Key Points

After the 1857 Uprising, the British Crown took direct control of India from the East India Company. A Viceroy was appointed as the Queen's representative to govern India.

The Indian National Congress was founded by figures like A.O. Hume and Dadabhai Naoroji. Initially, it was a moderate group seeking more Indian participation in government.

Viceroy Curzon divided the Bengal presidency into Hindu-majority and Muslim-majority regions. This 'divide and rule' policy led to widespread protests across India.

As a response to the Bengal partition, Indians boycotted foreign goods and promoted Indian-made products (Swadeshi). This aimed to hurt the British economy and promote self-reliance.

The Congress split into Moderates, who wanted gradual reform, and Nationalists (or Extremists) like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who demanded Swaraj or self-rule more forcefully.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi returned to India and introduced his method of non-violent resistance called Satyagraha. He led successful local movements in Champaran and Kheda.

British troops under General Dyer fired on a peaceful, unarmed crowd in Amritsar, killing hundreds. This event turned many Indians against British rule completely.

Gandhi launched a nationwide movement calling for Indians to boycott British schools, courts, and goods. The movement was called off after the Chauri Chaura incident where protesters turned violent.

Many revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Surya Sen believed in using force to overthrow British rule. They carried out acts of defiance to inspire a larger uprising.

Indians protested against the Simon Commission with the slogan 'Simon Go Back!' because it was sent to decide India's political future but had no Indian members.

At its Lahore session, the Indian National Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, passed the 'Purna Swaraj' resolution, demanding complete independence from British rule.

Gandhi started the Civil Disobedience Movement with the Dandi March. He and his followers walked to the sea to make salt, breaking the British salt law.

Subhas Chandra Bose believed in armed struggle and escaped India during World War II. He formed the Indian National Army (INA) to fight the British with foreign help.

Gandhi launched the 'Quit India' movement with the slogan 'Do or Die', demanding an immediate end to British rule. It was a massive popular rebellion that was brutally suppressed.

On August 15, 1947, India gained independence, but the country was partitioned into India and Pakistan. This led to immense violence and the largest mass migration in history.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the 'Iron Man of India', played a key role in integrating over 560 princely states into the newly independent India, unifying the nation.