Question

Assess the place of Terrorist Revolutionary Movement in the history of India.

Answer 1

The Revolutionary movement for Indian independence is a part of the Indian independence movement comprising the actions of the underground revolutionary factions. Groups believing in armed revolution against the ruling British fall into this category, as opposed to the generally peaceful civil disobedience movement spearheaded by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

Reason for rise of Terrorist Revolutionary Movement:

1. Dis-satisfaction with strategy of nationalist leadership : Sudden withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement and more emphasis on Non violence disillusioned the revolutionary. So the revolutionists were dissatisfied with nationalist leadership.
2. No faith in Parliamentary work : younger nationalists were not attracted to the parliamentary work of the Swarajists or to the patient, undramatic, constructive work of the No-changers,they were drawn to the idea that violent methods alone would free India. Thus, revolutionary activity was revived.
3. Recognition of the True Nature of British Rule : The politics of the moderate nationalists were founded on the belief that British rule could be reformed from within. But the spread of knowledge regarding political and economic questions gradually undermined this belief Politically conscious Indians were convinced that the purpose of the British rule was to exploit India economically.So there are discontent among revolutionary against British rule.
4. Growth of Self-respect and Self- confidence : By the end of the 19th century, the Indian nationalists had grown in self-respect and self- confidence. They had acquired faith in their capacity to govern themselves and in the future development of their country. So , all these factors give revolutionary confidence to raise arms against British Government.
5. International Influences: Several events abroad during this period tended to encourage the growth of revolutionary in India.Russian Revolution (1917) and the success of the young Soviet state in consolidating itself influences the revolutionary movement in India.

Contribution of Terrorist Revolutionary Movement:

1. There was a large-scale participation of young women especially under Surya Sen. These women provided shelter, carried messages and fought with guns in hand.Prominent women revolutionaries were Kalpana Dutt, Santi Ghosh and Suniti Chandheri.
2. There was an emphasis on group action aimed at organs of the colonial State, instead of individual action. The objective was to set an example before the youth and to demoralise the bureaucracy.
3. Some of the earlier tendency towards Hindu religiosity was shed, and there were no more rituals like oath-taking, and this facilitated participation by Muslims. Surya Sen had Muslims such as Satar, Mir Ahmed, Fakir Ahmed Mian and Tunu Mian in his group.
4. It provided the new energy to national movement whenever national movement was in suspended mode. As for example after fallout of the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement, first phase of revolutionary movement started. Similarly Second phase of revolutionary movement started after fallout of the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Limitation of Terrorist Revolutionary Movement:

1. The movement retained some conservative elements.
2. It failed to evolve broader socio- economic goals.

Hence, Terrorist Revolutionary Movement provided a new dimension to Indian freedom struggle movement in terms of women participation, religious secularism and individual level.