Nationalism in India represents one of history’s most significant anti-colonial struggles, spanning nearly a century of organized resistance against British rule. This timeline traces the evolution of Indian nationalism from its early roots in the mid-19th century through to independence in 1947, highlighting key events, personalities, and movements that shaped the nation’s journey to freedom.
Early Foundations (1850s-1880s)
The Revolt of 1857
May 10, 1857 – The Great Revolt began at Meerut when sepoys refused to use the new Enfield rifle cartridges. The rebellion spread rapidly across North and Central India, with major centers at Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, and Jhansi. Key figures included Bahadur Shah Zafar (proclaimed Emperor), Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Nana Saheb, Kunwar Singh, and Begum Hazrat Mahal. Though the revolt was suppressed by 1858, it marked the first major uprising against British rule and awakened nationalist consciousness across India.
August 2, 1858 – The Government of India Act transferred power from the East India Company to the British Crown, ending Company rule.
Formation of Early Organizations
1870 – Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was founded by Justice M.G. Ranade and others, becoming one of the first political organizations in Western India.
July 26, 1876 – Indian Association was established in Calcutta by Surendranath Banerjea and Ananda Mohan Bose, advocating for civil service reforms and political representation.
May 16, 1884 – Madras Mahajan Sabha was founded, completing the trinity of early political associations that laid the groundwork for organized nationalism.
The Birth of Organized Nationalism (1885-1905)
Formation of the Indian National Congress (1885)
December 28, 1885 – The Indian National Congress was formed at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay with 72 delegates attending the first session. Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, played a key role in its formation, with Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee as the first President. Early leaders included Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Surendranath Banerjea, and Romesh Chunder Dutt.
1886-1906 – The Moderate Phase of Congress focused on constitutional methods, petitions, and prayers. Key demands included expansion of legislative councils, civil service reforms, and reduction of military expenditure.
Economic Nationalism
1867-1901 – Dadabhai Naoroji developed and popularized the “Drain Theory,” demonstrating how British policies systematically transferred wealth from India to Britain. His book “Poverty and Un-British Rule in India” provided intellectual foundation for economic nationalism.
1892 – Dadabhai Naoroji became the first Indian elected to the British House of Commons, bringing Indian issues to international attention.
The Rise of Extremism (1905-1920)
Partition of Bengal (1905)
October 16, 1905 – Lord Curzon announced the partition of Bengal, dividing it into Bengal (with a Hindu majority) and Eastern Bengal and Assam (with a Muslim majority). This decision sparked unprecedented nationalist agitation and marked the beginning of the Extremist phase.
October 16, 1905 – The first observance of Raksha Bandhan between Hindus and Muslims as a symbol of unity against partition.
Swadeshi and Boycott Movement (1905-1911)
August 7, 1905 – The Boycott Movement was formally launched at a meeting in Calcutta Town Hall. The movement included boycott of foreign goods, promotion of Swadeshi products, and establishment of National Schools.
1906 – Barisal Conference saw the formal adoption of the Swadeshi resolution. The same year witnessed the establishment of Bengal National College with Aurobindo Ghose as Principal.
December 1906 – Calcutta Congress session saw the split between Moderates and Extremists, with the emergence of Bal-Pal-Lal trinity (Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai).
December 1907 – Surat Congress session witnessed the formal split in Congress between Moderates led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Extremists led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Revolutionary Activities
1902 – Anushilan Samiti was founded in Bengal by Pramathanath Mitra, becoming the first revolutionary organization.
December 30, 1907 – Attempt on the life of Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, Sir Andrew Fraser, at Narayangarh.
April 30, 1908 – Muzaffarpur bomb incident by Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki, targeting Magistrate Kingsford.
1908-1909 – Alipore Bomb Case brought revolutionary activities into prominence, with Aurobindo Ghose among the accused.
Formation of Muslim League
December 30, 1906 – All India Muslim League was founded at Dacca (now Dhaka) under the leadership of Nawab Salimullah Khan, introducing communal politics into Indian nationalism.
Gandhi’s Era and Mass Nationalism (1920-1947)
Gandhi’s Early Experiments
1915 – Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa and established Sabarmati Ashram.
1917 – Champaran Satyagraha against indigo planters marked Gandhi’s first major campaign in India.
1918 – Kheda Satyagraha for remission of land revenue and Ahmedabad Mill Strike established Gandhi’s reputation as a mass leader.
Khilafat Movement
1919-1924 – The Khilafat Movement was launched by Ali Brothers (Mohammed Ali and Shaukat Ali) and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to protest the dismemberment of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. Gandhi supported this movement to forge Hindu-Muslim unity.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
April 13, 1919 – General Reginald Dyer ordered firing on a peaceful gathering at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, killing hundreds of innocent people. This massacre galvanized nationalist sentiment across India.
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)
August 1, 1920 – Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Congress session at Calcutta approved his resolution.
December 1920 – Nagpur Congress session formally adopted Non-Cooperation and changed the Congress constitution to allow mass membership.
November 17, 1921 – Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) visited India amid complete boycott and demonstrations.
February 5, 1922 – Chauri Chaura incident in Gorakhpur district where protesters burned a police station, killing 22 policemen. Gandhi suspended the movement on February 12, 1922.
March 18, 1922 – Gandhi was arrested and sentenced to six years imprisonment for sedition.
Swaraj Party and Constitutional Politics
January 1, 1923 – Swaraj Party was formed by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru to contest elections and obstruct government from within legislatures.
1924 – Gandhi was released from prison due to illness.
Revolutionary Resurgence
December 18, 1928 – Lala Lajpat Rai died from injuries sustained during police lathi charge against the Simon Commission protest.
December 17, 1928 – Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) was formed by revolutionaries including Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, and Sukhdev.
December 17, 1928 – J.P. Saunders, a British police officer, was shot dead by Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru in retaliation for Lala Lajpat Rai’s death.
April 8, 1929 – Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly and courted arrest.
March 23, 1931 – Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru were executed, becoming martyrs for the freedom struggle.
Simon Commission and Nehru Report
February 3, 1928 – Simon Commission arrived in India and faced nationwide protests with the slogan “Simon Go Back” as it had no Indian member.
August 1928 – Nehru Report, drafted by Motilal Nehru, proposed dominion status for India and was the first constitutional framework prepared by Indians.
December 29, 1929 – Lahore Congress session under Jawaharlal Nehru’s presidency declared Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) as the goal.
January 26, 1930 – Independence Day was observed across India, with the Congress flag hoisted and independence pledge taken.
Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)
March 12, 1930 – Gandhi began the historic Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) from Sabarmati Ashram with 78 followers.
April 6, 1930 – Gandhi broke the Salt Law at Dandi beach, marking the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
May 5, 1930 – Gandhi was arrested, leading to intensification of the movement across India.
May 21, 1930 – Dharasana Salt Works raid led to brutal police action against peaceful satyagrahis.
March 5, 1931 – Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed, leading to suspension of the Civil Disobedience Movement and Gandhi’s participation in the Second Round Table Conference.
Round Table Conferences
November 12, 1930 – January 19, 1931 – First Round Table Conference in London without Congress participation.
September 7 – December 1, 1931 – Second Round Table Conference with Gandhi as the sole Congress representative.
November 17, 1932 – December 24, 1932 – Third Round Table Conference with minimal Indian participation.
Communal Award and Poona Pact
August 16, 1932 – British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald announced the Communal Award, providing separate electorates for depressed classes.
September 20, 1932 – Poona Pact was signed between Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, replacing separate electorates with reserved seats for depressed classes within the general electorate.
Government of India Act, 1935
August 2, 1935 – Government of India Act was passed, providing for provincial autonomy and a federal structure (though federation was never implemented).
1937 – Provincial elections were held under the new Act, with Congress forming governments in seven provinces.
October 22, 1939 – Congress ministries resigned in protest against India’s involvement in World War II without consultation.
World War II Period
September 3, 1939 – Viceroy Lord Linlithgow declared India’s participation in World War II without consulting Indian leaders.
October 17, 1939 – Congress Working Committee condemned fascism but demanded immediate independence as the price for cooperation.
March 22, 1940 – Pakistan Resolution was passed at the Muslim League session in Lahore, demanding separate states for Muslims.
Individual Satyagraha
October 17, 1940 – Individual Satyagraha was launched with Vinoba Bhave as the first satyagrahi, followed by Jawaharlal Nehru.
Cripps Mission
March 30, 1942 – Cripps Mission arrived in India with proposals for Indian self-government after the war, which were rejected by both Congress and Muslim League.
Quit India Movement (1942)
August 8, 1942 – All India Congress Committee passed the Quit India Resolution at Bombay, with Gandhi giving the call “Do or Die.”
August 9, 1942 – Gandhi and other Congress leaders were arrested, leading to spontaneous mass uprising across India.
August 1942 – 1944 – The movement continued despite severe repression, with parallel governments established in some areas.
Subhas Chandra Bose and INA
January 1941 – Subhas Chandra Bose escaped from house arrest and reached Germany.
July 4, 1943 – Bose reached Singapore and took over the leadership of the Indian National Army (INA).
October 21, 1943 – Provisional Government of Free India was proclaimed by Bose in Singapore.
March 1944 – INA launched an offensive against British forces in Northeast India but was defeated.
August 18, 1945 – Subhas Chandra Bose reportedly died in a plane crash in Taiwan.
Post-War Developments
1945-1946 – INA trials at Red Fort, Delhi, generated massive public sympathy and demonstrations.
February 18-23, 1946 – Royal Indian Navy Mutiny in Bombay spread to other naval establishments, showing declining British authority.
March 24, 1946 – Cabinet Mission arrived in India to negotiate the transfer of power.
May 16, 1946 – Cabinet Mission Plan proposed a federal union with autonomy for provinces.
June 16, 1946 – Muslim League accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan with reservations.
July 10, 1946 – Nehru’s statement questioning the Plan’s binding nature led to Muslim League’s withdrawal.
August 16, 1946 – Muslim League observed “Direct Action Day,” leading to communal riots in Calcutta.
September 2, 1946 – Interim Government was formed with Nehru as Vice-President (Prime Minister).
October 26, 1946 – Muslim League joined the Interim Government but continued to create obstacles.
Partition and Independence
February 20, 1947 – British Prime Minister Clement Attlee announced the decision to transfer power by June 1948.
March 24, 1947 – Lord Mountbatten arrived as the last Viceroy of India.
June 3, 1947 – Mountbatten Plan announced the partition of India into two dominions – India and Pakistan.
July 18, 1947 – Indian Independence Act was passed by the British Parliament.
August 14-15, 1947 – Pakistan and India achieved independence respectively, with massive population exchange and communal violence.
Regional Variations and Movements
Punjab and Ghadar Movement
1913 – Ghadar Party was founded in San Francisco by Lala Hardayal to organize armed rebellion against British rule.
1915 – Ghadar revolutionaries attempted coordinated uprisings in Punjab, which were suppressed.
Bengal and Revolutionary Activities
1906 – Yugantar newspaper was started to propagate revolutionary ideas.
1908 – Dhaka Anushilan Samiti was formed, spreading revolutionary activities in Eastern Bengal.
1930 – Chittagong Armory Raid was conducted by Surya Sen and his associates.
Western India Movements
1891-1893 – Anti-cow killing agitation in Maharashtra showed early signs of mass mobilization.
1896-1897 – Tilak was imprisoned for his support to the Chaphekar brothers who assassinated Plague Commissioner Rand.
1905 – Ganesh festival was used by Tilak to mobilize nationalist sentiment in Maharashtra.
South Indian Contributions
1916 – Home Rule League was established by Annie Besant in Madras.
1917 – Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were announced, leading to the Government of India Act, 1919.
1925 – Vaikom Satyagraha in Kerala for temple entry rights showed Gandhi’s influence in social reform.
Imp Personalities and Their Contributions
The Indian nationalist movement was enriched by leaders from diverse backgrounds who contributed different strategies and perspectives. Mahatma Gandhi provided moral leadership and innovative methods of resistance through satyagraha and non-violence. Jawaharlal Nehru brought modern, secular vision and international perspective, serving as Congress President multiple times. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel contributed organizational skills and pragmatic leadership, earning the title “Iron Man of India.” Maulana Abul Kalam Azad represented secular nationalism among Muslims and served as Congress President during crucial years. Subhas Chandra Bose offered a militant alternative to Gandhian methods and challenged British authority through the INA.
Legacy and Significance
The Indian nationalist movement succeeded not only in achieving political independence but also in creating a modern nation-state from a diverse colonial territory. It demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance and inspired liberation movements worldwide. The movement’s emphasis on pluralism, democracy, and social reform continues to influence contemporary India.
The timeline of Indian nationalism reveals how a small group of English-educated elites gradually built a mass movement that united diverse communities against colonial rule. This transformation from elite politics to mass nationalism, from moderate constitutionalism to radical resistance, represents one of the most remarkable political achievements in modern history. The movement’s success lay in its ability to combine different approaches – constitutional, revolutionary, and mass-based – while maintaining overall unity of purpose despite periodic setbacks and internal divisions.
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