Important Events from 1929 to 1939 in the Indian Freedom Struggle

Published on 10 September 2025 by
Important Events from 1929 to 1939 in the Indian Freedom Struggle

Important Events from 1929 to 1939 in the Indian Freedom Struggle: The decade from 1929 to 1939 was full of turning points in India’s independence movement. The demand for complete independence replaced dominion status, mass movements spread across the country, and revolutionary leaders also grew in prominence. Events like the Civil Disobedience Movement, Round Table Conferences, Poona Pact, and the rise of socialist and revolutionary groups shaped the direction of the freedom struggle. This was also the period when Gandhi and Congress clashed with British policies repeatedly, preparing the ground for the final phase of independence.

Important Events from 1929 to 1939 for UPSC EPFO Exam

For the UPSC EPFO exam, this timeline is important because it highlights India’s shift from demands for dominion status to the call for complete independence and from limited protests to all-India struggles like the Civil Disobedience Movement. These events also explain how different political groups- Congress, revolutionaries, socialists, and Ambedkar-led movements contributed to the struggle.

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1929

The Congress officially declared the goal of complete independence.

  • Lahore Session of Congress (December 1929): Presided by Jawaharlal Nehru, passed the resolution of Purna Swaraj.
  • 26 January 1930 declared as Independence Day to be celebrated every year.

1930

This year saw the launch of India’s first mass civil disobedience campaign.

  • Civil Disobedience Movement launched by Gandhi.
  • Salt March (March 1930): Gandhi marched from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi to break the salt law.
  • First Round Table Conference (1930, London): Attended by some Indian leaders but boycotted by Congress.
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1931

Efforts were made for compromise but with limited success.

  • Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931): Gandhi agreed to suspend Civil Disobedience in return for concessions.
  • Second Round Table Conference (1931, London): Gandhi attended as sole representative of Congress but no major breakthrough.
  • Execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev (March 1931): Their martyrdom inspired youth across India.

1932

Repression intensified, but major agreements on minority rights also took place.

  • Civil Disobedience Movement restarted after failure of Round Table Conference.
  • Communal Award by Ramsay MacDonald: Separate electorates extended to minorities, including depressed classes.
  • Poona Pact (September 1932): Agreement between Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on representation of depressed classes.

1933–34

Congress faced repression and the Civil Disobedience Movement declined.

  • 1933: Civil Disobedience Movement continued in patches but weakened due to mass arrests.
  • 1934: Gandhi formally withdrew the Civil Disobedience Movement.
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1935

This year saw a major constitutional reform by the British.

  • Government of India Act, 1935:
    • Introduced provincial autonomy.
    • Proposed federation of India.
    • Expanded franchise but kept real power with British.

1937

Congress gained significant political ground in elections.

  • Provincial Elections (1937) under the 1935 Act.
  • Congress formed ministries in 7 provinces.
  • Marked the first time Congress had real administrative experience.

1938

The Congress leadership expanded its agenda to socio-economic reforms.

  • Subhas Chandra Bose elected Congress President (Haripura Session).
  • Emphasis on industrialization and socialist policies.
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1939

The start of World War II changed India’s political environment.

  • Subhas Chandra Bose re-elected but resigned after differences with Gandhi and Nehru; later formed Forward Bloc.
  • World War II began: Britain declared India’s involvement without consulting Indian leaders.
  • Congress ministries in provinces resigned in protest.
Also Read: Important Events from 1908 to 1918 in the Indian Freedom Struggle

Important Questions for EPFO Exam (1929–1939)

  1. Who presided over the Lahore Session of 1929?
  2. What resolution was passed in the Lahore Session of 1929?
  3. When was 26 January first celebrated as Independence Day?
  4. What was the significance of the Salt March of 1930?
  5. Who attended the First Round Table Conference from India?
  6. What was the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931?
  7. Who represented Congress in the Second Round Table Conference?
  8. When were Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev executed?
  9. What was the Communal Award of 1932?
  10. What agreement did Gandhi and Ambedkar reach in 1932?
  11. When was the Civil Disobedience Movement finally withdrawn?
  12. What were the key features of the Government of India Act, 1935?
  13. In how many provinces did Congress form ministries after 1937 elections?
  14. Who was the Congress President at the Haripura Session of 1938?
  15. What new policies did Subhas Chandra Bose advocate as Congress President?
  16. Why did Subhas Chandra Bose resign in 1939?
  17. What was the Forward Bloc and who founded it?
  18. How did World War II affect Indian politics in 1939?
  19. Why did Congress ministries resign in 1939?
  20. Why is the decade 1929–1939 important in the Indian freedom struggle?
Also Read: Important Events from 1919 to 1929 in the Indian Freedom Struggle
Answer Key
1. Jawaharlal Nehru
2. Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) resolution
3. 26 January 1930
4. Protest against British salt monopoly; symbol of mass defiance
5. Indian Liberals and princes; Congress boycotted
6. Pact between Gandhi and Irwin; suspension of movement for concessions
7. Mahatma Gandhi
8. March 23, 1931
9. Award by Ramsay MacDonald granting separate electorates to minorities
10. Poona Pact: reserved seats for depressed classes within general electorate
11. 1934
12. Provincial autonomy, federal scheme, expanded franchise
13. 7 provinces
14. Subhas Chandra Bose
15. Industrialization, socialism, stronger anti-British stance
16. Resigned after clash with Gandhi and Nehru
17. Forward Bloc, founded by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939
18. Britain declared India part of WWII without consultation
19. In protest against India being dragged into WWII without consent
20. Because it marked the shift to complete independence and mass political participation

FAQs

Q1: What was the significance of the Lahore Session of 1929 in the Indian National Movement?

A1: The Lahore Session of 1929, presided by Jawaharlal Nehru, declared Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) as the ultimate goal of the Indian National Congress.

Q2: Why was the Civil Disobedience Movement launched in 1930?

A2: The Civil Disobedience Movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi, was launched to oppose the British salt monopoly and demand complete independence.

Q3: What were the key outcomes of the Government of India Act 1935?

A3: The Government of India Act 1935 introduced provincial autonomy, a federal scheme, and extended voting rights, shaping India’s political future.

Q4: Why did Subhas Chandra Bose resign from the Congress Presidency in 1939?

A4: Subhas Chandra Bose resigned due to differences with Gandhi and Nehru over his radical policies and later formed the Forward Bloc.

Q5: Why did Congress ministries resign in 1939?

A5: The Congress ministries resigned to protest Britain’s unilateral decision to involve India in World War II without Indian consent.