In more ways than one, the third decade of the twentieth century marks a turning point in contemporary Indian history. While this period saw the overwhelming participation of Indians in the national movement, it also saw the basic crystallization of the major political currents in the national arena. These various political currents arose in response to Gandhi's Satyagraha ideology of truth and nonviolence, as they expressed a good or negative reaction to it. During this time, the overseas impact on Indian political thinkers was much stronger than previously. In this article, we will discuss the Emergence of New Forces during the 1920s and 1930s, which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Spread of Marxist and Socialist Ideas

• Many young nationalists, inspired by the Soviet Revolution and dissatisfied with Gandhian ideas and political programmes, began advocating radical solutions for the country's economic, political, and social ills. These younger nationalists—
  • were critical of both Swarajists and No-Changers
  • advocated a more consistent anti-imperialist stance in the form of a purna swarajya slogan (complete independence).
  • were influenced by an awareness, emphasized the importance of combining nationalism and anti-imperialism with social justice, and simultaneously raised the issue of internal class oppression by capitalists and landlords.
• The Communist Party of India (CPI) was founded in 1920 in Tashkent (now the capital of Uzbekistan) by M.N. Roy, Abani Mukherji, and others following the second Commintern Congress. M.N. Roy was also the first to be elected to the Comintern leadership.
• Many communists were imprisoned in the Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case in 1924, including S.A. Dange, Muzaffar Ahmed, Shaukat Usmani, and Nalini Gupta.
• The CPI was formally founded in 1925 at the Indian Communist Conference in Kanpur.
• In 1929, the government crackdown on communists resulted in the arrest and trial of 31 leading communists, trade unionists, and left-wing leaders in the famous Meerut conspiracy case.

The activism of Indian Youth

• Students' leagues were being formed all over the place.
• Student conferences were being held.
• Jawaharlal Nehru presided over the All Bengal Students' Conference in 1928.

Peasants Agitation

• Peasant agitations in the United Provinces sought revision of tenancy laws, lower rents, protection from eviction, and debt relief.
• Similar peasant uprisings occurred in the Andhra Rampa region, Rajasthan, and the ryotwari areas of Bombay and Madras.
• Vallabhbhai Patel led the Bardoli Satyagraha in Gujarat (1928).

Growth of Trade Union

• The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), founded in 1920, led the trade union movement.
• Its first president was Lala Lajpat Rai, and its first general secretary was Dewan Chaman Lal. Tilak was another of the evocative spirits.
• During the 1920s, major strikes occurred at Kharagpur Railway Workshops, Tata Iron and Steel Works (Jamshedpur), Bombay Textile Mills (which involved 1,50,000 workers and lasted 5 months), and Buckingham Carnatic Mills.
• There were 5 lakh workers involved in a number of strikes in 1928. May Day was first observed in India in Madras in 1923.

Caste Movements

The various contradictions of Indian society, as in previous periods, found expression in caste associations and movements. These movements could be divisive, conservative, or potentially radical, and included:

• Justice Party (Madras)
• Self-respect movement (1925) under "Periyar"—E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker (Madras)
• Satyashodhak activists in Satara (Maharashtra)
• Bhaskar Rao Jadhav (Maharashtra)
• Mahars under Ambedkar (Maharashtra)
• Kerala's radical Ezhavas are led by K. Aiyappan and C. Kesavan.
• Yadavs in Bihar seek social advancement.
• Unionist Party led by Fazl-i-Hussain (Punjab).

Revolutionary Activities

• Those who were dissatisfied with the nationalist strategy of political struggle, with its emphasis on nonviolence, took this stance.
• In Punjab-UP-Bihar, two strands of the Hindustan Republican Association (H.R.A.) emerged.
• Surya Sen led the Yugantar, Anushilan, and later the Chittagong Revolt Group in Bengal.

Conclusion

Northern Indian revolutionaries were the first to emerge from a state of frustration. Before an armed conflict could be waged, large-scale propaganda had to be organised, men had to be recruited and trained, and arms had to be obtained. The youth upsurge also provided fertile ground for the germination and spread of the new radical ideas of socialism that had begun to reach Indian shores.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who was the first president of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)?

A) Lala Lajpat Rai
B) Jawaharlal Nehru
C) Subhas Chandra Bose
D) Sardar Patel

2. Which of the following movements was led by Vallabhbhai Patel in 1928?

A) Salt March
B) Bardoli Satyagraha
C) Chittagong Armoury Raid
D) Quit India Movement

3. What was the main objective of the Communist Party of India (CPI) when it was formed in 1920?

A) To support British colonial rule
B) To seek complete independence from British rule
C) To promote capitalism in India
D) To maintain the status quo in Indian politics

4. What was the main focus of the peasant movements in the 1920s and 1930s?

A) Universal suffrage
B) Land reforms and debt relief
C) Independence from British rule
D) Education reforms

5. The Chittagong Armoury Raid (1930) was led by which revolutionary leader?

A) Bhagat Singh
B) Subhas Chandra Bose
C) Surya Sen
D) Lala Lajpat Rai

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the role of socialist and Marxist ideologies in shaping Indian political movements in the 1920s and 1930s.

Answer: Socialist and Marxist ideologies had a significant impact on Indian political movements during the 1920s and 1930s. These ideologies provided an alternative to the Gandhian non-violent resistance and focused on the socio-economic issues faced by the masses, particularly the working class and peasantry. Marxist ideas led to the formation of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1920, which advocated for complete independence combined with social justice. These movements also addressed the problems of internal class oppression, by focusing on the exploitation of workers and peasants by capitalists and landlords. Socialist ideas were integral in shaping labor and peasant movements, while also influencing the intellectual discourse in India during the pre-independence period.

Q2: How did revolutionary activities contribute to the Indian independence movement in the 1920s and 1930s?

Answer: Revolutionary activities during the 1920s and 1930s represented a radical response to British colonialism and the limitations of non-violent movements. Groups like the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), led by Surya Sen, resorted to violence to disrupt British control and gain independence. The Chittagong Armoury Raid in 1930 and the Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy of 1924 were key events where armed struggle was seen as a legitimate means of resistance. These activities helped raise awareness about the need for immediate action against British rule and influenced the overall strategy of the nationalist movement, even though they were ultimately suppressed by the colonial government.

Q3: Analyze the impact of youth and student activism on the Indian freedom struggle during the 1920s and 1930s.

Answer: Youth and student activism played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian freedom struggle during the 1920s and 1930s. The formation of student leagues and the holding of conferences provided a platform for the youth to engage in political discussions and mobilize support for the independence movement. Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru became increasingly involved in student politics, advocating for national unity and social reform. The youth’s enthusiasm and energy also played a role in spreading nationalist ideas and rallying support for the non-cooperation movement and other radical causes. The youth activism of this period laid the foundation for later developments in the independence movement, influencing figures like Bhagat Singh and others who were critical of Gandhi’s methods.

Previous Year Questions on the Emergence of New Forces

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: The rise of socialist and Marxist ideas in India during the 1920s was a response to:

A) The Gandhian non-violent movement
B) The rise of the Indian National Congress
C) The growing influence of the British Empire
D) The establishment of the All India Trade Union Congress

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Socialist and Marxist ideas in India gained traction in response to the Gandhian non-violent movement, advocating for a more radical approach to achieving independence combined with social justice.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Discuss the role of revolutionary activities and youth movements in the Indian independence struggle during the 1920s and 1930s.

Answer: Revolutionary activities and youth movements played an essential role in challenging British rule during the 1920s and 1930s. While Gandhi’s non-violent methods dominated the political landscape, radical elements within the youth were frustrated with the slow progress and adopted more direct methods. Groups like the Hindustan Republican Association and leaders such as Bhagat Singh and Surya Sen were involved in armed struggles, aiming to disrupt British colonial activities. At the same time, student activism, led by figures like Nehru, energized the movement and helped spread nationalist sentiment. These revolutionary and youth movements complemented the larger freedom struggle, adding urgency to the call for independence.