The independence movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi was non-violent. However, some leaders took a more violent approach, and leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose even took foreign assistance for their struggle to freedom. Intellectuals like Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee spread patriotic sentiments through their works, which quickly became popular among young Indians.
The Indian independence movement was popular among Indians of different population groups, including men, women, youth, Hindus, Muslims, tribes and so on. Political parties of different ideologies were also involved in the movement, and although their visions of and independent India were different, they were united by the common goal to end the British rule in India.
The anti-colonial movement culminated in the Indian Independence Act 1947, which ended the British rule in the country. However, there was another movement by some Muslims to create an independent Islamic country, partly out of Muslim fears that Gandhi and others would create a country ruled and dominated by Hindus. So, the Indian subcontinent was partitioned into mostly-Hindu India and mostly-Muslim Pakistan on 15 August 1947.
While the Indian independence in 1947 was cherished by some politicians of the country, the partition of India became a major disaster, with several million people being uprooted from their homelands. India remained a dominion under the British Empire with the British monarch as head of state till 26 January 1950, when the country declared itself a "sovereign democratic republic" (later a "sovereign socialist secular democratic republic" since 1977), with Rajendra Prasad becoming the first president of India. Both 15 August (Independence Day) and 26 January (Republic Day) are celebrated yearly as "national holidays", along with 2 October (Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Gandhi).
History
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[edit]- 1 Alipore Museum (previously Alipore Central Jail), 17, Judges Court Rd, Kolkata. A museum dedicated to the independence movement, especially its violent faction. It was a prison during British times used to arrest freedom activists like Sri Aurobindo and Subhas Chandra Bose.
- 2 Anand Bhawan Museum (Swaraj Bhawan), Moti Lal Neharu Marg. Prayagraj, [email protected]. Tu-Su 09:30-13:00 & 13:30-17:00; closed gazetted holidays. Learn about the intricacies of Indian struggle for freedom during the early 20th century. Among many things, you will find the personal correspondence and family photographs of the Nehrus. Besides Anand Bhawan is Swaraj Bhawan, ancestral place of the Nehru clan. It offers a best way to know about Nehru family via its video shows. Both Anand Bhawan and Swaraj Bhawan are the places which have served as the parliament in real sense during British era. Indian citizens ₹5 (for first floor only), foreigners ₹200.
- 3 Gandhi Ashram (Sabarmati Ashram), Ahmedabad, ☏ +91 79 27557277, fax: +91 79 27560569, [email protected]. 8AM-7PM. The Sabarmati Aashram was once the house of Mahatma Gandhi and he founded the ashram in 1915. It lies on the tranquil stretch of the Sabarmati River and was referred to as the Satyagraha Ashram during the lifetime of the Mahatma. It was from here that the Mahatma began his famous 'Dandi March' in 1930 to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. The ashram today continues the work started by the Mahatma and houses a handicrafts centre, a handmade paper factory and a spinning wheel factory. Free.
- 4 Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar. Daily 6AM-6PM (summer), 7AM-5PM (winter). The site of the 1919 Amritsar massacre, turned into a park memorial. On April 13 of that year, British Indian Army soldiers opened fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women and children. The firing lasted about 10 minutes and 1650 rounds were fired, killing 1579 people. The bullet holes can be seen on the walls and adjoining buildings. The well into which many people jumped and drowned attempting to save themselves from the hail of bullets is also a protected monument inside the park. Free.
- 5 Netaji Bhawan, 38/2, Elgin Rd, Kolkata, ☏ +91 33 2486-8139, +91 33 2486 8070 (fax). Tu–Su 11AM–5PM. A heritage building maintained as a memorial and research centre to the life of Subhas Chandra Bose. ₹20 (adults), ₹10 (children).
- 6 Netaji Birth Place Museum, Cuttack. The birthplace of Subhas Chandra Bose.
- 7 Red Fort, Delhi. Although it is a red sandstone fort and palace built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1648, it became a symbol to India since its independence on 15 August 1947, when the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian flag above the Lahore Gate of the fort. Since then, on every 15 August, the Prime Minister ceremonially raises the Indian flag at the main gate of the historic fort and delivers a nationally-broadcasted address from its ramparts.
