Swadeshi Movement

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 1^st 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 1^st 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