Beginning of the Revolutionary Phase (1905–1917)

Introduction
• After the decline of the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement, India entered the first major phase of revolutionary nationalism.
• The British followed a “Divide and Rule” policy—appeasing Moderates through constitutional concessions while repressing Extremists.
• The Indian Councils Act of 1909 (Morley–Minto Reforms) tried to create division among Indians, especially between Hindus and Muslims.

Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley–Minto Reforms)
Key Provisions
• First introduction of elections in legislative bodies.
• Recognized elective principle for Indian non-officials.
• Separate electorates introduced for Muslims.
• Increased number of elected members in central and provincial councils.

Composition of Imperial Legislative Council
• Total Members: 69
  – Officials: 37
  – Non-officials: 32 (5 nominated, 27 elected)
• Of the 27 elected:
  – 8 seats reserved for Muslims
  – 4 for British capitalists
  – 2 for landlords
  – 13 under general electorate
• Elections were indirect → elected by electoral colleges formed by local bodies.

Powers Granted
• Councils could:
  – Discuss budget (but not vote on it fully)
  – Ask questions and supplementary questions
  – Pass resolutions
• Still no real power—executive remained fully authoritarian.
• Satyendra Prasad Sinha became first Indian member of Viceroy’s Executive Council.

Evaluation of the Reforms
• Morley declared openly that responsible government was not suitable for India.
• Aimed at dividing nationalists:
  – Appease Moderates
  – Divide Hindu-Muslim unity
  – Isolate Extremists
• Elections were highly restricted—described as “infiltration through sieves.”
• Gave only an illusion of self-government (benevolent despotism).

Rise of Revolutionary Nationalism (Phase I)

Background
• The decline of the Swadeshi Movement (after 1908) pushed young nationalists towards armed struggle.
• Revolutionaries believed:
  – Mass violent revolt was not yet possible.
  – Individual heroic action could inspire the people and weaken British rule.
• Inspired by:
  – Russian Nihilists
  – Irish Nationalists

Methods Adopted
• Assassination of unpopular British officials.
• Dacoities (armed robberies) to raise funds.
• Formation of secret societies.
• Military conspiracies during First World War.

Revolutionary Activities in Bengal
• First group at Midnapore under Jnanendra Nath Basu (1902).

Anushilan Samiti
• Founded by Promotha Mitter, Jatindranath Banerjee, Barindra Kumar Ghosh.
• Publications: Yugantar weekly (started 1906).
• Leaders: Barin Ghosh, Bhupendranath Dutta.
• Spread secret societies to Punjab, UP and Delhi (by Rash Behari Bose and Sachin Sanyal).

Important Incidents
1. Attempt to derail Andrew Fraser’s train (1907).
2. Muzaffarpur Bomb Case (1908):
   – Khudiram Bose & Prafulla Chaki targeted Judge Kingsford.
   – Two Englishwomen killed accidentally.
   – Chaki shot himself; Khudiram hanged.
3. Alipore Conspiracy Case (1908):
   – Entire Anushilan Samiti arrested.
   – Aurobindo Ghosh, Barin Ghosh tried.
4. Barrah Dacoity (1908) by Pulin Das (Dacca branch).
5. Killing of public prosecutor in Calcutta (1909) and DSP (1910).
6. Delhi Conspiracy Case (1912):
   – Rash Behari Bose & Sachin Sanyal attacked Viceroy Hardinge during a procession.

Zimmerman Plan / German Plot (1914–15)
• Bagha Jatin (Jatindranath Mukherjee) reorganized revolutionary network in Bengal, Bihar & Orissa.
• Attempt to import German arms with help of revolutionaries abroad.
• Rash Behari Bose asked to lead North India for coordinated insurrection.

Revolutionary Activities in Maharashtra
• Earliest: Ramosi Rebellion (1879) by Vasudev Balwant Phadke.
• 1897: Chapekar brothers assassinated Rand and Ayerst (Poona plague officials).
• Savarkar:
  – Formed Mitra Mela (1899)
  – Formed Abhinav Bharat (1904)
  – Inspired by Mazzini’s Young Italy.

Revolutionary Activities in Punjab
• Lala Lajpat Rai’s Punjabee & Ajit Singh’s Anjuman-i-Mohisban-i-Watan.
• Leaders: Aga Haidar, Syed Haider Raza, Bhai Parmanand, Lalchand “Falak”.
• Harsh repression in 1907; Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh deported.

Revolutionary Activities Abroad

India House (London)
• Started by Shyamji Krishna Varma (1905).
• Journal: The Indian Sociologist.
• Members: V.D. Savarkar, Lala Hardayal.

Paris & Europe
• Madam Bhikaji Cama published Vande Mataram.
• Ajit Singh active in France.
• After 1909, Berlin became a center under Virendranath Chattopadhyaya.

Ghadar Movement (1913)
• Pre-Ghadar activity led by:
  – Ramdas Puri, G.D. Kumar, Taraknath Das, Sohan Singh Bhakna, Lala Hardayal.
• Set up centres:
  – Swadesh Sevak Home (Vancouver)
  – United India House (Seattle)
• Ghadar Party formed in 1913; published The Ghadr (San Francisco).
• Comprised mostly Punjabi peasants and ex-soldiers.
• Aimed for global revolt against British rule.

Komagata Maru Incident (1914)
• 370 Indian passengers denied entry into Canada.
• Ship forced to return; clash at Budge Budge near Calcutta.
• 22 killed—deep resentment among revolutionaries.

Ghadrites in India
• Planned armed revolt on Feb 21, 1915 in Ferozepur, Lahore, Rawalpindi.
• Foiled due to betrayal.
• Defence of India Act (March 1915) passed to crush movement.

Revolutionaries in Europe (1915)
• Berlin Committee founded by V. Chattopadhyaya.
• Missions sent to:
  – Turkey
  – Kabul
  – Persia
• Provisional Government of India set up in Kabul (1915) by:
  – Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh
  – Barkatullah
  – Obaidullah Sindhi.

Decline of Revolutionary Phase I (By 1917)
• Many revolutionaries jailed or exiled.
• British introduced conciliation alongside repression.
• August 1917 Declaration (Montagu Statement) promised constitutional reforms.
• Arrival of Gandhi brought:
  – Mass-based
  – Non-violent
  movements offering a new path.

Conclusion
• The Revolutionary Phase played a crucial role in:
  – Spreading patriotic fervour.
  – Exposing the brutality of British rule.
  – Inspiring future generations.
• Though limited in scope, it laid the emotional foundation for future mass uprisings under Gandhian leadership.

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Subject: Modern History

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