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Beginning of the Indian Rebellion of 1857
On this day, Indian soldiers in the East India Company Army began to rebell against the authorities settled in Meerut. In no time, the war spread to other regions of the country, including the city of Delhi. In the image we can see revolutionaries leading the rebellion of 1897. -
Surrounding Cawnpore & the Bibighar Massacre
During this battle, Indian rebels surrounded the city of Cawnpore and attacked the British residing there. Curiously though, during British evacuation the siege had turned into a massacre. Here, 120 women and children were killed. Their bodies were hid in an attempt to hide the event of the massacre. Once the British found out about this, it angered them even further causing their counter-attacks all throughout India. -
The End of the First Rebellion
On this day a peace treaty was signed, the last rebels were fought in Gwalior, and the first rebellion had ended with the success of the British. In the end, it was obvious that there were many more casualties on the Indian side than on the British. -
The Rise of Nationalism
1885 was a great year for Indian nationalists. For example, the Indian National Congress, founded by a total of eight politicians, was created. This political group became of major importance during the Indian Independence Movement. -
Kicked of a Train!
In the early months of 1893, a small brown lawyer was traveling in South Africa riding in the First Class train carriage. When he is discovered in this whites-only area, he was eventually kicked off the train and left on a platform. This was what inspired him to start his search for equality. In the image, we see a picture of Gandhi taken during his time in South Africa, the country where he was kicked off the train. -
A Rise of Muslim Nationalism
On this date, an All-India Muslim League was created. This political party was known to have a strong desire of separating the Muslim population into a nation-state called Pakistan. Here is a picture of the League during one of its very nationalistic meetings. -
"We Refuse to Register"
The British attempted to register Indian members of the Boer Republic Transvaal. Gandhi refuses to do so, others follow his lead. This marks the first time Gandhi uses his nonviolent protesting style in order achieve civil disobedience against the British. This event took place in South Africa. This led to two of Gandhi's arrests. -
Arrested for Defending his Rights
Gandhi is arrested for not registering in the Transvaal. He stays in prison for two months. He is released early on January 30th. -
Gandhi's Arrival
On this day, Gandhi's desire of returning to India is fulfilled. He's travelled from South Africa and arrived in Bombay, India. He was recieved as a hero taking part in his nonviolent protests in South Africa. Here there is a picture of Gandhi riding his carriage amongst the crowds of Indians after his arrival. -
Founding of Satyagraha ashram
Gandhi and his followers found the communal farm of Satyagraha ashram. Here they resided in togetherness and religion. -
The Return of Indian Soldiers
After WWI had ended, British troops composed of Indians returned home. With the war being over and all the efforts they put into the war, the Indians expected to be treaty equally and respectfully by the British. They weren't, this further spurred Indian nationalism. -
A Day of Prayer and Fasting
Gandhi comes up with completely shutting down India through the act of national, nonviolent protesting against the Rowaltt Act. On this day, Indian nationalists gather in prayer and fast as their resistance. -
Defiance leads to Massacre
The British have passed the Rowlatt Act. This law did not allow any kind of protest-related gathering in India. Either way, a group of Indian protestors had gathered in Jallianwala Bagh in order to organize to peacefully protest against the arrest of two leaders (including Gandhi). This led to a massacre under the command of Brigadier Reginald Dyer. The army shot into the crowd for 10 continuous minutes. You'll be able to see a drawing of the British (left) and the protesters (right) of the day. -
A Declaration of Nonviolence
Around this time, the Indian National Congress declared civil disobedience towards British law. This means any peaceful-protesting group chooses not to follow unjust law through nonviolent acts. This was decided through the influence of Mahatma Gandhi, who firmly believed in this kind of protest. This year, the British arrested many revolutionary leaders and anyone who partook in these acts against British rule. -
Arrested Once More...
Gandhi is arrested for sedition. He stays in prison until 1924. -
Gandhi's Salt March
The Salt March is another one of Gandhi's peaceful protests. The British had made laws against taking or buying salt from anything or anyone else other than British government. As a civil disobidient act, he walked for over 240 miles to the Indian Ocean in order to counter British salt ownership. Here, there is an image of Gandhi leading the march to the Indian Ocean. -
India Gets A Government
The British Government had struggled to negociate the terms of the Government of India Act. Eventually, it allowed India to be locally governed, along with several democratic elections. This did not allow complete independence, but it gave the Indians some freedom from the British. -
Hindu-Muslim Partition
On this day, India became independent and Gandhi took part in deciding how the land were to be divided. The independent nation-state of Pakistan was created in order to please the Muslim League's wishes and the rest of India belonged to the Hindus. In the image, you'll be able to see the divide between the two countries and the people crowding the border. -
Chaos At the Border
Muslims and Hindus rush towards the borders of India and Pakistan, away from the killings taking place. Gandhi fasts in order to achieve peace between the Muslims and the Hindus. In the image, you'll be able to see men with guns at the border. This indicates violence and conflict within Pakistan and India. -
The Murder of a Peaceful Activist
Gandhi is murdered by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist. On the day of his assassination, Gandhi was outside a building where a meeting of prayer was meant to take place. Gandhi's last words translated to "Oh God". Here there is an image taken after Gandhi's death. We can see, that the corpse surrounded by the people who loved and admired him.
