Indian Independence

What was Indian independence?

India achieved independence in the 20th century, after 200 years of British rule - first by the East India Company, and then as a full colony of the British Empire.

When did India gain independence?

India was granted independence in 1947. The country of Pakistan was created at the same time, in what became known as Partition.

Why did India gain independence?

There were a number of factors that helped to gain India's independence.

• ❖ The First and Second World Wars had damaged the British economy, so that Britain could no longer afford the cost of maintaining India as a colony of the empire.
• ❖ Britain had also lost much of its prestige, especially as a result of the capture of Singapore by the Japanese in 1942. The illusion of 'white supremacy' had been shattered, and Britain could no longer defend its colonies.
• ❖ Many Indians had fought in the First and Second World Wars, defending the British Empire. Indians questioned why they had fought to prevent the Nazis from taking over other countries, yet were themselves an occupied country.
• ❖ Britain had already given self-rule to a number of its other colonies, so Indian nationalists argued that India should be given self-rule, too.

How did India gain independence?

Gaining independence was a gradual process, and there were a number of events that played a role.

• ❖ The Indian National Congress (INC) had been campaigning since its foundation in 1885.
• ❖ Many British-educated Indians were knowledgeable about the law, and ideas of democracy and freedom. They were well placed to write about and argue their case.
• ❖ During World War I, many nationalists supported Britain because they felt that Britain would then reward India with independence. This did not happen, which increased calls for independence.
• ❖ The atrocity of the Amritsar Massacre in 1919 increased calls for independence.
• ❖ The activities of Mahatma Gandhi in the 1920s and 1930s played a role in raising global sympathy for the independence movement.
• ❖ During the Second World War, Britain offered India Dominion status, in return for co-operation in the war. The INC did not believe this would happen, although the Muslim League continued to support Britain.
• ❖ In the Second World War, the Quit India Movement called for national action to force Britain to leave India. Gandhi and other INC leaders were imprisoned, but rebellions broke out across India.
• ❖ After the Second World War, Britain realised it was not strong enough - economically or militarily - to keep a colony that wanted independence so desperately.

What was Partition in Indian independence?

When Britain offered independence to India, two countries were in fact created: India and Pakistan.

• ❖ Britain offered independence to India in 1946, but the Muslims did not want to live in a Hindu majority country. Violence broke out.
• ❖ Eventually, it was agreed to create two countries, one for the Hindus and one for the Muslims. This was known as Partition.
• ❖ As soon as Pakistan became independent, seven million Muslims migrated to the new country, and similar numbers of Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India.
• ❖ Partition led to a lot of violence, which began troubles between India and Pakistan that exist to this day.