What You’ll Learn on This Page:
- Timeline of major freedom struggles in India from 1857 to 1947
- Causes and consequences of the 1857 Revolt
- Evolution of the Indian National Congress
- Key events like Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience, Quit India Movement
- Important reforms, leaders, protests, and turning points that led to Indian Independence
Timeline: List of National Movements in India (1857–1947)
The Revolt of 1857
Causes of the 1857 Revolt:
Political Causes
- Annexation of Indian states under the Doctrine of Lapse
- Disrespect shown to Indian rulers and traditional institutions
- Deposition of key figures like the Nawab of Awadh
Economic Causes
- Heavy taxation and destruction of traditional industries
- Exploitation of farmers and artisans
- Displacement of the zamindars and landowners
Social Causes
- Discrimination against Indians in civil and military services
- Disruption of the traditional Indian society due to British policies
Religious Causes
- Introduction of social reforms that were seen as interference in religious practices
- Rumors of greased cartridges made from cow and pig fat, offending both Hindus and Muslims
Consequences of the Revolt
Although the revolt was not successful, it had far-reaching consequences for the Indian freedom movement 1857 and beyond:
- End of the East India Company: British Crown took direct control of India in 1858
- Administrative Changes: Reorganization of the army and civil services
- Policy Shifts: Greater caution in introducing reforms affecting religion and society
- Rise of Nationalism: The revolt inspired future generations and sowed the seeds of a united national struggle.
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Formation of Indian National Congress (1885)
Moderate Phase (1885 - 1905)
From 1885 to 1905, the Congress followed a moderate approach. The leaders believed in peaceful methods like discussions, petitions, and speeches to make the British aware of Indian problems. They did not ask for complete independence at this stage but wanted more Indian participation in government.
Early Demands and Petitions
The early demands of the Congress included more jobs for Indians in the civil services, lower taxes, better education, and protection of Indian industries. These demands were made through petitions and meetings, hoping that the British would listen and make fair changes.
Role in Raising National Political Consciousness
Although the early Congress did not challenge British rule directly, it played a big role in spreading political awareness among Indians. It united people from different regions and backgrounds, helped them understand their rights, and inspired them to work together for India’s future. This laid the foundation for the stronger phases of the Indian freedom movement 1857 to 1947.
National Movements in India from 1905 to 1919
The period from 1905 to 1919 was a crucial phase in the larger journey of the national movements in India from 1857 to 1947. This phase also saw the emergence of extremists within the congress.
Partition of Bengal (1905)
The Partition of Bengal in 1905 by the British was seen as a divide-and-rule tactic, which led to strong opposition and the launch of the Swadeshi Movement. Indians began boycotting British goods and promoting Indian-made products to show resistance.
Formation of All India Muslim League (1906)
In 1906, the All India Muslim League was formed with the aim of protecting the interests of Muslims in British India. It later became a major political force during the freedom struggle.
The Surat Split (1907)
The Home Rule Movement (1916)
Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918)
Kheda Satyagraha (1918)
It took place in Gujarat’s Kheda district, where farmers were suffering from crop failure and a plague outbreak. Despite this, the British authorities insisted on full land revenue collection. Gandhi, along with other leaders, organized a peaceful protest demanding tax relief. The movement marked an important moment in the freedom struggle by highlighting the power of collective non-violent resistance.
Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and Rowlatt Act (1919)
The British introduced the Montagu-Chelmsford Reform which offered limited self-rule but failed to satisfy Indian aspirations.The Rowlatt Act was also passed, allowing the British to arrest Indians without trial, which led to widespread anger and protests across the country.
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920 - 1922)
The Non-Cooperation Movement, part of the broader national movements in India from 1857 to 1947, was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in response to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919) and the injustice faced by Muslims during the Khilafat Movement (1920).
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)
Khilafat Movement (1920)
The Khilafat Movement started in 1920. It was an important protest led by Indian Muslims to restore the Ottoman Caliphate, which had been weakened and dismantled after World War I. It was seen as a reaction to the injustice done to the Ottoman Empire by the British and their Allies. The movement also became a part of the broader Indian nationalist struggle, with strong support from leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, promoting Hindu-Muslim unity during the fight for independence.
Gandhi’s entry into mainstream politics gave new energy to the freedom struggle. The movement encouraged people to boycott British institutions, titles, foreign goods, and promote swadeshi and non-violent protest.
However, after the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922, where a violent clash led to the death of policemen, Gandhi suspended the movement to uphold his principle of non-violence. Despite its early end, it united people and laid a strong foundation for future mass struggles.
Protest against Simon Commission (1928)
The Simon Commission was set up in 1927 by the British government to assess the working of the Government of India Act of 1919. Headed by Sir John Simon, the commission consisted entirely of British members and included no Indian representatives. This exclusion led to widespread protests across India, with slogans like “Simon Go Back” becoming popular. The commission’s arrival marked a key moment in the growing demand for full Indian self-rule.
Civil Disobedience Movement (1930 - 1934)
The Civil Disobedience Movement was a key part of the larger Indian freedom movement of India.
It began with Gandhi’s Salt March (Dandi March) in 1930, a peaceful protest against the British salt law that inspired nationwide resistance.The Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) led to a temporary halt in the movement and the release of some political prisoners.
Women and youth actively participated, making it a mass movement, while the British responded with arrests and repression. It remains a major event in the list of national movements in India.
Government Of India Act 1935
The Act introduced during the British colonial period granted provincial autonomy, expanded the electorate to about 10%, and established a Federal Court. It also allowed for elected legislatures and Indian ministers at the provincial level. However, it retained significant powers for the British Crown and the Governor-General. This legislation was a key development in the history of India, reflecting both progress and continued colonial dominance.
Quit India Movement (1942)
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Royal Indian Navy mutiny (1946)
The Royal Indian Navy mutiny of 1946 was a major revolt by Indian sailors in Bombay, driven by frustration over poor service conditions, racial discrimination, and harsh treatment. Over 20,000 sailors across 78 ships and 21 shore bases participated in the strike, demanding equality and better working conditions. Though not backed by the Indian National Congress or the Muslim League, the mutiny played a crucial role in the growing unrest and weakening British authority in the final phase of colonial rule.
Independence and Partition (1947)
The Partition of India in 1947 marked the division of British India into two independent dominions the Union of India (now the Republic of India) and the Dominion of Pakistan, which later became the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
The partition involved the splitting of two major provinces, Bengal and Punjab, based on religious majorities, Hindu or Muslim at the district level. In addition to the territorial division, key administrative and institutional systems were also split, including the British Indian Army, the Royal Indian Navy, the Indian Civil Service, the railways, and the central treasury.
The two new self-governing nations, India and Pakistan, officially came into existence at midnight on 14 – 15 August 1947.
This event marked the final phase of the 1857 to 1947 history of India, culminating in the passage of the Indian Independence Act 1947, which ended British colonial rule.
However, the partition also brought immense human suffering. It triggered one of the largest mass migrations in world history and led to widespread communal violence, resulting in deep emotional and social wounds.
Despite the tragedy, India’s independence marked the successful conclusion of the Indian freedom movement and remains a defining chapter in the list of national movements in India.
FAQ'S
The period from 1857 to 1947 in India is known as the Indian Freedom Struggle. It was marked by several movements and efforts by Indians to end British colonial rule and gain independence.
The “moderates” were early Indian nationalist leaders active from 1885 to 1907. They believed in using peaceful and constitutional methods, like petitions and discussions, to demand gradual political reforms from the British government.
Baji Rout is considered the youngest freedom fighter of India. At just 12 years old, he was martyred in 1938 when he was shot by British police for bravely refusing to ferry them across a river
The War of 1857, also called the Sepoy Mutiny, is known as the First War of Indian Independence. It began on May 10, 1857, and marked the first major uprising by Indians against British rule.
The Partition of India in 1947 divided British India into India and Pakistan. It was mainly caused by rising religious tensions and the demand for a separate Muslim nation, led by the All-India Muslim League under Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The British left India due to several key reasons: strong pressure from the Indian nationalist movement, the economic and military strain after World War II, and the high cost of maintaining their colonial rule.
