Modern India — Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas and Revolutionary Activities
1. Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party (Swarajist Party)
Context: The differences over council entry between the two schools of thought within the Congress led to the formation of the Swarajist Party in 1923.
- The differences over the question of council entry between the two schools of thought resulted in the defeat of the Swarajists' proposal of 'ending or mending' the councils at the Gaya session of the Congress (December 1922).
- C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru resigned from the presidentship and secretaryship, respectively, of the Congress and announced the formation of Congress-Khilafat Swarajya Party or simply Swarajist Party, with C.R. Das as the president and Motilal Nehru as one of the secretaries.
Key Features of Swarajist Party:
- Formation: 1923, after Gaya session of Congress (December 1922)
- President: C.R. Das
- Secretary: Motilal Nehru
- Objective: 'Ending or mending' the councils through legislative entry
- Significance: Marked the beginning of legislative participation by nationalists
- Formation: 1923, after Gaya session of Congress (December 1922)
- President: C.R. Das
- Secretary: Motilal Nehru
- Objective: 'Ending or mending' the councils through legislative entry
- Significance: Marked the beginning of legislative participation by nationalists
2. Revolutionary Activities in Punjab, UP and Bihar
Context: The Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) emerged as a major revolutionary organization in North India, carrying out daring actions against British rule.
Hindustan Republican Association/Army (HRA/HSRA)
- Dominated by Hindustan Republican Association/Army (HRA) in Punjab, UP, and Bihar.
- HRA was formed in October 1924 in Kanpur by leaders like Ramprasad Bismil, Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, and Sachin Sanyal.
- Later renamed Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) with the inclusion of socialist ideas.
Kakori Robbery (August 1925)
- Action of HRA: Men held up the 8-Down train at Kakori, and looted its official railway cash, leading to arrests of many.
- Hanged: Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Roshan Singh, and Rajendra Lahiri.
Saunders' Murder (Lahore, December 1928)
- Occurred following the death of Lala Lajpat Rai due to lathi blows during an anti-Simon Commission protest in October 1928.
- HSRA revolutionaries, including Bhagat Singh, Shivram Rajguru, and Chandrashekhar Azad, sought retribution for Lajpat Rai's death.
- Bhagat Singh and Rajguru mistook John P. Saunders for Superintendent of Police James Scott.
- He shot an Indian constable while aiding Bhagat Singh and Rajguru's escape.
Bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly (April 1929)
- Protest against the Public Safety Bill and Trade Disputes Bill (restricting civil liberties).
- In HSRA leadership, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt carried out the bombing.
- Not to inflict damage but to gain attention, get arrested, and utilize the trial court as a platform for spreading their revolutionary ideology.
Knowledge Nugget
The HSRA represented a significant shift from purely revolutionary activities to a socialist ideology. Key members like Bhagat Singh were deeply influenced by Marxist thought and sought to combine revolutionary action with socialist ideas for a more comprehensive anti-colonial struggle.
The HSRA represented a significant shift from purely revolutionary activities to a socialist ideology. Key members like Bhagat Singh were deeply influenced by Marxist thought and sought to combine revolutionary action with socialist ideas for a more comprehensive anti-colonial struggle.
3. Revolutionary Activities in Bengal (1920s)
Context: Bengal witnessed intense revolutionary activities during the 1920s, with multiple groups operating across the region and carrying out significant actions against British rule.
Split in Bengal Congress
- After C.R. Das's death in 1925, the Bengal Congress split into two factions:
- One led by J.M. Sengupta (supported by Anushilan group)
- The other by Subhash Bose (backed by the Yugantar group)
Attempt on Charles Tegart's Life (1924)
- Gopinath Saha made an attempt on the life of the infamous Calcutta Police Commissioner, Charles Tegart, in 1924.
- This action led to severe government reprisals, resulting in the hanging of Gopinath Saha and the arrest of many, including Subhash Bose.
Chittagong Armoury Raid (April 1930)
- The most active and renowned among the new "Revolt Groups" was the Chittagong group led by Surya Sen.
- Executed by 65 activists under the Indian Republican Army—Chittagong Branch banner, the raid proved successful.
- Sen hoisted the national flag, proclaimed a provisional revolutionary government, and later dispersed into nearby villages, targeting government establishments.
Key Revolutionary Groups in Bengal:
- Anushilan Samiti: Supported J.M. Sengupta faction
- Yugantar Group: Backed Subhash Bose faction
- Chittagong Group: Led by Surya Sen; carried out Armoury Raid (1930)
- Individual Revolutionaries: Gopinath Saha (attempted to kill Tegart)
- Anushilan Samiti: Supported J.M. Sengupta faction
- Yugantar Group: Backed Subhash Bose faction
- Chittagong Group: Led by Surya Sen; carried out Armoury Raid (1930)
- Individual Revolutionaries: Gopinath Saha (attempted to kill Tegart)
4. Summary: Key Revolutionary Events & Organizations (1920s)
| Event/Organization | Year | Region | Key Figures/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swarajist Party Formation | 1923 | All-India | C.R. Das (President), Motilal Nehru (Secretary) |
| HRA Formation | 1924 | Kanpur | Bismil, Jogesh Chatterjee, Sachin Sanyal |
| Kakori Robbery | 1925 | UP | Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Roshan Singh, Lahiri hanged |
| Saunders' Murder | 1928 | Lahore | Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Azad |
| Assembly Bombing | 1929 | Delhi | Bhagat Singh, Batukeshwar Dutt |
| Chittagong Armoury Raid | 1930 | Chittagong | Surya Sen; Provisional revolutionary government proclaimed |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Swarajist Party (1923) — C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru; 'Ending or mending' councils
- HRA/HSRA (1924) — Bismil, Bhagat Singh, Azad; socialist ideology
- Kakori Robbery (1925) — 8-Down train loot; Bismil, Ashfaqullah hanged
- Saunders' Murder (1928) — Retribution for Lajpat Rai's death
- Assembly Bombing (1929) — Bhagat Singh, Dutt; protest against repressive bills
- Chittagong Armoury Raid (1930) — Surya Sen; Provisional government proclaimed
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Chapter 12 Focus)
Q1. The Swarajist Party was formed in which year and by whom?
Correct Answer: A. The Swarajist Party was formed in 1923 by C.R. Das (President) and Motilal Nehru (Secretary) after the Gaya session of Congress (December 1922).
Q2. The Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) was formed in which city and year?
Correct Answer: B. The Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) was formed in October 1924 in Kanpur by leaders like Ramprasad Bismil, Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, and Sachin Sanyal.
Q3. The Kakori Robbery took place in which year?
Correct Answer: B. The Kakori Robbery took place in August 1925 when HRA members held up the 8-Down train at Kakori and looted its official railway cash.
Q4. Who were the leaders hanged in connection with the Kakori Robbery?
Correct Answer: B. Ramprasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Roshan Singh, and Rajendra Lahiri were hanged for their involvement in the Kakori Robbery.
Q5. Saunders was murdered by HSRA revolutionaries in which year and city?
Correct Answer: B. Saunders was murdered in Lahore in December 1928 by Bhagat Singh, Shivram Rajguru, and Chandrashekhar Azad as retribution for Lala Lajpat Rai's death.
Q6. The bombing in the Central Legislative Assembly was carried out by:
Correct Answer: B. Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt carried out the bombing in the Central Legislative Assembly in April 1929 to protest against the Public Safety Bill and Trade Disputes Bill.
Q7. The Chittagong Armoury Raid was led by:
Correct Answer: C. The Chittagong Armoury Raid in April 1930 was led by Surya Sen. He hoisted the national flag and proclaimed a provisional revolutionary government.
Q8. After C.R. Das's death in 1925, the Bengal Congress split into two factions. Who led the faction backed by the Yugantar group?
Correct Answer: B. After C.R. Das's death in 1925, the Bengal Congress split into two factions: one led by J.M. Sengupta (supported by Anushilan group) and the other by Subhash Bose (backed by the Yugantar group).
Q9. The Hindustan Republican Association was later renamed as:
Correct Answer: D. The Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) was later renamed as Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and also referred to as Hindustan Socialist Republican Army.
Q10. Gopinath Saha made an attempt on the life of which Calcutta Police Commissioner?
Correct Answer: B. Gopinath Saha made an attempt on the life of Charles Tegart, the infamous Calcutta Police Commissioner, in 1924.