Who saved India from British?

India was under British colonial rule for nearly 200 years, from 1757 to 1947. During this period, the Indian independence movement grew and gathered momentum through the efforts of many freedom fighters who challenged British rule. While there were numerous contributors to India’s freedom struggle, three figures stand out as having played pivotal roles in securing India’s independence from the British – Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose.

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Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, more commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, is widely regarded as the father of the Indian independence movement. Gandhi pioneered the philosophy of non-violent civil disobedience, which he called Satyagraha. His non-violent protests against British rule, including the famous Salt March in 1930, galvanized the Indian masses and garnered worldwide support for the Indian independence movement.

Some of Gandhi’s major contributions include:

Leading nationwide campaigns against the British including the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34) and Quit India Movement (1942)
Strengthening the Indian National Congress party and transforming it into a mass movement

Uniting Indians across caste, class and religious lines in the struggle for independence
Forcing the British to make concessions through non-violent protest
Bringing international attention to the Indian cause through his writings, speeches and advocacy abroad

Although Gandhi was often imprisoned by the British, his non-violent approach inspired millions and ensured that the independence movement retained the moral high ground against the British regime. Even his detractors and critics acknowledged the transformative impact of his methods. Gandhi’s unwavering commitment to non-violence and his ability to mobilize the masses made him the undisputed moral and strategic leader of the independence movement.

Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru was a leading figure in the Indian National Congress during the independence movement. As a protégé of Gandhi, Nehru advocated for non-violence and promoted Gandhian ideals. However, he differed from Gandhi in his emphasis on rapid industrialization and socialist policies. Nehru made several key contributions to India’s freedom struggle:

Served long prison sentences for protesting against British rule, raising his stature as a nationalist leader

Called for “Purna Swaraj” or complete independence from the British in 1929
Elected Congress President in 1929, 1936 and 1937, building party organization
Played a crucial role in drafting resolutions calling for “Quit India” in 1942

As Prime Minister-in-waiting, negotiated Indian independence with British authorities
Headed interim government from 1946-47, paving the way for smooth transfer of power

As a Fabian socialist, Nehru envisioned an independent India with a planned economy and a welfare state. His vision complemented Gandhi’s mobilization of the masses. Nehru’s pan-Indian appeal and pragmatic approach to independence made him Gandhi’s natural successor. His decades of leadership in the Congress party ensured continuity between the freedom struggle and independent India’s first government.

Subhas Chandra Bose

In contrast to Gandhi and Nehru’s non-violent techniques, Subhas Chandra Bose advocated militant resistance against the British. Bose initially joined the Indian National Congress and was twice elected president, but resigned due to ideological differences with party leaders. His key contributions include:

Leading Indian National Army (INA) against the British during World War 2
Securing alliance with Axis powers during World War 2 to fight British

Setting up Azad Hind provisional government and liberating Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Galvanizing Indians, especially youth, to join military struggle against British
Popularizing motto “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”

Although Bose’s Indian National Army and Azad Hind government were ultimately unsuccessful, they demonstrated the possibility of resistance through force. Bose helped energize the younger generation of Indians and expanded the freedom struggle beyond the civil disobedience movements. His activities during World War 2 weakened British hold over India considerably. The heroism and sacrifice demonstrated by Bose’s forces compelled the British to acknowledge the determined resistance to their rule.

Other Notable Freedom Fighters

In addition to Gandhi, Nehru and Bose, numerous other leaders contributed to the Indian freedom movement through a diversity of approaches. Some of the most notable include:

Bal Gangadhar Tilak – Early leader who advocated swaraj or self-rule. Mobilized masses and led Home Rule Movement.

Bhagat Singh – Revolutionary known for dramatic acts like Central Assembly bombing. Inspired youth towards militant resistance.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – Leading Congress organizer who consolidated princely states into Indian Union after independence.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad – Independence activist and scholar who served as Congress president in 1923 and 1940.

Chandra Shekhar Azad – Revolutionary associate of Bhagat Singh, committed to violent overthrow of British rule.
B.R Ambedkar – Architect of Indian constitution and leader of Dalits. Campaigned against social discrimination.
Sarojini Naidu – Poet and political activist who led civil disobedience movements and campaigns for women’s emancipation.

These leaders represented diverse strands of thought within the broad freedom struggle. Their cumulative effect was to weaken the moral, political and administrative authority of the British Raj in India.

Role of Masses

While prominent individuals shaped the independence movement’s philosophy and strategy, the participation of the masses was essential in mobilizing pressure on the British to quit India. Peasants, workers, students, professionals and people from all walks of life were energized by the nationalistic rhetoric and economic hardship under British rule to join protests, boycotts, strikes and other forms of resistance both non-violent and militant.

Some key instances of mass mobilization include:

Non-Cooperation Movement – common people boycotted foreign goods, quit government jobs, returned honors, and broke colonial laws.
Salt Satyagraha – thousands illegally manufactured salt in defiance of British salt monopoly.
Quit India Movement – widespread protests, strikes and sabotage activities were held across India.

INA trials – protests erupted around trials of Azad Hind fighters, eventually forcing their release.

Without the active participation of the Indian masses, the multiple agitations and uprisings of the freedom movement would not have been possible. Their non-violent non-cooperation and at times violent resistance challenged British authority and hastened their exit from India.

World War 2 and Indian Army

World War 2 was a major turning point which weakened British hold over India and paved the way for its independence. Over 2.5 million Indian soldiers fought on behalf of the Allies during the war.

Some key effects of WWII include:

Drained British resources and weakened their military strength, making it difficult to control civil unrest in India.
Indian nationalist leaders negotiated British promise of independence after war’s end in exchange for cooperation.

Bose’s INA exposed vulnerabilities of British India army and demonstrated nationalist revolt.
US and other Allies pressured British to grant India self-government after the war.
Royal Indian Navy mutiny after the war signaled the end of British rule in India.

Although British policies drained India economically during the war, its contribution of soldiers and resources for the Allied cause brought political concessions from Britain and Allies, ultimately expediting independence.

Role of Partition

As Indian independence approached, the challenge arose of accommodating Muslim demands for a separate homeland. This led to the Partition of British India into the independent dominions of India and Pakistan in 1947.

Partition had several key impacts on the independence movement:

It divided nationalist leaders on religious lines, with many Muslim leaders opting for Pakistan
It precipitated widespread communal violence and dislocation of people
It forced hurried British withdrawal, ending any possibility of gradual transition

It strengthened justification for immediate transfer of power to Indian leaders
It yielded an initially weak Pakistan more vulnerable to Indian interests

Although divisive, Partition catalyzed the end of British rule, which could no longer be sustained amidst such large-scale violence and displacement of populations.

Conclusion

India’s complex freedom struggle combined the philosophies and actions of noteworthy individuals from diverse walks of life, gaining momentum through sporadic acts of mass civil disobedience as well as isolated militant activities. While leaders like Gandhi, Nehru and Bose formulated strategies that mobilized popular support and challenged British dominance, the participation of the masses was equally vital in applying pressure on the Raj. External events like World War 2 significantly impacted British capability and willingness to thwart Indian nationalism. Finally, the violence and turmoil surrounding Partition exhausted British control over India, necessitating a hasty exit and facilitating the transition to independence in 1947.

Therefore, while individual figures spearheaded different approaches to end British rule, India’s independence was the culmination of persistent nationwide agitation driven by millions of common people that spanned nearly a century, aided by international circumstances that strategically weakened the British hold. It was a feat not accomplished by any sole leader or movement, but by Indians across the spectrum united by the goal of gaining swaraj.