Modern History Playlist
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Advent of Europeans in India
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2
Decline of the Mughal Empire
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3
Emergence of Regional States
11 topics
4
Expansion and Consolidation of British Power
19 topics
5
British Government & Economic Policies (1757–1857)
4 topics
6
Social Reform Movements
20 topics
7
People’s Resistance before 1857
3 topics
8
The revolt of 1857
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9
Growth of Nationalism and Moderate Phase of Congress
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10
British Administration in India
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11
Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909)
5 topics
12
First Phase of Revolutionary Activities(1907-1917)
8 topics
13
India’s Response to First World War and Home Rule Movement
4 topics
14
Emergence of Gandhi
6 topics
15
Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Movement
7 topics
16
Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas, Revolutionary Activities
5 topics
17
Struggle For Swaraj: 1928-1935
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18
Period from 1935-42
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Period from 1942-47
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Chapter 16: Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas, Revolutionary Activities
Chapter Test5 topics•Estimated reading: 15 minutes
Swarajists and No-Changers (Post Non-Cooperation Politics, 1923–1930)
Key Point
After the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922, Congress leaders were divided. The Swarajists, led by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru, advocated entry into legislative councils to wreck them from within, while the No-Changers, led by Gandhi, Rajendra Prasad, and Vallabhbhai Patel, emphasized constructive work like khadi, education, and social reforms outside legislatures.
After the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922, Congress leaders were divided. The Swarajists, led by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru, advocated entry into legislative councils to wreck them from within, while the No-Changers, led by Gandhi, Rajendra Prasad, and Vallabhbhai Patel, emphasized constructive work like khadi, education, and social reforms outside legislatures.
Detailed Notes (18 points)
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Background: After the Bardoli Resolution (1922) suspended Non-Cooperation, Congress faced the dilemma of political strategy.
Swarajists (Pro-Changers):
• Leaders: C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru, N.C. Kelkar.
• Objective: Enter legislatures through elections, expose and obstruct colonial policies from within.
• Belief: Legislatures could be used as arenas for nationalist propaganda and resistance.
• Activities: Fought elections of 1923; won significant seats; acted as a strong opposition in councils.
No-Changers:
• Leaders: Mahatma Gandhi, Rajendra Prasad, Vallabhbhai Patel, C. Rajagopalachari.
• Objective: Continue Gandhian constructive program – promotion of khadi, boycott of foreign goods, removal of untouchability, spreading national education.
• Belief: True strength lay in mass work, not legislative councils.
• Activities: Expanded charkha and khadi work, established ashrams and national schools, promoted social reform.
Reconciliation:
• At the Belgaum Congress Session (1924), Gandhi (as Congress President) brought both groups together.
• Both wings cooperated in keeping the national movement alive – Swarajists inside legislatures, No-Changers outside.
Impact:
• Swarajists kept political pressure alive in councils and prevented Congress from becoming irrelevant.
• No-Changers preserved Gandhian discipline and mass contact through constructive programs.
• This dual approach helped sustain the nationalist movement in the 1920s despite absence of major Gandhian mass movements.
Comparison: Swarajists vs No-Changers
| Aspect | Swarajists | No-Changers |
|---|---|---|
| Leaders | C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru, N.C. Kelkar | Gandhi, Rajendra Prasad, Vallabhbhai Patel |
| Strategy | Enter legislatures, wreck from within | Boycott legislatures, focus on constructive work |
| Focus | Political engagement in councils | Khadi, social reform, national education |
| Belief | Legislatures useful for propaganda | Mass movements more powerful than councils |
| Impact | Prevented political vacuum in legislatures | Sustained Gandhian programs and discipline |
Fun Facts
The Swaraj Party was nicknamed the 'Pro-Changers' because they wanted to change the boycott policy.
No-Changers focused on spinning khadi and running national schools even when legislative politics was ongoing.
Belgaum Session (1924) was the only time Gandhi accepted Congress presidency.
Mains Key Points
The split highlighted differences in strategy but not in ultimate goal of swaraj.
Swarajists prevented political stagnation by challenging colonial policies in councils.
No-Changers preserved Gandhian mass contact and constructive programs.
Their eventual reconciliation ensured Congress remained united and active in the 1920s.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Swaraj Party founded in 1923 by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru.
No-Changers included Gandhi, Rajendra Prasad, and Vallabhbhai Patel.
Belgaum Session (1924) → Gandhi as Congress President reconciled both factions.
Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party (1923)
Key Point
The Swarajya Party, also known as the Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party, was formed in 1923 by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru after differences with Gandhi’s strategy of boycott. It aimed to enter legislative councils and use them as platforms to resist colonial rule from within, while remaining part of the Congress and Khilafat movements.
The Swarajya Party, also known as the Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party, was formed in 1923 by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru after differences with Gandhi’s strategy of boycott. It aimed to enter legislative councils and use them as platforms to resist colonial rule from within, while remaining part of the Congress and Khilafat movements.
Detailed Notes (26 points)
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Formation:
• Founded on 1 January 1923 by Chittaranjan (C.R.) Das, Motilal Nehru, and N.C. Kelkar.
• Emerged after Gandhi suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement (1922) following the Chauri Chaura incident.
• Swarajists were also called 'Pro-Changers' as they wanted to change the boycott strategy by entering councils.
Objectives:
• To contest elections to legislative councils under the Government of India Act, 1919.
• To obstruct colonial governance from within and use councils for nationalist propaganda.
• To demand swaraj (self-rule) and expose the limitations of constitutional reforms.
Leadership:
• President: C.R. Das.
• Secretary: Motilal Nehru.
• N.C. Kelkar and others played key roles.
• Khilafat leaders like Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali also supported the party, hence 'Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party'.
Role in Councils:
• In the elections of 1923, Swarajists won 42 seats in Central Legislative Assembly.
• Acted as a strong opposition by rejecting budgets, blocking laws, and exposing colonial injustices.
• The party gave the slogan 'Council entry to wreck the councils'.
Achievements:
• Kept Congress politically relevant when mass movements were suspended.
• Brought nationalist ideas inside legislatures, using speeches and debates as propaganda.
• United moderates and extremists temporarily under one platform.
Limitations:
• Could not prevent government from passing laws due to official majority.
• Internal differences weakened the party.
• Death of C.R. Das in 1925 reduced its strength.
• Declined after 1927 as focus shifted back to mass movements.
Key Features of Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1923 by C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru, N.C. Kelkar |
| Support | Congress members and Khilafat leaders (Ali brothers) |
| Strategy | Council entry to wreck councils from within |
| Achievement | Won 42 seats in 1923; acted as strong opposition |
| Limitation | Official majority prevented real legislative change |
Fun Facts
C.R. Das was known as 'Deshbandhu' and became the first President of the Swarajya Party.
Motilal Nehru’s entry into Swarajist politics prepared the ground for his son Jawaharlal’s later leadership.
The Swarajists’ obstructionist tactics forced the British to often dissolve councils.
Mains Key Points
The Swaraj Party represented a new phase of nationalist politics, keeping the movement alive inside legislatures.
It combined Congress and Khilafat leaders, showing temporary Hindu-Muslim cooperation.
While it exposed the hollowness of constitutional reforms, it could not achieve real legislative change due to official majority.
It ensured Congress remained politically active in the 1920s, bridging the gap between Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Swarajya Party founded in 1923 by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru.
Also called Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party due to support from Khilafat leaders.
Main slogan → 'Enter the councils to wreck the councils'.
Acted as opposition in legislative councils under Government of India Act, 1919.
Achievements and Failures of the Swaraj Party (1923–1927)
Key Point
The Swaraj Party, founded in 1923 by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru, played a crucial role in sustaining nationalist politics after the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement. Its achievements lay in exposing colonial rule and keeping Congress relevant inside legislatures, while its failures included inability to secure real reforms due to official majority, internal divisions, and the decline after C.R. Das’s death.
The Swaraj Party, founded in 1923 by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru, played a crucial role in sustaining nationalist politics after the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement. Its achievements lay in exposing colonial rule and keeping Congress relevant inside legislatures, while its failures included inability to secure real reforms due to official majority, internal divisions, and the decline after C.R. Das’s death.
Detailed Notes (14 points)
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Achievements:
• Won 42 seats in the Central Legislative Assembly in the 1923 elections, emerging as a strong opposition.
• Effectively exposed the weaknesses of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) by blocking budgets, rejecting proposals, and highlighting official dominance.
• Demonstrated unity between Congress and Khilafat leaders, showing temporary Hindu-Muslim cooperation.
• Kept the nationalist spirit alive during a lull in Gandhian mass movements.
• Leaders like Motilal Nehru and C.R. Das gained experience in parliamentary politics, preparing ground for future leadership.
• Popularized the slogan: 'Enter the councils to wreck the councils'.
Failures:
• Could not stop the passage of government bills due to official majority in councils.
• Limited to obstructionism; lacked power to introduce positive reforms.
• Internal divisions within the party weakened its impact; moderates and radicals differed on strategy.
• Death of C.R. Das in 1925 was a major blow; leadership weakened.
• By 1927, the party declined as Congress focus shifted back to mass movements (Civil Disobedience).
• The government skillfully neutralized Swarajists by co-opting moderates with minor concessions.
Achievements vs Failures of Swaraj Party
| Aspect | Achievements | Failures |
|---|---|---|
| Legislative Role | Strong opposition, exposed colonial reforms | Could not stop bills due to official majority |
| Political Impact | Kept Congress active inside legislatures | Only obstruction, no constructive reforms |
| Leadership | C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru provided dynamic leadership | Declined after C.R. Das’s death in 1925 |
| Unity | Congress-Khilafat cooperation, temporary Hindu-Muslim unity | Internal divisions weakened party |
| Long-term Impact | Prepared ground for future leadership and debates | Declined by 1927 as focus shifted to mass movements |
Fun Facts
Motilal Nehru’s involvement in Swarajist politics laid the foundation for his son Jawaharlal’s prominence in the 1930s.
The Swarajists sometimes joined hands with independents and even moderates to oppose government budgets.
The British often dissolved legislatures when Swarajists created deadlocks by rejecting proposals.
Mains Key Points
The Swaraj Party sustained nationalist politics during a lull in mass movements.
Its achievements lay in exposing colonial governance and keeping Congress relevant.
Its failures reflected structural limits of council entry strategy and leadership setbacks.
The experience shaped future Congress strategies, balancing parliamentary and mass movements.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Swaraj Party founded in 1923 by C.R. Das (President) and Motilal Nehru (Secretary).
Slogan → 'Enter the councils to wreck the councils'.
C.R. Das’s death in 1925 weakened the party.
By 1927, Congress shifted focus to Civil Disobedience, causing decline of Swarajists.
Revolutionary Activity during the 1920s (Punjab–United Provinces–Bihar)
Key Point
During the 1920s, revolutionary activity revived in Punjab, United Provinces (UP), and Bihar. Influenced by the Russian Revolution and the failure of constitutional reforms, young nationalists formed secret societies and carried out political assassinations, attempted raids, and organized workers and peasants. Groups like the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) and later Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) emerged as major forces.
During the 1920s, revolutionary activity revived in Punjab, United Provinces (UP), and Bihar. Influenced by the Russian Revolution and the failure of constitutional reforms, young nationalists formed secret societies and carried out political assassinations, attempted raids, and organized workers and peasants. Groups like the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) and later Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) emerged as major forces.
Detailed Notes (21 points)
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Background:
• After the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1922), disillusioned youth turned to revolutionary politics.
• Influence of the Russian Revolution (1917), Irish struggle, and socialist ideas was strong.
• Many felt Gandhian non-violence was ineffective against British repression.
Punjab:
• Leaders: Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagwati Charan Vohra.
• Organizations: Naujawan Bharat Sabha (1926) and Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA, 1928).
• Activities: Political assassinations (Saunders, 1928), Lahore Conspiracy Case, Assembly Bomb Incident (1929).
United Provinces (UP):
• Base of Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) founded in 1924 by Sachindranath Sanyal, Jogesh Chatterjee, Ram Prasad Bismil, and Chandrashekhar Azad.
• Kakori Conspiracy (1925): HRA members looted a government train near Kakori to fund revolutionary activities. Leaders like Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Roshan Singh, and Rajendra Lahiri executed.
• HRA later reorganized as HSRA with socialist ideology (1928).
Bihar:
• Revolutionary activities linked with HRA; Bihar was one of its centers.
• Local leaders like Yogendra Shukla and Baikunth Shukla provided shelter and support to revolutionaries.
• Bihar also contributed activists to Kakori Conspiracy and later HSRA activities.
Nature of Activities:
• Political assassinations of British officials and informers.
• Train dacoities to raise funds (Kakori, 1925).
• Use of socialist and Marxist ideas to inspire masses.
• Revolutionary literature circulated secretly to spread nationalism.
Key Revolutionary Activities in Punjab–UP–Bihar (1920s)
| Year | Event/Organization | Region | Leaders |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1924 | Formation of HRA | United Provinces | Sachindranath Sanyal, Ram Prasad Bismil, Jogesh Chatterjee |
| 1925 | Kakori Conspiracy | UP–Bihar | Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, Roshan Singh |
| 1926 | Naujawan Bharat Sabha | Punjab | Bhagat Singh |
| 1928 | HSRA founded | Punjab–UP | Bhagat Singh, Azad, Sukhdev, Rajguru |
| 1929 | Assembly Bomb Incident | Delhi (linked to Punjab leaders) | Bhagat Singh, B.K. Dutt |
Fun Facts
The Kakori case created the first nationwide sensation about revolutionary activities in UP–Bihar.
Bhagat Singh read Marx, Lenin, and international revolutionary literature in Lahore Jail.
The HSRA changed its name from HRA to emphasize socialism as its guiding ideology.
Mains Key Points
Revolutionary activity during the 1920s reflected disillusionment with Gandhian methods after 1922.
Punjab and UP emerged as centers of organized revolutionary groups (HRA/HSRA).
These groups used socialist and Marxist ideas to inspire mass politics.
While repression limited their impact, their sacrifice inspired the youth and kept radical nationalism alive.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) founded in 1924; later became HSRA in 1928.
Kakori Conspiracy (1925) → Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendra Lahiri executed.
Bhagat Singh founded Naujawan Bharat Sabha in 1926 (Lahore).
Revolutionary Activity during the 1920s in Bengal
Key Point
Bengal emerged as the most active center of revolutionary activity in the 1920s. Secret societies, student groups, and underground networks organized assassinations, raids, and armed resistance. The Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar continued to dominate, while young revolutionaries like Surya Sen and Jatin Das carried forward the radical tradition that inspired youth across India.
Bengal emerged as the most active center of revolutionary activity in the 1920s. Secret societies, student groups, and underground networks organized assassinations, raids, and armed resistance. The Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar continued to dominate, while young revolutionaries like Surya Sen and Jatin Das carried forward the radical tradition that inspired youth across India.
Detailed Notes (22 points)
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Background:
• Post Non-Cooperation, Bengal youth turned to armed struggle, disillusioned with non-violence.
• Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar, originally active since early 1900s, revived their activities.
Key Organizations:
• Jugantar Party: Led by leaders like Surya Sen (Chittagong), Masterda, and later Subhas Chandra Bose had links with student radicals.
• Anushilan Samiti: Continued secret revolutionary work, provided ideological and organizational backbone.
Major Activities:
• 1924–25: Attempts to reorganize Jugantar and Anushilan networks across Bengal.
• 1925: Bengal revolutionaries cooperated with HRA (UP–Bihar) in the Kakori Conspiracy.
• 1926–27: Numerous political dacoities (armed robberies) in Bengal to raise funds for revolutionary work.
• 1928: Bengal revolutionaries actively supported the protests against the Simon Commission.
• 1929: Attempted assassinations of British officials in Calcutta.
• 1930 (early seeds): Surya Sen and his associates began planning the Chittagong Armoury Raid (executed in 1930).
Key Leaders:
• Surya Sen (Masterda): Organized Chittagong revolutionaries.
• Jatin Das: Participated in HSRA activities, later died in Lahore Jail (1929) after 63-day hunger strike.
• Hemchandra Kanungo, Ganesh Ghosh, Anant Singh, Pritilata Waddedar (later 1930s).
Nature of Movement:
• Political assassinations, bomb-making, and armed robberies.
• Use of secret societies in Calcutta and Chittagong.
• Increasing influence of socialist and Marxist ideas.
• Student and youth participation was very high.
Major Revolutionary Activities in Bengal (1920s)
| Year | Event/Activity | Leaders/Organizations |
|---|---|---|
| 1924–25 | Reorganization of Jugantar and Anushilan Samiti | Hemchandra Kanungo, Ganesh Ghosh |
| 1925 | Participation in Kakori Conspiracy | Ram Prasad Bismil (HRA), Bengal contacts |
| 1926–27 | Political dacoities in Bengal | Jugantar revolutionaries |
| 1928 | Simon Commission protests | Bengal student and youth groups |
| 1929 | Attempts to assassinate British officials in Calcutta | Jugantar/Anushilan activists |
Fun Facts
Surya Sen, a schoolteacher, was affectionately called 'Masterda' by his followers.
Jatin Das’s martyrdom in 1929 inspired nationwide protests and sympathy for revolutionaries.
Calcutta University became a hotbed of student radicalism during the 1920s.
Mains Key Points
Bengal remained the heart of revolutionary nationalism in the 1920s, carrying forward the legacy of pre-1919 movements.
Jugantar and Anushilan Samiti provided organizational continuity to radical politics.
Surya Sen and Jatin Das symbolized youth radicalism and sacrifice.
Although limited in scope, Bengal’s revolutionary activities kept alive militant nationalism and inspired future resistance.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Jugantar and Anushilan Samiti were key revolutionary groups in Bengal during the 1920s.
Surya Sen (Masterda) organized Chittagong revolutionaries, later famous for the 1930 Armoury Raid.
Jatin Das died in 1929 in Lahore Jail after a 63-day hunger strike.
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