-
12 Jan 2024
GS Paper 1
History
Day 47: What led to an increased inclination towards revolutionary activities following the Non-Cooperation Movement? (150 words)
- Start the answer with a discussion that sets a context for the question.
- Discuss the significance of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- Discuss Gandhi's rationale behind withdrawing from the movement.
- Conclude suitably.
Introduction
The withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement marked a moment of introspection and strategic reassessment within the Indian independence movement. As nationalist sentiments surged, revolutionaries began to recognize the necessity of adopting more assertive actions to affirm India's right to self-determination.
Body
- Sudden withdrawal of the Noncooperation Movement:
- The sudden withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement left many youths disillusioned.
- They began to question the basic strategy of nationalist leadership and started emphasizing non-violent methods.
- Search for Immediate Results:
- The Non-Cooperation Movement, with its emphasis on non-violence and mass participation, was perceived by some as a slow and gradual process.
- Those seeking more immediate and impactful results turned towards revolutionary methods to accelerate the pace of the independence movement.
- Impact of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre:
- The Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 deeply affected many Indians.
- The brutal repression by the British in Amritsar intensified anti-colonial sentiments, pushing some activists towards more radical forms of resistance.
- Influence of International Events:
- The global context, including the impact of the Russian Revolution and other anti-colonial movements worldwide, inspired Indian revolutionaries.
- The success of revolutionary methods in other parts of the world influenced the shift towards more assertive and militant approaches in India.
- The Upsurge of Working-Class Trade Unionism:
- Following the First World War, there was a surge in working-class trade unionism.
- Revolutionaries sought to channel the revolutionary potential of this emerging class toward nationalist revolution.
- Emergence of Revolutionary Leaders:
- The Hindustan Republican Association was founded in October 1924 in Kanpur by Ramprasad Bismil, Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, and Sachin Sanyal, to organize an armed revolution to overthrow the colonial government.
- Influential leaders like Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad, and others also emerged during this period.
- Literary Influences:
- Books like "Bandi Jiwan" by Sachin Sanyal and "Pather Dabi" by Sharatchandra Chatterjee have exerted a profound influence on revolutionary activism.
- Meanwhile, "The Philosophy of the Bomb" written by Bhagwati Charan Vohra challenges the nonviolent methods embraced by Gandhi, advocating instead for direct and assertive actions.
Conclusion
The revolutionary movement, marked by acts of defiance and sacrifice, ignited a sense of nationalism among Indians. It inspired a fervent commitment to the cause of freedom as a collective identity.