Swadeshi Movement History, Causes, & Effects UPSC Notes PDF

The Swadeshi movement started in India on August 7, 1905. It was formally launched from Calcutta's Town Hall to increase indigenous production and reduce the import of products. Mahatma Gandhi referred to it as the soul of swaraj (self-rule). This is located in the Bengali state. Together with the Swadeshi movement, there was also a boycott movement that was started. Using locally produced goods and burning British products are reportedly part of the movements. Following the British Government's division of Bengal, the Swadeshi and Boycott movement was pushed by the renowned Indian fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

The topic Swadeshi Movement UPSC has always been very important from the point of view of the IAS Exam. 

In this article on the Swadeshi Movement UPSC we will delve into the history, causes, impact, and significance of the Swadeshi Movement as required for UPSC.

You can also register for the best coaching for history optional and begin your UPSC IAS preparation journey with Testbook.

What is Swadeshi Movement?

The Swadeshi movement was a part of the Indian independence movement, promoting self-sufficiency and contributing to Indian nationalism. It began in response to growing discontentment among Indians before the BML Government decided to partition Bengal, officially starting on August 7, 1905. Mahatma Gandhi saw it as essential for self-rule (swaraj). The movement gained momentum as wealthy Indians donated funds and land for Khadi and Gramodyog societies, fostering local cloth production. This movement extended to other village industries, aiming to make villages self-sufficient. The Indian National Congress utilized the Swadeshi movement as a tool in its struggle for freedom. On August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled a hand-spun Khadi tricolor Ashoka Chakra Indian flag at Princess Park near India Gate, New Delhi, marking India's independence.

Know more about the Rise of Gandhi in the Indian Freedom Struggle here.

Background of the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement

• The British Indian government’s decision to separate Bengal resulted in the birth of the Swadeshi movement in the early twentieth century.
• The movement’s two main objectives were to promote the usage of Swadeshi products and to boycott imported goods.
• Calcutta City Hall passed a Boycott Resolution on August 7, 1905, agreeing to boycott the use of Manchester cloth and Liverpool salt.
• The residents of Barisal agreed on a boycott of foreign-made goods, and the price of British fabric sold there dropped dramatically.
• Bande Mataram became the anthem of the Swadeshi movement and the boycott.
• Among the movement’s several means of combat, the boycott of foreign-made goods was the movement’s most visible victory on a practical and popular level.
• Boycotts, public burnings of foreign apparel, and picketing of establishments selling foreign goods became frequent in rural Bengal and many of the country’s major cities and towns.
• As a method of popular mobilization, the Swadeshi movement used a corps of volunteers (samitis).
• The Swadesh Bandhab Samiti was the most well-known of all the volunteer organizations, created by Ashwini Kumar Dutt, a Barisal schoolteacher.
• In Western India (Maharashtra), Lokmanya Tilak arranged the Shivaji and Ganapati festivals to spread the Swadeshi doctrine and boycott movements among the public.
• In numerous fields, the Swadeshi and boycott campaigns emphasized “Atmasakti,” or self-reliance, to recover national pride.
• This emphasis on self-sufficiency was especially evident in national education.
• The National College of Bengal was founded with Aurobindo as its principal. A high number of national schools have been built across the country in a short period of time.
• The National Education Council was established in August 1906.
• Indians’ business drive reflected their self-reliance. During this time, textile mills, soap and match factories, tanneries, banks, insurance companies, and other enterprises exploded.
• While the bulk of these Swadeshi businesses was started and ran out of patriotism rather than a genuine business interest, others, like Acharya P.C. Ray survived for a long period.
• Rabindranath Tagore’s Amar Sonar Bangla, penned in protest of Bengal’s partition, became a rallying point for the Swadeshi and boycott campaigns, eventually inspiring Bangladesh’s liberation effort.

Also, check: Contribution of Raja Ram Mohan Roy here!

Partition of Bengal and Swadeshi Movement

The anti-partition movement, which at the time began to criticise Lord Curzon's decision, inspired the current movement. He decided to split up our nation, including the Bengal province. Moderates started the effort, which is often referred to as the Anti-Partition campaign. This was done to put pressure on the government to stop the unlawful division of the state of Bengal. Swadeshi Movement started in India during Anti-Bengal Partition agitation.

• The petitions of both states were written to the government in the public meetings held, and the ideas were spread through newspapers.
• The programme of Swadeshi Andolan had emanated from the partition of Bengal. In 1905, the partition was planned and continued up till 1908.
• It was said that most of the successful pre-Gandhian movements included this moment.
• Initially, we can say that the partition plan was opposed through the intensive use of conventional ‘moderate’ methods, which were used in press campaigns.
• These also included numerous meetings, petitions, and big conferences at the city of Calcutta town hall in March 1904 and January 1905.
• It is evident that the total failure of such techniques led to a search for new forms – that is, boycotting the British goods, Rakhi Bandhan and Aradhana.

You might like to read: Rani Lakshmi Bai Rani of Jhansi.

Rise of Extremists during the Swadeshi Movement

• The Swadeshi Movement gave rise to a new generation of leaders known as the extremists. They adopted more radical and militant methods in the fight against British colonial rule.
• The extremists emphasized the use of boycotts, strikes, and non-cooperation as means to challenge British authority and achieve self-rule.
• Prominent leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai emerged as influential figures during this period. They advocated for more aggressive forms of resistance.
• The extremists rejected the moderate approach of the Indian National Congress, which sought constitutional reforms and dialogue with the British government.
• They called for complete independence (Swaraj), rather than limited self-government. They employed strategies such as mass mobilization, public speeches, and publications to spread their message.
• The extremists played a crucial role in expanding the base of the nationalist movement, particularly among the youth and the masses. They emphasized the need for self-reliance, national pride, and assertiveness in challenging British rule.

Know more about the Indian National Movement – Extremist Period!

Participants of the Swadeshi Movement 

Know more about the Causes of the Indian National Movement!

Impact of the Swadeshi Movement

• From 1905 to 1908, there was a noticeable decrease in the amount of foreign goods brought into India.
• The movement sparked intense nationalism, especially among young people. They became more radical in their opposition to British rule, sometimes resorting to violence to end it swiftly.
• The pressure from the Swadeshi Movement compelled the British authorities to make some concessions to Indians, resulting in the Morley-Minto reforms of 1909. Gopal Krishna Gokhale played a crucial role in shaping these reforms.
• Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s Shantiniketan, several educational institutions promoting Indian culture and values were founded. This included the Bengal National College and various national schools and colleges across the country.
• In August 1906, the National Council of Education was set up to improve the national education system. The Bengal Institute of Technology was inaugurated to provide technical education.
• The movement spurred the creation of indigenous industries. This included textile mills, soap and match factories, tanneries, banks, insurance companies, and shops. It also revitalized the Indian Cottage Industry, leading to a resurgence in the use of locally-made goods.
• Foreign goods, such as clothing, sugar, salt, and luxury items, were not only boycotted but also publicly burned. The Swadeshi movement also encouraged social boycotts of both buyers and sellers of foreign goods. This further reinforced the movement's impact on society.

Know more about the Indian National Movement – Moderate Phase!

Significance of Swadeshi Movement

• The Swadeshi Movement held immense significance in shaping the nationalist movement and creating a sense of unity and national consciousness among the Indian masses.
• The movement advocated for the use of indigenous goods and the boycott of British goods. It aimed to promote self-reliance and economic independence.
• The Swadeshi Movement became a powerful medium for mobilizing people across different regions, religions, and social backgrounds. This fostered a spirit of nationalism and unity.
• It provided a platform for political awakening and mass participation. This encouraged people to actively engage in the freedom struggle.
• The movement led to the development of indigenous industries and promoted the growth of cottage industries. This contributed to the economic empowerment of the people.
• It played a crucial role in promoting the concept of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. This challenged the economic exploitation by the British and advocated for economic freedom.
• The Swadeshi Movement also witnessed the active involvement of women. They played a significant role in organizing and leading protests, thus contributing to the women's empowerment movement.
• The movement had a ripple effect on other aspects of the freedom struggle. This included the promotion of indigenous education, cultural revival, and the demand for Swaraj (self-rule).

Also, check: NCERT notes on Revolutionary Movements in India.

Gradual Suppression of the Swadeshi Movement

Despite its initial momentum and popular support, the Swadeshi Movement faced significant challenges. It eventually experienced a gradual suppression by the British colonial authorities.

• The British government employed repressive measures to counter the movement, including:
  • the arrest and imprisonment of leaders,
  • imposition of restrictions on public gatherings and speeches, and
  • the deployment of police and military forces to maintain law and order.
• The British authorities also resorted to economic measures, such as increasing taxes and import duties. This undermined the economic viability of indigenous industries and discouraged the use of indigenous goods.
• The government used divide-and-rule tactics to create divisions within the nationalist movement and weaken its unity and resolve.
• In addition, the British government initiated reforms and concessions to pacify the moderate section of the Indian National Congress. This resulted in a division within the nationalist ranks.
• The failure of the Swadeshi Movement to achieve immediate political goals, combined with the suppression tactics employed by the British, led to a decline in its intensity and widespread participation.
•  

Testbook provides a set of comprehensive notes for different competitive exams. Testbook is always on the top of the list because of its best quality assured products like live tests, mocks, Content pages, GK and current affairs videos and much more. To study more topics for UPSC, download the Testbook App now!

UPSC Mains Question on Swadeshi Movement

Q1: Though the Swadeshi movement failed in achieving its immediate objective, it played a significant role in the Indian freedom struggle. Discuss.