History Notes Chapter 6 Beginning of Freedom Movement Class 8 Maharashtra Board

Notes For All Chapters – History Class 8
1. Introduction

• English education introduced new ideas like justice, liberty, equality, and democracy to Indians.
• This spread nationalism and created a desire for freedom from British rule.
• The need arose to form a national political organization to unite people across India and fight for their rights.

2. Factors Leading to the Freedom Movement

A. Centralization of British Administration

• British rule brought uniformity in administration across India.
• Roads and railways connected different regions, encouraging communication and the spread of nationalist ideas.

B. Economic Exploitation

• British policies exploited Indian resources and drained wealth to England.
• Farmers were forced to grow cash crops and pay high taxes, which led to famines and poverty.
• Indian industries declined due to British machine-made goods, causing unemployment and worker exploitation.

C. Western Education

• Introduced ideas of justice, freedom, democracy, and equality.
• English became a common language, allowing people from different regions to communicate and share ideas.

D. Study of Ancient Indian History

• The Asiatic Society in Kolkata promoted the study of India’s ancient culture and glorious past.
• Scholars like Dr. Bhau Daji Lad and Dr. R.G. Bhandarkar made Indians aware of their rich heritage, increasing national pride.

E. Role of Newspapers

• Newspapers like Darpan, Kesari, Hindu, and Amrit Bazar Patrika criticized British policies and awakened the people.
• They spread political awareness and united people against British rule.

3. Establishment of the Indian National Congress (INC)

• Founded on: 28th December 1885
• Place: Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit School, Mumbai
• Founder: Allan Octavian Hume (a British officer)
• First President: Wyomesh Chandra Banerjee (a lawyer from Kolkata)
• Participants: 72 delegates from different parts of India

Objectives of the INC:

1. Unite people from different religions, languages, and regions.
2. Discuss and solve social, political, and economic problems.
3. Demand greater participation of Indians in the British government.
4. Develop national unity and patriotism.

4. Phases of the Freedom Movement

A. Moderate Phase (1885-1905)

Key Leaders:

• Gopal Krishna Gokhale
• Ferozshah Mehta
• Surendranath Banerjee

Methods Used:

• Petitions, speeches, and peaceful protests
• Appealed to the British for constitutional reforms

Demands:

1. More Indians in administration.
2. Reduce military expenses.
3. Separate the legislature from the judiciary.

B. Extremist Phase (1905-1920)

Key Leaders:

• Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Lokmanya Tilak)
• Lala Lajpat Rai
• Bipin Chandra Pal

Methods Used:

• Mass movements, boycotts, and public protests
• Spread nationalism through newspapers (e.g., Kesari and Maratha) and festivals (e.g., Ganesh Utsav, Shiv Jayanti)

Famous Slogan:

• “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!” – Lokmanya Tilak

A. Plague Epidemic (1897)

During a plague outbreak in Pune, British officer Rand adopted harsh measures.

Chapekar brothers assassinated Rand as revenge, leading to Tilak’s imprisonment.

B. Partition of Bengal (1905)

Lord Curzon divided Bengal into two parts to weaken the freedom movement.

• East Bengal – Majority Muslims
• West Bengal – Majority Hindus

Objective: To create division between Hindus and Muslims (using the Divide and Rule policy).

C. Anti-Partition Movement

Protests and boycotts against British goods began.

“Vande Mataram” became a patriotic song.

Surendranath Banerjee and Rabindranath Tagore led the movement.

Raksha Bandhan was celebrated to symbolize unity.

D. Four-Point Programme (1906)Proposed by Dadabhai Naoroji:

Swaraj (Self-rule)

Swadeshi (Use of Indian goods)

Boycott (Avoid British goods)

National Education (Promote Indian education)

E. Differences Between Moderates and Extremists

Moderates believed in peaceful methods and petitions.

Extremists believed in mass agitation and boycotts.

This led to a split in the Surat Session (1907) of the INC.

F. Suppression by the British

Public meetings were banned.

Newspapers and printing presses were shut down.

Tilak was sent to Mandalay Jail (Myanmar) for 6 years.

6. Formation of the Muslim League (1906)

• Founded by: Aga Khan under the guidance of Lord Minto.
• Aim: Protect Muslim interests and divide the freedom movement.

7. Home Rule Movement (1916)

Leaders:

• Lokmanya Tilak
• Dr. Annie Besant

Objective:

• Home Rule = Self-Government for India.

8. Lucknow Pact (1916)

• Agreement between INC and Muslim League.
• Both groups united to demand self-rule.
• INC accepted separate electorates for Muslims.

9. Montague-Chelmsford Reforms (1919)

• British Parliament passed this act to give limited powers to Indians.
• Less important departments (e.g., education) were given to Indians, while important ones (e.g., finance) remained with the British.
• Tilak criticized it: “This is neither Swaraj nor its foundation.”

10. Impact of the Early Freedom Movement

• Increased national unity and political awareness.
• Strengthened the fight for Swaraj.
• Inspired future movements like Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience.