The Swadeshi Movement is considered as one of the significant phases of India’s struggle for independence. This movement was formed in the early twentieth century as a reaction to the Partition of Bengal in 1905. It was the result of agitation against the partition which gradually took the form of a nation-wide movement based on boycott, Swadeshi, national education and self-reliance.
This movement marked a significant turning point in Indian nationalism as far as methods used for political activism and propaganda are concerned. It also promoted indigenous industries, education and entrepreneurship among others.
Background: Partition of Bengal
The origin of the Swadeshi Movement can be dated back to the partition of Bengal by the British Government led by Lord Curzon. While explaining the reason behind this decision, British Government claimed that Bengal was too big for proper administration. However, Indian nationalists considered the main reason as the weakening of the growing nationalist movement and division of Bengali speaking population.
On 20 July 1905, it was declared that a new province of Eastern Bengal and Assam would be formed. The partition took place on 16 October 1905.
The partition became a source of huge controversy as people in Bengal protested against this decision through public meetings, petitions, newspaper campaigns and demonstrations.
Boycott & Swadeshi Movement: Beginning
Since the constitutional protest did not convince the British Government about its demands, the nationalists decided to adopt a new approach which included the boycott of the British goods.
Boycott had been suggested by Krishnakumar Mitra in his newspaper Sanjivani on 3 July 1905. This idea got widespread approval when there was a public meeting organized at Calcutta Town Hall on 7 August 1905.
Swadeshi movement motivated Indians to boycott British products and buy Indian products instead. Thus, swadeshi became not only an economic program but also a political movement.
People mourned, observed processions and celebrated Raksha Bandhan on the day of the implementation of the partition i.e., 16 October 1905.
Key Features of the Swadeshi Movement
The movement was built on various interlinked schemes.
Boycotting of Foreign Goods
The boycott of British goods was one of the most important features. Individuals were expected to refrain from using foreign goods, especially textiles, and use Indian-made goods instead.
Promotion of Swadeshi Industries
Nationalists supported indigenous industries and Indian entrepreneurship. Factories dealing in textiles, chemicals, soap, matches, and other products received prominence.
National Education
The Swadeshi movement even opposed the colonial system of education. The Carlyle Circular issued in October 1905 warned about the possible revocation of grants, scholarships, and affiliations for those students who indulged in any anti-government activities.
It motivated the nationalists to build their own institutions, such as Bengal National College & School and Bengal Technical Institution.
Leaders Who Played Prominent Roles in the Swadeshi Movement
These were,
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Bipin Chandra Pal
- Lala Lajpat Rai
- Aurobindo Ghosh
- Surendranath Banerjee
- Rabindranath Tagore
- V. O. Chidambaram Pillai
In addition, the Swadeshi Movement gave a chance for the rise of extremist nationalism within the Indian National Congress.
Moderates & Extremists
There were divergent views among the moderates and extremists in the Swadeshi Movement.
While the Moderates, like Surendranath Banerjee and Krishnakumar Mitra, depended on petitions, public meeting and constitutional ways in their initial days, they advocated something that later came to be known as ‘constructive Swadeshi’, involving indigenous industries, education and social development.
On the other hand, the Extremists, like Bipin Chandra Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh, had an aggressive programme based on Swaraj, boycott and passive resistance.
Thus, the Swadeshi Movement became instrumental in the change of Indian nationalist politics.
Role of Samitis
Several volunteer groups called Samitis were formed during the movement. Some important ones included Dawn Society, Anti-Circular Society, Swadesh Bandhav Samiti, Anushilan Samiti and Suhrid Samiti.
They advocated Swadeshi and boycott, undertook physical and moral training, did social work during times of famines and epidemics and worked for spreading nationalism amongst common people.
Role of Women, Students and Common People
The Swadeshi Movement made political movements extend beyond political leadership.
Students indulged in picketing and demonstrations, while women participated in boycott and advocated Swadeshi items. Craftsmen, farmers and certain sections of the middle class too became involved in this movement.
The movement thus helped nationalism become a mass phenomenon going beyond political elites.
Spread Beyond Bengal
Though Swadeshi Movement was centred in Bengal, its influence was felt throughout India.
Swadeshi and boycott campaign was organised in Bombay, Madras and North India. Bal Gangadhar Tilak played an important role in making the movement spread beyond Bengal.
In certain parts of present day Andhra, the movement came to be associated with Vande Mataram Movement.
Economic Impacts
One of the key impacts of the movement was the promotion of Indian industries.
Swadeshi Movement rejuvenated,
- Local textiles
- Cottage industries
- Handicrafts
- Chemical and soap industry
- Matches
- Indian entrepreneurship
The movement made the Indians aware of the economic impacts of colonial rule and promoted domestic manufacturing among them.
Cultural and Nationalist Impacts
The Swadeshi Movement also had a significant cultural impact. Literature, songs, press and nationalistic writings were some of the most prominent tools used for the spread of nationalism during that era.
Literary figures like Rabindranath Tagore played a role in the cultural mobilisation of the time.
The Swadeshi Movement was one of the movements through which nationalism evolved into a general sentiment and popular notions of Swadeshi, Swaraj, self-reliance and passive resistance were spread.
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