From the sepoy mutiny to Quit India, the key movements that shaped India’s freedom struggle

As India celebrates its 78th Independence Day, it’s time to turn back pages of history and take a look back at the pivotal struggles that paved the way to freedom for the country.

From the dramatic upheaval of the Sepoy Mutiny to the defiant roar of the Quit India Movement, these struggles were not merely historical events but defining chapters of a collective dream for freedom that united millions of Indians in their quest for self-rule.

Each movement played a crucial role in dismantling the nearly two-centuries-long British colonial rule and carving out a sovereign nation that stood strong on its own feet.

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Here’s a look at the significant movements that shaped India’s journey to independence.

Sepoy Mutiny, 1857

The year 1857 witnessed the first war of independence, which is perhaps one of the defining moments of the Indian freedom struggle.

Historians point to various causes for this uprising, including growing resentment over British attempts to convert Indians to Christianity, excessive taxation, the annexation of princely states, and increasing efforts to impose Western culture on India.

However, one key trigger for the rebellion was the British army’s mandate for Hindu and Muslim soldiers to use cartridges greased with animal fat, which violated the beliefs of both religions and led to widespread mutiny.

The mutiny soon converted to a revolt, uniting Indians across communities and regions in their fight against the British Raj.

The uprising quickly spread to Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Bareilly, and other regions of the Gangetic heartland, led by figures such as Nana Saheb, Diwan Azimullah, Tantia Tope, Kunwar Singh, and Rani Laxmi Bai.

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Although the 1857 revolt was ultimately unsuccessful and led to the dissolution of the East India Company and the establishment of direct British Crown rule, it ignited the spirit of independence. This rebellion set the stage for future nationalist movements.

The Swadeshi Movement, (1905-1911)

The Swadeshi Movement surged in response to the British decision to partition Bengal in 1905, an action supposedly intended to ease administrative challenges but was seen as a deliberate effort to divide and weaken Indian unity.

The Swadeshi Movement emerged in response to the British decision to partition Bengal into two separate provinces in 1905, on the grounds that the population as a whole would be difficult to govern over.

Led by prominent figures like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Dadabhai Naoroji, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, the movement championed the use of Indian-made goods and services while rejecting British products. Its aim was to revive local industries and instill a sense of national pride, showing the British that India could thrive independently.

The movement gained momentum as British goods were publicly burned, leading to increased tensions and government crackdowns.

Despite the eventual partition of Bengal, the Swadeshi Movement marked a significant turning point in Indian history as it demonstrated the collective strength of Indians, proving that a united front could challenge and ultimately overcome British rule.

Champaran Satyagraha

The first act of civil disobedience during the struggle for independence took place in the Bihar region of Champaran in 1917.

The movement, pioneered by Mahatma Gandhi, was a campaign of non-violent resistance against British rule which emphasised peaceful civil disobedience and non-cooperation with oppressive laws.

It all began when Gandhi was persuaded by an indigo farmer, Rajkumar Shukla, to visit Champaran to investigate the farmers’ plight, who were burdened by oppressive regulations and exorbitant taxes. Under the tinkathia system, British colonists forced farmers to grow indigo.

Gandhi mobilised the local farmers and masses, orchestrating nonviolent protests against the planters and landlords. The movement’s success led the government to abolish the oppressive tinkathia system, and the peasants received compensation for their losses.

Following Champaran, Gandhi led similar protests in Ahmedabad and Kheda between 1917 and 1918, setting the stage for the larger Rowlatt Satyagraha in 1919.

Satyagraha became the cornerstone of India’s freedom struggle, showcasing the formidable power of peaceful resistance in achieving political change.

Non-Cooperation Movement, 1920-22

Launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, the Non-Cooperation Movement was a pivotal effort in the Indian freedom struggle, aiming to weaken British rule through mass civil disobedience and a boycott of government institutions.

This movement was ignited by events such as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in 1919, where thousands of innocent lives were lost. Gandhi’s strategy involved boycotting key social programs, events, offices, and schools to align with India’s quest for independence.

He urged people to embrace Swadeshi principles, promoting hand spinning and weaving, and to work towards eradicating untouchability from society.

The movement quickly gained momentum, with thousands of students withdrawing from government schools and colleges. In Punjab, Lala Lajpat Rai took the lead, and prominent leaders like Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, Jawaharlal Nehru, C. Rajagopalachari, Vallabhbhai Patel, Saifuddin Kitchlew, Asaf Ali, Rajendra Prasad, and T. Prakasam renounced their legal practices in solidarity.

The Indian National Congress called for self-governance, or Swarajya, advocating only non-violent methods of protest. However, the movement came to an abrupt end following the Chauri Chaura incident in February 1922, where a violent clash led to the burning of a police station and the death of 22 policemen. Disturbed by the violence, Gandhi decided to halt the movement.

Despite its abrupt conclusion, the Non-Cooperation Movement laid the foundation for future resistance efforts.

Civil Disobedience Movement, 1930

The Civil Disobedience Movement, a pivotal chapter in India’s struggle for independence, began in 1930 in response to the British imposition of a tax on salt. This tax, which made up 8.2 per cent of the British Raj’s revenue, infuriated Indians and prompted Mahatma Gandhi to take a stand against it.

On March 12, 1930, Gandhi embarked on a historic march from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi in Gujarat. Accompanied by thousands of followers, Gandhi defied the British salt laws by producing salt from seawater, igniting the Salt March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha or the Dandi March.

This act of defiance sparked a nationwide non-violent Civil Disobedience Movement against colonial rule.

The Civil Disobedience Movement rapidly gained momentum, resulting in the arrest of more than 60,000 people, including Gandhi himself. However, the relentless pursuit of justice and the widespread media attention forced the British to reconsider their stance.

In 1931, after his release from prison, Gandhi met with Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India, to negotiate an end to the civil disobedience campaign. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed, stipulating that the movement would cease in exchange for allowing Indians to produce salt for personal use and the release of detained activists.

This agreement also led to Gandhi participating in the Second Round Table Conference in London as an “equal” representative.

Quit India Movement, 1942

The Quit India Movement, a significant milestone in India’s fight for independence, arose from growing dissatisfaction with British rule, especially after the failure of the Cripps Mission in March 1942, which sought Indian support during World War II.

On August 8, 1942, during the All India Congress Committee session in Bombay, the Quit India Resolution was adopted, demanding the end of British rule. Gandhi’s powerful call to action, “Do or Die,” reverberated across the nation, urging Indians to engage in non-violent resistance against colonial authorities.

This campaign, known as the “Bharat Chhodo Andolan,” aimed to force the British to leave India. The movement saw unprecedented participation from all social strata, uniting students, farmers, workers, and political leaders in a collective effort.

The British response was swift and harsh. The day after the movement’s launch, key leaders, including Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, along with over 100,000 supporters, were arrested. This crackdown led to widespread protests, strikes, and acts of civil disobedience across the country.

With the main leaders imprisoned, the movement’s leadership fell to younger leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia. New leaders, such as Aruna Asaf Ali, also emerged, taking up the mantle of resistance.

Despite the severe repression, the Quit India Movement galvanised the nation and brought India closer to its goal of independence.

Finally, India gained independence from the British colonial rule on August 15th, 1947.

With input from agencies