Key Dates of India's Freedom Struggle

The Indian National Congress was founded on December 28, 1885, in Bombay (Mumbai) by A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant, along with Dadabhai Naoroji and Dinshaw Wacha. The first session was presided over by W.C. Bonnerjee. It became the primary vehicle of the independence movement.

The Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon took effect on October 16, 1905. It divided Bengal into 'Eastern Bengal and Assam' and 'Bengal.' Nationalists saw it as a 'divide and rule' strategy to split the Hindu-Muslim population. The Swadeshi Movement began as a response, and October 16 was observed as a day of mourning.

Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered the firing at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919 (Baisakhi day). Hundreds of unarmed civilians were killed when troops opened fire on a peaceful gathering protesting the Rowlatt Act. The massacre turned the tide of Indian public opinion firmly against British rule.

Gandhi formally launched the Non-Cooperation Movement on August 1, 1920 — the same day Bal Gangadhar Tilak died. Participants boycotted British goods, courts, schools, and councils. Gandhi returned his Kaiser-i-Hind medal. The movement was suspended after the Chauri Chaura incident in February 1922.

Chauri Chaura is in Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh. On February 5, 1922, a mob of protesters clashed with police and set fire to a police station, killing 22-23 policemen. Gandhi, horrified by the violence, suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement — a controversial but principled decision.

The tricolour was hoisted on the banks of the Ravi river at midnight on December 31, 1929, symbolising the Purna Swaraj declaration. January 26, 1930 was observed as the first Poorna Swaraj Diwas (Independence Day pledge), which is why January 26 was later chosen as Republic Day when the Constitution came into force in 1950.

Gandhi started the Dandi March from Sabarmati Ashram (Ahmedabad) on March 12, 1930, with 78 selected satyagrahis. They walked 241 miles (388 km) to Dandi on the Gujarat coast, where Gandhi broke the salt law on April 6, 1930. The Civil Disobedience Movement began nationwide as a result.

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on March 5, 1931 between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin (Viceroy). Gandhi agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference and suspend Civil Disobedience. The British agreed to release political prisoners. Gandhi was criticised by Bhagat Singh's supporters for not seeking clemency.

Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were hanged at Central Jail, Lahore on March 23, 1931 — a day earlier than scheduled — for the killing of J.P. Saunders (1928). March 23 is now observed as Martyrs' Day (Shaheed Diwas) in their honour. They were aged 23, 22, and 24 respectively.

The Poona Pact (September 24, 1932) was signed between Gandhi and Ambedkar in Yerawada Central Prison to resolve the issue of separate electorates for 'Depressed Classes' (Dalits). Gandhi was on a fast-unto-death against the British plan for separate electorates. The pact gave reserved seats within joint electorates instead, increasing the number of reserved seats.

The Quit India Movement (August Kranti) was officially launched by the All India Congress Committee on August 8, 1942, in Bombay (Gowalia Tank Maidan). Gandhi gave his 'Do or Die' speech. On August 9, Gandhi and other leaders were arrested, sparking massive protests. The movement was ultimately suppressed by the British.

Subhash Chandra Bose established the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind Sarkar) in Singapore on October 21, 1943, and became its Head of State. The Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) marched under his leadership, reaching the soil of India in Manipur. He declared 'Dilli Chalo' (March to Delhi).

The Cabinet Mission Plan (May 16, 1946) proposed keeping India united with a three-tier federal structure: Centre, Groups of Provinces, and individual Provinces. It proposed a Constituent Assembly to draft the constitution. Both the Congress and Muslim League initially accepted it but later disagreed on the grouping scheme.

The Muslim League, under Muhammad Ali Jinnah, called for Direct Action Day on August 16, 1946, to press for the creation of Pakistan. The day led to large-scale communal riots in Calcutta (the 'Great Calcutta Killings'), killing an estimated 4,000–10,000 people. It marked a grim turning point toward Partition.

The Indian Independence Act was passed by the British Parliament and received Royal Assent on July 18, 1947. It provided for the partition of British India into the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan with effect from August 15, 1947. The Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947) was the announcement that preceded the Act.

Operation Polo (September 13–17, 1948) was the military campaign led by General J.N. Chaudhuri. After 5 days, the Nizam of Hyderabad signed the Instrument of Accession on September 17, 1948. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the driving force behind Hyderabad's integration. September 17 is now observed as Hyderabad Liberation Day.

The Constitution of India was adopted on November 26, 1949 (now observed as Constitution Day / Samvidhan Divas) but came into force on January 26, 1950, chosen to honour the memory of the 1930 Purna Swaraj declaration. On January 26, 1950, India became a Republic, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first President.

Chandrashekhar Azad (born July 23, 1906) shot himself on February 27, 1931, at Alfred Park (now Chandrashekhar Azad Park) in Allahabad, rather than surrender to the British. True to his name 'Azad' (Free), he had vowed never to be arrested. He was a key leader of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

Sri Aurobindo Ghosh was born on August 15, 1872 — exactly 75 years before India's Independence. He was a prominent revolutionary freedom fighter turned spiritual master. Interestingly, Sri Aurobindo interpreted India's Independence on his birthday as a divine sign. He founded the Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry.