One of the first
mass movements in the history of India’s struggle for independence, the
Swadeshi movement was one which sprouted due to anti-colonial politics to
divide the nation, it’s growth gave chills to the British government and it’s eventful
fall had dire consequences. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm and spirit bought into
the political atmosphere and mass inclusion is the biggest achievement of the
movement.
The roots of the
Swadeshi movement sprang from the anti-partition movement opposing the divide
of Bengal in the 1st decade of the twentieth century. Bengal, the
capital of British India from where all its business was controlled, with its
huge demography was becoming administratively unwieldy and the British cited
this as the reason for partition. But the real motive was political and the
nationalist leaders sensed it in no time. Bengal was the epicenter of Indian
nationalism and all anti-colonial activities. British believed Bengal divided
will slow the nationalist movement.
In 1903, news of
partition was public and there were large scale public meetings, speeches,
gatherings, press criticisms and petitions opposing partition. These were new
techniques never tried before in the subcontinent.
In 1905, Bengal
was divided. The nationalist leaders in Bengal, prominent among them
Surendranath Banerjee, called for boycott of foreign goods, foreign offices,
schools, colleges etc.. Every possible means of passive resistance and civil disobedience
was being called for. And instead the usage of Swadeshi commodities and
institutions was promoted. The news, ideology and practice were spread to other
parts of the country by congress leaders. Tilak in Bombay presidency, Ajit
Singh and Lala Lajpat Rai in present day Punjab & Chidambaram in Madras
presidency put their efforts to spread the Swadeshi zeal.
During the 1905
congress session at Benaras which was presided by Gopal Krishna Gokhle, the
congress leaders supported the Swadeshi and boycott movement. But the extremist
leaders in the congress ranks were demanding the extension of the movement to
pan India. Their goal was poorna swaraj (complete self-rule). The partition of Bengal was now a subset of the
whole gamut.
After the split
of Bengal, things changed in Bengal. Extremist influence became dominant over
the moderates’. The appeal of boycott and Swadeshi movement was hugely supported
by the local population.
·
New
forms of mass mobilization emerged.
·
Demanding
political reforms through legislative debates was on retreat.
· Political
freedom ws to be achieved through every form of passive resistance and boycott.
· Samitis
(volunteer groups) were formed to spread political awareness and social
reforms.
·
Traditional
and cultural festivals became devices of mass movement.
·
Self-help
and self-reliance were on rise
o
Social
reforms against caste repression, early marriage, dowry system etc.
oEducational
institutions like Shantiniketan, Bengal national college were popular.
o
Swadeshi
initiatives in the field of industries, banks, companies saw an upsurge.
· oCultural
revolution: patriotic songs composed, political awakening through street
plays,
jatras etc.
For the 1st
time, almost all sections of the society stood up for a cause together and
women too participated. The involvement of peasants gave mass to the movement.
However large,
the movement couldn’t draw muslim support. The british policies of communal
electorate and misinterpretation of cultural festivals created tiffs between leaders
and people. AIML was at this time under the guidance of Government of India.
The 1906 session
of congress held at Calcutta declared ‘self-government’ as its goal. Meanwhile
differences grew between the moderates and extremists in the congress regarding
the pace and techniques of the movement. As a result congress split up in 1907.
After the split, the Govt. came with heavy
hand against the extremists. Their leaders were either deported or sent to
jail. Press freedom was suppressed by laws. Students were expelled from colleges.
As a result, the movement was rendered leaderless and leaderless against a
mighty colonial empire. The movement lacked structure and organization.
In years to
come, Gandhiji added the required structure and led from the front. The Swadeshi
movement touched masses hitherto unknown to large section of the society. The
legacy of mass mobilization, boycott and passive resistance was later garnered
and nourished and ultimately yielded dividends in the national movement.
Photo credit: http://collections-of-dokkasrinivasu.blogspot.in/2012/09/buy-swadeshi-label.html
