Indian National Movement Test - 11

In November 1927, the British government appointed the Simon Commission to report on India's constitutional progress for introducing constitutional reforms, as promised. The Commission was strongly opposed by many in India. It was opposed by Ambedkar, Nehru, Gandhi, and all leaders of that time.

The foundation of modern postal system was laid down by Lord Dalhousie. A new Post Office Act was passed in 1854. Consequently, irrespective of the distance over which the letter was sent, a uniform rate of half an anna per post card was charged throughout India. Postage stamps were introduced for the first time.

Provincial elections were held in British India in the winter of 1936-37, as mandated by the Government of India Act, 1935. Elections were held in eleven provinces - Madras, Central Provinces, Bihar, Orissa, United Provinces, Bombay Presidency, Assam, NWFP, Bengal, Punjab, and Sindh. The final results of the elections were declared in February 1937. The Indian National Congress emerged in power in eight of the provinces.

The All-India Muslim League failed to form the government in any province. The Congress ministries resigned in October and November 1939, in protest against Viceroy Lord Linlithgow's action of declaring India to be a belligerent in the Second World War without consulting the Indian people.

The Second Civil Disobedience Movement was started by Gandhiji on March 12, 1930, with his famous Dandi March. Gandhiji walked nearly 200 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, a village on the Gujarat sea-coast. Here Gandhiji and his followers made salt in violation of the salt laws.

The Civil Disobedience Movement went on unabated even after the Poona Pact. On May 8, 1933, Mahatma Gandhi began twenty-one days fast for self-purification and he requested the Congress President to call off the Civil Disobedience Movement for the time being.

The calling off of the Civil Disobedience Movement caused great resentment among the people although they refrained from any open demonstration against Mahatma Gandhi.

The famous slogan Inquilab Zindabad was given by Hasrat Mohani. This famous slogan inspired the activities of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association particularly Ashfaqulla Khan, Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad.

The Swadeshi movement, part of the Indian independence movement and the developing Indian nationalism, was an economic strategy aimed at removing the British empire from power and improving economic conditions in India by following the principles of swadeshi which had some success.

The Khilafat Movement or non-cooperation movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi and the Ali brothers. The Khilfat Movement was launched to restore the ottoman Turkish emperor, Khalifa and strengthen the relationship between Muslims and Hindus of India, for a combined struggle for freedom. In 1920, Jinnah opposed the non-cooperation movement led by the Indian National Congress and resigned as a member. With time, the differences between the Muslim League and Congress widened. Jinnah became the first governor-general of Pakistan, which was formed on August 14, 1947.