Freedom Struggle
The educated of India saw evil motives of the British administration, which least cared for peoples' development, nor inclined to work for the upliftment of the downtrodden. The educated thought that their dreams could be realized only in a free India . First initiative in the direction of national organization of Indians was achieved by Surendranath Banerjee's Indian Association, that was followed by A.O.Hume's Indian National Congress in 1885.
The demands of the Congress were very simple - more powers for Legislative Councils, members of Councils to be given more powers and with majority of members to be Indians, more Indians to be recruited to higher posts, holding of Civil Services exams in India also, and facilitating the growth of Indian industry, and promotion of welfare programs.
The British were apprehensive of the growing national movement. The first reaction of the British to the growing national movement was seen as division of Bengal in 1905. Bengal united was considered as a power, so the British divided Bengal and justified their action as 'administrative convenience.' Bengal was divided deliberately to break the unity of the Congress, and to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims who were living in harmony.
The Congress launched the Swadeshi movement in Bengal . The Swadeshi movement aimed at opposing anything that is British and foreign, and the movement soon spread to the rest of the country. There was the demand for Swaraj, which meant providing of Dominion Status to India , on par with Australia and Canada which were also earlier part of the British Empire . Congress leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai took the lead to achieve Swaraj. The British quelled the movement by arresting and deporting the entire Congress leadership.
Government of India Act of 1909
Also called the Minto-Morley reforms, introduced separate representation to Muslims. This measure had far-reaching consequences in the history of India . The Hindu-Muslim divide that was initiated by division of Bengal , was further reinforced by providing of separate representations. The Delhi durbar of 1911 held in honor of King George V diverted the focus of national movement, for it shifted the British capital in India from Calcutta to Delhi , with partition of Bengal being annulled. |
