British Rule and Freedom
British Rule and Freedom (4 Core Categories)
Understanding History & Colonialism
| Area | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Nationalism in Europe |
– 18th–19th Century Europe – French Revolution (1789): Liberty, Equality, Fraternity – Unification of Germany (1871) – Otto von Bismarck – Unification of Italy (1861) – Mazzini, Cavour, Garibaldi |
| Understanding History |
– Importance of dates in history – Periodisation: Ancient – Medieval – Modern |
| Colonialism |
– Political and economic control by powerful nations – British control over India from 1757 onwards – Based on exploitation of resources and people |
European nationalism inspired colonial countries to fight for independence.
French Revolution ideas shaped Indian freedom struggle ideology.
Establishment and Control of British Rule
| Theme | Details |
|---|---|
| British Education Policy |
– Macaulay’s Minute (1835) – English introduced for creating clerical class – Traditional Indian systems weakened |
| Establishment of British Power |
– East India Company arrived (1608) – Battle of Plassey (1757) – Doctrine of Lapse – Lord Dalhousie (1848–56) – Tipu Sultan fought British till 1799 |
| Administrative Systems |
– Diwani System (1765) – Ryotwari System – Sir Thomas Munro (South India) – British legal and civil administration established |
British power = Education control + Military power + Tax system
Plassey (1757) marks political takeover of India.
Economy Exploitation and Tribal Resistance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Economic Exploitation |
– Indigo forced cultivation (19th century) – Drain of Wealth theory – Dadabhai Naoroji – Decline of handicrafts and village industries |
| Tribal Life |
– Tribals lived on forests and shifting cultivation – British forest laws restricted access to land |
| Tribal Resistance |
– Birsa Munda Movement (1899–1900) – Revolt against forest laws and landlords |
British exploitation damaged Indian rural and tribal economy.
Birsa Munda is called “Bhagwan Birsa”.
National Resistance and Indian Freedom Movement
| Movement/Leader | Details with Years |
|---|---|
| Revolt of 1857 |
– First major revolt against British rule – Leaders: Rani Lakshmibai, Kunwar Singh, Tatya Tope – Ended Company rule in 1858 |
| Mahatma Gandhi |
– Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) – Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34) – Quit India Movement (1942) |
| Subhas Chandra Bose |
– President of INC (1938–39) – Indian National Army formed in 1943 – Azad Hind Government declared in 1943 |
| Alluri Sitarama Raju |
– Rampa Rebellion (1922–1924) – Led tribal revolt in Andhra forests – Opposed British forest laws |
| Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya |
– Salt Satyagraha in Andhra region (1930) – Palnadu & Circar movement leader – Known as “Andhra Gandhi” |
| Final Outcome | – Continuous movements led to Independence on 15th August 1947 |
Indian freedom struggle was a mix of national and regional leadership.
Andhra leaders in freedom struggle: Alluri Sitarama Raju & Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya.