Indian Decolonization and Partition (Essay Sample)

Indian Decolonization and Partition Name of the student Institution Course Instructor Date : Indian Decolonization and Partition The term “decolonization” refers to the movement toward achieving full political and economic autonomy from former colonial powers; On the other hand, partition refers to the division of a country that once existed as a whole into two independent dominions(Fortham University, 2021). For instance, India was formerly a single nation before and throughout the colonial period, but once the British colony was withdrawn, it was partitioned into India and Pakistan. This essay examines the historical events that led to India’s decolonization and partition and how these two milestones symbolized a breakdown in British governance. India was under British colonization(British raj) from 1858 until they obtained independence in 1947. Nationalist Mohandas K. Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, actively shaped, impacted, and nurtured India’s cause for liberation (decolonization). After returning from South Africa, where he had practiced law for twenty years, Gandhi launched the strategic movements that ultimately resulted in the downfall of British power. Gandhi initiated civil disobedience campaigns in 1930 to oppose the injustices of the British administration(Dalrymple, 2015). The fundamental objective of civil disobedience was to end collaboration with the British and impede the functioning of the administration. It was characterized by the deliberate breaking of unjust laws, such as the salt tax law, the boycott of British institutions and goods, such as foreign-made cloth, the refusal of peasants to pay revenue and chowkidar taxes, the violation of forest laws by deliberately grazing animals in reserved forests, and numerous other actions. Gandhi’s civil disobedience campaigns in India eventually failed to subdue the nation to British authority, as British colonial authorities imprisoned Gandhi and other revolutionaries. However, it played a crucial role in strengthening the liberation struggle’s social foundations. For example, it shattered people’s trust in the British administration, developed social roots for the independence cause, and disseminated new propaganda techniques such as the Prabhat Pheris, booklets, etc. (Speier, 1950). Additionally, the boycotts of British products and institutions hurt the economy of the British colonial powers. The initiatives also resulted in the government eliminating the burdensome salt tax and granting women unprecedented access to the shared spheres in large numbers. The Quit India Campaign was another pivotal movement that contributed to India’s independence. In 1942, with the help of Congress, Gandhi initiated this nonviolent campaign urging the British to give India freedom(Dalrymple, 2015). Gandhi’s strategy for the decolonization of India consisted of coordinated, nonviolent demonstrations that compelled the British colonial force to withdraw from India so that India could achieve independence. In 1935, the British awarded India some autonomy but not complete freedom. However, this autonomy exacerbated tensions between the Hindu and Muslim minorities, who feared the Hindus gaining control. When World War II broke out, the British government enlisted Indian soldiers after consulting with India’s self-governing parliament. This resulted in demonstrations and increased demands for India’s independence. After World War II in 1945, the British adhered to the Atlantic Charter, which affirmed that all countries have the right to self-government and consented to give India independence. The British colonial rulers granted India independence in 1947. However, the transition proved turbulent, resulting in violence between Hindus. Through their leader Muhammed Ali Jinnah, Muslims shattered expectations for a unified India’s governability by calling for violent means to establish a separate Muslim state(Dalrymple, 2015). Even though the Muslims fought for an independent nation, Gandhi-led Hindus were against partitioning India as he believed it was against his vision of a united India. The disagreement intensified the civil war between the Hindus and the Muslims until an agreement was reached to divide India into two sovereign states. India’s partition was driven by Muslims’ fear of living under a Hindu majority. According to the Indian Hidden News documentary (2011),  Hindus were said to have oddly strict social attitudes. As a result of this deep-seated bias, most Hindus were not welcome in Muslim kitchens. Similarly, Muslims were forbidden to drink from the same tap as Hindus.  These biases kept Hindus and Muslims apart. As a result, a division of the country ...