This paper examines the rise of Indian nationalism during the twilight of the colonial era, tracing the movement from the founding of the Indian National Congress in 1885 through the eventual partition of the subcontinent. It discusses key leaders such as Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, the philosophy and appeal of Gandhi's nonviolent Satyagraha movement, and the growing tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities. The paper also addresses the role of British policies—including the partition of Bengal and the conscription of Indian soldiers—in fueling anti-colonial sentiment, ultimately leading to the creation of Pakistan and unresolved conflicts such as the Kashmir dispute.
The Age of Colonialism was drawing to a close as the spirit of nationalism swept over the subcontinent. As similar political movements took place throughout Europe and other parts of Asia, India found itself in a unique position. India had been a diverse, heterogeneous region for centuries — even millennia. The nationalist movement highlighted the differences between the various ethnic groups in the subcontinent, revealing their core differences in political and social philosophy. Initial nationalist movements were led by the Indian National Congress Party as well as the Muslim League. The Indian National Congress Party did not start out as a Hindu organization, and never officially declared itself as such. Yet over time, the Congress Party became associated with Hindu goals. The Congress Party was founded as early as 1885, when it served as an umbrella group for a diverse constituency whose only shared goal seemed to be the ousting of the British Raj.
Within the Congress Party, several leaders rose to prominence. Two of the most notable were Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohandas Gandhi. Gandhi led a group dedicated to nonviolent tactics of civil disobedience in order to evoke change and generate momentum for the independence movement. Known as Satyagraha, Gandhi's movement was also dubbed the Non-Cooperation Movement because of its commitment to civil disobedience rather than taking up arms. Although it had broad appeal among various ethnic, cultural, religious, and social class groups in India, Satyagraha did end up isolating some minority sectors. The substantial and influential Parsee community in Mumbai (then Bombay), for instance, had prospered under the Raj and liked to point out the benefits of British rule, such as the modernization of Indian transportation infrastructure and commerce.
Although most Muslims did support the Indian National Congress Party, a large number sought more robust representation in the nationalist movement and supported instead the All-India Muslim League. Conflicts between Hindu and Muslim Indians began brewing during the early twentieth century. In 1905, the state of Bengal was divided — partitioned along religious lines. Indians did not approve of this British interference with their nationalist movement, seeking instead a more holistic political framework under which to form a new nation. The populist revolt forced the British to reunify Bengal. After the British conscripted Indian soldiers to fight in World War One, anger against the colonial government grew further. The British passed ever-stricter acts in an attempt to quell civic unrest, and protests that began peacefully ended in violence on the part of the British government.
"Nonviolence rooted in Indian cultural philosophy"
"Partition, Pakistan, and the Kashmir dispute"
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.