Indian Freedom Movement – Early Nationalists → Moderates → Extremists → Gandhi Era
Delhi Police Exam History Section
1) Early Phase of Nationalism
This period built the foundation of national awakening.
Rise of educated middle class + print newspapers + modern education
Political consciousness started
INC formed in 1885 (A.O Hume)
Important People
Dada Bhai Naoroji (Drain of Wealth Theory)
Surendranath Banerjee
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
W.C. Banerjee (1st INC President)
2) Moderates (1885 – 1905)
Approach → constitutional reforms, petitions, resolutions. Believed in dialogue with British.
Demands
Reduction in land revenue
More Indians in Govt services
Indianisation of civil services
Expansion of Legislative Councils
Methods
Parliamentary debates
Logical speeches
Meetings + Petitions
Key personalities: Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji, Feroze Shah Mehta
3) Extremists (1905 – 1917)
Trigger → Partition of Bengal 1905
Approach → aggressive nationalism, mass mobilisation
Slogan → Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it! – Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Extremist Leaders
Lala Lajpat Rai
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Bipin Chandra Pal
(also called Lal-Bal-Pal)
Methods
Boycott British goods
Swadeshi & National education
Passive resistance
Morley-Minto Reforms 1909 introduced separate electorates → strengthened communal divide.
4) Gandhi Era (1915 – 1947)
Mass struggle became nationwide
Gandhi introduced → Non-violence & Satyagraha
Major Movements
Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad (initial satyagrahas)
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22)
Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34) – Salt Satyagraha
Quit India Movement (1942) – Final mass uprising
Other Important Events
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)
Simon Commission (1927)
Round Table Conferences
Indian National Army (INA Campaign, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose)
Finally → Indian Independence – 1947
SAMPLE QUESTION
Explain the phases of Indian Nationalism from Moderates to Extremists and state how their methods differed.
QUICK RECAP
INC formed in 1885
Phase 1: Moderates → petitions + dialogue
Phase 2: Extremists → assertive, mass boycott
Gandhi Era → Non-violent mass movements + nationwide participation
1947 → Freedom achieved
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
Discuss the role of Moderates in India's National Movement.
Year: SSC
View Answer
Moderates (1885-1905) laid foundation through constitutional methods, petitions, and creating political awareness. They demanded administrative reforms, Indian representation, and economic justice through peaceful means.
Write short note on Swadeshi Movement.
Year: SSC
View Answer
Swadeshi Movement (1905-1911) was launched against Bengal Partition. It promoted boycott of British goods, use of Indian products, national education, and mass participation. Led by Extremists like Tilak, Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal.
What were the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi in the Indian National Movement?
Year: Railways
View Answer
Gandhi introduced mass participation through non-violence and Satyagraha. Key contributions: Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad satyagrahas; Non-Cooperation Movement; Civil Disobedience (Salt Satyagraha); Quit India Movement; emphasis on Hindu-Muslim unity and social reforms.
Who gave the slogan "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it"?
Year: SSC
View Answer
Bal Gangadhar Tilak gave the slogan "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it"
You've completed Indian Freedom Movement Concepts!
Courage Tip: Focus on understanding the evolution of the freedom struggle from moderate constitutional methods to extremist mass mobilization and finally Gandhi's non-violent mass movements. Remember key leaders, their slogans, and major events in each phase. The transition from elite participation to mass involvement is crucial. Important years like 1885 (INC formation), 1905 (Partition of Bengal), 1919 (Jallianwala Bagh), 1942 (Quit India), and 1947 (Independence) are frequently tested.
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