During the 1920s, revolutionary activities in India were characterized by a surge in radical political ideologies and movements aimed at overthrowing British colonial rule. Influenced by Marxist, socialist, and anarchist ideologies, these revolutionaries organized armed uprisings, engaged in acts of sabotage, and advocated for the use of violence as a means to achieve independence.
- Major Influences:
- Marxism and Socialism: The ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, advocating for the overthrow of capitalist systems and the establishment of a socialist society, influenced many Indian revolutionaries. Marxist principles of class struggle and revolutionary change provided a theoretical framework for understanding and challenging colonial exploitation.
- Russian Revolution: The success of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917 inspired Indian revolutionaries and provided a model for revolutionary action. The establishment of the Soviet Union and the rise of communism as a global movement energized anti-colonial struggles around the world, including in India.
- Anarchism: Anarchist ideas, which rejected centralized authority and advocated for the establishment of stateless, egalitarian societies, also influenced Indian revolutionaries. Figures like Peter Kropotkin and Mikhail Bakunin inspired Indian anarchists to organize clandestine networks and engage in acts of violence against colonial institutions.
- Major Activities:
- Armed Uprisings: Revolutionary groups such as the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), led by Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and others, organized armed uprisings against British rule. They carried out bombings, assassinations, and acts of sabotage targeting British officials and symbols of colonial authority.
- Propaganda and Publications: Revolutionaries disseminated their ideas through underground pamphlets, newspapers, and revolutionary literature. These publications sought to mobilize support for armed struggle, inspire revolutionary consciousness among the masses, and expose the injustices of colonial rule.
- Labor and Peasant Movements: Revolutionaries also participated in labor strikes and peasant uprisings, seeking to unite workers and peasants in the struggle against colonial exploitation. They organized unions, advocated for workers’ rights, and mobilized support for land redistribution and agrarian reform.
- Revolutionaries:
- Bhagat Singh: Bhagat Singh emerged as one of the most iconic figures of the revolutionary movement in India. He advocated for the use of violence as a political weapon against colonial oppression and sacrificed his life for the cause of independence.
- Chandrashekhar Azad: Chandrashekhar Azad, also known as Azad, was a fearless revolutionary who played a crucial role in organizing armed resistance against British rule. He led the HSRA and evaded capture by the British authorities until his death in a shootout in 1931.
- Surya Sen: Surya Sen, also known as Masterda, was a revolutionary leader from Bengal who led the Chittagong Armoury Raid in 1930. He organized a group of young revolutionaries to seize arms from a police armory and launch an armed uprising against British rule.
- Comparison with Revolutionary Activities Phase I:
- Shift in Strategy: Unlike earlier phases of revolutionary activities, which focused primarily on individual acts of violence and assassination, the revolutionary activities of the 1920s emphasized organized armed resistance and mass mobilization against British rule.
- Influence of Marxism: The influence of Marxist and socialist ideologies was more pronounced in the revolutionary activities of the 1920s, with many revolutionaries adopting Marxist principles of class struggle and revolutionary change.
- Broader Popular Support: The revolutionary activities of the 1920s sought to mobilize broader popular support by aligning with broader anti-colonial movements, labor unions, and peasant organizations. This marked a departure from earlier phases, which were often characterized by small, clandestine groups operating in isolation.
- Outcome:
- Inspiration for Future Movements: The revolutionary activities of the 1920s inspired future generations of Indian nationalists and revolutionaries. Figures like Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad became symbols of resistance and inspired mass movements for independence in the decades to come.
- Repression and Crackdowns: The British authorities responded to revolutionary activities with harsh repression, including arrests, torture, and executions. Many revolutionaries were imprisoned or executed, but their sacrifices galvanized public opinion against colonial rule.
- Legacy of Resistance: The legacy of revolutionary activities in the 1920s continues to inspire struggles for justice, equality, and independence in India and around the world. The principles of resistance, sacrifice, and solidarity embodied by the revolutionaries of this period remain relevant in contemporary struggles for social and political change.
