Swadeshi Movement (1905): Overview, Causes & Impact [UPSC Notes]

Swadeshi Movement (1905)

The Swadeshi movement spread as a reaction to Curzon’s reactionary policies and, more importantly, his policy of the Bengal partition. It is called Swadeshi as the movement emphasised the Boycott of foreign-made clothes and goods such as sugar, salt, government schools and colleges and other government services.

The Swadeshi movement saw two distinct forms of leadership: the moderates and the extremists. Their differences eventually led to the split of Congress in Surat in 1907. However, Bengal’s partition was annulled in 1911 by Lord Hardinge primarily to curb revolutionary terrorism.

What is the Swadeshi Movement?

The swadeshi Movement was a pivotal campaign in the Indian independence struggle that advocated for the use of Indian-made goods and boycott of British products. Initiated in response to British policies, it aimed to promote self- reliance and economic independence.

Cause of Swadeshi Movement

The immediate cause of the Swadeshi Movement was the British government’s decision to partition Bengal in 1905, which was seen as an attempt to divide and weaken Indian nationalism by creating religious divisions. This move sparkled widespread anger and led to the call for boycotting British goods.

Origin of Extremism/Militant Nationalism

Militant nationalism as a political activity emerged in the 1890s and took concrete shape by 1905. Militant nationalism was given impetus by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in the following ways:

• Processions and fairs were organised, and speeches stressing the need for patriotism, discipline, physical strength, etc., were made. He organised Ganapati Utsav and Shivaji Utsav.
• In 1895, Tilak, in his journal, Kesari recounted the life story and heroism of Shivaji. He upheld Shivaji as the symbol of self-government and independence.

The successive reactionary British policies led to the rise of Militant Nationalism –

Beliefs of Militants or Extremists

Followers of militant nationalism or extremist nationalism didn’t believe in the methods of moderates, such as peaceful and constitutional methods, to present the demands. But they believed in the following tenets –

• Animosity towards foreign rule.
• There is no hope in foreign rule; hence, the Indians should work themselves for their freedom.
• Swaraj to be the aim of the national movement;
• Direct political action is needed;
• Belief in the capacity of the people to challenge authority;
• Personal sacrifices are necessary, and a true nationalist must always be prepared to make them.

Reasons for the rise of Extremists

Various following factors contributed to the rise of extremist or nationalist movements: