India's independence movement was a series of historic events that led to the end of British rule and the birth of a sovereign nation. Here are some key moments:
1. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857: Often regarded as the first major expression of organized resistance against the British East India Company, the Sepoy Mutiny, though ultimately unsuccessful, sowed the seeds of future nationalist movements.
2. The Formation of the Indian National Congress (1885): The INC was established to provide a platform for educated Indians to voice their grievances and demand greater participation in governance. Initially moderate, it gradually adopted a more assertive stance under leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
3. The Partition of Bengal (1905): This administrative decision by Lord Curzon, dividing Bengal into two provinces, sparked widespread outrage and invigorated the Swadeshi movement, promoting self-sufficiency and boycotting foreign goods.
4. Mahatma Gandhi's Arrival (1915): Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, later known as Mahatma Gandhi, returned to India and introduced new methods of resistance, including Satyagraha (non-violent civil disobedience), which mobilized the masses and challenged British authority.
5. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919): British troops opened fire on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar, killing hundreds of unarmed civilians. This horrific event galvanized the independence movement and intensified calls for self-rule.
6. The Salt March (1930): Gandhi's Salt March, a non-violent protest against the British salt monopoly, captured the world's attention and demonstrated the power of civil disobedience.
7. The Quit India Movement (1942): Launched by Gandhi, this movement demanded an immediate end to British rule during World War II. Although suppressed, it signaled the unwavering determination of Indians to achieve independence.
8. Indian Independence Act (1947): The British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act, partitioning India into two independent nations: India and Pakistan. On August 15, 1947, India achieved its independence, marking the culmination of decades of struggle and sacrifice.
