The Swadeshi Movement during India’s struggle for independence saw the emergence of radical factions advocating for self-reliance and indigenous production. Rejecting British goods, activists promote indigenous industries to bolster the economy and foster national pride. This movement was a pivotal moment in India’s fight against colonialism.

Rise of Extremists

Emergence of Radical Leadership: By the 1890s, in Bengal, Maharashtra and Punjab, leaders such as Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal (Lal Bal Pal) were beginning to explore more radical objectives and methods. 

• Critique of Moderate Politics: They criticised the Moderates for their “politics of prayers”, and emphasised the importance of self-reliance and constructive work. 

• Emphasis on Self-Reliance : They argued that people must rely on their own strength, not on the “good” intentions of the government; people must fight for swaraj.  
• Demand of Swaraj: Thus, Tilak raised the slogan, “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it!”  

Partition of Bengal, 1905

Curzon’s Partition of Bengal: Viceroy Curzon partitioned Bengal (included Bihar and parts of Orissa) and argued for dividing Bengal for reasons of administrative convenience. 

• British Interests: It was clear that the partition was closely tied to the interests of British officials and businessmen. 

• Government’s Approach to Bengal Partition: Even so, instead of removing the non-Bengali areas from the province, the government separated East Bengal and merged it with Assam. 
• British Interests and Motives: Perhaps the main motives were to curtail the influence of Bengali politicians and to split the Bengali people. 
• Nationwide Opposition: The partition of Bengal infuriated people all over India even all the sections of Congress – the Moderates and the Radicals, opposed it. 
• Emergence of the Swadeshi Movement: Large public meetings and demonstrations were organised and novel methods of mass protest developed came to be known as the Swadeshi movement. 
• Vandemataram Movement: The movement was strongest in Bengal but with echoes elsewhere too – in deltaic Andhra for instance, it was known as the Vandemataram Movement.  
• Self Reliant India:  The movement sought to oppose British rule and encourage the ideas of self-help, swadeshi enterprise, national education, and use of Indian languages. 
• Boycott: To fight for swaraj, the radicals advocated mass mobilisation and boycott of British institutions and goods. 
• Radical Tools: Some individuals also suggested “revolutionary violence” – necessary to overthrow British rule.

All India Muslim League

Formation of All India Muslim League: The All India Muslim League formed at Dacca in 1906 by a group of Muslim landlords and nawabs supported the partition of Bengal. 

• Separate Electorates: It desired separate electorates for Muslims, which was introduced in 1909 for the first time. 
• Reservation of Seats for Muslims: Some seats in the councils were now reserved for Muslims who would be elected by Muslim voters. 
• Impact on Political Dynamics: This tempted politicians to gather a following by distributing favours to their own religious groups. 

Congress Split and Reunion

Surat Split: Meanwhile, the Congress split in 1907. The Moderates were opposed to the use of boycott and extremists wanted to reiterate swadeshi and boycott . 

• Separate Leadership: After the split the Moderates with Tilak’s followers functioning from outside dominated the Congress. 
• Reunion: The two groups reunited in December 1915. 
• Lucknow Pact: In 1916, the Congress and the Muslim League signed the Lucknow Pact and decided to work together for representative government in the country.

The Growth of Mass Nationalism

Impact of World War : The First World War altered the economic and political situation in India. It led to a huge rise in the defence expenditure and the government in turn increased taxes on individual incomes and business profits. 

• Rise in Defence Expenditure and Taxes: Increased military expenditure and the demands for war supplies led to a sharp rise in prices which created great difficulties for the common people. 
• Price Rise and Business Profits: On the other hand, business groups reaped fabulous profits from the war as it created a demand for industrial goods (jute bags, cloth, rails) and caused a decline of imports from other countries into India. 
• Expansion of Indian Industries: So Indian industries expanded during the war, and Indian business groups began to demand greater opportunities for development. 
• Recruitment Pressures: The war also led the British to expand their army and villages were pressured to supply soldiers for an alien cause. 
• Sentiment of Exploitation: A large number of soldiers were sent to serve abroad. 
• Exploitative Nature: Many returned after the war with an understanding that imperialist powers were exploiting the peoples of Asia and Africa. 
• Influence of Russian Revolution: Furthermore, the Russian Revolution (1917), spread the news about peasants’ and workers’ struggles and ideas of socialism widely, inspiring Indian nationalists.
• Transformation into a Mass Movement: Thus, after 1919 the struggle against British rule gradually became a mass movement, involving peasants, tribals, students, women and occasionally factory workers as well. 
• Business Support for Congress: Certain business groups too began to actively support the Congress in the 1920s. 

Conclusion

The Swadeshi Movement, led by radical nationalists, used boycotts and self-reliance to fight for swaraj. While the movement created national unity, the Muslim League‘s support for partition foreshadowed future challenges. The First World War deepened economic hardship and nationalist sentiment, transforming India’s struggle into a mass movement.

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