The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947
Class 8 · Social Science
4 ideas in Class 8 Social Science, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Nationalism and the birth of the Congress
Part of: The rise of national feeling
Around the 1870s, lawyers and teachers in Poona, Calcutta, Madras and Bombay formed political groups. They said India belonged to all its people, whatever their caste, faith, language or region, and that Indians should decide their own affairs. Harsh steps like the 1878 Arms Act and Press Act, plus the dropped Ilbert Bill of 1883, spread anger. So in December 1885, seventy-two delegates met in Bombay and founded the Indian National Congress.
Why it matters. It shows the child that a nation is its people, and that organised, peaceful demands were the first step toward freedom.
Try it in two minutes
- Recall that India was seen as all its people together.
- Recall the 72 delegates meeting in Bombay in 1885.
- Ask the child to name one demand of the early Congress.
Try at home. Ask family members what one fair rule they would request if they met a ruler.
Moderates, Radicals and the Swadeshi stir
Part of: Demanding swaraj through Swadeshi
The first Congress leaders wrote petitions and speeches, trusting British fairness. By the 1890s, Tilak in Maharashtra, Pal in Bengal and Rai in Punjab rejected begging and urged self-reliance, mass action and swaraj. When Curzon split Bengal in 1905, claiming ease of rule, people saw a plot to weaken Bengali leaders. They answered with Swadeshi: boycott British goods and schools, and build Indian enterprise, schools and languages.
Why it matters. It teaches the child that methods matter, and that united buyers and students can pressure a mighty empire.
Try it in two minutes
- Recall the petition-style politics of the Moderates.
- Recall Tilak, Pal and Rai urging self-reliance and swaraj.
- Recall the boycott of British goods after the 1905 split.
Try at home. List three home-made items in your house and find where each was made.
Gandhi, Rowlatt and Non-Cooperation
Part of: Gandhi and mass struggle
The First World War raised taxes and prices while soldiers returned home questioning empire. Gandhi, back from South Africa in 1915, toured India and led local struggles of peasants and mill hands. In 1919 he opposed the Rowlatt Act, which curbed speech and armed police with wide powers; after the Jallianwala tragedy, Tagore gave up his title. In 1920 Gandhi backed the Khilafat cause and launched Non-Cooperation: students quit schools, lawyers quit courts, titles were returned and foreign cloth was shunned.
Why it matters. It helps the child link everyday hardship to history and value peaceful, united protest.
Try it in two minutes
- Recall price rise and taxes during the war.
- Recall the 1919 Rowlatt protest and 1920 Khilafat cause.
- Recall students, lawyers and cloth bonfires joining boycott.
Try at home. Find one foreign-made item at home and name an Indian alternative.
Salt March, Quit India and Partition
Part of: Freedom with Partition
In 1929 the Congress under Nehru resolved to win Purna Swaraj, complete freedom. In 1930 Gandhi walked over 240 miles from Sabarmati to Dandi and lifted natural salt, defying a tax all felt. Women joined in large numbers; thousands went to jail. Later came provincial rule, resignation of ministries in 1939, the 1942 Quit India call, Bose's INA campaign, popular backing for INA trial prisoners, failed Cabinet talks in 1946, and finally freedom with Partition, which forced millions from their homes.
Why it matters. It lets the child honour the freedom struggle while grasping why unity among communities matters.
Try it in two minutes
- Recall the 240-mile walk from Sabarmati to Dandi.
- Recall the 1942 Quit India call and parallel governments.
- Recall talks failing and two nations emerging.
Try at home. Taste food with and without salt and note why all families need it.
What your child will practise
- Gandhi, Rowlatt and Non-Cooperation: Desert Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Moderates, Radicals and the Swadeshi stir: Explorer'S Map Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Moderates, Radicals and the Swadeshi stir: Space Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Nationalism and the birth of the Congress: Time Travel Quest (Match It Up)
- Salt March, Quit India and Partition: Space Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Quiz: Gandhi, Rowlatt and Non-Cooperation (8 questions)
- Quiz: Moderates, Radicals and the Swadeshi stir (8 questions)
- Quiz: Nationalism and the birth of the Congress (8 questions)
- Quiz: Salt March, Quit India and Partition (8 questions)