The Indian Freedom Movement began with the Revolt of 1857, often called the First War of Independence, and continued until India achieved independence on 15th August 1947. Over these 90 years, several major movements shaped the struggle, including the Swadeshi Movement, Home Rule Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India Movement. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Annie Besant, and Rani Lakshmibai played crucial roles. Together, these efforts combined revolutionary action, mass protests, and non-violent resistance, ultimately forcing the British to leave India.
| Movement/Event | Year | Leaders/Organizers | Key Features |
| Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 1857 | Mangal Pandey, Rani Lakshmibai, Bahadur Shah Zafar | First armed uprising against British rule |
| Partition of Bengal | 1905 | Lord Curzon (policy), opposed by Tilak, Surendranath Banerjee | Sparked Swadeshi and boycott campaigns |
| Swadeshi Movement | 1905 | Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai | Boycott of British goods, promotion of Indian products |
| Indian National Congress Formation | 1885 | A.O. Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji, W.C. Bonnerjee | Beginning of organized political activity |
| All India Muslim League | 1906 | Aga Khan, Nawab of Dhaka | Represented Muslim political interests |
| Minto-Morley Reforms (Indian Councils Act) | 1909 | Lord Minto, John Morley | Introduced separate electorates |
| Home Rule Movement | 1916 | Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Annie Besant | Demand for self-rule within British Empire |
| Lucknow Pact | 1916 | Indian National Congress and Muslim League | Hindu-Muslim unity on constitutional reforms |
| Champaran Satyagraha | 1917 | Mahatma Gandhi | Protest against forced indigo cultivation |
| Ahmedabad Mill Strike | 1918 | Mahatma Gandhi, textile workers | Peaceful strike for better wages |
| Kheda Satyagraha | 1918 | Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel | Peasants protested tax during famine |
| Rowlatt Act | 1919 | British Government | Gave powers of detention without trial |
| Jallianwala Bagh Massacre | 1919 | Reginald Dyer (action), opposed nationwide | Hundreds killed during peaceful protest |
| Khilafat Movement | 1919 | Ali Brothers, Gandhi | Support for Caliphate and Hindu-Muslim unity |
| Non-Cooperation Movement | 1920 | Mahatma Gandhi | Boycott of British goods, schools, and offices |
| Ghadar Mutiny | 1915 | Ghadar Party, Rashbehari Bose | Armed revolt by Indians abroad and soldiers |
| Gandhi–Irwin Pact | 1931 | Mahatma Gandhi, Lord Irwin | Agreement ending Civil Disobedience Phase I |
| Civil Disobedience Movement | 1930 | Gandhi, C. Rajagopalachari | Salt March, refusal to obey unjust laws |
| Individual Satyagraha | 1940 | Acharya Vinoba Bhave, later Jawaharlal Nehru | Protest against India’s forced role in WWII |
| Quit India Movement | 1942 | Gandhi, Nehru, Congress leaders | Mass protests demanding immediate independence |
| Satyagraha (concept) | 1915 onward | Gandhi | Nonviolent resistance, cornerstone of freedom movement |
The uprising of 1857 began with sepoys in Meerut and quickly spread to Delhi, Kanpur, and Lucknow. Leaders such as Mangal Pandey, Rani Lakshmibai, and Bahadur Shah Zafar guided local revolts. It was crushed, but it marked the beginning of organised resistance in the Indian Freedom Movement.
Lord Curzon’s decision to divide Bengal triggered protests across India. Leaders like Surendranath Banerjee and Tilak opposed it strongly. The decision fuelled the Swadeshi Movement, making boycotts a central weapon in the Indian freedom movement.
The Swadeshi Movement urged Indians to boycott British imports and use Indian products. Public meetings and protests strengthened economic independence. Leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal inspired people to support the cause. It gave momentum to the Indian freedom movement.
The Indian National Congress was established in 1885. A.O. Hume and leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and W.C. Bonnerjee led the way. The Congress became the main political platform for India’s independence struggle.
The Muslim League was founded in Dhaka in 1906 to represent Muslim political concerns. Although the Muslim League initially sought reforms, it later played a major role in the partition of India. Its rise influenced the course of the Indian freedom movement.
The Indian Councils Act of 1909 introduced separate electorates for Muslims. While it allowed limited representation, it deepened divisions. The reforms highlighted the slow pace of change, fuelled by the Indian freedom movement.
Led by Tilak and Annie Besant, the Home Rule Movement demanded self-rule. It spread across Maharashtra, Madras, and beyond. The campaign energised public opinion and strengthened the Indian freedom movement.
The Lucknow Pact was an agreement between the Congress and the Muslim League. It brought Hindus and Muslims together to demand reforms from the British. This unity boosted the Indian freedom movement.
Gandhi’s first satyagraha in India protested forced indigo farming in Bihar. Farmers faced harsh conditions under European planters. The success of the campaign made satyagraha a powerful tool in the Indian freedom movement.
Gandhi supported textile workers demanding fair wages. The peaceful strike highlighted the rights of industrial labourers. This event showed the growing role of workers in the Indian freedom movement.
In Gujarat, peasants were unable to pay taxes due to famine. Gandhi and Sardar Patel led resistance against tax collection. The government eventually suspended taxes. The satyagraha boosted confidence in the Indian freedom movement.
The Rowlatt Act allowed detention without trial. Indians saw it as unjust and protested across the country. The act deepened distrust of British rule and fuelled anger within the Indian freedom movement.
On April 13, 1919, troops under General Dyer fired on peaceful protestors in Amritsar. Hundreds were killed. The tragedy shocked the nation and turned moderate leaders toward stronger action in the Indian freedom movement.
The Khilafat Movement, led by the Ali brothers and supported by Gandhi, defended the Ottoman Caliphate. It created Hindu-Muslim unity. The movement merged with Non-Cooperation, strengthening the Indian freedom movement.
Gandhi launched this movement after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Indians boycotted schools, goods, and government institutions. It drew farmers, workers, and students into the struggle, making the Indian freedom movement nationwide.
The Ghadar Party, formed by Indians abroad, plotted armed revolts during World War I. Leaders like Rashbehari Bose supported uprisings among Indian soldiers. Despite the suppression of the Ghadar Party's efforts, they served as inspiration for future revolutionaries in the Indian freedom movement.
The pact between Gandhi and Lord Irwin ended the first phase of the Civil Disobedience Movement. It allowed Gandhi to attend the Round Table Conference in London. The agreement showed the growing influence of the Indian freedom movement.
Gandhi’s Salt March began this movement in 1930. Indians defied British laws, refused taxes, and boycotted goods. Leaders like Rajagopalachari extended the movement nationwide. It was one of the strongest phases of the Indian freedom movement.
When World War II began, Gandhi opposed India’s forced involvement. Leaders like Vinoba Bhave and later Nehru offered individual protests. The satyagraha highlighted India’s demand for self-determination.
In August 1942, Gandhi called on the British to “Quit India”. Mass protests and strikes broke out across the nation. Despite the arrest of leaders, the movement generated irreversible momentum for India's struggle for independence.
Introduced by Gandhi, satyagraha was a philosophy of nonviolent resistance. It became the foundation of most campaigns, including Champaran, Kheda, and Quit India. The concept guided the Indian freedom movement until independence.
The Indian freedom movement was a chain of revolts, protests, and negotiations. From the rebellion of 1857 to the Quit India Movement, each struggle shaped the nation’s destiny. With sacrifice, unity, and persistence, Indians achieved independence in August 1947.
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 is considered the first major freedom movement. It marked the beginning of organised resistance to British rule.
The British saw the Partition of Bengal as a divide-and-rule strategy. It sparked the Swadeshi Movement, encouraging Indians to boycott British goods.
The Swadeshi Movement aimed to promote indigenous industries, boycott foreign goods, and strengthen Indian self-reliance.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant led the Home Rule Movement, advocating for self-governance within the British Empire.
Signed in 1916 between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, the Lucknow Pact strengthened Hindu-Muslim unity in the independence struggle.
The Champaran Satyagraha in 1917 was Gandhi’s first major movement in India. It supported farmers against oppressive indigo planters and marked the rise of nonviolent protest.
The Non-Cooperation Movement began after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Rowlatt Act. It called for boycotting British institutions, schools, and goods.
Launched in 1930 with the Salt March, the Civil Disobedience Movement involved breaking colonial laws peacefully, directly challenging British authority.
The Quit India Movement of 1942, led by Gandhi, demanded immediate British withdrawal from India. It was one of the final mass protests before independence.
The All India Muslim League initially collaborated with Congress but later played a decisive role in advocating for Pakistan during the independence negotiations.
Signed in 1931, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact ended the first phase of the Civil Disobedience Movement. It secured the release of political prisoners and allowed peaceful protests.
The 1919 massacre exposed the brutality of British rule and fuelled nationwide outrage, leading to stronger demands for independence.
The Indian Councils Act of 1909, or Minto-Morley Reforms, introduced limited representation for Indians but fell short of nationalist expectations.
Satyagraha, meaning “truth-force”, was Gandhi's method of nonviolent resistance. It became the cornerstone of mass movements like Champaran, Kheda, and Quit India.
India achieved independence from British rule on Aug. 15, 1947, following decades of resistance, protests, and negotiations.
JAIN PU College, a part of the renowned JGI Group, is committed to empowering students with quality education.
Beyond academics, the college ensures its online content reflects the same standard of excellence. Every blog and article is meticulously vetted and proofread by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy, relevance, and clarity. From insightful educational topics to engaging discussions, JAIN PU College's content is crafted to inform, inspire, and add value to its readers, reflecting the institution's commitment to intellectual growth and innovation.
View all Blogs
_(1).webp)
