India's Freedom Struggle — Key Events and Dates
This is the most frequently asked part of Patwari's GK-India section under the "Important National Events and History" tag — the key events and dates from 1857 to 1947 are listed here in chronological order.
- GK-India · History
- 8 min read
From 1857 to the Non-Cooperation Movement
The Revolt of 1857 (the First War of Independence) began in Meerut and was suppressed by the British, but afterward India's administration passed directly into the hands of the British Crown (1858). The organized national movement began with the founding of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885 — its first president was Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee.
The Partition of Bengal in 1905 (by Curzon) gave rise to the Swadeshi Movement. In 1919, opposition to the Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (Amritsar, General Dyer) filled the public with deep outrage. In this atmosphere, Gandhiji launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920, which was withdrawn in 1922 after the Chauri Chaura incident.
Key Events — Chronology
| Year | Event | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| 1857 | The Revolt of 1857 | Began in Meerut; prominent names include Mangal Pandey and Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi |
| 1885 | Founding of the Indian National Congress | First president: Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee (Bombay session) |
| 1905 | Partition of Bengal | By Lord Curzon; start of the Swadeshi Movement |
| 1919 | Jallianwala Bagh massacre | General Dyer's forces fired on an unarmed crowd in Amritsar |
| 1920–22 | Non-Cooperation Movement | Launched by Gandhiji; withdrawn after the Chauri Chaura incident (1922) |
| 1929 | Declaration of Purna Swaraj | Lahore session (Congress); 26 January declared "Independence Day" (later became Republic Day) |
| 1930 | Dandi March / Salt Satyagraha | Led by Gandhiji from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi to break the salt law |
| 1942 | Quit India Movement | The call of "Do or Die"; followed the failure of the Cripps Mission |
| 1947 | Independence and Partition | 15 August 1947 — India becomes independent, along with the partition of India and Pakistan |
Exam Tip
The biggest confusion in date-based questions is between the "Declaration of Purna Swaraj (1929, Lahore)" and "Independence (1947)" — 26 January was initially declared to be observed as "Independence Day", and after actual independence was achieved, this same date became "Republic Day" from 1950. Both dates are asked about in separate questions, so don't mix them up.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and by whom was the Indian National Congress founded?+
It was founded in 1885; A.O. Hume played a key role in its founding, and its first president was Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee.
When did the Quit India Movement begin?+
On 8 August 1942, following the failure of the Cripps Mission, with Gandhiji's call of "Do or Die".
In which year was the Dandi March held?+
In 1930 — Gandhiji broke the salt law by marching on foot from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in Gujarat.
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