A 350-word story of how India won Independence from Britain

Aug. 15, 2024, 1:30 a.m.

Read time estimation: 3 minutes.

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The British came to India as traders at the turn of the 17th century. By the late 19th century, India had been under British rule for over a century. And by the 20th century, the Indian National Congress (INC), founded in 1885, became a focal point for the growing demand for self-governance and independence from colonial control. The British, benefiting economically from India’s resources and cheap labour, were reluctant to relinquish their grip.

Tensions escalated in 1905 when British Viceroy Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal, fearing growing public awareness. This divide-and-rule strategy triggered widespread resentment and strengthened support for the INC. The movement for self-governance gained momentum.

In 1919, the British government implemented the restrictive Rowlatt Act, enabling detention without trial for suspected opponents of the government. The subsequent massacre of over 350 peaceful protesters in Amritsar intensified Indian outrage. This tragedy motivated Mohandas Gandhi, a civil rights lawyer, to spearhead a movement for full independence.

Gandhi, an advocate for nonviolent resistance, instigated a series of peaceful protests and campaigns of civil disobedience. He notably led the Dandi March in 1930, challenging British tax laws by producing salt from seawater. His peaceful defiance attracted tens of thousands of supporters, resulting in his arrest along with 60,000 others. Even while incarcerated, Gandhi continued his struggle with hunger strikes.

World War II saw Gandhi’s Quit India movement demand an end to British rule and refusal to support the war effort. Despite the British government’s resistance, including Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s firm stance against Indian independence, the shifting global dynamics played a crucial role. The United States, eager to have colonised nations participate in post-war governance, pressured Britain to reconsider.

In 1947, under the leadership of Clement Attlee, Britain enacted the Indian Independence Act. The subcontinent was partitioned into India, predominantly Hindu, and Pakistan, predominantly Muslim. This division led to mass migrations and violent conflicts, resulting in over a million deaths.

Gandhi, deeply affected by the violence, attempted to restore peace through fasting. Sadly, he was assassinated in 1948. Despite achieving independence, India faced significant challenges in the years that followed, highlighting the complexities of its newfound freedom.

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