Indian Independence
Nonviolent resistance led India to freedom from Britain.
About this topic
India was the largest part of the British Empire, ruled directly by the British Raj after 1858. Indians resented economic exploitation, such as the destruction of local textiles and heavy taxes, and discrimination. The Indian National Congress, founded in 1885, began by seeking reform and later demanded self-rule. The Muslim League, led later by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, represented many Muslims.
Mohandas Gandhi returned from South Africa and led a nonviolent movement based on satyagraha (truth force) and ahimsa (nonviolence). Famous actions included the 1930 Salt March, when he walked about 240 miles to the sea to make salt in defiance of the British monopoly, and the Quit India movement in 1942. Jawaharlal Nehru and others worked beside him. After World War II, a weakened Britain agreed to leave.
In August 1947, India won independence but was partitioned into India and Pakistan (with East Pakistan later becoming Bangladesh) along religious lines, drawn quickly by Cyril Radcliffe. Partition caused one of history's largest migrations, around 15 million people, and violence that killed perhaps a million. Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. India became a democracy with a constitution in 1950 under Nehru and B. R. Ambedkar's drafting leadership. Misconception: independence was not won by nonviolence alone; many factors combined. Gandhi inspired Martin Luther King Jr. and others.
Key ideas
- Gandhi's salt march 1930
- Partition 1947
- Nehru first prime minister
Quick check
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Frequently asked questions
What is Indian Independence?
Nonviolent resistance led India to freedom from Britain.
What will I learn in Indian Independence?
Gandhi's salt march 1930. Partition 1947. Nehru first prime minister.
Is Indian Independence part of World History?
Yes. It is one of 80 World History topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
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Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
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