8th Class Social Science Indian National Movement Notes - The Nationalist Movement

 

The National Movement

 

 

 

After the Revolt of 1857, the English East India Company was replaced by the British Crown. Many Indians were optimistic and expected a new beginning but the British continued their oppressive and repressive policies. The Indians realised that their welfare was not a matter of concern for the British government. This gradually led to the development of nationalist feeling. The stage was now set for India's independence and only a final step was needed to achieve this goal.

 

 

After the Battle of Plassey, India was politically and economically controlled by the English East India Company. India was converted to a British colony. The British ruled India to promote their own interests. They utilised the resources of India for their own advantage. Indians realized this, and the realisation led to the development of anti-British sentiments and the birth of nationalism. A current of national feeling was generated in the minds of the people. The spirit of nationalism did not develop overnight. It developed because of the repressive policies of the British. The very concept of nationalism arose to meet the challenge of the foreign rule. There were three distinct phases of the National Movement,

 

 

?The Era of Early Nationalism (1875-1905), the Era of Assertive Nationalism (1905-1919) and the Era of Mahatma Gandhi (1919-1947).

 

 

THE ERA OF EARLY NATIONALISM (1878-1905)

 

GROWTH OF NATIONALISM

The British continued to exploit India economically. They introduced policies which ruined agriculture. Trade and industries also declined. Educated Indians gradually realised that the economic policies of the British were only meant to increase poverty in India. Thus, anti-British feelings gradually arose and gave rise to the development of nationalist spirit amongst the Indians. The British were arrogant and regarded themselves as superior to the Indians. They showed contempt towards the Indians, insulted them and treated them like slaves.

 

 

Lord Lytton introduced policies which led to further discontentment among the Indians. He passed the Vernacular Press Act in 1878. According to this Act, Indian newspapers could not write anything against the British. Another act was the Arms Act that forbade Indians from carrying arms or weapons. These rules were not applicable to the British.

 

Lord Ripon introduced the Ilbert Bill in 1883 which proposed an amendment for the existing laws in the country. The Bill proposed that Indian magistrates would be given the power to try cases that involved British offenders in criminal cases at the district level; this was disallowed at that time. This led to much protest by the British community who opposed the bill and it had to be modified. Indians realised that they would never get the same rights as the British. This aroused feelings of nationalism among the Indians.

 

The second half of the 19th century witnessed the growth of an organised national movement in India. Indians began forming political organisations to discuss their problems and put forward their demands. The earliest political organisations were the Landholder's Society, the Bombay Association, the East India Association and The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha.

 

The Indian Association and The Bombay Presidency Association were also established. All these associations were established by educated Indians like, lawyers, teachers and other professional men. The aim was to unify the Indians and to arouse national consciousness. However, these were local organisations. Gradually these leaders felt the need of an all India organisation which would unite all Indians against the British Raj.

 

FORMATION OF THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

 

 

A.0.Hume, a retired British civil servant realised that the Indians needed a platform to express their problems. He felt that if the Indians could not vent out their feelings, it would lead to another nationwide revolt. He invited Indians to form an all India political organisation. Consequently, the Indian National I Congress was set up. Its first session was held in Bombay on 28th December, 1885 at the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College under the Presidentship of W. C. Bonnerjee. It was attended by 72 delegates.

 

The INC, at this stage, was not an anti-British organisation, and its demands were modest. It served as a means of communication between the British government and the Indians. Initially its aims were to:

 

 

?      Unite nationalist workers from different parts of the country and promote friendly relations among them.

?      Present the demands of the Indians to the British government and find solutions for them.

?      Develop and consolidate a feeling of national unity irrespective of the religion or region.

 

The nationalist feelings and consciousness received a great impetus with the foundation of the Indian National Congress.

 

The Moderates

 

The first 20 years of the Congress (1885-1905) are consigned the Moderates Phase. The moderates had faith in the British rulers and were loyal to the British throne. They wanted to bring about gradual change without any revolt. They were of the view that the British would give in to the genuine demands of the Indians. They believed in adopting constitutional methods for agitation without any violence. They believedin passing resolutions, sending petitions and appeals to the British government. They were called the naram dal. Some of the important moderate leaders were-Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Baneriee, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Pherozeshah Mehta. Some of their demands were:

 

?      Separation of administration and judiciary

?      Improvement in irrigation, agriculture and industry

?      More schools and hospitals and reduction in military expenditure

?      Freedom of speech and expression

?      Improved police system

?      Elected representatives in the central and provincial legislative councils

?      Amendment of the Arms Act.

 

However, the moderates made no substantial achievements. Gradually a group among the moderates realised that the British were not really interested in changing things for the benefit of the Indians. Initially, the British were favourably inclined towards the Congress but soon they turned hostile. This led to the rise of Extremists.

 

 

Q.        What were the demands of the Moderates?

 

The Extremists

Another group of nationalists within the congress called the Extremists, became prominent after 1905. Among them were; Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal. They were commonly known as Bal-Pal-Lal. They were also called the garam dal.

 

Their views were radically different from the Moderates. They had no faith or trust in the British. They wanted self-rule or Swaraj and believed that action was needed to achieve this. According to them, national problems could only be solved by vigorous agitation. Their methods of agitation were aggressive and they wanted the Indians to unite and force the British out of the country and establish Swaraj.

 

History Reveals

Bal Gangadhar Tilak famously said 'Swaraj is my birthright and I must have it.'

 

THE ERA OF ASSERTIVE NATIONALISM (1905-1919)

 

PARTITION OF BENGAL

 

 

The partition plan came up in 1905. This was the brain child of Lord Curzon. The Province of Bengal was large and included the regions of Assam, Bihar and Orissa. Lord Curzon decided to partition Bengal for administrative purposes. However, the actual motive was purely political. He divided Bengal into two Provinces, East Bengal and West Bengal. The partition was done along communal lines. It was yet another part of the 'Divide and Rule' policy in an attempt to weaken the Hindu- Muslim unity. Also, Bengal was the stronghold of the Congress and by partitioning Bengal, Lord Curzon wanted to weaken the Congress in Bengal. The Partition on October 16th, 1905, caused a great stir among the Indians who firmly opposed it. For Indians, it was a day of mourning. Hindus and Muslims tied rachis to each other to show their unity. People in Calcutta walked barefoot in the streets shouting Vande Mataram. The main consequences of the partition of Bengal were the Swadeshi and Boycott Movements.

 

 

Q.        How did the people react to the partition of Bengal?

 

History Reveals

Rabindranath Tagore composed the song 'Amar Sonar Bangle (My golden Bengal) to arouse feelings of patriotism in the people. The first ten lines of this song are the national anthem of today's Bangladesh.

 

SWADESHI AND BOYCOTT MOVEMENTS

 

Swadeshi and Boycott, both the movements were outcome of the partition of Bengal. They aimed at getting rid of the British as well as improving the economy of the country. Swadeshi means 'of one's own country'. Its aim was that, if Indians use only products made in India, Indian industries would surely prosper. The people began boycotting British goods and using indigenous products. The Boycott resolution was passed on August 7th, 1905 in a public meeting in Calcutta. This movement soon gained momentum. People collected foreign made goods and made bonfires. Shops selling foreign goods were closed down or picketed. Washermen refused to wash foreign clothes and cobblers refused to mend foreign shoes. Guests refused to attend functions where foreign sugar or salt were used. People using foreign goods were socially boycotted.

 

These movements rapidly spread all over the country. The use of local products gave a boost to village industries. Many Indian industries like?textiles, factories of soaps and matchboxes and even banks sprang up. They reaped profits, as the demand for Indian products grew.

 

FORMATION OF THE MUSLIM LEAGUE

 

The British followed the policy of divide and rule because they realised that the unity of the Hindus and Muslims was potentially dangerous for them. They made the Muslims believe that they should safeguard their interests because the Congress was dominated by Hindus. They encouraged the Muslims to start a separate organisation. Also, the partition of Bengal strengthened communal differences. Thus, the Muslim League was formed on December 30th, 1906, at Dacca under the leadership of Nawab Salimullah Khan. They supported the Partition of Bengal and wanted to safeguard the interests and rights of the Muslims. They put forward their demands to the British government. They wanted separate electorates for the Muslims. The British gave in to their demand. Some seats in the Councils were now reserved for Muslims, who would be elected by the Muslim electorate. However, the introduction of separate electorates for the Muslims sowed the seeds of division between Hindus and Muslims.

 

SURAT SPLIT AND LUCKNOW PACT

 

The Surat session of the INC was held in 1907. It was an important event since the Moderates and the Extremists parted ways. There were differences between them on many issues which led to clashes between them. The Congress passed resolutions on Boycott, Swadeshi and National Education in 1906, but the Moderates opposed them. The Extremists were not prepared to allow them to do so. An open clash resulted. Though this split was temporary, it weakened the INC.

 

 

History Reveals

Delhi Durbar of 1911 was held in December to commemorate the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary as Emperor and Empress of India. It was here that King George made two very important announcements. First, the capital of India would be shifted from Calcutta to Delhi. Second, he cancelled the Partition of Bengal.

 

However, the Muslim League and Congress again joined hands in December 1915 and signed the Lucknow Pact to fight for self-rule. This also led to better understanding between the two opposing groups of the Congress-the Moderates and the Extremists. Thus, it brought the Extremist and Moderate sections of Indian National Congress together under one common Interest for obtaining self-rule for the Indians.

 

History Reveals

Muhammad Ali Jinnah played a key role in the signing of the Lucknow Fact and was called the Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity'.

 

THE FIRST WORLD WAR AND NATIONALISM

 

The First World War began in 1914. India made a huge contribution to Britain's war effort. The Indians supported the British with the hope that after the war the British would give them Home rule. But all was in vain. Many in India felt that they had been badly let down by the British government for their part played in World War I. The British government's post war attitude was a great stimulus for the independence movement.

 

Also, the war had tremendous economic impact on India. Due to the war expenses, taxes were increased and prices of everyday necessities soared. This led to further problems for the common people. However, many businesses flourished too because the war created a demand for goods which could not be imported during the war. Some industries expanded and now the business groups demanded opportunities for further development.

 

Indians were recruited massively and were sent to fight in the wars fought by the British. They were exposed to western ideas and realised the injustice being done to the Indians. Indians leamt about the Russian Revolution of 1917 and were inspired by the ideas of liberty and equality. Thus, the feelings of nationalism grew even stronger. The stage was now set for India's independence and only a final step was needed to achieve this goal.

 

RETURN OF GANDHI

 

The next phase of the independence struggle was led by Mahatama Gandhi. This phase is also known as the Gandhian Era since he played a pivotal role.

 

 

Gandhiji returned to India from South Africa in 1915. He stayed there for 20 years and had witnessed racial discrimination and ill treatment of the coloured people by the British. He fought against racial injustice. After he came back to India, he took a tour of the country. He was extremely upset to see the condition of the people. He began many movements to uplift the status of the Indians. He supported the cause of the oppressed cultivators of Champaran district of Bihar; he fought for the peasants of Kheda district in Gujarat; he also backed the textile workers of Ahmedabad who were fighting for their wages.

 

ROWLATT ACT AND SATYAGRAHA

 

In 1919, the British government passed the Rowlatt Act. According to this Act, the government had the authority to arrest and imprison anyone without a trial. The Act was ill famed as a 'Black Act' by the Indians and they revolted in protest against it. It curbed freedom of expression. Gandhiji began the Rowlatt Satyagraha. April 6th, 1919 was observed as a day of non-violent opposition and there were strikes and demonstrations against the Act.

 

JALLIANWALA BAGH MASSACRE

 

 

After the Rowlatt Act, violence broke out in some parts of the country. The agitation reached its peak at Amritsar in Punjab. On 10th April, 1919; two renowned nationalist leaders. Dr. Satya Pal and Dr. Kitchlew were arrested. On 13th April, 1919, people gathered at Jallianwala Bagh to protest against their arrest and denounce the action of the British. The meeting was peaceful and was attended by men, women and children. Jallianwala Bagh was a small park enclosed by buildings on all sides. General Dyer, the military commander of Amritsar, entered the park with his troops and closed the only entrance to it. He then, without any warning, commanded his troops to open fire on the gathering. The firing continued for 10 minutes. No one could escape as the entrance was blocked. About a thousand people were killed and many thousands wounded. Indians were horrified at this brutal act. Rabindra Nath Tagore returned his knighthood to the British government as a sign of protest. Indians became even more determined to oppose the British.

 

THE ERA OF MAHATMA GANDHI (1919-1947)

 

KHILAFAT AND NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENTS

Turkey fought against the British and was defeated in the First World War. Hence, the Khalifa received harsh treatment from the British. This angered the Muslims in India and they started the Khilafat Movement against the British. It was headed by Maulana Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali. Gandhiji and the Congress supported the movement. They saw it as an ideal opportunity to strengthen the Hindu-Muslim unity and getting the support of the Muslims in the nationalist movements.

 

In 1920, the Congress launched the Non Co- operation Movement along with the Khilafat Movement under the leadership of Gandhi. The aims of the movement were to attain Swaraj or self-governance using non-violent methods and to protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. They also wanted redressal of the wrongs done in Turkey.

 

The movement was extremely successful. Many Indians gave up the titles given by the British. Thousands of students left schools and colleges and joined the movement. Leading lawyers like?Motilal Nehru, C. R. Das, V. Patel and Asaf Ali Khan gave up their practices. People boycotted foreign clothes and made bonfires. The British suffered heavy losses.

 

CHAURI CHAURA TRAGEDY

 

An incident occurred at Chauri Chaura, in Uttar Pradesh, in February 1922; that led to the end of the Non-Cooperation Movement. Some policemen fired on a procession of 3000 peasants who were on a protest march through the village. As a result, the angry crowd set the police station on fire and 22 policemen were killed. Mahatima

Gandhi was strictly against violence and he called off the movement insisting that, Indians were not yet ready for a non-violent struggle.

 

Although the Non-Cooperation Movement was not successful in undoing the wrongs done in Punjab and securing Swaraj; it was however very significant because it was a mass movement. The movement assumed an all-India character which shook the very foundations of the British rule. Almost all classes participated in the movement. A patriotic zeal gripped the whole nation. The weapon of Satyagraha, that Gandhiji gave to the nation emerged as the greatest asset of the Indians.

 

With the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement, some Congress members like; C. R. Das and Motilal Nehru, decided to stand for elections to enter the Legislative Council and then fight the government from within. They did well in the elections and secured many seats in the Councils. They now attended the proceedings of the Councils and questioned and opposed the decisions of the British.

 

Other Congress members like?Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. M. A. Ansari and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel undertook constructive programmes in rural areas. This social work won more support for the Congress. Spinning of Charkha to make Khadi was promoted. They also promoted equality and spread of education.

 

SIMON COMMISSION

 

 

In 1927, the British government appointed a commission to take a decision on self- governance in India. Headed by Sir John Simon, this commission consisted of all British people and had no Indian representative.

 

 

Hence, the Indians were totally against it. When the Simon Commission arrived, it was greeted with black Hags. There was country wide protest and the people shouted 'Simon Go Back' slogans.

 

Peaceful demonstrators were beaten up by the police at many places. An unfortunate incident occurred when Lala Lajpat Rai was participating in a peaceful protest in Lahore against the Simon Commission. J. P. Saunders, a British police officer, ordered a lathi charge and Lala Lajpat Rai was badly wounded and later succumbed to his injuries.

 

In December 1929, under the Presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru at its annual session at Lahore, the INC (Indian National Congress) declared 'Puma Swaraf' or complete independence from\ the British. It was also decided that January 26th, 1930 would be observed as Independence Day of India. They chose the tricolor as the flag of freedom.

 

 

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT AND THE DANDI MARCH

 

The Civil disobedience movement was launched by Gandhiji in March 1930. It began with the Dandi March. Gandhiji thought of opposing the British government by peacefully breaking the salt laws. Salt was used by all but no one was allowed to make salt from sea water and had to pay tax on the salt they bought.

 

THE REVOLUTIONARIES

 

 

 

This period witnessed a spurt in revolutionary activities. Many people were frustrated with the state of affairs and took to violence. Many revolutionary organisations were also established. The death of Lala Lajpat Rai was a severe blow to the nation and his death was avenged by Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Jai Gopal and Sukhdev by killing Saunders.

 

On April 8th, 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutta threw a bomb in the Legislative Assembly shouting 'Inauilab Zindabad' (Long Live the Revolution). The bomb was harmless and did not hurt anybody. It was done to make their voices heard. They both surrendered and were subsequently hanged.

 

A famous revolutionary organisation called, 'the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association' (HSRA) was set up. Bands of young men got secret military training and they attacked the British intending to terrorise them. They believed in attaining independence by violence. They required funds to carry on their activities and even looted the British treasury and blew up railway lines. Many of them were imprisoned. But even then, the burning passion for independence never died.

 

On March 12th, 1930, Gandhi began the historic Dandi March from Sabarmati Ashram with seventy-eight followers. After covering a distance of about 400 kms, they reached Dandi, a small village along the Gujarat coast. Thousands of followers joined the march on the way. They reached Dandi on 6th April, 1930 and broke the

 

History Reveals

In the north-west, the movement was led by Abdul Gaffar Khan, also called 'Frontier Gandhi'. He and his followers formed the 'Khudai Khidmatgar group. Sarojini Naidu protested near the Dharshana salt depot in Gujarat.

 

Salt Law by making salt from sea water. Soon salt was made all over the coastal India.

 

Hartals and demonstrations were organized everywhere. Peasants refused to pay land revenue. Forest laws imposed by the British were broken. Women and children also joined the movement. The British reacted violently. There was police firing and assault on unarmed people. People suffered the cruelties of the British even though they refrained from violent activities. Many leaders including Gandhiji were arrested. The Movement was withdrawn in 1934.

 

 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT? 1935

The Government of India Act was passed in 1935 according to which India was to become a federation. The provinces were granted partial autonomy. The ministers were to be elected. However, no federation was actually formed. The Congress members participated in the Provincial elections. They won in 7 out of 11 provinces and formed ministries of their own. The ministers brought about many reforms that benefited the people. The press was given more freedom and medical and educational facilities were improved.

 

 

DEMAND FOR PAKISTAN

 

The Muslim League did not do too well in the Provincial elections. This soured the relations between the Muslim League and the Congress. There was a growing sense of insecurity in the Muslim League. Jinnah criticised the Congress and insisted that the Muslim minority would have no say in the government with Hindu majority. He wanted to secure the interests of the Muslim community. According to his two- nation theory, Hindus and Muslims were totally different in ideas and it would be impossible to live together as a nation. The Muslim League adopted a resolution in Lahore in 1940 called the Lahore Resolution. They demanded a separate state for the Muslim majority on the north- western and eastern parts of India. However, the resolution did not mention Pakistan.

 

QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT

 

In 1939, the Second World War broke out. The British now expected cooperation from Indians to fight the war. The Congress demanded immediate freedom after the war in return for the help during the war but the British government refused. As a result, the Congress ministries resigned.

 

 

The freedom struggle was now at its peak. The Congress held a meeting in Bombay. It was discussed that India's security was in danger. They feared an attack by Japan because the presence of the British even though Japan had no enmity with India. It was decided that an ultimatum be given to the British to leave India immediately and Gandhi passed the Quit India Resolution. Gandhiji inspired Indians with his speech. He said "I want freedom immediately. Here is a mantra, a short one, that I give you. You may imprint it in your hearts and let every breath of i/ours give expression to it. The mantra is - do or die. We shall either free India or die in the attempt."

 

The government took quick and harsh action. The day after the resolution was passed, the Congress was banned and all important leaders were arrested. This shocked the entire country. The slogan "Quit India" resounded throughout the country. Angered by the actions of the government, people resorted to violence. The government used brutal force to suppress the movement. Though the movement was short lived, it was a mass movement which clearly demonstrated that Indians were willing to struggle and sacrifice for freedom which was no longer a distant dream.

 

 

 

THE PARTITION AND INDEPENDENCE

 

With the end of the Second World War, the British decided to grant complete independence to India. In 1946, a three member team was sent to India to assist in the transfer of power from the British Crown to India and help the Indian leaders to decide an appropriate government. This was called the Cabinet Mission. They proposed to set up an Interim Government and a Constituent Assembly which would draft a constitution for independent India. The Congress agreed to the Cabinet Mission proposal in order to avoid any delay in achieving independence. The Muslim League boycotted the Assembly and insisted on its demand for the creation of Pakistan as a separate state. The   Cabinet Mission was against the creation of a separate state for Muslims. They suggested that India should remain as one united country but the Muslim majority areas should have some autonomy. On 2nd September, 1946, the Congress formed the Interim Government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru. Later, the Muslim League also joined the Interim Government.

 

 

The Muslim League declared August 16th as the Direct Action Day. There were demonstrations on the streets demanding the creation of Pakistan. It resulted in communal riots in which thousands were killed.

 

Lord Mountbatten came to India as the last Viceroy in March, 1947. He tried to restore peace between the Congress and Muslim League without much success. He was convinced that there was no hope of a united India and the partition was inevitable. Congress leaders realised that the creation of Pakistan was necessary for communal harmony. Lord Mountbatten put forward a plan for the division of India into two independent states-the Indian Union and Pakistan.

 

The plan was accepted as a necessary evil. At midnight on August 15th, 1947/ India gained independence and Pakistan was created. Millions of people lost their lives and homes because the country was ravaged by riots. Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India. He gave a memorable and historic speech on the midnight of August 14th. "At the stroke of midnight, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance".

 

SOME LEADERS WHO SHAPED THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT

 

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

 

 

Popularly known as Netaji, Subhash Chandra Bose was one of the most dynamic leaders of the freedom struggle. He joined the Congress and was in favour of complete freedom from the British rule. He was elected President of the Congress in 1938. Later, he formed his own party called the Forward Bloc in 1939. He was put under house arrest but he escaped and went to Germany and sought German aid to fight the British. He made radio broadcasts from Berlin urging Indians to overthrow the British rule.

 

Later, he went to Japan and Singapore and organised the Azad Hind Fauj or Indian National Army (INA). The DMA joined the Japanese army in its march towards India. Netaji proclaimed "You give me blood and I will give you freedom." The INA established its rule in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They hoisted the Indian flag in Manipur in 1944. However, Japan surrendered in the World War and INA could not fulfill its dream. Netaji was reportedly killed in an air crash over Taiwan, in 1945.

 

Maulana Abu! Kalam Azad

 

 

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad played an active role in India's struggle for freedom. He published many works criticising the British rule and advocating self-rule in India. He became the President of the INC in 1923. He promoted Hindu- Muslim unity and was opposed to the creation of Pakistan. He became a member of the Constituent Assembly formed to draft the Constitution of India. After independence, he served as the Education Minister.

 

 

 

Sardar Vallabhai Patel

 

 

Sardar Vallabhai Patel was an important political leader in the struggle for freedom. He launched the non-violent Civil Disobedience Movement in Gujuarat. He was a strong supporter of the Non-Cooperation Movement. He led the Satyagraha in Nagpur in 1923. He was elected as the President of the INC in 1931. He was prominent in organising the Quit India Movement. After independence, he became the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India. A man of determination and courage, he was indeed the 'Iron Man of India.

 

Mohammad Ali Jinnah

 

 

Mohammad Ali Jinnah joined the INC in 1906. Later, he joined the Muslim League. He was convinced that having a separate homeland for Muslims on the Indian sub-continent was necessary to protect the interests and traditions of the Muslims. The independent state that he envisioned came into being on August 14th, 1947. The following day, he was sworn in as Pakistan's first Governor-General.

 

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari

 

 

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari played an active role in the Indian Independence Movement. He took an active part in the anti-Rowlatt protests. He was elected a member of the Congress Working Committee. He was the first Indian Governor- General of India. He became a cabinet minister in Nehru's cabinet. He received Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.

 

Sarojini Naidu

 

 

Sarojini Naidu joined the national movement at the rear of Bengal partition in 1905. She traveled across the India, lecturing on social welfare, women empowerment, and nationalism. In 1925, Naidu was appointed the President of the National Congress. Thus, becoming the first Indian women to hold the post. She also joined the Non-Cooperation Movement, organised and led by Mahatma Gandhi and joined him in the Salt March to Dandi. In the same year, she was appointed the Home Rule League's ambassador to England.

 

Annie Besant

 

 

Annie Besant was a political reformer, women's rights activist, theosophist and Indian nationalist. She was the leading women figure of the late 19th and early 20th century. In 1893, she first visited India and soon became involved in the Indian national struggle for freedom. She served as the President of the Theosophical Society. During her presidency, she became actively involved in the Indian struggle for independence. She founded the Home Rule League. Additionally, she initiated the Banaras Hindu University. Besant served as the first woman President of the Indian National Congress in 1917.

 

Around the World

 

French soldiers watching enemy movements During the World War I

 

As the 19th century drew to a close, there was increasing rivalry between various European nations. There was competition for colonies and power. By 1914, the five most powerful countries had split into two rival groups. Britain, France and Russia formed one group called the Allies. The opposing countries were Germany and Austria-Hungary called the Central Powers. The war began on June 28th, 1914, and many other countries soon became involved. The two sides also fought in Africa and the Far East where the European countries had their colonies. The war came to an end on November 11,1918, after the Germany surrendered. The war, also known as the Great War, involved many countries and killed more people than any other war that had ever been fought.