⭐ Sabse Important Points · एक नज़र में
- Moderates: Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and Gokhale used constitutional methods; their main contribution was economic critique of colonialism (Drain Theory).
- Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22): First nationwide mass movement; combined with Khilafat issue; withdrawn after Chauri Chaura violence.
- Swadeshi Movement: Launched against the Partition of Bengal (1905); promoted boycott of foreign goods and use of Indian products; gave momentum to extremism.
- Civil Disobedience Movement (1930): Started with Dandi March (12 March 1930); broke salt law; led to Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931).
- Surat Split (1907): The INC split into Moderates and Extremists at the Surat session; reunited in 1916 at Lucknow session.
- Quit India Movement (1942): Launched after Cripps Mission failure; slogan 'Do or Die'; leaders arrested; marked the end of British rule.
Introduction · परिचय
The History of India and Indian National Movement is a core component of the UPPSC General Studies-I syllabus. It covers the broad sweep of Indian history from ancient times to independence, with special emphasis on the national movement. For UPPSC, questions often test chronological understanding, key personalities, important events, and the ideological evolution of the freedom struggle. This revision note focuses on high-yield areas: the Indian National Congress sessions, major movements, and the contributions of key leaders.
Foundation and Early Phase of Indian National Congress (1885-1905)
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 by A.O. Hume, with W.C. Bonnerjee as its first president. The early phase (1885-1905) is known as the Moderate phase, dominated by leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Surendranath Banerjee. They believed in constitutional agitation, petitions, and gradual reforms. Key demands included Indian representation in councils, reduction of military expenditure, and economic reforms. The partition of Bengal in 1905 by Lord Curzon sparked the Swadeshi Movement and led to the rise of Extremists.
- 1885: INC founded
- 1885-1905: Moderate phase
- 1905: Partition of Bengal
- 1905-1908: Swadeshi Movement
- 1907: Surat Split
⭐ Key Points · याद रखने वाली बातें
- Moderates: Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and Gokhale used constitutional methods; their main contribution was economic critique of colonialism (Drain Theory).
- Swadeshi Movement: Launched against the Partition of Bengal (1905); promoted boycott of foreign goods and use of Indian products; gave momentum to extremism.
- Surat Split (1907): The INC split into Moderates and Extremists at the Surat session; reunited in 1916 at Lucknow session.
✍️ Solved Example 1 · हल किया हुआ उदाहरण
❓ Question: Who was the first president of the Indian National Congress?
✅ Solution: W.C. Bonnerjee
💡 Explanation: The first session of INC was held in Bombay in 1885, and W.C. Bonnerjee presided over it. A.O. Hume was the founder-general secretary.
Gandhian Era and Mass Movements (1919-1947)
Mahatma Gandhi's arrival in 1915 transformed the national movement into a mass movement. Key movements include the Champaran Satyagraha (1917), Kheda Satyagraha (1918), and Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918). The Rowlatt Act (1919) and Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919) led to the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), which was withdrawn after the Chauri Chaura incident (1922). The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) began with the Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha). The Quit India Movement (1942) was the final mass upsurge. These movements used non-violent methods like satyagraha, boycott, and civil disobedience.
- 1919: Rowlatt Act & Jallianwala Bagh
- 1920-22: Non-Cooperation Movement
- 1930: Civil Disobedience Movement
- 1942: Quit India Movement
⭐ Key Points · याद रखने वाली बातें
- Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22): First nationwide mass movement; combined with Khilafat issue; withdrawn after Chauri Chaura violence.
- Civil Disobedience Movement (1930): Started with Dandi March (12 March 1930); broke salt law; led to Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931).
- Quit India Movement (1942): Launched after Cripps Mission failure; slogan 'Do or Die'; leaders arrested; marked the end of British rule.
✍️ Solved Example 1 · हल किया हुआ उदाहरण
❓ Question: Which movement was launched with the slogan 'Do or Die'?
✅ Solution: Quit India Movement (1942)
💡 Explanation: At the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay on 8 August 1942, Gandhi gave the slogan 'Do or Die' for the Quit India Movement, demanding immediate British withdrawal.
Practice Questions · खुद हल करके देखो
पहले खुद try karo, phir “Answer dekho” dabakar check karo. 👇
Q1Who founded the Indian National Congress in 1885?
👀 Answer dekho
✅ Answer: A.O. Hume
💡 Explanation: A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant, founded the INC in 1885 with the help of Indian leaders. W.C. Bonnerjee was the first president.
Q2The Dandi March was associated with which movement?
👀 Answer dekho
✅ Answer: Civil Disobedience Movement
💡 Explanation: Gandhi launched the Dandi March on 12 March 1930 to break the salt law, marking the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Q3When was the Quit India Movement launched?
👀 Answer dekho
✅ Answer: 1942
💡 Explanation: The Quit India Movement was launched on 8 August 1942 at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee, demanding an end to British rule.
⚠️ Common Mistakes · ये गलतियाँ बिल्कुल मत करना
- Confusing the year of the Surat Split (1907) with the Lucknow Pact (1916). Remember: Split in 1907, reunion in 1916.
- Mixing up the causes of movements: Non-Cooperation was against Rowlatt Act and Khilafat; Civil Disobedience was against salt tax; Quit India was against British presence in WWII.
- Forgetting that the Swadeshi Movement was a response to the Partition of Bengal (1905), not a separate movement later.
⚡ Quick Revision · Exam से पहले 2 मिनट में दोहराओ
- INC founded: 1885 by A.O. Hume; first president W.C. Bonnerjee; first session Bombay.
- Moderates vs Extremists: Moderates used constitutional methods; Extremists (Tilak, Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal) advocated swaraj and boycott.
- Gandhian movements: Non-Cooperation (1920-22), Civil Disobedience (1930-34), Quit India (1942) – each marked a phase of mass mobilization.