Important Events from 1908 to 1918 in the Indian Freedom Struggle

The decade from 1908 to 1918 was one of the most dynamic phases of the Indian National Movement. It marked the transition from the early moderate phase of the Indian National Congress to the rise of extremist leaders and revolutionary groups. This period also witnessed repressive colonial laws, growth of revolutionary nationalism, formation of key organizations, as well as the impact of World War I on India. For UPSC EPFO aspirants, understanding these events is crucial as they explain how India’s struggle for independence gathered pace and how leaders and movements laid the foundation for later mass movements under Mahatma Gandhi.

Important Events from 1908 to 1918 for UPSC EPFO Exam

The years 1908 to 1918 mark a crucial phase in India’s freedom struggle, making it an important topic for the UPSC EPFO Exam. This decade saw revolutionary activities, Tilak’s imprisonment, the rise of Gandhi, the Home Rule Movement, and the impact of World War I. Understanding these events helps aspirants connect how the national movement transitioned from extremist politics to Gandhian mass struggles.

1908

• Trial and Imprisonment of Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Tilak was arrested on charges of sedition for writings in Kesari. He was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in Mandalay (Burma). This deepened the radicalization of Indian politics.
• Alipore Bomb Case (Muraripukur Conspiracy): Aurobindo Ghosh, Barindra Ghosh, and other revolutionaries were tried for plotting assassinations of British officials.
• Khudiram Bose & Prafulla Chaki: Attempted to assassinate Judge Kingsford in Muzaffarpur. Khudiram was executed, becoming one of the youngest martyrs.
• Minto-Morley Reform Discussions Begin: Proposals for expanding legislative councils were initiated, leading to the Indian Councils Act of 1909.

1909

• Indian Councils Act 1909 (Minto-Morley Reforms): Introduced separate electorates for Muslims and limited expansion of legislative councils.
• Assassination of Curzon Wyllie: On 1 July 1909, Madan Lal Dhingra assassinated Curzon Wyllie in London. This was a major revolutionary act abroad.

1910

• Indian Press Act (1910): Imposed severe restrictions on the press to curb revolutionary literature.
• Execution of Madan Lal Dhingra (August 1909 case, hanged in 1910).

1911

• Delhi Durbar: King George V visited India.
• Annulment of the Partition of Bengal: Officially announced during the Durbar.
• Shift of Capital from Calcutta to Delhi: Declared in 1911, effective from 1912.

1912

• Delhi Conspiracy Case (Hardinge Bomb Case): On 23 December 1912, a bomb was thrown at Lord Hardinge during a state procession. He survived, but Rash Behari Bose and Basanta Kumar Biswas became prominent revolutionaries.

1913

• Ghadar Party Formation: Founded in San Francisco by Lala Hardayal, Sohan Singh Bhakna, and Kartar Singh Sarabha.
• Publication of Ghadar Newspaper: Spread revolutionary ideas among Indian immigrants.

1914

• Outbreak of World War I (August 1914): India was automatically dragged in; over 1 million Indian soldiers were recruited.
• Komagata Maru Incident: In May–July 1914, the ship carrying Indian immigrants was denied entry into Canada. On return, passengers were fired upon by police at Budge Budge (Calcutta).
• Death of Gopal Krishna Gokhale (February 1915 but tied to the period of WWI mobilization).

1915

• Return of Mahatma Gandhi: Landed in Bombay on 9 January 1915 (celebrated as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas today).
• Founding of Sabarmati (Satyagraha) Ashram: Set up in Ahmedabad as Gandhi’s base.
• Defence of India Act (1915): Gave extraordinary powers to the government to curb revolutionary activity.
• Annie Besant becomes active in Indian politics (theosophical leader turned nationalist).

1916

• Lucknow Pact (December 1916): Congress and Muslim League jointly demanded reforms; Hindu-Muslim unity peaked.
• Formation of Home Rule Leagues:
  • Tilak launched his league in April 1916 (Poona & Bombay Presidency).
  • Annie Besant launched hers in September 1916 (Madras and other regions).
• Foundation of Women’s Indian Association (WIA): Established in Madras by Margaret Cousins, Annie Besant, and others.

1917

• Champaran Satyagraha (April 1917): Gandhi’s first satyagraha in India, against indigo planters in Bihar.
• Montagu Declaration (August 20, 1917): Announced gradual development of self-governing institutions and responsible government.
• Annie Besant elected President of Indian National Congress (1917).

1918

• Kheda Satyagraha (March 1918): Led by Gandhi and Sardar Patel; demanded tax remission due to crop failure.
• Ahmedabad Mill Strike (March 1918): Gandhi used hunger strike to mediate between workers and owners.
• Montagu-Chelmsford Report (July 1918): Proposed dyarchy at provincial level; later became the Government of India Act 1919.
• End of World War I (November 1918): India expected constitutional concessions in return for its sacrifices.
• Rowlatt Committee Report (1918): Headed by Justice Rowlatt, it recommended continuation of wartime emergency measures; laid groundwork for Rowlatt Act (1919).

Important Questions for EPFO Exam from 1908 to 1918

1. Who was the youngest martyr of India hanged in the Alipore Conspiracy Case period?
2. What was the significance of the Minto-Morley Reforms (1909) in Indian politics?
3. Why was the capital shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911?
4. Which leaders were involved in the Delhi Conspiracy Case (1912)?
5. Who founded the Ghadar Party and where?
6. What was the Komagata Maru Incident and its impact on Indian nationalism?
7. Which year did Gandhi return to India and what was his first satyagraha?
8. What were the terms of the Lucknow Pact of 1916?
9. What was the role of Annie Besant in the Home Rule Movement?
10. Why is the Montagu Declaration of 1917 considered significant?
11. What was the outcome of the Champaran Satyagraha (1917)?
12. Which two important satyagrahas did Gandhi lead in 1918?
13. What were the economic impacts of World War I on India?
14. How did the Rowlatt Act proposals emerge in 1918?
15. What was the Alipore Bomb Case (1908) and why is it important in Indian history?
16. For what writings was Bal Gangadhar Tilak imprisoned in 1908 and where was he sent?
17. Who assassinated Curzon Wyllie in London in 1909, and why was it significant?
18. Which law was passed in 1910 to curb nationalist press activities in India?
19. Who threw the bomb on Lord Hardinge in 1912 and what was the outcome?
20. What recommendations were made in the Montagu-Chelmsford Report (1918)?

Answer Key

Q.No	Correct Answer
1	Khudiram Bose (executed in 1908 at age 18)
2	Introduced separate electorates for Muslims; limited reforms; sowed communal division
3	To weaken Bengal nationalism and move to a central, historically symbolic capital (Delhi)
4	Rash Behari Bose, Basanta Kumar Biswas, Amir Chand and others
5	Founded in 1913 at San Francisco by Lala Hardayal, Sohan Singh Bhakna, Kartar Singh Sarabha
6	Ship with Indian immigrants denied entry in Canada (1914); passengers fired upon at Budge Budge; fueled anti-British sentiment
7	Gandhi returned in 1915; first satyagraha at Champaran (1917)
8	Congress–Muslim League joint demands; accepted separate electorates; symbolized Hindu-Muslim unity
9	Annie Besant founded Home Rule League (1916); mobilized for self-government; first woman INC President (1917)
10	First official promise of gradual self-government (Montagu Declaration, 1917)
11	Abolition of tinkathia indigo system; Gandhi emerged as mass leader
12	Kheda Satyagraha (1918) and Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918)
13	High taxation, food shortages, forced recruitment, inflation; caused widespread discontent
14	Based on Rowlatt Committee Report (1918); recommended continuation of wartime repressive powers
15	Trial of Aurobindo Ghosh & others for revolutionary plot; first major conspiracy case
16	Tilak jailed for sedition articles in Kesari; sent to Mandalay Jail for six years
17	Madan Lal Dhingra assassinated Curzon Wyllie in London (1909); inspired revolutionaries
18	Indian Press Act, 1910
19	Basanta Kumar Biswas (with Rash Behari Bose’s help) threw bomb on Hardinge; Hardinge survived
20	Montagu-Chelmsford Report (1918) proposed dyarchy in provinces, more Indians in councils; basis for Govt of India Act 1919

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