UPSC Syllabus PDF download - Prelims Examination Part-1

General studies-Paper-I(Marks: 200)

1.Current events of national and international importance

2. History of India and Indian National Movement

Indian National Movement – History of India and Indian National Movement UPSC Notes

Indian National Movement refers to the mass movement that was the result of the rise in Indian

consciousness and nationalism. The movement was started in the latter half of the nineteenth

century and was the first instance of successful resistance against British rule. Before the

National Movement in India, the fight for independence was going on in smaller, segregated

sections throughout the country. Due to the divisive nature of these struggles, none were

successful for too long. Many considered India not as one country but rather as a bunch of

kingdoms being colonized by the same oppressive British force. The subcontinent was one

entity for the colonizers. However, within it, people identified themselves differently from each

other.

To ensure an enhanced grasp of all the movements and causes of Indian Nationalism, studying

proper notes is necessary. Indian National Movement Notes for UPSC are written in a manner

that enables easy understanding and retention. Find the link to download the notes below.

Indian National Movement changed that as the realization of what unity could do for the citizens

dawned upon them. The different sections of society came together to fight for their

emancipation, which led to a larger impact. Despite religious, social, and cultural norms, people

decided to unite their efforts against the British, which ultimately led to success in the year of

1947.

Rise of Nationalism in India: Causes and Circumstance

The rise of nationalism in India did not happen overnight. It was a gradual process, which took a

considerable amount of time as well as a combination of various factors. The causes and

circumstances of the growth of the Indian national movement are listed below.

• Socio-religious Reforms: There were many socio-religious reform movements happening

in the 19th century that acted as a propeller of the rise of nationalism in India. Reformers like

Jyotiba Phule, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, etc., were an integral part

of this movement as they worked relentlessly to remove the religious and social evils from

society. During this time, the practice of Sati was abolished and education for women was

encouraged.

• Rise in Western Education: On 2nd February 1835, Macaulay presented his ‘Minute

on Indian Education’ with the aim of creating a class of Indians who were educated in a

western way and could serve as the administrators of British rule. However, instead of

doing what was expected of them, Indians learned and used the English language to

unite various regions and mobilized the ideas of freedom, democracy, equality, etc.,

which they were exposed to due to their exposure to western thinkers and philosophers.

• Revival of Vernacular languages: As Indians realized the power of their native languages,

vernaculars started gaining popularity, and many notable writers started writing in them. This

helped propagate the idea of freedom and liberty across the masses. It was the easiest way

of ensuring the integral ideas reached everyone in the language they understood.

• Effects of Economic Policies of the British: The impact of the British Raj’s economic

policies was disastrous and led to poverty among Indians, especially the peasants and

farmers. They incurred heavy losses and debts with no help from anywhere. Their

suppression ultimately led to a revolt which was further mobilized by the ideas of nationalism

prevalent in the country at that time.

• Aftermath of the Revolt of 1857: The Revolt of 1857 was the first major revolt against

British rule. However, it was brutally crushed by the British and led to many deaths. This

resulted in a deep resentment among Indians and also drastically increased the racial

tension between them and the British. The revolt of 1857 became a precursor to the rise of

nationalism in India in more ways than one.

Factors Responsible for Indian National Movement

Indian National movement was started due to various reasons; however, there are also a set of

different reasons why it was able to grow and succeed. The British, in their selfishness, ended

up giving tools that Indians could give to accelerate their movement. The various factors for the

growth of Indian nationalism are listed below.

• Political Unity in the Country: Most parts of India were put under a single political setup under British rule. The system of administration was It resulted in an administrative

system that was unified and consolidated across different regions. While it was easy to

control for the British, it also led to a feeling of ‘oneness’ among these regions, leading to

unity.

• Rise in Network of Transport: British gave Indians roads and railways initially to make

the transport of various raw materials easier. However, ultimately, it resulted in

increased movements of people who could easily move from one place of protest to

another. People who preached the Indian national movement could easily travel to

different parts of the country now to convenience others to join and were largely

successful as well.

• Increased Communication: Along with transportation, the British also extensively built

telegraph and post systems in India. This also ended up being extremely useful for

Indians as they could now communicate the events of their freedom movements and

information about the struggle through pamphlets, letters, etc., with relative ease.

• Growth of the Modern Press: The increased communication was also a result of the

growth of the modern press. The Indian National Movement was a success as the press

was becoming more and more popular in both English and regional languages.

Pamphlets, posters, etc., were printed in large numbers and distributed among people to

propagate the idea of freedom from British rule.

• The Policies of Lord Lytton: Lytton passed the Vernacular Press Act of 1878, which

authorized the government to confiscate newspapers that printed anything against

British rule. He was also behind the Arms Act of 1878, which prohibited Indians from

carrying weapons without a license. He was also insensitive towards the needs of

people and spent an exorbitant amount of money on Delhi Durbar while people died of

famine in the south. These policies led to mass rage which led to the revolt against him

and the British rule.

• Racist Treatment: British were extensively racist towards Indians and treated them as

inferiors. Ilbert Bill controversy only solidified this fact and caused Indians a lot of rage

for the unequal treatment they were being meted by the British for no reason other than

race.

• Foreign National Movements: Indians took great inspiration from the nationalist

struggles happening in foreign countries. Events like French Revolution, American Civil

War, etc. resulted in knowledge of new ideals as well as promoted the Indian National

Movement.

National Movement in India: Important Events

National Movement in India is marked by various events that played an essential role in the fight

for independence. Each of these movements helped in masses gain insights into why fighting for

freedom was absolutely necessary. The events which shaped nationalism in India are

presented below chronologically.

Year Events of Indian National Movement

1857 Revolt of 1857Revolt of 1857

1905-1911 Swadeshi Movement

1914-1917 Gadar Movement

1916-1918 Home Rule Movement

1917 Champaran Satyagraha

1919 Rowlatt Satyagrah

1920 Khilafat and Non-cooperation Movement

1930 Civil Disobedience Movement and Dandi March

1942 Quit India Movement

Rise of Nationalism in India: Causes and Circumstances