[PDF] Swadeshi Movement in Bengal | Nana Ronger Itihas

Explain
how did anti-partition movement led to the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal? How did
it contribute to the growth of extremism?

 

Introduction

The Indian subcontinent witnessed a surge in nationalism
during the late 19th and early 20th century, which ultimately led to the
independence of India in 1947. The emergence of nationalism was due to several
factors such as the exploitation of resources, discrimination, and racial
superiority by the British Empire. This article will discuss the Swadeshi and
Boycott movements, which were critical in the Indian nationalist struggle.

A. Emergence of Nationalism [राष्ट्रवाद का उदय]

Nationalism in India was a result of the exploitation of
the country by the British Empire. The British rule was marked by
discriminatory policies, such as the racial superiority of the British over
Indians, economic exploitation, and social exclusion. Indians had no role in
the governance of their country, which led to a sense of alienation and lack of
representation. This created a feeling of patriotism, which eventually
culminated in the nationalist struggle for independence.

B. Causes of Growing Nationalism [बढ़ते राष्ट्रवाद
के कारण]

The causes of growing nationalism in India were
multifaceted. One of the key factors was the discriminatory policies of the
British government. The British made it clear that they believed in the racial
superiority of the British over the Indians. This led to a feeling of
resentment among the Indian population, which ultimately contributed to the
growth of nationalism. Economic exploitation was also a key factor that
contributed to the rise of nationalism. The British imposed high taxes on
Indians, which led to poverty and misery among the Indian population.

I. Swadeshi Movement [स्वदेशी आंदोलन]

A. Background

The Swadeshi movement was a part of the Indian
nationalist struggle that aimed to boycott British goods and promote the use of
Indian-made goods. The movement started in 1905 as a response to the partition
of Bengal by the British government. The partition was seen as a way to weaken
the nationalist struggle in Bengal, which was a stronghold of Indian
nationalism.

B. Swadeshi Movement Proclamation [स्वदेशी आंदोलन
उद्घोषणा]

The Swadeshi movement was launched with a proclamation
that called for the boycott of British goods and the promotion of Indian-made
goods. The proclamation called for the use of Indian-made clothes, the boycott
of foreign cloth, the establishment of Swadeshi banks, and the promotion of
Indian languages.

C. Spread of the Movement

The Swadeshi movement spread quickly throughout India,
with many Indians joining the movement. The movement gained momentum as people
started to boycott British goods and started using Indian-made products. The
Swadeshi movement soon became a part of the Indian nationalist struggle, and
many nationalist leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, supported it.

D. Congress Reaction

The Indian National Congress, which was the main
political organization of the Indian nationalist struggle, supported the
Swadeshi movement. The Congress started to organize boycotts and protests
against the British government, which further fueled the nationalist struggle.

E. Rise of the Radical Nationalists

The Swadeshi movement gave rise to radical nationalists
who believed in using violence to achieve their goals. These nationalists
formed secret societies, such as the Anushilan Samiti and the Jugantar, which
carried out attacks against the British government. The rise of radical
nationalism was a significant development in the Indian nationalist struggle,
which ultimately contributed to the independence of India.

F. Participation of People

The Swadeshi movement had massive participation from
people from all walks of life, including peasants, workers, and intellectuals.
The movement was inclusive, and people from different parts of India
participated in the movement, which further strengthened the nationalist
struggle.

II. Impact of Swadeshi Movement [स्वदेशी आंदोलन का
प्रभाव]

The Swadeshi Movement had a significant impact on Indian
society, economy, and politics. It was a powerful tool to unite the Indian
people in a common cause, and it gave birth to a new phase of the Indian
freedom struggle. In this section, we will discuss the impact of the Swadeshi Movement
on various aspects of Indian life.

A. Decline in Imports The Swadeshi Movement had a
profound impact on the Indian economy. The boycott of British goods led to a
decline in imports, which severely affected the British economy. The movement
encouraged Indians to use indigenous products and to boycott foreign goods.
This led to the growth of local industries, which became the backbone of the
Indian economy.

B. Growth of Extremism The Swadeshi Movement also marked
the growth of extremist political ideas in India. The radical nationalists
believed that peaceful protests were not enough to achieve freedom from British
rule. They advocated the use of violence and terrorism to achieve their goals.
The rise of extremist ideas led to the formation of organizations like the
Anushilan Samiti and the Jugantar, which carried out several revolutionary
activities.

C. Morley-Minto Reforms The Swadeshi Movement also had a
significant impact on the Indian political scene. The movement created a sense
of unity among the Indian people, which gave birth to the demand for political
representation. The British Government responded to this demand by introducing
the Morley-Minto Reforms in 1909, which provided limited representation to
Indians in the legislative councils. Though the reforms fell short of the
Indian aspirations for self-government, they marked a significant step towards
Indian political participation.

D. Establishment of Swadeshi Institutions The Swadeshi
Movement also led to the establishment of several Swadeshi institutions in
India. These institutions included schools, colleges, banks, and industries,
which were aimed at promoting indigenous goods and services. The movement
provided a platform for Indian entrepreneurs to showcase their skills and
talents and to build a strong economic base for the country. The establishment
of Swadeshi institutions also contributed to the growth of a new class of Indian
intellectuals and professionals, who were committed to the cause of Indian
nationalism.

III. Boycott Movement [बहिष्कार आंदोलन]

A. Background The Boycott Movement was another
significant event in the Indian freedom struggle. It was a part of the Swadeshi
Movement, which aimed at promoting the use of indigenous goods and services and
at boycotting foreign goods.

B. Boycott Movement Proclamation The Boycott Movement
was launched in 1905, after the Partition of Bengal. The movement aimed at
boycotting British goods and at promoting indigenous products. The proclamation
of the Boycott Movement called upon the Indian people to boycott British goods,
to promote Indian goods, and to boycott government schools, colleges, and
courts.

C. Spread of the Movement The Boycott Movement spread
rapidly throughout India, and it became a powerful tool to unite the Indian
people against British rule. The movement was not limited to urban areas but
also spread to rural areas, where it had a significant impact on the lives of
the people. The boycott of British goods led to the growth of local industries,
which became the backbone of the Indian economy.

D. Congress Reaction The Indian National Congress
supported the Boycott Movement, and it became an important part of the
Congress’s political program. The Congress organized several boycott campaigns,
which had a significant impact on the Indian political scene.

E. Participation of People The Boycott Movement had
widespread participation from the Indian people. It was not limited to any
particular class or section of society, but it had the support of all sections
of the Indian people. The participation of women was particularly significant,
as it gave them a platform to participate in the Indian freedom struggle.

IV. Impact of Boycott Movement [बहिष्कार आंदोलन
का प्रभाव]

The Boycott Movement, like the Swadeshi Movement, had a
significant impact on Indian nationalism and the struggle for independence from
British rule. It was launched in response to the British government’s decision
to partition Bengal, which was seen as a deliberate attempt to divide the Hindu
and Muslim communities in India. The movement called for a boycott of British
goods and services as a means of asserting Indian economic independence and
undermining British colonial power.

A. Decline in Imports

The boycott was initially focused on boycotting British
textiles, which were a major source of revenue for the British government. This
led to a decline in British textile imports and a corresponding increase in the
demand for Indian textiles. The boycott also led to the growth of indigenous
industries and the emergence of new forms of economic cooperation among
Indians, such as the establishment of Swadeshi mills and the promotion of khadi
(homespun cloth) as a symbol of Indian self-reliance.

B. Growth of Extremism

The boycott movement also had a radicalizing effect on
Indian nationalism, as many activists began to advocate more militant forms of
resistance to British rule. This led to the rise of extremist factions within
the Indian National Congress, such as the Lal Bal Pal (Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal
Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal) group, which advocated for direct
action and the use of violence to achieve independence. The British government
responded by cracking down on these extremist groups, arresting their leaders
and suppressing their activities.

C. Morley-Minto Reforms

The boycott movement also had a political impact, as it
played a key role in the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909. These reforms were
introduced by the British government in response to growing nationalist demands
for greater political representation and self-governance. The reforms
introduced separate electorates for Muslims, which was seen as a way of
dividing the nationalist movement along religious lines. However, the boycott
movement helped to unite Hindus and Muslims in their opposition to the reforms,
and ultimately contributed to their rejection by the Indian nationalist
movement.

D. Establishment of Swadeshi Institutions [स्वदेशी संस्थाओं
की स्थापना]

Finally, the boycott movement also led to the
establishment of a range of Swadeshi institutions, such as the Swadeshi Steam
Navigation Company and the Swadeshi Insurance Company, which were designed to
promote Indian economic self-sufficiency and undermine British economic power.
These institutions played an important role in fostering Indian
entrepreneurship and creating new avenues of economic opportunity for Indians.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the Swadeshi and Boycott movements
played a crucial role in the development of Indian nationalism and the struggle
for independence from British rule. These movements were characterized by a
strong emphasis on economic self-reliance and cultural revival, and played a
key role in uniting Indians across religious and regional divides. The impact
of these movements was felt not only in the political realm, but also in the
social and economic spheres, where they contributed to the growth of indigenous
industries and the emergence of new forms of Indian economic and cultural
identity. Ultimately, the Swadeshi and Boycott movements helped to lay the
foundation for the Indian independence movement, which would ultimately achieve
its goal of independence in 1947.