History of the Freedom Movement (1857-1947)

Dr Dharm Pal’s book History of the Freedom Movement encapsulates what led to Freedom including British actions and reactions. It incorporates key figures in the freedom movement many of whom were forgotten because giants like Nehru and Gandhi overshadowed them. The author dwells on the foundations of nationalism starting with the Mughal era followed by the Marathas and the British and the Great Revolt of 1857 the nationalist strongholds and the failure of the revolt. The history of this era is traced through important people who lived during this period. He discusses the simultaneous start of religious and social reforms such as the Bhramo Samaj Arya Samaj Ramakrishna Mission and Theosophical Society. He moves onto the political beginning the Indian National Congress and the middle class often suppressed. For example Indians were not allowed top positions in India or to join the ICS. It was not till 1909 that an Indian joined the Viceroy’s Executive Council. A discussion on economic policy racial arrogance misuse of power is followed by the Congress presidents the Tilak era including Lala Lajpat Rai revolutionaries like Hardayal and Savarkar the Muslim separatists such as the Aga Khan. The author then talks about leadership the men of destiny who molded the fate of the country eminent leaders like Malaviya and Kriplani able lieutenants to these leaders the satyagraha movement rise of Indian institutions like Jamia Millia Shantiniketan Bharat Vidyapeeth and DAV eventually leading to independence and partition hastened by the second World War and a Britain interested in rebuilding themselves rather than keeping India under control.