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The Government of India Act
The Government of India Act was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom it transferred British power over India from the East India Company to the Crown. However, it was when India officially became part of the British Empire and that is why I chose it. It was important to Britain because now the position of Governor-General and Viceroy were held by one person who represented the Crown in India. -
Queen Victoria is crowned Empress of India.
Queen Victoria is crowned Empress of India. I chose this event because of its irony. Victoria could not be crowned Empress of Britain because Britain had been a constitutional monarchy since the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Since Parliament governed the United Kingdom, and the British Empire, the British public would resent being ruled by an Empress. The reason this event was important to Britain was that it benefitted the Queen to be seen as equal to other European emperors. -
The Indian National congress is founded
The Indian National congress is founded to represent India in the British government. I chose it because it represented the beginning of the Congress Party of India. It was an important eve which gave Indians a voice towards self-government. -
The British divided Bengal into two provinces
Under the divide and rule policy, the British divided Bengal into two provinces, one with a Muslim majority and the other with a Hindu majority. I chose the First Partition of Bengal because it split the Indian National Congress into moderates and hardliners and saw the rise of the nationalistic movement. It changed India by introducing the concept of sacrifice for independence, which was later adopted by Gandhi. -
The formation of the Muslim league
The formation of the Muslim league. I chose this because it was the first step that led to the eventual formation of Pakistan and Bangladesh. It affected India by creating a rift between Hindus and Muslims. -
Lucknow Pact is signed
Lucknow Pact is signed. I chose this event as it signalled a new phase in the relationship between the Indian National Congress led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and the Muslim League lead by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It was important because it paved the way for Hindu-Muslim cooperation which was needed for the success of Gandhi’s coming non-cooperation movement. -
Lord Irwin announces the goal of British policy
Lord Irwin announces the goal of British policy to attain Dominion Status by India. I chose this event because Irwin’s vaguely worded offer convinced the Indians they were not going to get the same treatment as other countries such as Canada. It was an important event because the moderates who were pushing for a constitutional system within a British dominion lost their support and it strengthened the position of leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, who were pushing for independence. -
The Salt March
Gandhi’s satyagraha strategy of noncooperation and nonviolence is used in the Salt March which defies the British monopoly on the manufacture and sale of salt. I chose this event because it sparked large scale civil disobedience in the country. The event changed India because now the average Indian was willing to support the concept of sacrifice for independence. -
Pakistan
Mountbatten Plan for the partition of India into two dominion states, India and Pakistan. I chose this event because it defined the two nations that India became. It was important to India because it formed the boundaries of the modern country and also because it has left both countries in a situation of continuing hostility. -
India gains independence from the British
India gains independence from the British. I chose this event as it was the birth of a new nation. It was important to Britain as it marked the end of their Empire.