GS Paper: GS1-02.Modern Indian History- Mid-18th century – Present (significant events, personalities, issues);

Central Idea

• Karnail Singh Isru, a valiant activist, is remembered with reverence and admiration on India’s Independence Day.
• He made the ultimate sacrifice while participating in the Goa Liberation Movement, striving for the state’s accession to India.

Who was Karnail Singh Isru?

• Birth and Childhood: Born on September 9, 1930, in Chak 30 village (now in Pakistan), Isru lost his father at a young age and was raised by his mother. His upbringing was marked by a strong sense of justice and a longing for freedom.
• Inspired by National Heroes: Isru’s admiration for national heroes like Bhagat Singh and Udham Singh, along with their dedication to the freedom movement, ignited a fire within him. Their struggle against colonial oppression left a deep impact on his young mind.

Joining the Goa Liberation Movement

• Formation of Ideals: Isru’s involvement in student activism and his presidency of the student union highlighted his commitment to social justice. He joined the Communist Party of India (CPI) and embraced rationalist ideals.
• Goa Liberation Movement: In the 1950s, despite India’s independence, the territories of Goa, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli remained under Portuguese rule. CPI sent Satyagarhis, followers of Gandhian principles, to Goa to hoist the Indian flag on Independence Day.

His Fateful Journey

• Sahodrabai Rai’s Leadership: Isru, alongside other Satyagarhis, embarked on the march towards Goa under the leadership of Sahodrabai Rai. They aimed to challenge colonial rule and establish India’s sovereignty in the region.
• Tragedy Strikes: As they entered the Patradevi village in North Goa, Portuguese forces opened fire on the Satyagarhis. Isru’s unwavering determination led him to the forefront, but tragically, he was struck by a bullet in his chest. His sacrifice was a significant moment in the fight for Goa’s liberation.

Legacy and Remembrance

• Tributes in Punjab: Isru’s memory is etched in the heart of Punjab, where the government and political parties organize annual functions to honor his sacrifice. A statue, library, park, and school bear his name, reflecting the respect he commands.
• Recognition in Goa: In Goa, a bronze bust of Isru was installed in the primary school of Patradevi village, commemorating his sacrifice. His bravery and dedication are a source of inspiration for generations.

Also read:

In news: Goa Liberation Day

Central Idea

• Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Indian member of the British Parliament, played a significant role in India’s anti-colonial struggle.
• His scholarly work exposed the economic exploitation of India under British rule, emphasizing the drain theory.

Who was Dadabhai Naoroji?

• Early Life: Naoroji was born in Navsari, Gujarat, into a Parsi Zoroastrian family. He received his education at the Elphinstone Institute School.
• Social Reforms: He founded the Rahnumai Mazdayasan Sabha and the Rast Goftar newspaper to promote Parsi social reforms and clarify Zoroastrian concepts.
• Political Activism: Naoroji co-founded the London Indian Society and the East India Association, advocating for Indian political rights and countering negative stereotypes.
• Indian National Congress: He played a crucial role in the Indian National Congress and served as its President on three occasions.
• British Parliament: Naoroji became the first Indian MP in the British House of Commons, representing Finsbury Central from 1892 to 1895.
• Economic Critique: His book “Poverty and Un-British Rule in India” exposed the drain of wealth from India to Britain and its impact on India’s development.

His proposition of Drain Theory and Poverty

• Naoroji’s Drain Theory: He identified six factors contributing to the wealth drain, including foreign governance, lack of immigration, and unequal employment opportunities.
• Impact of Drain: Naoroji estimated a drain of 200-300 million pounds from India to Britain, which hindered India’s economic progress.
• Railways and Tribute: Naoroji argued that India paid for services like railways, but the profits were drained out of the country, leading to economic imbalances.
• Exploitative Trade: British workers in India were encouraged to repatriate their earnings, and Indian goods were undervalued, allowing for economic exploitation.

Major works

• Started the Rast Goftar Anglo-Gujarati Newspaper in 1854.
• The manners and customs of the Parsees (Bombay, 1864)
• The European and Asiatic races (London, 1866)
• Admission of educated natives into the Indian Civil Service (London, 1868)
• The wants and means of India (London, 1876)
• Condition of India (Madras, 1882)

Legacy and Views

• Naoroji’s Significance: He is considered a crucial figure in India’s independence movement, advocating for responsible government and Indian autonomy.
• Influence on Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi was influenced by Naoroji’s writings and recognized him as a father figure for the Indian people.
• Admirations: Bal Gangadhar Tilak praised Naoroji’s leadership and stated that Indians would unanimously elect him if given the chance.
• Recognition: Naoroji’s contributions are honoured through various roads, streets, and awards named after him.

Central Idea

• The President of India, Draupadi Murmu, honoured the freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju during the closing ceremony of his 125th birth anniversary celebrations in Hyderabad.
• The President highlighted the significance of Alluri Seetharama Raju’s struggle against injustice and exploitation in India’s freedom struggle.

About Alluri Sitarama Raju

• Raju was believed to be born in 1897 or 1898 in Andhra Pradesh.
• He became a sanyasi (ascetic) at the age of 18 and gained a mystical aura among the hill and tribal people due to his austerity, knowledge of astrology and medicine, and his ability to tame wild animals.

Revolutionary Activities of Alluri Sitarama Raju

• Raju channelled the discontent of the hill people in Ganjam, Visakhapatnam, and Godavari into effective guerrilla resistance against the British.
• The Forest Act of 1882 and other colonial policies threatened the tribals’ traditional podu cultivation and forced them into labor.
• The tribals and muttadars (village headmen) who were affected by the curtailment of their powers by the British government joined together in armed resistance against colonial rule in August 1922.

Contribution to the Freedom Struggle

• Raju’s guerrilla war, known as the Rampa or Manyam Rebellion, continued until May 1924.
• The rebellion coincided with Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Raju admired Gandhi and promoted his ideas of wearing khadi (homespun cloth) and giving up alcohol.
• However, Raju believed that India could only be liberated through the use of force, contrary to Gandhi’s principle of non-violence.

Capture and Execution of Alluri Sitarama Raju

• Raju’s resistance came to an end when he was captured by the British in May 1924.
• He was executed for his involvement in the rebellion.
• Raju became known as the ‘Manyam Veerudu’ or Hero of the Jungle, and his efforts are remembered as a significant contribution to India’s freedom struggle.

Conclusion

• Overall, Alluri Seetharama Raju played a crucial role in leading a guerrilla resistance against British colonial rule, fighting for the rights of tribal communities, and advocating for India’s independence through forceful means.

Central Idea

• Prime Minister commemorated Hul Diwas, honoring the sacrifice of Santhals in their fight against British colonial authorities.

What is Hul Divas?

• The Santhal rebellion, known as the ‘Hul,’ was an organized war against colonialism led by the Santhals, who stood against various forms of oppression inflicted upon them by the British.
• This article explores the significance of the Santhal rebellion, their identity, the reasons behind the Hul, its organization, and its lasting impact.

Santhals and their Migration

• The Santhal people, or Santhalis, migrated from the Birbhum and Manbhum regions of Bengal to modern-day Santhal Pargana.
• The British relocated the Santhals to the forested area of Damin-i-Koh, dislodging the indigenous Pahariya community, as part of their revenue collection strategy.
• However, the Santhals faced severe colonial oppression, including exploitative moneylenders and the police.

Reasons behind the Hul

• The Santhals rebelled against the British due to extortions, oppressive extractions, dispossession of property, false measurements, and other illegalities.
• Tribal councils and meetings discussed the possibility of rebellion, leading to a massive assembly of over 6,000 Santhals on June 30, 1855, marking the beginning of the rebellion.
• Led by Sidhu and Kanhu, the Santhals rose against the British, attacking symbols of colonial rule and executing moneylenders and zamindars.

Organization of the Hul

• Contrary to popular belief, the Hul was a well-planned and organized political war.
• Evidence from documents and historical accounts reveals preparations such as guerrilla formations, military teams, detectives, secret bases, logistics, and a network of message carriers for coordination.
• Non-Adivasi Hindu castes also participated in the rebellion, highlighting the diverse nature of the movement.

Lesser-Known Facts about the Hul

• The rebellion saw participation from 32 communities, both tribals and non-tribals, challenging the notion that it was solely a Santhal rebellion.
• Phulo-Jhano, two sisters, led an army of 1,000 women, playing crucial roles in providing food supply, gathering information, and attacking British camps.
• The East India Company’s army was defeated twice during the rebellion, debunking the belief that they were invincible.

British Narratives and Accounts

• British reports and personal narratives provide insights into the causes of the Santhal rebellion, including excessive taxation, falsehood, and negligence of British officials, extortion by moneylenders, corruption, and oppression.
• The sufferings inflicted by moneylenders or ‘mahajans’ on the Santhals were a primary cause of the uprising.

Accounts from Prisoners and Divine Intervention

• Similar to other tribal uprisings, accounts exist of deities appearing in dreams or before the rebels.
• Judicial proceedings of captured Santhals revealed instances where deities instructed rebellion leaders to fight against the British and oppressors.

Lasting Impact of the Hul

• The Santhal rebellion did not end with its suppression in 1855; it continued to inspire future uprisings, such as the Santhal involvement in the 1857 mutiny.
• The Hul rebellion symbolized resistance against British colonialism and laid the foundation for subsequent movements in Jharkhand.

Central Idea

• The recent controversy surrounding West Bengal’s ‘Foundation Day’ has brought attention to the partition of Bengal in 1947.
• This event marked a significant chapter in the history of the state, leading to the creation of West Bengal and East Pakistan (later Bangladesh).

Partition of Bengal in 1947: An overview

• Demand for a separate Muslim nation-state: The partition of Bengal was a consequence of the Muslim League’s demand for a separate nation-state for Indian Muslims.
• Communal violence in Calcutta: The society became deeply divided along religious lines, leading to severe communal violence, particularly in Calcutta in August 1946.

Contours of East Pakistan’s Formation

• Partition of India and Pakistan: In June 1947, it was decided to partition India into India and Pakistan. Punjab and Bengal, both with significant non-Muslim minorities, were also partitioned along religious lines.
• Boundary Commission and the Radcliffe Line: A boundary commission, chaired by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, was established to demarcate separate districts with Hindu and Muslim majorities. The resulting boundary line is known as the Radcliffe Line.

Concentration of Muslims in East Pakistan

• Demographic composition: Bengal had a Hindu majority in the western districts and a Muslim majority in the eastern districts.
• Grouping under East Pakistan: The eastern districts were grouped together to form East Pakistan, similar to how Muslims were concentrated in the western districts of Punjab.

Precursor: Curzon’s Partition of Bengal in 1905

• Historical context: Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal in 1905, aiming to break the unity of the Bengali-speaking population and create a separate province with a Muslim majority.
• Reversal of partition: The partition of 1905 was withdrawn in 1911, restoring the linguistic unity of Bengal while separating Bihar and Orissa from Bengal.

Aftermath of the 1947 Partition

• Communal violence and Gandhi’s influence: Bengal witnessed significant communal violence in 1946, particularly in Calcutta and Noakhali. However, the presence of Mahatma Gandhi helped prevent large-scale violence during the partition.
• Migration and displacement: Unlike Punjab, migration in Bengal occurred gradually over time, resulting in a continuous trickle of people moving from East to West and vice versa. This led to a large refugee population and the need for rehabilitation and settlements.

Conclusion

• The partition of Bengal in 1947 was a complex event with far-reaching consequences.
• Understanding this historical context helps shed light on the impact it had on the population and the socio-economic landscape of West Bengal and todays Bangladesh.

Central Idea: This article revolves around the life, contributions, and legacy of Ram Prasad Bismil, a revolutionary figure in India’s freedom struggle against British colonial rule.

Ram Prasad Bismil

• Birth: Ram Prasad Bismil was born on June 11, 1897, in Shahjahanpur district, UP.
• Revolutionary activities: He actively fought against British Raj and participated in notable events like the Mainpuri Conspiracy of 1918 and the Kakori Train Action of 1925.
• Founding of Hindustan Republican Association: Bismil established the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA, later known as the Hindustan Socialist RA) and played a pivotal role in the organization.
• Sacrifice and execution: Bismil was hanged for his revolutionary activities on December 19, 1927, at the age of 30.

Early life and Arya Samaj connections

• Upbringing and linguistic influences: Bismil was born into a Rajput Tomar family and learned Hindi from his father, Urdu from a nearby maulvi, and also studied in an English medium school in Shahjahanpur.
• Association with Arya Samaj: Bismil joined the Arya Samaj during his childhood, becoming a prolific writer and poet. He used pen names such as ‘Agyat’, ‘Ram’, and the well-known ‘Bismil’.
• Poem “Mera Janm”: At the age of 18, Bismil wrote the poem “Mera Janm” expressing his anger over the death sentence of Arya Samaj missionary Bhai Parmanand.

Major events associated to Bismil

(1) Mainpuri Conspiracy

• Political disillusionment: Bismil became disillusioned with the moderate wing of the Congress Party and rejected negotiation or appeasement with the British.
• Formation of Matrivedi: Bismil established the revolutionary organization Matrivedi and collaborated with Genda Lal Dixit, who had connections with dacoits and sought to utilize them in the armed struggle.
• Mainpuri Ki Pratigya: Bismil’s famous poem, “Mainpuri Ki Pratigya,” was widely distributed in pamphlets across the United Provinces. He carried out acts of looting to gather funds for his organization.

(2) Founding the Hindustan Republican Association

• Return to Shahjahanpur: After being underground for several years, Bismil returned to Shahjahanpur in February 1920.
• Formation of HRA: Bismil, along with Ashfaqullah Khan, Sachindra Nath Bakshi, and Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, founded the Hindustan Republican Association. Later, Chandra Shekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh joined the organization.
• Release of the manifesto: Bismil played a significant role in penning the manifesto titled “Krantikari,” which was officially released on January 1, 1925. The manifesto called for an organized and armed revolution to establish a federal Republic of United States of India.

(3) Kakori Train Action

• Objective and planning: The Kakori Train Action aimed to rob a train carrying treasury bags between Shahjahanpur and Lucknow.
• Execution of the action: On August 9, 1925, around ten revolutionaries, including Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan, stopped the train at Kakori station, overpowered the guard, and looted the treasury bags containing approximately Rs 4,600.
• Consequences and crackdown: The action drew both British outrage and mixed responses from the Indian public. The misfiring of a gun resulted in the accidental killing of a passenger, Ahmad Ali, dampening public support. Subsequently, a violent crackdown led to the arrest of most involved, excluding Chandrashekhar Azad.

Death and legacy

• Trial and sentencing: Bismil, along with Ashfaqullah Khan and Rajendranath Lahiri, faced a long trial and were ultimately sentenced to death.
• Execution and martyrdom: On December 19, 1927, Bismil was executed at the age of 30, leaving behind a legacy of sacrifice and dedication to the cause of freedom.
• Enduring influence and remembrance: Bismil’s poetry continues to inspire and his call for Hindu-Muslim unity serves as a symbol of communal harmony. He is remembered for his revolutionary spirit and deep concern for society, justice, and equality.