Indian Nationalism Flashcards by Dylan Jenkins

Where were the main anti-British bursts in India during WW1?

Bengal and Punjab, however most mainstream political leaders were loyal to britain, sending money and men

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When did Indian nationalism really set off?

In response to the 1919 government of India act as Indian demands for independence weren’t met and they felt like they hadn’t been rewarded for their war efforts

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What did the British do that clearly showed they feared Indian nationalism?

1919 Rowlatt Acts allowed political cases to be tried without juries and arrests to be made without reason
- caused extreme tension, especially in Punjabi region

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When did Indian nationalist tensions come to a peak?

1919 Amritsar Massacre in the Punjab

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What happened in the Amritsar massacre?

British Army troops commanded by Brigadier Dyer fired into a mixed crowd:
. Indians who were protesting against arrests of two nationalist leaders
. Sikh Pilgrims who had gathered in public gardens of Jallianwallah Bagh beside a sacred site, the Golden temple, to celebrate Sikh new year

Clearly the British weren’t aware of the religious importance of these sacred places, showing their lack of understanding

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What was the response to the Amritsar massacre?

. Indian Congress politicians believed Britain’s brutal dealing of the protest showed that Britain had no moral authority to rule
. Galvanised Gandhi’s non-co-operation movement of 1920-22

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What were the casualties and punishments for Dyer in Amritsar massacre?

British government claim: 379 killed
INC: deaths high as 1000

Britain trying to look less brutal and inconsiderate than they are
. Dyer censured and resigned

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Where was another event of conflict apart from Amritsar massacre?

Chauri Chaura incident of 1922

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What happened during the Chauri Chaura incident?

Violence came among many protestors participating in Non-Co-operation movement and police open fired
- demonstrators attacked and set fire to a police station, 23 policemen killed

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How significant was the Chauri Chaura incident?

Led Indian National Congress to call for an end to Non-co-operation movement on national level (became a smaller thing)

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Who was responsible for Indian nationalism not being as bloody as it could have been?

Gandhi (non-violent)

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Which group and individual became more militant in 1930s?

Muslim league (founded in 1906) and Chandra Bose

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Why did Gandhi’s 1942 Quit India campaign fail?

This form of non-violent campaigning was quite easily contained by the British

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What was Gandhi’s main influential role?

Turning INC’S campaign for Indian self government into a mass movement across the diverse society of India

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What principles did Gandhi follow?

Satyagraha - peaceful resistance against British rule in accordance with his strong Hindu religion

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How did Gandhi try to bring India together?

Preached harmonious relations between Hindus and Muslims, arguing that an independent India should have equal rights for both religions.
- he rejected dividing Hindus up in the caste system, particularly angry at the discrimination against the ‘untouchables’

What was Gandhi’s vision for an independent India?

. Built on spiritual and social traditions
. Wanted a ‘village india’, predominantly agricultural and rural, rejecting industrialisation and urbanisation that is reminiscent of Western development

Who were the main individuals dictating Indian nationalism?

Gandhi, Nehru, Chandra Bose and Jinnah

How did Nehru have different views for the future of India to Gandhi?

. Promoted secularism
. Sought modernisation and industrialisation as a socialist: believed the government of the newly independent India should carry out state economic planning
- Gandhi on the other hand wanted a ‘village-India’

How was Nehru not completely against Britain?

He was educated in Britain and became a lawyer (built loyalty)
. Supported Britain during WW2, differing from Gandhi’s standpoint etc.
. Reluctant to participate in the ‘Quit India Campaign’ but did in the end

From what point did Nehru begin to play a large role in Indian nationalism?

Became strongly allied with Gandhi when he joined INC in 1919, seven years after moving back to India

What were Nehru’s key roles in India since he joined the INC?

. 1928: became INC president, arrested during anti-salt tax campaign
. 1936: became INC president again
. 1945: arrested for reluctant involvement in Quit India Campaign
. 1946: INC president again
. 1947: Became independent India’s first prime minister
. 1964: died in office

Who was the most anti-British Indian nationalist?

Chandra Bose (1897-1945)

What religion overwhelmingly supported the INC party?

Hinduism

How was Chandra Bose a rival to many Indian nationalists at the time, causing disorder in opinion on British rule?

. Critical of Gandhi’s non-militant strategies and tactics . Was a rival against Nehru to the leadership of the Congress party

What was Chandra Bose’s belief on the future of India?

Wanted INC to adopt a more militant approach against the British

How was Gandhi so influential for the INC?

Before Gandhi, the INC had headed a movement for self-government but it never really turned into a mass movement. Gandhi’s emergence from 1919 helped extend the appeal of self-government in India across the hugely diverse society

How did Gandhi begin his career and what did he do there?

Practiced law in South Africa for 20 years from 1893 - campaigned against racism and segregation, championing the civil rights of Indians who had settled in the area - challenged the British and dominant afrikaners (descendants of Boers) from 1910 in South Africa

When did Gandhi return to India after being in South Africa, and what was his role in India?

1915 - became president of INC and immersed himself in political affairs - travelled across India, supporting protests against British rule, wearing Indian dress as a symbol of his commitment to Indian culture and rejecting the idea of westernisation

What were some of the protests that Gandhi supported before the Amritsar massacre that got him noticed as a national figure?

1917-18: . Defended the indigo workers of the state of Bihar . Got involved in trying to solve a textile industry dispute in Ahmedabad . Got involved in trying to solve a dispute over land taxes in Gujarat

What event stimulated Gandhi’s movement towards campaigning for full Indian independence?

1919 Amritsar massacre

Why was Gandhi often criticised as a nationalist?

. Although he achieved his main goal of independence in 1947 and was clear on the importance of political non-violence, he was vague about his vision of the future of India after independence . Some Hindu and Muslim nationalists felt his attitudes were too moderate and idealistic, in response to him strongly opposing the idea of partitioning India

What were the four big nationalists movements that Gandhi was involved in after the Amritsar massacre?

. Helped organised Non Co-operation movement of 1920 . Helped organised the civil disobedience movement of 1930-31 and 1932-34 . Helped organise the quit India campaign of 1942 . Helped organise the anti-salt tax campaign in 1930

When was Gandhi assassinated and why?

1948 by militant Hindu nationalist who unjustly accused him of showing bias towards Muslims

What was Gandhi’s main form of personal protest against the religious divisions in India?

Fasted on several occasions in protest against violence between Indians - these fasts brought fighting to a halt E.g in 1924, Gandhi fasted for 3 weeks to promote Hindu-Muslim unity Gandhi’s reputation for saintliness and peace was reinforced by the national mourning which followed Gandhi’s assassination