Nationalism in India

(a) Link between Nationalism and Anti-Colonialism:
In colonies like India and Vietnam, modern nationalism originated from the struggle against colonial rule. People began discovering their unity in the process of their struggle with colonialism.

• Shared Oppression: The sense of being oppressed under colonialism provided a shared bond that tied many different groups together.
• Collective Struggle: The movements led by leaders like Gandhi brought different classes and groups together, forging a nation out of diverse populations.

(b) Impact of First World War on National Movement:
The war created a new economic and political situation that fueled anger against the British:

• Economic Hardship: Defense expenditure increased, leading to increased taxes and the introduction of income tax. Prices of goods doubled between 1913 and 1918, causing extreme hardship for the common people.
• Forced Recruitment: Villages were called upon to supply soldiers, and “forced recruitment” in rural areas caused widespread anger.
• Crisis: This was compounded by crop failures (1918-19) and an influenza epidemic that killed 12 to 13 million people. The British indifference to this suffering united the people against them.

(c) Outrage against the Rowlatt Act (1919):
Indians were outraged because the act was passed hurriedly through the Imperial Legislative Council despite the united opposition of the Indian members.

• Repressive Power: It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities.
• Detention without Trial: It allowed the detention of political prisoners without trial for two years. Mahatma Gandhi called it the “Black Act” and launched a nationwide satyagraha against it.

(d) Withdrawal of Non-Cooperation Movement (Feb 1922):
Mahatma Gandhi decided to withdraw the movement due to the Chauri Chaura incident.

• Violence: A peaceful demonstration in a bazaar turned into a violent clash with the police. The mob set fire to a police station, killing 22 policemen.
• Need for Training: Gandhi felt the movement was turning violent in many places and that satyagrahis needed to be properly trained before they would be ready for mass struggles.

Satyagraha (Satya = Truth, Agraha = Holding fast) was a novel method of mass agitation introduced by Mahatma Gandhi. Its core principles were:

(a) Report on Jallianwala Bagh (Amritsar, 14 April 1919):
“Yesterday, a horrific tragedy struck Amritsar. On the day of Baisakhi (13 April), a large crowd gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh. Many were there to protest the government’s repressive measures, while others had come to attend the annual fair, unaware of the martial law imposed. General Dyer entered the area, blocked the only exit points, and without warning, ordered his troops to open fire on the unarmed crowd. Hundreds have been killed and thousands wounded. Dyer later declared his object was to ‘produce a moral effect’ and create terror in the minds of satyagrahis. The nation is in shock.”

(b) Report on Simon Commission (1928):
“The Statutory Commission under Sir John Simon arrived in India today to a hostile reception. The commission has been set up to look into the functioning of the constitutional system in India and suggest changes. However, the entire nation is outraged because there is not a single Indian member in the commission; all are British. Congress and the Muslim League have united in protest. The commissioners were greeted with black flags and slogans of ‘Go back Simon’. In Lahore, the police lathi-charged peaceful protesters, and senior leader Lala Lajpat Rai was assaulted.”

Both images are allegories representing the nation, but they reflect different cultural values:

Groups involved: Middle class in cities, Peasants in Awadh, Tribals in Andhra, Plantation workers in Assam.

1. The Middle Class (Cities):
Struggle: They responded to Gandhi’s call. Thousands of students left government-controlled schools, lawyers gave up practice, and teachers resigned.
Hope: They hoped to attain Swaraj by boycotting foreign institutions and goods. Foreign cloth was burnt, and liquor shops picketed. However, the movement slowed down because Khadi was expensive and there were no alternative Indian institutions.

2. Peasants (Awadh):
Struggle: Led by Baba Ramchandra, they struggled against talukdars and landlords who demanded exorbitantly high rents and forced labor (begar).
Hope: For them, “Swaraj” meant reduction of revenue, abolition of begar, and social boycott of oppressive landlords. They organized nai-dhobi bandhs.

3. Plantation Workers (Assam):
Struggle: Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, tea plantation workers were not permitted to leave the tea gardens without permission.
Hope: For them, freedom meant the right to move freely in and out of the confined space and retaining a link with their villages. They believed “Gandhi Raj” was coming and everyone would be given land in their own villages.

Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation.

“Participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement was a turning point in my life. Before this, my world was confined to the domestic sphere of my home.”

Political leaders represented different social groups and feared that the “Unity” of the nation might suppress the distinct identity of the groups they represented.