For nine years after the Surat split the Congress was dominated by the moderates. The British Government took advantage of the dissensions in the ranks of the Congress to widen the gulf between the parties and to drive a wedge between the Hindus and Muslims. The Morley-Minto Reforms were meant to rally the moderates. They […]
Perceiving the increasing intensity of the Indian feeling A.O. Hume, a retired civilian wanted to divert them into a constitutional channel. He was convinced that India needed a political organisation, which would perform the function which Her Majesty’s opposition did in England. According to Mr. Hume’s plan was taken up by some prominent Indians and
The 19th Century was a period of Renaissance in India because many political, economic, religious, social, cultural and literary changes took place during this period. There was an unprecedented awakening and progress in religious, social, literary, cultural and scientific fields. Several reformist movements were started during this period. On account of ignorance of the people
23. Socio-religious Movements of the 19th Century Read More »
The first signs of unrest appeared early in 1857 at Barrackpore and Berhampore in Bengal; they were, however, quickly suppressed and the culprits were punished. But the Sepoys broke out into open revolt at Meerut on the 10th May, 1857, swarmed into the prisons, released their imprisoned comrades, murdered a few European officers and burnt
For nearly twenty years the Carnatic—the name given by the Europeans to the Coromandel Coast and its hinterland—became the scene of a long-drawn contest between the French and the English, which led to the ultimate overthrow of the French power in India.In order to understand fully the nature of the struggle, we have to keep
India had commercial relations with the countries of the West from time immemorial. Vasco da Gama found out a new route to India and reached the famous port of Calicut on the 17th May, 1498.The PortugueseThe discoveries of Vasco da Gama, who received friendly treatment from the Hindu ruler of Calicut brought the merchants of
The fear of British arms, and the apprehension that the jealous Sikh States on the east of Sutlej would throw themselves under British protection, led Ranjit to sign a treaty of perpetual friendship with the English at Amritsar on the 25th April, 1809. By the treaty, Ranjit’s activities were confined to the right side of
The death of Aurangzeb on the 3rd March, 1707, was the signal for the disintegration of the mighty Mughul Empire. No sooner had he breathed his last than his three sons entered into bitter quarrels for the possession of the throne of Delhi. Of the three brothers, Muazzam was then governor of Kabul, Azam of
Shivaji was born in the hill-fort of Shivner near Junnar in 1630. Shahji removed to his new jagir with his second wife, leaving Shivaji and his mother Jija Bai under the guardianship of Dadaji Khonddev. Jija Bai, a lady of virtuous temperament and extra ordinary intellect, infused into her child’s mind high and inspiring ideas
The history of India from A.D. 1526 to 1556 is mainly the story of the Mughul-Afghan contest for supremacy in this land. Infact, there were three phases in the history of the Mughul conquest of India. The first phase (1526-1530) was occupied with the subjugation of the Afghans and the Rajputs under Rana Sanga. The
Buhlul Khan belonged to the Lodi tribe of Afghans. He was a nephew of Sultan Shah Lodi. Thus, for the first time in the history of India, an Afghan ruler was seated on the throne of Delhi.As a ruler, Buhlul was incom-parably superior to those who had preceded him on the throne of Delhi since
After the death of Sultan Mahmud, the nobles of Delhi acknowledged Daulat Khan Lodi, the most powerful of their number, as the ruler of Delhi. But he was destined to hold power only for a few months. In March, A.D. 1414, Khizr Khan, governor of Multan and its dependencies on behalf of Taimur, marched against
Ghiyasuddin TughluqSoon after his accession, Ghiyasuddin Tughluq set himself to the task of restoring administrative order by removing the abuses of the preceding regime. Ghiyasuddin ordered a strict enquiry to be made into all claims and jagirs. Unlawful grants were confiscated to the state. The little unpopularity that he incurred by this measure was soon
Jalaluddin FirozJalaluddin was at first not much liked by the nobles and the populace of Delhi, and had to make Kilokri the seat of his government. But the excellence of his character, his justice, generosity and devotion, gradually removed the aversion of the people.The new Sultan was an old man of seventy when he was
Qutbuddin Aibak and Aram ShahMuhammad Ghori left no male heirs to succeed him, and his provincial viceroys soon established their own authority in their respective jurisdictions. Tajuddin Yildiz, Governor of Kirman, ascended the throne of Ghazni, while Qutbuddin Aibak assumed the title of Sultan and was acknowledged as the ruler of the Indian territories by