Indian Freedom Struggle (1857–1947)
Essential Concepts for SSC GD Exams
1. Introduction
The period from 1857 to 1947 marks India's long and powerful fight against British rule. It includes revolts, movements, organizations, leaders, and major events that led to independence. This is one of the most important topics for SSC GD.
Simple Definition
Freedom Struggle is India's fight for independence against British rule from 1857 to 1947 through protests, movements, and sacrifices.
2. Beginning: Revolt of 1857 (First War of Independence)
2.1. Causes
- Greased cartridge issue
- Military dissatisfaction
- Heavy taxation
- Destruction of Indian industries
- Disrespect to Indian rulers
2.2. Main Leaders
| Region | Leader |
|---|---|
| Meerut | Mangal Pandey |
| Delhi | Bahadur Shah Zafar |
| Kanpur | Nana Saheb, Tantya Tope |
| Jhansi | Rani Lakshmibai |
| Lucknow | Begum Hazrat Mahal |
2.3. Result
- Revolt failed
- But it awakened nationalism
- End of East India Company → Crown Rule starts (1858)
Memory Trick:
"M-K-J-D-L" → Meerut, Kanpur, Jhansi, Delhi, Lucknow
3. Formation of Indian National Congress (INC)
Founded
1885
Founder
A.O. Hume
1st President
W.C. Bonnerjee
INC became India's main political platform.
4. Phases of National Movement (SSC GD Favourite)
| Phase | Years | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate Phase | 1885–1905 | Petitions, resolutions |
| Extremist Phase | 1905–1919 | Protests, boycotts |
| Gandhian Era | 1919–1947 | Mass movements |
Memory Trick:
"M–E–G" → Moderate → Extremist → Gandhian
5. Moderate Phase (1885–1905)
Leaders
- Dadabhai Naoroji
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale
- Surendranath Banerjee
Goals
- Constitutional reforms
- Indian participation in government
- Peaceful methods
Important
Dadabhai Naoroji → Drain of Wealth Theory
Book: Poverty and Un-British Rule in India
6. Extremist Phase (1905–1919)
Leaders
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Lala Lajpat Rai
- Bipin Chandra Pal
Known as Lal – Bal – Pal
Reaction Method
- Boycott
- Swadeshi Movement
- Burning foreign goods
- National education
Partition of Bengal (1905)
- By Lord Curzon
- Led to Swadeshi Movement
- Cancelled in 1911
7. Arrival of Mahatma Gandhi in India (1915)
Gandhi returned from South Africa and became the key leader.
8. Gandhian Movements (1919–1942)
SSC GD gives many questions from these movements.
8.1. Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
- First movement of Gandhi in India
- Issue: Indigo farmers exploitation
- Result: Relief to farmers
8.2. Kheda Satyagraha (1918)
- Reason: Tax remission for crops damaged
- Result: Partial success
8.3. Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918)
- Reason: Workers' wage dispute
- Gandhi used "hunger strike" first time
8.4. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22)
Causes:
- Jallianwala Bagh (1919)
- Rowlatt Act
- Khilafat issue
Steps:
- Boycott foreign goods
- Boycott schools, courts
- Ended after: Chauri Chaura Incident (1922)
8.5. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34)
Main event: Dandi March (Salt March)
- Gandhi walked 390 km
- Broke the Salt Law
Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)
- Congress stopped the movement
- British released political prisoners
Round Table Conferences
- 3 conferences (London)
- Gandhi attended only the 2nd Round Table Conference
8.6. Quit India Movement (1942)
- Started by Gandhi on 8 August 1942
- Slogan: "Do or Die"
- Leaders arrested immediately
- Youth & students joined widely
9. Revolutionary Freedom Fighters
| Leader | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Bhagat Singh | Lahore Conspiracy Case; Martyr at 23 |
| Chandrasekhar Azad | Hindustan Socialist Republican Association |
| Subhash Chandra Bose | INA, Azad Hind Government |
| Khudiram Bose | Youngest revolutionary |
| Sukhdev & Rajguru | Martyrs with Bhagat Singh |
Slogans
Inquilab Zindabad → Bhagat Singh
Jai Hind → Subhash Bose
Give me blood, I will give you freedom → Subhash Bose
10. Important Youth & Regional Movements
| Movement | Region | Leaders |
|---|---|---|
| Swadeshi Movement | Bengal | Lal–Bal–Pal |
| Home Rule Movement | India | Annie Besant, Tilak |
| Ghadar Movement | Abroad | Lala Hardayal |
| Tribal Revolts | Various | Birsa Munda |
11. Muslim League
Basic Information
- Founded: 1906
- Location: Dhaka
- Aimed at separate Muslim interests
- Leader: Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Key Demand
Demanded Pakistan (1940 – Lahore Resolution)
12. Important Acts During Freedom Struggle
| Act | Importance |
|---|---|
| Morley-Minto Act 1909 | Separate electorates |
| Government of India Act 1919 | Dyarchy |
| Government of India Act 1935 | Provincial autonomy (very important) |
| Indian Independence Act 1947 | Partition & freedom |
13. Path to Independence
Cripps Mission (1942)
Failed
Cabinet Mission (1946)
Proposed united India
Mountbatten Plan (1947)
Decided the partition
14. Independence (15 August 1947)
India became independent
Pakistan formed
Lord Mountbatten
Last Viceroy
Jawaharlal Nehru
First Prime Minister
Sardar Patel
Unified princely states
15. Quick Revision Table
| Topic | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Freedom Struggle started | 1857 |
| INC formed | 1885 |
| Gandhi's first movement | Champaran |
| Non-Cooperation | 1920 |
| Civil Disobedience | 1930 |
| Quit India | 1942 |
| Independence | 15 Aug 1947 |
| First PM | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| Last Viceroy | Lord Mountbatten |
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