Detailed Timeline of the Indian Freedom Struggle (1905–1947)

The Indian freedom struggle from 1905 to 1947 was a monumental chapter in world history. It marked the awakening of a colonized nation's collective conscience and its relentless quest for independence from British rule. This period saw a convergence of political awakening, mass movements, revolutionary acts, and unparalleled leadership. From the Partition of Bengal to the Quit India Movement and ultimately to Independence in 1947, the Indian freedom movement evolved through numerous events that shaped the destiny of the nation.

 

Timeline of the Indian Freedom Struggle

📅 1905 – Partition of Bengal and the Swadeshi Movement

In 1905, Lord Curzon, the then British Viceroy of India, announced the partition of Bengal under the pretext of administrative convenience. However, it was seen by Indians as a “Divide and Rule” policy to separate Hindus and Muslims.

Key Outcomes:

• Launch of the Swadeshi Movement.
• Boycott of British goods and promotion of indigenous products.
• Formation of national educational institutions like Bengal National College.
• Strengthening of nationalist sentiments across India.

 

📅 1906 – Birth of the Muslim League

To safeguard Muslim interests, the All India Muslim League was formed in Dhaka in 1906. Initially, it supported British rule but gradually demanded a separate Muslim nation.

 

📅 1907 – Surat Split

A critical rift emerged within the Indian National Congress at its Surat session:

• Moderates (led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale) believed in negotiations and reforms.
• Extremists (led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak) favored direct action.

This weakened the unity of the nationalist movement for a while.

 

📅 1911 – Annulment of Bengal Partition & Capital Shift

Due to widespread protests, the British reversed the partition in 1911. The same year, the capital of India was moved from Calcutta to Delhi.

 

📅 1915 – Return of Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhiji returned to India from South Africa, where he had successfully led nonviolent protests. Influenced by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, he soon emerged as the leader of the national movement.

 

📅 1916 – Lucknow Pact

A significant agreement between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, the Lucknow Pact marked the beginning of Hindu-Muslim unity.

• Joint demand for more autonomy from the British.
• Political cooperation across communities.

 

📅 1917 – Home Rule Movement

Started by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant, this movement demanded self-governance (Home Rule) within the British Empire.

• Mobilized a vast section of Indian society.
• Paved the way for future mass movements.

 

📅 1919 – Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

The Rowlatt Act gave the British authority to arrest Indians without trial. In protest:

• Massive unrest spread across India.
• On April 13, 1919, General Dyer opened fire on a peaceful crowd in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar.
• Over 1,000 men, women, and children were killed.

This brutal event became a turning point in the freedom struggle.

 

📅 1920–1922 – Non-Cooperation Movement

Led by Gandhiji, this movement encouraged Indians to:

• Boycott British goods, schools, courts, and elections.
• Resign from government jobs and titles.
• Promote khadi and indigenous industries.

It was the first mass movement that involved millions of Indians across caste, class, and region.

 

📅 1922 – Chauri Chaura Incident

The movement was called off after a violent incident in Chauri Chaura, where protestors set a police station on fire, killing 22 policemen. Gandhi, committed to non-violence, withdrew the movement.

 

📅 1927 – Simon Commission

The British Government appointed a constitutional commission headed by Sir John Simon. It had no Indian members.

• Widespread protests erupted under the slogan: “Simon Go Back”.
• Lala Lajpat Rai was severely injured during a protest and later died.

 

📅 1928 – Nehru Report

Prepared under Motilal Nehru, the report demanded:

• Dominion status for India.
• Fundamental rights.
• A secular polity.

The Muslim League rejected the Nehru Report due to the denial of separate electorates.

 

📅 1929 – Purna Swaraj Declaration

At the Lahore Session, Congress, under Jawaharlal Nehru, declared Complete Independence (Purna Swaraj) as its goal.

• January 26, 1930 was celebrated as India’s first Independence Day.

 

📅 1930 – Civil Disobedience Movement & Dandi March

Gandhiji launched the Salt March to protest the British monopoly on salt:

• Walked 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi.
• Made salt from seawater in defiance of British laws.
• Sparked civil disobedience across the country.

Thousands were arrested, including Gandhi.

 

📅 1931 – Gandhi-Irwin Pact

An agreement was signed:

• Congress called off the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Gandhi agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference in London.
• British agreed to release political prisoners.

 

📅 1932 – Poona Pact

After the British granted Separate Electorates to Dalits under the Communal Award, Gandhiji went on a fast unto death. A compromise between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Gandhi led to:

• Reserved seats for Dalits in general electorates.
• End of separate electorates.

 

📅 1935 – Government of India Act

This Act:

• Granted provincial autonomy.
• Proposed a federal structure (never implemented).
• Led to the 1937 elections, in which Congress formed governments in several provinces.

 

📅 1939 – Resignation of Congress Ministries

When World War II broke out, India was declared a participant without consulting Indian leaders.

• In protest, Congress ministries resigned.
• Muslim League celebrated “Deliverance Day”.

 

📅 1940 – Lahore Resolution

At its session in Lahore, the Muslim League passed the historic Lahore Resolution, demanding a separate nation for Muslims — Pakistan.

 

📅 1942 – Quit India Movement

Launched on 8 August 1942, Gandhiji gave the slogan: “Do or Die”.

• Congress demanded immediate British withdrawal.
• The movement saw mass arrests, including Gandhi, Nehru, and others.
• It was one of the most intense movements, although suppressed brutally.

 

📅 1946 – Cabinet Mission Plan

A mission was sent by the British to discuss the transfer of power.

• Proposed a federal structure with groupings of provinces.
• Congress and Muslim League had disagreements.
• Eventually, the plan failed due to Jinnah's insistence on Pakistan.

 

📅 1947 – Independence and Partition

After years of negotiations and growing communal tensions:

• British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act in July 1947.
• On 15 August 1947, India became independent.
• Partition of India led to the creation of Pakistan.
• Resulted in mass migrations, communal riots, and the loss of over a million lives.

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🌟 Key Personalities of the Freedom Struggle (1905–1947):

Name	Contribution
Mahatma Gandhi	Leader of Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India Movements. Apostle of non-violence.
Jawaharlal Nehru	First Prime Minister of India, champion of modern Indian nationalism.
Subhas Chandra Bose	Leader of Indian National Army (INA), believed in armed struggle.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	Leader in integration of princely states, architect of modern India.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar	Voice of Dalits, Father of Indian Constitution.
Bhagat Singh	Revolutionary martyr who ignited patriotism among youth.
Annie Besant	Leader of Home Rule Movement.

 

🧾 Conclusion

The Indian freedom movement between 1905 and 1947 was a profound saga of resilience, sacrifice, unity, and vision. The journey from the Partition of Bengal to Independence was marked by the evolution of leadership, the awakening of the masses, and the collective assertion of the Indian identity. The timeline not only marks the milestones but also narrates the story of a nation's indomitable spirit to be free.

Events in Indian Freedom Struggle (1905–1947)

1. Partition of Bengal (1905)

   • British split Bengal to weaken nationalist unity; sparked protests.

2. Swadeshi Movement (1905–1908)

   • Boycott of British goods and promotion of indigenous products.

3. Formation of Muslim League (1906)

   • Founded to represent Muslim political interests.

4. Calcutta Session of Congress (1906)

   • Moderates and extremists debated strategy.

5. Annulment of Bengal Partition (1911)

   • British reversed the partition under pressure.

6. Ghadar Movement (1914)

   • Revolutionary movement by Indian expatriates aiming to overthrow British rule.

7. Lucknow Pact (1916)

   • Congress and Muslim League agreed on constitutional reforms and Hindu-Muslim cooperation.

8. Home Rule Movement (1916–1918)

   • Campaign for self-government, led by Tilak and Annie Besant.

9. Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

   • Gandhi led peasants’ protest against indigo planters in Bihar.

10. Kheda Satyagraha (1918)

    • Gujarat farmers protested tax during famine.

11. End of World War I (1918)

    • Returning Indian soldiers demanded political rights.

12. Rowlatt Act (1919)

    • Repressive law extending wartime controls; triggered protests.

13. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

    • British troops killed hundreds in Amritsar during peaceful protest.

14. Khilafat Movement (1919–1924)

    • Protest in support of Ottoman Caliphate, allied with Congress.

15. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)

    • Boycott of British goods, institutions; mass participation.

16. Chauri Chaura Incident (1922)

    • Protest turned violent; Gandhi suspended Non-Cooperation.

17. Formation of Swaraj Party (1923)

    • Congress members formed party to enter legislatures and obstruct British rule.

18. Simon Commission Boycott (1928)

    • No Indian members; led to nationwide protests.

19. Nehru Report (1928)

    • Demand for Dominion status rejected by Muslim League.

20. Delhi Proposals (1927)

    • Constitutional reforms proposed but rejected by Indians.

21. Lahore Session of Congress – Purna Swaraj Declaration (1929)

    • Demand for complete independence adopted.

22. Salt March / Dandi Satyagraha (1930)

    • Gandhi led 240-mile march to break salt law.

23. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934)

    • Nationwide campaign against British laws.

24. Round Table Conferences (1930–1932)

    • British attempt to discuss constitutional reforms; Indians had limited success.

25. Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)

    • Agreement to suspend civil disobedience in exchange for concessions.

26. First Provincial Elections (1937)

    • Indian National Congress won major victories.

27. Formation of Ministries in Provinces (1937)

    • Congress formed governments in several provinces.

28. Quit India Movement Precursor (1939)

    • Congress opposed India's involvement in WWII without consent.

29. Resignation of Congress Ministries (1939)

    • Protest against India’s entry into WWII without consultation.

30. Start of World War II (1939)

    • India involuntarily involved; tensions rose.

31. Cripps Mission (1942)

    • British offer of post-war dominion status rejected by Congress.

32. Quit India Movement (1942)

    • Mass civil disobedience demanding immediate British withdrawal.

33. Arrest of Congress Leaders (1942)

    • Gandhi, Nehru, and others jailed.

34. Naval Mutiny (1946)

    • Indian navy revolt against British, showing unrest in armed forces.

35. Direct Action Day (1946)

    • Muslim League called for protests demanding Pakistan; led to communal riots.

36. Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)

    • Attempt to create united India with autonomy; failed to satisfy all parties.

37. Interim Government (1946)

    • Formation of a government including Congress and Muslim League.

38. Mountbatten Plan (1947)

    • Plan for partition of India into two dominions.

39. Indian Independence Act (1947)

    • British Parliament passed law granting independence and partition.

40. Indian Independence Day (15 August 1947)

    • India became independent; partition created India and Pakistan.