Carrot (for Moderates): Offered hope of constitutional reforms (like increased council seats in the upcoming 1909 Minto-Morley Act) to keep them pacified.

  • Stick (for Extremists): Used harsh suppression, arrests, and punishments.

• Removal of Extremist Leaders:

  • Lala Lajpat Rai: Exiled from Punjab (related to Punjab Canal issues), went to the UK and USA.

  • Bipin Chandra Pal & Aurobindo Ghosh: Retired from active politics. Ghosh became a Sanyasi in Pondicherry (Puducherry) and focused on spirituality (known for Passive Resistance theory).

  • Bal Gangadhar Tilak:

    • Arrested in 1908 under Sedition Act (IPC 124A - రాజద్రోహం).

    • Imprisoned for 6 years (1908-1914) in Mandalay Jail (Burma).

    • Reason: Writings in Kesari (Marathi) & Mahratta (English) newspapers condemning the hanging of Khudiram Bose and the actions against revolutionaries (seen as inciting violence/sedition).

    • Note: This was Tilak's second major sedition arrest. The first was in the 1890s (around 1897), making him the first person in India charged with sedition under IPC 124A. The 1890s arrest was linked to his writings allegedly inciting the Chapekar brothers (Damodar & Balakrishna) who killed Pune's Plague Commissioner, Rand.

  • Muzzafarpur Bombing (1908): Khudiram Bose (17/18 yrs old) and Prafulla Chaki attempted to assassinate Judge Kingsford. They bombed the wrong carriage, killing two British women. Chaki committed suicide; Bose was hanged (youngest martyr). Tilak's sympathetic articles led to his 1908 arrest.

• Movement Weakens: With key leaders imprisoned, exiled, or retired, the movement became largely leaderless by 1908 and lost momentum.

III. Annulment of Bengal Partition (1911):

• Date: December 12, 1911.

• Occasion: Delhi Durbar held during the visit of King George V and Queen Mary (First visit by a reigning British monarch).

• Key Announcements by George V:

  1. Annulment of Partition: West and East Bengal were reunited into a single Bengal province. Bihar & Orissa became a new province. Assam became a separate province.

  2. Capital Shift: British India's capital was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.

• Reasons & Reactions:

  • Annulment aimed to appease Hindus (who were largely against partition). Hindus were happy.

  • Capital shift to Delhi (historical Muslim power center) aimed to appease Muslims.

  • However, Muslims felt betrayed by the annulment (losing their majority province - East Bengal) despite their loyalty during Swadeshi and formation of Muslim League (1906). This led to an anti-British stance among many Muslims.

• Delhi Note: The capital shifted to Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad, built by Shah Jahan). New Delhi was later designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens.

IV. Outcomes of the Swadeshi Movement:

• Positive Aspects:

  1. Student Participation: First major movement with large-scale student involvement (esp. from Ripon College, Barisal region).

  2. Women's Participation: First time women participated significantly in a national movement, moving beyond domestic roles.

  3. Broadened Scope: Extended beyond just politics to include:

     • Education (National Council of Education, Bengal National College).

     • Literature/Culture (Tagore's "Amar Sonar Bangla").

     • Art/Painting (Abanindranath Tagore's "Bharat Mata").

     • Science (P.C. Ray).

     • Indigenous Industries (Vanga Lakshmi Cotton Mill, Swadeshi Steam Navigation Co. - V.O. Chidambaram Pillai).

  4. Foundation for Gandhian Techniques: Many methods used (boycott, passive resistance) were precursors to Gandhi's later strategies. Served as practice for future movements.

• Negative Aspects:

  1. Limited Reach: Primarily remained an Urban movement, failed to effectively mobilize the Rural population.

  2. Peasant Neglect: Failed to involve the vast peasant (రైతులు) population, a major weakness.

  3. Lack of Consistency: Internal conflicts (INC split) and unclear/shifting goals weakened the movement's sustainability.

  4. Alienation of Muslims: Use of Hindu religious symbolism (Ganga bath, Kali oath, Shivaji/Ganpati festivals by Tilak) and the eventual annulment of partition distanced many Muslims from the nationalist mainstream.

Overall Assessment: While the Swadeshi movement eventually fizzled out due to suppression and internal issues, it was a significant step in the Indian freedom struggle. It broadened participation (students, women), promoted self-reliance (Swadeshi), instilled national pride, and laid the groundwork for future mass movements, despite failing to fully unite all sections of society.