Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

Revolutionary movements in early 20th-century India emerged as a radical response to British rule, advocating armed resistance after dissatisfaction with constitutional methods(Moderates method), particularly following the 1905 Partition of Bengal. These movements ran parallel to moderate and Gandhian approaches, shaping the nationalist discourse.

Body

Role of the Revolutionary Movement:

• Ideological Awakening: The HSRA, led by Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad, fused nationalism with socialism. Bhagat Singh’s writings like Why I am an Atheist elevated the movement’s intellectual depth.
  • The slogan "Inquilab Zindabad" became a lasting call for both freedom and social justice.
• Global Outreach: Radical groups like the Ghadar Party and Indian Independence League internationalized the freedom struggle, exposing British repression worldwide.
  • Revolutionaries like Savarkar, Madam Cama, and Shyamji Krishna Varma created ideological and logistical bases in London, Paris, and Berlin.
• Psychological Impact: Actions like the Kakori Conspiracy and Assembly Bombing challenged British authority and shattered their aura of invincibility.
  • Their martyrdom and defiance inspired widespread admiration, especially during politically dormant phases.
• Rise of Secret Societies: Movements like Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar arose post-1905 Bengal Partition, advocating armed resistance.
  • Trials and executions, notably of Bhagat Singh, turned into mass spectacles, intensifying nationalist consciousness.
• Legacy of Ideology: Many revolutionaries embraced Marxism and anti-imperialism, influencing post-independence political thought.

Limitation of Revolutionary Movement:

• Lack of Mass Base: Revolutionary movements remained urban-centric, with groups like HSRA active in cities like Lahore and Delhi, failing to mobilize rural peasants and workers.
• Heavy Colonial Repression:The British dismantled revolutionary networks using repressive laws like the Defence of India Act (1915) and Rowlatt Act (1919), as seen in the Kakori Case (1925) and the Ghadar Mutiny, which resulted in widespread arrests, executions, and the suppression of movements.
• Ideological Fragmentation: Lack of unity weakened impact as Ghadar Party’s socialist aims clashed with Bengal revolutionaries’ nationalist focus, causing strategic dissonance.

Conclusion

While revolutionary movements did not directly lead to independence, they played a crucial catalytic role by inspiring mass awakening, challenging colonial authority, and infusing the freedom movement with courage and ideological richness. Their legacy endures as symbols of sacrifice and resistance in India’s collective memory.