The Path of Independence

History

The Battle of Plassey was fought on June 23 1757, Victory for the East India Company of the British in the Battle of Plassey was the start of nearly two centuries of British rule in India. For an event with such earth-shattering consequences, it was an astonishingly insignificant military encounter because the defeat of the Nawab of Bengal credited much to betrayal for which the British were notorious.

The East India Company ruled India for 100 years, after which it was replaced by direct British rule in the wake of the Indian uprising of 1857.

The European and the British traders, to begin with, came to India for business drives. The Industrial Revolution in Britain led the way to the increase in demand for raw materials. Simultaneously, they also needed a market to sell their finished goods. India provided such a platform to Britain to fulfil all its requirements.

The eighteenth century was a time of interior supremacy fight in India, and with the decreasing power of the Mughals, the Britishers were provided with the picture-perfect opportunity to create their hold over Indian Territory.

They controlled the sale of raw materials and accepted these at low prices; however, the Indian weavers had to buy them at excessive prices. Hefty duties were forced on Indian goods, inflowing Britain to shield their industry. Numerous investments were made to expand the transport and communication system in the country to smoothen the easy transfer of raw materials and finished goods. English education was also made known to create a class of educated Indians who would support the British in governing the country and reinforce their political authority. All these measures helped the British to establish, consolidate and continue their rule over India.

Exploitation

There was nothing positive in the British rule of our country. India had to suffer disgraceful humiliation on a colossal scale and continual violence of a kind India had never suffered before. In a nutshell, British rule was an era of obscurity for India, all over which it agonised by numerous manufactured famines, wars, racism, maladministration, deportation of its people to distant lands and economic exploitation on an unprecedented scale. A vexed Indians even stipulates a symbolic apology and public act of contrition from the British for all the damage they had caused to the nation. They looted India with impunity. Whatever they did had their selfish motive and was against the poor Indians. They also perfected mastered a policy of divide and rule, breaking treaties to initiate wars and plunder the country. According to one estimate, India’s share in the global GDP was around about 27% in 1700 AD, and it was 3% in 1947.

What is Independence Day? Why is it celebrated?

Independence Day of India, which is celebrated religiously throughout the Country on the 15th of August every year, holds tremendous ground in the list of national days, since it reminds every Indian about the dawn of a new beginning, the beginning of an era of deliverance from the clutches of British colonialism of more than 200 years. It was on 15th August 1947 that India was declared independent from British colonialism, and the reins of control were handed over to the leaders of the Country. India's gaining of independence was a tryst with destiny, as the struggle for freedom was a long and tiresome one, witnessing the sacrifices of many freedom fighters, who laid down their lives on the line.

How is Independence Day Celebrated?

Independence Day is significant as it commemorates the valour and spirit of the freedom fighters who fought for the independence of the nation from British rule.

The day is recognised as that of national pride and honour, with Prime Ministers hoisting the flag and addressing the country from the Red Fort every year. A day prior to Independence Day, the president of the country a delivers a televised ‘Address to the Nation’.