The period between 1905 and 1918 was marked by several significant events and developments in India’s struggle for independence, as well as in the political, social, and economic spheres.
- Partition of Bengal (1905): The Partition of Bengal by the British government in 1905 sparked widespread protests and opposition from Indian nationalists. The partition was seen as a tactic to divide and rule by creating divisions along religious lines. The annulment of the partition in 1911 following intense nationalist pressure marked a victory for the Indian nationalist movement.
- Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908): The Partition of Bengal gave rise to the Swadeshi Movement, a mass movement of boycotts and protests against British goods and institutions. It promoted the use of indigenous products and aimed to foster economic self-reliance. The movement had a significant impact on Indian society and politics, laying the groundwork for future nationalist movements.
- Formation of the All India Muslim League (1906): The All India Muslim League was founded in 1906 in Dhaka, with the aim of protecting the political rights and interests of Muslims in India. The founding of the League marked the beginning of organized political activity among Muslims and contributed to the growth of communal politics in India.
- Minto-Morley Reforms (1909): The Minto-Morley Reforms, also known as the Indian Councils Act of 1909, introduced limited political reforms in British India. The reforms expanded the size and composition of legislative councils, introduced separate electorates for Muslims, and provided for increased Indian representation in legislative bodies.
- Ghadar Movement (1913-1918): The Ghadar Movement was a revolutionary movement initiated by Indian expatriates in North America with the aim of overthrowing British rule in India. The movement sought to mobilize support among Indian soldiers and workers abroad and planned an armed uprising in India. However, the movement faced internal divisions and was suppressed by British authorities.
- Annie Besant’s Home Rule Movement (1916): Annie Besant, a British social reformer and Indian nationalist leader, launched the Home Rule Movement in India in 1916. The movement aimed to demand self-government or “Home Rule” for India within the British Empire. It contributed to the growth of nationalist sentiment and political mobilization in India.
- Lucknow Pact (1916): The Lucknow Pact was an agreement signed between the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League during the Lucknow Session in 1916. The pact aimed to present a united front against British colonial rule and press for political reforms that would address the aspirations of both Hindus and Muslims in India.
- Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919): The Rowlatt Satyagraha was a non-violent protest movement led by Mahatma Gandhi against the Rowlatt Act, a repressive legislation passed by the British government in 1919. The movement called for civil disobedience and non-cooperation with the British authorities and culminated in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar.
These events and developments during the period between 1905 and 1918 played a crucial role in shaping India’s nationalist movement, fostering political consciousness and mobilization among Indians, and laying the groundwork for future struggles for independence.
