The History

    
Our Freedom

My Point of View

 We all have studied the past. It's nothing new. The same old story. But does it hold any sort of existence? Don't you think it is more exaggerated than the truth?

 Well, I don't deny the struggle of the Indians but I thoroughly feel it is exaggerated at the first stage. It may have been changed for a long time. During the rule of the Britishers, the people told their children that the kings were in opposition to the Britishers and some were in favor of the Britishers. This caused a lot of misunderstandings among kings which later became a reason for our downfall. Those children told the next generation adding some information from their side which was not true but exaggerated. This went on happening and the real past disappeared.

 But then What is the truth? Of course not the one in the books as it is a completely edited version. So let us now dive deep into the reality of this suspense on the next topic for this blog.

The Beginning of Slavery in India 

 This all began after the decline of the Mughals. No one was ready to bring a new kingdom to power. Not a kingdom but an Empire. Everybody was satisfied with what they had. Only some took power and that was not too much as everybody saw the decline of the great Mughals.

 At that time the traders from the British kingdom Came to our societies. They had no plan to rule over our kingdom and were of the Vaishya caste that even assured the kings about their safety.

 When the Britishers saw the broken kingdom, they grabbed the opportunity to take over one of the weakest kingdoms. They slowly and steadily increased their rule in the north and took over all of the kingdoms. They reached south but not in the state of Tamil Nadu as it was under the rule of French people. This was not approved by the kings and queens but they had no other option than surrendering in front of those cruel.

The Path of Pain

 This became the way of living. We, the people of India, were no longer in India. We were in a sort of prison where not a single person had allowance to do according to their will. This became serious at the time of our will for freedom. 

  We had the will of freedom cause we knew that if we didn't demand freedom the next generation would not get the free breathe. They will have to pay for it and will curse them for bringing them into the cruel slavery world where they can be nothing but slaves.

The Realization of Need of Freedom

 Indians realized this need after a long period when they saw these destructions which Britishers continued to do. Let's look at some:

1.   Colonial Exploitation: After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the British East India Company began to exert control over large parts of India, exploiting resources and imposing harsh economic policies. This led to widespread economic hardship, including famines and the destruction of traditional industries, which sowed the seeds of discontent among Indians. 
2.  Cultural and Religious Interference: The British also attempted to impose their cultural and religious beliefs on Indians, leading to resistance from various sections of society. For instance, the introduction of social reforms like the abolition of Sati (a practice where widows were burned alive) was seen as interference in religious practices by some.
3. Impact of Economic Policies: The exploitation of Indian resources, combined with discriminatory economic policies, led to widespread poverty and famines, which made it clear that British rule was primarily self-serving.
4. Influence of Leaders: Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, and others played a crucial role in awakening national consciousness and uniting people across different sections of society.
5. Global Influence: The end of World War II and the weakening of European colonial powers worldwide also influenced Indian leaders and the population, reinforcing the belief that the time was ripe for independence.

The Fight for Freedom 

 The fight for freedom in India, also known as the Indian Independence Movement, was a long and multifaceted struggle against British colonial rule. This movement spanned nearly two centuries and involved a diverse range of strategies, from peaceful protests and negotiations to armed resistance. Below is an overview of key phases and events in this fight for freedom:

Early Resistance and Revolts (1757–1857)

1. Local Rebellions: Before the major national movements, various local rulers, peasants, and tribal communities resisted British expansion. These early revolts were often isolated but represented the first sparks of resistance against foreign domination.
  
2. The Revolt of 1857: Often referred to as the First War of Independence, this was a widespread uprising against the British East India Company. Sparked by discontent among Indian soldiers (sepoys), it soon involved various sections of society, including landlords, peasants, and princes. Despite its failure, it marked the beginning of organized resistance against British rule.

Formation of National Organizations (Late 19th Century)

1. Indian National Congress (INC) Formation (1885): The INC was established as a platform for educated Indians to discuss and push for political reforms. Initially, the demands were moderate, focusing on increased participation in governance and protection of Indian interests.

2. Swadeshi and Boycott Movements (1905–1908): In response to the partition of Bengal, the Swadeshi Movement was launched, advocating for the boycott of British goods and the promotion of Indian-made products. This movement marked a shift from petitions and appeals to active economic resistance.

Emergence of Mass Movements (1919–1947)

1. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)]: The killing of hundreds of unarmed civilians by British troops in Amritsar galvanized the Indian population and increased support for the independence movement. It also led to the radicalization of many moderate leaders.

2. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922): Led by Mahatma Gandhi, this movement marked the first large-scale participation of Indians in the struggle for independence. Gandhi called for non-cooperation with the British government through the boycott of British goods, institutions, and honors. Although the movement was eventually suspended, it united people across regions and religions in the fight against colonial rule.

3. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934): The Salt March of 1930, where Gandhi and his followers marched 240 miles to make salt from seawater in defiance of British law, was a key event in this movement. The Civil Disobedience Movement expanded beyond the salt tax to include boycotts of British goods, refusal to pay taxes, and protests against British laws. It saw widespread participation and intensified the demand for complete independence.

4. Quit India Movement (1942): During World War II, with Britain preoccupied with the war, Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the British from India. The movement was marked by mass protests, strikes, and uprisings across the country. The British responded with severe repression, imprisoning most of the movement's leaders, but it demonstrated the determination of Indians to achieve independence.

 Revolutionary Activities and Armed Struggle

1. Revolutionary Movements: Alongside peaceful protests, there were also groups advocating for armed struggle against the British. Figures like Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad, and Subhas Chandra Bose became icons of revolutionary nationalism. The Indian National Army (INA), led by Bose, sought to overthrow British rule with the help of Axis powers during World War II.

2. Naval Mutiny (1946): The Royal Indian Navy mutiny in 1946 was a significant, though often overlooked, event. It involved the rebellion of Indian naval ratings (sailors) against the British, and it spread to other parts of the military and civilian sectors. It demonstrated the weakening grip of British authority over India.

Path to Independence (1947)

1. Post-War Political Developments: After World War II, Britain was economically weakened and faced increasing pressure to decolonize. The Labour government in Britain was more sympathetic to Indian aspirations, and negotiations for independence accelerated.

2. Mountbatten Plan and Partition: In 1947, Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, proposed a plan for the partition of India into two independent states—India and Pakistan—to address the escalating communal tensions. Despite efforts to avoid it, the partition led to massive violence and displacement.

3. Independence (August 15, 1947): India finally gained independence on August 15, 1947. However, this was accompanied by the painful partition of the country into India and Pakistan, which resulted in communal riots and the displacement of millions.

Legacy of the Freedom Struggle

- Non-Violence and Satyagraha: Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance, or Satyagraha, became a hallmark of the Indian independence movement and inspired civil rights movements worldwide.

  

- Unity in Diversity: Despite the diverse religious, linguistic, and cultural landscape of India, the freedom struggle managed to unite people across these differences in the common cause of independence.

- Inspiration for Other Colonized Nations: India’s successful fight for independence inspired other colonized countries in Asia and Africa to seek their own freedom from colonial rule.

The End

The Indian independence movement was characterized by its diversity in approaches and the involvement of people from all walks of life. It was a testament to the resilience, courage, and unity of millions of Indians who, despite numerous challenges and setbacks, ultimately succeeded in securing their freedom.