-
Ram Mohun Roy
Indians begin to demand modernization and the right to govern themselves. Ram Mohun Roy(a well educated, modern thinking Indian) began a campaign that would moved Indians away from traditional practices and ideas. Roy´s writings had a great influence in the minds of other Indians and he founded a social reform movement that worked for a change in India. Indians were still payed less than the Europeans.
(the picture is of Ram Mohum Roy) -
Britain Controls Most of India
British controlled most of the indian subcontinent. A great amount of Indians disagreed with this and they even believed and declared that the British were trying to convert them to christianity. The Indians also resented the constant racism the British expressed toward them. -
Desrespect to the Beliefs
Gossip spread through the Indian soldiers that the cartridges of their Enfield rifles were greased with beef and pork fat. In order to be able to use the cartridges, the soldiers had to bite off the ends. Since the Hindus considered cows sacred and the Muslims do not eat pork, this news outraged them. 85 of the 90 Indian soldiers refused to accept the cartidges. Those who disobeyed were jailed. -
Sepoy Mutiny
Indians rebelled, marched to Delhi and spread to the northern and central India. By many, this was called the Sepoy Mutiny. Fierce fighting took place. East India company took more than a year to regain control of the country. British government sent reinforcements to help them. Also, few Indian powers remained loyal to the British.
(the picture is of the violent fights taking place between the British and the Indians who did not want to be ruled by them) -
Indians Living Under British Rule
The British government took direct control over India. India came under the british crown during the reign of Queen Victoria. -
Hindu Indian National Congress
As a result of the growing nationalism, the founding of the Hindu Indian National Congress or Congress Party was created, which celebrated a largest democratic political party to promote economic reforms and to influence the policies of the British authority.
(this picture is the symbol of the Indian National Congress) -
Gandhi Thrown Off a Train
At the age of 23, Gandhi is thrown off a South African train for being an Indian and traveling in a first class compartment. Gandhi realizes that the laws are biased against Indians and decides to start a non-violent protest campaign for the rights of all Indians in South Africa.
(the picture is showing Gandhi extiting the train) -
Boer War
The Boer War lasted until 1901. This was the struggle between the British and Boer republics which ended with Britain obtaining control of South Aftica.
(the picture shown demonstrates what the Boer War was like) -
Partition of Bengal
The partition of Bengal enraged the nationalists further. It was hard for them to call for an independence with the Hindus and the Muslims separated. There was still a lot of conflict among the Indians and the British over the gain of control. In southeast Asia, the same struggles were taking place between local groups and the major European powers that dominated them. -
Muslim League
The founding of the Muslim League took place, which was a political group that was led by Jinnah, and one who protested for the protection of the rights of the Indian Muslims.
(this picture is the flag with the symbol of the Muslim League) -
Gandhi in Prison
Gandhi was arrested and sentenced to two months in prison. -
Peaceful Walk
Indians in Natal and Transvaal, under Gandhi's leadership, march peacefully in protest of a racist poll tax and marriage laws. The marches continue through the winter. -
The New Hero
Gandhi returns home to India, and receives a hero's welcome. -
Gandhi Seeking Home Rule
45-year-old Gandhi returned to British-ruled India and joined others in seeking home rule. Two of those who worked with Gandhi were Nehru, who later became India’s first prime minister, and Jinnah, who later became first governor-general of Pakistan. -
A Promise Not Kept
Indian Troops return home from the war in which over a million had enlisted themselves in the British army. They expected Britain´s promise that in return for their service, they would eventually self-govern. Instead, they were once again treated as second-class citizens. Radical Nationalists started acts of violence to demonstrate their hatred toward the British. -
Killing Inocents in the Square
The British passed the Rowlatt Acts. As an act of protest, 10,000 Hindus and Muslims flocked to Amritsar in the spring. A huge festival took place in an enclosed square and they intended to fast, pray and listen to political speeches. Public meetings were banned and, under General Dyer, British troops slaughtered the Indian protestors. 400 died while 1200 were left wounded. Millions of Indians loyal to the British quickly became nationalists and the demand for independence became heavier. -
Riots in the place of Peace
The British arrested thousands of Indians who were part of the strikes and demonstrations against the British rules. Even though Gandhi made the most peaceful protests possible, there were moments when protests often led to riots. -
Gandhi´s Tactics
The congress party did not cooperated with the British government. They deliberately refused to obey the law nonviolently to achieve their independence. Gandhi's tactics were to weaken the British government´s authority and economic power over India. Gandhi called the Indians to refuse anything British including goods, paying taxes and voting for the elections. Gandhi along with many other indians started dressing in only homespun cloth and soon enough the sale of British cloth dropped rapidly. -
The Salt March
Gandhi writes the Declaration of Independence for India and organized a demonstration to defy the hated Salt Acts. Instead of buying salt from the British which was what the law stated, Gandhi and his followers walked about 240 miles to the seacoast where they collected their own salt. This calm and peaceful protest was called the Salt March.
(the picture is showing Gandhi and the Indians making the long walk to the seashore) -
The Hunger Protest
Gandhi begins a hunger strike to protest caste separation.
(In this picture, Gandhi looks really skinny since he was a part of the hunger protest) -
Government of India
British Parliament passed the Government of India Act. It contained self-government and limited democratic elections but it was still lacking total independence. This also reduced the tension between the Hindu and Muslim Indians. Since the Hindu outnumbered the Muslims, the Muslims thought that the Hindus would take full control of the independence. -
Violence Between the Different Religious Groups
10 million people were on the move in the Indian subcontinent. Along the way there came violence between the different religios groups. -
India and Pakistan
The British House of Commons passed an act that granted two nations, India and Pakistan and their independent states were created. More than 500 independent native princes had to make quick choices of which nation they would join. The whole civil service had to be divided. Even the religious group of Sikhs had to decide where to go. -
Gandhi´s Death
Gandhi, who went to plead for the well treatement of the Muslims captured exposed himeself vulnerably. A Hindu extremist who believed that Gandhi was overprotecting the Muslims shot and killed him.
(the picture shows Gandhi´s funeral right after his death)
