🏛️ PART A – RISE OF INDIAN NATIONALISM (1885–1947)
1. Social and Economic Basis of Indian Nationalism
(a) Social Factors
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Growth of English education created a new middle class aware of Western ideas (liberty, equality, nationalism).
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Press and literature (like Kesari, The Hindu, Amrita Bazar Patrika) spread nationalist ideas.
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Social reform movements (Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Prarthana Samaj) modernized society and promoted unity.
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Modern transport & communication (railways, telegraph) connected people across regions.
(b) Economic Factors
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Economic exploitation under British rule: Drain of wealth, deindustrialization, heavy taxation.
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Rise of Indian industries created an industrial class interested in economic freedom.
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The economic misery of peasants and workers united people against colonial rule.
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Nationalists like Dadabhai Naoroji, R.C. Dutt, G.K. Gokhale exposed British economic policies.
2. Birth of the Indian National Congress (INC)
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Founded in 1885 by A.O. Hume (a retired British officer) with 72 delegates.
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W.C. Bonnerjee was the first President.
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Objective: Create a platform for political dialogue between Indians and the British government.
3. Ideologies and Phases of the Congress (1885–1920)
(i) Early Nationalists (Moderates)
Period: 1885–1905
Leaders: Dadabhai Naoroji, M.G. Ranade, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Surendranath Banerjee.
Methods: Petitions, resolutions, constitutional reforms, faith in British justice.
Demands:
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Indianization of services
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Expansion of Legislative Councils
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Reduction of military expenditure
Criticism: Too mild and loyal to British crown.
(ii) Assertive (Extremist) Nationalists
Period: 1905–1919
Leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai (Lal-Bal-Pal).
Slogan: Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.
Methods: Boycott, Swadeshi, passive resistance, mass mobilization.
Causes for Rise: Partition of Bengal (1905), dissatisfaction with Moderates, repressive British laws.
(iii) Revolutionary Nationalism
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Young radicals adopted militant and secret activities (1907–1930).
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Organizations: Anushilan Samiti, Jugantar, Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).
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Leaders: Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ram Prasad Bismil, etc.
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Inspired by European revolutionary movements and sacrifice for freedom.
4. Swadeshi and Swaraj Movements
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Swadeshi Movement (1905): Started during Partition of Bengal.
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Promoted indigenous goods, boycott of foreign items, and national education.
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Spread to all parts of India.
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Swaraj: Idea of self-rule – from moderate petitions to full independence (Purna Swaraj, 1929).
5. Gandhian Era (1919–1947)
Gandhian Mass Movements
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Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22):
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In response to Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
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Boycott of schools, courts, foreign goods.
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Suspended after Chauri Chaura incident (1922).
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Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34):
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Started with Dandi March (1930) – protest against salt tax.
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Aim: Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence).
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Quit India Movement (1942):
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Launched after failure of Cripps Mission.
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Slogan: Do or Die.
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Marked the final phase of British rule in India.
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6. Subhas Chandra Bose and INA
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Forward Bloc founded (1939) after differences with Gandhi.
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Organized Indian National Army (INA) in 1943 with Japanese support.
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Slogan: “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom.”
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INA fought bravely in Burma and Manipur but failed militarily.
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Inspired national pride and military revolt (1946).
7. Role of Middle Class in the National Movement
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The educated middle class led reform and nationalist organizations.
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Lawyers, teachers, journalists became political leaders.
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Formed the intellectual base of Indian nationalism.
8. Women’s Participation
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Women like Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi, Annie Besant, Aruna Asaf Ali, Vijayalakshmi Pandit played key roles.
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Actively joined Civil Disobedience and Quit India Movements.
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Women’s organizations like AIWC (1927) linked nationalism with gender equality.
9. Left Wing Politics
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Emerged in the 1920s–30s with influence of Russian Revolution (1917).
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Communist Party of India (1925), Congress Socialist Party (1934).
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Advocated workers’ rights, anti-imperialism, and socialism within national movement.
10. Depressed Class Movement
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Led by B.R. Ambedkar, demanding social equality and representation for Dalits.
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Organizations: Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha (1924), Independent Labour Party (1936).
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Conflict with Congress over separate electorates (Poona Pact, 1932).
11. Communal Politics and Genesis of Pakistan
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All India Muslim League (1906) founded in Dhaka to protect Muslim interests.
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Lucknow Pact (1916): Congress and League cooperation.
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Two-Nation Theory (1930s): Promoted by M.A. Jinnah.
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Lahore Resolution (1940): Demand for Pakistan.
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Partition of India (1947) created India and Pakistan.
12. Towards Independence and Partition
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Mountbatten Plan (1947): Proposed partition and transfer of power.
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Indian Independence Act (1947): Ended British rule in India on 15 August 1947.
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Aftermath: Communal violence, refugee crisis, and massive displacement.
🇮🇳 PART B – INDIA AFTER INDEPENDENCE (1947–Present)
1. Challenges of Partition
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Around 10 million displaced, nearly 1 million killed.
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Communal riots, refugee settlement, and administrative division of assets between India and Pakistan.
2. Integration of Princely States
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India had 565 princely states at independence.
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Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon led integration through diplomacy and force.
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Kashmir, Hyderabad, Junagarh were integrated using military action when rulers resisted.
3. B.R. Ambedkar and the Making of the Constitution
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Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
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Constitution adopted on 26 January 1950.
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Features:
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Parliamentary democracy
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Fundamental Rights
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Directive Principles
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Secularism, Federalism
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Independent Judiciary
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4. Structure of Bureaucracy
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Inherited colonial administrative system (ICS → IAS).
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Bureaucracy became key in implementing planning, development, and governance.
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Criticized for red-tapism but remained stable pillar of Indian democracy.
5. New Education Policy
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Kothari Commission (1964–66) laid base for national education.
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1986 NEP: Emphasis on equality, science, and technology.
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2020 NEP: Multidisciplinary education, 5+3+3+4 model, flexibility in subjects, focus on research and digital learning.
6. Economic Policies and Planning
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Planning Commission (1950) launched Five-Year Plans.
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Emphasis on self-reliance, industrialization, and poverty reduction.
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Mixed economy model – combination of public and private sectors.
7. Development, Displacement and Tribal Issues
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Dams, industries led to displacement of tribals (Narmada, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh).
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Led to environmental movements like Chipko, Narmada Bachao Andolan.
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Focus on sustainable and inclusive development.
8. Linguistic Reorganization of States
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Demand for states based on language started after 1947.
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Andhra Pradesh (1953) first linguistic state (after Potti Sriramulu’s fast).
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States Reorganization Act (1956) reorganized India into 14 states and 6 UTs.
9. Centre–State Relations
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Constitution created a federal system with unitary bias.
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Conflicts over resource distribution, law & order, and language.
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Sarkaria Commission (1983) and Punchhi Commission (2007) reviewed centre-state relations.
10. Foreign Policy and Panchsheel
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Panchsheel (1954) – Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence with China.
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Mutual respect for sovereignty
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Non-aggression
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Non-interference
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Equality and mutual benefit
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Peaceful coexistence
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India followed Non-Alignment Policy during Cold War (Nehru’s vision).
11. Dynamics of Indian Politics
(a) The Emergency (1975–77)
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Declared by Indira Gandhi citing internal disturbance.
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Suspension of Fundamental Rights, censorship, and arrests of opposition.
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Restored democracy in 1977 elections.
(b) Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Globalisation (LPG)
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Introduced in 1991 under P.V. Narasimha Rao and Dr. Manmohan Singh.
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Shift from planned to market-oriented economy.
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Aimed at economic growth, foreign investment, and globalization.
Summary Table
| Theme | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Nationalism | Social, economic awakening under colonialism |
| INC |
Moderates, Extremists, Revolutionaries |
| Gandhi | Non-violent mass movements |
| Left Wing |
Socialism, trade unions, peasant struggles |
| Depressed Classes |
Ambedkar’s leadership, equality |
| Partition |
Division of India and Pakistan |
| Post-Independence |
Integration, Constitution, planning |
| Politics |
Emergency, Reforms, Globalization |
