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Home , Ishwar Chandra Gupta, Mir Qasim

History of : 1700s-1947

Year Incident Company (EIC) establishes a factory in Masulipatnam (modern Andhra 1611 Pradesh) 1612 Factory established in Surat 1640 Factory established in Madras 1688 Portuguese Bombay leased by EIC 1700 Factory established in Calcutta Farrukhsiyar grants ‘farman’ to EIC to carry on inland trade in with several 1717 significant concessions regarding tax concessions

These established the British East India’s Company’s supremacy amongst all the European companies in India). Around then, the Carnatic region was nominally a dependency of Hyderabad state (Mughal control), but was ruled by Dost Ali Khan 1750s: I Carnatic war was the Indian theatre of the War of Austrian Succession in Europe, which Carnatic Wars brought Britain and France into conflict, and spilled onto the Indian subcontinent as well. Indian rulers were not involved; Brits came out on top. First military adventure of (I: 1746-48 II Carnatic war started as a war of succession after the death of Nawab-ul-Mulk (Nawab II: 1749-54 of Hyderabad), and Brits and French saw an opportunity to consolidate influence and III: 1756-63) joined warring factions. Brits again came out on top, under Clive. Ended by Treaty of Pondicherry in 1754, recognizing the British-supported candidate becoming the Nawab III Carnatic war was the Indian theatre of the Seven Years’ War in Europe. Spread as far as Bengal, but was decided in southern India. Brits occupied Pondicherry (French capital). Gave it back under Treaty of Paris in 1763, but only as a trading post. This signaled the end of French political ambitions in India (Robert Clive v/s Siraj-ud-Daulah)

When had come to power, he adopted a strict policy with the British, who had been granted favorable trade rights (including inland ones) by Farrukhsiyar in 1717. Alivardi had seen how Brits and French were waging proxy wars in Carnatic using local rulers, and wanted to prevent Bengal from that fate. Brits kept complaining that farman of 1717 was not being implemented fully, even as they continued rapacious inland trade that harmed the Nawab’s revenue (which had been going on since 1717)

1757: In 1756, Alivardi Khan died and his grandson Siraj-ud-Daulah became Nawab of Bengal. Battle of He was suspicious of the British, and asked them to stop fortification (which the British Plassey (Brits were doing because of wars with France both in Europe and in Carnatic; French had also v/s Bengal recently occupied Chandernagar in Bengal. This had infuriated the Nawab, who didn’t (Siraj- want any more of this on his land). Brits didn’t stop fortifications, and the Nawab attacked ud-Dalulah, the EIC in Calcutta and ransacked the city (‘black hole’ incident) later and Mir Qasim) EIC officials fled to an offshore island, and called for help from the company in Madras; under Clive, the Brits seized Calcutta, and the French fort of Chandernagar (7 years’ war was on in Europe)

French troops now joined the Nawab. In response, Robert Clive bribed Mir Jafar (head of Nawab’s army), and defeated the Nawab at Battle of Plassey. The British were now paramount rulers of Bengal, with all forthcoming Nawabs at their mercy (as early as 1759, Mir Jafar had grown disillusioned with the Brits, and started making alliances with the Dutch to repel the British; he got deposed, Mir Qasim came next) 1761: Battle of Panipat Battle of Panipat was under free-fall after Aurangzeb. Already during Aurangzeb’s time, Mughals and Marathas had been fighting for 27 years (1680-1707). Marathas had had (Marathas v/s rapid territorial gains (Gujarat, Malwa, Rajputana etc.). By 1737, they also controlled most Afghans + of Mughal territories south of . In 1758, (Balaji Baji Rao) occupied Shuja-ud- Punjab as well, and this brought the Marathas into direct confrontation with the Afghans, Daulah of under Ahmad Shah Abdali. They started sending expeditionary forces to mount attacks ; Brits on the small Maratha garrisons in Punjab. not involved)

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War seemed imminent; both sides wanted Shuja-ud-Daulah of Awadh on their side. Shuja joined Afghans (‘Army of Islam’), and this was critical, because without his support Afghans wouldn’t have had the money to stay for as long as they did in India. Afghans laid siege to Panipat, and cut off supplies to Marathas in Delhi, who started dying of starvation. Maratha soldiers begged to go to war, and to war they did go. But the Afghans under Ahmad Shah Durrani and Shuja were much stronger, and convincingly routed the Maraths

The Marathas were to remain absent from the North Indian political scene for the next decade, until another war in 1771 III Carnatic War ends in Treaty of Paris; with this, Britain ends all political ambitions of France in India. Pondicherry returned to the French, but only as a trading post 1763 Sanyasi rebellion (Bengal/ East India): Brits imposed a ban on visits to holy places; Sanyasis organized raids on company (read immediately after Battle of Plassey)

Mir Qasim was installed as Nawab of Bengal after Mir Jafar’s rebellious activities. Mir Qasim also quickly saw that there was no way that British plunder of Bengal could be allowed to go unchecked. He made alliances with Nawab of Awadh (Shuja-ud-Daulah) and Mughal King Shah Alam II; however, Clive’s army convincingly beat their combined forces at Buxar.

Shah Alam II now signed the Treaty of , granting Diwani rights to the British EIC for Bengal (modern Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, , and parts of UP) in return for 1764: allowing him to hold court at Allahabad; Mir Qasim was replaced. Shuja-ud-Daulah Battle of allowed to return to Awadh under a subsidiary force. This arrangement made the British Buxar virtual rulers of Bengal (the revenue-collection function had hitherto been performed by the Nawabs). Now, the Nawab had the responsibility for administration (Brits weren’t interested in direct administration yet), while the Brits enjoyed the real power (without responsibility).

=> Led to dual government in Bengal.

With the Marathas just having lost to the Afghans in the Battle of Panipat in 1761, they were to remain absent from North Indian affairs for about a decade. This gave the British a wide berth in consolidating their foothold over these parts. I Anglo-Mysore War (1767): Hyder Ali had become the ruler of Mysore in 1761. Mysore had enemies Marathas to the north, and Hyderabad to the east. Marathas invaded Mysore around 1767; initial plan was that Hyderabad’s Nizam will also invade and plunder, but the British invaded Hyderabad’s Northern Sarkars (to establish a land route between their holdings in Calcutta and Madras). This made the Nizam think of allying with Mysore. But Brits pre-empted and attacked Mysore. 1767

No side won decisively; Treaty of Madras in 1769 declared ceasefire, and Brits were to <1767-99: help out Mysore in case of military aggression from Marathas. Anglo-Mysore II Anglo-Mysore War (1780): Going against the Treaty of Madras, the British refused to (modern help out in Mysore-Maratha wars in 1770s, and Hyder Ali allied with the French. After Karnataka) Britain and France started fighting in Europe, Brits occupied French port of Mahe on Wars> Malabar coast. Hyder Ali used to get his French arms from this port. So, Hyder Ali

launched an attack in response, and included Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad. (I: 1767-69

II: 1780-84 After a long-drawn war, British losses were high, and London instructed EIC to stop the III: 1789-92 war and sign a treaty. Treaty of Mangalore was signed in 1784, and all territories won by IV: 1799) either side given back. Brits agreed not to intervene in any future wars between Mysore,

Marathas, and Hyderabad. (Treaties: MMS- Madras, III Anglo-Mysore War (1789): Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali’s son, was now the ruler; he’d Mangalore, been looking to find a way to go to war with the British. He attacked British ally Seringapatnam) Travancore (Kerala); Brits said okay let’s fight.

Tipu lost badly; Brits could’ve occupied Mysore but didn’t because they didn’t want consolidation of Maratha power, or to incur expenses by appointing someone directly under Brits. They let Tipu rule, but took 2 of his sons hostage so he would abide by the Treaty of Seringapatnam (1792), whereby about half of Mysore’s area was given away to Marathas and Hyderabad.

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IV Anglo-Mysore War (1799): Final war; Tipu dead. Most of Mysore given away to Marathas and Nizam; core around Seringapatnam given to pre-Hyder Ali House of Wodeyars, who ‘ruled’ till 1947 Regulating Act (GG- ):

EIC, before and since Plassey (1757), was involved in corrupt practices whereby the company constantly veered on the verge of bankruptcy and couldn’t repay its commitments to the British government even as the ‘Nabobs’ became spectacularly wealthy. The Regulating Act was brought in for the better management of the company’s affairs in India and in Britain. The Company was to act as the Sovereign power on behalf of the Crown. Warren Hastings was the Governor in Bengal at this time (so became first GG). 1773

Key features: 1. GG + 4: Created executive council of 4 members to assist the Governor-General of Bengal 2. Governors of Bombay and Madras presidencies made subordinate to GG of Bengal 3. Established Supreme Court in Calcutta 4. Company servants were forbidden from carrying on private trade or accept ‘presents’ from Indian rulers I Anglo-Maratha War (1775): Around this time, the Marathas were the only major Indian 1775 power left on the subcontinent (and to some extent, Mysore). However, there was internal squabbling for succession. Raghunath Rao signed a treaty with Brits (but he wasn’t the 1775-1818: rightful heir); this treaty led to the start of the first war; this was virtually a stalemate, Anglo- ended with Treaty of Salbai whereby both powers were to follow a policy of peaceful Maratha Wars coexistence. (I: 1775-82 II Anglo-Maratha War (1803): Nana Phadnavis died; succession struggle. One side II: 1803-05 (Raghunath Rao’s son Bajir Rao II) signed Treaty of Bassein with the Brits, in effect III: 1817-18) becoming their subsidiary. Other side, enraged, attacked the Brits and the first side. Lost. Marathas lost large part of their territory (Salbai, III Anglo-Maratha War (1817): Mostly a mopping-up operation; the previous war had Bassein, been stopped due to fiscal constraints. At the end of this war, all the Maratha powers had Gwalior) surrendered to the British, under Treaty of Gwalior. Brits now controlled all of Southern India, south of the Satluj river. Pitt’s India Act (GG- Warren Hastings): Passed among allegations of continuing corruption and misrule even after the 1773 Regulating Act

1. GG + 3: Governor-General’s council reduced to 3 members (from 4 after the Regulating Act) 2. Modified the relationship between the EIC and the British Government 3. Made the EIC subordinate to the British government by creating the Board of Control, both to supervise the 's affairs and to prevent the 1784 Company's shareholders from interfering in the governance of India. The erstwhile Court of Directors was still to exist, but would manage only commercial affairs; BoC would manage political affairs 4. Secretary of State was to be the President of the Board; +5 members 5. Bengal GG kind of made head, but some autonomy to subordinate provincial Governors

Failed because boundaries of work between BoC and CoD were poorly defined and arbitrary. III Anglo-Mysore War (see above): Tipu had been wanting to fight the brits; attacked their 1789 allies Travancore. Lost, had to sign Treaty of Mangalore. His sons were taken hostage by Brits to ensure good behavior. Cornwallis introduced in Bengal (demands had been raised by 1793 liberals in Britain since Regulating Act of 1773); this was the first socio-economic regulation in British India 1795 ‘Bengal Regulation’; declared infanticide illegal. IV Anglo-Mysore War; ended in Tipu’s defeat, and installation of puppet rulers ‘House of Wodeyars’ on the Mysore throne. Mysore was now out of the game. 1799 Chuar uprising (Bengal/ East India ()): Happened due to famine, enhanced land-revenue demand, and general economic distress. Wasn’t a one-off incident; incidents happened till 1816. II Anglo-Maratha War (see above): ‘Renegade’ Baji Rao II signed Treaty of Bassein with 1803 Brits; death knell for Marathas (although there would be one more war after this)

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Charter Act of 1813 (GG- Minto; retired in 1813, succeeded by Hastings (Moira): Passed in the backdrop of great economic turmoil in Europe; Napoleon had imposed the ‘Continental System’ in Europe, and British traders were facing hardships. There was clamor for revoking EIC’s monopoly on trade with India. Key features:

1813 1. GG + 3 maintained 2. Ended the trade monopoly of EIC with India, except for tea and trade with China 3. Missionaries now allowed to go to India 4. EIC instructed to spend Rs. 1 lakh per annum to strengthen the education systems 5. Empowered local governments to impose taxes, subject to jurisdiction of SC

Atmiya Sabha: Raja established the Atmiya Sabha, a precursor in the 1815 socio-religious reforms in Bengal. With this, he was known as a campaigners for the rights of women. He started opposing the Sati system and Polygamy in Hindus. III Anglo-Maratha War (see above): mop-up operation. All Maratha power now with 1817 British, who controlled the entire Indian territory south of the Satluj. 1828 established 1829 William Bentick brings in ‘Abolishon of Sati Act’ Dharma Sabha established by Radhakant Deb as retaliation to Brahmo Samaj’s growing 1830 influence; orthodox Hindu, status-quoist Charter Act of 1833 (GG- Bentick) (before this: Regulating Act of 1773, Pitt’s India Act of 1784)

1. GG + 4: GG’s council expanded to include a 4th member (Macaulay was the first such 4th member); not to be an executive member, only legislative 2. Trade license of EIC revoked altogether (opening up of trade with India to others, not only EIC); the EIC became a part of the British government, but India’s 1833 administration remained under company officials 3. Made the GG of Bengal GG of India (title change); thus, revoked the autonomy of the presidencies of Madras and Bombay; deprived Governments of Madras and Bombay of powers of legislation 4. First step towards codifying India laws; India Law Commission set up 5. First act that provisioned to freely admit the natives of India to share in administration 1835 Metcalfe (GG) repeals Licensing Act that had imposed restrictions on freedom of press Tattvabodhini Sabha established by . When Brahmo Samaj became weak after the death of its founder Ram Mohan Roy, Debendranath Tagore took every possible initiative and established the 'Tattvanodhini Sabha'. Its prime objective was to propagate the spirit of Hindu Scriptures, including the Vedas. Came together with Brahmo Samaj in 1840s.

The Tattvabodhini Sabha encouraged a balanced attitude towards religion, a feature that 1839 attracted both the groups, conservative like Ishwar Chandra as well as modern outlook-ed people like Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar.

Debendranath Tagore, however, modified his philosophy and conflict with many of the views of the members of the Sabha. Thus came a split in the Sabha in 1859 and subsequently, the liability of publishing the journal and books for the circulation of the faith fell on Calcutta Brahmo Samaj. Charter Act of 1853 (GG- Dalhousie (James Broun-Ramsey))

1. GG + 4 + 6: 4th member in council placed on equal footing with the other 3, and 6 new ‘Legislative Councillors’ added; total council strength = 12 (all officials; GG + Commander in Chief + 4 executive members + 2 judges + 4 officials) 1853 2. All previous Charter Acts had explicitly dictated how long the EIC’s charter was being renewed for; this one just said unless Parliament decides otherwise, EIC would administer India 3. Deprived the Court of Directors from using appointments to ICS as a patronage device; appointments thrown open via competitive examinations

‘Wood’s Despatch’ to GG Lord Dalhousie, asking to: (i) Set up education department in every province; (ii) Universities on the model of the London University be established in 1854 big cities such as Bombay, Calcutta and Madras; (iii) At least one government school be opened in every district; (iv) Indians should also be taught in their native tongues. Is called Magna-carta of English Education in India. ePaperPDF.com

1856 Hindu Widow Remarriage Act Government of India Act (GG- Charles Canning)

1. Abolished the EIC’s rule in India, the Court of Directors, and the Board of Control 1858 2. Crown was now to govern India directly via a ‘Secretary of State for India’ 3. GG renamed Viceroy (Canning was thus first Viceroy) 4. 15 member council to assist SoS

Indian Councils Act (GG- Charles Canning)

1. GG + 5 + (6-12): Additional member in executive council; minimum 6 and maximum 12 legislative members, half of whom had to be non-officials (nominated by provinces and the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce; thus, Indian participation initiated) 1861 2. Portfolio system introduced 3. Decentralization: Re-instated legislative powers of Governments of Madras and Bombay 4. GG had veto, could issue ordinances 5. LC members could discuss budget, but couldn’t legislate on budget

1865 Split in Brahmo Samaj East India Association founded by in London. It was one of the predecessor organizations of the Indian National Congress. The idea was to present the 1866 correct information about India to the British Public and voice Indian Grievances. Became defunct in 1880s. 1870 Mayo’s Resolution (Fiscal Decentralization from Centre to Provinces) Poona Sarvajanik Sabha founded by Ranade to represent the aspirations of the people 1867 to government. It published a quartely journal to put forth the problems of people before the government. Satyashodhak Samaj founded by Jyotiba Phule. Aim was to create caste consciousness; 1873 first movement with leadership from low castes; Raja Bali used as symbol. founded by Dayanand Saraswati; “Back to the Vedas”, end priestly 1875 domination, promote inter-caste and widow marriages, no idol worship Vernacular Press Act, Arms Act 1878 Keshab Chanda Sen’s ‘Brahmo Samaj of India’ further splits into two (other branch now called ‘Sadharan Brahmo Samaj’). Ripon’s Resolution (Fiscal Decentralization from Provinces to Local Bodies) 1882 Hunter Education Commission Ilbert Bill (Ripon): proposed an amendment for existing laws in the country at the time to allow Indian judges and magistrates the jurisdiction to try British offenders in criminal cases at the District level, something that was disallowed at the time. Didn’t pass.

1883 Finally, a solution was adopted by way of compromise: jurisdiction to try Europeans would be conferred on European and Indian District Magistrates and Sessions Judges alike. However, a defendant would in all cases have the right to claim trial by a jury of which at least half the members must be European.

1885 Indian National Congress formed; first President: WC Bonnerji Kadambini becomes the first woman to address INC (I think she was the first female 1890 graduate of Calcutta University) Act X : raised the age of consent for sexual intercourse for all girls, married or unmarried, 1891 from 10 years to 12 years old; everything before would be classified as rape and attract penal punishment 1892 Councils Act (Lansdowne) Bombay plague; Chapekar brothers shoot someone important, hanged; Tilak jailed for 1896 praising them (they were his disciples anyway) Movement started by Vivekananda (Narendranath Dutta); aim was to 1897 spread the universal message of Vedanta, love all religions, service of humans = service of god. Sri Narayan Guru Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) movement; started among Ezvahas of 1902 Kerala (toddy-trappers, untouchables); urged them to join schools, administration. 1904 Official Secrets Act Partition of Bengal, 1905 Shyamji Krishna Verma starts Indian Home Rule Society in London ePaperPDF.com

GK Gokhale starts ‘Servants of India Society’; non-religious, aimed at raising cadres for nation-building INC adopts as goal during Calcutta session under Dadabhai Naoroji’s presidentship ‘Yugantar’ started in (which was a revolutionary terrorist organization in Bengal) Shimla Deputation: In 1906 a group of Muslim landed magnates and chieftains organized a deputation of Lord Minto, the Viceroy, at Simla and pleaded for concession to the Muslim 1906 community of India.

Within a few months following the Simla Deputation a political forum of the communalist Muslims emerged. Nawab Salimullah of Dacca took initiative in organizing a conference of the communalist Muslims in which a resolution was adopted in favour of the foundation of the All India Muslim League. Muslim League founded 1907 INC Surat split and executed for bomb-carriage incident 1908 Tilak praises them, deported to Mandalay for 8 years under charges of sedition Indian Councils Act (GG- Minto: father of communal electorates) (‘Minto-Morley Reforms’)

1. GG was Minto 2. GG + 7 + (60): Massively increased the size of Legislative Council at the center (16 to 1909 60), and also in the provinces; officials still in majority (34 officials, 25 elected (13 general, 8 Muslims, 6 British Capitalists, 2 landlords), 4 nominated) 3. LCs could discuss 4. Separate electorates introduced 5. Satyendranath Sinha became the first Indian to join the GG’s executive council

Partition of Bengal annulled under constant opposition from Hindu communalist groups, 1911 and because of the rise of revolutionary terrorism; immediate cause for discontent was a huge famine, and the simultaneous pomp of the Delhi Durbar for a visiting Royal 1912 RB Bose and Sachin Sanyal throw a bomb at Viceroy Hardinge Tilak returns to India (back from Prison in Mandalay) 1914 Ghadar party formed in San Francisco under Lala Hardayal, after Komagata Maru incident Amidst WW1, Defense of India rules imposed that curbed all kinds of civil liberties- 1915 entire leadership of beheaded Pherozshah Mehta and Gopalkrishna Gokhale both dead (natural causes) Congress reunites in (after Surat Split of 1907) Lucknow Pact (between the Muslim League and the Congress) 1916 Tilak and start the Home Rule League Movement (instrumental in making the INC a potent political force again, by bringing the extremists and moderates under the same fold again) Gandhi enters the nationalist scene; Champaran Justice Party founded in Tamil Nadu; this was a political party focused on securing jobs 1917 for non-brahmins in legislature. Founded by CN Mulaidar, T. Nair, and P. Thyagaraja. Russian Revolution (was to lead to rise of the left ad peasant movements later) Kheda Satyagraha 1918 Ahmedabad Mill Strike Rowlatt Satyagraha, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Gandhi jailed Government of India Act (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms)

1. GG was Chelmsford 2. Replaced Legislative Council with a bicameral structure; both houses had majority members elected by direct elections (but limited franchise- property, tax, 1919 or education) 3. Dyarchy (two executives in Provinces; one responsible to Legislature (‘Ministers’), and the other to Governor (‘Executive Councillors’) 4. 3 members of GG’s executive council to be Indians 5. Extended separate electorates to Sikhs, Christians, Anglos, and Europeans 6. Separated provincial budgets from central; provinces could enact their own budgets Congress commits itself to extra-constitutional mass struggle (Nagpur session) 1920 Non-Cooperation/ starts ePaperPDF.com

MN Roy founded CPI in Tashkent Akali Movement; started to liberate Sikh Gurudwaras from Udasi Mahants; later won and 1921 set up SGPC; later turned communal (think why?) Chaura-Chauri incident; Gandhi calls off NCM, arrested for 6 years 1922 Mapilla rebellion in Malabar 1923 Swarajist-‘No-changer’ debate Gandhi released on health grounds (check) (from within the Congress) fights elections; wins handsomely Hindustan Republican Army set up by Ramprasad Bismil, Sachin Sanyal, and 1924 Jogendranath Chatterjee Vaikom Satyagraha (temple entry, led by KV Keshav) Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case: SA Dange jailed CR Das dies; leads to split in Bengal Congress: JM Sengupta faction (backed by 1925 revolutionary Anushilan group), and other led by SC Bose (Yugantar group) Kakori train robbery (Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Rajendra Lahiri hanged) Swaraj party splits due to differences- some members like MMM and 1926 wanted more concession to Hindus, Nehru and CR Das (?) were secular and left the Swaraj party; elections, Swaraj party does badly - all white, no Indians; huge protests, even Muslim League protests. 1927 Lala Lajpat Rai killed during demonstrations ‘Delhi Proposals’ by the Muslim League; first ever acceptance of Joint Electorates Saunders Murder by HSRA; and Batukeshwar Dutt throw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly to protest the Public Safety Bill and Trade Disputes Bill 1928 Calcutta INC declares that if the Government doesn’t grant dominion status within Session a year, they will start a satyagraha; Gandhi tours the country to prepare the masses for the coming struggle INC declares as its goal in Lahore; all Congress ministries resign League issues Jinnah’s 14 points 1929 Irwin announces that goal of Brits is to eventually grant dominion status Meerut Conspiracy Case ‘Delhi Manifesto’ Launch of the Civil Disobedience Movement via Dandi March in March; movement builds up, Gandhi arrested in May First RTC in London (to discuss Simon recommendations); Congress boycotts 1930 Chittagong Armory Raid ( etc.) Sarda Act Garhwal Rifles soldiers refuse to open fire on unarmed crowd Gandhi-Irwin Pact (Delhi Pact- put INC and GoI on equal footing) Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru hanged (Lahore Conspiracy Case) INC Karachi session; 2 landmark resolutions on Fundamental Rights and National Economic Programme passed 1931 Second RTC; Gandhi dismayed at strong focus on Communal Award to depressed classes, decides to resume CDM. Arrested upon return to India without a trial, jailed in Yeravada (Poona) Gurvayur Satyagraha (temple entry) Communal Award announced by Ramsey Macdonald (SoS) Gandhi undertakes fast unto death in Yeravada against this; him and Ambedkar sign the 1932 Poona Pact; Gandhi sets up the ‘All India Anti-Untouchability League’ from jail Third RTC in London 1933 Gandhi released from prison Gandhi retires from active politics (after dispute in Congress regarding direction), devotes 1934 himself to constructive work; withdraws CDM Government of India Act

1. Establishment of All-India Federation (didn’t happen as Princes didn’t agree) 2. Abolished diarchy in provinces (=> provinvial autonomy), and introduced it at the central level; 3 legislative lists 1935 3. Responsible governance in the provinces (implemented for a while); Governor answerable to legislature 4. Further extended separate electorates to depressed classes, women, and labour 5. Extended franchise; about 10% eligible to vote 6. Still, about 80% of central budget not votable ePaperPDF.com

7. Established Reserve Bank of India

Maharaja of Travancore allows temple entry (after lots of struggle- think Vaikom, 1936 Gurvayur etc.) Provincial elections held, Congress wins/emerges as single largest party in all provinces 1937 but two (check which two); Muslim League dismayed, moves to extreme communalism WW2 starts; Congress ministries resign; League observes the day of resignation as 1939 Deliverance Day Pakistan Resolution at the League’s Lahore session August Offer (Linlithgow) 1940 Congress launches individual ; ‘Dilli Chalo’; first satyagraha was (resolution in Bombay in August); Gandhi and other leaders arrested 1942 immediately after resolution (‘Blueprint for India’s Partition) Wavell’s Plan/ Shimla Conference 1944/45 Calcutta upsurge 01; elections (communal polarization, league sweeps muslim areas) Cabinet Mission Calcutta upsurge 02 + RIN mutiny August Communal riots at an unprecedented scale 1946 September Interim congress government (despite INC opposition to compulsory grouping) October Muslim League joins interim government February Attlee’s statement: we’re leaving by June 1948 1947 June Mountbatten Plan August 15 Independence

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