The British colonial government responded to the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement of 1905-1918 with a combination of repression, coercion, and limited concessions. The movement posed a significant challenge to British colonial authority and economic interests, prompting a range of responses aimed at quelling dissent, maintaining control, and preserving British dominance in India.
- Repression and Coercion:
- The British colonial government adopted repressive measures to suppress the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement and deter nationalist agitation.
- Numerous nationalist leaders and activists were arrested, imprisoned, and subjected to harsh treatment, including detention without trial and forced exile.
- Draconian laws, such as the Indian Arms Act (1878) and the Indian Sedition Act (1908), were enacted to curb dissent and stifle freedom of speech and assembly.
- The British authorities resorted to violence, police brutality, and the use of armed forces to quell protests, strikes, and demonstrations organized by the nationalists.
- Divide and Rule Policy:
- The British colonial government sought to exploit divisions within the Indian nationalist movement and undermine its unity and cohesion.
- Efforts were made to divide Indians along religious, linguistic, and regional lines, pitting Hindus against Muslims, moderates against extremists, and different communities against each other.
- The partition of Bengal in 1905, aimed at creating divisions between Hindus and Muslims, was a prime example of the British divide and rule policy.
- Limited Concessions and Reforms:
- In response to growing nationalist agitation and demands for political reforms, the British government made limited concessions to appease moderate nationalists and alleviate grievances.
- Reforms such as the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) and the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) granted limited political representation to Indians in the form of expanded legislative councils and increased Indian participation in government.
- However, these reforms fell short of nationalist aspirations for self-rule and were seen as insufficient by many Indian nationalists, leading to continued agitation and demands for complete independence.
- Propaganda and Counter-Narratives:
- The British colonial government launched propaganda campaigns and disseminated counter-narratives to discredit the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement and portray nationalists as troublemakers and extremists.
- Government-controlled newspapers, pamphlets, and official statements sought to undermine the credibility of nationalist leaders and organizations, depicting them as agents of chaos and disruption.
- Economic Measures:
- The British government implemented economic measures to counter the impact of the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement on British trade and commercial interests.
- Tariffs were imposed on Indian goods to protect British industries, and incentives were offered to British manufacturers and traders to maintain their dominance in the Indian market.
- Efforts were made to undermine Indian industries and handicrafts through unfair trade practices and discriminatory policies.
Overall, the British response to the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement of 1905-1918 was characterized by repression, coercion, and attempts to maintain control over India’s political, economic, and social landscape. Despite facing resistance and agitation from Indian nationalists, the British colonial government sought to preserve its authority and dominance in India through a combination of repressive measures, divide and rule tactics, limited concessions, and propaganda.
