While both Indians and Pakistanis celebrate 61 years of independence in 2008 it is important to recognize that the struggle for independence can actually be traced as far back as nearly 90 years prior to 1947. It was the passion and sacrifice of more than just prominent leaders like Gandhi but Indian masses who from the late 19th century united in an uprising against the British with aspirations of freedom and democracy who truly embody the struggle that not only instigates eventual independence, but symbolizes the profound unification that allowed a rich land historically marred by outside invaders to finally align itself as a formidable force against the injustices of colonialism.
Despite their diversity South Asian masses selflessly rallied behind a collective passion for freedom and it is this model of a united India from which independent nations was born that should not be overlooked this year.
The Uprising -1857: marked the First War of Indian independence.
What many have once termed a mere mutiny, the uprising of Indians in 1857 which began as a revolt of the Sepoys was soon accompanied by a rebellion by the general population. Thus the revolt was intensified by the unification of a diverse mix of Indians ranging from peasants, artisans, religious figures, civil servants and business people who collectively sought freedom from colonial rule. Indians attacked government buildings and prisons, raided the national treasury, charged on barracks. And it were these valiant masses who had little else to gain other than freedom from British oppression who banded together to cement the struggle against colonial rule and eventually demand radical social and economic reforms and call for a society representative of popular demands. So, with a truly unified India consisting of both Hindu's and Muslims of varying social backgrounds it is difficult to dismiss this uprising as a mere mutiny. Furthermore, the fact that this revolt spanned over the course of one year from what is now Bangladesh to Delhi and included support from major urban centers, central India and even as far as the Afghan border and successfully determined that British rule ceased to exist in the northern plains of India confirms that collaboration of this magnitude is not to be overlooked. On the contrary the uprising of 1857 established the roots of nationalism, Indian unity and eventual independence.
Formation and Growth of the Indian National Congress – 1885
Reluctantly endorsed by British rule, the Indian National Congress was founded in Bombay in December of 1885. For the first time a group of scholarly Indians from different parts of the country came together to engage in constructive political, philosophical and intellectual discourse. Initially members of the Congress were moderates who swore loyalty to the British only later in 1907 to see a split in the party wherein more extremist members advocating Indian nationalism free of colonial rule were led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
The formation of the Congress was historic because it fulfilled the fundamental requirement to promote unity and integrity between the masses. "Swadeshi" the call for home rule by Tilak and the call for attainment of 'Swaraj' a type of self-government by Dadabhai Naoroji further spurred the growth and development of spiritual nationalism.
The Indian National Movement and the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi
With Britain deeply entangled in WWI and their immediate interests and attention diverted to helping the Allied powers in Europe, Indian nationalism and anti colonial efforts continued. Also during this time, a charismatic leader in Mohandas Gandhi arrived in India and seamlessly took over charge of heading the National Movement wherein he began leading Indians toward the path of 'ahimsa', non-violent resistance to colonial rule.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre-1919
Noted as one of the most brutal scars inflicted by the British, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre proved to be a pivotal point in the struggle as it stirred even the moderates and British loyalist. When General Dyer appeared at a peaceful religious gathering in Amritsar and opened fire, killing thousands of innocent children, women and men terming them illegal under new formed laws that prohibited public gatherings. This confrontation tremendously polarized Indian efforts against an increasingly oppressive and disconnected Britain in South Asia.
Non-Cooperation Movement: 1920
Mahatma Gandhi launched a non-violent, non-cooperation movement against the British for a Free India. It called for a boycott of all British government functions, institutions, schools, colleges, jobs and even the national army. The scale with which the non cooperation movement was adopted and implemented by Indians was an unprecedented form of boycott and amazed every political leader. However it was not until 1929 that the Congress finally called for 'Purna Swaraj' (complete Independence). It was at this time that the country also saw an emergence of young, radical leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose who became influential at the forefront of the struggle for independence.
As the Civil disobedience movement continued, in 1930 Gandhi embarked on 'Salt Satyagraha' with the famous Dandi March in defiance of the Salt taxes by the British Raj. A series of unsuccessful round-table conferences with the British further isolated the Muslim League from the Congress and the British. Eventually, the notion of an independent Pakistani state gains popularity in 1940 amongst Indian Muslims advocated by Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Quit India movement: 1942
The movement ('Bharat Chhodo Andolan') was launched in August 1942 in Bombay where Gandhi declared: "I want freedom immediately, this very night, before dawn, if it can be had. You may take it from me that I am not going to strike a bargain with the Viceroy for ministers and the like… Here is the mantra, a short one that I give you… Do or die. We shall either free India or die in the attempt."
At the same time, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, had escaped to foreign lands and with the help of Japan had organized the Indian National Army (INA) to overthrow the British. Though referred by many as an extremist, his radical ways did play catalyst to pressure the British. He will always be remembered for his strong words "Give me blood and I shall give you freedom".
This movement marked the final home stretch to Independence. Post World War II, ready to pull out of South Asia, the British sent Lord Mountbatten to India with the task of transferring power and planning a strategic transition.
Independence with the price of partition
After nearly a century of passion, struggle and sacrifice, in mid August 1947 Indians successfully ended Britain's colonial grip on South Asia. However independence was not achieved in the same context in which the unified Indians of 1857 conceptualized. The years leading up to independence were marred by political and civil strife between Hindu's and Muslims. On the political front the Muslim League headed by Mohammad Ali Jinnah seeking to secure rights for the Muslim minority found itself skeptical and at odds with the Indian National Congress as led by Gandhi. After failed talks between the two leaders and increasingly violent social strife between Hindu's and Muslims as per Britain's historic divide and conquer strategies a binational solution was seemingly inevitable in 1947. So when India officially attained independence from Britain and two states were formed, unfortunately the legacy of colonialism remained. Hindu-Muslim riots and other conflicts in which all parties suffered unspeakable atrocities and loss of life resulted. So in addition to the physical loss of both life and ceding of territory, the epistemic loss to South Asia was equally detrimental. Widespread mistrust between South Asians across India and Pakistan remain a strong source of contention until today. Therefore as we celebrate independence this year, let us all look back to the 151 years since the first uprising and while we appreciate and reflect on all the sacrifices of our forefathers, let us only learn to bridge the gap between all our differences as our nations establish themselves as emerging world powers.
Call for unity again
Surely the colonial rule exploited us, but the struggle against them united us. The South Asian belt was always an extremely diverse region but the introduction of railways, spread of English language and coalesce of dispersed princely states by the British during the early 20th Century, united India as one nation for the first time. United we were, though only until the British were there. Ironically, post-Independence and partition the region has seen four wars, much domestic / communal violence, political instability, a nuclear arms race and terrorism on both sides of the border. We can endlessly look back and re-think all that could have been done differently, but now it's time to only look ahead as the world focuses its attention on us as the emerging nations. The next decade is for us South Asians to capitalize on the economic boom, emerge from poverty and seize our chance to once again be the new land of peace and opportunity. Increased economic interdependence in South Asia can serve as a curtailing force against current mistrust, instability and terrorism and once again bring our diverse region together, only this time from within, for long term and in the right way. Hence the call for "united we stand divided we fall"again. Happy Independence Day!By Zainab Jeewanjee and Bhavik Vasa
Guest writers for Independence Day Special Edition:
Bhavik Vasa: Mr. India America 2006
Zainab Jeewanjee: Sales director at Go One Global Corp
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