THE independence of india it was reached on August 15, 1947 after a long process of struggle.
The British left a country divided into two nations: India and Pakistan.
English colonization in India
India has always been an attraction for neighboring peoples. Its natural wealth and the fertility of its soil attracted invaders.
There, thousands of ethnic groups coexisted, separated by different religions and languages, in addition to the caste system, which made society rigidly hierarchical.
With the arrival of the Muslim Mongol Empire and the Europeans in the 16th century, the history of this subcontinent would change.
In 1600, representatives of the English East India Company arrived in order to trade with the Indians. A century later, they already had enclaves in Bombay, Madras and Calcutta.
The French also tried to occupy the territory, but were expelled by the British in 1755. Thus, the British are annexing provinces of Punjab and Delhi until they declare themselves lords of India.
However, colonization was not peaceful, with resistance such as
Revolt of the Cipaios. Only in 1877, the Queen Victoria is proclaimed Empress of the Indies.Thus, complete colonization began with the importation of British institutions into Indian territory.
Colleges for both sexes, universities, postal and telegraph service, railways, aristocratic clubs, etc.
Likewise, the United Kingdom took their language to India, which gave them a common language, in a country where they count more than 200 dialects.
In fact, there would always be two Indian women during British domination:
- British-administered India from the capital, New Delhi;
- the India of the 565 principalities, where each was dominated by a noble family who had complete control over their territory.
These maharajas, rajas and princes will admire English power. Thus, they grant the power of defense and foreign policy to the English, as long as they remain outside their internal affairs.
religious diversity
In India several religions coexist, such as Brahmanical, Jansenist, Buddhist, Sichist, hinduist and Muslim. These two were majority and completely different from each other.
Muslims, who were the elite during the Mongol Empire, saw the British as a threat to their education system and their religion.
For their part, the Hindus accepted British education and became the mainstay of English domination, participating as officials of the colonial administration.
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Independence Process
Nehru and Gandhi: the two leaders of India's independence
However, the education received by this Hindu elite becomes a double-edged sword. The same Hindus who graduated from English universities will realize that they are serving the ruler and betraying the people to which they belong.
These university students founded the Indian National Congress in 1885 with the support of British liberals and went to question the British occupation.
Leaders such as Gandhi, a lawyer, who is going to tour the country preaching a non-violent revolution against the British.
There were those who first wanted minimal self-determination and be part of the British Empire.
Others, with Nehru and Gandhi's National Congress Party, realize that colonialism must end and India become an independent country.
Non-Violence Policy
After World War I, issues of colonial domination become clearer. That's why Gandhi leads three major anti-British campaigns:
- 1919 – General Strike of various sectors such as transport and cleaning;
- 1920 and 1922 – Peaceful resistance: not collaborating with the British as not voting;
- 1930 and 1934 – civil disobedience: it consists in breaking the law. The most famous of these is perhaps the March of Salt where Gandhi, accompanied by his followers, collects salt from a salt pan and sells it, something that was forbidden to Indians, and is imprisoned.
For his participation in these acts, Gandhi will spend several periods in prison along with other Indian political leaders. Among them was Nehru, who would become prime minister of independent India, as well as founding a dynasty of politicians.
Later, in the midst of World War II, the split between the Indian people and the British reached its limit. The British government knew that India's independence would be a matter of time and decided to establish a negotiated exit.
The decolonization of India must be understood in the post-war context when colonialism was considered unacceptable.
For this, an English nobleman, Lord Louis Mountbatten is chosen as Viceroy of India to lead the emancipation process.
Two great currents were formed: the first, defended by Gandhi, advocated a unitary India.
The second, demanded by Muslims, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, called for an independent state, which would be called Pakistan. Principalities that were independent would have to choose which country they would like to belong to.
Supported by the British, the second proposal won. This caused chaos in the country as thousands of Muslims left their lands to head for the future country.
On the other hand, the Hindus did the same. It was not uncommon for the two columns of immigrants to find themselves walking in the opposite direction and the provocations ended in fights.
Officially, the British set the date of India's independence to 15 August. However, this day was considered by the Indians as unsuitable for such an important event. In this way, independence was proclaimed on the night of 14 to 15 August.
Gandhi would end up assassinated by a radical Hindu in 1948 who did not agree with his defense of an India united with Muslims. In turn, Nehru was elected prime minister and was the longest-serving politician from 1947-1964.
Conclusion
Map of Independent India: the disputed territory of Kashmir in orange
THE India today it is one of the most populated countries on the planet. The population is diverse and divided into thousands of ethnicities, religions and languages.
The country still lives with the problems left by the British, such as the question of the border between India and Pakistan that dispute the region of Kashmir. In the 1960s, China also joined the conflict.
In the 1970s, East Pakistan would be called Bangladesh.
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