Unit 2: Radical Politics and Early Revolutionary Movements

1. The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908)

The Swadeshi Movement was a direct fallout of the British decision to partition Bengal in 1905, led by Lord Curzon. It marked a shift from the "Moderate" politics of petitions to "Extremist" politics of mass action.

A. Causes: Partition of Bengal

The official reason given by the British was administrative convenience. However, the real motive was to weaken Bengal, the nerve center of Indian nationalism, by dividing it on communal lines (East Bengal for Muslims, West Bengal for Hindus).

B. Methods of Struggle

• Boycott: Refusal to use British-made goods, especially salt and cloth.
• Swadeshi: Promoting indigenous industries, schools, and courts.
• Public Meetings: Massive mobilization of students and women for the first time.
• Cultural Expression: Songs like 'Amar Sonar Bangla' by Rabindranath Tagore became anthems of unity.

2. Revolutionary Movements in India and Abroad

Disillusioned by the slow pace of the Moderates and the failure of the Swadeshi movement to stop the partition, a section of youth turned toward "Revolutionary Terrorism" (an armed struggle to expel the British).

A. Revolutionary Groups in India

• Anushilan Samiti: Formed in Bengal (Promotha Mitter, Jatindranath Banerjee). They advocated physical training and revolutionary thought.
• Jugantar: An inner circle of Anushilan Samiti that published a weekly paper of the same name.
• Abhinav Bharat: A secret society started by V.D. Savarkar in Maharashtra (1904).

B. Revolutionary Activities Abroad

Indian revolutionaries operated from foreign soil to smuggle arms and literature into India.

• India House (London): Established by Shyamji Krishna Varma.
• Madam Bhikaji Cama: Known as the "Mother of Indian Revolution," she unfurled the first Indian National Flag at Stuttgart, Germany, in 1907.

3. The Ghadar Party

The Ghadar Party was an international political movement founded by expatriate Indians to overthrow British rule in India.

A. Key Facts

B. Objectives and Outcome

The Ghadarites aimed to incite a rebellion within the Indian Army. However, their plans for a 1915 uprising were leaked, leading to massive arrests and the execution of many leaders. Despite its failure, it inspired future revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh.

4. The Home Rule Movement

Launched during World War I (1916), this movement demanded "Home Rule" or self-government for India within the British Empire, similar to the status enjoyed by Australia or Canada.

A. The Two Leagues

1. Tilak's League: Established in April 1916. Operated in Maharashtra (excluding Bombay), Karnataka, and Central Provinces.
2. Annie Besant's League: Established in September 1916. Operated in the rest of India.

B. Significance

The movement shifted the focus back to political agitation after a period of lull. It led to the Lucknow Pact (1916), where the Congress and the Muslim League joined hands, and the Moderates and Extremists reunited.