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UPSC Indian History Synopsis English – Freedom Movement, Gandhi Era & Swadeshi Movement 2026

 

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UPSC History Revision | Page 34

Freedom Movement, Gandhi Era and Swadeshi Movement

The Indian freedom movement was a long struggle against British colonial rule. Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership, mass movements and the Swadeshi Movement strengthened Indian nationalism and unity.


Rise of Nationalism

Indian nationalism developed due to political awareness, economic exploitation and social reforms.

Factors Responsible for Nationalism

  • British economic exploitation
  • Spread of western education
  • Growth of press and literature
  • Social reform movements

Swadeshi Movement

The Swadeshi Movement started in 1905 after the Partition of Bengal.

Objectives

  • Boycott foreign goods
  • Promote Indian industries
  • Encourage national unity

Methods of Swadeshi Movement

  • Boycott of British goods
  • Promotion of indigenous products
  • National education movement
  • Public meetings and protests

Important Leaders

  • Bal Gangadhar Tilak
  • Bipin Chandra Pal
  • Lala Lajpat Rai
  • Aurobindo Ghosh

These leaders were called Lal-Bal-Pal.


Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi became the leader of the Indian national movement after returning from South Africa.

Principles of Gandhi

  • Truth (Satya)
  • Non-violence (Ahimsa)
  • Satyagraha

Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

Champaran Satyagraha was Gandhi’s first major movement in India.

Objective

  • Support indigo farmers against exploitation

Kheda Satyagraha

The Kheda movement demanded tax relief for farmers affected by crop failure.


Ahmedabad Mill Strike

Gandhi supported textile workers in demanding higher wages.


Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)

The Non-Cooperation Movement encouraged Indians to boycott British institutions.

Methods

  • Boycott schools and colleges
  • Boycott foreign goods
  • Resign from government jobs

Civil Disobedience Movement (1930)

The Civil Disobedience Movement started with the Dandi March.

Dandi March

  • Led by Mahatma Gandhi
  • Opposed salt tax
  • Promoted mass participation

Quit India Movement (1942)

The Quit India Movement demanded immediate independence for India.

Slogan

“Do or Die”

The movement became a mass uprising against British rule.


Revolutionary Movements

Many revolutionaries adopted militant methods against British rule.

Important Revolutionaries

  • Bhagat Singh
  • Chandrashekhar Azad
  • Subhas Chandra Bose

Subhas Chandra Bose

Subhas Chandra Bose formed the Indian National Army (INA).

Important Slogans

  • “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom”
  • “Jai Hind”

Role of Women in Freedom Struggle

  • Sarojini Naidu
  • Aruna Asaf Ali
  • Kasturba Gandhi
  • Rani Lakshmibai

Indian Independence Act (1947)

The Indian Independence Act ended British rule in India.

Important Features

  • Partition of India and Pakistan
  • Transfer of power
  • End of British authority

Important UPSC Facts

  • Swadeshi Movement started in 1905
  • Champaran was Gandhi’s first movement in India
  • Dandi March opposed salt tax
  • Quit India Movement started in 1942
  • INA was formed by Subhas Chandra Bose

Quick Revision Box

  • Swadeshi → Boycott foreign goods
  • Gandhi → Ahimsa and Satyagraha
  • Dandi March → Salt protest
  • Quit India → “Do or Die”
  • INA → Subhas Chandra Bose
  • 1947 → Independence of India

Mind Map – Freedom Movement

  • Indian Freedom Struggle
    • Swadeshi Movement
    • Non-Cooperation
    • Civil Disobedience
    • Quit India Movement
    • INA
    • Independence

Shaktimatha Learning
UPSC Indian History Synopsis – English Version

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