nationalism in india

Chapter 3
Nationalism in India
 Nationalism
It involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e., a nation.
 Modern nationalism was associated with the formation of nation-states.
 In India, as in many other colonies, the growth of nationalism is connected to the anti-colonial movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.
 The First World War, Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movement
The war played an important role in shaping India‟s freedom struggle.
 Increase in defence expenditure due to the war led to the increase in taxes, custom duties, prices and the introduction of war loans.
 Extreme hardships, poverty and forced recruitments in the army made people hostile to the British rule.
 During 1918–19 and 1920–21, food shortages due to the failure of crops and famines and epidemics, that took a heavy toll of life, created resentment among the people of India against the foreign rule.
 Satyagraha
Satyagraha means appeal for truth. Mahatma Gandhi introduced this concept during his stay in South Africa. It is based on the ideals of truth and non- violence.
 January, 1915: Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa.
 Champaran Satyagraha, 1916: First Gandhian mass-movement in India against the oppressive plantation system in Champaran (Bihar).
 Kheda Satyagraha, 1917: Gandhiji led the movement in Kheda district of
Gujarat, demanding relaxation of the revenue tax owing to the poverty experienced by the farmers because of the outbreak of plague and crop failure.
 Ahmedabad Mill Strike, 1918: Gandhiji organised a Satyagraha against the cotton mill owners demanding an increase in the workers‟ wages and bonus.
 The Rowlatt Act (1919)
 Passed by the British Government.
 The Act gave the government enormous powers for repressing political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners for two years without any trail.
 6th April, 1919: Gandhi