Introduction The Indian struggle for freedom was not only a movement led by Indians but also a universal fight against colonialism, imperialism, and injustice. While the leadership and mass participation were overwhelmingly Indian, several foreigners chose India as their homeland, emotionally, intellectually, and politically. They identified themselves with India’s aspirations and actively participated in its…
Introduction The economic history of colonial India is closely intertwined with the policies and practices of the British East India Company (EIC) and later the British Crown. From the mid-18th century, following the Battle of Plassey (1757), the British consolidated their control over vast territories of India, marking the beginning of a systematic transformation of…
Introduction The early phase of the Indian national movement was primarily political in nature — its central goal was the attainment of Swaraj, or self-government, within the British Empire. However, as India moved into the 1920s, the vision of independence underwent a significant transformation. The experience of mass movements, exposure to global ideas, and the…
Introduction The artisanal and handicraft industries of pre-colonial India were the backbone of its rural economy. Before British colonial rule, India was world-renowned for its fine textiles, metal works, pottery, and other handicrafts. Indian artisans were integral to village life and the urban economy, producing goods both for domestic use and international trade. However, the…
Introduction Among the British viceroys who governed India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Lord George Nathaniel Curzon (Viceroy of India, 1899–1905) stands as one of the most controversial and consequential figures. His tenure marked a critical turning point in the history of British India. A man of immense intelligence and administrative skill,…
Introduction The Indian freedom struggle was not merely a political battle against British imperialism; it was a comprehensive movement for moral, social, and economic regeneration. Among the towering figures of India’s independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi stands out as a visionary who sought to achieve swaraj (self-rule) not just through political defiance but also through constructive…
Introduction The Indian freedom struggle was not a spontaneous outburst but the culmination of a long and organized process of political awakening, social consciousness, and national unity. The foundation of this grand movement was laid by the Moderates, the early leaders of the Indian National Congress (INC), who worked tirelessly between 1885 and 1905 to…
Economic crises have historically had far-reaching effects, and the Great Depression of 1929 was no exception. Though it originated in the United States, the economic depression had global consequences, affecting colonies like India under British rule. As a colonial economy, India was deeply integrated into the global trade system but had little control over its…
The Non-Cooperation Movement of the 1920s was one of the earliest mass movements led by Mahatma Gandhi against British rule in India. Launched in response to the oppressive policies of the British government, especially the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the repressive Rowlatt Act, the movement aimed to bring about self-governance through nonviolent resistance. It played…
Introduction The Civil Disobedience Movement, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, was one of the most significant phases of India’s struggle for independence. This movement was a response to British colonial rule’s oppressive policies and aimed at achieving Swaraj (self-rule) through nonviolent resistance. The movement was marked by the famous Dandi March, where Gandhi and…