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History of India: 1700s-1947
Year
1611
1612
1640
1688
1700
1717
1750s:
Carnatic Wars
(I: 1746-48
II: 1749-54
III: 1756-63)
Incident
East India Company (EIC) establishes a factory in Masulipatnam (modern Andhra
Pradesh)
Factory established in Surat
Factory established in Madras
Portuguese Bombay leased by EIC
Factory established in Calcutta
Farrukhsiyar grants ‘farman’ to EIC to carry on inland trade in Bengal with several
significant concessions regarding tax concessions
Carnatic Wars
These established the British East India’s Company’s supremacy amongst all the European
companies in India). Around then, the Carnatic region was nominally a dependency of
Hyderabad state (Mughal control), but was ruled by Nawab Dost Ali Khan
I Carnatic war was the Indian theatre of the War of Austrian Succession in Europe, which
brought Britain and France into conflict, and spilled onto the Indian subcontinent as well.
Indian rulers were not involved; Brits came out on top. First military adventure of
Robert Clive
II Carnatic war started as a war of succession after the death of Nawab-ul-Mulk (Nawab
of Hyderabad), and Brits and French saw an opportunity to consolidate influence and
joined warring factions. Brits again came out on top, under Clive. Ended by Treaty of
Pondicherry in 1754, recognizing the British-supported candidate becoming the Nawab
III Carnatic war was the Indian theatre of the Seven Years’ War in Europe. Spread as far
as Bengal, but was decided in southern India. Brits occupied Pondicherry (French capital).
Gave it back under Treaty of Paris in 1763, but only as a trading post. This signaled the
end of French political ambitions in India
Battle of Plassey (Robert Clive v/s Siraj-ud-Daulah)
When Alivardi Khan had come to power, he adopted a strict policy with the British, who
had been granted favorable trade rights (including inland ones) by Farrukhsiyar in 1717.
Alivardi had seen how Brits and French were waging proxy wars in Carnatic using local
rulers, and wanted to prevent Bengal from that fate. Brits kept complaining that farman of
1717 was not being implemented fully, even as they continued rapacious inland trade that
harmed the Nawab’s revenue (which had been going on since 1717)
1757:
Battle of
Plassey (Brits
v/s Bengal
Nawabs (Sirajud-Dalulah,
later Mir Jafar
and Mir Qasim)
1761:
Battle of
Panipat
(Marathas v/s
Afghans +
Shuja-udDaulah of
Awadh; Brits
not involved)
In 1756, Alivardi Khan died and his grandson Siraj-ud-Daulah became Nawab of Bengal.
He was suspicious of the British, and asked them to stop fortification (which the British
were doing because of wars with France both in Europe and in Carnatic; French had also
recently occupied Chandernagar in Bengal. This had infuriated the Nawab, who didn’t
want any more of this on his land). Brits didn’t stop fortifications, and the Nawab attacked
the EIC in Calcutta and ransacked the city (‘black hole’ incident)
EIC officials fled to an offshore island, and called for help from the company in Madras;
under Clive, the Brits seized Calcutta, and the French fort of Chandernagar (7 years’ war
was on in Europe)
French troops now joined the Nawab. In response, Robert Clive bribed Mir Jafar (head of
Nawab’s army), and defeated the Nawab at Battle of Plassey. The British were now
paramount rulers of Bengal, with all forthcoming Nawabs at their mercy (as early as 1759,
Mir Jafar had grown disillusioned with the Brits, and started making alliances with the
Dutch to repel the British; he got deposed, Mir Qasim came next)
Battle of Panipat
Mughal empire was under free-fall after Aurangzeb. Already during Aurangzeb’s time,
Mughals and Marathas had been fighting for 27 years (1680-1707). Marathas had had
rapid territorial gains (Gujarat, Malwa, Rajputana etc.). By 1737, they also controlled most
of Mughal territories south of Delhi. In 1758, Nana Saheb (Balaji Baji Rao) occupied
Punjab as well, and this brought the Marathas into direct confrontation with the Afghans,
under Ahmad Shah Abdali. They started sending expeditionary forces to mount attacks
on the small Maratha garrisons in Punjab.
War seemed imminent; both sides wanted Shuja-ud-Daulah of Awadh on their side. Shuja
joined Afghans (‘Army of Islam’), and this was critical, because without his support
Afghans wouldn’t have had the money to stay for as long as they did in India. Afghans laid
siege to Panipat, and cut off supplies to Marathas in Delhi, who started dying of starvation.
Maratha soldiers begged to go to war, and to war they did go. But the Afghans under
Ahmad Shah Durrani and Shuja were much stronger, and convincingly routed the Maraths
1763
The Marathas were to remain absent from the North Indian political scene for the
next decade, until another war in 1771
III Carnatic War ends in Treaty of Paris; with this, Britain ends all political ambitions of
France in India. Pondicherry returned to the French, but only as a trading post
Sanyasi rebellion (Bengal/ East India): Brits imposed a ban on visits to holy places;
Sanyasis organized raids on company
Battle of Buxar (read immediately after Battle of Plassey)
Mir Qasim was installed as Nawab of Bengal after Mir Jafar’s rebellious activities. Mir
Qasim also quickly saw that there was no way that British plunder of Bengal could be
allowed to go unchecked. He made alliances with Nawab of Awadh (Shuja-ud-Daulah)
and Mughal King Shah Alam II; however, Clive’s army convincingly beat their combined
forces at Buxar.
1764:
Battle of
Buxar
Shah Alam II now signed the Treaty of Allahabad, granting Diwani rights to the British
EIC for Bengal (modern Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, and parts of UP) in return for
allowing him to hold court at Allahabad; Mir Qasim was replaced. Shuja-ud-Daulah
allowed to return to Awadh under a subsidiary force. This arrangement made the British
virtual rulers of Bengal (the revenue-collection function had hitherto been performed by
the Nawabs). Now, the Nawab had the responsibility for administration (Brits weren’t
interested in direct administration yet), while the Brits enjoyed the real power (without
responsibility).
=> Led to dual government in Bengal.
With the Marathas just having lost to the Afghans in the Battle of Panipat in 1761, they
were to remain absent from North Indian affairs for about a decade. This gave the British a
wide berth in consolidating their foothold over these parts.
I Anglo-Mysore War (1767): Hyder Ali had become the ruler of Mysore in 1761. Mysore
had enemies Marathas to the north, and Hyderabad to the east. Marathas invaded Mysore
around 1767; initial plan was that Hyderabad’s Nizam will also invade and plunder, but
the British invaded Hyderabad’s Northern Sarkars (to establish a land route between their
holdings in Calcutta and Madras). This made the Nizam think of allying with Mysore. But
Brits pre-empted and attacked Mysore.
1767
<1767-99:
Anglo-Mysore
(modern
Karnataka)
Wars>
(I: 1767-69
II: 1780-84
III: 1789-92
IV: 1799)
(Treaties: MMSMadras,
Mangalore,
Seringapatnam)
No side won decisively; Treaty of Madras in 1769 declared ceasefire, and Brits were to
help out Mysore in case of military aggression from Marathas.
II Anglo-Mysore War (1780): Going against the Treaty of Madras, the British refused to
help out in Mysore-Maratha wars in 1770s, and Hyder Ali allied with the French. After
Britain and France started fighting in Europe, Brits occupied French port of Mahe on
Malabar coast. Hyder Ali used to get his French arms from this port. So, Hyder Ali
launched an attack in response, and included Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad.
After a long-drawn war, British losses were high, and London instructed EIC to stop the
war and sign a treaty. Treaty of Mangalore was signed in 1784, and all territories won by
either side given back. Brits agreed not to intervene in any future wars between Mysore,
Marathas, and Hyderabad.
III Anglo-Mysore War (1789): Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali’s son, was now the ruler; he’d
been looking to find a way to go to war with the British. He attacked British ally
Travancore (Kerala); Brits said okay let’s fight.
Tipu lost badly; Brits could’ve occupied Mysore but didn’t because they didn’t want
consolidation of Maratha power, or to incur expenses by appointing someone directly
under Brits. They let Tipu rule, but took 2 of his sons hostage so he would abide by the
Treaty of Seringapatnam (1792), whereby about half of Mysore’s area was given away
to Marathas and Hyderabad.
IV Anglo-Mysore War (1799): Final war; Tipu dead. Most of Mysore given away to
Marathas and Nizam; core around Seringapatnam given to pre-Hyder Ali House of
Wodeyars, who ‘ruled’ till 1947
Regulating Act (GG- Warren Hastings):
1773
1775
1775-1818:
AngloMaratha Wars
(I: 1775-82
II: 1803-05
III: 1817-18)
(Salbai,
Bassein,
Gwalior)
1784
1789
1793
1795
1799
1803
1813
EIC, before and since Plassey (1757), was involved in corrupt practices whereby the
company constantly veered on the verge of bankruptcy and couldn’t repay its
commitments to the British government even as the ‘Nabobs’ became spectacularly
wealthy. The Regulating Act was brought in for the better management of the company’s
affairs in India and in Britain. The Company was to act as the Sovereign power on behalf of
the Crown. Warren Hastings was the Governor in Bengal at this time (so became first GG).
Key features:
1. GG + 4: Created executive council of 4 members to assist the Governor-General of
Bengal
2. Governors of Bombay and Madras presidencies made subordinate to GG of Bengal
3. Established Supreme Court in Calcutta
4. Company servants were forbidden from carrying on private trade or accept
‘presents’ from Indian rulers
I Anglo-Maratha War (1775): Around this time, the Marathas were the only major Indian
power left on the subcontinent (and to some extent, Mysore). However, there was internal
squabbling for succession. Raghunath Rao signed a treaty with Brits (but he wasn’t the
rightful heir); this treaty led to the start of the first war; this was virtually a stalemate,
ended with Treaty of Salbai whereby both powers were to follow a policy of peaceful
coexistence.
II Anglo-Maratha War (1803): Nana Phadnavis died; succession struggle. One side
(Raghunath Rao’s son Bajir Rao II) signed Treaty of Bassein with the Brits, in effect
becoming their subsidiary. Other side, enraged, attacked the Brits and the first side.
Lost. Marathas lost large part of their territory
III Anglo-Maratha War (1817): Mostly a mopping-up operation; the previous war had
been stopped due to fiscal constraints. At the end of this war, all the Maratha powers had
surrendered to the British, under Treaty of Gwalior. Brits now controlled all of
Southern India, south of the Satluj river.
Pitt’s India Act (GG- Warren Hastings): Passed among allegations of continuing
corruption and misrule even after the 1773 Regulating Act
1. GG + 3: Governor-General’s council reduced to 3 members (from 4 after the
Regulating Act)
2. Modified the relationship between the EIC and the British Government
3. Made the EIC subordinate to the British government by creating the Board of
Control, both to supervise the East India Company's affairs and to prevent the
Company's shareholders from interfering in the governance of India. The erstwhile
Court of Directors was still to exist, but would manage only commercial affairs; BoC
would manage political affairs
4. Secretary of State was to be the President of the Board; +5 members
5. Bengal GG kind of made head, but some autonomy to subordinate provincial
Governors
Failed because boundaries of work between BoC and CoD were poorly defined and
arbitrary.
III Anglo-Mysore War (see above): Tipu had been wanting to fight the brits; attacked their
allies Travancore. Lost, had to sign Treaty of Mangalore. His sons were taken hostage by
Brits to ensure good behavior.
Cornwallis introduced Permanent Settlement in Bengal (demands had been raised by
liberals in Britain since Regulating Act of 1773); this was the first socio-economic
regulation in British India
‘Bengal Regulation’; declared infanticide illegal.
IV Anglo-Mysore War; ended in Tipu’s defeat, and installation of puppet rulers ‘House of
Wodeyars’ on the Mysore throne. Mysore was now out of the game.
Chuar uprising (Bengal/ East India (Midnapore)): Happened due to famine, enhanced
land-revenue demand, and general economic distress. Wasn’t a one-off incident; incidents
happened till 1816.
II Anglo-Maratha War (see above): ‘Renegade’ Baji Rao II signed Treaty of Bassein with
Brits; death knell for Marathas (although there would be one more war after this)
Charter Act of 1813 (GG- Minto; retired in 1813, succeeded by Hastings (Moira):
Passed in the backdrop of great economic turmoil in Europe; Napoleon had imposed the
‘Continental System’ in Europe, and British traders were facing hardships. There was
clamor for revoking EIC’s monopoly on trade with India. Key features:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1815
1817
1828
1829
1830
1833
1835
1839
GG + 3 maintained
Ended the trade monopoly of EIC with India, except for tea and trade with China
Missionaries now allowed to go to India
EIC instructed to spend Rs. 1 lakh per annum to strengthen the education systems
Empowered local governments to impose taxes, subject to jurisdiction of SC
Atmiya Sabha: Raja Ram Mohan Roy established the Atmiya Sabha, a precursor in the
socio-religious reforms in Bengal. With this, he was known as a campaigners for the rights
of women. He started opposing the Sati system and Polygamy in Hindus.
III Anglo-Maratha War (see above): mop-up operation. All Maratha power now with
British, who controlled the entire Indian territory south of the Satluj.
Brahmo Samaj established
William Bentick brings in ‘Abolishon of Sati Act’
Dharma Sabha established by Radhakant Deb as retaliation to Brahmo Samaj’s growing
influence; orthodox Hindu, status-quoist
Charter Act of 1833 (GG- Bentick) (before this: Regulating Act of 1773, Pitt’s India Act of
1784)
1. GG + 4: GG’s council expanded to include a 4th member (Macaulay was the first such
4th member); not to be an executive member, only legislative
2. Trade license of EIC revoked altogether (opening up of trade with India to others,
not only EIC); the EIC became a part of the British government, but India’s
administration remained under company officials
3. Made the GG of Bengal GG of India (title change); thus, revoked the autonomy of the
presidencies of Madras and Bombay; deprived Governments of Madras and
Bombay of powers of legislation
4. First step towards codifying India laws; India Law Commission set up
5. First act that provisioned to freely admit the natives of India to share in
administration
Metcalfe (GG) repeals Licensing Act that had imposed restrictions on freedom of press
Tattvabodhini Sabha established by Debendranath Tagore. When Brahmo Samaj became
weak after the death of its founder Ram Mohan Roy, Debendranath Tagore took every
possible initiative and established the 'Tattvanodhini Sabha'. Its prime objective was to
propagate the spirit of Hindu Scriptures, including the Vedas. Came together with Brahmo
Samaj in 1840s.
The Tattvabodhini Sabha encouraged a balanced attitude towards religion, a feature that
attracted both the groups, conservative like Ishwar Chandra Gupta as well as modern
outlook-ed people like Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Debendranath Tagore, however, modified his philosophy and conflict with many of the
views of the members of the Sabha. Thus came a split in the Sabha in 1859 and
subsequently, the liability of publishing the journal and books for the circulation of the
faith fell on Calcutta Brahmo Samaj.
Charter Act of 1853 (GG- Dalhousie (James Broun-Ramsey))
1853
1854
1856
1. GG + 4 + 6: 4th member in council placed on equal footing with the other 3, and 6 new
‘Legislative Councillors’ added; total council strength = 12 (all officials; GG +
Commander in Chief + 4 executive members + 2 judges + 4 officials)
2. All previous Charter Acts had explicitly dictated how long the EIC’s charter was being
renewed for; this one just said unless Parliament decides otherwise, EIC would
administer India
3. Deprived the Court of Directors from using appointments to ICS as a patronage
device; appointments thrown open via competitive examinations
‘Wood’s Despatch’ to GG Lord Dalhousie, asking to: (i) Set up education department in
every province; (ii) Universities on the model of the London University be established in
big cities such as Bombay, Calcutta and Madras; (iii) At least one government school be
opened in every district; (iv) Indians should also be taught in their native tongues. Is
called Magna-carta of English Education in India.
Hindu Widow Remarriage Act
Government of India Act (GG- Charles Canning)
1858
1. Abolished the EIC’s rule in India, the Court of Directors, and the Board of Control
2. Crown was now to govern India directly via a ‘Secretary of State for India’
3. GG renamed Viceroy (Canning was thus first Viceroy)
4. 15 member council to assist SoS
Indian Councils Act (GG- Charles Canning)
1861
1865
1866
1870
1867
1873
1875
1878
1882
1. GG + 5 + (6-12): Additional member in executive council; minimum 6 and maximum
12 legislative members, half of whom had to be non-officials (nominated by
provinces and the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce; thus, Indian participation
initiated)
2. Portfolio system introduced
3. Decentralization: Re-instated legislative powers of Governments of Madras and
Bombay
4. GG had veto, could issue ordinances
5. LC members could discuss budget, but couldn’t legislate on budget
Split in Brahmo Samaj
East India Association founded by Dadabhai Naoroji in London. It was one of the
predecessor organizations of the Indian National Congress. The idea was to present the
correct information about India to the British Public and voice Indian Grievances. Became
defunct in 1880s.
Mayo’s Resolution (Fiscal Decentralization from Centre to Provinces)
Poona Sarvajanik Sabha founded by Ranade to represent the aspirations of the people
to government. It published a quartely journal to put forth the problems of people before
the government.
Satyashodhak Samaj founded by Jyotiba Phule. Aim was to create caste consciousness;
first movement with leadership from low castes; Raja Bali used as symbol.
Arya Samaj founded by Dayanand Saraswati; “Back to the Vedas”, end priestly
domination, promote inter-caste and widow marriages, no idol worship
Vernacular Press Act, Arms Act
Keshab Chanda Sen’s ‘Brahmo Samaj of India’ further splits into two (other branch now
called ‘Sadharan Brahmo Samaj’).
Ripon’s Resolution (Fiscal Decentralization from Provinces to Local Bodies)
Hunter Education Commission
Ilbert Bill (Ripon): proposed an amendment for existing laws in the country at the time
to allow Indian judges and magistrates the jurisdiction to try British offenders in criminal
cases at the District level, something that was disallowed at the time. Didn’t pass.
1883
Finally, a solution was adopted by way of compromise: jurisdiction to try Europeans
would be conferred on European and Indian District Magistrates and Sessions Judges
alike. However, a defendant would in all cases have the right to claim trial by a jury of
which at least half the members must be European.
1885
Indian National Congress formed; first President: WC Bonnerji
Kadambini becomes the first woman to address INC (I think she was the first female
graduate of Calcutta University)
Act X : raised the age of consent for sexual intercourse for all girls, married or unmarried,
from 10 years to 12 years old; everything before would be classified as rape and attract
penal punishment
Councils Act (Lansdowne)
Bombay plague; Chapekar brothers shoot someone important, hanged; Tilak jailed for
praising them (they were his disciples anyway)
Ramakrishna Movement started by Vivekananda (Narendranath Dutta); aim was to
spread the universal message of Vedanta, love all religions, service of humans = service of
god.
Sri Narayan Guru Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) movement; started among Ezvahas of
Kerala (toddy-trappers, untouchables); urged them to join schools, administration.
Official Secrets Act
Partition of Bengal, Swadeshi Movement
Shyamji Krishna Verma starts Indian Home Rule Society in London
GK Gokhale starts ‘Servants of India Society’; non-religious, aimed at raising cadres for
nation-building
INC adopts Swaraj as goal during Calcutta session under Dadabhai Naoroji’s presidentship
‘Yugantar’ started in Anushilan Samiti (which was a revolutionary terrorist organization
1890
1891
1892
1896
1897
1902
1904
1905
1906
in Bengal)
Shimla Deputation: In 1906 a group of Muslim landed magnates and chieftains organized
a deputation of Lord Minto, the Viceroy, at Simla and pleaded for concession to the Muslim
community of India.
1907
1908
1909
1911
1912
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
Within a few months following the Simla Deputation a political forum of the communalist
Muslims emerged. Nawab Salimullah of Dacca took initiative in organizing a conference
of the communalist Muslims in which a resolution was adopted in favour of the foundation
of the All India Muslim League.
Muslim League founded
INC Surat split
Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose executed for bomb-carriage incident
Tilak praises them, deported to Mandalay for 8 years under charges of sedition
Indian Councils Act (GG- Minto: father of communal electorates) (‘Minto-Morley
Reforms’)
1. GG was Minto
2. GG + 7 + (60): Massively increased the size of Legislative Council at the center (16 to
60), and also in the provinces; officials still in majority (34 officials, 25 elected (13
general, 8 Muslims, 6 British Capitalists, 2 landlords), 4 nominated)
3. LCs could discuss
4. Separate electorates introduced
5. Satyendranath Sinha became the first Indian to join the GG’s executive council
Partition of Bengal annulled under constant opposition from Hindu communalist groups,
and because of the rise of revolutionary terrorism; immediate cause for discontent was a
huge famine, and the simultaneous pomp of the Delhi Durbar for a visiting Royal
RB Bose and Sachin Sanyal throw a bomb at Viceroy Hardinge
Tilak returns to India (back from Prison in Mandalay)
Ghadar party formed in San Francisco under Lala Hardayal, after Komagata Maru
incident
Amidst WW1, Defense of India rules imposed that curbed all kinds of civil libertiesentire leadership of Ghadar movement beheaded
Pherozshah Mehta and Gopalkrishna Gokhale both dead (natural causes)
Congress reunites in Lucknow (after Surat Split of 1907)
Lucknow Pact (between the Muslim League and the Congress)
Tilak and Annie Besant start the Home Rule League Movement (instrumental in making
the INC a potent political force again, by bringing the extremists and moderates under the
same fold again)
Gandhi enters the nationalist scene; Champaran Satyagraha
Justice Party founded in Tamil Nadu; this was a political party focused on securing jobs
for non-brahmins in legislature. Founded by CN Mulaidar, T. Nair, and P. Thyagaraja.
Russian Revolution (was to lead to rise of the left ad peasant movements later)
Kheda Satyagraha
Ahmedabad Mill Strike
Rowlatt Satyagraha, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Gandhi jailed
Government of India Act (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms)
1. GG was Chelmsford
2. Replaced Legislative Council with a bicameral structure; both houses had
majority members elected by direct elections (but limited franchise- property, tax,
or education)
3. Dyarchy (two executives in Provinces; one responsible to Legislature (‘Ministers’),
and the other to Governor (‘Executive Councillors’)
4. 3 members of GG’s executive council to be Indians
5. Extended separate electorates to Sikhs, Christians, Anglos, and Europeans
6. Separated provincial budgets from central; provinces could enact their own budgets
Congress commits itself to extra-constitutional mass struggle (Nagpur session)
Non-Cooperation/ Khilafat Movement starts
MN Roy founded CPI in Tashkent
Akali Movement; started to liberate Sikh Gurudwaras from Udasi Mahants; later won and
set up SGPC; later turned communal (think why?)
Chaura-Chauri incident; Gandhi calls off NCM, arrested for 6 years
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
Mapilla rebellion in Malabar
Swarajist-‘No-changer’ debate
Gandhi released on health grounds (check)
Swaraj party (from within the Congress) fights elections; wins handsomely
Hindustan Republican Army set up by Ramprasad Bismil, Sachin Sanyal, and
Jogendranath Chatterjee
Vaikom Satyagraha (temple entry, led by KV Keshav)
Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case: SA Dange jailed
CR Das dies; leads to split in Bengal Congress: JM Sengupta faction (backed by
revolutionary Anushilan group), and other led by SC Bose (Yugantar group)
Kakori train robbery (Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Rajendra Lahiri hanged)
Swaraj party splits due to differences- some members like MMM and Lala Lajpat Rai
wanted more concession to Hindus, Nehru and CR Das (?) were secular and left the Swaraj
party; elections, Swaraj party does badly
Simon Commission- all white, no Indians; huge protests, even Muslim League protests.
Lala Lajpat Rai killed during demonstrations
‘Delhi Proposals’ by the Muslim League; first ever acceptance of Joint Electorates
Saunders Murder by HSRA; Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt throw bombs in the
Central Legislative Assembly to protest the Public Safety Bill and Trade Disputes Bill
Nehru Report
Calcutta
INC declares that if the Government doesn’t grant dominion status within
Session
a year, they will start a satyagraha; Gandhi tours the country to prepare
the masses for the coming struggle
INC declares Purna Swaraj as its goal in Lahore; all Congress ministries resign
League issues Jinnah’s 14 points
Irwin announces that goal of Brits is to eventually grant dominion status
Meerut Conspiracy Case
‘Delhi Manifesto’
Launch of the Civil Disobedience Movement via Dandi March in March; movement builds
up, Gandhi arrested in May
First RTC in London (to discuss Simon recommendations); Congress boycotts
Chittagong Armory Raid (Surya Sen etc.)
Sarda Act
Garhwal Rifles soldiers refuse to open fire on unarmed crowd
Gandhi-Irwin Pact (Delhi Pact- put INC and GoI on equal footing)
Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru hanged (Lahore Conspiracy Case)
INC Karachi session; 2 landmark resolutions on Fundamental Rights and National
Economic Programme passed
Second RTC; Gandhi dismayed at strong focus on Communal Award to depressed classes,
decides to resume CDM. Arrested upon return to India without a trial, jailed in Yeravada
(Poona)
Gurvayur Satyagraha (temple entry)
Communal Award announced by Ramsey Macdonald (SoS)
Gandhi undertakes fast unto death in Yeravada against this; him and Ambedkar sign the
Poona Pact; Gandhi sets up the ‘All India Anti-Untouchability League’ from jail
Third RTC in London
Gandhi released from prison
Gandhi retires from active politics (after dispute in Congress regarding direction), devotes
himself to constructive work; withdraws CDM
Government of India Act
1. Establishment of All-India Federation (didn’t happen as Princes didn’t agree)
2. Abolished diarchy in provinces (=> provinvial autonomy), and introduced it at the
central level; 3 legislative lists
3. Responsible governance in the provinces (implemented for a while); Governor
answerable to legislature
4. Further extended separate electorates to depressed classes, women, and labour
5. Extended franchise; about 10% eligible to vote
6. Still, about 80% of central budget not votable
7. Established Reserve Bank of India
Maharaja of Travancore allows temple entry (after lots of struggle- think Vaikom,
Gurvayur etc.)
1937
1939
1940
1942
1944/45
1946
1947
Provincial elections held, Congress wins/emerges as single largest party in all provinces
but two (check which two); Muslim League dismayed, moves to extreme communalism
WW2 starts; Congress ministries resign; League observes the day of resignation as
Deliverance Day
Pakistan Resolution at the League’s Lahore session
August Offer (Linlithgow)
Congress launches individual satyagrahas; ‘Dilli Chalo’; first satyagraha was Vinoba
Bhave
Quit India Movement (resolution in Bombay in August); Gandhi and other leaders arrested
immediately after resolution
Cripps Mission (‘Blueprint for India’s Partition)
Wavell’s Plan/ Shimla Conference
Calcutta upsurge 01; elections (communal polarization, league sweeps muslim areas)
Cabinet Mission
Calcutta upsurge 02 + RIN mutiny
August
Communal riots at an unprecedented scale
September
Interim congress government (despite INC opposition to compulsory
grouping)
October
Muslim League joins interim government
February
Attlee’s statement: we’re leaving by June 1948
June
Mountbatten Plan
August 15
Independence