Rowlatt Act (1919)

• Purpose: Curb political movements without trial

• Result: Nationwide protests

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

• Location: Amritsar

• Responsible Officer: General Dyer

• Impact: Nationwide outrage, turning point in the freedom struggle

6. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)

• Cause: Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Khilafat Movement

• Methods:

  • Boycott of British goods

  • Boycott of schools, colleges, courts

  • Return of titles

• Leaders in Bengal: C.R. Das, Subhas Chandra Bose

• End of Movement: Chauri Chaura Incident (1922)

7. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934)

Salt Satyagraha

• Start Date: 12th March 1930

• Dandi March: Gandhi walked 240 miles to break the salt law

• Aim: Violation of unjust laws peacefully

In Bengal

• Salt Satyagraha in Midnapore & Contai

• Women actively participated

• Local leaders: Satish Chandra Samanta, Birendranath Sasmal

Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)

• Ended first phase of the Civil Disobedience Movement

• Agreed to release political prisoners (except violent revolutionaries)

8. Revolutionary Movements

Bengal Revolutionaries

• Anushilan Samiti

• Jugantar Group

• Chittagong Armoury Raid (1930):

  • Led by Surya Sen (Master Da)

  • Attempt to capture British arms and declare freedom

  • Notable Participants: Kalpana Dutta, Pritilata Waddedar

9. Government of India Act, 1935

• Provided for Provincial Autonomy

• Elections held in 1937

• Congress Ministries formed in 7 provinces

10. Quit India Movement (1942)

• Launch Date: 8th August 1942

• Slogan: “Do or Die”

• Immediate Cause: Failure of Cripps Mission

• Nature: Largest mass movement against British rule

• In Bengal:

  • Bengal witnessed strikes, protests, underground revolutionary activities.

  • Leaders: Subhas Chandra Bose (before exile), Satish Chandra Samanta

11. Role of Subhas Chandra Bose

• INA (Indian National Army): Formed with Japanese support

• Azad Hind Government: Provisional government in exile (Singapore, 1943)

• Slogan: “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom.”

12. End of British Rule

Key Events:

• World War II Impact: Weakened Britain’s economy

• Naval Mutiny (1946): Indian Navy revolt

• Mountbatten Plan (1947): Partition of India and Pakistan

• Independence: 15th August 1947

13. Partition of Bengal (1947)

• Bengal was divided into:

  • West Bengal (India)

  • East Bengal (Pakistan, later Bangladesh)

• Led to massive displacement, communal riots, and refugee crisis

Important Leaders from Bengal