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IB DP History Study Notes

20.6.5 Development and Significance of Constitutional Groups in India

The turn of the 20th century in India saw the rise of constitutional groups which played a pivotal role in shaping the political discourse of the Indian subcontinent. These groups laid the foundation for India's independence movement and the eventual establishment of a self-governed nation.

Indian National Congress (INC)

The Indian National Congress, established in 1885, marked the inception of India's national movement against British colonial rule.

Formation and Philosophy

  • The INC was formed with the intent to obtain a greater share in government for educated Indians.
  • Initially, it was not a party in the modern sense but a movement advocating moderate reforms.

Evolution into a Mass Movement

  • The partition of Bengal in 1905 and the subsequent Swadeshi movement transformed the INC from an elite club to a mass nationalist movement.
  • Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal advocated more assertive methods in the struggle for self-rule.

INC's Pivotal Movements

  • The Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement were major campaigns led by the INC that galvanized the Indian masses against British rule.
  • The INC effectively used the tool of non-violent non-cooperation to challenge the legitimacy of British laws.

Gandhi's Leadership

  • Mohandas K. Gandhi became the iconic figure of the INC and the wider independence movement with his philosophy of Satyagraha—passive resistance.
  • Under his leadership, the INC organised major protests like the Salt Satyagraha and the Dandi March.

All India Muslim League (AIML)

The All India Muslim League was founded in 1906 to protect the interests of the Muslim diaspora within the Indian subcontinent.

Foundation and Objectives

  • AIML was founded to advocate for the rights of Muslims and to ensure Muslim issues were heard by the British government.
  • The League initially worked for reconciliation with the INC but gradually moved towards the demand for a separate Muslim state.

Political and Social Impact

  • The AIML played a crucial role in the partition of India, leading to the creation of Pakistan.
  • Muhammad Ali Jinnah, once a member of the INC, became the leader of the AIML and was central to the creation of Pakistan.

National Consciousness and Political Mobilisation

The national movements led by these groups were pivotal in developing a sense of Indian national consciousness.

Educational Efforts

  • Both groups emphasised the importance of education in fostering political awareness and unity among Indians.
  • The establishment of institutions like the Aligarh Muslim University and Banaras Hindu University were significant in this respect.

Mobilisation of the Masses

  • The INC and AIML mobilised different sections of society, including peasants, workers, and women, bringing national politics to the common man.
  • The involvement of women, in particular, marked a significant shift in the social dynamics of the independence movement.

Challenges Within the Movements

Despite their successes, both groups faced internal challenges and external criticisms.

Debates and Divisions within the INC

  • The INC had to manage the divergent views of its members, from those advocating for gradual reforms to others demanding complete independence.
  • The Surat Split in 1907 was a significant event that marked a division between the moderates and the extremists within the INC.

Controversies Surrounding the AIML

  • The AIML's demand for a separate Muslim state was met with resistance from many quarters, including members within the Muslim community.
  • The AIML's strategies were sometimes seen as divisive, particularly in light of the communal violence that accompanied partition.

The Role of Constitutional Groups in Independence

The constitutional groups were not mere political entities; they were the drivers of India's struggle for independence.

Legislative Reforms

  • The INC and AIML both influenced key legislative reforms such as the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) and the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919).
  • These reforms were significant in that they provided for increased Indian participation in governance.

Influence on British Policies

  • The activities and demands of these groups led to changes in British policies, particularly in the aftermath of World War I when the British government was forced to make concessions.
  • The Government of India Act 1935, though not fully satisfying nationalist demands, was a direct outcome of the pressures exerted by these movements.

Post-Independence Legacy

The legacy of these constitutional groups extends beyond their role in achieving independence.

INC's Continued Influence

  • Post-independence, the INC emerged as the dominant political party in India, leading the country through significant reforms and shaping its secular constitution.
  • The INC's leadership in the post-colonial period was instrumental in establishing a democratic framework for the newly independent nation.

AIML and the Foundation of Pakistan

  • The AIML, after achieving its goal of creating Pakistan, disbanded but its legacy continued through its successor, the Pakistan Muslim League.
  • The creation of Pakistan had profound implications for the political and social landscape of the region.

The study of constitutional groups like the INC and AIML is essential in understanding the multifaceted struggle for Indian independence. Their contrasting methods, ideologies, and impact on both the British Raj and the fabric of Indian society provide a complex narrative that is central to the history of the subcontinent. These groups not only fought for independence but also laid the groundwork for the democratic principles and institutions that define India and Pakistan today.

FAQ

The First World War had a significant impact on the strategies and activities of the Indian National Congress (INC). The war created a critical economic and political situation in India, leading to increased taxes, inflation, and a rise in wartime expenditures that burdened the Indian populace. The INC capitalised on the widespread discontent caused by these hardships. Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak urged the British government to promise self-governance in return for support during the war. Post-war, the INC's strategies became more assertive, leading to the launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920. The economic strain caused by the war thus accelerated the INC's shift from moderation to mass agitation.

Constitutional groups such as the Indian National Congress (INC) and the All India Muslim League (AIML) played a significant role in the development of education in India. These groups recognised education as a vital tool for political awakening and social reform. The INC encouraged the establishment of national educational institutions that could provide an alternative to British educational ideals, focusing on Indian history and culture. The AIML, in its effort to uplift the Muslims of India, supported the founding of institutions like the Aligarh Muslim University, which became a centre for Islamic learning and modern education. These initiatives were instrumental in creating an educated class that could articulate and lead the nationalist movement.

The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 were constitutional reforms in British India that introduced the principle of separate electorates for Muslims, among other changes. This meant that Muslims would vote for their own representatives. The Indian National Congress (INC) opposed the reforms, seeing them as a policy of 'divide and rule' that could undermine national unity. On the other hand, the All India Muslim League (AIML) welcomed the reforms as they acknowledged the political significance of Muslims as a separate community. These reforms affected the political strategies of both groups, with the INC stepping up efforts to include Muslims in its nationalist agenda, and the AIML finding a new impetus in advocating for Muslim-specific issues.

The partition of Bengal in 1905 had a profound influence on the Indian National Congress (INC). The decision by Lord Curzon to divide Bengal, ostensibly for administrative purposes, was perceived as a divisive colonial strategy to weaken nationalist movements by splitting Hindus and Muslims. In response, the INC orchestrated the Swadeshi movement, advocating for the boycott of British goods and the revitalisation of local industry. This marked a significant escalation from moderate petitioning to active resistance, which in turn galvanised a broader segment of the Indian populace into the nationalist cause, enhancing the INC's role as a leader in the fight for independence.

The activities of the All India Muslim League (AIML) were central to the eventual partition of India. The AIML vigorously campaigned for the recognition of Muslims as a distinct political entity, which diverged from the Indian National Congress's vision of a united India. The pivotal point came with the Lahore Resolution in 1940, where the AIML officially demanded separate nationhood for Muslims. This resolution crystallised the demand for what would become Pakistan. The AIML's persistent advocacy for separate electorates and its negotiations with the British government for the recognition of Muslim sovereignty were instrumental in the political cleavage that led to the partition in 1947.

Practice Questions

Evaluate the extent to which the Indian National Congress was successful in promoting national unity in India prior to independence.

The Indian National Congress (INC) was substantially successful in promoting national unity, serving as a crucible for Indian nationalist aspirations. It successfully galvanised diverse groups across India, transcending regional, linguistic, and religious divides, particularly under Gandhi's leadership during the Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movements. The INC's advocacy for Swaraj (self-rule) became a unifying call to action, although its success was not absolute. Communal divisions, particularly between Hindus and Muslims, persisted and were exacerbated over time, leading to partition. Nonetheless, the INC's efforts in fostering a pan-Indian identity were largely effective, evidenced by the widespread support for independence.

Discuss the significance of the All India Muslim League in the context of the British Indian Empire's political landscape in the early 20th century.

The All India Muslim League (AIML) played a pivotal role in the early 20th-century political landscape of the British Indian Empire. It emerged as a significant force advocating for the rights of Muslims, counterbalancing the Hindu-majority Indian National Congress. The AIML's significance was marked by its push for separate electorates and self-governance for Muslims, which culminated in the Lahore Resolution and the eventual creation of Pakistan. Its role was critical in shaping the discourse around communal representation and it significantly influenced the political dynamics of the empire, leading to a lasting impact on the subcontinent's geopolitical structure.

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