Indian History and World History (Part-35)

The Congress of Dalit Nationals held in Brussels in 1923 was a significant event in the history of the Dalit (lower caste) movement in India.

The Congress was organized by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent leader and advocate for Dalit rights, to highlight the issues faced by the Dalit community, both in India and globally.

In 1927, Jawaharlal Nehru participated in the Congress of Dalit Nationalists in Brussels on behalf of the National Congress.

The Conservative government of Britain set up the Simon Commission in November 1927.

There were a total of 7 members in this commission leaded by John Simon. Since all its members were British and no Indian was included, Indians boycotted and opposed it by calling it the 'White Commission'.

The Simon Commission reached Bombay on 3 February 1928.

In the Tripuri (MP) session of 1939, Subhash Chandra Bose defeated Pattabhi Sitaramayya, supported by Gandhi, and became the President of the Congress for the second time,

but due to differences with Gandhiji on the formation of the executive, he resigned.

After his resignation, Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the President of Congress.

J.B Kriplani was the President of the Indian National Congress at the time of Indian Independence.

He became the President in the Meerut session of November 23, 1946, and remained the President till November 1947.

List  of Presidents of the Indian National Congress (INC) before India's independence in 1947, in chronological order:

1. Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee (1885) – First President of the INC.

2. Dadabhai Naoroji (1886)

3. Pherozeshah Mehta (1887)

4. Badruddin Tyabji (1888)

5. Rash Behari Ghosh (1890–1891)

6. Sir William Wedderburn (1894)

7. George Yule (1897)

8. Annie Besant (1907–1908) – First woman President of INC.

9. Lala Lajpat Rai (1907)

10. Ramananda Chatterjee (1912)

11. Motilal Nehru (1919)

12. Chittaranjan Das (1920)

13. Mahatma Gandhi (1924, 1931, 1937)

14. Subhas Chandra Bose (1938, 1939)

15. Jawaharlal Nehru (1929, 1936) – Became the first Prime Minister of independent India.

16. J.B. Kripalani (1946)

17. Acharya Kripalani (1946) – President at the time of independence.

J.B Kriplani was the President of the Indian National Congress at the time of Indian Independence.

He became the President in the Meerut session of November 23, 1946, and remained the President till November 1947.

List  of Presidents of the Indian National Congress (INC) before India's independence in 1947, in chronological order:

1. Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee (1885) – First President of the INC.

2. Dadabhai Naoroji (1886)

3. Pherozeshah Mehta (1887)

4. Badruddin Tyabji (1888)

5. Rash Behari Ghosh (1890–1891)

6. Sir William Wedderburn (1894)

7. George Yule (1897)

8. Annie Besant (1907–1908) – First woman President of INC.

9. Lala Lajpat Rai (1907)

10. Ramananda Chatterjee (1912)

11. Motilal Nehru (1919)

12. Chittaranjan Das (1920)

13. Mahatma Gandhi (1924, 1931, 1937)

14. Subhas Chandra Bose (1938, 1939)

15. Jawaharlal Nehru (1929, 1936) – Became the first Prime Minister of independent India.

16. J.B. Kripalani (1946)

17. Acharya Kripalani (1946) – President at the time of independence.

The Jhanda Satyagraha or Flag Satyagraha of 1923 was organized in Jabalpur and Nagpur cities.

Jhanda Satyagraha was a peaceful civil disobedience movement during the Indian freedom struggle, in which people were hoisting flags from place to place as a part of their right to hoist the national flag.

Swaraj Party was founded in January 1923 by

• Motilal Nehru
• and Chittaranjan Das.

Chittaranjan Das was its president and Motilal Nehru its general secretary.

The Swaraj Party promoted itself as an integral part of the Congress, while also reiterating its commitment to non-violence and non-cooperation.

Sardar Patel led a peasant movement in Bardoli (Gujarat) in the year 1928.

After the success of this movement, the women there gave the title of Sardar to Vallabhbhai Patel.

The Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 was a non-violent protest led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel against the British-imposed 22% increase in land revenue in Bardoli, Gujarat.

Key Points:

1. Cause: British government increased taxes despite poor harvests, leading to the confiscation of farmers' land.

2. Leadership: Sardar Patel led the farmers in a peaceful resistance, urging them to refuse to pay the increased taxes.

3. Outcome: After months of protests, an inquiry reduced the tax, and the seized lands were returned.

4. Impact: Patel earned the title "Sardar" for his leadership, and the movement demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance in India's freedom struggle.

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on March 5, 1931, between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India, to resolve the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Key Points:

1. Release of Political Prisoners: The British agreed to release political prisoners not involved in violence.

2. Suspension of Civil Disobedience: The Congress agreed to suspend the movement and the boycott of foreign goods.

3. Salt Laws: People were allowed to make salt for domestic use in some areas.

4. Constitutional Reforms: The British agreed to consult the INC on future constitutional changes.

5. Congress agreed to participate in the Second Round Table Conference.

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on March 5, 1931, between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India, to resolve the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Key Points:

1. Release of Political Prisoners: The British agreed to release political prisoners not involved in violence.

2. Suspension of Civil Disobedience: The Congress agreed to suspend the movement and the boycott of foreign goods.

3. Salt Laws: People were allowed to make salt for domestic use in some areas.

4. Constitutional Reforms: The British agreed to consult the INC on future constitutional changes.

5. Congress agreed to participate in the Second Round Table Conference.