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The 1857 Sepoy Revolt
Disgruntled over overseas assignments and basic mistreatment by the East India Company, Indian Hindu-Muslim soldiers ("Sepoys) revolt upon rumors that rifle cartridges are dipped in pork lard. British citizens are killed and Britain retaliates with killing and torturing rebels. Great Britain removes East Indian Company from India - this event sparks the spirit of Indian nationalism. https://www.britannica.com/event/Indian-Mutiny -
Queen Victoria becomes the Empress of India.
The marks the formal admission of India into the British empire. Gradually, Indians are allowed to enter the Indian Civil Service and have a say in the administration of India. After the removal of the East India Company, Britain allows limited participation of Indians on "legislative councils" throughout India.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Victoria-queen-of-United-Kingdom -
The Establishment of the Indian National Congress
In 1885, the Indian National Congress is created to channel the various forces of Indian nationalism. It consists mainly of high-caste Hindu, professional, Indians, not representing most of India. A.D. Hume, an ex-Indian Civil Service Englishman, founded the Congress. It first met in Bombay. Initially, it was a reformist group supporting the British Raj, but arguing for a greater role for Indians in their own governance. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Indian-National-Congress -
Monandas Karamchand Gandhi
Gandhi returns to India from South Africa where he inspires a nationalism movement based on non-violence and the Hindu principle of ahimsa. He uses Hindu symbols to bring in less educated Indians, such as the spinning wheel, which represents self-sufficiency. https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/mohandas-gandhi--4 -
Lucknow Pact
The pact, made in Lucknow India, reunited the moderate and radical wings of the Indian National Congress. The main negotiators were the heads of the Congress and the Muslim League. It paved the way for Hindu-Muslim cooperation, which did not last. https://www.britannica.com/event/Lucknow-Pact -
Amritsar Massacre
At Amritsar in Punjab, Indian Sikhs protested against new sedition laws (Rowlatt Acts) and their leaders were arrested and deported. They protested and burned British banks and attacked British citizens. General Dyer was called in to restore order and banned all public meetings. He ordered firing on 10,000 people gathered for religious festival. 400 people were killed and 1200 wounded. Now Gandhi wanted independence for India. https://www.britannica.com/event/Jallianwala-Bagh-Massacre -
All-Parties Conference
The Indian National Congress called a conference to draft a new constitution for India and proposed a "Commonwealth of India" - crafting a new government resembling the English Parliament and the U.S. Congress. However, Muslims, led by Jinnah, wanted a guaranteed number of seats which was rejected.The Hindu-Muslim unity from the Lucknow Pact dissolved forever. -
First Indian "Independence Day" declared
As the 1920s came to an end, the Indian National Congress declare January 26, 1930 as Independence Day. -
The Salt Tax Protest
Gandhi led a 240-mile walk to the sea (Dandi) to protest the British tax and monopoly on salt. Gandhi issued a public statement urging all Indians to manufacture their own salt. Gandhi was arrested and imprisoned.
https://youtu.be/WW3uk95VGes
https://www.history.com/topics/india/salt-march -
Provincial Autonomy
Under the Government of India Act of 1935, an elected Indian assembly would have a say in everything in India except defense and foreign affairs. The eleven provincial assemblies were to have effective full control over local affairs. India held national elections, which were won handily by Indian National Congress candidates. Jinnah reactivated the Muslim League, which will become the force for the separate state of Pakistan in 1947. -
Lahore Resolution
The Lahore Resolution called for separate national status for Muslims. Although ambiguous as to whether there would be one Muslim state, most historians regard this moment as the birth of Pakistan, separate from an Hindu-dominated India. https://learn.culturalindia.net/lahore-resolution-1940.html -
Partition of India
Indian is partitioned into two separate nations: India, with a majority of Hindus; and Pakistan, with a majority of Muslims. Nehru and Jinnah are heads of each new nation, respectively. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/modern/partition1947_01.shtml -
The Assassination of Gandhi
On January 30, 1948 Gandhi is shot dead by a Poona Chitpavan, Naturam V. Godse, as he walked to a prayer meeting platform in the garden of Birla House. His killing by a radical Hindu for his accommodation of other religious was emblematic of the continuous conflict between Hindus and Muslims on the subcontinent. https://youtu.be/joT1j-CWzlc
