Revolutionary Movements

Revolutionary Movements

Overview

Revolutionary movements represent the militant stream of India's freedom struggle, running parallel to the moderate and Gandhian constitutional approaches. These movements believed that armed resistance and direct action were necessary to overthrow British rule, rejecting petitions and prayers as ineffective. UPSC Prelims frequently tests specific organisations, their founders, key incidents, and the ideological differences between revolutionary groups.

Understanding this topic requires clarity on three distinct phases: the early revolutionary societies (Anushilan Samiti, Abhinav Bharat), the overseas Ghadar movement during World War I, and the socialist-influenced revolutionaries of the 1920s-30s (HSRA). The Indian National Army under Subhas Chandra Bose represents the culmination of armed resistance ideology. Questions often focus on matching leaders with organisations, chronology of events, and distinguishing between similar-sounding groups.

Key Concepts

• Two streams of revolutionaries: Bengal-Maharashtra stream (influenced by Shakti worship, Bankim Chandra's writings) and Punjab stream (influenced by Arya Samaj, socialist ideas). Both rejected constitutional methods but differed in ideological foundations.
• Individual heroism vs. mass revolution: Early revolutionaries focused on assassinations of specific British officials; later groups like HSRA aimed to inspire mass uprising through dramatic actions.
• Overseas revolutionary networks: Ghadar Party operated from North America; revolutionaries also worked from London (India House), Paris, Berlin, and Japan—exploiting World War I to seek German and Japanese support.
• Socialist influence on later revolutionaries: Bhagat Singh's generation was influenced by Marx, Lenin, and the Russian Revolution—distinguishing them from the earlier religious-nationalist revolutionaries.
• INA's significance: Represented the largest organised armed force against British rule; the INA trials (1945-46) created massive public sympathy and arguably hastened British departure.
• British response: Repressive laws (Rowlatt Act, Defence of India Act), transportation to Cellular Jail (Andaman), and execution of revolutionaries became rallying points for the national movement.

Key Facts

Must-Remember Facts:

• Khudiram Bose was the youngest revolutionary martyr (age 18, hanged 1908)
• Bhagat Singh threw bomb in Central Legislative Assembly (8 April 1929) with B.K. Dutt—to "make the deaf hear"
• Jatin Das died after 63-day hunger strike in Lahore Jail (1929)
• Chandrashekhar Azad died fighting police at Alfred Park, Allahabad (27 Feb 1931)
• Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev executed on 23 March 1931
• INA's three brigades named after Gandhi, Nehru, and Azad; Rani Jhansi Regiment was women's unit
• "Jai Hind" and "Delhi Chalo" were INA slogans
• INA captured Andaman & Nicobar; hoisted Indian flag on Indian soil (Dec 1943)

Worked Examples

Example 1: Which of the following statements about the Ghadar Party is/are correct?

1. It was founded in San Francisco in 1913
2. Its weekly newspaper was called 'Ghadar'
3. Most members were Punjabi immigrants

Analysis: All three statements are correct. The Ghadar Party was established by Indian immigrants (mainly Punjabi Sikhs and Muslims working on farms and railways in North America). The newspaper 'Ghadar' published revolutionary literature calling for armed revolt against British rule. The party attempted to foment rebellion in India during World War I but was foiled by British intelligence.

Example 2: Arrange the following events in chronological order: A. Kakori Conspiracy B. Formation of HSRA C. Lahore Conspiracy Case D. Chittagong Armoury Raid

Solution: A (1925) → B (1928) → C (1929) → D (1930)

Note: HRA was formed in 1924, Kakori happened in 1925, HRA was renamed HSRA in 1928 with addition of "Socialist," Lahore case followed Saunders' assassination (1928) and Assembly bomb (1929), Chittagong raid under Surya Sen was April 1930.

Example 3: Consider the following about INA:

1. It was first formed by Mohan Singh in 1942
2. The Azad Hind Government declared war on Britain and USA
3. INA soldiers were tried at Red Fort

Analysis: All correct. Captain Mohan Singh formed INA from Indian POWs in Malaya. When Bose took over in 1943, he reorganised it. The provisional government declared war on Allied powers. After war, prominent INA officers (Shah Nawaz Khan, P.K. Sahgal, G.S. Dhillon) were tried at Red Fort—the trials generated massive public support and contributed to naval mutiny of 1946.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing HRA with HSRA: HRA (Hindustan Republican Association, 1924) was renamed HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, 1928) after adding "Socialist" to emphasise ideological shift—don't treat them as separate organisations.
• Attributing Chittagong Armoury Raid to HSRA: The 1930 Chittagong raid was led by Surya Sen (Masterda) and was a separate Bengal revolutionary group, not HSRA which operated mainly in north India.
• Mixing up the two INAs: Captain Mohan Singh's original INA (1942) collapsed due to differences with Japanese; Subhas Bose reorganised it in 1943—questions may test this distinction.
• Assuming Ghadar movement succeeded: The planned uprising in 1915 failed due to British intelligence infiltration and informers; leaders were arrested before execution of plans.
• Forgetting Bhagat Singh's intellectual contributions: He was not just a bomb-thrower; his writings ("Why I Am an Atheist"), hunger strikes, and courtroom statements spread revolutionary socialist ideas—UPSC may test this ideological dimension.

Quick Reference

• Anushilan Samiti (1902) → first major revolutionary organisation in Bengal
• Ghadar Party (1913, San Francisco) → Punjabi immigrants, Lala Hardayal
• Kakori (1925) → train robbery, Bismil and Ashfaqulla hanged
• HSRA (1928) → Bhagat Singh, Azad; Saunders killing, Assembly bomb
• INA (1943 reorganised) → Bose, Azad Hind Govt, "Delhi Chalo"
• 23 March 1931 → Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev martyred (Shaheed Diwas)