Question map
The 'Swadeshi' and 'Boycott' were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the
Explanation
The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement began as a reaction to partition of Bengal which became known in 1903, was formally announced in July 1905 and came into force in October 1905.[1] The Swadeshi Movement had its genesis in the anti-partition movement which was started to oppose the British decision to partition Bengal.[2] Boycott of British goods was one such method, which after much debate was accepted by the moderate leadership of the Indian National Congress. So, for the first time, the moderates went beyond their conventional political methods.[3] The movement evolved from moderate methods under leaders like Surendranath Banerjea (1903-05) to more militant tactics under extremist leaders like Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Aurobindo Ghosh (1905-08). The other optionsāHome Rule Movement (1916-18), Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), and Simon Commission protests (1928)ācame much later and employed strategies that built upon the earlier Swadeshi-Boycott precedent set during the anti-partition agitation.
Sources- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement > p. 280
- [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement > p. 261
- [3] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Rise of Extremism and Swadeshi Movement > 2.2 Anti-Partition Movement > p. 19
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a non-negotiable 'Sitter'. It validates that reading the basic chapter headings of Spectrum or NCERT is sufficient for core History questions. The question tests fundamental chronology and the evolution of political methods, requiring no current affairs linkage.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Explicitly states the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement began as a reaction to the Partition of Bengal (announced 1903, formalised 1905).
- Links the origin of the movement directly to the partition, indicating when those methods were first mobilised.
- Says boycott of British goods was accepted by the Indian National Congress moderates during the antiāpartition movement.
- Indicates that these methods were adopted as part of the antiāpartition (AntiāPartition Movement) agitation.
- States the Swadeshi Movement had its genesis in the antiāpartition movement opposing the partition of Bengal.
- Directly connects Swadeshi (and by context its boycott tactics) to the antiāpartition event.
- [THE VERDICT]: Absolute Sitter. Direct hit from Spectrum (Chapter 12) or Old NCERT (Bipan Chandra). If you get this wrong, you are out of the race.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Evolution of Mass Nationalism & Congress Strategy (1885-1947). specifically the shift from 'Prayers & Petitions' to 'Passive Resistance'.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Map the 'Firsts' of Gandhian/Pre-Gandhian tools: First Civil Disobedience (Champaran 1917), First Hunger Strike (Ahmedabad 1918), First Non-Cooperation (Kheda 1918 - though debated, often cited as first NCM experiment), First All-India Hartal (Rowlatt 1919). Also, memorize the 4 Resolutions of 1906 Calcutta Session: Swaraj, Swadeshi, Boycott, National Education.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not just memorize dates. Create a 'Tools of Struggle' timeline. Tag every major movement with the specific *new method* it introduced (e.g., Picketing, Bonfires, Salt breaking, Forest law violation).
The references identify the Partition of Bengal (1905) and the resulting AntiāPartition Movement as the moment when Swadeshi and Boycott methods emerged.
Highāyield for UPSC: questions often ask causes, chronology and immediate political reactions to major administrative measures. Mastering this links to topics on colonial administrative policy, regional responses, and the early nationalist phase. Prepare by memorising dates, administrative rationale, and the political consequences (e.g., Swadeshi).
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement > p. 280
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement > p. 261
References describe boycott of foreign goods and promotion of Swadeshi as the central techniques adopted during the antiāpartition campaign.
Frequently tested concept: understanding specific methods (definitions, objectives, examples) helps answer questions on phases of the freedom struggle and contrasts with later Gandhian programmes. Study by linking tactics to events, leaders, and outcomes; practise by explaining causes ā methods ā effects.
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Rise of Extremism and Swadeshi Movement > Introduction > p. 16
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Rise of Extremism and Swadeshi Movement > 2.2 Anti-Partition Movement > p. 19
Evidence shows moderates accepted boycott during the antiāpartition movement while extremist leaders pushed mass mobilisation and extension of the movement.
Important for essay and mains answers on ideological debates within Congress and evolution of methods. It connects to leadership, regional spread, and later radicalisation. Revise by comparing positions, key leaders, and how that affected strategies and spread of movements.
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Rise of Extremism and Swadeshi Movement > 2.2 Anti-Partition Movement > p. 19
- Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 14: Nationalist Movement 1905ā1918 > THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, 1905-1914 > p. 247
- Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement > p. 280
The 'Raksha Bandhan' day (October 16, 1905). Rabindranath Tagore suggested tying Rakhis as a symbol of unity between Hindus and Muslims on the day Partition came into force. This cultural aspect of the Swadeshi movement is a prime candidate for future questions.
Chronological Logic. The question asks for the 'first time'. Option A (1905) is the earliest event listed (Home Rule 1916, NCM 1920, Simon 1927). Since Swadeshi is a foundational concept of the early phase, the earliest timeline option is the mathematically highest probability.
Mains GS1 (History) & GS4 (Ethics): This marks the ethical shift in Indian politics from 'Constitutionalism' (Moderates) to 'Confrontation' (Extremists). It sets the stage for the 'Ends vs Means' debate that Gandhi later refined.