HISTORY OF DELHI FROM ANCIENT TO MODERN TIMES

UNIT IV MODERN II

National Movement in Delhi

Suggested readings:

Dar, F., Khan, M., & Zahoor, M. (2021). Mass Mobilization in Indian Politics: A Case
Study of Non-Cooperation Movement. Journal of History Culture and Art Research,
10(2), 13-25. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7596/taksad.v10i2.3076

https://jmi.ac.in/About-Jamia/Profile/History/History

https://jmi.ac.in/upload/Research/ab2008_history_reva.pdf

Chaudhuri, Biresh. NATIONALIST MOVEMENT IN DELHI 1911-1932. N.p.: Lulu.com,

2017. (Most Relevant)

Introduction

● The struggle for India's independence, which culminated in the creation of a

sovereign nation in 1947, had its roots deeply embedded in the historical and socio-
political landscape of Delhi.
● Delhi with its strategic and symbolic significance, played a crucial role in the
Indian freedom struggle. The evolution of this movement in Delhi can be traced
through a series of pivotal events and movements spanning from the Great Revolt
of 1857 to the Civil Disobedience Movement of the 1930s. This analysis explores
these critical phases, highlighting how Delhi's unique position and local dynamics
shaped the broader struggle for freedom.
Given below is a brief list of key events of the Indian National Movement:

List of Major Indian Freedom Movements [1857 to 1947]

Year Indian Freedom Struggles

1857 Revolt of 1857: Sepoy Mutiny began in Meerut, spread to Delhi, Agra,
Kanpur and Lucknow

1905-1911 Swadeshi movement: Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon

1914-1917 Gadar Movement: Komagata Maru incident

1916-1918 Home Rule Movement: launched by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie
Besant

1917 Champaran Satyagraha: First non-violent protest in India by Mahatama

Gandhi

1919 Rowlatt Satyagrah

1920 Khilafat and Non-cooperation Movement: First Mass Movement led by

Gandhi

1930 Civil Disobedience Movement: launched to break the Salt law

 1940 Individual Satyagraha: Launched against the August Offer, 1940.

1942 Quit India Movement: Gandhi launched his third major movement
against British rule.

PHASES OF THE INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT:

The Indian National Movement, spanning from 1885 to 1947, can be categorised into
three distinct phases based on leadership, objectives, methods employed, and social
base. These phases are the Moderate Phase, the Extremist Phase, and the Gandhian
Phase. Each phase reflects a unique strategy and vision towards achieving Indian
self-rule.

1. Moderate Phase (1885-1905): Constitutional Quest for Indian Representation

Leadership:

● Prominent leaders of this phase included Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal

Krishna Gokhale, and Womesh C.Bonnerjee. These figures were instrumental
in shaping the early nationalist discourse.

Objective:

● The primary goal was to attain Dominion Status within the British
Empire. Moderates aimed for gradual reforms and greater representation within
the existing colonial framework.

Key Features:

● Formation of the Indian National Congress (INC): Established in

1885, the INC provided a platform for discussing political reforms and seeking
greater Indian representation in governance.
● Constitutional Methods: Moderates believed in using petitions,
resolutions, and negotiations. They sought reforms through dialogue and hoped
 that the British government would accommodate their demands for more Indian
participation in administrative and legislative processes.
● Economic and Social Focus: The movement also addressed
economic grievances and social issues. Leaders like Naoroji highlighted
economic exploitation and advocated for economic reforms.
● Limited Mass Mobilization: The approach was largely elitist and did
not involve large-scale mass mobilization. It was more focused on educated
elites and middle-class professionals.

2. Extremist Phase (1905-1919): Swaraj Quest through Bold Actions

Leadership:

● This phase was characterized by leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak,

Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai. Known as the "Lal-Bal-Pal" trio, these
leaders were crucial in shifting the movement towards more radical methods.

Objective:

● The goal transitioned from seeking Dominion Status to achieving

Swaraj (complete self-rule). The extremists believed in more immediate and
direct action against British rule.

Key Features:

● Partition of Bengal (1905): The British decision to partition Bengal

was seen as a deliberate attempt to divide and weaken Indian unity. This act
led to widespread agitation and was a major catalyst for the rise of extremist
sentiments.
● Radical Methods: Extremists advocated non-cooperation, civil
disobedience, and the Swadeshi movement (boycott of British goods). They
emphasized direct action and were prepared to challenge colonial authority
more aggressively.
● Cultural Revival: Leaders like Tilak emphasized cultural revival and
self-reliance. They promoted Indian traditions and sought to instill a sense of
pride and unity among Indians.
 ● Mass Mobilization: This phase saw increased involvement of the
masses, particularly through grassroots campaigns and large public rallies. The
movement began to appeal to a broader section of society.

3. Gandhian Phase (1919-1947): Non-Violent Quest for Independence

Leadership:

● Mahatma Gandhi emerged as the central figure during this phase,

supported by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel. Gandhi's
leadership was characterized by his commitment to non-violence and his ability
to mobilize millions.

Objective:

● The ultimate goal was to achieve complete independence from British

rule. Gandhi introduced the philosophy of non-violence (Satyagraha) as the
core principle of the movement.

Key Features:

● Major Movements:
■ Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922): Initiated to protest
against repressive colonial policies and to demand self-
governance.
■ Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934): Centred around
the salt tax, it saw widespread participation and non-violent
defiance against colonial laws.
■ Quit India Movement (1942): A mass protest demanding an
end to British rule, which led to significant unrest and mass
arrests.
● Non-Violent Resistance: Gandhi’s approach emphasised non-violent
resistance and civil disobedience. His methods, including peaceful protests, strikes,
and boycotts, were aimed at undermining British authority without resorting to
violence.
● Symbolism of Khadi: Gandhi promoted the use of Khadi (handspun cloth) as
a symbol of self-reliance and resistance against British economic exploitation. It
represented the broader goal of self-sufficiency and independence.
● Post-World War II Negotiations: The weakening of British power post-World
War II and the intensification of the Quit India Movement led to negotiations with the
British government. This culminated in the independence of India on August 15, 1947.

Delhi after the Great Revolt of 1857: A Catalyst for Change

● As noted in the previous lectures, the Revolt of 1857, often considered

the first major resistance against British colonial rule, marked a significant
turning point in Delhi's history.
● The uprising in Delhi led to a brutal response from the British, who
resorted to severe reprisals. Many Europeans and Indian Christians were killed,
and the city suffered immense devastation. By September 1857, the British had
suppressed the revolt, but the cruelty and hardship endured by the local
population left a lasting imprint on their collective memory.

Change of Capital to Delhi in 1912:

● The transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1912 elevated the
city's status as a central locus for political movements. This shift sparked a
heightened political consciousness among its residents and other regions.
● The revolutionaries did not welcome the idea of the shift of capital and
started forming secret revolutionary societies in Delhi, Punjab and United
Provinces, under the leadership of Lala Hardayal with the aim to launch a new
political movement.
Bombing of Lord Hardinge in 1912: The bombing attempt on Lord Hardinge, the
British Viceroy, was a dramatic act of resistance against British rule. Though the
attempt failed, it underscored the growing unrest and dissatisfaction with British
policies. Details of the Attack:

● Bombing: The bomb was thrown at Lord Hardinge's carriage, resulting

in significant casualties and injuries.
● Casualties: Lord Hardinge was injured with severe wounds on his
back, legs, and head, with flesh on his shoulders being torn. His mahavat (the
driver and keeper of the elephant) was killed in the attack. Lady Hardinge,
accompanying him, was unharmed.

Aftermath and Investigation

● In response to the assassination attempt, the British government intensified its

efforts to dismantle revolutionary and underground nationalist activities. This period
saw increased surveillance and crackdown on suspected revolutionaries.
● Rash Behari Bose: Rash Behari Bose was identified as the person who
threw the bomb. However, he managed to evade capture by going underground and
eventually fled to Japan.
● Ghadar Conspiracy: Before fleeing to Japan, Bose was involved in the
Ghadar Conspiracy, which aimed to overthrow British rule through armed rebellion.
His activities in Japan continued to influence revolutionary movements.

The Delhi Conspiracy Trial The trial, known as the Delhi Conspiracy Case or Delhi-
Lahore Conspiracy Case, involved several accused individuals. Key defendants
included:

○ Lala Hanumant Sahai

○ Basant Kumar Biswas
○ Bhai Balmukund
○ Amir Chand
○ Avadh Behari
● On 5 October 1914, the court delivered its verdict:
○ Lala Hanumant Sahai: Sentenced to life imprisonment in the Andaman
Islands.
○ Others: Basant Kumar Biswas, Bhai Balmukund, Amir Chand, and Avadh
Behari were sentenced to death for their involvement in the conspiracy.
● The trial was significant in highlighting the severity of British responses to
revolutionary activities. It also underscored the growing tension between British
authorities and Indian nationalists.
● Martyrdom and Legacy: The harsh sentences and the trial itself became a
rallying point for nationalist sentiments, contributing to the broader struggle for Indian
independence.

Home Rule League

Between the years 1916 and 1918, the Indian independence movement witnessed the
growth and spread of the home rule movement spearheaded by leaders like Bal
Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant. The aim of the home rule movement was the
attainment of home rule or a dominion status for India under the British Empire along
the lines of countries like Canada and Australia.

● Nationalist politics underwent a change following the establishment of the

Home Rule League on 25th September 1915. It in a way marked a turning
point in the history of national movement. A branch of the League was set up
in Delhi also.
● At the first instance the League faced apathy of the Delhi populace. But
luckily for the League, Dr M.A. Ansari, a popular Muslim leader in Delhi who
was known throughout India for his nationalist politics, supported the League
and under his influence, huge audiences started attending the meetings of
the League.
● Among these audiences were school and college students, businessmen
etc. Also during this time there had been a large influx of Bengalis and
Punjabis. This number kept on increasing during this decade.
● Soon, Delhi became the hub of political activities. The frequent visits of
leaders of regional and national importance led to the increase in political
 consciousness in the people. Their voice found expression in the press and
public debates.
● The newspapers enjoyed a great deal of patronage. In addition, there were
13 volunteer organizations that played a crucial role in influencing the public
opinion. Most notable among them were Indraprastha Sewak Mandali, Home
Rule League Volunteer Corps, Moslem league Volunteer Corps, Congress
Volunteer Corps, Delhi Volunteer Corps, Arya Sewak Mandali, Bharat Sewak
Samiti, Hindu Sewa Samiti etc.
● These organizations were instrumental in mobilizing the masses thereby
ensuring a large turnout of people when Delhi was ready to launch a
satyagraha, once the Rowlatt Act was enacted.
● In May 1918, the British Government organized a War Conference in Delhi to
solicit public support for its war efforts.66 But the Delhi Branch of the Home
Rule League considered any such effort as futile unless the Indians are
granted Home Rule.This fact was also reiterated by Gandhi in a private
meeting of the Delhi leaders.
● By June 1918, many Indian leaders had become strong critics of the
Government policies.

Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919):

○ The Rowlatt Act of March 1919 was a repressive measure aimed at curbing
revolutionary activities. In response, Gandhi launched the Rowlatt
Satyagraha, marking his emergence as a leading figure in the nationalist
movement. Delhi was a significant site of protests and unrest during this
period.
○ The Rowlatt Satyagraha started in Delhi on 30th March 1919 with a hartal.
On this day, the shopkeepers in Delhi were asked to keep their shops
closed. On this day crowds of mostly young men thronged the markets of
Delhi in a peaceful manner but without any purposefulness of a political
agitation.
Non-cooperation Movement (1920s):

● The Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM) was the first nationwide

movement launched by Gandhiji in 1920 during British rule. It emerged as a
powerful and fervent response to a culmination of grievances and
disillusionment that had been building up among the Indian populace.
Rowlatt Act And the brutal Jaliawala Bagh Massacre were the immediate
causes for launching the movement.
● Congress, at its special session of Calcutta in September 1920, approved
the Non-Cooperation movement, which was later endorsed by theNagpur
session of Congress in December 1920. The movement saw tremendous
participation of masses throughout the country. However, the movement was
called off by Gandhi on February 11, 1922, following the Churi Chaura
incident in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
● The Non-cooperation Movement, initiated by Gandhi, sought to boycott
British institutions and goods. This movement gained immense traction in
Delhi, where it saw widespread participation across various social strata. The
temporary suspension of the movement due to communal tensions
prevented earlier independence.

Khilafat Movement:

● The Khilafat Movement was a political campaign launched by Indian Muslims

in British India from 1919 to 1922. It aimed to protest against British policies
towards Turkey and the dismantling of the Ottoman Empire after World War
I. The movement sought to address the grievances of Turkey and promote
Hindu-Muslim unity. The movement ended in 1922 after the conclusion of the
non-cooperation movement.
● It was closely aligned with the Non-cooperation Movement. The collaboration
between the two movements added strength to the anti-British agitation, and
Delhi emerged as a critical center for this united struggle.
● The extreme views of leaders like Maulana Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali
fueled the movement. They spread the fear that the end of Khilafat would
lead to the decline of Islam as a world religion. They positioned the issue as
a fight for the freedom and rights of all Muslims. This pushed more Muslims
to join the protest movement.
● Gandhi's support gave the movement a major boost. Gandhi saw an
opportunity to form a Hindu-Muslim alliance against the British. He linked the
Khilafat issue with India's freedom struggle. His participation brought more
people into the movement and gave it mass appeal.
● In the meeting of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, held in Delhi from November 19- 21,
1920, a hundred and twenty prominent Ulama unanimously endorsed a fatwa
in which they declared that the non-cooperation program of Gandhi was in
accordance with the teachings of the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet
● Ulama emerged as the chief mobilizer of the mass contact campaign. They
toured all parts of India, especially the remote and backward areas, and tried
to convince the Muslims that Gandhi's campaign would resolve the problems
of the community and would protect Islam in the region.
● The non-cooperation movement was launched formally on 1 August, 1920,
The Congress gave a call to the people to: Surrender all titles and honorary
offices and resign from nominated seats in local bodies. Refuse to attend
government of semi-government functions. Withdraw slowly step by step
children from schools and colleges, aided or controlled by the government.
Boycott of British courts by lawyers and litigants. Refusal for recruitment for
military and other services in Mesopotamia. Boycott the elections to be held
for councils as per the reforms of 1919. Boycott of foreign goods.
● It was decided to establish native educational institutions and native
arbitration centres all over India and also to establish harmonious relations
between the Hindus and the Muslims. In 1921-22, the movement continued
with unabated zeal by the participation of masses. National institutions like
Gujarat Vidyapith, Bihar Vidyapith, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapith, Kasi
Vidyapith, the Bengal National University, and the Jamia Milia of Delhi were
established.
FOUNDATION OF JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA : AS A PART OF THE NATIONAL
MOVEMENT

● The anti-colonial activism signified by the Khilafat and the pro-independence

aspirations symbolised by the non-cooperation movement of the Indian

National Congress helped to harness creative energies and the subsequent

making of Jamia Millia Islamia.

● Rabindranath Tagore called it “one of the most progressive educational

institutions of India”.

● Responding to Gandhiji’s call to boycott all educational institutions supported

or run by the colonial regime, a group of nationalist teachers and students

quit Aligarh Muslim University, protesting against its pro-British inclinations.

● The prominent members of this movement were Maulana Mehmud Hasan,

Maulana Mohamed Ali, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, and

Abdul Majid Khwaja.

(More Info on JMI Website)

Rise of revolutionary nationalism:

● The sudden suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement, shattered the

high hopes that had been raised previously. Many young people began to
question the national leadership's fundamental strategy of nonviolence and
began looking for alternatives.
● The Swarajists' parliamentary politics did not appeal to them, nor did the no-
changers' patient and undramatic constructive work.
● Many people were attracted to the idea that India could be liberated solely
through violent means. Revolutionary nationalism regained popularity.
● Nearly all of the major new leaders of revolutionary nationalist politics, such
as Jogesh Chandra Chatterjea, Surya Sen, Jatin Das, Chandrashekhar
Azad, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Shiv Varma, Bhagwati Charan Vohra, and
Jaidev Kapur, were active participants in the nonviolent Non-Cooperation
Movement.
● Northern Indian revolutionaries were the first to rise above their
dissatisfaction and reorganise under the leadership of old veterans such as
Ramprasad Bismil, Jogesh Chatterjea, and Sachindranath Sanyal, who’s
Bandi Jiwan served as a textbook for the revolutionary movement.
● They gathered in Kanpur in October 1924 to form the Hindustan Republican
Association (or Army) with the goal of organising an armed revolution to
overthrow colonial rule and establish a Federal Republic of the United States
of India based on adult franchise.
● The Kakori Robbery was the HRA's most important "action." Ten men
kidnapped the 8-Down train on August 9, 1925, in Kakori, a small village
near Lucknow, and looted its official railway cash. The government's
response was swift and forceful. In the Kakori Conspiracy Case, it arrested
and tried a large number of young men.
● Ashfaqulla Khan, Ramprasad Bismil, Roshan Singh, and Rajendra Lahiri
were hanged, while four others were sentenced to life in the Andamans and
seventeen others to long prison terms. Only Chandrashekhar Azad was still
 on the loose.The Kakori case was a major setback for northern Indian
revolutionaries, but it was not fatal.
● In U.P., younger men like Bejoy Kumar Sinha, Shiv Varma, and Jaidev
Kapur, and in Punjab, Bhagat Singh, Bhagwati Charan Vohra, and Sukhdev
set out to reorganise the HRA under Chandrashekhar Azad's overall
leadership. At the same time, they were influenced by socialist ideas.
● Finally, on the 9th and 10th of September 1928, nearly all of northern India's
major young revolutionaries gathered at Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla Ground,
formed a new collective leadership, declared socialism their official goal, and
renamed the party the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (Army).
● Despite the fact that, as we will see, the HSRA and its leadership were
rapidly moving away from individual heroic action and assassination in favour
of mass politics.
● Lala Lajpat Rai's death on 30 October 1928 in Lahore as a result of a brutal
lathi-charge while leading an anti-Simon Commission demonstration
prompted them to return to individual assassination.
● The HSRA's romantic youthful leadership saw the death of this great
Punjabi leader, popularly known as Sher-e-Punjab, as a direct challenge. As
a result, on December 17, 1928, Bhagat Singh, Azad, and Rajguru
assassinated Saunders, a police official involved in Lab Lajpat Rai's lathi
charge, in Lahore.
Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934):

● Civil Disobedience Movement(1930) is regarded as the second major

mass movement and a distinct advancement in widening the social reach of
India's struggle for freedom after the Non-Cooperation Movement.
● It is also known as Salt Satyagraha, it was also the first time when Congress
put the objective of complete independence to the British authority as well
as to the Indian masses.
● The Civil Disobedience Movement was formally launched by Mahatma
Gandhi on 6 April 1930 by breaking salt law after his historic Dandi March.
It was followed by the widespread arrest of national leaders throughout the
nation.
● In Delhi, activists began manufacturing salt near Yamuna in Shahdara.
They received massive support from the local people there, who made it
difficult for the police to reach the activists.
● Groups of Satyagrahis also toured the villages of Delhi to spread information
about the significance of the movement and India’s struggle for freedom.
● These meetings, held in Garhi, Sultanpur, Chhatarpur, and other places,
saw massive crowds assemble despite opposition from the authorities.
● The newspapers covering the movement reported how the people
participating combined the causes of manufacturing salt with the boycott of
foreign goods.
● The local public was asked to boycott using foreign clothes and given salt in
return. Krishna Nair was one of the prominent leaders of the Civil
Disobedience Movement in Delhi. He mobilised the people of Narela and
neighbouring areas. The slogan Vande Mataram resonated throughout Delhi,
and the spirit of the freedom struggle brought the people out into the streets.
Quit India Movement

● During the Second World War, the Indians continued to demand a firm
guarantee of independence. The failure of the Cripps Mission in 1942,
caused widespread dissatisfaction in India. The whole top leadership was
imprisoned, while the rest of the country staged an uprising against the
British, known as the Quit India Movement.
● On 8th August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi called to end British rule and
launched the Quit India Movement at the session of the All-India Congress
Committee in Mumbai.
● Gandhiji gave the call “Do or Die” in his speech delivered at the Gowalia
Tank Maidan, now popularly known as August Kranti Maidan.
● Aruna Asaf Ali popularly known as the 'Grand Old Lady' of the Independence
Movement is known for hoisting the Indian flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan
in Mumbai during the Quit India Movement.
● The slogan ‘Quit India’ was coined by Yusuf Meherally, a socialist and trade
unionist who also served as Mayor of Mumbai.
● Delhi enthusiastically engaged, and reports were submitted to numerous
Delhi stations.
● On August 11th, the protest took a revolutionary turn when a massive crowd
of nationalists stormed into the central room of the Shahdara train station
and destroyed the wiring.
● The Krishan Ganj and Subzi Mandi Railway Stations were also set on fire on
the same day. Telegraph lines linking the villages of Daryapur, Johola, and
Chhota Thana were also damaged.
● The city thus, followed the ethos of the movement, witnessing participation in
large numbers. When the police began to crack down, several leaders faced
the wrath of colonial oppression, however, their spirits remained undeterred.

Even after the Quit India Movement died down, anti-government activity in Delhi
persisted, leading to independence eventually.
Conclusion

● The period from the Great Revolt of 1857 to the end of the Civil
Disobedience Movement in 1934 was transformative for Delhi and its role in
India's freedom struggle.
● The city witnessed a progression from sporadic uprisings to a structured and
widespread movement for independence.
● The events and movements during this time laid a strong foundation for the
eventual achievement of freedom in 1947.
● The study of Delhi's contribution to the national movement reveals the city's
central role in shaping India's path to independence and highlights the need
for further exploration of its historical impact.