India's Independence Day- 15 August

India's Independence Day- 15 August

The British occupied India for nearly two (2) centuries.

From 1857 to 1947 (90 years) has been the period of freedom struggle for Indians against the British Rule.

78th India’s Independence Day (which means 77 years for present day India) was celebrated on 15 August 2024. India’s Independence Day celebration is also a reminder to all Indians.

Why?

It took 90 years for Indians to throw the British out, mainly resorting to non-violent / disobedience movements and protests against the British Monarchy.?Millions of Indians lost their lives during the non-violent movements against British occupation.

It is important for all Indians (present and future) to remember, what they enjoy now as freedom is from the blood and sweat of previous generations which fought for India’s Independence.

By way of information, in 1600, Queen Elizabeth-I approved the creation of the East India Company, as a significant private trading company. The East India Company was started by “merchants” who wanted to trade in Asia to get spices, cotton and indigo dye and then sell them in England for profit. Thus, India then being a rich country became the target.

It is worth noting that that those who initially appeared to be commercial “traders” became the occupiers of India for nearly 2 centuries.

A gist of certain events

1). Based on historical events, the first uprising against The British happened in 1857. This is known as Sepoy Mutiny or The First Freedom Movement.

2). The period of 1905-1911 saw the Swadeshi Movement and the Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon.

3). Gadar Movement which signifies Komagata Maru incident was witnessed during 1914 to 1917.

4). Home Rule Movement in India was launched by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant during 1916- 1918.

5). Mahatma Gandhi led the non-violent peasants uprising in India during 1917 against the British power against the imposed indigo cultivation between 1914 and 1916.

6). Rowlatt Satyagrah began in 1919 in Mumbai City, Maharashtra, against the oppressive Rowlatt Act.

7).The 1930 Civil Disobedience Movement which was launched to break the Salt law of British.

8). On 17th October 1940, Mahatma Gandhi launched/initiated nation-wide protest in British India against the August Offer of 1940. The Individual Satyagraha movement provided a platform for the ordinary people to express their dissent against British policies at a personal level. It was a unique form of resistance that emphasised the power of one’s individuality in the larger politics of the freedom struggle. The satyagrahis (protesters) pledged to follow the Gandhian principles of non-violence and civil disobedience, although they often faced harsh treatment from the authorities.

9). By way of information, the August Offer, 1940 was an offer made to Indians by Viceroy Lord Linlithgow,?promising the expansion of the Viceroy’s Executive Council to include Indians, the establishment of an advisory war council, the giving of full weight to minority opinion and the recognition of the Indian’s right to frame their own constitution after the end of world war. In return, the British Rule wanted all parties and communities in India to co-operate in Britain’s efforts during the Second World War, which was rejected by the leaders of India’s freedom struggle.

10). 1942 was the start of “Quit India” Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi against the British rule.

In the end, 15 August 1947 became the glorious day for India and Indians, in terms of Independence from the British Rule.

Note: The above summary is compiled from publicly available sources and from different articles appearing on the internet. It is meant for general information only.