Have tried to frame a timeline of Indian Independence Movement. Have included the events for 1885 - the formation of Indian National Congress to 1950 the Enaction of the Constitution of India and India turning into a Republic

1. Socialscience4u.blogspot.com

2. Founded upon the authority of British civil servant Allan Octivian Hume, the
Congress was created to form a platform for civic and political dialogue of
educated Indians with the British Raj. After the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and the
transfer of India from the East India Company to the British Empire(the Raj), it was
the goal of the Raj to support and justify its governance of India with the aid of
English-educated Indians, who would be familiar and friendly to British culture and
political thinking. Ironically, a few of the reasons the Congress grew and survived in
the era of undisputed British hegemony, was through the patronage of British
authorities, Anglo-Indians, and a rising Indian, English language educated, class.
The idea of a safety valve has also been associated with the birth of the Congress:
the Congress provided a platform to Indians to bring out their resentment vocally.
Its initial aim was to divert the minds of Indians from any sort of physical violence.

3. In May 1885, Hume secured the Viceroy's approval to create an "Indian National
Union", which would be affiliated with the government and act as a platform to voice
Indian public opinion. On 12 October 1885, Hume and a group of educated Indians
also published "An Appeal from the People of India to the Electors of Great Britain
and Ireland". The Appeal asked British voters in the 1885 British general election to
support candidates sympathetic to the positions of Indians. These included
opposition to taxing India to finance the British campaigns in Afghanistan, and
support for legislative reform in India.The appeal was a failure, and was interpreted
by many Indians as "a rude shock, but a true realization that they had to fight their
battles alone.“ On 28 December 1885, the Indian National Congress was founded
at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay, with 72 delegates in attendance.
Hume assumed office as the General Secretary, and Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee of
Calcutta was elected President.

4. The Era of Moderates (1885-1905)
The period from 1885 to 1905 is known as the
'Era of Moderates'. It is only because Badruddin
Tyabji, Ferozshah Mehta, P. Ananadacharlu, S. N.
Banerjee, Ramesh Chandra Dutt, Anand Mohan
Bose, Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Mahadev Govind
Ranade etc., the moderate leaders took over
the charge of the Congress.
The aim of these leaders was to popularize the
Congress movement inside the country, to
educate the public regarding their deal with the
British government and to convince the
government for launching several political
reforms.
Believing on the principle of democracy, they
resorted to the method of 'prayer and petition'.
If both these ways failed, they also resorted to
constitutional agitation method. They also sent
delegation to England to convince the
government regarding the requirements of the
Indians.

5. The Era of Extremists (1905-1916)
The extremist block was organised under the leadership of the famous trio Lal-Bal- Pal.
The extremists drew inspiration from the India's past, invoked the great episodes of
distant and recent history and tried to infuse national pride and self-respect among
the people. The Bengal school of militant nationalism led by B.C. Pal and Aurobindo
Ghosh was influenced by the neo-vedantic movement of Swami Vivekananda, the
Maharastra School led by B.G.
the Extremists believed that any foreign rule, however just and benevolent was a
curse. The Extremists put Poorna Swarajya as their goal. Tilak declared, "Swarajya is
my birth right and I shall have it". In place of constitutional methods, they substituted
it with "passive Resistance". Their programme comprised of Boycott, Swadeshi and
National Education.

6. 1905 – Partition of Bengal
The decision to effect the Partition of
Bengal was announced in July 1905 by
the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon. The
partition took place on 16 October
1905 and separated the largely Muslim
eastern areas from the largely Hindu
western areas.
1906 - Formation of Muslim League
Setup in 1906 under the leadership of Aga
Khan, Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka and
Nawab Mohsin-ul-mulk. It was a loyalist,
communal and conservative political
organization which supported the partition
of Bengal, opposed the Swadeshi
movement, demanded special safeguards
to its community and a separate electorate
for Muslims.

7. 1906 - Demand for Swaraj
In Dec 1906 at Calcutta, the INC under Dadabhai Naoroji
adopted 'Swaraj' (Self-govt) as the goal of Indian people.
1907 - Surat Session of Indian National Congress
The INC split into two groups - The extremists and The
moderates, at the Surat session in 1907. Extremists were
led by Bal, Pal, Lal while the moderates by G.K.Gokhale.
1908 – Deportation of Tilak
On July 3rd 1908, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was arrested for
sedition by the British. In his newspaper Kesari, Tilak
called for immediate swaraj. This was followed by the
immediate arrest of Tilak by the British on charges of
sedition. Tilak was sentenced to a jail term from 1908 to
1914 in Mandalay in Burma.
1909 - Indian Councils Act or Minto Morley Reforms
Besides other constitutional measures, it envisaged a
separate electorate for Muslims.
Aimed at dividing the nationalist ranks and at rallying the
Moderates and the Muslims to the Government's side.

8. 1911 - The coronation or Delhi Durbar held at which the Partition of Bengal was cancelled.
1912 - Delhi becomes the new capital of India.
1912 Dec 23 - Bomb thrown on Lord Hardinge on his state entry in India.
1913 Nov 1 - Ghadar Party formed at San franscisco. The Ghadar Party was an organization
founded by Indians of the United States and Canada in June, 1913 with the aim to liberate India
from British rule. It was also known as the Hindi Association of the Pacific Coast.
1914 - B G Tilak Released from Jail. After his release, Bal Gangadhar Tilak tried to bring the two
factions of Congress together. But his efforts did not bear much fruit. In 1916, Tilak decided to
build a separate organization called the 'Home Rule League'. Its goal was swaraj. Tilak went from
village to village, and explained the aim of his league to the farmers and won their hearts. He
traveled constantly in order to organize the people. While fighting for people’s cause Bal
Gangadhar Tilak died on August 1, 1920.
1914 Aug 4 - Out Break of the First World War.

9. 1915 Jan - Gandhi arrives in Delhi.
Set up an ashram at Ahmadabad on the banks of the Sabarmati to teach Indians the
ideals & methods of Satyagraha.
1915 Feb 19 - Death of Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
1916 April 28 - Tilak found the Home Rule League with its HQ at Poona.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant had set up Home Rule Leagues, Tilak’s in
Maharashtra and Besant’s in other parts of the country. Both the leagues had the
same president, Dadabhai Naoroji. Gandhi Launched the Champaran Campaign in
Bihar to focus attention on the grievances of indigo planters.
Lucknow Pact (1916):
Both INC and Muslim League concluded this (Congress accepted the separate
electorates and both jointly demanded for a representative government and
dominion status for the country).
Moderates and Extremists got united within the Congress

10. August Declaration (1917):
After the Lucknow Pact, a British policy was announced which aimed at "increasing
association of Indians in every branch of the administration for progressive realization of
responsible government in India as an integral part of the British empire". This came to be
called the August Declaration.
Rowlatt Act (March 18, 1919):
This gave unbridled powers to the govt. to arrest and imprison suspects without trial for
two years maximum. This law enabled the Government to suspend the right of Habeas
Corpus, which had been the foundation of civil liberties in Britain.
Caused a wave of anger in all sections. It was the first country-wide agitation by Gandhiji
and marked the foundation of the Non Cooperation Movement.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919):
People were agitated over the arrest of Dr. Kitchlu and Dr. Satyapal on April 10, 1919.
General O' Dyer fires at people who assembled in the Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar.
Rabindranath Tagore returned his Knighthood in protest. Sir Shankaran Nair resigned from
Viceroy's Executive Council after this. Hunter Commission was appointed to enquire into it.
On March 13, 1940, Sardar Udham Singh killed O'Dyer when the later was addressing a meeting

11. Khilafat Movement (1920):
Muslims were agitated by the treatment done with
Turkey by the British in the treaty that followed the First
World War.
Two brothers, Mohd.Ali and Shaukat Ali started this
movement.
Non-cooperation Movement (1920):
It was the first mass-based political movement under
Gandhiji. Congress passed the resolution in its Calcutta
session in Sept 1920.
Chauri -Chaura Incident (Feb 5, 1922):
A mob of people at Chauri - Chaura (near Gorakhpur)
clashed with police and burnt 22 policemen on February
5, 1922. This compelled Gandhiji to withdraw the Non
Cooperation movement on Feb.12, 1922.

12. 1923 Jan 1
Swarajist Party formed by Motilal Nehru and others.
1924
The Communist Party of India starts its activities first at Kanpur.
1925 Aug
Kakori Train Conspiracy
On August 9, 1925, the Number 8 Down Train travelling from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow
was looted by revolutionaries at the town of Kakori (now in Uttar Pradesh). Police arrested
several of the revolutionaries involved. Bismil was arrested on September 26, 1925 and
Ashfaqullah was arrested ten months later.
1927 Nov 8
The British PM announces the appointment of the Simon Commission to suggest future
constitutional reforms in India. Simon Commission arrives in Bombay on Feb 3 1928. As no
Indian was included in this commission, it was welcomed by ‘Go Back Simon Slogan’ and all
India Hartal was observed. Lala Lajpat Rai got assaulted by police at Lahore, died later.

13. Nehru Report, 1928
The Nehru Report of 28-30 August, 1928 was a memorandum outlining a proposed new
dominion status constitution for India. It was prepared by a committee of the All Parties
Conference chaired by Motilal Nehru with his son Jawaharlal Nehru acting as secretary.
Lahore Session (1929):
On Dec.19, 1929 under the President ship of J.L.Nehru, the INC, at its Lahore Session,
declared Poorna Swaraj (Complete independence) as its ultimate goal.
On Dec.31, 1929, the newly adopted tri-colour flag was unfurled and 26, 1930 was fixed as
the First Independence Day, was to be celebrated every year.
Dandi March (1930):
Also called the Salt Satyagraha.
Along with 78 followers, Gandhiji started his march from Sabarmati Ashram on March 12,
1930 for the small village Dandhi to break the salt law.
He reached the seashore on Apr.6, 1930.
He picked a handful of salt and inaugurated the Civil Disobedience Movement.

14. Revolutionary Activities:
The first political murder of a European was committed in 1897 at Poona by the Chapekar
brothers, Damodar and Balkishan. Their target was Mr. Rand, President of the Plague
Commission, but Lt. Ayerst was accidentally shot.
In 1907, Madam Bhikaiji Cama, a Parsi revolutionary unfurled the flag of India at Stuttgart
Congress (of Second international).
In 1908, Khudiram Bose and Prafulla chaki planned to throw a bomb on the carriage of
Kingsford, the unpopular judge of Muzaffapur. By mistake they threw it on another carriage
of Kanedy. Khudiram, Kanhaiyalal Dutt and Satyendranath Bose were hanged. (Alipur Case).
In 1909, M L Dhingra shot dead Col.William Curzon Whyllie, the political advisor of "India
Office" in London.
In 1912, Rasbihari Bose and Sachindra Nath Sanyal threw a bomb and Lord Hardinge at
Delhi.(Delhi Conspiracy Case).
In Oct, 1924, a meeting of revolutionaries from all parts of India was called at Kanpur. They
setup Hindustan Socialist Republic Association/Army (HSRA).
They carried out a dacoity on the Kakori bound train on the Saharanpur-Lucknow railway
line on Aug. 9, 1925.

15. On 30 October 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai led the protest against Simon Commission in a silent
non-violent march at Lahore, but the police responded with violence.
Lala Lajpat Rai was beaten with lathis at the chest. He later succumbed to his injuries.
Bhagat Singh, who was an eyewitness to this event, vowed to take revenge. He joined with
other revolutionaries, Shivaram Rajguru, Jai Gopal and Sukhdev Thapar, in a plot to kill the
police chief, Scott. Jai Gopal was supposed to identify the chief and signal for Singh to
shoot. However, in a case of mistaken identity, Gopal signalled Singh on the appearance of
J. P. Saunders, a Deputy Superintendent of Police. Then Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar
Dutt threw a bomb in the Central Assembly on Apr 8, 1929. Thus, he, Rajguru and Sukhdev
were hanged on March. 23,1931 at Lahore Jall (Lahore Conspiracy Case) and their bodies
cremated at Hussainiwala near Ferozepur.
In 1929 only Jatin Das died in Lahore jail after 63 days fast to protest against horrible
conditions in jail.
Surya Sen, a revolutionary of Bengal, formed the Indian Republic Army in Bengal. In 1930,
he masterminded the raid on Chittagong armoury. He was hanged in 1933.
In 1931, Chandrashekhar Azad shot himself at Alfred Park in Allahabad.

16. First Round Table conference (1930):
It was the first conference arranged between the British and Indians as equals. It was held
on Nov.12, 1930 in London to discuss Simon commission.
Boycotted by INC, Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, Liberals and some others were there.
Second Round Table Conference (1931):
Gandhiji represented the INC and went to London to meet British P.M. Ramsay Macdonald.
However, the session was soon deadlocked on the minorities issue and this time separate
electorates was demanded not only by Muslims but also by Depressed Classes, Indian
Christians and Anglo - Indians.
The Communal Award (Aug 16,1932):
Announced by Ramsay McDonald. It showed divide and rule policy of the British.
Envisaged representation of Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo Indians, women and
even Backward classes.
Gandhiji, who was in Yeravada jail at that time, started a fast unto death against it.

17. Poona Pact (September 25, 1932):
After the announcement of communal award and subsequent fast of Gandhiji, mass
meeting took place almost everywhere.
Political leaders like Madan Mohan Malviya, B.R.Ambedkar and M.C.Rajah became active.
Eventually Poona pact was reached and Gandhiji broke his fact on the sixth day
(Sept 25, 1932).
In this, the idea of separate electorate for the depressed classes was abandoned, but seats
reserved to them in the provincial legislature were increased.
Third Round Table Conference (1932):
Proved fruitless as most of the national leaders were in prison. The discussions led to
the passing of the Government of India Act, 1935.
Demand For Pakistan: In 1930, Iqbal suggested that the Frontier Province, Baluchistan,
Sindh and Kashmir be made the Muslim State within the federation.
Chaudhary Rehmat Ali gave the term Pakistan in 1923.
Mohd. Ali Jinnah of Bombay gave it practicality.
Muslim League first passed the proposal of separate Pakistan in its Lahore session in 1940.

18. The Government of India Act 1935
The most significant aspects of the Act were:
(i) the grant of a large measure of autonomy to the provinces of British India (ending the
system of dyarchy introduced by the Government of India Act 1919)
(ii) provision for the establishment of a "Federation of India", to be made up of both British
India and some or all of the "princely states"
(iii) the introduction of direct elections, thus increasing the franchise from seven million to
thirty-five million people
(iv) membership of the provincial assemblies was altered so as to include more elected
Indian representatives, who were now able to form majorities and be appointed to form
governments
(v) the establishment of a Federal Court
Indian Provincial Elections 1937
Provincial elections were held in British India as mandated by the Government of India
Act 1935. Out of the eleven provinces in which elections were held, the Indian
National Congress emerged in power in eight of the provinces - the three exceptions
being Bengal, Punjab, and Sindh. 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.

19. 1938 - Haripura session of INC was held on 19th February. Subhash Chandra Boss was
elected Congress president on the 20th of February.
1939 - Tripuri session of the INC was conducted from the 10th to the 12th of March.
Subhash Chandra Bose resigns as the president of the INC in April.
Second World War (Sep 1). Great Britain declares war on Germany on 3rd September; the
Viceroy declares that India too is at war. The Muslim League observes the resignation of the
Congress ministries as ‘Deliverance Day’ on 22nd December.
1940 - Lahore session of the Muslim League passes the Pakistan Resolution in March.
Viceroy Linlithgow announces- August Offer on 10th of August. After the war a
representative Indian body would be set up to frame a constitution for India.
Viceroy's Executive Council would be expanded without delay.
Congress Working Committee rejects the 'August Offer' between 18th to the 22nd of
August. Congress launches Individual Satyagraha movement on 17th October.

20. The Cripps Mission - 1942:
In Dec. 1941, Japan entered the World War - II and advanced towards Indian borders. By
March 7, 1942, Rangoon fell and Japan occupied the entire S E Asia.
The British govt. with a view to getting co-operation from Indians sent Sir Stafford Cripps,
leader of the House of Commons to settle terms with the Indian leaders.
He offered a draft which proposed dominion status to be granted after the war.
Rejected by the Congress as it didn't want to rely upon future promises.
Gandhiji termed it as a post dated cheque in a crashing bank.
The Quit India Movement:
Called the Vardha Proposal and Leaderless Revolt.
The resolution was passed on Aug.8, 1942, at Bombay. Gandhiji gave the slogan 'Do or Die'.
On Aug 9, the Congress was banned and its important leaders were arrested.
The arrests provoked indignation among the masses and, there being no program of action,
the movement became spontaneous and violent. Violence spread throughout the country.
The movement was however crushed.

21. The Indian National Army:
Founded by Rasbehari Bose with Captain Mohan Singh.
S.C.Bose secretly escaped from India in Jain 1941, and
reached Berlin. In July 1943, he joined the INA at
Singapore. There, Rasbehari Bose handed over the
leadership to him.
The soldiers were mostly raised from Indian soldiers of
the British army who had been taken prisoners by the
Japanese after they conquered S.E.Asia.
Two INA head quarters were Rangoon and Singapore
(formed in Singapore).
INA had three fighting brigades named after Gandhiji,
Azad and Nehru. Rani Jhansi Brigade was an exclusive
women force.

22. The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946):
The struggle for freedom entered a decisive phase in the year 1945-46. The new Labour
Party PM.Lord Attlee, made a declaration on March 15, 1946, that British Cabinet Mission
(comprising of Lord Pethick Lawrence as Chairman, Sir Stafford Cripps and A.V.Alexander)
will visit India.
The mission held talks with the INC and ML to bring about acceptance of their proposals.
On May 16, 1946, the mission put towards its proposals. It rejected the demand for
separate Pakistan and instead a federal union consisting of British India and the Princely
States was suggested.
Both Congress and Muslims League accepted it.
Formation of Interim Government (Sept 2, 1946):
Based on Cabinet Mission Plan, an interim government consisting of Congress nominees was
formed on Sept.2, 1946. J.L.Nehru was its Vice-President and the Governor-General remained as
its President.

23. Jinnah's Direct Action Resolution (Aug 16, 1946):
Jinnah was alarmed at the results of the elections because the Muslim League was in
danger of being totally eclipsed in the constituent assembly.
Therefore, Muslim League withdrew its acceptance of the Cabinet Mission Plan on July
29, 1946.
It passed a 'Direct action' resolution, which condemned both the British Government
and the Congress (Aug 16, 1946). It resulted in heavy communal riots.
Jinnah celebrated Pakistan Day on Mar 27, 1947.
Formation of Constituent Assembly (Dec 9, 1946):
The Constituent assembly met on Dec 9, 1946. Dr. Sacchidanand Sinha became its First
President. Dr.Rajendra Prasad was its first elected President.

24. Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947):
On June 3, 1947, Lord Mountbatten put forward his plan which outlined the steps for the
solution of India's political problem. The outlines of the Plan were:
India to be divided into India and Pakistan.
Bengal and Punjab will be partitioned and a referendum in NEFP and Sylhet district of Assam
would be held.
There would be a separate constitutional assembly for Pakistan to frame its constitution.
The Princely states would enjoy the liberty to join either India or Pakistan or even remain
independent.
Aug.15, 1947 was the date fixed for handing over power to India and Pakistan.
The British govt. passed the Indian Independence Act of 1947 in July 1947, which contained the
major provisions put forward by the Mountbatten plan.
Partition and Independence (Aug 1947):
All political parties accepted the Mountbatten plan.
At the time of independence, there were 562 small and big Princely States in India.
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the first home minister, used iron hand in this regard. By August 15,
1947, all the States, with a few exceptions like Kashmir, Hyderabad and Junagarh had signed the
Instrument of Accession. Goa was with the Portuguese and Pondicherry with the French.

25. The Constitution of India was framed by a Constituent Assembly set up under the Cabinet
Mission Plan of 1946. The Assembly consisted of 389 members representing provinces (292),
states (93), the Chief Commissioner Provinces (3) and Baluchistan (1).
The Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946, and elected Dr. Sachhidanand
Sinha, the oldest member of the Assembly as the Provisional President. On December 11,
1946, the Assembly elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as its permanent Chairman.
The strength of the Assembly was reduced to 299 (229 representing the provinces and 70
representing the states) following withdrawal of the Muslim League members after the
partition of the country.
A draft of the Constitution was prepared by a seven-member Drafting Committee under the
Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
The drafting Constitution was published in January, 1948 the same was finally adopted on
November, 26, 1949, and was signed by the President of the Assembly. Thus, it took the
Constituent Assembly 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to complete the task.
Though the major part of the Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, the
provisions relating to citizenship, elections, provisional parliament and temporary and
transitional provisions came into force with immediate effect, viz., from November 26, 1949.