History of India: 1700s-1947

Year
1611
1612
1640
1688
1700
1717

1750s:
Carnatic
Wars
(I: 1746-48
II: 1749-54
III: 1756-63)

Incident
East India Company (EIC) establishes a factory in Masulipatnam (modern
Andhra Pradesh)
Factory established in Surat
Factory established in Madras
Portuguese Bombay leased by EIC
Factory established in Calcutta
Farrukhsiyar grants farman to EIC to carry on inland trade in Bengal with
several significant concessions regarding tax concessions
Carnatic Wars
These established the British East Indias Companys supremacy amongst all
the European companies in India). Around then, the Carnatic region was
nominally a dependency of Hyderabad state (Mughal control), but was ruled
by Nawab Dost Ali Khan
I Carnatic war was the Indian theatre of the War of Austrian Succession in
Europe, which brought Britain and France into conflict, and spilled onto the
Indian subcontinent as well. Indian rulers were not involved; Brits came out
on top. First military adventure of Robert Clive
II Carnatic war started as a war of succession after the death of Nawab-ulMulk (Nawab of Hyderabad), and Brits and French saw an opportunity to
consolidate influence and joined warring factions. Brits again came out on
top, under Clive. Ended by Treaty of Pondicherry in 1754, recognizing the
British-supported candidate becoming the Nawab
III Carnatic war was the Indian theatre of the Seven Years War in Europe.
Spread as far as Bengal, but was decided in southern India. Brits occupied
Pondicherry (French capital). Gave it back under Treaty of Paris in 1763,
but only as a trading post. This signaled the end of French political
ambitions in India
Battle of Plassey (Robert Clive v/s Siraj-ud-Daulah)
When Alivardi Khan had come to power, he adopted a strict policy with the
British, who had been granted favorable trade rights (including inland ones)
by Farrukhsiyar in 1717. Alivardi had seen how Brits and French were
waging proxy wars in Carnatic using local rulers, and wanted to prevent
Bengal from that fate. Brits kept complaining that farman of 1717 was not
being implemented fully, even as they continued rapacious inland trade that
harmed the Nawabs revenue (which had been going on since 1717)

1757:
Battle of
Plassey
(Brits v/s
Bengal
Nawabs
(Siraj-udDalulah, later
Mir Jafar and
Mir Qasim)

1761:
Battle of
Panipat
(Marathas v/s
Afghans +

In 1756, Alivardi Khan died and his grandson Siraj-ud-Daulah became

Nawab of Bengal. He was suspicious of the British, and asked them to stop
fortification (which the British were doing because of wars with France both
in Europe and in Carnatic; French had also recently occupied Chandernagar
in Bengal. This had infuriated the Nawab, who didnt want any more of this
on his land). Brits didnt stop fortifications, and the Nawab attacked the EIC
in Calcutta and ransacked the city (black hole incident)
EIC officials fled to an offshore island, and called for help from the company
in Madras; under Clive, the Brits seized Calcutta, and the French fort of
Chandernagar (7 years war was on in Europe)
French troops now joined the Nawab. In response, Robert Clive bribed Mir
Jafar (head of Nawabs army), and defeated the Nawab at Battle of Plassey.
The British were now paramount rulers of Bengal, with all forthcoming
Nawabs at their mercy (as early as 1759, Mir Jafar had grown disillusioned
with the Brits, and started making alliances with the Dutch to repel the
British; he got deposed, Mir Qasim came next)
Battle of Panipat
Mughal empire was under free-fall after Aurangzeb. Already during
Aurangzebs time, Mughals and Marathas had been fighting for 27 years
(1680-1707). Marathas had had rapid territorial gains (Gujarat, Malwa,
Rajputana etc.). By 1737, they also controlled most of Mughal territories

south of Delhi. In 1758, Nana Saheb (Balaji Baji Rao) occupied Punjab as
well, and this brought the Marathas into direct confrontation with the
Afghans, under Ahmad Shah Abdali. They started sending expeditionary
forces to mount attacks on the small Maratha garrisons in Punjab.
Shuja-udDaulah of
Awadh; Brits
not involved)

1763

War seemed imminent; both sides wanted Shuja-ud-Daulah of Awadh on

their side. Shuja joined Afghans (Army of Islam), and this was critical,
because without his support Afghans wouldnt have had the money to stay
for as long as they did in India. Afghans laid siege to Panipat, and cut off
supplies to Marathas in Delhi, who started dying of starvation. Maratha
soldiers begged to go to war, and to war they did go. But the Afghans under
Ahmad Shah Durrani and Shuja were much stronger, and convincingly
routed the Maraths
The Marathas were to remain absent from the North Indian political
scene for the next decade, until another war in 1771
III Carnatic War ends in Treaty of Paris; with this, Britain ends all
political ambitions of France in India. Pondicherry returned to the French, but
only as a trading post
Sanyasi rebellion (Bengal/ East India): Brits imposed a ban on visits to
holy places; Sanyasis organized raids on company
Battle of Buxar (read immediately after Battle of Plassey)
Mir Qasim was installed as Nawab of Bengal after Mir Jafars rebellious
activities. Mir Qasim also quickly saw that there was no way that British
plunder of Bengal could be allowed to go unchecked. He made alliances with
Nawab of Awadh (Shuja-ud-Daulah) and Mughal King Shah Alam II;
however, Clives army convincingly beat their combined forces at Buxar.

1764:
Battle of
Buxar

Shah Alam II now signed the Treaty of Allahabad, granting Diwani rights
to the British EIC for Bengal (modern Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, and
parts of UP) in return for allowing him to hold court at Allahabad; Mir Qasim
was replaced. Shuja-ud-Daulah allowed to return to Awadh under a
subsidiary force. This arrangement made the British virtual rulers of
Bengal (the revenue-collection function had hitherto been performed by
the Nawabs). Now, the Nawab had the responsibility for administration (Brits
werent interested in direct administration yet), while the Brits enjoyed the
real power (without responsibility).
=> Led to dual government in Bengal.

1767
<1767-99:
AngloMysore
(modern
Karnataka)
Wars>
(I: 1767-69
II: 1780-84
III: 1789-92
IV: 1799)
(Treaties:
MMSMadras,
Mangalore,
Seringapatna
m)

With the Marathas just having lost to the Afghans in the Battle of Panipat in
1761, they were to remain absent from North Indian affairs for about a
decade. This gave the British a wide berth in consolidating their foothold
over these parts.
I Anglo-Mysore War (1767): Hyder Ali had become the ruler of Mysore in
1761. Mysore had enemies Marathas to the north, and Hyderabad to the
east. Marathas invaded Mysore around 1767; initial plan was that
Hyderabads Nizam will also invade and plunder, but the British invaded
Hyderabads Northern Sarkars (to establish a land route between their
holdings in Calcutta and Madras). This made the Nizam think of allying with
Mysore. But Brits pre-empted and attacked Mysore.
No side won decisively; Treaty of Madras in 1769 declared ceasefire, and
Brits were to help out Mysore in case of military aggression from Marathas.
II Anglo-Mysore War (1780): Going against the Treaty of Madras, the
British refused to help out in Mysore-Maratha wars in 1770s, and Hyder Ali
allied with the French. After Britain and France started fighting in Europe,
Brits occupied French port of Mahe on Malabar coast. Hyder Ali used to get
his French arms from this port. So, Hyder Ali launched an attack in response,
and included Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad.
After a long-drawn war, British losses were high, and London instructed EIC
to stop the war and sign a treaty. Treaty of Mangalore was signed in
1784, and all territories won by either side given back. Brits agreed not to
intervene in any future wars between Mysore, Marathas, and Hyderabad.

III Anglo-Mysore War (1789): Tipu Sultan, Hyder Alis son, was now the
ruler; hed been looking to find a way to go to war with the British. He
attacked British ally Travancore (Kerala); Brits said okay lets fight.
Tipu lost badly; Brits couldve occupied Mysore but didnt because they
didnt want consolidation of Maratha power, or to incur expenses by
appointing someone directly under Brits. They let Tipu rule, but took 2 of his
sons hostage so he would abide by the Treaty of Seringapatnam (1792),
whereby about half of Mysores area was given away to Marathas and
Hyderabad.
IV Anglo-Mysore War (1799): Final war; Tipu dead. Most of Mysore given
away to Marathas and Nizam; core around Seringapatnam given to preHyder Ali House of Wodeyars, who ruled till 1947
Regulating Act (GG- Warren Hastings):

1773

EIC, before and since Plassey (1757), was involved in corrupt practices
whereby the company constantly veered on the verge of bankruptcy and
couldnt repay its commitments to the British government even as the
Nabobs became spectacularly wealthy. The Regulating Act was brought in
for the better management of the companys affairs in India and in Britain.
The Company was to act as the Sovereign power on behalf of the Crown.
Warren Hastings was the Governor in Bengal at this time (so became first
GG).

Key features:
1.GG + 4: Created executive council of 4 members to assist the GovernorGeneral of Bengal
2. Governors of Bombay and Madras presidencies made subordinate
to GG of Bengal
3.Established Supreme Court in Calcutta
4.Company servants were forbidden from carrying on private trade or
accept presents from Indian rulers
I Anglo-Maratha War (1775): Around this time, the Marathas were the
only major Indian power left on the subcontinent (and to some extent,
1775
Mysore). However, there was internal squabbling for succession.
Raghunath Rao signed a treaty with Brits (but he wasnt the rightful heir);
1775-1818:
this treaty led to the start of the first war; this was virtually a stalemate,
Angloended with Treaty of Salbai whereby both powers were to follow a policy
Maratha
of peaceful coexistence.
Wars
II Anglo-Maratha War (1803): Nana Phadnavis died; succession struggle.
(I: 1775-82
One side (Raghunath Raos son Bajir Rao II) signed Treaty of Bassein with
II: 1803-05
the Brits, in effect becoming their subsidiary. Other side, enraged,
III: 1817attacked the Brits and the first side. Lost. Marathas lost large part of
18)
their territory
III Anglo-Maratha War (1817): Mostly a mopping-up operation; the
(Salbai,
previous war had been stopped due to fiscal constraints. At the end of this
Bassein,
war, all the Maratha powers had surrendered to the British, under Treaty of
Gwalior)
Gwalior. Brits now controlled all of Southern India, south of the Satluj
river.
1784
Pitts India Act (GG- Warren Hastings): Passed among allegations of
continuing corruption and misrule even after the 1773 Regulating Act
1. GG + 3: Governor-Generals council reduced to 3 members (from 4
after the Regulating Act)
2. Modified the relationship between the EIC and the British Government
3. Made the EIC subordinate to the British government by creating the
Board of Control, both to supervise the East India Company's affairs
and to prevent the Company's shareholders from interfering in the
governance of India. The erstwhile Court of Directors was still to exist,
but would manage only commercial affairs; BoC would manage political
affairs
4. Secretary of State was to be the President of the Board; +5 members
5. Bengal GG kind of made head, but some autonomy to subordinate
provincial Governors
Failed because boundaries of work between BoC and CoD were poorly

1789
1793
1795

1799

1803

1813

1815

1817
1828
1829
1830

1833

1835
1839

defined and arbitrary.

III Anglo-Mysore War (see above): Tipu had been wanting to fight the brits;
attacked their allies Travancore. Lost, had to sign Treaty of Mangalore. His
sons were taken hostage by Brits to ensure good behavior.
Cornwallis introduced Permanent Settlement in Bengal (demands had been
raised by liberals in Britain since Regulating Act of 1773); this was the first
socio-economic regulation in British India
Bengal Regulation; declared infanticide illegal.
IV Anglo-Mysore War; ended in Tipus defeat, and installation of puppet
rulers House of Wodeyars on the Mysore throne. Mysore was now out of the
game.
Chuar uprising (Bengal/ East India (Midnapore)): Happened due to
famine, enhanced land-revenue demand, and general economic distress.
Wasnt a one-off incident; incidents happened till 1816.
II Anglo-Maratha War (see above): Renegade Baji Rao II signed Treaty of
Bassein with Brits; death knell for Marathas (although there would be one
more war after this)
Charter Act of 1813 (GG- Minto; retired in 1813, succeeded by
Hastings (Moira): Passed in the backdrop of great economic turmoil in
Europe; Napoleon had imposed the Continental System in Europe, and
British traders were facing hardships. There was clamor for revoking EICs
monopoly on trade with India. Key features:
1. GG + 3 maintained
2. Ended the trade monopoly of EIC with India, except for tea and trade
with China
3. Missionaries now allowed to go to India
4. EIC instructed to spend Rs. 1 lakh per annum to strengthen the
education systems
5. Empowered local governments to impose taxes, subject to jurisdiction of
SC
Atmiya Sabha: Raja Ram Mohan Roy established the Atmiya Sabha, a
precursor in the socio-religious reforms in Bengal. With this, he was known
as a campaigners for the rights of women. He started opposing the Sati
system and Polygamy in Hindus.
III Anglo-Maratha War (see above): mop-up operation. All Maratha power
now with British, who controlled the entire Indian territory south of the
Satluj.
Brahmo Samaj established
William Bentick brings in Abolishon of Sati Act
Dharma Sabha established by Radhakant Deb as retaliation to Brahmo
Samajs growing influence; orthodox Hindu, status-quoist
Charter Act of 1833 (GG- Bentick) (before this: Regulating Act of 1773,
Pitts India Act of 1784)
1. GG + 4: GGs council expanded to include a 4th member (Macaulay was
the first such 4th member); not to be an executive member, only
legislative
2. Trade license of EIC revoked altogether (opening up of trade with
India to others, not only EIC); the EIC became a part of the British
government, but Indias administration remained under company
officials
3. Made the GG of Bengal GG of India (title change); thus, revoked the
autonomy of the presidencies of Madras and Bombay; deprived
Governments of Madras and Bombay of powers of legislation
4. First step towards codifying India laws; India Law Commission set up
5. First act that provisioned to freely admit the natives of India to share in
administration
Metcalfe (GG) repeals Licensing Act that had imposed restrictions on
freedom of press
Tattvabodhini Sabha established by Debendranath Tagore. When Brahmo
Samaj became weak after the death of its founder Ram Mohan Roy,
Debendranath Tagore took every possible initiative and established the
'Tattvanodhini Sabha'. Its prime objective was to propagate the spirit of

Hindu Scriptures, including the Vedas. Came together with Brahmo Samaj in
1840s.
The Tattvabodhini Sabha encouraged a balanced attitude towards religion, a
feature that attracted both the groups, conservative like Ishwar Chandra
Gupta as well as modern outlook-ed people like Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Debendranath Tagore, however, modified his philosophy and conflict with
many of the views of the members of the Sabha. Thus came a split in the
Sabha in 1859 and subsequently, the liability of publishing the journal and
books for the circulation of the faith fell on Calcutta Brahmo Samaj.
Charter Act of 1853 (GG- Dalhousie (James Broun-Ramsey))

1853

1854

1856

1858

1. GG + 4 + 6: 4th member in council placed on equal footing with the

other 3, and 6 new Legislative Councillors added; total council
strength = 12 (all officials; GG + Commander in Chief + 4 executive
members + 2 judges + 4 officials)
2. All previous Charter Acts had explicitly dictated how long the EICs
charter was being renewed for; this one just said unless Parliament
decides otherwise, EIC would administer India
3. Deprived the Court of Directors from using appointments to ICS as a
patronage device; appointments thrown open via competitive
examinations
Woods Despatch to GG Lord Dalhousie, asking to: (i) Set up education
department in every province; (ii) Universities on the model of the London
University be established in big cities such as Bombay, Calcutta and Madras;
(iii) At least one government school be opened in every district; (iv) Indians
should also be taught in their native tongues. Is called Magna-carta of
English Education in India.
Hindu Widow Remarriage Act
Government of India Act (GG- Charles Canning)
1. Abolished the EICs rule in India, the Court of Directors, and the
Board of Control
2. Crown was now to govern India directly via a Secretary of State for
India
3. GG renamed Viceroy (Canning was thus first Viceroy)
4. 15 member council to assist SoS
Indian Councils Act (GG- Charles Canning)

1861

1865
1866
1870
1867
1873
1875

1. GG + 5 + (6-12): Additional member in executive council; minimum 6

and maximum 12 legislative members, half of whom had to be nonofficials (nominated by provinces and the Calcutta Chamber of
Commerce; thus, Indian participation initiated)
2. Portfolio system introduced
3. Decentralization: Re-instated legislative powers of Governments of
Madras and Bombay
4. GG had veto, could issue ordinances
5. LC members could discuss budget, but couldnt legislate on budget
Split in Brahmo Samaj
East India Association founded by Dadabhai Naoroji in London. It was
one of the predecessor organizations of the Indian National Congress. The
idea was to present the correct information about India to the British Public
and voice Indian Grievances. Became defunct in 1880s.
Mayos Resolution (Fiscal Decentralization from Centre to Provinces)
Poona Sarvajanik Sabha founded by Ranade to represent the aspirations
of the people to government. It published a quartely journal to put forth the
problems of people before the government.
Satyashodhak Samaj founded by Jyotiba Phule. Aim was to create caste
consciousness; first movement with leadership from low castes; Raja Bali
used as symbol.
Arya Samaj founded by Dayanand Saraswati; Back to the Vedas, end

1878
1882

priestly domination, promote inter-caste and widow marriages, no idol

worship
Vernacular Press Act, Arms Act
Keshab Chanda Sens Brahmo Samaj of India further splits into two (other
branch now called Sadharan Brahmo Samaj).
Ripons Resolution (Fiscal Decentralization from Provinces to Local Bodies)
Hunter Education Commission
Ilbert Bill (Ripon): proposed an amendment for existing laws in the
country at the time to allow Indian judges and magistrates the jurisdiction to
try British offenders in criminal cases at the District level, something that
was disallowed at the time. Didnt pass.

1883

Finally, a solution was adopted by way of compromise: jurisdiction to try

Europeans would be conferred on European and Indian District Magistrates
and Sessions Judges alike. However, a defendant would in all cases have
the right to claim trial by a jury of which at least half the members must be
European.

1885

Indian National Congress formed; first President: WC Bonnerji

Kadambini becomes the first woman to address INC (I think she was the first
female graduate of Calcutta University)
Act X : raised the age of consent for sexual intercourse for all girls, married
or unmarried, from 10 years to 12 years old; everything before would be
classified as rape and attract penal punishment
Councils Act (Lansdowne)
Bombay plague; Chapekar brothers shoot someone important, hanged; Tilak
jailed for praising them (they were his disciples anyway)
Ramakrishna Movement started by Vivekananda (Narendranath Dutta);
aim was to spread the universal message of Vedanta, love all religions,
service of humans = service of god.
Sri Narayan Guru Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) movement; started
among Ezvahas of Kerala (toddy-trappers, untouchables); urged them to join
schools, administration.
Official Secrets Act
Partition of Bengal, Swadeshi Movement
Shyamji Krishna Verma starts Indian Home Rule Society in London
GK Gokhale starts Servants of India Society; non-religious, aimed at
raising cadres for nation-building
INC adopts Swaraj as goal during Calcutta session under Dadabhai Naorojis
presidentship
Yugantar started in Anushilan Samiti (which was a revolutionary terrorist
organization in Bengal)
Shimla Deputation: In 1906 a group of Muslim landed magnates and
chieftains organized a deputation of Lord Minto, the Viceroy, at Simla and
pleaded for concession to the Muslim community of India.

1890
1891
1892
1896
1897
1902
1904
1905

1906

1907
1908
1909

Within a few months following the Simla Deputation a political forum of the
communalist Muslims emerged. Nawab Salimullah of Dacca took
initiative in organizing a conference of the communalist Muslims in which a
resolution was adopted in favour of the foundation of the All India Muslim
League.
Muslim League founded
INC Surat split
Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose executed for bomb-carriage incident
Tilak praises them, deported to Mandalay for 8 years under charges of
sedition
Indian Councils Act (GG- Minto: father of communal electorates)
(Minto-Morley Reforms)
1. GG was Minto
2. GG + 7 + (60): Massively increased the size of Legislative Council at
the center (16 to 60), and also in the provinces; officials still in
majority (34 officials, 25 elected (13 general, 8 Muslims, 6 British
Capitalists, 2 landlords), 4 nominated)

3. LCs could discuss

4. Separate electorates introduced
5. Satyendranath Sinha became the first Indian to join the GGs
executive council

1911
1912
1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920
1921
1922
1923

1924

1925
1926

Partition of Bengal annulled under constant opposition from Hindu

communalist groups, and because of the rise of revolutionary terrorism;
immediate cause for discontent was a huge famine, and the simultaneous
pomp of the Delhi Durbar for a visiting Royal
RB Bose and Sachin Sanyal throw a bomb at Viceroy Hardinge
Tilak returns to India (back from Prison in Mandalay)
Ghadar party formed in San Francisco under Lala Hardayal, after
Komagata Maru incident
Amidst WW1, Defense of India rules imposed that curbed all kinds of civil
liberties- entire leadership of Ghadar movement beheaded
Pherozshah Mehta and Gopalkrishna Gokhale both dead (natural causes)
Congress reunites in Lucknow (after Surat Split of 1907)
Lucknow Pact (between the Muslim League and the Congress)
Tilak and Annie Besant start the Home Rule League Movement
(instrumental in making the INC a potent political force again, by bringing
the extremists and moderates under the same fold again)
Gandhi enters the nationalist scene; Champaran Satyagraha
Justice Party founded in Tamil Nadu; this was a political party focused on
securing jobs for non-brahmins in legislature. Founded by CN Mulaidar, T.
Nair, and P. Thyagaraja.
Russian Revolution (was to lead to rise of the left ad peasant movements
later)
Kheda Satyagraha
Ahmedabad Mill Strike
Rowlatt Satyagraha, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Gandhi jailed
Government of India Act (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms)
1. GG was Chelmsford
2. Replaced Legislative Council with a bicameral structure; both
houses had majority members elected by direct elections (but limited
franchise- property, tax, or education)
3. Dyarchy (two executives in Provinces; one responsible to Legislature
(Ministers), and the other to Governor (Executive Councillors)
4. 3 members of GGs executive council to be Indians
5. Extended separate electorates to Sikhs, Christians, Anglos, and
Europeans
6. Separated provincial budgets from central; provinces could enact their
own budgets
Congress commits itself to extra-constitutional mass struggle (Nagpur
session)
Non-Cooperation/ Khilafat Movement starts
MN Roy founded CPI in Tashkent
Akali Movement; started to liberate Sikh Gurudwaras from Udasi Mahants;
later won and set up SGPC; later turned communal (think why?)
Chaura-Chauri incident; Gandhi calls off NCM, arrested for 6 years
Mapilla rebellion in Malabar
Swarajist-No-changer debate
Gandhi released on health grounds (check)
Swaraj party (from within the Congress) fights elections; wins handsomely
Hindustan Republican Army set up by Ramprasad Bismil, Sachin Sanyal,
and Jogendranath Chatterjee
Vaikom Satyagraha (temple entry, led by KV Keshav)
Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case: SA Dange jailed
CR Das dies; leads to split in Bengal Congress: JM Sengupta faction (backed
by revolutionary Anushilan group), and other led by SC Bose (Yugantar
group)
Kakori train robbery (Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Rajendra Lahiri hanged)
Swaraj party splits due to differences- some members like MMM and Lala
Lajpat Rai wanted more concession to Hindus, Nehru and CR Das (?) were

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932
1933
1934

secular and left the Swaraj party; elections, Swaraj party does badly
Simon Commission- all white, no Indians; huge protests, even Muslim
League protests. Lala Lajpat Rai killed during demonstrations
Delhi Proposals by the Muslim League; first ever acceptance of Joint
Electorates
Saunders Murder by HSRA; Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt throw
bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly to protest the Public Safety Bill
and Trade Disputes Bill
Nehru Report
Calcutta
INC declares that if the Government doesnt grant dominion
Session
status within a year, they will start a satyagraha; Gandhi tours
the country to prepare the masses for the coming struggle
INC declares Purna Swaraj as its goal in Lahore; all Congress ministries
resign
League issues Jinnahs 14 points
Irwin announces that goal of Brits is to eventually grant dominion status
Meerut Conspiracy Case
Delhi Manifesto
Launch of the Civil Disobedience Movement via Dandi March in March;
movement builds up, Gandhi arrested in May
First RTC in London (to discuss Simon recommendations); Congress
boycotts
Chittagong Armory Raid (Surya Sen etc.)
Sarda Act
Garhwal Rifles soldiers refuse to open fire on unarmed crowd
Gandhi-Irwin Pact (Delhi Pact- put INC and GoI on equal footing)
Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru hanged (Lahore Conspiracy Case)
INC Karachi session; 2 landmark resolutions on Fundamental Rights and
National Economic Programme passed
Second RTC; Gandhi dismayed at strong focus on Communal Award to
depressed classes, decides to resume CDM. Arrested upon return to India
without a trial, jailed in Yeravada (Poona)
Gurvayur Satyagraha (temple entry)
Communal Award announced by Ramsey Macdonald (SoS)
Gandhi undertakes fast unto death in Yeravada against this; him and
Ambedkar sign the Poona Pact; Gandhi sets up the All India AntiUntouchability League from jail
Third RTC in London
Gandhi released from prison
Gandhi retires from active politics (after dispute in Congress regarding
direction), devotes himself to constructive work; withdraws CDM
Government of India Act
1.
2.

1935

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

1936
1937
1939
1940

Establishment of All-India Federation (didnt happen as Princes didnt

agree)
Abolished diarchy in provinces (=> provinvial autonomy), and
introduced it at the central level; 3 legislative lists
Responsible governance in the provinces (implemented for a while);
Governor answerable to legislature
Further extended separate electorates to depressed classes, women,
and labour
Extended franchise; about 10% eligible to vote
Still, about 80% of central budget not votable
Established Reserve Bank of India

Maharaja of Travancore allows temple entry (after lots of struggle- think

Vaikom, Gurvayur etc.)
Provincial elections held, Congress wins/emerges as single largest party in
all provinces but two (check which two); Muslim League dismayed, moves to
extreme communalism
WW2 starts; Congress ministries resign; League observes the day of
resignation as Deliverance Day
Pakistan Resolution at the Leagues Lahore session
August Offer (Linlithgow)

1942
1944/45

1946

1947

Congress launches individual satyagrahas; Dilli Chalo; first satyagraha

was Vinoba Bhave
Quit India Movement (resolution in Bombay in August); Gandhi and other
leaders arrested immediately after resolution
Cripps Mission (Blueprint for Indias Partition)
Wavells Plan/ Shimla Conference
Calcutta upsurge 01; elections (communal polarization, league sweeps
muslim areas)
Cabinet Mission
Calcutta upsurge 02 + RIN mutiny
August
Communal riots at an unprecedented scale
September
Interim congress government (despite INC opposition to
compulsory grouping)
October
Muslim League joins interim government
February
Attlees statement: were leaving by June 1948
June
Mountbatten Plan
August 15
Independence