Reasons for the Revolutionary Activities

The emergence of revolutionary activities in India during the early 20th century can be attributed to several factors. Here are some key reasons:

• Militant Nationalism: Revolutionary activities were a by-product of the growth of militant nationalism in India. The sentiment of nationalism was fuelled by factors such as the Swadeshi and Boycott movement, which advocated self-sufficiency and resistance against foreign goods, and the Non-cooperation Movement, which aimed at boycotting British institutions.
• Frustration with Moderate Politics: The failure of moderate politics and the perceived futility of prayer and petition to the British government led some nationalists to adopt more radical and militant approaches. Extremists criticized the moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress for their perceived political mendicancy and advocated for a more assertive and direct approach.
• Influence of Extremist Ideas: The extremist leaders, such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal, played a crucial role in advocating militant methods. They emphasized the need for boycotts, passive resistance, and self-sacrifice as means to achieve nationalist goals.
• Lack of Effective Organization: While the extremist leaders propagated revolutionary ideas, they were unable to provide a practical and organized platform to channel the revolutionary energies of the youth. This lack of organization hindered the effective implementation of their ideas.
• Repression and Government Attacks: The brutal repression of the Swadeshi and Boycott movement by the British government further fueled the frustration among the youth. The government's crackdown on the extremists and the split within the Indian National Congress in 1907 provided an impetus for radical activities.
• Belief in Physical Expulsion of British Rule: The youth who were disillusioned with peaceful political protests and faced government repression believed that achieving independence required physically expelling the British from India. They saw revolutionary terrorism as a means to achieve their nationalist goals.

Overall, the emergence of revolutionary activities in India was a result of the convergence of various factors, including the failure of moderate politics, the influence of extremist ideas, government repression, and the desire for more assertive methods to achieve independence. These revolutionary activities played a significant role in shaping the course of the Indian independence movement.

Revolutionary Activities - Ideology

The ideology of the early revolutionaries in India during the independence movement was marked by certain characteristics and principles. 

While it is important to note that the revolutionaries were not a homogeneous group, the following aspects can be observed:

• Religious Bias: Many of the revolutionaries had a strong religious bias in their activities, writings, and speeches. They believed in the spiritual preparation of the people and saw their cause as something beyond mere political propaganda. However, it is important to highlight that their religious beliefs were not necessarily aligned with the majority religion in India.
• Romanticism and Emotionalism: The revolutionaries were influenced by romantic ideals and emotionalism. They were driven by a sense of passion, idealism, and sacrifice for the cause of independence. Their actions and rhetoric aimed to evoke strong emotions among the populace and inspire patriotism.
• Armed Struggle as Supreme Goal: The staunch revolutionaries considered the emancipation of India through armed struggle as the ultimate objective. They believed that revolutionary actions, including assassinations, dacoities (robberies), and military conspiracies, were necessary to instil fear in the rulers, mobilize the people, and remove the fear of authority.
• Appeal to Patriotism and Youth: The revolutionaries sought to inspire the populace, especially the idealistic youth, by appealing to patriotism. They aimed to create a sense of nationalistic pride and motivate the younger generation to play an active role in driving the British out of India.
• Lessons from History: The revolutionaries drew lessons from India's own history as well as the histories of other countries revolutions. They studied the tactics and strategies employed in previous liberation movements to shape their own revolutionary ideology and program.
• Opposition to Obstacles: The revolutionaries revolted against anything that obstructed the progress of the revolutionary movement. They aimed to break down time-honoured customs and challenge social and political barriers that hindered the path towards independence.

It is important to acknowledge that the early revolutionaries' ideology had its flaws, including a narrow religious focus and reliance on violence. However, their commitment to the cause of independence and their efforts to awaken national consciousness played a significant role in shaping the course of the independence movement in India.

Decline of Revolutionary Activities

• Indeed, there were several factors that contributed to the decline of revolutionary activities in India after 1918. Here are some of the key reasons:
• Government Repression and Draconian Laws: The British government responded to the revolutionary activities with increased repression. They enacted stringent laws and measures to curb dissent, such as the Rowlatt Act of 1919, which granted the government extensive powers of arrest and detention without trial. These repressive measures made it difficult for revolutionary organizations to operate and weakened their impact.
• Lack of Popular Response: Revolutionary activities often relied on garnering popular support and participation. However, the revolutionary movement faced challenges in mobilizing the masses and gaining widespread support. The limited response from the general population made it difficult for the revolutionary activities to sustain their momentum.
• Release of Political Prisoners: With the end of World War I, the British government released many political prisoners who had been detained under the Defense of India Act. The release of these individuals weakened the revolutionary movement as some leaders shifted their focus to political negotiations and constitutional reforms.
• Constitutional Reforms: The Government of India Act 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced limited political reforms and increased Indian representation in legislative bodies. This created an atmosphere of compromise and led to discussions on constitutional reforms, diverting attention away from revolutionary activities.
• Influence of Mahatma Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi emerged as a prominent leader on the national stage during this period. He advocated for non-violent means of resistance and emphasized peaceful civil disobedience. Gandhi's philosophy and approach gained significant popularity and shifted the focus of the Indian freedom struggle towards non-violent mass movements, such as the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Civil Disobedience Movement. This shift in strategy reduced the prominence of revolutionary activities, which were often associated with armed resistance.
• It is important to note that while the revolutionary activities experienced a temporary decline during this period, they resurfaced later in different forms and played a significant role in the struggle for independence.

Government response against the Revolutionary movement in India

The government's response to the Revolutionary Movement in India was swift and repressive. The following are some of the measures taken by the government:

• Mass arrests: Thousands of revolutionaries were arrested and imprisoned, often without trial.
• Tightening of security: The government tightened security measures throughout the country, including the establishment of a special police force to deal with the revolutionaries.
• Censorship: The government censored the press and other forms of communication in order to prevent the spread of revolutionary ideas.
• Use of force: In some cases, the government used force to suppress the revolutionary movement, including the Amritsar Massacre in 1919.
• The government's response to the revolutionary movement was met with mixed reactions. Some people supported the government's actions, believing that they were necessary to protect the British Raj. Others criticized the government's heavy-handed tactics, arguing that they were counterproductive and only served to alienate the Indian people.
• The revolutionary movement eventually declined in the 1920s, due to a number of factors, including the government's repressive measures, the rise of Gandhian non-violence, and the outbreak of World War II. However, the movement had a significant impact on the Indian freedom struggle, and its legacy continues to be debated today.

Here are some of the impacts of the revolutionary movement on the Indian national movement:

• It raised awareness of the need for armed struggle against British rule.
• It inspired other nationalist movements in India, such as the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• It helped to create a sense of national unity among Indians.
• It contributed to the eventual end of British rule in India.
• The revolutionary movement was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, and its impact on the Indian freedom struggle is still being debated today. However, there is no doubt that it played a significant role in the struggle for Indian independence.