How World War I Changed India’s Freedom Struggle

Context

On 4 August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany and India joined the War, though the discrepancy between the expectations of freedom during the War and the repressive post-War policies led to the Indian fight for independence becoming a mass national movement.

Key Highlights

• Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914, and consequently, colonial India became Party to the conflict of the First World War.
• India had contributed over 1.3 million soldiers and labourers to the war effort of the Allies of WWII in Europe, Africa and West Asia.
• The Indians demanded “meaningful” constitutional changes and a march towards self-governance.
• But the few reforms, repressive laws and the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919) in Britain came as a shock and furthered India’s fight for independence.

India’s Contribution During World War I

• Military Contribution

  • More than 1,300,000 Indians were in the Armed Forces as soldiers, labourers and other staff.
  • Indian soldiers served in the following theatres:
    • Europe
    • Mesopotamia (Iraq)
    • East Africa
    • Gallipoli
    • Palestine
  • Punjab became the biggest recruiting ground for the British Indian Army.

• Economic Contribution

  • India provided food grains, raw material, horses, medical facilities and financial aid.
  • War loans and high taxation were a strain on the Indian economy.

Promise of Self-Government

• Indian National Congress (Lucknow session 1916) called for self-government at an early date.
• It was during the war that Britain began to rely more and more on Indian military assistance.
• The policy of the ‘Gradual development of self-governing institutions’ in India was announced by the Secretary of State Edwin Montagu in 1917.
• This proclamation gave rise to a lot of optimistic expectations for political autonomy to come.

Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (Government of India Act, 1919)

• The reforms introduced:
  • Bicameral system in the Centre.
  • Dyarchy in provinces.
  • Small increase in the involvement of Indians in political governance.
• Limitations
  • The Viceroy had powers which were superior.
  • Franchise continued to be very limited.
  • British control was maintained in key departments, like defence, finance and law.
  • The Indians came to understand that self-governance was not in the foreseeable future.

Post-War Repression and Growing Discontent

• Where there was an increase in freedom in colonialism, there was also an increase in its repression in India.
• Rowlatt Act (1919)
  • Gave bail instead of imprisonment.
  • Curtailed civil liberties.
  • Practiced strict press censorship.
  • It was generally derided as the “Black Act.
• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
  • British General Dyer opened fire on a peaceful gathering of Amritsar on 13th April 1919.
  • A hundred or more innocent civilians were killed.
  • The massacre created a sense of distrust in the British justice system and in gradualism.

Impact on India’s Freedom Struggle

• Fuelled the growth of nationalistic feelings all over the country.
• The first nationwide Satyagraha was started by Mahatma Gandhi against the Rowlatt Act.
• Transferred the activity from petitioning to mass action.
• Promoted cohesion between communities and areas.
• Exposed the differences between British values and colonial practices.

Importance of Modern India

• Illustrated the political consciousness that grew out of the sacrifices of war.
• Set the course for mass-based nationalism led by Gandhi.
• Emphasized the significance of constitutional rights, civil freedoms and responsible governance.
• Ongoing influence on debates on colonial justice and memory.

Way Forward

• Increase awareness of India’s contribution in WW-1.
• Maintain historical sites and archives of Indian soldiers.
• Support equitable historical research of colonial administration.
• Incorporate unfamiliar parts of India’s wartime services into the school curricula.
• Acknowledge the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers and the lessons learned from colonial rule.

Source: The Indian Express

Mains PYQ

Q. Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase. ( 2016)

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